
■■iiifiiliiijil 



:!itti !! 




iii 












o„ ^-^^^A-*,' --^ 



V 
















6^ "' 



■^f:^^'..^ 





^0' 




.. .'^.■^:cS J'.^:%. ./,:^-/°- J'.-^S. >"' 



^oO> 













\;-V -/-V y-V -P'i' 

.'■vT .V-^^ ,'^^: vV->-^ 



^^^^ -vo' '^^^^ -v-o' 

A-*- -"r^' .V-* ,Sj-' 



^^'•_ \ ,^'" \ /' •'^FS-^ \ ,^' \ ,/"'^>^*^'- '^^ ,^ 

v"^^ ,/^S v*\^ ■I^'^ ^\^ 

^"^ ^ vV-^, ^S^' -V-*' ,'iv/^ 

^ . -P A> "^ t* 'J- \^ '^ 



\V-^. -SJ"', \V'^^ ^b>^„ 

A -■ ... - -^_ & . - •■ - °o o-*^ ' ... - -^..^ C^ . •■ - °o j-S* ■ - - -P 

V^ ^^0^ -oV^ -^^-0^ -oV^ ^^-0-^ 

^r-V •-fV \r-V '.f^V %'V 

t'^^r^ , \V-t. c'^^J^V. V^-^ c'^^V 

^:V ,/ ^ -^V:^,' ^'^ "^^ ^>^^v/ ,/ ^ '^s^^ ^'^ '^^ -^' ^ ->■ 

3« '^OV^^ "'^-'-C-- '^oV^ "'■^-^0^ '^oV^ 

^.ps^ ^<^<:^ ^/.-i^ --^^^^ '^^^^ 

,^^^-V «^^V ,^^^■"<. ,.S^V -^-'- 



^^ -^ <^^ ^ -^^ %• <^ 



.^^ ^-^-^ .^' "^^ ,>!* 



'^^0'^ "^oV^ •^-^0'^ 






.0 



VV ■/•b- ^v -y^' ' ' 

'"^^V ^V-^. ,'iJ-', vV>- 



^?' «/'., 






^"■^^^ .^"^°- ^^"^t. 

... ^'% /\ ^% .^ ... V 



HISTORY 



OF 



INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES 



MICHIGAN, 



WITH 



Illustrations and Biographical Sketches 



OF THEIR 



PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. 



BY 



S^IMXJEL W. DTJRi^NT. 



Philadelphia: 

D. W. ENSIGN & CO. 

1880. 



PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT <fi CO., PHILADELPHIA. 



^6^ 



7^ 



-r: 



vT 



^^ 






3l 



9- 



.'} 



r 



INTRODUCTOKY. 



After many inontlis of close application and careful research the "History of Ingham and Eaton 
Counties" is completed and placed in the hands of its patrons. The amount of labor involved has been 
very great, covering as it does an outline history of the State and every subject of interest pertaining to 
the immediate region treated in tlie work. 

The earnest endeavor has been to produce something worthy of preservation, — something which shall 
be valuable to coming generations, as well as to the present; and though a perfect work in every par- 
ticular may never be compiled, the hope is indulged that the volume iierewith presented will be found 
quite accurate and complete in its various departments. 

For the sake of convenient reference tlie work has been arranged in four parts, which will be 
found to systematize it in the best possible manner. 

In the collection of material very little has been accepted upon hearsay or tradition, and all papers 
and articles upon any subject have been closely criticised and verified before being utilized. All avail- 
able records have been consulted, including those of the various State departments at the capital, and 
those of the counties, cities, townships, and villages, -^ A large amount of valuable information has also 
been drawn from the amj^le historical collections oft the State Library. The written records of a great 
number of religious and secular societies and orders have been examined, and it is confidently believed 
that no material errors will be found in this direction. 

Much of the early history of the various townships, cities, and villages, and particularly of the 
pioneers who settled the wilderness, has been gathered from those of the original settlers who still 
remain. The recollections of these pioneers do not always correspond, but the utmost pains has been 
taken to procure reliable information and to so reconcile the discrepancies of many memories as to 
bring the historic narrative at least within the realm of probability. Many records, and particularly 
those of townships, schools, and churches, are imperfect, and in some instances have been lost or de- 
stroyed by fire. In such cases the only resource is the personal knowledge of people still living who 
were among the first settlers. If any reader should find statements which apparently contravene what 
may have heretofore been written or published, let such reader search carefully original records and 
documents before passing unfavorable criticism. Very much of the fragmentary sketches to be found 
in pamphlets and among newspaper-files and pioneer records has been hastily written, without a care- 
ful consultation of the bottom facts. All such matter has been consulted and verified, and no stone 
has been left unturned under which there was promise of reliable information. Differences of opinion 
regarding tiie earliest settlements in given neighborhoods, the first births, deaths, and marriages exist 
among the old settlers. These are honest differences, and at times it is next to impossible to reconcile 
them. Where this has been the case the statements of the various parties have been given, and from 
these the public must draw its conclusions. 

The field, although so recently occupied by a civilized race, is by no means "meagre in the harvest 
yielded to the patient and industrious historian ; for the American people possess the faculty of making 
interesting history in a degree second to no people in the world. The gleanings have been ample, and 
when every subject herein treated is carefully read and understood, it is believed that a generous and 
discriminating public will find little cause to complain of either a paucity of subjects ^presented or the 
aggregate of information furnished. Tiie illustrations throughout the work speak for themselves. 

3 



INTRODUCTORY. 



In all our labors we have been uniformly treated with consideration and materially aided by a large 
number of prominent citizens in both counties, whose names it would be almost impossible to give in 
detail. To such we hereby tender grateful acknowledgments on behalf of all the writers engaged upon 
the -work. A portion of the names of those who have rendered valuable assistance will be found men- 
tioned at the close of the history of townships; and to the following, who have aided in the compila- 
tion of many of the general chapters and history of Lansing, the principal writer tenders his sincere 
thanks: John W. Sleeper, Deputy Commissioner of State Laud-OfRce; Daniel B. Briggs, Deputy Sec- 
retary of State ; John Robertson, Adjutant-General ; Hubert R. Pratt, Deputy Auditor-General ; Mrs. 
Harriet A. Tenney, State Librarian; Hon. H. G. Wells, of Kalamazoo; Hon. O. AL Barnes, Hon. 
Daniel L. Case, Hon. William H. Chapman, Hon. William H. Pinckney, Hon. Whitney Jones, Lan- 
sing; President T. C. Abbott, of the State Agricultural College; Professor F. M. Howe, State Reform 
School for Boys ; Henry B. Baker, M.D., Secretary State Board of Health ; George E. Ranney, M.D., 
Secretary State Medical Society; Allen L. Bours, Superintendent State Capitol and Grounds; W. S. 
George, James W. King, O. A. Jenison, and others, Republican Office ; Col. George P. Sanford, Lan- 
sing; Journal; H. E. Hobbs, Lansina; Sentinel : Hon. S. D. Bingham, Postmaster, Lansing; the medical 
and legal lirofessions ; city officers of Lansing, and officers of Ingham and Eaton Counties ; the clergy ; 
manufacturers generally; Judge Henry B. McClure; Benjamin B. Baker, Secretary Central Michigan 
Agricultural Society ; C. B. Stebbins, C. W. Butler, James M. Turner, Smith Tooker, E. H. Whitney, 
George H. Greene, A. F. Weller, William Hinman, Hon. Isaiah H. Corbin, Caledonia, Mich. ; Hon. 
W. W. Upton, Washington, D. C. ; John M. Corl)in, Eaton Rapids; Charles Thayer, Clinton, Iowa; 
Edward A. Foote, Esq., of Charlotte; Ephraim Longyear, and officers of the various banks in Lan- 
sing ; D. B. Johnson, John Jordan, J. P. Cowles, Capt. J. R. Price, Martin Hudson, Rev. George 
Duffield, D.D., for special favors; Deacon S. R. Greene, Horace Angell, Mrs. John W. Longyear, 
Mrs. D. L. Case, Mrs. James Turner, Mrs. Abram Allen, Mrs. Dr. Burr, ]\Irs. L. J. Hill, and Mrs. 
F. Newman, the latter of Jackson, Mich. 

SAMUEL W. DURANT. 

Lansing, Mich., October, 1880. 



CONTENTS. 



h:istoi?.io^Xj. 



IP-A-ieT FIRST. 
OUTLINES OF STATE HISTORY. 

CriAPTER PAflF. 

I. — Physical Features ........ 9 

II. — Prehistoric ......... 21 

III.— Early Discoveries and Settlements 24 

IV. — Occupation of Michigan by the French . . . .32 

V. — From 18S2 to the Close of the French Dominion . . 42 

VI.— Uniler English Kulo 44 

VII.— Under the Republic— Territorial 53 

VIII. — Indians and Treaties CO 

IX.— State Organization 6S 

X.— Stale Institutions 71 

XI.— The State Courts 8S 

XII. — Internal Improvements 92 



DPJ^TiT SEGOIsTX). 
HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY. 

CHAPTEK PAGK 

I.— Civil Organization 9S 

II. — The Courts and County Societies 101 

III.— The County Legislature 105 

IV. — The Professions 110 

City of Lansing . . . . . . . . .122 

Township of Lansing ........ 189 

City of Mason 203 

Alaicdon 213 

Aurclius 219 

Bunker Hill 226 

Delhi 231 

Ingham ........... 244 

Leroy ............ 250 

Leslie 2.>S 

Locke 209 

Meridian 276 

Onondaga ........... 291 

Stockbridgc 296 

Vevay 305 

Wheatfield 320 

While Oak 326 

Williamstown 333 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY. 

CHAPTER PAOS 

I.— Early Events 349 

II. — Civil Organiiation 353 

III.— The County Legislature 356 

IV.— The Courts and Civil List 361 

V. — County Societies 364 

VI.— The Professions 365 

City of Charlotte 380 

Bellevue 405 

Benton . ,417 

Brookticld 429 

Carmel 43S 

Chester 443 

Delta 450 

Ealon 456 

Eaton Rapids 461 

Hamlin 47,, 

Kalamo ........... 4s:) 

Oneida 49.T 

Ro.\aud 504 

Sunlield 508 

Vermontville 516 

Walton 527 

Windsor 537 



CIIAPTEB 

I.— 
II.— 
III.— 
IV.— 

v.— 

VI 

VII.— 

VIII.—' 

IX 

X 



.MILITARY HISTORY. 

PAGE 

■History of Organization 546 

Si.xth Infantry 549 

Eighth " 553 

Twelfth " 556 

Thirteenth Infantry 559 

Fourteenth " 561 

Twentieth " 564 

Twenty-sixth Infantry 568 

Second Cavalry 574 

Seventh " 579 



-BXCDOr'SyJ^FTJLXCJ^Xj. 



PAGE 

D. W. Buck between 140, 141 

James Turner ; 181 

Orlando M. Barnes 181 

George E. Ranney, M.D 182 

Henry Corlrite 188 

Edwin Bement 188 

William A. Dryer 202 

Dr. M. McRobert facing 204 

R. Tryon . . ^ between 214, 215 

William P. Bobbins facing 215 

0. B. Stillman 217 

Alexander Dobic 218 

Reuben R. Bullcn 224 

John M. French 224 

George B. Webb 225 

Garictt DuBois 229 

A. L. Clark 230 



H. II. North facing 232 

Joseph Wilson ........ '* 236 

Wm. Cook 243 

John Thorburn .......... 244 

Albert T. Horton 256 

David Gorsline .......... 257 

Mahlon Covert 268 

James Royston .......... 268 

Ogden Edwards 269 

George B. Vanatta ......... 287 

Alonzo Proctor .......... 288 

.Tames X. Smith .......... 289 

John Saltmarsh .......... 290 

John Harwood 295 

David Rogers 30,1 

S. C. Proctor 303 

Abram Force • • 304 



CONTENTS. 



B I o a- E. ^ IP H I a 7^ Xj. 



James Fuller 
Enos Norlhrnii . 
George W. Shafei- 
Henry A. llawley 
Almon Morris Chapin 
Joseph L. Huntington 
John Rayner 
George Beeman . 
Abram JIayner . 
George U. Proctor 
Daniel I>utchcr . 
E. W. Woodward 
William Z. Secord 
Roscell Shaw 
N. C. Branch 
Reuben Fitzgerald . 
Sylvester Day 
Edwin Osmun . 
George N. Potter 
Hiram C. French 
W. Z. Mitchell . 
Bennett J. Claflin 
William Quantrell 
William B. Otto . 
Moses Fox . 
Lorenzo Hatch . 
Charles H. Brown 
Rowland Paine . 
Martin Fox 
Peter Williams . 
George A. Starkweather 
Nelson McArthur 
John AVorthington 
Joseph Mikesell . 



PAGE 

308 
312 
3U 
315 
316 
318 
319 
325 
330 
331 
332 



333 
347 
347 
347 
414 
415 
4IA 
422 
424 
425 
425 
426 
427 
427 
428 
428 
429 



435 
436 
437 
438 
442 



J. F. Tirrill 
Asa W. Mitchell 
Martin Bcekman 
Kelly Bosworlh . 
Hiram Hutchins 
Joseph Bank 
S. M.Wilkins . 
Nelson Wood 

B. F. Mills 
Harvey L. Boom 
N. T. Taylor 
David B. Hale . 
Calvin Halo . ' 
David B. Bradford 

C. M. Jennings . 
Daniel H. Bateman 
Israel M. Allyn . 
Daniel B. Bowen 
Benjamin F. Wells 
Leander Kent 

J. L. McPeek . 
Edmund Lamson 
AVilliam A. Wells 
David Chatfield . 
Mrs. Rachael Welch 
C. M. Van Houten 
John Dow . 
Dudley F. Bullock 
L. C. Sprague 
Martin L. Squier 
George D. Pray . 
Addison Koon . 
Nathan 11. Pray 
Edmund W. Hunt 



PAGE 

. 442 

. 448 

. 449 

. 449 

. 450 

. 455 
between 466, 4C7 

. 474 

. 475 

. 481 

. 482 

. 483 

. 483 

. 484 



484 
485 
491 
491 
492 
503 
503 
512 
513 
514 
515 
515 
525 



543 
544 
545 



IXjLTJSTK,-A.TI03SrS. 



PAGE 

State Capitol Frontispiece. 

Maps of Ingham and Eaton Counties . . . facing 8, 9 

Geological Map " 12 

Portrait of Okemos 63 

Map of Agricultural College Farm .... facing 79 
View of Michigan State Agricultural College . between SO, 81 

iisr(3-i3:.A.:M: cotjjstt'X'. 

Ingham County Court-Houso facing 98 

CITY OF LANSING. 

Portrait of James Turner facing 126 

" E. Bement (steel) "134 

View of Buck's Ojiera-Houso .... between 140, 141 

Residence of 0. M. Barnes facing 181 

Portrait of George E. Banney, M.D. (steel) . . " 182 

Portraits of Henry Cortrite and Wife 188 

Residence and Works of Henry Cortrite . . . facing 188 

LANSING TOMNSHIP. 

Portrait of William A. Dryer 202 

CITY OF MASON. 

Portraits of Dr. M. McRobert and Wife . . . facing 204 
Residence of William H. Rayner .... ** 206 

ALAIEDON. 

Portraits of R. Tryon and Wife . . . between 214, 215 

Residence of R. Tryon " 214,215 

Portraits of William P. Robbins and Wife . . facing 215 



PAGE 

Residence of 0. B. Slillman facing 217 

Portraits of 0. B. Stillman and Wife 217 

" Alexander Dobie and Wife 218 

Residence of Alexander Dobie facing 218 



AURELIUS. 

Portr.aits of R. J. Bullcn and Wife . 
Residence of R. J. Bullen 

" James T. Bullen . 

Portrait of R. R. Bullen . 
Portraits of John M. French and Wife 
Portrait of Geo. B. Webb . 



BUNKER HILL. 



between 220, 221 

" 220, 221 

facing 222 

. 224 

. 225 

. 225 



Portraits of Garrett DuBois and Wife 
A. L. Clark and Wife . 



DELHI. 

Portraits of H. H. North and Wife . 

'* Joseph Wilson and Wife . 

" Wm. Cook and Wife 
Residence of Wm. Cook 
Portraits of John Thorburn and Wife 
Residence of John Thorburn 



LEROY. 

Residence of Albert T. Horton . 
Portraits of David Gorsline and Wife 



230 
230 



facing 232 

236 

. 243 



facing 243 

. 244 

facing 244 



facing 256 
. 257 



CONTENTS. 



iLXjTJSTi?.^Tionsrs. 



LESLIE. 

Portraits of Mahlon Covert and Wife 
Residence of L. A. Royston 
Portraits of James Uojston aod Wife 
" Ogden Edwards and Wife 



facing 



PAGE 

268 
268 
268 
209 



MERIDIAN. 

Residence of George B. Vanatta .... facing 288 

Portraits of George B. A'anatta and 'Wife ..... 288 

Alouzo Proctor and Wife . . . . .288 

Portrait of James N. Smith . 289 

Portraits of Jobn Saltmarsh and Wife 290 

ONONDAGA. 

Portrait of Jobn Hnrwood 295 

STOCKBRIDGE. 

Portraits of David Rogers and Wife 303 

" S. C. Proctor and Wife 30t 

Residence of A. II. Force facing 304 

VEVAY. 

Portraits of James Fuller and Wife .... facing 308 

•* Enos Northrup and Wife ... " 312 

" Col. George W. Shafer and Wife . . " 3U 

Residence of H. A. Ilawley ..... " 315 

Portraits of II. A. llawIey and Wife . 315 

Portrait of Joseph L. Huntington 318 

" John Rayncr between 318, 319 

Mrs. Jobn Kayuer .... " 318, 319 



WHEATFIELD. 

Residence of George Beeman, with Portraits 



facing 324 



WHITE OAK. 

Residence of George II. Proctor, with Portraits . facing 331 

Portraits of Abram Hayner and Wife ..... 331 

" Daniel Dutcher and Wife 332 

Residence of E. W. Woodward facing 332 

WILLIAMSTOWN. 

Residence of Rosecll Shaw facing 346 

" W. Z. Secord "346 



Residence of W. Z. Mitchell .... between 424, 425 

Portraits of Bennett J. Claflin and Wife 425 

" William Qu.intrell and Wife 426 

" William B. Otto and Wife 420 

Residence of William Quantroll . . . between 420, 427 

" William B. Otto . . • . " 420, 427 

" Moses Fox facing 427 

Portraits of Moses Fo.\ and Wife 427 

Portrait of Lorenzo Hatch 428 

" Charles II. Brown 428 

Residence of R. Paine facing 429 

Portraits of R. Paine and Wife 429 

BROOKFIELD. 

Residence of John Worthington, with Portraits . facing 430 

" <;. A. .Starkweather .... " 432 

Portraits of .Martin Fox and Wife 435 

" Peter Williams and Wife 430 

" Nelson McArthur and Wife 437 

CARMEL. 

Residence of J. F. Tirrill facing 440 

" Joseph .Mikesell " 442 

CHESTER. 

Portraits of Asa W. Mitchell and Wife 448 

Residence of Asa W. Mitchell facing 448 

" Kelly Bosworth '< 449 

Portraits of Kelly Bosworth and Wife ... " 449 

'* Martin Beekman and Wife ..... 449 

Portrait of Iliram Ilutchins 450 

Residence of Iliram Ilutchins ..... facing 450 

DELr.4. 

Residence of Joseph Bank ..... facing 454 



EATON RAPIDS. 



Portrait of S. M. Wilkins, M.D. 
Residence of S. M. Wilkins, M.D. 
Portraits of Nelson Wood and Wife 
Residence of B. F. Mills . 
Portraits of B. F. Mills and Wife 



between 406, 467 

406, 467 

. 474 

facing 475 

" 475 



Eaton County Jail facing 349 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 

Residence of Edward A. Footc .... 



facing 380 



BELLEVUE. 

Residence of Sylvester Day, with Portrait . . facing 414 

Portrait of Reuben Fitzgerald 414 

Residence of Edwin Osmun facing 416 

BENTON. 

Residence of George N. Potter .... between 422, 423 

Portraits of George N. Potter and Wife 423 

Portrait of Mrs. George N. Potter (deceased) .... 423 

Portraits of Uiram C. French and Wife 424 

" W. Z. Mitchell and AVifo 424 

Residence of Iliram C. French .... between 424, 425 



HAMLIN. 

Portraits of John Montgomery and Wife . . . facing 476 

Residence of the late Harvey L. Boom, with Portraits " 481 

Portraits of N. T. Taylor and Wife 482 

Residence of N. T. Taylor facing 482 

" David B. Hale .... between 482, 483 

" Calvin Hale " 482, 483 

Portrait of David B. Bradford 484 

Residence of C. Marion Jennings .... facing 484 

" Israel M. Allyn, with Portraits . . " 485 

Portrait of Daniel U. Batcman 485 

KALA.MO. 

Portraits of Daniel B. Bowen and Wifo 491 

Portrait of Benjamin F. Wells 492 

" Leander Kent 492 

ONEIDA. 

Residence of Edmund Lamson facing 49S 

Portraits of Edmund Lamson and Wifo ... " 498 

Island House and Summer Resort, S. M. Hcwings , " 50U 

Portrait of J. L. JlcPcok 503 



CONTENTS. 



IXjI_,TJSTK.-A.TIOnsrS- 



SUNFIELD. 

PAOK 

Portraits of Wm. A. Wolls and Wife »I2 

Residence of Win. A. Wolls facing ol2 

Portraits of David Chatfield and Wifo 513 

Portrait of Willis Barnuni 5U 

Portraits of John W. Welch and Wife .014 

Residence of Mrs. RachaeMVeloh .... facing fjlt 

Portraits of C. M. Van Houten and Wife 515 

Portrait of John Don 515 

VEUMONTVILLE. 

Portrait of Dudley F. Bullock , . 525 

Portraits of L. C. Sprague and Wife 526 



PAG& 

Portraits of M. L. Squier and Wife .... facing 526 

Residence of M. L. Squier " 526 

WALTON. 

Olivet College facing 530 

vvmosoR. 

Residence of George D. Pray ..... facing 543 

Portraits of George D. Pray anil Wife . . ... , 543 

" Addison Koon and Wife ...... 544 

" Nathan H. Pray and Wife 544 

Residence of Addison Koon ..... facing 544 

Portraits of E. W. Hunt and Wife 545 



EATON CO.,MlCH. 

IONIA CO CLINTON 



C 0. 







H U N 



C JACKSON CO 



0)1 Hi no Mup oj" 

ra GUAM CO: 




HISTORY 



OP 



INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



BY SAMUEL VV. DURANT. 



OUTLINES OF STATE HISTORY. 



CHAPTER T. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 
Geography — (jcology — Topography — Soils — Climatology, etc. 

GEOGRAPHY. 

The State of Micliigan has a peculiar geographical situ- 
ation. It is composed of two great peninsulas and their ad- 
jacent islands, bounded in large part by the three upper 
lakes, and has all the characteristics of a maritime region, 
except that the water of its encompassing seas is fresh as 
the springs of a mountain land, and their bosoms arc not 
disturbed by the tides of the ocean, or at most not to any 
considerable degree.* 

The three upper lakes of this grand inland water system 
— Superior, Michigan, and Huron — cover an area, including 
their numerous bays and islands, of about 7(5,000 square 
miles, — viz., Superior, 32,000; Michigan, 22,000; and 
Huron, 22,000. The average depth of the three docs not 
vary materially from 1000 feet, while in the deepest places 
nearly 2000 feet has been found. Each has its system of 
bays, inlets, peninsulas, and islands, and each its tributary 
streams. The principal ba3S in the American waters of 
Lake Superior arc the large one, at its western extremity, on 
which the city of Duluth is situated ; Chegoimegon, or La 
Pointe Bay, Keweenaw Bay, and Tequanienon, or White 
Pish Bay, at its eastern extremity. Its principal islands on 
the American side of the boundary are Isle Koyale, which 
is about fifty miles in length and having an average width 
of some six miles, with an area of about 300 square miles; 
the Apostle Islands, near its southwestern extremity, be- 
longing to Wisconsin ; and Grand Island, belonging to 

* Careful experiments Tor a e«ric9 of years arc said to establish the 
existence of appreciable tides on the three upper lakes, each showing 
a disturbance of a few inches. 

2 



Schoolcraft County, containing about thirty square miles. 
Its most noted peninsula is the one known as Keweenaw 
Point, which projects in a northeasterly direction into its 
broad-spreading waters a distance of more than fifty miles, 
with a breadth varying from five to twenty miles. The back- 
bone of this peninsula is the celebrated copper-bearing trap 
formation, the richest in the world. 

The principal tributary streams of this lake on the Ameri- 
can side are the St. Louis, Ontonagon, Sturgeon, and Te- 
quamcnon Rivers. 

The most remarkable objects along the southern coast 
of this great body of water are the Pictured Rocks and the 
immense sand dunes which the storms of uncounted ages 
have accumulated, until in places they approach the dignity 
of mountains.f 

At the foot of this lake was made, in IGGS, the first per- 
manent settlement in Michigan. 

Lake Michigan, about two-thirds of which lies within 
the limits of the State, is another vast body of water, which 
bounds the peninsula along its entire western side, and, with 
its principal arm, forms also a portion of the southern boun- 
dary of the upper peninsula. Its principal bays are Green 
Bay, with its lesser arms, Big and Little Bays de Noquet, 
covering an area of at least 1200 square miles; and Grand 
and Little Traverse Bays, all situated near the northern ex- 
tremity of the lake. Its principal islands are the Beaver 
and Manitou groups and the islands lying at the entrance 
to Green Bay. The southern 200 miles of this body of 
water are remarkably free from islands. Its largest island, 
Big Beaver, contains about sixty si|uare miles, and the 
North JIanitou perhaps about thirty. The principal penin- 
sulas of this lake are the one lying between the main lake and 
Green Bay, forming Door County, in Wisconsin; the two 
formed by the Big and Little Bays dc Noquet, Lcelcnaw 



t Their height is said to bo -iOO feet io places. 



10 



HISTORY OF INGFIAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



Point and Mission Point, the latter dividing Grand Traverse 
Bay nearly in the centre for a distance of twenty miles. 

Lake Michigan receives the greatest number of hirge 
tributary streams of any of the lakes of the systcni. On 
the west side, beginning near its northern extremity, we 
find the 3Ianistique, Esoanaba, Ford, Menominee, Peshtigo, 
Oconto, and Fox Rivers, all large streams, and several of 
them navigable. South of Green Bay the watershed of 
tlie lake is quite narrow, and there are no important streams, 
though the Two Rivers, the Sheboygan, the Milwaukee, 
the Chicago, and the Calumet Rivers are worthy of note. 

On the eastern shore we find the St. Joseph (the Mianiis 
of La Salle), at the mouth of which was made tlie first 
attempt at establishing a post in the lower peninsula ; the 
Kalamazoo, Grand, Muskegon, Marquette, and Manistee, 
all important rivers, some of them navigable for many miles, 
and all draining extensive tracts of country. Grand River 
is the longest stream in the State, and drains the largest 
area, with the possible exception of the Saginaw and its 
branches. Lake Michigan drains about four-sevenths of 
the lower peninsula. Its entire watershed, including its 
own surface, approximates 70,000 square miles. 

Two remarkable features of this body of water arc worthy 
of notice, — the curiou.s system or " string" of lakelets lying 
along its eastern margin, generally a few miles inland, and 
the great sand dunes which line the same coast in a greater 
or lesser degree from Sleeping Bear I'oint to its southern 
extremity. The lakelets, before spoken of, lie mostly or 
wholly behind these sand hills, and nearly all of them are 
accessible to vessels of every description from the waters of 
the main lake. 

Lake Huron, which bounds the lower |)eninsula on its 
northeastern side for 200 miles, has, including its great 
bays, Georgian and Saginaw, about the .same surface area 
as Lake Jlichigan. 

Its most remarkable feature is the immense number of 
its islands, which vary in extent from a few acres to a 
thousand square miles, the Grand Manitoulin liaving 
about the latter amount. On this great island are second- 
ary lakelets covering areas of more than twenty square miles 
eacii. Cockburn, Drummond, and St. Joseph's Islands 
cover areas varying from 75 to L'JU square miles. The 
islands and islets in the Georgian Bay, or Lake Pcne- 
tanguishine, as it is sometimes called, are almost number- 
less, many of them being ibrmed of tlie crystalline rocks of 
the Laurentian .system. The two mo.st prominent bays of 
tills lake are the Georgian,* having an area of more than 
.'JOOO s(|uare miles, and Saginaw Bay, covering about 1000 
square miles. Thunder and St. Martin's Bays arc of much 
smaller magnitude, but important for the safe .shelter they 
afford to shipping. The deepest water in Lake Huron is 
found oft' Saginaw Bay, and here, also, the heaviest .seas 
arc encountered in stormy weather. 

The width of the lake acros.s, and including Saginaw 
Bay, is fully 150 miles, not including the Georgian Bay. 

The principal streams tributary to this lake on the 
American side are the Cheboygan, Thunder Bay, Au Sa- 
ble, and Saginaw Rivers. 



a This bny lies wliolly in British toniloi-y. 



Forming the boundary along the southeastern side of the 
peninsula are the river St. Clair (the outlet of Lake Hu- 
ron), Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River or Strait, and the 
western end of Lake Erie, completing the circuit of the 
water boundary. Into these last-named straits and lakes 
flow quite a number of rivers and smaller streams, chief 
among which arc Black, Belle, Clinton, Ecorse, Huron, 
and Raisin Rivers, which drain altogether about one-sev- 
enth of the lower peninsula, leaving the remaining two-sev- 
enths as the drainage of Lake Huron. A small area (pos- 
sibly 400 square miles), in the counties of Hillsdale and 
Lenawee, is drained into Lake Erie by the Ottawa, Tiffin, 
and St. Joseph Rivers, the latter two being branches of the 
Maumee. 

The interior of both the upper and lower peninsulas 
abounds in small lakes. The number in the last-named 
division has been estimated at 5000. Oakland County 
alone contains 450 by a careful enumeration. South of 
Saginaw Bay there arc none having an area exceeding 
2500 acres. 

In the northern portion of the lower peninsula are sev- 
eral of greater dimensions, the principal of which are 
Houghton and Iliggins Lakes, in Roscommon County; 
Torch Lake, in Antrim County; Pino Lake, in Charlevoix 
County ; Mullett's, Cheboygan, and Burt's Lakes, in Che- 
boygan County; and Crystal Lake, in Benzie County. Of 
these Houghton and Torch Lakes have about an equal 
area, covering not far from thirty square miles each ; the 
others are of somewhat lesser dimensions, having areas 
varying from fifteen to twenty-five square miles. Hough- 
ton Lake is the proper source of the Jluskegon River. 
Otsego Lake, in Otsego County, is said to be the highest 
body of water in the lower peninsula, being elevated abjut 
1000 feet above Lake Michigan. 

INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES. 
GEOGRAPUY. 

These two important subdivisions of the State are situ- 
ated in the southern centra! portion of the lower peninsula, 
the State capital, Lansing, being about fifty miles soutli of 
the geographical centre. They are bounded on the north 
by the counties of Ionia, Clinton, and Shiawassee ; on the 
south by the counties of Calhoun and Jackson ; on the 
ea.st by Livingston ; and on the west by Barry County. 
Their area includes townsliips 1 and 2 east, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 
5, and 6 west, of the principal raeridian,-j- which bisects 
Ingham County nearly in the centre, and townships 1, 2, 
3, and 4 north of the base-lino of the State survey system, 
which forms tlieir southern boundary. Tiieoretically, this 
description covers a region twenty-four miles north and south 
by forty-eight miles east and west, and includes thirty-two 
congressional townships, covering 1152 square miles, or 
737,280 square acres. Owing, however, to the convergence 
of the range-lines and imperfect surveying, the real quanti- 
ties vary considerably from those above given. By reason 
of this convergence there is nearly a whole tier of sections 



t The longitude of the meridian is stated in the State atlas to 1)0 
S+° 37' west from Gicciiwich. 



rriYSICAL FEATUHES. 



11 



lacking along tlie east side of the meridian in tlie townsliiiis 
of Williaiiistowu, Whcalfiold, Ingliaiu, and Hunker Hill, 
or, to be more accurate, ratlier more llian a mile in width 
ill Williatustown, and rather less in the otlier three tuwn- 
ships. The shortage at the southwest corner of Bunker 
Hill is a little more than a half-mile, and at the northwest 
corner of AVilliauistown, on the county-line, it is about one 
mile and a ijuartor according to the latest map of the county 
(1874). 

These counties lie approximately between 42° 24' and 
42° 5 I' north latitude, and betwocu 7° 10' and 8° 5' longi- 
tude west from Washington. 

lIYDnOGRArUY. 

The counties of Ingham and Eaton are mostly drained 
by Grand Kiver and its brandies, — Cedar and Thorn-apple 
Kivers. Battle Creek, the priucijial affluent of the Kala- 
mazoo River, drains the equivalent of about three townships 
in the south part of Eaton County, and Turtle Creek, a 
branch of the Huron Kiver, drains about twelve sections in 
the eastern part of Stockbridge township, in Ingham County. 
The main Grand Bivcr drains the southwestern portion of 
Ingham County, and the northern and eastern portions of 
Eaton County ; the Cedar lliver drains the northeastern parts 
of Ingham County ; the Thornapple Biver drains the central 
and western parts of Eaton County ; and the Sycamore 
Creek, a tributary of tlie Cedar Kiver, drains the central 
western portions of Ingham. 

A fraction of the southwest part of the township of 
Stockbridge is drained by a branch of Portage River, which 
latter unites with Grand Rivera few miles north of the 
city of Jackson. 

The southeastern part of Ingham County lies ou the 
watershed or dividing ridge between the streams which 
flow in opposite directions to Lakes Erie and Michigan. 

The deepest- worn valley is, of course, that of Grand 
lliver ; but the terraces of the Champlaiu Epoch are not as 
well defined in cither of those counties as in the broader 
and deeper valleys which lie along the lower course of 
Grand River and the other principal streams of the State. 
The width of this stream varies from 100 to 400 feet 
in its course through the two counties. It is, generally 
speaking, a comparatively nuick-flowing stream, and carries 
a large volume of water. 

The Cedar River is a considerable stream. At its junc- 
tion with Grand River, in the south part of the city of 
Lansing, its volume forms about onethiid of the total, and 
its waters have the .same peculiar amber color which is 
characteristic of Grand River and maiij' of the streams of 
Michigan. This color is produced, most probably, by oxides 
in the soil of the region through which they flow, and by 
the vegetable deposits of swamps and marshes. 

AVith the exception of the Saginaw River, Grand River 
has the largest number of important branches of any stream 
in the State. Beginning at Lansing, and following it to- 
wards Lake Michigan, we find the Cedar, Looking-Glass, 
Jlaple, Flat, Thornajiple, and Rouge Rivers, all important 
streams, furnishing a large amount of water-power for vari- 
ous hydraulic purposes, and each having thriving towns 
upon its banks. 



The les.ser lakes, so abundant in many parts of the State, 
are not numerous in these counties, though there are a suf- 
ficient pumbcr to remind the traveler that he is still in 
Michigan. The three princijial ones are Lowe and I'ine 
Lakes, in Ingham, and a similar one in the southwest part 
of Walton township, in Eaton County. I'ine Lake, the 
largest of these, covers nearly 400 acres. It discharges by 
a small creek into the Cedar River a mile below Okemos 
village. 

TOPOr.Il.UMlV. 

The surface of the two counties is what may be called, 
in a general sense, an undulating plain, traversed by the 
valle3's of many streams cut into the surface in proportion 
to their magnitude. In some sections there are long ridges 
composed of the sand and coarse gravel of the drift period, 
rising fifty or sixty feet above the surrounding country. The 
most prominent of these elevations is the long ridge famil- 
iarly known as the " Hog's Back," which lies diagonally, 
northwest and southeast, across the whole or portions of the 
townships of Delhi, Alaiedon, Vevay, Leslie, and Bunker 
Hill, in Ingham County. It is composed for the most part 
of sand and gravel drift, made up of pebbles and fragments 
of the northern rocks, among which may be found many 
specimens of coral and other marine fossils. 

In other localities, as near West Wind.sor, there are iso- 
lated gi'oups of conical elevations forming low hills, com- 
posed mostly of sand and gravel, but in some instances of 
clay and marl. 

SOILS. 

The soil is for the most part a sandy or cla3'ey loam, 
varied here and there by oak-opening lands, as in the 
southern portion of Ingham County, in which also, in the 
town.shi])S of Onondaga and Aurelius, are the well-known 
" Montgomery Plains." The site of the city of Charlotte, 
in Eaton County, was originally a small prairie destitute of 
timber, with a sandy loam soil, highly productive and easily 
cultivated. 

Originally there was quite an extensive area of marshy 
land in the two counties, which, as the country is cleared 
of its timber and improved by systematic drainage, will 
become valuable for purpo.ses of agriculture, the soil being 
a rich, deep, black, vegetable mould, resting generally upon 
a compact body of marl. 



The surface, with the exceptions of the marsh- and 
prairie-lands, was covered when first settled by a heavy 
growth of the varieties of deciduous forest trees u.^ually 
found in Central Michigan, — oak of various kinds, elm, 
ma]ilc, ash, beech, linn or ha.sswood, hickory, black-walnut, 
sycamore, pcpperidge or .sour gum, white-wood or tulip- 
tree ; with tamarack or American larch in swamjiy places, 
together with a great variety of .shrulibery or undergrowth, 
the latter of which has increased since the fiies were shut 
out. There are still large bodies of timber, but it is 
being rapidly cut away. There was no pine in this region, 
with the exception of a small tract on the eastern margiu 
of Pin J Like, in Meridian tuwnshij). Clay of a superior 
(juality, for the manufacture of brick and drain tile, is 



12 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



abundant, and there have been attempts to manufacture 
stone ware and ordinary pottery in some localities. 

MINERAL SPRINGS. 

These abound in many localities, and there are artesian 
borings at Lansing, Grand Ledge, Mason, Leslie, Eaton 
Rapids, and perhaps other points, which bring to the sur- 
face an abundant flow of waters impregnated with various 
chemical substances. 

Both hard and soft water springs are found, according as 
they are aifected by limestone and gravel-beds. 



GEOLOGICAL DIAGKAM. 

The diagram given below, constructed expressly for this 
work, shows the important formations of the State according 
to the recent report by Professor C. Rominger, State geolo- 
gist. 

GEOLOGT.t 

This interesting subject, in order to be well understood, 
involves the study of the entire State. It cannot be con- 
fined to the limits of one or two counties, any more than a 
description of the Mississippi River can be confined to 
Minnesota or Louisiana. 



Age of BIan. 



Sub-Carboniferous. 



fi 



J 



my^r'isi.-^-^i^M^m 



^p^^l^ 



Fine Sands and Clays. 
Coarse Gravel, Conglon 



Lownr Coal Measures. 
Millstone Grit. 



Carboniferous Limestone. 
Conglomerate. 



Thick-bedded Sandstones and Shale; 
Black Shales. 
Hamilton Shales. 



Upper Helderberg.f 



Mackim 
St. Igna 



• Helderberg.f 



North Shore 
Lake Huron 
and Michigan. 



Onondaga Salt Group. 

Clinton. V Niagara Group. 
Medina, j 



Hudson River Sliale 



Trenton Limestone. 



Calciferous Sand Rock. 



Potsdam Sandstone. 




Copper-bearing Trap. 



n, Upper Laurentiii 



Laureutian, Old Lai 



There is considerable lime in the drift gravel in places, 
■while in others it is entirely free from it. Springs impreg- 
nated with iron oxides are of frequent occurrence. The 
medicinal qualities of the artesian wells vary with locality, 
depth, etc., and several have a widespread reputation.* 

■^ For particulars in these matters see farther on, and, also, history 
of townships, cities, and villages. 

f There may be a layer of the Oriskany sand.stone iuterca,lated 
between these formation^, as in New York, and both the sandstone 



A brief but comprehensive synopsis of its various forma- 
tions will therefore be given in this connection. It is a 
subject which is comparatively new to a great majority of 



and lower beds of the Helderberg may be wanting. The Triassic, 
Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Tertiary formations are wanting in Mich- 
igan. 

X Much of the information from which the following paragraphs 
have been compiled was obtained in the report of Professor Rom- 
inger upon the State Geological Survey. 



GEOLOGICAL MAP 

* or THE LOWER PENINSULA "^"^^^ 

^M IGHI GA Ny- ' ^^^ 




PHYSICAL FEATUllES. 



13 



the people, but witliin the last twenty years the various 
government and State surveys made on the North American 
continent have awakened a deep interest, and the time is 
not far distant when a knowledge of the history and struc- 
ture of the globe, as demonstrated in its rock and surface 
formations, will be deemed a necessity among all reading 
people. In no other manner can even an approximate 
knowledge of its age and of tiie various forms of life which 
have inhabited its seas and continents be obtained. A 
thorough undenstanding of its teachings will be found val- 
uable not only to the scientist, engineer, and miner, but to 
the mechanic, the farmer, the clergyman, the school-teacher, 
and even the legislator who makes laws for the people and 
talks wisely and learnedly of the capabilities of the wonder- 
ful regions inhabited by his constituents. 

The State of Michigan offers excellent facilities for the 
study of this science. Beneath its widely-strewn drift ac- 
cumulations outcrop a large number of the prominent for- 
mations, from the Laurentian, or primitive granite, to tiie 
Carboniferous. In the upper peninsula they lap over, or 
rather under, each other like the leaves of an open book ; 
and in the lower they are found dipping in concentric strata 
towards its geographical centre, forming as it were a nest 
of dishes diminishing in diameter towards the centre. 

The lapse of time since the formation of the earth's crust 
began to form cannot be very closely estimated ; but for 
the sake of convenience scientists have divided it into ages, 
epochs, and periods, which division greatly facilitates the 
study of the subject. The various subdivisions as classified 
by Dana are as follows, commencing with the older forma- 
tions : 

I. — ARcn.E.VN Time, including two subdivisions, the 
dividing-line (not well established^ being the dawn of life : 

1. Azoic Age (without life). 

2. Eozoic Age (earliest life). 

II. — Paleozoic Time (old life), divided into three 
periods : 

1. The Age of Invertebrates, or Silurian. 

2. The Age of Fi.shes, or Devonian. 

3. The Age of Coal-Plants, or Carboniferous. 

III. — Mesozoic Time (middle life), including only one 
period : 

1. The Age of Reptiles. 

IV. — Ce.nozoic Time (later, or recent, life), divided 
into two periods : 

1. The Tertiary, or Age of Mammals. 

2. The Quaternary, or Age of Man. 

Mesozoic time (middle life), the Age of Reptiles, and 
including the Triassic, Jura.ssic, and Cretaceous periods, iis 
they are designated in Europe, is not represented in Michi- 
gan, and the Tertiary, or Age of Mammals, including the 
Eocene, Miocene, and Pliocene formations, is also wanting. 
The Quaternary, the latest formation of the State, rests 
directly upon the Carboniferous system. The lower forma- 
tions arc well represented in the two penin.sulas, the De- 
vonian in the lower, and the Silurian, Pre-Silurian, Eozoic, 
and Azoic in the upper, peninsula. 

There is little doubt that the very earliest forms of life 
upon the globe existed in the upper peninsula, as their 
fossil remains are found, though sparingly, in the Iluronian 



rocks of Canada and Massachusetts, and in similar forma- 
tions in Bavaria and Norway, in Europe. 

Sea-weeds and lichens probably existed in the Laurentian 
age, and a supposed rhizopod — a kind of coral-producing 
species inhabiting the ancient seas — has been discovered in 
Canada. Its technical name in the books is Eoxoon Cana- 
dense, or earliest life of Canada ; so named by Profes.sor 
Dawson and Sir William E. Logan. 

The fossil forms of life peculiar to those ages are found 
in abundance in the Paleozoic and Cenozoic formations, and 
they also abound in the drift of the lower peninsula. During 
the Silurian age the lower and a considerable portion of the 
Ufiper peninsula were covered by a great ocean bay, bounded 
on the north, cast, and west by the Laurentian formations 
of Canada and Wisconsin, and during the Devonian age it 
was still an ocean bay bounded on three sides by the Silur- 
ian of Canada, Wisconsin, and Northern Illinois. The 
Silurian uplift of Ohio also probably touched its south- 
eastern border on Lake Erie. 

In the Carboniferous age, and possibly down to a later 
period, it seems to have been a great oscillating basin, cov- 
ered by an inland salt .sea or lake ; and during the deposi- 
tion of its salt measures it may have been connected with 
the ocean, but so nearly insulated that sea-currents did not 
seriously disturb it. 

According to the latest reports of the State Geological 
Survey, the sedimentary rock.s* underlying Michigan have 
been very .slightly disturbed since their deposition. In the 
upper peninsula they dip towards Lake Superior at a low 
angle, and in the lower the dip is centripetal, forming, as 
it were, a basin whose probable centre is under Gratiot 
Count J'. 

The names of the series in Michigan, proceeding from 
the lowest upwards, arc as follows: Laurentian, Iluronian, 
Acadian, Potsdam sandstone, Calciferous sand-rock, Tren- 
ton limestone, Hudson River shales, Niagara limestone, 
Onondaga salt group, Ilelderberg limestone, Hamilton 
shales and sandstones, black shales, Waverly group (sand- 
stone and shales), Carboniferous, divided into upper and 
lower measures, and above this the Quaternary, made up of 
bowlders, gravel, sand, clay, etc. This last formation in- 
cludes the Glacial, Champlain, and Terrace periods. 

A brief description of these various formations will be 
given in the order of their superposition. 

The oldest or Laurentian| forms the surface rock 
in large portions of Baraga, Marquette, and Ontonagon 
Counties, where it covers an area of about 2000 square 
miles. Its constituent elements are quartz, mica, feldspar, 
hornblende, pyroxene, etc. The varieties, according as 
these ingredients are present and combined, are granite, 
syenite, gneiss, hypersthene, etc. No minerals other than 
the ordinary constituents of the earlier crystalline rocks arc 
found in this formation. 



* It is contcnrlcd by some writers that all the present rock forma- 
tions of the globe were originally sedimentary, — that i.«, fttrined under 
water, — and that whatare now designated as primary, crystalline, and 
nictainorphic rocks have had their original stratification destroyed 
or modified by heat. 

f Named from its fine development iu the region of tho St. Law- 
rence River. 



11 



HISTORY OF IXGIIAM AND EATON COUxNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



Tlie HuRONiAN or Upper Laurcntian belongs to the 
crystalline furinations, though considered of a more recent 
dale than the old Laurentian. It outcrops over a largo area 
in the counties of JIarcjuetto, Baraga, Houghton, and ]Me- 
nomince, equivalent to about 2000 square miles. It is 
composed of nearly the same ingredients as the lower for- 
mation, and the two often blend insensibly into each other. 
It abounds in iron-ore, jasper, chlorite, clay slate, mica and 
hornblende schists, varieties of limestones, including mar- 
ble and magnesian limestone, quartzite, conglomerate, etc. 

Probably the richest deposits of iron-ore in the world 
are found in this ibrmalion about Marquette and Lake 
Michigamme. On the Michigammo River, a few miles 
south of the lake, is a very extensive and rich bed of ore, 
inclosed in a narrow belt of the Hurouian formation, and 
bounded on both sides by the primitive granite. 

Next in order comes what in the Slichigan Survey is 
named the Pre-Silurian, though the designation has not 
been generally accepted. It includes the copper-bearing 
series, variously known as trap, greenstone, diorite, etc., 
and what is called tiie Acadian epoch by Canadian geolo- 
gist.s. The trap rock* is of volcanic origin, having been 
uplified through the older rocks. Its constituents are 
similar to those of granite, but generally in much finer 
cry.stals and of a very obdurate hardness. It is fine- 
grained and crypto-crystalline in texture, and soiuotimes 
assumes, in cooling, basaltic forms, at other times is arranged 
in steps, and hence the name "trap," from the Swedish 
word " trappa," a step. It is also found in the form of 
porphyry. The famous copper deposits of the Lake Supe- 
rior region, including those of Keweenaw Point and Isle 
Royalo, are closely afiiliated with this formation. It ex- 
tends from the extremity of Keweenaw Point towards the 
southwest, into Wisconsin, and is also found on the north- 
ern coast of the lake and on Michipicoten Island. Tiie 
area covered by it in Michigan, including Isle Royale, is 
about 1300 square miles. 

The Acadian formation is not well distinguished from 
the next above it. It is placed by the Survey about Onto- 
nagon, where it is said to cover a considerable area. 

The next in tlie series is the PotsI).\m Sandston-E, 
which is divided, in the Survey, into St. Mary's and Pre- 
Silurian, though lieretofore classed as wholly Silurian. Its 
designation is derived from the town of Potsdam, St. Law- 
rence Co., N. Y., where it is finely developed. 

The celebrated " Pictured Rocks" of the .southern coast 
of Lake Superior are of this formation. Its outcrop ex- 
tends along the southern side of tlie lake from the Sault 
Stc. Marie to within less than twenty miles of Keweenaw 
Point, with the exception of a few miles about Marquette and 
near Huron Bay. A subdivision of it also trends to tlie 
soutliward from the neighborhood of Marquette to the 
Menominee River. Throughout its whole extent, its margin, 
overlapjiing the Laurentian, lollows the shore-line of the 

«■' Tlie triip formation is called Pro-Silurian by I'rof. Tlomingor for 
the reason that it is older than the Potsdam sandstone, which lies un- 
conformable upon it. It was evidently tlirust up through the crys- 
talline rocks before the 'ticposition of ihc sandstone. It is of much 
earlier origin than the trap formations of New .Jersey, Connecticut, 
and Massachusetts. 



ancient Silurian sea, in whose waters its extensive beds were 
slowly deposited from the erosions of the earlier rocks. Its 
maximum thickness is several thousand feet. The various 
strata are made up of conglomerates, thick-bedded and fine- 
grained sandstone, and mixed varieties, showing difi'ercnt 
textures and colors. Its total area in the State is about 
3500 square miles. It affords fossils but sparingly. Its 
dip is slightly towards the centre of Lake Superior. This 
formation affords vast quantities of excellent building-stone, 
and it is extensively ((uarried and .shipped to the Western 
cities. j' 

Lying next above this, and conformable to it, is the Cal- 
ciFERous Sand-rock, or siliceous limestone, which is also 
found in the St. Lawrence region of Northern New York. 
It forms t!;e surface rock in the upper peninsula of Michi- 
gan, extending in a long, narrow belt, lying parallel to the 
Potisdam stone, from the St. Mary's River in a curving 
direction around to the Menominee River, on the Wiscon- 
sin line. Its average breadth is not far from five miles, 
and its area is about 1000 S(|uare miles. Its thickness 
is nowhere over 100 feet, so i'ar as is known. It is gen- 
erally a coarse-grained sandstone, alternating with calca- 
reous cement and dolomitic and oolitic limestone beds. It 
afford.s characteristic fossils sparingly. 

Lying next above and overlapping this upon the south 
is the Trenton Li.mestone, so extensively distributed in 
the limeimpregnated waters of Silurian days. Its thick- 
ness is much less than in the valley of the St. Lawrence, 
reaching probably about 100 feet.;j; 

This formation stretches in a broad belt, parallel with the 
other Silurian rocks, from St. Mary's River to the Menomi- 
nee, being in its broadest portions seventy-five miles in width, 
and covering an estimated area of 3000 square miles, 
though the line of demarkation between it and the Hudson 
River shales is not well defined,, being generally deeply 
buried under the northern drift. It outcrops in a few 
isolated instances outside these limits. In the State Survey 
the following general description of this formation is given : 

'* Tlte lou-rst hc(h of tliis limestone formation arc ]>rcva]cntly 
arciuxcco-calcarcous shales, of a dusky-green or bluish color, and 
containing numerous fossils. 

*' The middle litrtita arc thin-bedded, nodular limestones, witli shaly 
intercalations, also of darkish color, like the strata below, and equally 
abounding in fossils. 

*' The vjiper strata are light-colored, brit'lc limestones, splitting in 
uneven, wedge-shaped slabs by exposure or under the stroke of the 
hammer. They are likewise well stocked with fossils." 

The more compact parts of this formation answer well 
for heavy, rough stone work, — foundations and the like. 

Overlying the Trenton formations comes the Hlidson 
River Shale, equivalent to the Cincinnati group of Ohio. 
It outcrops in a narrow belt extending from the river St. 
Mary to the point of the peninsula lying between Great and 
Little Bay de Noquette. It probably covers an area of 



t Professor Ilominger divides it int'> two formations, — the upper 
consisting of light-colored, almost white, friable sandstone; while the 
lower section is composed of very red-colored, thick-bedded, and com- 
pa.ct strata, from whence is obtained the best building -material. 

:|; The Trenton series are 1000 feet thick in some parts of Canada 
and New York, and in Pennsylvania are estimated by Lesley at 20011 
feet. Soulh of Pennsylvania they are still thicker. 



PHYSICAL FEATURES. 



sonic 700 or 800 square miles, tliuu<^li, as before remarked, 
the division-line between it and the Trenton limestone is 
somewhat obscure. It is made up in Jlichigan of thin 
limestone beds iriterstratiliud with arenaceous shales, and 
abounds in fossils. Its thickness is supposed to be si.\iy 
feet or more, and it has a slight declination towards the 
southeast. 

Next in the order of sequence comes the Niagara 
Group, which in the State of New York is divided into 
three parts: first, at the bottom, shales, sandstones, and 
conglomerates of the Medina Kpocii ; second, next above, 
limestones and shales of the Clinton Epoch ; and above 
these the solid dolomitie limestone of the Niagara period. 
These various subdivisions are not well defined in the 
Michigan formation, and the State geologist hardly deems 
it necessary to show subdivisions. The thickness in Mich- 
igan is estimated at 100 feet, and it abounds in fossils. 
Portions of the rock are used for building purposes, 
and the thinner layers for fluxing in iron furnaces. In 
the neighborhood of Chicago it is heavily charged with 
bitumen. This formation extends in form corresponding 
with the other Silurian rocks from Drunimond's Island, in 
Lake Huron, to the peninsula lying between Big Bay dc 
Nofjuet and Lake Jlichigan, and has an average width of 
about twenty miles. The area covered is something more 
than 2000 si[uare miles. 

The Onondaga Salt Group overlies the Niagara, and 
outcrops over a small area in the little peninsula about St. 
Ignace, on Jlackinac Island, and on the islands in St. Mar- 
tin's Bay. Altogether it covers an area of sixty or seventy 
square miles. On the island of JMackinac it underlies the 
Ilelderborg limestone. This is the formation which fur- 
nishes the salt brines of Onondaga Co., N. Y., and also 
abounds in gypsum and marls. It must not be confounded 
with the Michigan salt group proper, for it lies (geologi- 
cally) several hundred feet below the latter. In the lower 
strata of this formation would probably be found solid rock- 
salt. 

Next above this comes the IIeldeubero Limestone, 
which in New York is divided into upper and lower beds, 
between which are found the Oriskany sandstone and the 
Shawangunk and Schoharie grits. It is possible that the 
sandstones and grits arc both wanting in Jlicliigan. 

This formation occurs in both the upper and lower penin- 
sulas, and ajipcars to form the first of the concentric geo- 
logic circles which so curiou.'ly surround the lower peninsula, 
and which, years ago, were likened by IVofessor Winchell 
to a nest of wooden bowls, one within another. 

The area occupied by the Helderberg around the straits 
of Mackinac, and including Bois Blanc Island, is about 
300 square miles. Tlie san)e formation also comes to the 
•surfice in a curving band in the counties of Wayne, Mon- 
roe, and Lenawee, in the southeastern part of the Slate, 
where it covers 1000 or 1200 square miles, making a total 
of from 1300 to 1500 s(|uare miles in the State. Its total 
thickness is about 2J0 feet. The beautiful scenery of 
i^lackinac Island is among the brecciated rocks of this for- 
uiution, which have become so eroded and disintegrated 
through the lapse of ages as to form numerous caverns and 
curious openings and arches. From this region also have 



come the beautiful specimen bowlders of conglomerate for- 
mations which bestrew the lower peninsula, and which we 
often see on the lawns of our residences or in public and 
private collections of mineral curiosities. This rock also 
abounds in chert and hornstone nodules. It is not valuable 
for common lime, but produces water lime, or cement, to a 
considerable extent. Some of its thicker beds afford stone 
suitable for window and door caps, sills, etc. 

This rock is remarkable for the great number of troughs 
and "sink-holes" which abound in its surface in the south- 
eastern part of the State and in the adjoining region of 
Ohio. It is fossiliferous to a considerable extent, abounding 
especially in corals.* 

The 1I.\MILT0N Groip next occurs, strotcliing in a 
broad band, curving elliptically from Thunder Bay, Lake 
Huron, to Sleeping Bear Point, on Lake Michigan. It docs 
not appear in its proper place between the Helderberg and 
black shale formations in the southern portion of the pe- 
ninsula. Its width varies from one to thirty u)iles, and its 
area may be estimated at about 2000 sipiare miles. It 
forms the surface rock of the Manitou Island.s, in Lake 
Jlichigan, and of the smaller islands about Tliuiider Bay, 
in Lake Huron. Its average thickness is estimated at 500 
feet, though borings at Thunder Bay indicate as many as 
G50 feet. Its component parts in Jlichigan are largely of 
limestone, with a subordinate proportion of shales. Borings 
in this rock at Alpena and Thunder Bay pa.ssed through 
brine, and at a depth of 1025 feet reached a bed of rock- 
salt. It is probable that the salt is in the Onondaga for- 
mation, and that the borings penetrated both the Hamilton 
and Helderberg series. In places eighty feet of black shale 
is found. The formation is rich in fossils. 

Lying conformably upon the Hamilton is the Blacic 
Sll.VLE, generally considered to be the same as the Genesee 
shales of New Y'ork. Tlie formation is named by Professor 
Winchell the Huron Shales. It extends in another par- 
allel band from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan, underlying 
Grand Traverse Bay, and having an average width of twenty- 
five miles. Another band reaches through the southern part 
of the peninsula from about the river and Lake St. Clair, 
through the counties of St. Clair, Jlacomb, Wayne, Monroe, 
Lenawee, and the south part of Hillsdale into Indiana, and 
a narrow portion extends into the southern part of I5errien 
County, and pas.scs under Lake Michigan, but does not 
appear west of the lake. The whole area in the State 
approximates 4000 square miles.y 

The next formation, and the one of the greatest econ- 
omic importance in the lower peninsula, is the Waverly 
Group of sandstones and shales. Its outcrop includes a 
broad band extending in the form of a circle around the 
peninsula immediately below the Carboniferous formations, 
and covering an area of probably not less than 20,000 
square miles, or fully one-half the peninsula. Its total 



* The line between tlio upper and lower Ilelilerbcrg fonnalion is 
generally contiderej as the division between the Devonian and Silur- 
ian systeius. 

■f The black shale is reuinrkablc for its oil-producing qualities under 
distillation, and it is sometimes considered the source of the mineral 
oils of Pennsylvania. On account of this properly, it contains but 
I few fossils. 



16 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



thickness is not less than 1200 feet, and in this vast accu- 
mulation is found the inexhaustible brine from which is 
manufactured the celebrated Saginaw salt. This, of itself, 
constitutes a never-failing income to the State, which will 
increase with tlio rapid increase of population in the United 
States. 

It has already monopolized the Western market on ac- 
count of the abundance of wood-fuel in the vicinity of the 
wells now in operation, and the consequent cheaper pro- 
duction than that of the Onondaga salt. This formation is 
also very valuable as being the source from which is ob- 
tained nearly all the good building-stone of the lower pe- 
ninsula, and from the fact that it affords inexhaustible 
quantities of the best quality of material for grindstones. 
Important quarries have been opened in Huron County, 
and the products are widely known. 

The outcrop of this rock, like that of many other foruja- 
tions in Michigan, is mostly hidden by drift. The most 
favorable localities for studying its surface-layers are along 
the beach of Lake Huron, in Huron County, about Port 
Austin, where there are extensive grindstone-quarries. The 
formation comes to the surface in the counties of Jackson, 
Hillsdale, Branch, Calhoun, Berrien, and Ottawa in the 
southern portion of the peninsula, and in the county of 
Antrim in the north. 

So far as explored, between the vein of outcrop indicated 
in the south and the Traverse Bay region it does not ap- 
pear above the drift, though more thorough research may 
develop it. The western poition of the city of Battle 
Creek stands directly upon this formation, though in the 
eastern part of the same city it is buried under seventy 
feet of drift accumulations. Borings at this place passed 
through forty-three feet of sandstone and 326 feet of blue 
shale. We append tables of borings at various points : 

AT roRT norE, iiuiiox ro. 

Foot. 

Drift 10 

Greenish micaceous sandstone 6 

Blue arenaceous shale with sand-rock seams 510 

Stratum of hard gray rock I 

Bark-blue shales l.U 

Arenaceous shales 29 

Coarse, whitish sandstone 71 

Total 787 

AT TAWAS, IOSCO CO. 

Feet. 

Drift 1 •""'"i ■•° 

"""'■ [Yellow Clay 20 

Whitish sandstone 00 

Red sandstone 15 

Uray sandstone 5 

lied sandstone 40 

Light-colored shale 10 

Red arenaceous shale 30 

Light-colored shale 5 

Red arenaceous shale SS 

J31uo shale :!5 

|ted sandstone 40 

Light-colored shale 00 

Red sandstone 5 

White shale ., 15 

Red sandstone 5 

Light-colored hard shale „ 40 

Red sandstone 5 

White shale :i 

Light-colored shale :i 

While, hard shale, with brine lOt 

Gray sanrlstone I'.ij 

liluc shale 10 

Total SS.i 

At iMuskogon borings have penetrated to a depth of 



2627 feet, — the deepest in the State. The character of 
the strata is partly indicated by the following figures : 

Fvet. 

Drift 2:)5 

Light and dark shales 450 

Blue shales with hard scams 775 

Soft blue shale 150 

Red shale 150 

Lime-rock with shaly seams 300 

Salt-bearing sand-rock 50 

Gypsum beds and limestone 195 

It will be observed that the salt-bearing rock is much 
less in thickness than that in the eastern part of the State. 

At Hillsdale two artesian wells of 1350 and 1550 feet, 
respectively, corroborate the results, in Huron County. The 
mineral well at Lansing reaches a depth of 1400 feet, and 
also passes through the brine-bearing stratum.* 

In the Hillsdale borings, at a depth of about 1200 
feet, a white limestone, fifty feet in thickness, was found, 
and below this a soft calcareous rock. At this point 
evidently the black shales are wanting, and the Waverly 
would seem to rest immediately upon the Helderberg lime- 
stone. 

The Waverly formations are supposed to be thickest in 
their northern and central portions. The upper division is 
generally a sand-rock, mixed with inferior beds of shale to a 
depth of 300 or 350 feet. The lower strata are mostly com- 
posed of shales, and are more abundant in fossils than the 
upper measures. They are permeated, more or less, through- 
out, with brine, but it is generally stronger in the lower 
beds, though this order is sometimes reversed, as at Sagi- 
naw, where the upper portions afford the strongest article. 

This formation would probably be found, in its upper 
portions, in the vicinity of Lansing, at a depth of 500 
feet, the drift and the Carboniferous and Sub-Carboniferous 
formations lying above it. 

Overlying the Waverly formation next in place is tlie 
C.-^RBONIFEROUS, with its Various divisions and variety of 
formations. The lower measures are designated as SuB- 
Carboniperous, and consist of various descriptions of 
limestone containing, in several localities, immense beds of 
gypsum or, as it is more familiarly known, plaster. This 
formation is developed in a narrow marginal band around 
the Carboniferous system proper, and is exposed about 
Jackson and at Grand Rapids, where the most celebrated 
gypsum-quarries in the United States are situated. There 
are also extensive deposits of gypsum about Saginaw Bay, 
at Alabaster City, and other points. At Bay City and 
Kawkawlin it is found at depths varying from -100 to 700 
feet below the surface. The Grand River beds, in Kent 
County, cover an area of seven or eight square miles, and 
are extensively worked. 

Gypsum consists of sulphuric acid, lime, and water, in 
the proportions, respectively, of 46.51, 32.56, and 20.93. 

An analysis of the non-fossiliferous rock of this forma- 
tion at Grand Rapids gives the following result : 

Carbonate of lime 4S 

Carbonate of magnesia 27 

Hydrate of iron, oxide, and alumina 4 

Argillaceous residue 1.S 



Vov further account of this well an 1 an analysis of the water, ; 



PHYSICAL FEATURES. 



17 



Analyses in other localities give the foUowiii 

Carhonftte of liinc 

Carbonate of iungnt--sia 

llydrat? of iron oxide 

Insjlublc residue 1. 

ay. 

Carbonate of lime 5G. 

Carbonate of magnesia 2.'^. 

Iron oxide, hydrate, and nluuiina 

gilieeous residue 



0.5 



0.5 



9:!.5 

These show a great variation in chemical qualities. The 
total thickness of the Sub-Carboniferous measures is found 
by borings to be 160 feet. 

Overlying the Sub-Carboniferous and constituting the 
latest rock formation of the State is the true C.\kbo.\ife[1- 
ocs, which contains the coal measures. This complex for- 
mation, made up of shales and sandstones and intermediate 
seams of coal, clay, etc., comprehends a total thickness of 
more than 300 feet, and covers an area generally estimated 
at about 8000 square miles, though what proportion con- 
tains workable coal veins is not satislUctorily determined. 
It belongs probably to the upper system of the great coal 
measures of the countr}', lying west of the Appalachian 
Jlountains, though it may be an independent or isolated 
field, having a diflFercnt epoch for its formation. 

LOCAL GEOLOGY. 

The following paragraphs relating to the local geology 
of Eaton and Ingham Counties are compiled from Pro- 
fessor Kominger's report upon the geology of the lower 
peninsula. We have in most instances employed the lan- 
guage of the report, omitting the more uniraportant por- 
tions. 

At Bellevue, in Eaton County, the Carboniferous liine- 
Btouc outcrops, or is covered only by a shallow drift, over a 
space of six square miles. In a railway-cutting near the 
place the lowest beds expose a greenish-white sand-rock 
of tolerably fine grain, partly soft and friable, partly hard, 
and sometimes firnil}' cemented by abundance of .sparry 
calcareous material. Its constitutional elements are, quartz, 
sixty-nine per cent. ; carbonate of lime, thirty per cent. 

The composition of the higher beds is nearly pure lime- 
Btone, as the appended analysis shows : 

Carbonate of lime 96. 

Carbonate of magnesia 1. 

Hydrate of iron oxide U.5 

Insoluble residue 1.5 



The formation is sometimes in abrecciated condition, and 
shows abundant fossils. The higher strata are of a purer, 
light-colored stone breaking with a eonchoidal fracture, in 
beds of variable thickness interlaminated with concretionary 
seams of limestone. Fossils are not generally abundant in 
these beds, but certain seams abound with them. Above 
these lighter-colored beds is a stratum of brown ferruginous 
dolomite, or magnesian limestone, about two feet in thick- 
ness, and next above ia a bed of light-colored limestone, 
three to four feet thick, and identical with some of the 
lower beds. Above this again is a belt of brown, ferru- 
ginous dolomite, a foot in thickness, cither in continuous 



layers, wedge-shaped at botli ends, or in seams of irregu- 
larly-shaped scptaria surrounded by calcareous shale. The 
uppermost layers arc thin-bedded, light-colored limestone. 
The composition of the brown dolomite is, — 

Carbonate of limo 5fi. 

Carbonate of magnesia 2".. 

Iron oxide hydrate, with alumina 6.5 

Siliceous residue 'J. 

The total thickness of rock at Bellevue is stated by Pro- 
fessor llominger at from fifty to sixty feet. The trend of the 
formation is to the southeast. 

In both Eaton and Ingham Counties coal has been found 
by artesian boring, as at Mason, but not of sufficient thick- 
ness to pay for working. One mile south of JMason a thin 
seam is exposed in the creek channel. When boring the 
well in the court-house square at Ma.son, the drill pene- 
trated the same seam. 

A mass of coal surrounded by and mixed with shales and 
sandstones, and standing in a vertical position, was found 
some j'cars since four miles to the north of Mason. It was 
firmly believed by inexperienced people that this was the 
outcropping of a valuable vein of coal, and one enthusiastic 
individual purcha.sed the land, but soon came to a realizing 
sense of hi.s error when he found it was only a mass of drift. 
It is said that he suddenly left the vicinity, forgetting to 
call on several friends who were also pecuniarily interested. 

At Eaton Rapids, Mr. Frost's well penetrates a thin coal 
seam at the depth of 120 feet. In tlie banks of Grand 
River, two miles above Eaton Rapids, are rock clifis, twelve 
to fifteen feet in height, composed of darkish-blue colored 
shale and sand-rock, interstratificd. A mile and a half 
above Lansing, on the river, the upper coal sandstone comes 
near the surface, and has been quarried on a small scale. 

In a boring at Charlotte of 730 feet, a thin sand-rock of 
the coal measures was penetrated at a depth of fifty feet 
under drift, and immediately below thin seams of coal were 
found. In the township of Chester, Eaton Co., a seam 
three feet in thickness outcrops on Little Thornapple Creek 
under black shale beds. Tlie coal in this locality is close 
to the surface, and has been eroded and swept ofl" by drift 
action. 

Record of boring in Chester: Drift, eight feet; hard, 
black .shales, slate-like, and inclosing thin scams of coal, six 
to eight feet ; whitish, fine-grained sand-rock, containing 
fossil coal-plants, seven feet ; whiti.sh, plastic fire clay, thirty 
feet ;* black shales with pyrites, thirty feet ; white fire-clay, 
with hard ferruginous bands at bottom of bore. 

GRAND LEDOE.t 

" The mo.st instructive natural section through the coal formations 
^vhich we have in the Stale is seen at Grand Ledge, in the valley of 
Grand River, ten miles below Lansing. The river has carved its bed 
to tlic dc[)th of about sixty feet below the general surface-level of the 
country. The upper part of the hills bordering tlie valley is formed 
of drift; the lower presents a section through the rock-beds of the 
coal measures. The village of Grand Ledge is located in the centre 
of the outcrop, which continues up and down the river for about a 

® This statement is probably an error in type, as the fireclay is 
seldom over four feet in thickness in this region. 

■f I'ndoulitedly named from the lofly sandstone cliffs that line the 
river-bank for a mile or more, and presenting some of the finest rock 
scenery to be found in the lower peninsula. 



18 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



inile. The strata rise an J sink in unijulations, which bring the higher 
and lower beds to repeated outcrops on the same level. . . . 

"The upper part of the formation is a coarse-grained sand-rock 
from twenty-five to thirty feel in thickness. . . . The sand-rock ledges 
form a compact body, with only insignificant intermediate seams of 
shale or an occasional coal seam of a few inches' thickness wedged in. 
Calamitcs and other vegetable imprints, besides concretions of kidney 
ore and scams of iron pyrites and conglomerate, are usually found 
inclosed within the rock mass. In grain and hardness it fully re- 
fciiiblcs the upper sandstones of Jackson ; its color, however, is a 
somewhat darker yellowish shade. A part of the brown rock is 
coarsely conglomerate. 

"Ncit below thissand-rock, which overlies the river in vertical cliffs 
for nearly a mile, we find blue shales of arenaceous character inter- 
laminated with other layers of sand-rock, all amounting to a thick- 
ness of about fifteen or twenty feet. Under these is a coal seam two 
and one-half ftet in thickness, and of a very good bituminous quality. 
It wedges out in places or changes into a black, carbonaceous shale. 
This scam is worked at time.^ by single workmen as a temporary oc- 
cupation when they have little else to do. The coal seam rests on a 
graj', argillaceous, laminated sand-rock, with softer, shaly seams 
wliich inclose a largo quantity of coaly vegetable remains. The 
thickness of the beds is about five feet. 

*' Lower comes a fine-grained, whitish sand-rock, in even, compact 
beds eight feet in thickness. Direetly under this sand-rock is a fifteen- 
inch bed of good bituminous coal. Lowest in the outcrop are about 
twenty-five feet of additional strata, principally sand-rock ledges, 
with some intermediate shale seams. In the bed of the river at this 
spot large, hard, sand-rock slabs of very even bedding, and from two 
to three inches in thickness, are laid open, which would make excel- 
lent flagstones for walks. 

" The aggregate thickness of the given section is about ninety feet. 
It begins with the centre of the synclinal depression, and is followed 
downward with the stream. Up-stream a rise of the strata is seen, 
but the ne.\t lower strata to the upper sand-rock deposits are not un- 
covered as plainly as at the lower end uf the depression. After pass- 
ing a covered interval of about sixty steps in going up-stream, the 
following descending section is observed : 

I'eet. 

Drift up to the plateau of the hillsides 31) 

Blue, soft shales with kidney ore Li 

Sand-rock with stigniaria 2 

Thin, laminated sand-rock 4 

Black, carbonaceous shale, or coal 1 

Sand-rock with stigmaria 1-2 

Blue, arenaceous shales containing kidney ore.... 7 
Black shale, or coal, several inches. 

Sand-rock with stigmaria 2 

Blue shale 2 

"White, ripple-marked sund-rock 4 

Nodular sand-rock 211 

Fire-clay 5 

White sand-rock 40 

Coal li 

Carbonaceous shale 3-4 

Light-coloied shale 12 

" At eighty feet below the surface a conglomerate sand-rock is 
struck from which a copious stream of water rises to the surface. The 
sand-rock continues to the depth of 105 feet, where another water 
stream is struck. This water has an agreeable mineral taste. 

" A good section through this formation can be observed in the 
ravines of a creek entering Grand Kiver from the south a short dis- 
tance west of the village ((irand Ledge), and another in the cliffs 
just below it. Highest in the latter, under a few feetof drift, are fifteen 
feet of arenaceous shales with nodular seams of sand-rock and kidney 
ore concretions, and a band of carbonaceous shale with seams of coal. 
Beneath follow eight feet of fine-grained, greenish-white sandstone in 
thick, even beds, identical with the sand-rock found in the first section 
intermediate between the two coal seams. 

" This rock is quarried and worked into cut stone and window- and 
door-sills. It is of fine quality, — better than any of the coal measure 
rocks I had seen before. The beds at one end of the quarry are much 
thicker than at the other, and seem to wedge out. Under the quarry 
stone a foot or two of arenaceous shales, laminated by black, coaly 
scams, follows, and tlien a coal bed fifteen inches thick. The coal is 
of very good quality, even for blacksmiths' use, and is occasionally 
obtained by working the quarry for the sand-rock. 

" The coal scam rests on bluish, arenaceous shales, and, lower, beds 
of sand-rock form the base of the bluff and the bed of the river. 



" In Ingham County, shale beds, inclosing a coal seam, come to the 
surface on Cedar River, near AVilliamston. Not far from this exposure 
a shaft has been sunk, and for several years past a mine has been in 
operation which produces a good quality of bituminous coal.-'"' The 
shaft commences in a drift mass fifteen feet thick; right under the 
drift a coal scam of twenty inches is found, and, following, comes 
fire clay, with seams of 

Feet. 

Sand rock 12 

Black shale 3 

White, soft, fire-cl.ay 3 

Kidney ore (1^ 

Black, slate-like shales, with fossils 2 

Coal from 3-3i 

Fire clay '. 4 

tiray shales 12 

*'A seam of pyrites is generally connected with the coal, but can 
be easily sejiarated. Fossils are common in the pyritous seam. Be- 
sides the vertical shaft a sloping gallery is driven to the bottom of the 
mine, in which the sequence of the rock strata can be studied most 
cominodiously."f 

At a boring four miles west of Williamston, near Cedar 
River, tlie following analysis was taken : 

Feet. 

Drift IS 

Black slate 4 

Coal 2i 

Fire-clay G 

Black shale 12 

Shaly sandstone 10 

Half a mile south of this locality borings of sixty feet 
did not penetrate through the drift. 
Borings at and near Williamston : 

AT THE DKI'OT. 

Feet. 

Drift 10 

Soft, white sandstone 12 

Coal Oi 

Light shale 6 

Dark shale 8 

Coal 3 

Fire-clay 3 

Black shale 2 

Fire clay 4 

Black shale 4 

Fire-clay 4 

Black siiale 13 

Light shale 7 

Black shale .S 

Fire-clay 3 

Shale 14 

104 
Half a mile southwest of depot : 

Feet. 

Drift 2S 

Sandstone C^ 

Light, gray shale 10 

Dark shale 6 

Bl.ack shale 7 

Coal 1 

Fire-clay 4 

Shale 3 

White sand-rock 20 

(To bottom of boring.) 

Another boring, 200 yards north of coal shaft, gave: 

Foot. 

Drift ; 4 

San.lstonc 13 

Dark-gray shale 1 

Coal 3 

with fire clay and shales below. 
North of this last : 

Feet. 

Drift 18 

Coal 7(?) 

Fire-clay 6 

succeeded by light and black shales to a depth of sixty 
feet. 



Not now in operation. 



f Geological survey. 



PHYSICAL FEATURES. 



19 



Tlio borinfp show a tolerably uniform distribution of 
about three feet of coal over the Williaiuston district. 

THE L.\NSIXG WELL. 

The famous Lansinj; Jlineral Well, located at the con- 
fluence of the Grand and Cedar Rivers, in the city of 
Lansing, which penetrates the earth to the depth of over 
1400 feet, ending in the Waverly group of sandstones con- 
taining the salt brines of Michigan, pours forth a copious 
stream of mineral water equal to a flow of one barrel per 
minute. 

This well was bored by a stock company in 1SG3 for the 
purpose of obtaining salt water, and was partially successful, 
but the stronger brines of the Saginaw region soon distanced 
all competition. The Lansing well was finally utilized for 
medicinal purposes. In 18711, Messrs. Woodhouse & Butler 
erected a large hotel known as the " Jlineral Well House," 
and an extensive bath-house, at an expense of more than 
$12,000. Mr. C. W. Rutler sold out his interest, and the 
company sold in 1873 to Messrs. C. Y. & D. Edwards. 
In 1874 they made extensive additions at an expense of 
about 84000. The hotel was destroyed by fire Feb. 5, 
1876, and has not been rebuilt. The property is now 
owned by Isaac Owen, who has recently been to large ex- 
pense in clearing and putting in new tubing, and the flow 
of water is now equal to the amount at any time since the 
well was sunk. It has an extensive reputation as one 
of the most noted flowing wells in the world, and the 
cures wrought by the use of the water are something re- 
markable ; among them well-established cases of Bright's dis- 
ease of the kidneys. The water is pronounced by exports 
to be superior to the most famous waters of the German 
spas. 

The following analysis of this water, together with that 
of the celebrated Congress Spring water of Saratoga, giv- 
ing the solid contents in grains of chemical ingredients held 
in solution in an imperial gallon, will be of interest : 

Lansing Congrosa 

Well. Spring. 

Gr.iiua. Gniins. 

Chloride of sodium H20.221 SS-i.OOO 

Jiic»rlM.n:ito of liino 1II7.5'J0 98.098 

liicarb.inato of sodii 1I2.IIS1 8.U82 

]iicarbon.ato of iuiignc:^iu 2;1.027 9J.7S8 

liicurboniito of iron 1.SS2 o.UTo 

Sulpliiite of p<)tassa 14. Hid none. 

Phosphate of soda 311.005 none. 

Sulpliate of lime nunc. none. 

Silica 3.9'JG l.jHO 

Silicate of lime none. none. 

Phosphate of limo a trace. none. 

Iodide of radium a trace. 3.500 

Lithia a trace. none. 

Sulphuretted hydrogen a trace. none. 

Solid contents of imperial 

gallon 615.430 580.000 

Total carbonic acid 235.550 311.000 

By Alcistis F. Jknxixgs, M.D., 

Analytical Chemist, Detroit. 

The well at the Lansing IIou.se is 740 feet in depth, but 
brings up none of the valuable mineral waters which are 
characteristic of the other ; neither did the borings pene- 
trate any valuable seams of coal. 

The well bored at the State Reform School for Boys, in 
the eastern part of the city, gives the following analysis, 
which was carefully kept at the time of boring : 



Tiel. 

Drift — elay, sand, grascl, and bowldcri! 101 

Soft sand-rock :'• 

Hard tire-clay I 

Soft, while sandrotk I.i 

Soft, sandy lirc-clay l.'> 

Hard sand-rock 1 lit 

Hard tire-clay, alternating with beds of whitish and 40 

bluish sand -rock 

Cherty lime 1 

tJray lime 4 

Sandy fire-clay and seams of hard rock 51 

Scjtt sand-rock 37 

Hard gray limestone 2 

Soft while sand-rock 15 

liluc limestone I 

While lirc-clay I 

Sand-rock.....'. 4 

Fire-clay with iron pyrites 5*1 

Soft sand-rock 5 

liluo limestone 10 J 

Total 500i 



THE QUATERNARY AGE. 

Between the Carboniferous and the Quaternary ages the 
formations, as before remarked, are all wanting in Michigan. 
These include the reptilian age of Mesozoic time, and the 
tertiary period of Cenozoic time. The glacial, Champlain, 
and terrace periods are subdivisions of the Quaternary age. 

It is generally supposed that man appeared upon the 
earth in some one of these periods, though there is some 
evidence that his advent dates still farther back to the terti- 
ary age. But admitting that he existed at that early period 
would not make him an inhabitant of Michigan, for lack of 
something to stand upon would make it impossible. The 
lower peninsula was then, probably, under water. 

The drift deposits of the glacial and post-glacial days 
cover the peninsula to depths varying from a few inches to 
many hundred feet. In a few localities fixed rock appears 
upon the surface, but nearly the whole region is buried 
under the accumulated bowlders, sands, and clays of the ice 
period. 

The materials of these accumulations have been produced 
by erosions of the early rocks, and the masses heaped and 
strewn over the lower peninsula of Michigan have been 
deposited by some irresistible force moving in a direction 
nearly south. Were this drift removed, the entire rock 
surface, except where modified from recent causes, would 
probably exhibit astonishing efiects produced by this enor- 
mous force. It would appear as if planed down by some 
gigantic instrument, and in places would be deeply grooved 
and scored as if by an immense plow or gouge. 

In New England and New Y'ork these scorings and 
groovings are plainly to be seen even on .some of the higher 
mountains, as Mansfield, Kearsage, and the hard granite of 
Ascutney ; and the massive and obdui'ate trap of the Cou- 
necticut Valley bears evidence of some enormous force 
passing over it during a long period of time. 

There may have been similar or many glacial periods 
since the earth's crust became solid; but, at any rate, there 
can be but little doubt that there has been one compara- 
tively recent geological period, when a large share of the 
Norlh American continent lying north of the fortieth 
parallel and east of the one hundredth meridian was plowed 
and ground over by a vast accumulation of semi-solid ice, 
which tore the rocks of the north from their ancient beds, 
and carried them far to the southward, grinding them into 



20 



HISTORY OF INGHAM Ax\D EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



bowlders, gravel, and sand by the way, and leaving the 
wreck, when the glacier melted, strewn as we now behold, 
except that it has been greatly modified by the tremendous 
rush of waters succeeding the ice period, and considerably 
changed by the action of rains and snows and the streams 
of later days. 

The causes of this glaciated condition of the earth's sur- 
face we shall not discuss in this connection. They have 
been ablyliaudleJ by various writers, and Dana gives an 
elaborate paper in his " Manual of Geology," which seems 
to be exhaustive of the subject. 

To this enormous power, continued, it may be, for a 
liundred thousand years or more, is attributed by some the 
formation of several of the great American lakes, notably 
Jlichigan and Huron, with their peculiar bays. Lake 
Superior, lying in an immense synclinal among the earlier 
formations, is 'considered to be of volcanic origin. The 
level of Lakes Michigan and Huron has varied materially 
in the lapse of ages. At one time both these bodies of 
water and also Lake Eiie drained southward into the Ohio 
and Mississippi, via the Wabash and Illinois Rivers. 

The Champlain period,* which succeeded the glacial, was 
the grand distributing era of the Quaternary age. The 
melting of the continental glacier left great deposits of 
bowlders, gravel, sand, and clay, unevenly distributed in vast 
heaps and moraines over the surface of the peninsula. 

The powerful streams, set free by this melting process, 
swept with irresistible force in all directions from the centre 
towards the basins of the lakes, in their courses greatly 
modifying these deposits and distributing them more evenly 
over the surface. During this period the channels of the 
principal streams were probably marked out, and their 
steadily diminishing waters have been cutting them deeper 
and deeper to the present time. 

The Champlain period may be properly divided into two 
subdivisions, — the Diluvial and the Alluvial, — or one of 
depositions from the melting glacier, and the other of de- 
posits by swollen streams upon overflowed lands, as we wit- 
ness in these days along the valleys of the Mississippi and 
other rivers. These late deposits are more or less plainly 
stratified. 

The terrace period includes the time during which the 
clearly defined terraces of the larger streams have been 
forming. The principal streams of Michigan exhibit the 
terrace formations to a considerable degree, though not to 
the extent observable in the vallej's of rivers running 
through older and more liilly regions. They arc quite 
noticeable along the Grand, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and 
other large watercourses. The terraces mark the different 
levels at which the waters have stood, for longer or shorter 
periods, since they began cutting through the drift toward 
the underlying rock, which has been reached in compara- 
tively few places in the lower peninsula. 

All the streams, great and small, show a wonderful dimi- 
nution from their volume in the post-glacial days. The 
Mississippi, which we are wont to consider of vast propor- 

'•-" .So named from tlio occurrence of finely developed beds of the 
period in tiic ncigliborhood of Lake Oliamplnin. It was the period of 
formation of immenfc fresli-water basins and of "rcat rivers. 



tions, once had an avcr.age width of nearly a hundred miles 
below the mouth of the Ohio ; and while the rivers of 
Michigan may not have changed in an equal ratio, they are 
no doubt vastly inferior to their former raaguitude. 

The appearance of forest trees upon the surface of 
Michigan is of comparatively recent date. In all proba- 
bility many ages elapsed after the disappearance of the ^ 
glacier before the heaped up sands and clays were fully 
covered with vegetation, and the region must have been a 
vast desert interspersed everywhere with lakes and marshes, 
and totally unfit for the habitation of man. In this respect 
it has been improving for an unknown period, and will con- 
tinue to do .so for long years to come. The day will prob- 
ably at length arrive when most of the inferior lakes and 
marshes will be drained, and their beds become dry and 
cultivatable land. 

GENERAL TOl'OGR.vrilY. 

The lower peninsula of Michigan may be described as a 
comparatively level plateau, embossed with low hills and 
ridges, and everywhere eroded and seamed by a vast num- 
ber of watercourses, which flow from the highlands in di- 
rections east, west, north, and southeast toward the basins 
of the great lakes. 

The principal height of lands, which separates the water- 
sheds drained respectively by Lakes Michigan, Huron, and 
Erie, can be traced from the Indiana line in Branch County 
through the counties of Hillsdale, Jackson, Washtenaw, 
Livingston, Shiawassee, Gratiot, Montcalm, ^Mecosta, Isa- 
bella, Clare, Roscommon, Crawford, Otsego, and Charlevoix. 

A secondary but quite lofty " divide" separates the 
waters which flow into Lakes Erie and St. Clair, and the 
Straits of St. Clair and Detroit from those which flow into 
Saginaw Bay. This ridge passes through the northeastern 
part of Livingston County, the uorthwestern part of Oak- 
land, the southeastern part of Lapeer, and the central por- 
tions of Sanilac. Subordinate elevations separate the water- 
sheds of the various streams. The peninsula is nowhere 
mountainous, and only moderately hilly. The higher eleva- 
tions, taken mostly from railway surveys, and measured 
from the mean level of Lake Michigan at Chicago, which 
is stated at 580 feet 6 inches above the sea level, are as fol- 
lows, accordiug to Prof. Wincholl : 

Above T.ako Above 

51i.lii;;illl. .Sea. 

Keet. Feet. 

Ilei-litof lands in Otsego County I2IIIJ ITSdJ 

Suunnit in F.oscommon County S2II 140(1 

" ClareCounty 7JI) 1330 

" Hillsdale County (iKJ 1 1U3 

" " Oakland County ; iJ29 1100 

" " .Jackson County 411 Si'Jl 

" " Washtenaw County 31)4 074 

" " southeastern part of Ingham County.... 301 971 

" " north part of Katon County ."..... 2j0 830 

This last location in Eaton County is designated as 
" Grand Ledge Summit." 

Houghton Lake, at the head of the Muskegon River, is 
elevated 589 feet above Lake Michigan, and 1169 feet 
above the sea. Between the valleys of the Saginaw and 
Grand Rivers there is a natural depression which in the 
lowest place is only elevated seventy-two feet above the 
lakes. 



PREHrSTORIC. 



21 



CLIMATOLOGY. 

The State of Micliigan lies between the parallels of 41° 
30' and 48° 20' north latitude. Its longest axis, measur- 
ing from the southwest corner of Hillsdale County to the 
Straits of Mackinaw, and thence northwest to the Minne- 
sota and Canadian boundar}' between Isle Iloyale aud the 
mainland, is not far from 550 miles. Its greatest breadth, 
including its water area across the lower peninsula at the 
south line of Saginaw Baj-, is about 265 miles. 

Over such an extensive region there is necessarily great 
diversity of climate. Isle Koyale and the northern por- 
tions of the upper peninsula have an almost Arctic winter 
season, while the southern portions of the lower peninsula 
experience the climate of New York and Philadelphia. 
The great bodies of water almost surrounding the lower 
peninsula produce a most remarkable effect upon its climate 
both in summer and winter. The summers are neither so 
hot nor the winters so cold as in the same latitude east of 
Lakes Huron and west of Lake Michigan. 

The influence of these lakes is greatest in their immedi- 
ate neighborhood, tliough the central parts of tlie peninsula 
feel it more or less. But within twenty miles of the eastern 
shore of Lake Micliigan the effect is most marked, and 
from this cause it is one of the finest regions for the growth 
of the fruits and berries of the temperate latitudes to be 
found in the world. It is well known that peaches are 
almost a certain crop (except the trees are diseased) from 
St. Joseph to Grand Traverse Bay. The deflection of the 
isothermal lines, in summer to the south and in winter to 
the north, caused by the even temperature of Lake Michi- 
gan is something remarkable, and in this respect perhaps 
no country on the globe is so peculiarly situated. The ex- 
tremest cold of winter at Traverse City, in latitude forty- 
five north, does not exceed that of St. Louis, Mo., which 
is situated six degrees farther to the south, equivalent to 
400 miles, and instances are known where the peach has 
been destroyed by the cold at the latter place, while a fair 
crop has been secured at the former. 

The extreme heats of summer are much modified by the 
same cause, aud the western lake ports may be sweltering 
with heat, while those on the eastern shore are enjoying 
almost a perpetual spring. It may be asked why both 
shores of the lake are not affected equally. The answer is 
that a large proportion of the winds of this region blow 
from a direction west of a north and south line, thus carry- 
ing the moisture and temperature of the lake over the 
Michigan peninsula. The mean summer and mean winter 
temperature of the lake vary only about eight degrees, so 
that its waters are uniform in their temperature to a re- 
markable degree. In the central portions of the State this 
influence is considerably less, and the temperature in sum- 
mer is considerably higher and in winter correspondingly 
lower than in tiie nearer vicinity of the lake ; still it affects 
the entire peninsula to a greater or less extent. 

In the matter of precipitation it is also probable that the 
proximity of these great bodies of water has more or less 
eftect upon the amount year after year, equalizing the rain- 
fall, and rendering excessive droughts less liable to occur. 
Tlie atmosphere is consequently somewhat more humid 
than in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. 



The average amount of precipitation, rain and snow, 
annually for tiie lower peninsula is thirty-two inches. At 
Lansing, which is in latitude 42° 43' 53", and at an eleva- 
tion of 270 feet above Lake Michigan, or 850 above sea 
level, the average annual precipitation, as determined by 
observations continued through seven years, is 30.31 inches. 
The prevailing winds at this point, which is near the centre 
of the peninsula, east and west, for the same period were 
southwest, west, and northeast, much the greater part of the 
time .southwest. 

The climate and soil of Michigan seem peculiarly adapted 
to the maximum production of wheat, vegetables, and fruit. 
The yield per acre of winter wheat sometimes exceeds fifty 
bushels, and its superior quality is well known. Its fruits 
are distinguished for their size, flavor, remarkable sound- 
ness, and freedom from injury by insects. Apples, pears, 
cherries, grapes, and berries flourish in all parts of the lower 
peninsula, while the peculiar home of the peach is within 
a belt of several miles in width bordering Lake Michigan. 



C II A P T E R 1 1. 



PEEHISTOKIC. 



Evidences of a Seini-Civilized Occiipntion — The Mound-Builders — 
Traditions of the Indians — Indinn Xations. 

In compiling a history of the counties of Ingham and 
Eaton, it has seemed to the writer necessary and proper to 
give a brief outline of the early history of the two penin- 
sulas now comprising the State of Jlichigan. Though sit- 
uated 1500 miles from the mouth of the river St. Law- 
rence, which drains every square mile of the State,* almost 
surrounded by vast inland seas, covered with dense forests, 
and inhabited by savage nations, its territory was among 
the earliest to be explored, and settlements were founded 
and missions and trading-stations cstabli-shed within its 
borders before the English and Dutch colonies had pene- 
trated 100 miles from the Atlantic coast. 

Could a full and accurate history of its first European 
discoverers, and of its early explorers, vnyageurs, courcnrs 
de Lois, fur traders, and missionaries be given, the "plain, 
unvarnished tale" would exceed the wildest imaginings of 
romance. Along its stormy seas, amid its thousand inland 
lakes, and through its tangled forests and gloomy mo- 
rasses, the daring and greedy trader ventured for worldly 
gain ; while the black-robed missionary, bearing the em- 
blems of his holy calling, risked, and often lost, his life in 
the thankless and almost vain attempt to change its barba- 
rian hordes into civilized and Christian people. 

There is no portion of the American continent around 
which cluster more of the elements of daring adventure, of 
unselfish religious zeal, and of wild romance than the 
great lake region of the Northwest. The writings of 



» With the passible exception of a few square miles at the beads of 
tho Wisconsin and Chippewa Kivors. Lake Viuux Desert is repre- 
seuted as lying across tlie lino between Wi.''c:)n3in and .Michigan, and 
as draining into the Wisconsin River. A few small laiics may also 
drain into the Chippewa Itiver. 



22 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



Charlevoix, La Hontan, Schoolcraft, Parkman, De Smet, 
and many more, constitute an inexhaustible fund of most 
interostiiij; information from which future writers may 
draw without stint wlien treating of this wonderful region. 
The published histories of Michigan, while of great value 
and creditable to their compilers, are mostly fragmentary, 
and come fur short of a compreiiensive treatment of the 
subject. The grand history of the State is yet to be writ- 
ten, and there is certainly no more inviting field for the com- 
petent historian than this. Materials are abundant, but 
they are to be made available only by a thorough research 
among the colonial records of France and England, the writ- 
ings of the Jesuits, the archives of the American govern- 
ment, and, we may properly add, the records of the great 
fur companies. Whoever shall undertake the task, with all 
these appliances at command, and bring to the work an en- 
thusiastic love of the subject, coupled with ability and in- 
dustry, will furnish a rare and enchanting work ; one that 
will live like the writings of Herodotus. 

ANCIKNT OCCUPATION. 

The evidences of a long-continued and semi-civilized oc- 
cupation of the great valleys of the Mississippi and St. 
Lawrence Rivers in the far off and shadowy past are 
abundant on every hand. The vast mounds and compli- 
cated S3'stem of fortification found throughout the valley of 
the Mississippi, the Ohio, and other important streams, 
the wonderful and gigantic mining operations in the upper 
peninsula of Michigan, and on Isle Royale,* in Lake Supe- 
rior, and the curious, extensive, and inexplicable " garden- 
bods" of Michigan and Wisconsin, are proof positive that 
ages ago throughout all the vast region there dwelt a ho- 
mogeneous and powerful race, which some catastrophe 
swept from the face of the country, leaving nothing save 
gigantic and silent ruins to testify of its existence. 

Speculation as to the origin and movements of this an- 
cient people has been abundant, and the subject has been 
voluminously treated from every possible stand-jioint. Prom- 
inent writers have contended that the home — the original 
hal/itiit of the human race — was in that mythical region 
known to the earliest writers as " The Lost Atlantis," 
which is said to have occupied the region now covered by 
the rolling billoMfs of the Central Atlantic Ocean. The 
words Atlas and Atlantic are undoubtedly of ancient 
American origin, for we find no root in any of the lan- 
guages of the Eastern continent akin to them. All was a 
common prefix to many words in the language spoken by 
the Aztecs, and other inhabitants of Central America and 
Mexico, and to this source we must trace its origin. 

Geology teaches us through the " testimony of the rocks" 
that the American, and particularly the North American 
continent is of much greater age than most portions of the 
eastern congeries of continents. The vast desert regions 
of Asia and Africa indicate that their emergence from be- 
neath the waters of the sea took place at a comparatively 
recent date. The extensive regions occupied by the Ar- 
chiean, or granitic, formations of America are considered 



* This groat isliind was niimcd by the Jesuit Father Dablon, who 
first visited it about 1071, hlc Miuon.j. 



the oldest upon the globe. These facts would teach that 
most probably the Western continent was the home of the 
first forms of life upon the earth, — vegetable and animal, — 
and by a consequent process of reasoning, in all probability, 
the human family, or its earliest branch, was here first de- 
veloped. 

Such a theory is certainly opposed to early teaching.s 
and traditions, but this statement has also been true of 
nearly every new theory in the history of the human race. 
The logic of the law of gradual development is attracting 
a vast amount of attention in these days of great dis- 
coveries, and current theories and beliefs are as liable to 
radical changes as they have been in the past. There is 
positive evidence, deducible from the " lake dwellings" of 
Switzerland, the remains found in the caverns of France 
and England, and from indications of early human exist- 
ence in the United States, that the long cherished belief 
that the human race dates back less than GOOO years is a 
mistaken one. Recent explorations in the caverns of Kent, 
England, are considered by the English archiuologists as 
indicating an existence of 000,000 years ; and the dis- 
covery of human bones in the auriferous gravel of Cali- 
fornia, buried beneath successive deposits of lava, carries 
the race still farther back to ante-glacial days. 

The history of the ancient inhabitants of Mexico and 
the Central American States has been carefully studied by 
eminent scholars, so far as materials could be found, and the 
conclusion arrived at is that the civilization of that region 
dates as far back as 2500 years before the Christian era. 
One proposition seems to be conclusively established, — viz., 
that the farther we trace the human race back through the 
corridors of time, the nearer it approaches a state of bar- 
barism. In other words, there appears to have been a 
gradual advance in an intellectual direction, a steady pro- 
gression in the mental faculties of the race. This is strictly 
in keeping with the law of nature, which has been con- 
stantly improving the various forms of life preceding man, 
and the latter can be no exception to the rule. 

We find the history of mankind divided into periods, or 
ages, which serve as milestones to indicate radical changes 
in the condition or amount of intelligence at various stages 
of his existence. These periods have been divided by 
archaeologists and antiquarians into a Slone Age, a Bronze 
Age, an Iron Age, etc. There may also have been a 
Wooden Age preceding the Stone Age, wherein men used 
only clubs and sticks as weapons of offense and defense. 
These periods have not followed each other in regular suc- 
cession throughout the globe ; on the contrary, several of 
them have frequently existed contemporaneously, and the 
fact is well known that at the present time there are nations 
and fragmentary peoples on several of the continents who 
have not advanced beyond the development of the Stone 
Age. This is eminently true of the continents of Africa, 
America, and Australia. 

So far as known there are abundant evidences that the 
age of stone has at one time or other existed on all the 
continents. There is apparently scarce an acre of all the 
vast Mississippi basin over which are not strewn the stone 
implements of this period. 

An age of bronze evidently existed on the American 



PREHISTORIC. 



23 



contincut, tl)ougli its relics are comparatively few ; but this 
may be accounted for by supposing so long a period to have 
elapsed that most of the implements and utensils have be- 
come oxydized and restored to original elements. Copper 
implements are still (juite abundantly found in connection 
with mounds and earthworks. Both stone and copper im- 
plements were also in use at the same time. 

The name of this lost race which has left such remark- 
able works in many parts of the continent will probably 
never be known. There are theories innumerable regard- 
ing them. Some suppose them to have been an entirely 
different race from the brown or copper-colored tribes 
found inhabiting the Atlantic slope and the great interior 
' basin of the present United States of America, whose an- 
cestors, like the fabled inhabitants of the Eastern conti- 
nent, had come from some central point where they first 
sprang into being. This original home of the race they 
believe to have been in Central America, from whence came 
the Toltecs, the Chieimecs, the Colhuas, the Tezeocans, 
the Aztecs, and the Mexicans. From some one or more of 
these last-named races it is supposed were derived the 
earliest inhabitants of the region uow constituting the 
United States. 

On the other hand it is claimed by prominent writers 
that the earliest inhabitants of Mexico and Yucatan had 
traditions that their ancestors came from a country lying 
to the north of the Mexican Gulf, from whence they were 
driven by the terrible Chieimecs thou.sands of years ago. 
These Chieimecs are said to have come from the north and 
west and to have swarmed over every portion of the Missis- 
sippi Valley. 

Again the Iroquois and Delaware nations of Indians — 
the ancient Mengwe and Lenni Lenape — have traditions 
that their progenitors came originally from the western 
parts of the Northern continent, by the gradual process of 
steady colonization, and in course of time reached the great 
river Mississippi.* On the eastern banks of this stream 
they found a powerful people, living in great cities, whom 
they called Alleghewi. A dreadful war ensued, in which 
the leagued nations of the Lenape and the Mengwe, after 
many years of bloody conflict, finally prevailed, drove out 
the inhabitants, and divided their country between them, 
the Lenape choosing the valley of the Ohio River and the 
Mengwe occupying the region of the Great Lakes. 

These traditions would indicate the possibility that the 
ancestors of the Delaware and Iroquois nations and the 
Cbicimecs of Central American tradition were identical ; 
and also that the Mound- Builders and the Alleghewi were 
one and the same people. But at present, as was said by 
the Greek philosophers, " All we know is, nothing c:iu be 
known," at least nothing satisfactory, as to who the lost 
races were, or whence they came. 

Regarding the occupation of Michigan by this ancient 
race there is not as much evidence as is found in the valley 
of the Ohio ; but the scattering mounds found at intervals, 
the numerous garden-bed.sf once covering a large area in 

* Thia namo is variously written Mcssipi, Mama Scpcc, Michi- 
sepi, etc. 

t It has been suggcslcil by Ilcnry Gilman, of Detroit, tlial these 
garden-beds were the places where was produced the grain required 



the valleys of the St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, and Grand 
Rivers, and the extensive working of the copper deposits 
of Lake Superior, are sufiicient evidence that both the 
upper and lower peninsulas were occupied by a race ante- 
rior to the advent of the Indians. The presence of vast 
numbers of stone implements is also indicative of such 
occupation, though some writers, and among them Henry 
R. Schoolcraft, are of the opinion that these last belong 
mostly to the modern Indian. 

The mounds and tumuli are more frequently found along 
the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers, but are also quite plen- 
tiful on the Kalamazoo and Grand River valleys, and in 
some other localities. The Ojibwa, Ottawa, and Pottawat- 
tomie Indians, according to George Copway, Peter Jones,| 
and others, have a tradition that a people whom they called 
Mus-co-dians, Mus-co-dain-sug, or Little Prairie Indians, 
formerly occupied the lower penin.sula of Michigan until 
driven out by the Ojibwa nation ; and they believe that 
tliese people were the people who cultivated the famous 
garden-beds of Southwestern Michigan. They were at first 
driven into the valley of the Wash-ko-tang or Grand River, 
but subsequently forced entirely beyond the limits of the 
State.S 

There arc not many indications of the occupation of the 
counties of Ingham and Eaton by the prehistoric people. 

INDIAN NATlyN.S. 

The Indian nations found occupying the territory of the 
present Slate of Michigan at the advent of the earliest 
French explorers were quite numerous. Throughout the 
northern peninsula were the great nation of the Ojibwas, 
and its subdivisions, the Ottawas and Pottawattomies. The 
former were mostly located in the vicinity of Lake Huron, 
while the Pottawattomies were centrally located in the 
vicinity of Green Bay. Branches of the Ojibwas were also 
living on the south side of the Straits of Mackinac. The 
Salteurs, so named by the French from their location at the 
Sault Ste. Marie, were a branch of this nation. About the 
beginning of the eighteenth century the Pottawattomies 
had by gradual removal occupied the country from about 
the north line of Illinois, around the head of Lake Michi- 
gan as far as the Grand River Valley. When Joliet and 
Marquette first visited the region of the Fox River of Wis- 
consin, lying south of Lake Winnebago, they found the 
Jliamis nation in that region, which at a later date, but 
preceding the migration of the Pottawattomies, removed to 
Southwestern Michigan, where La Salle found them in 1670. 
They subsequently occupied Northwestern Ohio and North- 
ern Indiana. 

In the vicinity of the Detroit River and Lake Erie were 
the Wyandots, the ancient llurons, who were expelled from 
Canada by the Iroquois about 1(550. 

When the country of the Saginaw Valley was first set- 



to feed the ancient miners on Keweenaw Point and Isle Ut»yale, 
L.ike Superior. 

J Two native Ojibways, who became Christian missionaries to their 
people. 

J Schoolcraft thinks the date of the abnndonracnt of the garden- 
beds was about liOU or 1502. lie refers their origin to the Mouud- 
Builders. 



24: 



HISTORY OF INttllAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



tied by the whites there were bands of the Chippewa or 
Ojibwa nation dwelling on its numerous rivers, and known 
as Saginaw Chijipewas, Shiawassees, etc. The tribes or 
bands had a tradition that at an early date there dwelt in 
the valleys of the Saginaw and its converging branches two 
kindred tribes, which they called Sauks,* or Suukies, and 
Onottowas. 

These tribes, the Ojibwas claimed, were finally extermi- 
nated by the combined forces of the Ottawas and Ojibwas, 
who came upon them from different directions, and, after 
several fierce battles, completely destroyed them, or forced 
the feeble remnant out of the country, which sought a new 
home in the wilderness of Wisconsin. 

This tradition corresponds clcsely with that of the more 
northern Ojibwas concerning the Mus-eo-dainsugs, and 
both traditions may refer to the same people.'l" 



rRENOH OCCUPATION. 



CHAPTER III. 

EARLY DISCOVEEIES AND SETTLEMENTS. 

Vcrrazzano — Carticr — Roberval — Cliaiuplain — The Franciscans and 
Jesuits. 

Who first among Europeans discovered the continent of 
America is not certainly known. Scandinavian writers put 
forth plausible claims to the honor for their countrymen as 
early as the tenth century, showing that they eifected settle- 
ments in New England, and perhaps in Labrador; and it is 
well established that they had visited Greenland at a still 
earlier date. 

French writers claim that as early as 1488 one Cousin, 
of Diej)pe, was driven from the African to the American 
coast, and it is suspected that even Columbus derived a share 
of his enthusiasm for discoveries in the Western ocean from 
reports brought back by adventurers who had caught 
glimpses of the main land or its outlying islands. His 
subsetfuent voyages, and those of Vespucius, the Cabots, and 
others, aroused a wonderful interest in " the lands beyond 
the sea," and many expeditions were fitted out in the ports 
of Spain, Portugal, France, and England for voyages of 
discovery. It is very probable that the hardy seamen of 
Normandy and Brittany, in France, and of the Basque 
provinces of France and Spain, knew of and were frequent 
visitors to the shores and banks of Newfoundland and the 
adjacent coasts, where they came to fish for the cod, as early 
as 1500 ; and these fisheries were certainly in a prosperous 
condition in 150-1. 

The whole American continent, from Labrador to the 
river La Plata, was looked upon as an El Dorado which 
only needed exploration to develop untold riches, and in 
the latter part of the sixteenth and beginning of the seven- 



«■ Tlie word Saginaw is a corruption of the name Saulsigon, or place 
of tlic Saulis. 

■|" Sec histories of Gcnessee and Livingston Counties. 



teenth century the maritime nations of Europe vied with 
each other in exploring and settling the newly-discovered 
regions. 

Spain took the lead and overran the rich kingdoms of 
Mexico and Peru, destroying their cities and monuments of 
art, robbing their people, and killing their rulers in the name 
of religion. She also occupied the southern portions of the 
United States, and the famous expeditions of Ponce de 
LeonJ and De Soto were organized and made attempts to 
explore the interior before the middle of the sixteenth cen- 
tury. St. Augustine, in Florida, was founded by the Span- 
iards in 1565. 

The French were early in the field, and in 150G one 
Denis, of Honfleur,§ a private individual, explored the Gulf 
of St. Lawrence, and was followed in 1508 by Aubert, of 
Dieppe. In 1518 the Baron de Lery founded a settlement 
on Sable Island. 

The English also, under John and Sebastian Cabot, ex- 
plored a large portion of the North American coast in the 
closing years of the fifteenth and the opening ones of the 
sixteenth century, though they made no permanent settle- 
ment until 1(507. 

In 1524, John Verazzano, a Florentine navigator and ad- 
venturer, under the patronage of Francis I., of France, 
made the first well-authenticated voyage along the American 
coast north of the Carolinas. He first saw land on the 
coast of North Carolina, which he described as " a newe 
land, never before seen of any man, either ancient or mod- 
erne," though the country was swarming with natives who 
thronged the beach to meet the strangers. 

From thence he sailed northward along the coast, visiting 
and exploring and remaining in each of the harbors of 
New York and Newport, R. I., for a number of days. 
He examined the coast of New England, which remained 
unsettled by Europeans for nearly a hundred years after- 
wards. He left the continent in latitude 50° north, and 
returned to France. This is the last that we positively 
know of him, though some writers afiirm that he entered 
the service of Henry VIII., of England, and was killed by 
savages on a subsequent voyage. 

As matters shaped themselves the Spaniards took pos- 
session of the southern portion of the North American 
continent, the English of the central portions, lying be- 
tween Nova Scotia (or New Scotland) and Florida, and the 
French of the region lying between the southern point of 
Nova Scotia and Labrador, including Newfoundland, the 
Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the valley of the great river 
stretching 2000 miles to the westward. 

At the first glance it would seem that this was the only 
choice left for the latter, but a careful examination will show 
that there was " method in their madness" of trying to 
explore and colonize a region so inhospitable, which was 
locked in the icy embrace of an almost arctic winter during 
one-half the year. 

The French had planted a colony in Florida and battled 

:|: Poneo de Leon was liilled in Florida by the Intli.a.ns in 1537, and 
De Soto died on the Mississippi in 15-11. 

§ The names J{uiijlcnr and Harjlenr are frequently confounded. 
Tlicy arc two seaports lying opposite to each other near the mouth of 
the river Seine, in France. 



EARLY DISCOVERIES AND SETTLEMENTS. 



2.-) 



successfully with the Spaniards for supremacy in that region, 
and there is little doubt that had thoy persisted they would 
have maintained their footinir. But unfortunately the re- 
ligious bigotry and intolerance, with the conscciuent wars of 
those ages, were transferred from Europe to the shores of 
America, and these were the principal factors in determin- 
ing I lie occupation and final settlement of the continent. 

The French settlers in Florida were Huguenots and 
Protestants, and as a conse<|ncnce, though they were the 
most enterprising of the French people, they received little 
sympathy and less aid from the Catholic home government, 
and finally abandoned the attempt to coIoDize that favored 
region. 

The rich trade with Asia, commonly called India, or the 
Indies, had long been the great desideratum of the mer- 
chants of Europe, and the Venetians and Genoese had 
managed to monopolize it for many years. It was carried 
on along two great lines, — a northern one by the Genoese, 
via the Black and Caspian Seas, and a southern through 
Syria, Egypt, and the Hod Sea, by the Venetians. 

In the closing years of the fifteenth century the doctrines 
of Pythagoras and Ptolemy, concerning the planetary sys- 
tems and the spherical form of the earth, began to take root 
among the maritime nations of Europe, though the " infidel 
doctrines" were bitterly opposed by the Church of Home. 
Coming, as they did, through the medium of the Saracen 
schools and philosophers, it is not wonderful that the 
mother church should look upon them as false and he- 
retical. 

But, notwithstanding this bitter warfare, men kept think- 
ing, and among others was Christopher Columbus, of Genoa, 
who was a philosopher as well as navigator. He believed 
that the Indies could be reached by voyaging westward, 
and in 1492, with his little squadron of three small ships, 
the largest of 120 tons, he breasted the stormy billows of 
the Atlantic, and half solved the problem by the discovery 
of what proved to be a new world to Europeans. 

A^isco De Gama, in the employ of the Portuguese govern- 
ment, doubled the Cape of Good Hope in 1497, and Ferdi- 
nand Magellan, under the patronage of the now awakened 
Spanish monarchy, in 1519-22 settled the vexing question 
forever by sailing around South America and circumnavigat- 
ing the globe, though he did not live to fully accomplish it in 
person, the voyage being successfully prosecuted after his 
death by his worthy lieutenant, Sebastian d'Elcano. 

The fact that Columbus and others believed he had dis- 
covered the eastern region of the Indies is apparent from 
the name he gave the islands of the American Archipelago, 
and the naming of the natives Indians by many subsequent 
voyagers. 

When the voyages of Vespueius, Cabot, and Verrazzano 
had finally demonstrated the existence of a heretofore un- 
known continent in the western ocean, the next idea was 
that there must be navigable channels connecting the two 
great oceans through the newly-discovered land, and for 
many years constant attempts were made to find these im- 
aginary passages. It is no wonder, then, that when Carticr, 
in 1534, entered the grand estuary of the St. Lawrence, he 
took it for granted that he had found one of them, and Ileu- 
drick Hudson fell into the same error when sailing up the 
4 



broad and tide-swept river which bears his name. Even so 
late as lli79, La Salle was so enthusiastic over the idea of 
discovering this long-looked-for water-way through the great 
inland seas of the west that he named his settlement on the 
iahiiid of Montreal " La Chine." 

To-day, if a stranger to the geography of the American 
continent should stand beside the St. Lawrence, the Niagara, 
the Detroit, the St. Clair, or even the St. Mary's, he well 
might deem he was looking upon the connecting waters of 
two mighty oceans. The great outlet of the Northwestern 
lakes, in volume, purity, and majestic sweep, has not its peer 
upon the earth. It pours a volume estimated at 1,000,000 
cubic feet per second into the Atlantic, and drains not less 
than 000,000 square miles of the earth's surface, including 
nearly 100,000 covered by the five great lakes. This im- 
mense inland channel, then, was the determining cause 
which concentrated the attention of the French nation 
upon this vast region. Afler it had been demonstrated 
that it was only the outlet of inland fresh-water seas, the 
early voyagers still believed they should find a line of com- 
munication by way of the lakes and great rivers beyond 
that would be easily improved, and furnish a vast commer- 
cial highway for emigration and traffic, and hence the re- 
markable and persistent attempts made by Joliet, Marquette, 
Du Lhut, Perrot, and La Salle to explore the unknown re- 
gion lying around the watershed of the upper lakes and the 
head-waters of the Jlississippi lliver. Even Champlain 
believed there was a natural water communication, at lea.st 
with short portages, between the waters of the St. Lawrence 
and the northern or western oceans. 

CAUTIER. 

The first navigator who is known to have explored the 
river St. Lawrence was the famous Breton sailor, Jacques 
Carticr, a native of the old sea-port town of St. Malo, born 
in 1494. 

In the spring of 1534 he was placed in command of a 
fleet of three little vessels by one Phillippe de Brison-Cha- 
bot, who was one of the favorites of Francis I. of France. 

Cartier left his native town on the 20th of April, 1534, 
and crossing the Atlantic entered the Straits of Belle Isle, 
examined the Bay des Chaleurs, and sailed up the St. Law- 
rence estuary as far as the great island of Anticosti. The 
storms of autumn, however, compelled his return without 
fully accomplishing the objects of the voyage. 

But the experiment awakened a deeper interest, and in 
the spring of 1535, Cartier was fitted out with another 
squadron and sent on a second voyage. His largest vessel 
was of only 120 tons burden, a craft that would cut a sorry 
figure even on the western lakes to-day. When we look 
upon the great steamships of the present day, we little apr 
preciate or comprehend the wonderful daring of the early 
navigators who explored the dangerous American coasts, 
There are larger ves.sels now plying upon Lake Winnebago 
than the flagship of the bold French mariner of 1535. 

High-born gentlemen accompanied him on this seconij 
voyage, which began on the 19th of May. On the way 
the little vessels were separated by a furiotjs storm, but the 
seamanship of the Breton navigators proved equal to the 
emergency, and they were unitcj in the Straits of Belle ^sle. 



2G 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, JMICIIIGAN. 



Sailing over the waters of the gulf he entered a small bay 
opposite the island of Anticosti, which Cartier named the 
Bay of St. Lawrence, a name afterwards extended to the 
gulf and river. lie called the great river the " River of 
Hochelaga,"* a name borrowed from the natives found 
inhabiting its shores. 

Cartier explored the river as far as the island of Montreal, 
which derives its modern name and the name of the fine 
city located upon it from that of the mountain whose top 
Cartier visited, and which he named " Mount Royale" from 
the view which he there obtained. At the date of his visit 
to this locality, it was occupied by the Hurons or Huron- 
Iroquois, who had a large palisaded town, surrouTidcd by 
corn-fields, on the island. This town they also called 
Hochelaga, and whether we apply the name to the river, 
the country, or the town, the appellation is correct accord- 
ing to Indian usage. 

On the site of the modern city of Quebec was an Indian 
town or village called Stadacona, or Stadacone, where a 
famous chief, Don-na-cona, resided. Hochelaga, on the 
island of Montreal, was the principal Indian town. 

Nearly the whole of the St. Lawrence Valley from Que- 
bec to the lakes was then occupied by the Huron-Iroquois, 
a branch of the great Algonquin family, closely allied to 
the celebrated Five Nations of New York, the Iroquois of 
the French, by whom the Hurons were more than a cen- 
tury later, about 16-19-50, driven from the valley of the 
Ottawa River towards the west, and a remnant of whom 
under the modern name of Wyandot still survives in the 
Indian Territory.f 

Thus we see that, under the insiiiration of a spirit of dis- 
covery, the French approached towards the peninsula of the 
great lakes as far as Montreal before the middle of the six- 
teenth century. 

Returning down the river, Cartier wintered in the mouth 
of the little river St. Charles (called also St. Croix), and in 
the spring of 1536 returned to France, taking with him 
Donnacona and a number of his companions, the most of 
whom, including the chief, died in France. 

As yet no attempt had been made to establish a settle- 
ment or even trading-post in Canada ; the object thus far 
had been to explore and examine the country and find out 
about the great region whence came these oceans of water 
flowing down so majestically to the sea. 

In 1541, six years subsequent to his second vovage, a 
squadron of five ships was fitted out, and a third time 
Cartier was placed in command. At the head of this enter- 
prise was Jean Francois la Roque, Sieur de Roberval, a 
I'ieard nobleman, upon whom the king, in authorizing him 
to undertake the expedition, had conferred the high sound- 
ing but empty titles of " Lord of Norembega, Viceroy and 



* Cartiur says tho natives called a region of country lying below 
Quebec Canada, another lying below that was nameJ Sngiteiitnj, and 
the region above they designated as Ifuclichirja. They seem to have 
applied tho last nauio indiscriminately to river and country, much 
as tho Massachusetts Indians were wont to do, as Arjaicam, meailing 
the valley and county of the Agawam River, and the river itself. 

f The progenitors of the l''ivo Nations h*d formerly lived .along tho 
Pt. Lawrence, in the neighborhood of Montreal, lint had migrateil to 
the south side of liako Ontario as early :is about ISIMI. 



Lieutenant-Goncral in Canada, Hochelaga, Saguenay, New 
Foundland, Belle Isle, Carpuiit, Labrador, the Great Bay, 
and Baccalaos."J 

Of this expedition Cartier was made captain-general, and 
ho set sail from St. Slalo with three of the ships on the 
23d of May, 15-11. Roberval was to follow with the re- 
mainder of the s<juadron as soon as he could collect the 
necessary supplies. Cartier reached the St. Lawrence in 
safety, and commenced a settlement a few miles above 
where Quebec now stands, near Cap Rouge, which he named 
Cliailesbourg Royal. At this point, in two hastily con- 
structed forts, the little colony passed the winter, which was 
so long and severe, and their sufierings and hardships were 
so great, that when at lengtli the welcome spring arrived the 
disgusted sojourners were glad to go on board their ships and 
return to their native country. On their way they put into 
the harbor of St. John, already a great rendezvous for 
fishing vessels, and there on the Sth of June they were found 
by Roberval, who had sailed from France on the 16th of 
April, 1542, with the promised ships and supplies, and 
having on board 200 colonists to reinforce the settlement 
of Cartier. , 

Great was the astoiiishnient of Roberval at beholding 
his lieutenant on his return from tho abandoned settlement, 
and he ordered his immediate return to the St. Lawrence. 
Whether Cartier had been compelled by the colonists to 
break up and abandon the settlement, or whether he had 
become discouraged in the attempt to .«ettle a permanent 
colony, is not known ; but certain it is that, whatever was 
the cause, he escaped from the liarbor under cover of the 
night, and returned to France, and henceforth seems to 
have given up a seafaring life.§ 

Roberval, however, continued his voyage with the re- 
maining vessels, and after an adventurous sail cast anchor 
at Cap Rouge. On the ground of Cartier's abandoned 
settlement, the new comers constructed barracks, workshops, 
and dwellings, sunk a well, built an oven, and even erected 
two water-mills, but whether they were saw-mills or other- 
wise is not stated ; it would seem from Parkmau's account 
that they were grain-mills. 

But this attempt to colonize Canada soon ended in failure ; 
the place was abandoned, and not until 1608, more than 
sixty years later, was a permanent settlement efibcted. 

CHAMPLAIN. 
This illustrious man was born at the little sea-port town 
of Brouage, on the Bay of Biscay, in. 1567. He held the 
rank of captain in the royal navy, and had seen service in 
the army under St. Luc and Brisssac, in Brittany, for 
which he had been pensioned by Henry IV. In later 
years he had commanded an exploring-ship in the Spanish 
marine during more than two years in the West Indies, 
where he acquired a great amount of geographical knowl- 
edge, and brought back to France a curiously illustrated 



^ Norembega included portions of what arc now Maine and New 
lirunswick. Baccalaos was tho Basque name for codfish or the place 
wore they went to fish for them. 

? Aci'ording to Parkman. the manor liou.<e of Cartier, in the sub- 
urbs of .St. Malo, was standing entire in ISIij. 



EARLY DISCOVERIES AND SETTLEMENTS. 



27 



journal of his travels. Returniii"; to the French court he 
became acquainted with Aymar de Chastes, commander of 
the famous order of St. John, and Governor of the port of 
Dieppe, on the English Channel. This gray-haired veteran 
had determined to found a colony in Canada, repair thither 
in person and spend the remainder of his days. lie im- 
portuned Champlain, then about thirty-six years of age, to 
accept a position in his company, which Champlain, with 
the coii.scnt of tlie king, readily agreed to. The veteran 
De Chastes finally concluded to dispatch a preliminary ex- 
pedition, at the head of which he placed one Poutgrave, who 
had made a previous voyage to the St. La\SLrence in 1599. 

Accoringly in the spring of 1G03, Pontgn^'e and Cliam- 
plain set sail from Honfleur with two small vessels, and in 
due course of time reached the St. Lawrence, which they 
ascended as far as Montreal, where they found the ancient 
town of Hochclaga, so populous in Carticr's time sixty- 
eight years before, abandoned, its people departed, and in 
their place a miserable village, tenanted by a few wandering 
Algonquius. 

Turning their faces eastward, the voyagers descended the 
river and returned to France. On their arrival at Havre 
de Grace they learned that De Chastes Wiis dead. In his 
place was Pierre du Guast, Sicur de Jlonts, an officer of the 
king's household and Governor of Pons. 

This nobleman petitioned the king for permission to 
colonize Acadie, as the French designated Nova Scotia, 
where La Roche had met with disastrous failure in at- 
tempting, in 1593, to establish a colony on Sable Island. 

Dc Mouts was a Calvinist, but in gathering the materials 
for his projected colony he was forced to allow the Catholic 
Church a share in the enterprise ; and when on the 7th of 
April, 1601, he departed from Havre de Grace a motley 
crowd of Catholic priests, Calvinistic ministers, Franciscan 
friars, and all the riff-raff of a sea-port accompanied him. 

The next three years were spent by Champlain, along 
with many others, in exploring the coasts of Nova Scotia, 
New Brunswick, and New England, as far as Nantucket, 
and in endeavoring to plant colonies, and transplant the 
feudalism of Europe to thew ildcrness shores of America. 
As might have been foreseen, the incongruous elements as- 
sorted together in the enterprise made success impossible, and, 
aflcr many years of sufferings and quarrels, soldier and sailor, 
priest, friar, and minister, abandoned the profitless specula- 
tion. 

But, notwithstanding these miserable failures, Champlain 
still clung to the project of establishing the power of France 
on the St. Lawrence. De Monts shared his views, and 
fitting out once more a squadron of two ships, he placed 
them under the command of Pontgrave and Champlain 
with orders to proceed to the St. Lawrence, found a new 
settlement, and open trade with the natives. 

In the summer of 1CU8, Sauiuel de Champlain founded 
the city of Quebec, and thus, after a series of spasmodic 
efforts continued through a period of seventy-three years, 
was the first permanent settlement established on the spot 
now covered by a great city, and renowned as one of the 
world's strongest fortresses. It was the third permanent 
settlement on the Atlantic coast, those of St. Augustiue, by 
the Spaniards, in 15G5, and Jamestown in Virginia, by the 



English, in 1G07, having preceded it. Of the three the 
one planted in the northern wilderness is the only one to- 
day of any importance. Jamestown Wiis long ago a ruin, 
and St. Augustine is a poor, dilapidated village. Tlu 
latter may, under the influences of republican institutions, 
become a place of some importance, but the Jamestown 
settlement will scarcely be revived. 

In the following year Champlain explored the long nar- 
row lake lying between the Green Mountains and the Adi- 
rondacks, which bears his name ; and in the wilderness near 
the outlet of Lake George with his allies, a band of Algon- 
quin Indians, first encountered and gave battle to that 
famous people, the Iroquois, which unfortunate occurrence 
laid the foundation for the long and bloody wars between 
them and the French, lasting, with intervals of repose, for 
more than 150 j'ears, and proving one of the principal 
causes of the ruin of the French dominion in Canada and 
of its final overthrow in 17 GO. The terrible consequences 
of that forest adventure could not have been anticipated by 
Champlain. lie deemed it an easy matter to league the 
northern Indians with his own people, and wrongfully 
judged that the combination would overawe and if necessary 
destroy those fierce warriors of the Ilo-den-o-sau-nee. 

In IGIO, Champlain fought another fierce battle with the 
Iroquois near Montreal, and in IGll he established a trad- 
ing-post on the site of the modern city. In the latter year 
lie made a voyage up the Ottawa River in canoes as far as 
the island of AUumette, in a vain effort to discover a water 
route to Hudson's Bay. A swarm of Indians in their bark 
canoes followed him on his return to the trading-post at 
Montreal. 

In the .spring of 1615 he organized another expedition, 
and penetrated to the borders of Lake Huron by way of 
the Ottawa River, Lake Nipissing, and the French River. 
A great concourse of the western Indians, Ilurons, Ojibwas, 
Ottawas, and others, a.ssembled at Montreal early in the sea- 
son, and Champlain held a grand council with them, enter- 
ing into a treaty offensive-defensive, pledging eternal warfare 
with the Iroquois. On the breaking up of the council 
the Franciscan friar, Josejih le Caron, and twelve French 
soldiers accompanied the Indians into their wilderness 
home, while Champlain returned to Quebec to prepare for 
a great expedition. He shortly after followed the Indians 
in two canoes, accompanied by an interpreter, Eticnne Brule, 
one other Frenchman, and a half-score of the natives. 

His journey was over the same route which he had pur- 
sued two years previously, — up the swift-flowing Ottawa, 
over the portage to Lake Nipissing, and thence down the 
French River to Georgian Bay, which he named " Mer 
Douce," — the fresh- water sea of the Hurons. 

Coasting for a hundred miles along the shores of the 
Georgian Bay, among its innumerable islands, he at length 
landed at the little inlet now known as Tiiunder Bay, a few 
miles west of the present port of Penetanguishine, between 
the Matchcdash and Nottawassaga Bays. This is about 150 
miles from the nearest point of land in Michigan.* 



* It hns been claimed by some writers thnt Chnmplnin explored Iho 
waters of Lake Huron and visited portions of Micbigan as early as 
IGIO, but tbcro is no evidence corroboraling the statement. 



28 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



Pushing inland in a soutlieasterly direction he reached 
the Indian village of Car-ha-gou-ha, where he found Le 
Caron and liis companions. Here the friar erected a rude 
altar, and on the 12th of August, 1615, celebrated the first 
mass in the country of the Hurons. 

Champlain, with his now fast accumulating followers, 
reached the Huron metropolis, which was called Ca-hai-gue, 
situated in what is now the township of Orilla, about ten 
miles west of the river Severn, the outlet of Lake Sinicoe, 
on the 17th of August. He found a palisaded town con- 
taining two hundred lodges and swarming with people. 

At this point, according to agreement, were soon assembled 
the savage bands who, under the leadership of Champlain, 
were to march against the Iroquois and teach them a lesson 
in war amid the smoking ruins of their own villages. 

On the 8th of September the motley army, consisting, 
according to Champlain's estimate, of about 2500 men, 
was ready for the expedition. An agreement had been 
entered into between the Hurons and another nation, most 
probably the Eries, living along the southeast shore of Lake 
Erie, to furnish a contingent of 500 men. At his own 
request Brule, the interpreter, was allowed to go forward 
from Lake Simcoe with a band of twelve Indians to hasten 
the Eries towards the rendezvous on Lake Ontario. Brule 
met with adventures more strange than the imaginings of 
romance among the Eries, and while a prisoner to the 
vengeful Senecas ; and it was three years before he suc- 
ceeded in escaping from the savages and rejoining his 
friends, who had long given him up for dead. According 
to Parkman he was treacherously murdered in 1632, at 
Pcnetanguishine, by the Hurons. 

The grand army under Champlain and its native chiefs 
took the route over Lake Simcoe, up the river Talbot, and 
across the portage to the head lakes of the river Trent, 
which latter stream they followed in its devious windings 
to its embouchure into Lake Ontario. The days were warm 
but the nights were often frosty, and the army frequently 
stopped by the way to replenish its commissariat with fish 
and game. At one point 500 of the savages formed in a 
long, thin line, and drove the game to a wooded point of 
land which jutted into the stream, and when forced to take 
the water, the canoe men killed them with arrows and 
spears. 

Towards the last of September the great fleet of canoes 
issued from the Trent upon the broad waters of Lake 
Ontario,* tlien first seen by Europeans, and steering near 
the islands at its northeastern extremity, crossed it in safety 
and landed, quite probably in one of the many inlets of the 
Black River Bay, the Niaourha of the Iroquois. Secreting 
their canoes and leaving a guard, the army took up its 
march southward along the sandy beach, crossing the Sandy 
Creeks, and the Salmon and Onondaga (Oswego) Rivers, 
and, after a march of four days, found itself far advanced in 
the country of the Iroquois. 

The host at length reached an Iroquois town, which, 
according to Champlain's account, belonged to the Seneca 
nation, or, as he designated them, the Ontouoronons, from 



» This body of water was callcil by the Hurons the Lake of the 
Ontouoronons, a name by whieh they designated the Seneca nation. 



which has been derived the word Ontario. There has been 
much disagreement among prominent writers as to the loca- 
tion of the town attacked by Champlain. Dr. O'Callaglian 
places it on Lake Canandaigua. Brodhead, Marshall, and 
Clark locate it on Lake 'Onondaga, near the present city of 
Syracuse, or possibly within its limits. 

It was defended by four concentric rows of palisades, 
made of trunks of trees, standing thirty feet high and 
firmly bedded in the ground. They intersected each other 
at the top, being set in a leaning position, and here was 
constructed a platform, or gallery, from whicli tlie besieged 
could send their various defensive missiles — arrows, spears, 
stones, etc. — against the enemy. This gallery was defended 
by a parapet of heavy timber, and had a long gutter or 
trough to carry water for the purpose of quenching fire. 
The water was derived from a small lake near by. 

To aid in reducing the place Champlain constructed a 
great movable tower, high enough to overlook the palisade, 
from which his few arquebusiers could annoy the defenders 
on the gallery. He also built huge wooden shields, behind 
which the Indians could work their way close to the town.f 

When the formidable inventions were completed, 200 of 
the strongest warriors dragged them forward towards the 
walls, and the assault began. 

But Champlain found a vast difference between a horde 
of naked, undisciplined savages and the trained troops of 
Europe. They were fitted for bush-figliting and skulking, 
predatory warfare, but when they were asked to march 
boldly up in open sight and attack a fortified town, behind 
whose ramparts was ensconced their most dreaded enemy, 
they wore found utterly useless. Without commissary 
supplies a lengthy siege was impossible. For three hours, 
however, they kept up a constant discharge of arrows, ac- 
companied by an infernal din of screeches and yells; but 
they paid no attention to commands. 

A few daring ones approached near enough to build a 
fire at the foot of the palisade, but it was speedily extin- 
guished by torrents of water from above, amid the derisive 
shouts of the Iroquois. At length, in true Indian fashion, 
the Hurons became exhausted and tired of the fray, and 
fell back to a fortified camp which they had constructed, 
and no efforts or promises of Champlain could persuade 
them to return to the attack. The furore had been ex- 
pended and the Iroquois were safe. The ardor of the 
Hurons had also been checked by the loss of seventeen 
warriors wounded, and even the redoubtable chief of the 
white men, whom the Indians supposed invulnerable, had 
received an arrow in his knee, and been carried from the 
field on the back of one of his allies. 

In their camp the Hurons waited for their allies, but the 
Eries failed to appear, and after the lapse of five days the 
whole army broke camp and commenced its return march, 
bearing the wounded, including Champlain, in huge wicker- 
baskets. Crossing Lake Ontario, the great war-party divided 
into hunting-bands and disappeared in the forest, and thus 

f This tower was perhaps the only thing of the kind ever used in 
Amcriea, certainly the only one ever used against the Indians. It 
was a common means of assaulting fortified places before the inven- 
tion of firearms. To construct these huge machines Chnni]ilain must 
have carried with him a supply of the necessary tools. 



EARLY DISCOVEllIES AND SETTLEMENTS. 



29 



ended tlie most famous Indian expedition probably ever 
undertaken by the tribes livin;; within the French territory. 

Cliamphtin had been promised an escort to Quebec on 
the return of the expedition, but its utter failure had dis- 
couraged the savages and rendered tliem fearful of reprisals ; 
their promise was forgotten, and the wounded commander 
was forced to return with his fickle allies to their wilderness 
homes on the borders of Lake Huron. 

His wound does not seem to have been very serious, for 
we find him engaged in hunting during the winter, and, in 
company with Le Caron, visiting the various villages of 
the confederaej'. It is quite probable that during these 
journeyings he ma)- have penetrated near to the borders of 
Michigan, but he undoubtedly never reached the St. Clair 
or Detroit Straits, as he makes no mention of such an im- 
portant event. 

In the spring of 1G16, Champlain returned with his 
French followers to Quebec, where he was welcomed as one 
from the dead amid great rejoicings. Le Caron had pre- 
ceded him, and also arrived in safety. 

Champlain had now twice tested the mettle of the Iro- 
quois confederacy, once in the country of the Mohawks, 
on their extreme eastern flank, and a second time in the 
region of the Senecas, near the western flank. The first 
encounter had resulted favorably, the second was an entire 
failure. These unfortunate aggressions were repaid upon 
the people of Canada by a century and a half of merciless 
warfare, during which the daring savages penetrated more 
than once to the vicinity of Quebec and ravaged nearly all 
the settlements with fire and tomahawk. 

A memorable inroad was the one made in 1622 when 
the Iroquois warriors hovered around Quebec, attacked the 
convent of the KeeoUets, and after doing all the damage in 
their power outside the fortifications decamped as suddenly 
as they had appeared. 

Champlain remained at Quebec, its nominal Governor, 
though the merchants divided with him the control of 
affairs. The place grew slowl}-, but in 1028 it was so dis- 
tresscdly poor that it was a serious question whether it had 
not best be abandoned. Nothing but the indomitable en- 
ergy of its founder kejit the frail settlement from extinction.* 

The stumbling-block which finally ruined the colonies of 
New France was religious intolerance and bigotry. The 
Huguenots were among the best sailors and the most en- 
terprising people in France, and eagerly would have colo- 
nized the Canadas, but they were Protestants, and the 
bigoted king forbade them an entrance into the country. 
Had they been allowed to settle along the St. Lawrence a 
different result would have been witnessed, and to-day New 
England and a large portion of the Northern States might 
have been inhabited by the descendants of French pro- 
genitors. 

In 1G2S-29 the bigoted treatment extended to the Hu- 
guenots by the French government returned to plague its 
inventors. The oppressed people took up arms in behalf 
of their violated rights, and Charles I., of England, es- 
poused their cause, not from love of the principles for which 



« The total 
persons. 



i.icnt population of Quebec in 1G2.S was onljr 105 



they contended, but through jealousy of the old rival of 
England. Many Huguenots took service under the British 
banner, and among these were David, Louis, and Thomas 
Kirk, Calvinists, of Dieppe, who advised the English king 
to attack the French colony in Canada. David Kirk was 
accordingly made admiral of a powerful fleet and sent to 
the St. Lawrence, where in July, 11528, he captured a num- 
ber of transports laden with supplies for the starving peo- 
ple of Quebec, and, appearing before the latter place, sent a 
polite notice to Champlain to surrender. But, notwith- 
standing the straits to which he was reduced, the veteran 
Governor was not frightened, and as politely declined. 

The losses of the much-needed supplies reduced the 
inhabitants to the verge of starvation, and when, on the 
19th of July, 1G29, Louis Kirk, brother of the admiral, 
appeared with his squadron before the place, Champlain 
was compelled to accept the alternative, and it passed into 
the hands of the English. 

The bitterest reflection fell to the lot of the Jesuits, who 
beheld themselves and their property the spoil of the hated 
Calvinists after a short occupation of about four years. 

This surrender carried with it all the French posts in 
Canada; but it docs not seem that the English valued the 
conquest very highly, for at the treaty of Suza, in April, 
1629, which bad been actually concluded previous to the 
surrender of Champlain, all their possessions were restored 
to the French, though an English garrison remained in the 
place until July, 1632, when Emery de Caen appeared be- 
fore it in a French ship and received the keys from the 
English commander. 

Caen held the post and its franchises for nearl}- a twelve- 
month to indemnify him for losses in the war ; and on 
the 23d of Jlay, 1633, Champlain returned from France, 
whither he had been sent by Kirk, and resumed the duties 
of Governor, which he continued until his death, on the 
25th of December, 1635, at the age of sixty-eight years. 

RELIGIOUS ORDERS. 

With almost every expedition fitted out for discovery in 
the ports of Christendom went representatives of the Church. 
They accompanied the voyagers to Acadie in 1603, and un- 
derwent all the hardships experienced by the first settlers 
of the bleak and barren shores. 

Their first appearance in Canada was in 1615, when the 
Franciscans led the way under the leadership of Champlain. 
This order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi, in the 
thirteenth century, and has upon its records the names of 
many high officers of the Uoinan Church. 

The Ki'collets, a reformed branch of the order, with the 
assistance of a generous subscription taken up among the 
cardinals, bishops, and nobles of the Church, assembled for 
the States-General, fitted out four friars of their order at the 
earnest request of Champlain, himself a zealous Catholic, 
to begin the great work of Christianizing the Indians of 
America. These four were Denis Jamet, Jean Dolbeau, 
Joseph le Caron, and Pacifi(|ue du PIcssis, who embarked 
at Honfleur in the spring of 1015, and arrived at Quebec 
in the latter part of May. 

These four individuals had come to America for the ex- 
press purpose of dividing up the vast region of Canada 



30 



HISTOllY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



and evangelizing the whole Indian population. Their first 
business at Quebec was to construct a convent and decide 
upon a plan of operations. They finally decided to assign 
Le Carou to the Ilurons and Dolbeau to the Montagnais, 
whom a French writer aptly named " the paupers of the 
■wilderness." Jauiet and Du I'lessis were, for a time at 
least, to remain at Quebec. 

We have already seen that Le Caron accompanied Cham- 
plain's expedition to the country of the Hurons. He had, 
between the time of his arrival and departure for the 
West, repaired to Montreal and diligently studied the In- 
dian languages, the better to prepare himself for his duties 
as a missionary. He remained nearly a year among the 
Hurons around the Matchedash Bay, and then returned to 
Quebec in 161G. 

It was the wish of both the French government and its 
commanders and Governors in Canada to establish a re- 
ligious and political dominion, or rather an ecclesiastical 
and a feudal despotism. Champlain, who was one of the 
most fiir-seeing and liberal men of his time, considered the 
salvation of a soul of greater consequence than the found- 
ing of an empire, and under his powerful patronage the 
work of settling the country and Christianizing the savages 
was slowly carried forward. The cross was planted beside 
the Golden Lilies, and wherever the government estab- , 
lished a post or a trading-station, there arose the little 
chapel and there toiled the gray-frocked friar. 

But, like many another enterprise apparently well ar- 
ranged in theory, this -herculear undertaking of the Recol- 
lets proved too mighty for their feeble numbers, and after 
struggling manfully among the Indians of the lower St. 
Lawrence until about 1625, they were reluctantly obliged 
to acknowledge that they were unequal to the work, and 
were succeeded by the powerful and wealthy order of the 
Society of Jesus, better known as 

THE JESUITS. 

This famous and aggressive order of the Catholic Church 
was founded by Ignatius Loyola, a soldier who had been 
badly wounded in previous wars, and, as a consequence, 
subsequently dedicated himself to the service of the Church. 
The order assumed the name " Society of Jesus," and was 
approved by the liope in 1540. 

The first of this brotherhood to arrive at Quebec were 
Charles Lalemant, Enemond Masse, and Jean de Brebeuf, 
who came in 1625. They were not well received by Caen 
and the merchants, but the Eecollets generously offered 
them an asylum in their convent. They were soon rein- 
forced by Fathers Noiret and De la Noue, who brought 
twenty laborers and speedily made them as comfortable as 
circumstances would permit. 

In 1628, Brebeuf, accompanied by Father De la Nouc 
and one of the friars, proceeded tu his field of future labors 
and tragic death among the Hurons on the borders of the 
Georgian Bay. 

THE nUNDHED A.SS0CI.4TES. 
In 1C27, Cardinal Richelieu was the champion of abso- 
lutism, which had become supreme in France. LTiider his 
powerful j)atronage the control of Canadian matters was 



radically changed. A new company was formed, called 
the " Company of New France," or the " Hundred Associ- 
ates," and the sovereignty of the whole of the French 
pcssessions in America placed under its control. It was 
granted a perpetual monopoly of the fur trade, and a mon- 
opoly of all other commerce for the period of fifteen years, 
and its entire trade was made free from all duties for the 
same period. 

In return fur these favors and immunities the company 
obligated itself to settle in the colony, previous to the year 
1643, 4000 persons, including people of every trade and both 
sexes, to support them three years, and furnish them 
cleared lands for subsistence. The colony was to be ex- 
clusively French, and every member must be a Catholic. 

In 1629, as we have seen, all the possessions of France 
jn America fell into the hands of the English, who held 
them for about three years, when they were restored by a 
treaty of peace between the two nations. 

During the English occupation the missionary operations 
of the Jesuits were broken up, though the conquerors 
treated the few Eecollets who still remained at Quebec with 
much courtesy. With the return of Caen, in 1632, came 
also two Jesuits, and from that time on the order continued 
its opei'ations in tlie colony. 

MISSIONS. 

Between 1034 and 1639 missions were established by 
the Jesuits at seven localities in the Huron country, — -viz., 
Ste. Marie, St. Louis, St. Ignace,* St. Michel, St. Jean Bap- 
tiste, St. Joseph, and La Conception, all within a radius of 
twenty miles around the head of Matchedash Bay. 

In this out-of-the-way region the Jesuit Fathers labored 
with a zeal and self-denial probably never exceeded in the 
history of the world for the regeneration of a race who but 
imperfectly comprehended their benevolence and poorly re- 
ciprocated their good intentions. 

Whatever may be said of their doctrines and manner of 
propagation, their peculiar ceremonies, and the curious 
paraphernalia of their order, we must admit that they were 
sincere in their professions and labored faithfully, in the 
face of privations, danger, and death, for the benefit of a 
savage people, and finally perished in horrible tortures 
amid the universal ruin of those whom they came to raise 
from degradation, rather than escape while there was yet 
time and leave the luckless and doomed Hurons to their 
fate. 

Among the names of those remarkable men were those 
of Brebeuf, Lalemant, Daniel, Jogues, Chatelain, Garnier, 
Cabanel, Pijart, and La Mercier, most of whom perished 
in the onslaught of the Iroquois'. 

FIRST VISIT TO MICHIGAN. 

The first recorded visit of Europeans to the Territory of 
jMichigan was made by Charles Ilaymbault and Isaac 
Jogues, two Jesuits, who, in September and October, 1641, 
made the voyage in a birch canoe up the Ottawa River, 
through Lake Nipissing, across the Georgian Bay and 

"■■' This must unt be coufoundcd with the St. Ignace of MacUiuue, 
established in 1071. 



EARLY DISCOVERIES AND SETTLEMENTS; 



31 



Lake Ilurou, to the Sault Ste. ]Maiie, at the foot of Ltke 
Superior.* 

In 1642 the permanent sctllenient of Jlontrcal was ef- 
fected by a colony under Paul de Chomedey, Sicur de Mais- 
sonneuve, who had been appointed Governor of the post in 
1640. The settlement was made by a company resembling 
that of the Hundred Associates, of fourteen years before, at 
Quebec, and was designated as " The Forty-Cve Associates 
of Montreal." The place had been a trading-post since 
IGll. Under the new rigime it was named " Ville Marie 
do Jlontreal," in honor of the Virgin. 

DESTRUCTION OF TUE HUKONS. 

A condition of chronic war may be said to have continu- 
ally existed among the Indian nations of the American 
continent. In a few instances, as was the case with the 
Iroquois nations, the Hurons and Tobacco nation, or Dio- 
nondadies, as they were named by the French, and the 
Ojibwas, Ottawas, and Pottawattomics, from two to six na- 
tions or tribes were leagued together, constituting confed- 
eracies of great power for the purposes of savage warfare. 

The nio.st bitter animosity seems to have existed between 
the Iroquois and the Hurons, and, except at long-separated 
intervals of short duration, a desolating war was carried on, 
the Iroquois, as indeed they generally were, being the ag- 
gressors. This state of things had exi.sted since about the 
beginning of the sixteenth century, when the Iroquois were 
driven from the north side of Lake Ontario and the river 
St. Lawrence by their kindred, the Algonquins, or Huron 
Algonquins. 

In 1049-50 the strife culminated in a scries of deter- 
mined attacks by the Iroquois, which resulted in the de- 
struction of all the Huron towns and the death, captivity, 
or expulsion of the wretched inhabitants, though in the 
aggregate they vastlj' outnumbered the entire Iroquois con- 
federacy.f 

One after another the missions planted by the Jesuit 
Fathers and their surrounding Indian villages were at- 
tacked and destroj'ed, and most of the missionaries perished 
either in the fray or by the most dreadful tortures subse- 
quently. The story of the terrible martyrdom which these 
men suffered almost on the borders of Michigan is scarcely 
known among the people of the State. A few men only, 
who have had access to the records of those days, have 
read of the horrors of that wilderness aud the savage war- 
fare which destroyed a nation. 

In this connection we cannot forbear making a brief 
([notation from Francis Parkman's " Jesuits in North 
Auierica," to show the character of the terrible catastrophe 



* It is related that one Je.in Nicollet, a Frenchman, who had 
dwelt among the Indians of Lake Nipissing and Alluinette li^Iand, 
and had mastered their language, was sent on a mission to the Win- 
Qebagocs in ICiO, during which expedition he crossed over to the 
Wisconsin and descended to the Mississippi Uivcr, and necessarily 
passed through the Territory of Michigan. The story lacks conlir- 
malion. 

t The Hurons were variously estimated hy different writers at from 
10,000 to .30,000 souls, while the Iroquois were never placed by 
the best authorities at above 10,000. A vigorous and systematic plan 
of warfare would soon have driven the Iroquois from the Huron 
country. 



which befell Indians and missionaries alike, and as a sam- 
ple of the Iroquois manner of torturing the latter. 

The village of St. Ignace, with its Jesuit chapel and 
native wigwams, was taken and totally destroyed by a large 
war-party of the Iroquois in March, 1049. 

Here were stationed Jean de Brebeuf, the earliest of the 
Jesuits to begin work among the Ilurons, and Gabriel 
Lalemant. Brebeuf was a powerful man, both physically and 
mentally, but Lalemant was of a slender make and physi- 
cally ill fitted to bear even the ordinary privations of the 
wilderness. They were both taken prisoners after the 
Ilurons were destroyed, and reserved for torture. Wo 
quote from Purkman : 

"On the afternoon of the ICth (of March), the day when the two 
priests were captured, Brebeuf was led apart and bound to a stake. 
He seemed more concerned for his captive converts than for himself, 
and addressed them in a loud voice, exhorting them to suflcr patiently 
and promising heaven aii their reward. The Iroquois, incensed, 
scorched him from head to foot to silence him; whereupon, in llio 
tone of a master, he threatened them with everlasting flames for per- 
secuting the worshipers of God. As ho continued to speak with 
voice and countenance unchanged, they cut away his lower lip and 
thrust a red-hol iron down his Uiroat. He still held his tall form 
erect and deliant, with no sign or sound of pain; and they tried 
another means to overcome hiui. They led out Lalemant, that Bre- 
beuf might see him tortured. They had tied strips of bark, smeared 
with pitch, about his naked body. When he saw the cunilition of liis 
superior, ho could not hide his agitation, and called out to him, with 
a broken voice, in the words of Saint Paul, ' We are made a spec- 
tacle to the world, to angels, and to men.' Then ho threw himself at 
Brebcuf's feet, upon which the Iroquois seized him, made him fast to a 
stake, and set fire to the bark that enveloped him. As the flames rose 
he threw his arms upward, with a shriek of supplication, to heaven. 
Next, they hung around Brebeuf'sneck acoUaruiadcofhatchctshcated 
red hot, but tho indomitable priest stood like a rock. A Huron in 
the crowd, wlio bad been a convert of the mission, but was now an 
Iroquois by adoption, called out, with tlie malice of a renegade, to 
pour hot water on their heads, since they h;id poured so much cold 
water on those of others. The kettle was accordingly slung, and tho 
water boiled and poured slowly on the heads of the two mission.wies. 
' We baptize you,' they cried, ' that you may bo happy in heaven, for 
nobody can be saved without a good baptism.' Brebeuf would not 
flinch, and, in a rage, they cut strips of flesh from his limbs and de- 
voured them before his eyes. Other rencg.-ide Hurons called out to 
him, * You told us that, the more one suffers on earth, the happier ho 
is in heaven. We wish to make you happy, we torment you because 
we love you, and you ought to thank us for it.' After a succession 
of other revolting tortures they scalped him, when, seeing him nearly 
dead, they laid open his breast and came in a crowd to drink tho 
blood of so valiant an enemy, thinking to imbibo with it some por- 
tion of his courage. A chief then tore out bis heart aud devoured it. 
"Thus died Jean de Brebeuf, the founder of the Huron mission, 
its truest hero, and its greatest martyr. He came of a noble race, — 
the same, it is said, from which sprang the English Earls of Arundel, 
— but never had the mailed barons of his line confronted a fato so 
appalling with so prodigious a constancy. To the last he refused to 
flinch, and his deatli was the astonishment of his murderers. 

" Lalemant, physically weak from childhood, and slender almost to 
emaciation, was constitutionally unequal to a display of fortitude like 
that of his colleague. When Brebeuf died ho was led back to tho 
house whence be had been taken and tortured there all night, until, 
in the morning, one of the Iroquois, growing tired of tho protracted 
entertainment, killed him with u hatchet." 

Fifteen Huron villages were completely destroyed, and 
those of their people who escaped death or captivity at the 
hands of the enemy dispersed through the forest, gaining 
a scanty livelihood by picking up acorns. Their treasured 
corn and other provisions were all included in the common 
ruin. 



32 



HISTORY OP INGHAiM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



The ruissionarics finallj' abandoned the few posts which 
remained, and fled, aionj; with tlieir terrified companions, to 
a little island in the bay variously known by its Huron 
name, Ahoendoe, Charity or Christian Island, and Isle St. 
Joseph, which latter name the missionaries bestowed upon 
it. Here a motley and starving crowd of 7000 or 8000 
Indians collected together, but half of them died of starva- 
tion and disease during the winter of 1649, while the 
bloody and implacable Iroquois infested the pdjacent shores 
even in the depth of winter, watching for their prey. 

In the .spring of 1 6.)0 there was a complete breaking up 
of all the Indian nations of the peninsula bounded by the 
great lakes Huron, Erie, and Ontario, and a final abandon- 
ment of the whole country by the Jesuit missionaries. 
Some of the Indians fled northward, settling among the 
great islands to the northwest of the Georgian Bay ; some 
fled to the Nipissing country; some, very likely, found a 
refuge in Michigan ; a large colony accompanied some of 
the Fathers who had escaped the general destruction to 
the vicinity of Quebec; and some availed themselves of an 
Indian custom and became incorporated with their deadliest 
enemies, the Scnocas. 



CHAPTER IV. 

DISCOVERY AND OCCUPATION OP MICHIGAN, 

Renewal of the Jesuit Missions— Joliet, irarqucttc— L.a Sallc— Hen- 
nepin— Tonty — Du Lbut. 

As before stated, the first authenticated visit to the Ter- 
ritory of Michigan was made by two Jesuits, Charles 
Ilaymbault and Isaac Jogues, in 1G41. This was previous 
to the Huron-Iroquois war, which ended with the destruc- 
tion of the former. The first visit to its territory suc- 
ceeding that event was probably made by Father Ren6 
Mesnard, in the autumn of 1G60, when he coasted the 
southern shore of Lake Superior and attempted to found 
a mission at the head of Keweenaw Bay, to which he gave 
the name of Ste. Theresa. He remained at this point 
during the following winter, and is said to have perished 
in the following summer while exploring that wild and 
rugged region. Some writers have suppo.sed he was cap- 
tured by the Sioux, and claim that his cassock and breviary 
were afterwards found among them. 

On the 8th of August, 1G66, Father Claude Allouez 
left Three Rivers, accompanied by several hundred Indians, 
and reached the Sault Ste. Marie in the following month. 
He also visited Lake Superior, which he named " Lac 
Tracy aux Supcrieur," in honor of tlie Viceroy of Canada. 

Tills missionary voyaged along the southern shore of the 
great lake, and on the first of October landed at Chaqua- 
mcgon Bay, which was called by the early voyagers La 
Pointe Bay. At this place he resided for a period of two 
years, and probably visited the spot whore Duluth* now 



* This place probably received its name from Daniel Greysolon du 
Lhut, a famous leader of the coureura tie htiia, and a native of Lyons, 
France. He was a cousin of the Tonlys, and visited the place in the 
autumn of lfi79. 



Stands, as he speaks in his journal of visiting Fond du Lac, 
or the liead of the lake, and of meeting there the Sioux, 
from whom he heard of the vast prairies of the West, 
where roamed immense herds of buflalo, and also of the 
great river which the Indians called Messepi, or Nama 
Sepee. Allouez also visited and labored among the Nipis- 
sings living to the north of Lake Huron. 

He speaks of copper as being quite plenty among the 
savages. There is no evidence that tliey ever worked the 
mines, but they possessed the metal in small masses weighing 
from an ounce to twenty pounds, evidently found among 
the drift. 

The earliest map of the Lake Superior region was drawn 
in 1GG8, and was no doubt the work of Fathers Allouez 
and Marquette. Considering that all their knowledge was 
obtained by coasting in bark canoes and from tlie verbal 
descriptions of the Indians, it was remarkably accurate and 
creditably executed. 

Allouez visited Quebec in tlie autumn of 1GG7, where 
he procured additional aid and supplies, and again returned 
to the scene of his early labors. 

In 1GG8, Claude Dablon and James Marquette estab- 
lished the first permanent mission and settlement within 
the bounds of Michigan, at the Sault Ste. Marie-I It 
remained simply a mission of the Jesuits until 1750, when 
the Chevalier de Repeutigny erected a fort there for the 
better protection of the traders. 

In 16G9, Father Marquette succeeded Allouez at Cha- 
quamegon, though whether the mission had been contin- 
uously maintained since its founding in 1GG6 does not cer- 
tainly appear ; if it had it was an older settlement than 
that of the Sault Ste. Marie. The mission at Green Bay, 
of Lake Michigan, was founded in 1670 by Allouez and 
Dablon. This last was named St. Francis Xavier. An- 
other mission was founded among the Ottawas, on the 
Grand Manitoulin Island, in Lake Huron, in 1671, by 
Father Louis Andre, who named it the mission of St. Simon. 

The mission at Chaquamegon or La Pointe was called 
St. Esprit. It was broken up the Sioux in 1671, and the 
fugitive Hurons, wlio comprised its inhabitants, fled to the 
islands in Lake Huron, and gathered around the mission 
of St. Simon. 

The first recorded visit of Europeans to the site of the 
city of Detroit was in the spring of 1670, made by two 
Sulpitian priests, DoUier de Casson and Galinoe, who had 
joined an expedition fitted out by La Salle in the summer 
of 1669 for the purpose of exploring the upper lakes, 
and, if found practicable, the Mississippi River also. The 
expedition had been stopped at the head of Lake On- 
tario by the illness of La Salle and the diiFerences of opin- 
ion between the great explorer and the priests, the former 
desiring to make it purely a voyage of discovery, and the 
latter wishing to divert it to the establishment of mission 
posts and the conversion of the Indians to Christianity. 

The two priests had pushed on to Lake Erie, but, the 
winter overtaking them, they were compelled to remain at 



■f This name rendered into Knglish literally means the "leap of 
Saint Mary." It refers to the leaps or plunges of the water over the 
rapids. 



DISCOVERY AND OCCUPATION OF MICHIGAN. 



33 



Lung Point until the succeeding spring, when they again 
cuibarked, and, proceeding up tlie lake, passed through the 
strait over Lake St. Clair and on into Lake Huron, and 
thence to the Sault 8te. Mario, where they arrived on the 
25th of May, 1670. This is the first recorded passage of 
the straits between Lakes Krie and Huron, though there is 
no doubt that Joliet had made the passage on his way 
back from an exploring expedition during the preceding 
year. He had met La Salle and these two priests at the 
western end of Lake Ontario the previous autumn, on his 
return. 

In May, 1G71, there was a great gathering of the north- 
western Indians at the Sault Ste. Marie, where M. de Lus- 
6on, who had been sent out by Talon, the iiitendant, met 
them and held a grand council, at which, with much pomp 
and ceremony and many speeches, the country was taken 
possession of iu the name of the King of France, and all 
the Indians of the Northwest were declared to be his sub- 
jects and taken under his protection. Father Claude Al- 
louez was present at this council and delivered a panegyric 
upon the king, and many presents were made to the na- 
tives. At this council a famous interpreter was present, 
Nicholas Perrot, a voyajeur, who had been in the employ 
of the Jesuits. He was twenty-six years of age, and un- 
derstood and spoke the Algonquin tongue fluently. Dc 
Lusson was accompanied by fifteen Frenchmen, among 
whom was Louis Joliet. 

Among the nations present at this remarkable council 
were the Ojibwas, a band of whom, called by the French 
Saulteurs, had their village on the council-ground ; Potto- 
wattomies, whose principal abode was then about Green 
Bay ; Ottawas, from the northern part of the southern 
peninsula and the Lake Huron region ; Miamis, iheu living 
in Southern Wisconsin ; Menominees ; Crees, from beyond 
Lake Superior ; Nipissings, and many more, representing 
no less than fourteen prominent nations. The Jesuit 
Fathers Claude Dablon, superior of the missions of the 
lakes, Gabriel Druillitcs, and Louis Andre were also present. 

In 1671, Father Mar(|uelte founded the mission of St. 
Ignace* on the north shore of the strait, opposite the island 
of Mackinac,"}" and, in company with Allouez and Dablon, 
explored the country lying south of Lake Superior and 
west of Lake Michigan, penetrating, according to some 
writers, to the site of the city of Chicago. 

JOLIKT AND MAIIQUETTE. 

The French authorities were not satisfied with the mere 
formality of taking possession of the country. Talon re- 
solved to explore the whole lake region, the country lying 
around the upper watershed of the Mississippi, and, if 
found practicable, the great river itself. 

Louis Joliet was the son of a wagonmaker in the cm- 



* Judge Caiupbell, in his admirable work, Outliacs of the Politi- 
cal History of Michigan, states that a miijsion wns founded on the 
island of ^(ackinac in IGGS, but removed soon after. 

f The word Michilimackin.'\c is said, bj Itev. Peter Jones, an 
Ojibwa, to be derived from au Ojibwa word, Mcsh-c-nc-Dmh-ke- 
Doong, the Great Turtle. Others iiilLr|irct it to mean the jdaco of 
giant fairie.«i. 



ploy of the Hundred Associates of Canada, and was born 
at Quebec in 1045. He was educated by the Jesuits and 
studied for the priesthood, but when about twenty-two 
years of age he gave up his clerical vocation and engaged 
in the fur trade. In 1669, as we have seen, he was sent 
by the intendant to explore the copper mines of Lake Su- 
perior, but returned without being able to accomplish the 
undertaking. J 

Father James (or Jacques) ^larquctte was born in 1637, 
at Laon, in the north of France, w;is also educated by tlie 
Jesuits, and subsequently joined the order. ^ In 1666 he 
was sent to the Canadian mission field, where his first work 
was to master the language of the Montagnais, that branch 
of the Algonquin family living around and below Quebec, 
which a Franciscan writer denominated the " paupers of 
the wilderness." He probably taught among that people 
at the trading-port of Tadoussae, situated at the mouth of 
the Saguenay River, where it unites with the St. Lawrence, 
beneath its tremendous granite walls, rising to a height of 
1500 feet. But at any rate he did not long remain, for in 
1668 he was sent to the lakes, where he remained until 
called by Talon to accompany Joliet upon an exploring ex- 
I pedition. He was last stationed at St. Ignace. 

Count FroDtenac§ had been appointed governor-general 
of New France in 1672, and under his powerful patronage 
these two remarkable men, Joliet and JIarquette, left 
Mackinac on the 13th of May, 1673. Their outfit was 
simple, consisting of two birch canoes, a supply of dried 
meat and Indian corn, and five men as assistants. Making 
their way over the broad waters of Lake Michigan, || they 
entered Green Bay and passed to its southern extremity, 
and thence up the Fox River, which gave them no little 
trouble with its numerous rapids, and on over Lake Win- 
nebago, and through the devious windings of the river 
beyond to the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin 
Rivers, which they crossed, and, launching their canoes on 
the latter, descended' it to the Mississippi, the long sought 
for object of many voyages and exploration.s. They entered 
the great river on the 17th of June, 1673, " with a joy," 
as Marquette wrote, which he could not express. 

The Indian nations or tribes which they had encountered 
on their way were the Menom-i-necs or Wild Rice Indians, 
which the French called " FoUes Avoiues," from the name 



I In 167S, Joliet married the daughter of a Canadian merchant, 
who was trading with the Northern Indians. In 1079 his attention 
was drawn towards Hudson's Bay, and in that year ho made a journey 
thither, t-ia the Sagucuay Kiver. In the same year he was granted 
the Mignon Islands, aud in IGSO ho received a grant of the great isl- 
and of Anticosti, where, in lOSl, ho estjiblished his resilience. Ho 
engaged in the fisheries, and made a chart of the river. In IflflO his 
property was destroyed by the English under Sir William Phips, 
and his family captured. In 1G9<( he explored the coast of Labra- 
dor, lie was made royal pilot of the St. Lawrcnec by Count Kron- 
tenac, and roj-ul liydrographer by llic French government. He 
di<rd about 17011, aiiJ was buried on one of the .Mignon Islamls. — 
Pnrkmaii. 

^ The count's full name and titles were Louis do Buado, Count of 
Pallunn and Frontcnac. 

Ij This lake was called by the French Lac des Illinois, and by the 
Indians Alitchiganon, or Aliehihiganiog. Allouez called it Lac .St. 
Josepli, and others Lac I>au]>hin. Green Bay was named by the 
French Lc Baye de Eaux Puantes. 



34 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



of the plant upon which they fed,* the Mascoutins, the 
Mianiis,")" and the Kickapoos. 

The party descended the Mississippi as far as the mouth 
of tlie Arkansas, discovering during the voyage the Des 
Moines, the Illinois, the Missouri, and the Ohio Eivers.J 
They returned vid the Illinois, Des Plaines, and Chicago 
llivers, and this was the first authenticated visit of Euro- 
peans to the site of Chicago. 

From this point they coasted the western shore of Lake 
Michigan, and reached Green Bay in the latter part of Sep- 
tember. Marquette, never a rugged man, had been at- 
tacked with dysentery on the Mississippi, and was wellnigh 
exhausted. The ftital malady which finally ended his life 
less than two years later also showed itself, and when the 
party reached Green Bay he was obliged to remain, while 
Joliet, with the journals and documents of the expedition, 
descended to Quebec to acquaint the governor-general with 
the results of their explorations. At the La Chine 
llapids, above Montreal, his canoe was upset and all his 
papers lost in the seething waters, and Joliet narrowly 
escaped drowning. Two of his companions and an Indian 
boy were lost. 

Marquette spent the winter of 1G73-74 and the follow- 
ing summer at Green Bay. In the autumn of 1674, his 
malady having somewhat abated, he resolved to carry out a 
cherished desire to found a mission on the Mississippi 
Kiver, which he proposed to call the Mission of the Immac- 
ulate Conception, — a name which he had already given to 
the great river. Accordingly, on the 25th of October, 
1674, accompanied by two Frenchmen, named Pierre and 
Jacques, and a band of Pottawattomies, in ten canoes, he 
crossed by an obscure pathway to Lake Michigan, and pro- 
ceeded thence southward to the mouth of the Chicago 
Kiver, which stream he ascended about two French leagues, 
and here, in consequence of a severe attack of his old 
malady, he was obliged to halt and eventually to encamp. 
Ilealizing his condition, he told his attendants it would be 
his last journey, and preparations were made for a per- 
manent camp, his companions still hoping that after a tem- 
porary resting spell he would be able to proceed or to return 
to the missions. 

As it resulted, however, they were obliged to remain 
through the winter. A comfortable log cabin was erected, 
in which the missionary was placed, and here in the suburbs 
of what is now a city of half a million inhabitants he re- 
mained until the following spring. The Pottawattomies 
proved true friends in his hour of need, and managed to 
procure abundance of game for sustenance. This conduct 
becomes the more striking when we remember that nearly 
on the same ground, 137 years later, their descendants per- 



® Ihe/oUes <ivn!,ie, or wild rice. Its Latin name is Zizunia aijuat- 
icu. It grows in vast fields in all the shallow waters of the northern 
latitudes. • 

t The Miamis subsequently, about 1077, migrated to Southern 
Michigan, and soon after removed into Indiana aud Ohio. 

{ The Missouri Marquette called the I'ckitanoui. It is also called 
on old maps lUviere des Osagcs and Riviere Emissourites. The 
Ohio was named the Ouabouskiaou. The Arkansas they called 
Akamsca. The name of the Ohio is said to signify "beautiful." The 
French afterwards called it " La Hello Riviere." 



petrated one of the most bloody massacres recorded in the 
annals of the country. § 

Manpiette survived the winter, and even rallied a little 
and seemed so much better that he determined to go on 
and establish the mii^sion ; and in the latter part of March 
the party crossed the portage to the Des Plaines River, de- 
scended that stream to its junction with the Kankakee, and 
thence down the Illinois to an Indian town called Kaskas- 
kia,|| situated some seven miles below the site of the present 
city of Ottawa, 111. At this place the missionary held a 
great council, at which more than 2000 warriors were as- 
sembled. The chiefs were anxious that Jlarquette should 
remain among them, but he realized that his time was short, 
and if he would die among his countrymen he must hasten 
his departure. 

It was near the end of April when the party started on 
the return voyage down Lake Michigan, taking their way 
around its southern margin and along the eastern shore. 
Slowly they progressed northward, encamping upon the 
beach at night, until, the 19th of May, 1675, when near a 
small stream supposed to have been the Botsie, or Aux Bee 
Scies, Marquette requested them to land ; and here he ex- 
pired soon after being taken ashore. His sorrowing followers 
dug a shallow grave in the sand, and, burying his emaciated 
remains, hastened on to Mackinac bearing the sad tidings 
to his brethren of the missions. 

It is related by Parkman that in the spring of 1676, a 
party of Kiskakon Ottawas, who had been hunting in the 
vicinity during the winter, visited the grave of the mission- 
ary, dug up his body, and, cleaning the bones, placed them 
in a box of birch bark and bore them to St. Ignaee. They 
were among the Indians who had listened to Marquette 
when preaching at the mission of St. Esprit at La Pointe. 
There were thirty canoes, and as they neared St. Ignaee 
they united in singing their funeral hymns, while the shore 
was thronged with the priests and dwellers at the mission, 
who gave them a sorrowful welcome.^ 

For a long period the last resting-place of the bones of 
Father Marquette was almost or quite unknown ; but 
within a recent period they are believed to have been dis- 
covered in the ruins of the Jesuit chapel at St. Ignaee. 
Marquette was a prominent figure among the early explorers 
of Michigan, and there would be eminent propriety in erect- 
ing a public monument to his memory. 

It is said that the mission of St. Ignaee was abandoned 
by the priests in 1706, and that the dwellings and chapel 
were set on fire and destroyed. The missionaries returned 
to Quebec. If this statement is true the place was no 
doubt abandoned through fear of the Indians living west 
of Lake Michigan. The post and mission at St. Ignaee 



? Massacre of the garrison of Fort Dearborn, Aug. 1.5, 1S12. 

|[ This has no reference to the town by the same name situated at 
the mouth of the Kaskaskia River, on the Mississippi. Both were 
probably villages of the Illinois Indians. 

^1 It has been suggested that here is a subject fur an historical paint- 
ing wurtliy the pencil of a master,^the long Hue of canoes, lilled 
wirh their dusky voyageurs, the wild and fantastic garb of the rowers, 
and the shore lit up with the glare of pine torches and covered 
with a motley throng of priests, Canadians, half-breeds, and Indians. 
Nothing could be more weird and picturesque. 



DISCOVERY AND OCCUPATION OF MICHIGAN. 



35 



were certainly restored about 1713, though, as before stated, 
not on tlie ground formerly occupied. Au interesting and 
able paper upon Marquette, prepared by Rev. George Duf- 
field, is in the second volume of the " Michigan Pioneer 
Collections." 

LA S.VLLK. 

The most famous explorer of the great lakes and the 
Mississippi River was Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle,* 
who was born in Rouen, in Normandy, in 1()43. His father, 
Jean Cavelier, and his uncle, Henri, were wealthy merchants 
living much after the manner of the noblemen of that period, 
though they could not boast of noble lineage. 

La Salle was educated at the Jesuit schools, and was 
probably a member of the order, though, like Louis Joliet, 
he subsequently threw aside his vestments to become a 
pioneer in the wilds of Canada, and eventually one of the 
most celebrated explorers of his time. His elder brother, 
the abbe Jean Cavelier, was a priest of the order of St. 
Sulpice, and preceded him to America. This circumstance, 
quite likely, determined the future course of La Salle. He 
was .so far connected with religious orders that under a law 
of that day he was cut off from receiving any portion of 
the family' estate ; but a small allowance or annuity of about 
400 livresf w;is settled upon him, and with this pittance he 
appeared at Montreal in the spring of 1GG6. 

He seems at first to have come to Canada with the view 
of becoming a trader, and we find him arranging with the 
priests of St. Sulpice, at Montreal, for a large tract of land 
situated about nine miles above that place, where he built 
a stockade-fort and began a settlement. Soon he com- 
menced learning the Indian languages, in which he became 
proficient, and ere long his mind began to grasp and dwell 
upon the possibilities of the vast continent lying to the 
westward. The thoughts of great discoveries yet to be 
made finally took full possession of his mind, and he deter- 
mined to dispose of his newly-acquired domain and give 
himself to the business of exploring the great West. 

He proceeded to Quebec, where he laid his plans before 
Coureelles, the Governor, and Talon, the intendant, and 
such was the persuasive power of his arguments that he 
enlisted both in his schemes, and was granted letters-patent 
authorizing the carrying out of his plans. He returned to 
Jlontreal, where he sold back the most of his property and 
improvements to the superior of the Sulpitians and one 
Jean Milot, and with the proceeds purcha.scd four canoe.s 
and the necessary supplies, and hired fourteen men to assist 
in his enterprise. 

At the same time the Sulpitian Seminary was preparing 
a similar expedition, but for a different purpose. The 
priests had established three years before (in 1G66) a mis- 
sion on the Bay of Quiute, Lake Ontario, and put it in 
charge of two of their number, Fenelon and De Casson. 
The latter had passed a winter among the Nipissings, and 
his account of the tribes living in heathen darkness in the 
far Northwest had aroused an ardent desire in the priests of 



• Cavelier was the family name, and La Salle the designation of 
its estates or seigniories. According to the parish record the great 
explorer's full name was Kene— Uobcrt Cavelier, Sicur de la .Salle. 

t About seventy-five dollars. 



Montreal to send out an expedition for the purpo.sc of estab- 
lishing missions among them. 

Under the advice of Coureelles, it was finally arranged 
that the two expeditions should be united and proceed to- 
gi-ilicr. For a wonder there was then a brief interval of 
peace between the French and the Iroquois. 

In mid-summer the consolidated expeditions, consisting 
of twenty-four men in seven canoes, started from La Chine 
for Jjake Ontario. They were accompanied by two other 
canoes carrying a party of Senecas, who had wintered at 
La Chine. They passed up the St. Lawrence, struggling 
with its sweeping rapids, and reached Lake Ontario after a 
toilsome voyage of thirty days, weary and worn and nearly 
every man partially disabled by sickne-ss. 

They first visited the principal village of the Senecas, in 
the valley of the Genesee River, where they expected to 
procure guides to pilot them on their way. It would ap- 
pear that at this time the expedition was intending to pur- 
sue La Salle's plan of exploring the Ohio River. But the 
Senecas, instead of furnishing guides and encouraging them 
in that direction, threw every obstacle in their way and 
failed to furnish guides. Finally, an Indian from a place 
called Ganastogue, an Iroquois colony at the head of Lake 
Ontario, said if they would proceed to that place they 
■would find guides who knew all about the country on the 
Ohio. They accordingly left the Seneca town, coasted 
along the south margin of the lake, passed the mouth of 
the Niagara River, where they heard the distant roar of the 
great cataract, and a few days later reached Ganastogue. 

They found the people friendly and ready to as.sist them. 
There was a Shawauesc'j; prisoner in the village, who in- 
formed them that they could reach the Ohio in six weeks, 
and offered to guide them to it. He had been released by 
the chiefs and presented to La Salle. When on the point 
of setting forth they were astonished by the appearance of 
two Frenchmen in the village. One of these proved to be 
Louis Joliet (before mentioned), who was returning from 
his expedition to explore the copper mines, upon which he 
had been sent by Talon. He had failed to accomplish his 
purpose and had returned by way of Lake Huron, the De- 
troit River, Lake Erie, and the Grand River, a stream 
which discharges into Lake Erie about thirty miles west 
from Buffajo. His guide had taken him over this route 
through fear of the Iroquois around the Niagara portage. 

This opportune meeting changed all their plans. Jolie^ 
showed a map of the upper lakes which he had made, an4 
gave the priests a copy of it. He described the condition 
of the Pottawattomies and other tribes and nations, ani^ 
excited in the priests a lively sense of their needs in a relig- 
ious point of view. Thcj' determined to abandon the search 
for the Ohio River and proceed over the route pointed ou^ 
by Joliet, who was himself quite a religious enthusiast. 

The Pottawattomies must be converted to Christianity, 
and Dollier de Casson and Galin6e resolved to proceed a^ 
all hazards to their country. The remonstrances of La Sallvs 
were of no avail. 

The latter was sick of fever, and to get rid of the priests! 



i In Drake's Life of Teeumseh this word is invariably »riltcq 
S/tatcaiioc. It was generally written in French C'huuanvn. 



36 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



he pretended that he was in no condition to go forward, and 
should be obliged to part with them. They accordingly left 
him with their own special followers and crossed over to 
Lake Erie, where, as we have seen, they were forced to 
remain until the following spring, when they proceeded on 
their voyage, and in May reached the Sault Ste. Marie. 
But after spending a few days at the latter point ihcy 
returned to their home at Montreal, having accomplished 
little save passing through the famous strait JD'efrolt* and 
making a long voyage around the northeastern shores of 
Lake Huron. They had not been cordially received by the 
Jesuit Fathers at the Sault, and came back satisfied that 
there was no encouragement for their order in the West. 

When they left La Salle their supposition was that he 
would immediately return to Jlontreal. 

There are no reliable data from which to determine the 
course La Salle pursued during the succeeding two years 
(1C70-71). Some writers affirm that a number of his 
followers refused to continue with him, and returned to La 
Chine ; and that out of derision for his schemes of dis- 
covery, and very possibly from some hint dropped by him 
that there was a water passage westward to China, they 
bestowed upon the place its name. La Chine. 

The only information which appears to bear any evidence 
of authenticity is found in a work entitled " Histoire de 
Monsieur de la Salle." It purports to be the substance of 
many conversations with La Salle in Paris, during one of 
his visits with a petition to the court. The substance of 
the narrative is that, after ler.ving the priests, Dollier and 
Galinee, he visited the Onondaga nation, where he procured 
a guide, and then proceeded to Lake Erie, and, crossing 
from tiiat lake to the Ohio, he descended that river as far 
as the rapids at Louisville, or, as some affirm, even down 
to the Mississippi. Here his men refused to proceed farther, 
and escaped to the English and Dutch, while La Salle, left 
alone, returned to Canada. It is claimed, and probably 
with justice, that the Jesuits were inimical to his schemes 
and placed every possible obstacle in his path. This was 
certainly true in after-yeans. This expedition is supposed 
to have been in the winter and spring of 1669-70. 

During the year 1671 this same memoir states that La 
Salle explored Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan, including 
their bays, and crossed over from the southern extremity 
of Lake Micliigan to a river which he followed to its junc- 
tion with another great river flowing from the northwest. 
It is also claimed that he descended the latter stream, which 
must have been the Mississippi, to the thirty-sixth parallel 
of latitude, where, becoming assured that it discharged into 
the Gulf of Blexico, he returned, with the determination 
to collect the necessary supplies and men and explore it at 
a future day. 

Talon, tiie intendant, stated in his dispatches of that 
year to the home government that he had sent La Salle to 
the soutliward and westward on a grand exploring expedi- 
tion ; and La Salle, in a memorial addressed to Count Fron- 
tenac, in 1677, affirms that he had discovered the Ohio and 
explored it as far as the falls. Joliet also, his rival in 
explorations, made two maps of the region of the great 



D'etroit, in French, i 



i I he strait, Of the place of the strait. 



lakes and the Mississippi, on both of which the Ohio 
River is shown, and with an inscription stating that it was 
discovered or visited by La Salle. It is generally considered 
that he did discover the Ohio, but not the Mississippi at 
the date mentioned. 

The French Governors of Canada, as a rule, were not 
wealthy men, and their salary was but a pittance, and under 
such circumstances it is not to be wondered at that they 
sometimes became interested in schemes of trade and com- 
merce which promised pecuniary advantages. The fur 
trade was the great engrossing topic among merchants 
and traders, and, in 1673, Count Frontenac, either in conse- 
quence of his own observations or by reason of information 
furnished by La Salle ((juite probably the latter), became 
convinced that the establishment of a fort and trading-post 
at the outlet of Lake Ontario would be not only advanta- 
geous to the government in a military point of view, but 
prove a source of valuable revenue to himself. 

With this idea in his mind he fitted out a strong expedi- 
tion consisting of nearly 400 picked men, besides Indians. 
He sent La Salle on a mission to the Iroquois to invite 
them to a grand council on the Bay of Quinte, but by La 
Salle's advice, who showed by a map which he had made 
that Cataraqui, where Kingston now stands, was a better 
place, the meeting was changed to the latter. 

With a numerous staff and retinue, in a fleet of 120 
canoes and two large flat-boats gorgeously painted, the 
Governor proceeded leisurely to Cataraqui, where a large 
delegation of Iroquois chiefs met him, and a grand council, 
commencing on the 13th of July and continuing through 
several days, was held, in which many speeches were made 
by Frontenac and the Iroquois chiefs, and a great number 
of presents were distributed among the Indians. 

Notwithstanding the hereditary hostility of the Indians 
to any attempt to build military works within their terri- 
tory or on its borders, Frontenac managed the matter so 
boldly, and yet with such consummate address, that he began 
the erection of a strong work in the presence of the Indians, 
and left them in exceeding good humor at the liberality 
of the great Onontio.f The Governor returned to Mont- 
real in the beginning of August, leaving a garrison to hold 
his new fortification, which was to be provided with a year's 
supplies, then on their way, under convoy, up the river. 

In speaking of the success of his expedition Frontenac, 
in a letter to the ministry, writes : " Assuredly I may boast 
of having impressed them (the Iroquois) at once with re- 
spect, fear, and good will." He had entered fully into the 
plans of La Salle, and adds that the new fort at Cataraqui, 
with the aid of a vessel now building, will command Lake 
Ontario, keep the peace with the Iroquois, and cut off the 
trade with the English ; and that by another fort at the 
mouth of the Niagara, and another vessel on Lake Erie, 
we can command all the upper lakes. J 

In 1674, La Salle visited France with letters from Fron- 
tenac, and was so successful that he obtained a patent of 



f This was a title which the Indians bestowed upon the French Gov- 
ernors of Canada. According to Parliman, it signities "great moun- 



I I'arknuin, Di. 



;iy of the Great West. 



DISCOVERY AND OCCUPATION OF MICHIGAN. 



37 



nobility in recognition of his discoveries, and a grant of 
Fort Cataraqui, together witli a h\rgc tract of hind adjacent, 
including the neighboring islands, and was invested with 
the command of the fort, subject only to the orders of the 
governor-general.* For these favors he was to rebuild the 
fort of stone ; pay back its original cost to the Crown ; main- 
tain a garrison equal to that of Montreal, besides fifteen to 
twenty laborers; plant a Fiench colony around it; build a 
church whenever the number of inhabitants should reach 
a hundred; support one or more Rccollet friars; and, 
finally, form a settlement of domesticated Indians in the 
vicinity. 

He returned to Canada, and proceeded to carry out his 
agreement. He rebuilt liis fort substantially of stone 
and heavy pickets, and named it, in honor of the gover- 
nor-general, " Fort Frontcnac," which name it bore until 
Canada was transferred to the English in 17G0. 

It would seem that, with all these favorable circum- 
stances surrounding him, La Salle would have been willing 
to remain quietly in his position, content to enrich himself 
with trade, whicii he pos.sessed every facility for pursuing. 
But it was not his di.^position to become merelj' a success- 
ful merchant ; the insatiable desire to make discoveries in 
the unknown regions of the West possessed his mind to 
the exclusion of every other idea. 

He had become famous, and his relatives now came for- 
ward and supplied him liberally with means to carry on his 
plans. He went to France in 1U77 and succeeded in rais- 
ing large sums of money, with which he purchased supplies 
and hired men, and in July, 1678, returned again to Can- 
ada, accompanied by thirty followers and abundaut supplies 
of all kinds for the prosecution of his scheme of explo- 
ration. Among those who came with him at this time 
was Henri de Tonty (or Tonti),f an Italian ofiiccr wlio had 
lost a hand bj' the explosion of a grenade in the Sicilian 
wars. His father was a noted man, and the author of the 
famous Tcntine plan of life insurance. 

On his return to Canada, La Salle was joined by Father 
Louis Hennepin, who also became famous in after-years as 
an explorer and writer. He was a priest of the order of 
St. Francis, and became the historian, or journalist, of La 
Salle's expedition to the great lakes. He had come to 
Canada in 1075, and been .sent to Fort Frontcnac as a 
iuis.sionary. 

A little sloop or briganline of about ten ton.s' burden had 
been built at Frontcnac, and in this frail vessel, on the ISlh 
day of November, 1G78, La Motte, Hennepin, and sixteen 
men pushed out into the tumultuous waters of Ontario 
and .steered towards Niagara. They kept as near the north- 
ern shore as was compatible with safety, and on the 2(;th of 
the month, after a boisterous passage, ran into the Bay of 
Toronto, where they were frozen in and had to cut their 
wa}' out with axes. 

On the 6th of December they made the mouth of the 
Niagara River and landed at the place where afterwards 
stood Fort Niagara. At this point was a small Seneca 



* His patent raised him to (ho ranic of the untitled nobles, 
t The nnino in Italian is written Tonti, but ho seems to have 
adoplod tbo Frcuch manner of writing it. 



village. From here Hennepin and a few companions 
ascended the river in a canoe to the foot of the ridge at 
Lewiston, where they were obliged to leave the canoe and 
proceed the remaining seven miles to the cataract on foot. 
Hennepin was probably the first European to gaze upon the 
wonderful fall of waters which makes the name of Niagara 
famous throughout the world. J 

His description of the cataract is in the main correct, 
though he greatly overestimated its height. His first state- 
ment made it .500 feet, but, not suited with this, lie subse- 
quently fixed it at GOO. 

La Salle wrung a reluctant con.sent from the Scneeas to 
allow him to build a stockaded warehouse at Niagara, but a 
sad misfortune overtook him. Late in the season of 1G78 
his little vessel on Lake Ontario was wrecked by the dis- 
obedience of the pilot, at a point west of the mouth of the 
Niagara River, atid her cargo of provisions and merchandise 
was lo.st, though the crew saved the anchors and cables de- 
signed for a larger vessel which La Salle intended building 
on Lake Eiie.§ 

To this task he now bent all his energies. The small 
craft which had first reached Niagara was hauled to the foot 
of the rapids and her lading taken out and transported with 
immense labor over the heights and through the forest to 
the mouth of Cayuga Creek, on the American side of the 
Niagara, about six miles above the fall. At this point there 
is a very good harbor formed by an i.sland in tlie river, and 
here, probably in January, 1G79, was laid the keel for the 
first vessel that ever (at least since the days of the Mound- 
Builders) navigated the great upper lakes. Her construc- 
tion proceeded slowly, for the workmen were few and 
labored under many and serious disadvantages, not the least 
of which was the hostility of the Iroquois. 

By indomitable exertions the vessel was fini.shcd by 
Tonty, who had the management of affairs in the absence 
of La Salle, in the beginning of spring, and launched amid 
great rejoicing by her builders ; and even the intractable 
Iroquois, under the influence of a generous gift of brandy, 
whooped and danced like madmen as the monster canoe 
glided out upon the bosom of the Niagara. The ves- 
sel was of about forty-five tons' burden, and was a great 
astonishment to the Indians. She was towed out into the 
stream and anchored, and on her decks the entire party 
took refuge, feeling at last safe from the tomahawks of 
the savages. She mounted five small swivel-guns, and 
under her bowsprit was carved a figure of the fabled mon- 
ster whose name she bore. This nondescript beast was 
also a part of the armorial bearings of Count Frontcnac, 
and in his honor she was christened the " Griflin." 

She was soon taken up the river and anchored below 
Block Rock, where her equipmeut was finished. La Salle, 



+ It is stated by Dr. O'C'allagban, in tbo Documenlnry History of 
New York, that tbcrc ai'c thirty-nino ways in which Niagara is writ- 
ten. It was spelled by early writers Oiif/uiaithra and Oiigiat-a. 
Hennepin wrote it as it is now written. It is said to be of Iroquois 
origin, and in the .Mohawk dialect i« pronounced Nyilgarah. 

^ It appears that this was a second vessel which had been built on 
Lake Ontario, and not the one which brought La Motte and Hennepin 
first to Niagara. It was apparently a larger craft than that, and a 
serious loss. 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUxVTIES, MICHIGAN. 



who had been absent at Montreal, at length returned about 
the middle of summer, bearing the tidings that his creditors, 
under the excitement of false rumors, had seized upon 
all his property in Canada, save only what was centred in 
the " Griffin." But La Salle never allowed misfortune to 
impair his energy or damp his ardor, and he prepared to 
embark upon the long-anticipated voyage of discovery 
with high hopes and dauntless courage. 

The " Griffin" was towed up to the entrance of Lake 
Erie, and on the 7th of August, 1679, all things being 
ready, the excited company, numbering thirty-four persons, 
set sail amid the firing of cannon and the music of the 
le Deum. 

At the end of three days they reached the strait between 
Lake Erie and the little Lake St. Clair, whose shores 
were alive with a great variety of game, — herds of deer, 
wild turkeys, bears, and other varieties, — while the stream 
was crowded with water-fowl. The crew went on shore 
and came back laden with game, wliieh was hung over the 
bulwarks of the vessel, including the carcasses of several 
bears, which latter were greatly praised by Hennepin for 
their lack of ferocity and the excellence of their flesh. 

The enthusiastic priest, in speaking of the region, sa3's, 
" Those who will one day liave the happiness to possess 
this fertile and pleasant strait will be very much obliged 
to those who have shown them the way." Sailing north- 
eastward they crossed Lake St. Clair,* and, threading the 
blue stream towards the north, at length came in sight of 
the great " Huron Sea." 

Over the waters of this inland ocean they passed on pros- 
perously for a time, still bearing northward ; but as they 
reached the broad opening of the Saginaw Bay the bosom 
of the sea was swept by a furious tempest, during which 
even the stout heart of the commander quailed, and he 
recommended his followers to commend themselves to 
Heaven. Every one fell on his knees save what Henne- 
pin calls the godless pilot, who reproached La Salle for 
bringing him to perish in fresh water. But the storm at 
length abated, and the gallant craft passed on over the tu- 
multuous waves, where in modern times a gigantic com- 
merce whitens the watery way with the wings of monster 
ships of fifty times the capacity of the daring " Griffin" 
of two hundred years ago. 

She passed the distant Manitoulins and at length came 
in sight of the wooded shores of Bois Blanc and Michili- 
mackinac, and cast anchor under the whitewashed walls of 
the mission of St. Ignace. 

The " Griffin" fired a salute, and, amid a throng of Ot- 
tawa and Huron Indians yelping with amazement. La Salle 
and his whole party went on shore, under arms, and pro- 
ceeded to the Jesuit chapel to hear mass. 

Thus, two hundred and one years ago the present August 
(1880) came the venturous La Salle, in the first European 
vessel, over the wide-expanding waters of those inland 
oceans, his little vessel the avaiit-courier of a great commer- 
cial marine, which in this year of grace reaches thousands 
of ships and millions in value. Could the intrepid navi- 

■*■ The original name of this lake was .Sainte Claire, of which the 
present name is a pcrvcrcion. 



gator have anticipated the changes of two centuries he 
would have recked little, in the presence of the inspiring 
vision, of the difficulties and hardships which confronted 
him. 

Before embarking on this voyage L'» Salle had sent for- 
ward, in the previous autumn, fifteen men in canoes laden 
with goods to trade with the Indians and accumulate a stock 
of furs against his arrival. Hearing nothing from them, he 
had dispatched his lieutenant, Tonty, in a canoe from 
Niagara to look after them. They had been tampered with, 
and had traded the goods on their own account. La Salle 
found four of them at Mackinac, whom he arrested, and sent 
forward Tonty to the Sault Ste. Marie, who there found and 
captured two others with their plunder. The remainder 
were in the forest, and beyond his reach. 

In the early part of September, before Tonty had re- 
turned from this expedition. La Salle set sail and proceeded 
up Lake Michigan to the islands lying at the entrance of 
Green Bay, where he was heartily welcomed by a Fottawat- 
tomie chief who had been to Fort Frontenae, where he had 
met the governor-general and was greatly impressed with 
him. At this place, also, La Salle found a portion of the 
men whom he had sent in advance, and who had remained 
faithful to his interests. They had collected a large store of 
furs, and the commander determined to load his vessel with 
them and send her down the lakes, that he might liquidate 
a portion of his indebtedness and pacify his creditors. 

On the the 18th day of September the loading was com- 
pleted, and, firing a parting salute, the " Griffin" set sail on 
her return trip, under charge of the pilot and a part of 
the crew who had come up in her. But from that day 
no tidings were ever received from her. Her fate was 
never known. Whether she foundered in the boisterous 
seas off Saginaw Bay, went down in the shallower waters 
of Lake Erie, or was taken and destroyed by the Indians, 
none can tell. The probabilities favor the first proposition, 
for Saginaw Bay almost rivals Cape Hatteras as a region of 
storms and tempests.f 

Upon the departure of the vessel. La Salle, with the 
fourteen men remaining, embarked in four canoes heavily 
loaded with a forge, tools, merchandise, and arms, and pro- 
ceeded up the lake along its western shore. Their voyage 
was interrupted the same day by one of those sudden storms 
to which this lake is so liable, and they were compelled to 
lay up for five days before the water was smooth enough to 
allow them to proceed. They thought of the " Griffin," as 
the foaming surges rolled past the little cove where they 
had sought shelter, and the ill-fated vessel may have been 
lost the first night out, before reaching Mackinac. 

A number of times was the little flotilla of frail canoes 
driven ashore, and on the 28th of the month they were 
nearly wrecked and compelled to lay by until they had 
consumed all their provisions. They purchased corn of the 
friendly Pottawattomics, but near the head of the lake en- 
countered a band of Outagamies, and through their thieving 
propensities there was imminent danger of a rupture, but 



I La Salle believed that she was treacherously scuttled and sunk 
by the pilot, who fled with her furs and merchandise to the Indiaus 
on the upper Mississippi. 



DISCOVERY AND OCCUPATION OF MICHIGAN. 



39 



tlic good management of La Salle prevented. Getting clear 
of these dangerous warriors, the voyagers coasted around the 
southern bend of the lake, and on the first of November 
readied the uioutli of the St. Joseph Iliver, which La Salle 
named the " Miamis," from the fact that he there found 
the Miami Indians, who had within a few years migrated 
from the southern part of Wisconsin. 

Here ho expected to meet Tonty, who was to join him 
with twenty men from JIackinac, coming up the eastern 
side of tlie lake ; but no Tunty ap])earcd, and La Salle's 
companions grumbled and nearly became mutinous. To 
divert their thoughts lie set them at work cutting trees 
from the forest and building a fort on rising ground near 
the mouth of the river. This was the first attempt at 
anything that looked like a settlement within the borders 
of the lower peninsula ; and the first day of November, 
1679, may be set down as the natal day of Southern Mich- 
igan. La Salle had eircumnavigatcJd three-fourths of the 
peninsula, and began a settlement at its extremity farthest 
from the region occupied by his people. 

About the 20th of the month Tonty appeared, bringing 
one-half of his men ; the others were left a hundred miles 
in the rear to hunt for provisions, for they had eaten the 
supply with which they started. He brought no word of 
the " Griffin." She was to have met La Salle at this point, 
but, though two months had passed since she left Green 
Bay, there were no tidings of her. A few days later the 
remainder of Tonty's men (excepting two who had de- 
serted) joined the company at Fort Miamis. Weary with 
waiting for his lost ves.sel, La Salle dispatched two men to 
meet her at Mackinac should she return and bring her to 
his new fort. He then turned with a heavy heart, and 
prepared to ascend the river and cross over to the Kankakee 
on his way towards the south. 

On the 3d of December the little party, thirty-three in 
number, in eight canoes, re-embarked and passed up the 
St. Joseph, whose edges were already beginning to be 
slightly frozen. After many adventures they reached the 
waters of the sluggish and swampy Kankakee, paddled 
down that stream past the present sites of Momcnce, Kan- 
kakee, and Wilmington, in Illinois, and towards the last 
of the year reached a great town of the Illinois, contain- 
ing nearly five hundred lodges, but all abandoned. They 
found plenty of corn in cdrhi's, of which they stood in such 
need that La Salle took a small supply, expecting to find 
the owners at some point and pay them for it. 

On New Year's day, 1680, they went on shore and heard 
mass. About the 3d of the month they came to an in- 
habited Illinois village, where, after the first alarm was over, 
they were hospitably received. 

The party descended the river as far as the site of the 
present flourishing city of Peoria, and about the middle 
of January, La Salle, somewhat distrustful of the savages, 
and perhaps more so of his own men, six of whom had 
already deserted him, resolved to erect a fort. The spot 
clioscn by him and Hennepin was on a rising ground on 
the east side of the river, very near where it issues from 
Lake Peoria, and here he constructed a strong stockade 
work, surrounded by a ditch and guarded by chevmix-dc- 
/rise, with barracks and shops inside. This work, the first 



erected within the limits of the now populous State of 
Illinois, and the site of which is not certainly known, La 
Salle named Fort Crevecccur (" broken heart"), evidently 
in consequence of his mental depression. 

At this point the indefatigable adventurer constructed 
the hull of another vessel, of forty tons' burden, with which 
he intended to navigate the Missis.sippi. As in the case of 
the " Griffin," the timber was all worked out by hand from 
the forest; but, notwithstanding the obstacles in his way 
and the desertion of his carpenters, he labored with such 
energy that in six weeks the hull was nearly finished. 
But the rigging, sails, and materials to complete her for 
active service were not at hand, and La Salle now resolved 
to return to Canada on foot, leaving Tonty in command, 
procure the necessary outfit, and bring it back around the 
lakes and by way of his route from the mouth of the St. 
Joseph Iliver. Then, with a new vessel, well manned and 
armed, he would sail down the JHssissippi, and po.ssibly 
thence to France, bearing the history of his discoveries 
to his sovereign. 

Bethinking him that Hennepin might be profitably em- 
ployed in his absence, he requested him to sail down the 
Illinois Kiver and explore it to its mouth. Accordingly, 
on the first day of February, Hennepin, accompanied by two 
companions, Michael Accau,and one Antoine Auguel (com- 
monly called Du (iay), set forth in a canoe, well laden with 
gifts and trinkets for the Indians. 

On the second of March, La Salle, accompanied by four 
Frenchmen and one Mohegan Indian, who had come with 
him from the lower lakes, embarked in two canoes on his 
return trip to Canada. 

The party traveled sometimes by water and sometimes by 
land, hauling their canoes alter them, and after a most toil- 
some journey, at length, on the twenty-third of the month, 
arrived at Lake Michigan, and, following its eastern shore, 
reached Fort Miamis on the following day. Here he found 
the two men whom ho had sent in search of the " Griffin" in 
the autumn before, and, ordering them to join Tonty at 
Fort Crevecoeur, he constructed a raft, and, crossing the 
St. Joseph Iliver, took his way overland through Southern 
Michigan, pursuing a nearly easterly course. 

His route led him through the counties of Berrien, Van 
Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Jack.son, Washtenaw, and 
W^ayne. That this was his route there can be no reason- 
able doubt, for he speaks of passing great meadows and 
prairies covered with rank grass, which must have been in 
all probability Prairie llonde. Climax Prairie, and others. 
On reaching the Huron Iliver, in Washtenaw County, 
probably near the present village of Dexter, two of the men 
being sick, the party constructed a canoe from elm bark, 
and thence proceeded down the river until stopped by drift- 
wood, when they again took to land and soon after reached 
the Detroit Iliver. 

Here La Salle detached two men to proceed to Macki- 
nac, while with the remaining three he crossed the river 
on a raft, and, striking southeast, reached Lake Erie near 
Point Pelee. Two more of the party were now taken sick, 
but by the aid of the only one remaining in health La 
Salle constructed a canoe and went thence by water to 
Niagara. From thence, taking three fresh men, and leav- 



40 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



ing his exhausted companions at the fort, he continued his 
remarkable journey, and after sixty-five days reached Fort 
Frontonac on the sixth of May. At that time this was cer- 
tainly the most wonderful journey ever performed on the 
continent. The distance traveled was fully 1200 miles. 

But though he had reached the end of his journey, he 
found troubles everywhere thickening around him. A 
short time after his arrival at Fort Frontonac, two voyagcurs 
came to him bearing a letter from Tonty with the intelli- 
gence that the men at Fort Crevecoeur had mutinied, de- 
stroyed the fort and such stores as they could not carry 
away, and deserted. Two other messengers soon after con- 
firmed this statement, and brought in addition information 
that the mutineers had also destroyed the fort on the St. 
Joseph, plundered La Salle's furs at Mackinac, and were 
then coasting in two bodies, one of eight and the other of 
twelve men, along the northern and southern shores of 
Lake Ontario, the southern band on their way to the Dutch 
at Albany, and the other coming to Frontonac with the 
avowed purpose of assassinating La Salle. 

Choosing nine trusty men, well armed. La Salle proceeded 
up the lake and intercepted and captured, after a brief 
fight, the bulk of both parties, and brought them to Fort 
Frontenac to await the arrival of the governor-general. 

Hurrying his preparations. La Salle on the 10th of 
August again set sail for Illinois with a fresh supply of 
material and twenty-five men of various callings. He took 
a new route, viii the Humber River, Lake Simcoe, th(; Sev- 
ern River, and Lake Huron, arriving safely at Mackinac. 
With him on this trip went a new lieutenant. La Forest. 
At Mackinaw the latter was lell to bring up the rear, while 
La Salle, anxious to succor Tonty, pushed on with twelve 
men. On the 4lh of November he reached his ruined fort 
at St. Joseph, where he left five of his men with the heavy 
stores to await the arrival of La Forest, while with six 
Frenchmen and an Indian he hurried on towards the Illi- 
nois River. 

He found the country entirely deserted by its human 
inhabitants. The Iroquois had been there and left only 
bleaching bones and blackened ashes. But the prairies 
were alive with buffaloes, and there was no trouble in 
securing all the meat the company needed. Pushing on to 
Fort CriNvecoeur, he found it destroyed, but the little vessel 
on the stocks remained entire except that the Iroquois 
had found means to extract nearly all the iron bolts with 
which it was fastened. 

La Salle descended the Illinois River to its junction with 
the Mississippi, finding everywhere marks along its banks 
of the flight of the Illinois and (he pursuit of the bloody 
Iroquois, but nowhere any signs of Tonty and his men. 
When near the mouth of the Illinois they found the ruins 
of an Indian village and the mangled bodies of women and 
children scattered around. It vpas the last resting-place of 
the Illinois tribes. The Iroquois had come upon them and 
nearly destroyed the persecuted nation. 

Late in the season La Salle returned to his old stopping- 
place on the St. Joseph. La Forest and his men had 
restored the work, cleared some ground for planting, and 
sawed lumber for a new vessel to navigate the lakes. Here 
the adventurers remained until the spring of IGSl. 



HENNEPIN. 

In the mean time Father Hennepin and his two com- 
panions had descended to the Mississippi, and, turning their 
canoes up-stream, began their voyage of discovery towards 
its head-waters. They proceeded without any remarkable 
adventure as far north as the mouth of the Wisconsin 
River ; but at this point their troubles began, for on the 
1 1th or 12th of April they were taken prisoners by a band of 
120 Sioux* warriors. By them they were carried north 
as far as the Thousand Lakes, near the sources of the 
modern Rum River. In the early summer they went with 
a large hunting-party to kill buffalo. Wearying of this 
mode of life, Hennepin announced that he expected a party 
of Frenchmen at the mouth of the Wisconsin River, who 
were coming there to trade with the Indians. 

There had been considerable quarreling among the cap- 
tors as to the disposition to be made of the prisoners. Some 
had favored the plan of putting them to death, while a 
powerful young chief had stood by and protected them. They 
finally considered that it would be highly advantageous to 
have the French come among them with goods and weapons 
for barter ; and after many discussions they at length gave 
consent for the three Frenchmen to take their canoes and 
go down the river. They had, on the whole, been very well 
treated, and fared as well as their captors. 

It is altogether probable that Hennepin had no reason to 
expect any of his people would visit that part of the coun- 
try, though he pretended that La Salle had promised to 
send traders there. At the last moment Aecau refused to go 
with Hennepin, preferring to remain among the savages, 
and so the friar and Du Gay paddled away together. In 
due time they reached the great falls of the Mississippi, 
which Hennepin named after St. Anthony of Padua, — a 
name which they have borne to the present day. 

After paddling sixty leagues down the river they resolved 

to join a large hunting-party of the Sioux, which was 

going up the Chippewa River, and which Hennepin calls 

Bull River. Not very long after a story was spread through 

the Indian camp that a war-party of Sioux, which had 

gone towards Lake Superior, had met five " spirits," or 

Europeans, on their way. These spirits soon after met the 

hunting-party below the falls, and proved to be Daniel 

Greysolon Du Lhut and four other Frenchmen, all well 

armed. 

DU LHUT. 

This famous leader of the coureurs de hois was a cousin 
of Tonty, born at Lyons, France. He belonged to the 
untitled nobles, and was well known to, and, some writers 
say, connected with, Count Frontenac in the fur trade. He 
was also a brother-in-law of Louvigny, an ofiScer in the 
Governor's guard. He had ascended the lakes to the head 
of Lake Superior, and from thence come overland to the 
Mississippi River.f He had left, the lake in June, and. 



* The name Siou.\ i.^ an abbreviation of the Ojibwa word Na-doues- 
sioux, meaning enemies. — Pavkman. 

f Du Lliut was famous in after-years as a fur trader, an explorer, 
and a military leader. About 16S3 he built a trading-post on the 
north side of Lake Superior, near Thunder Bay, which was called 
Can-an-is-ti-goy-an by La Honton. In 1686, under orders from De- 
nonville, then Governor, he built a fort at the outlet of LaUe Huron. 



DISCOVERY AND OCCUPATION OF MICHIGAN. 



41 



during Iiis explorations, liad heard that there were throe 
Europeans amonj; the Indians. The entire party now fol- 
lowed the Sioux to tlicir villages at the head of Hum River, 
where they were treated to a grand feast. 

It was now autumn, and the white men propo.sed to 
return home, promising to come baek and open trade with 
the Indians, who, upou this, allowed them to depart peace- 
ably. They descended the Mississippi to the mouth of the 
Wisconsin, hunting b}- the wa}', and, ascending the latter 
river, crossed the portage, and reached the Jesuit mission 
at Green Bay, where Hennepin remained until spring, when 
ho descended the lakes via the Detroit River, Lake Erie, 
and Niagara Falls, which latter he again examined, and 
finally reached Montreal, where he was cordially welcomed 
by Count Frontenac. 



La Salle, when he set out on his overland journey to 
Canada in JIarch, 1080, had left Tonty at Fort Cr6vec(cur 
with fifteen men, besides a servant and two friars, Mcmbre 
and Ribourde. At Fort St. Joseph (or Miamis), La Salle 
had written a letter to Tonty and sent it to him by two 
men whom he had found there, with instructions to ex- 
amine and fortify an immense rock on the upper Illinois 
River. Tonty accordingly took a portion of his men and 
set out to examine the position ; and it was while absent on 
this expedition that the men left at Crfevecoeur destroyed 
that work and fled. 

Tonty immediately sent word to La Salle, and with what 
few men were yet faithful was forced to take up his abode 
among the Illinois Indians. The great town of these In- 
dians wxs situated near where the modern village of Ulioa, 
in the county of La Salle and State of Illinois, now stands. 
Around this famous locality was at times gathered probably 
the largest and densest Indian population to be found in 
any locality in America. Opposite, on the south side of 
the Illinois River, rose the palisade-like line of sandstone 
clifis which marks the border of the river valley, and also 
the bank of that mighty stream which in prehistoric limes 
drained the surplus waters of the upper lakes into the Mis- 
sissippi. 

But this farofT Indian paradise was marked by the insa- 
tiable Iroquois for destruction, and the storm fell while 
Tonty was among them. After vainly trying to negotiate 
peace between the belligerents, and nearly losing his life in 
the attempt, he felt compelled to abandon the Illinois In- 
dians and save his little company if possible. On their way 
up the river towards Lake Michigan, Father Ribourde was 
waylaid and murdered by a band of Kickapoos. Late in 
November, Tonty and his half-starved and nearly frozen 
companions reached the country of the Pottawattomies 
around Green Bay, where they were warmly welcomed by 
the chief who had visited Montreal and treated La Salle 
with such distinguished courtesy. 

In the latter part of the winter, 1C80-81, La Salle vis- 
ited the various Indian nations and fragments of tribes 



In 1687 he joined Denonvillcwitfa a large war-party against the Iro- 
quois. In 1689 bo destroyed a war-party of Iroquois. In 16K7 he 
was in command at Fort Frontenac. lie died about 1710. 
6 



around the head of Lake Michigan and on the Illinois 
River, consisting of Miamis, Illinois, Shawanoes, and scat- 
tered bands of many New England and New York nations, 
Mohegans, Narragansetts, Wampanoags, and others, who 
bad followed Philip of Mount Hope, and been compelled 
by the death of that famous chieftain, in lG7(),to flee from 
their native country. To these he made speeches in which 
he portrayed the ruin sure to come upon them at the hands 
of the dreaded Iroijuois, unless they li.stencd to his advice, 
following his addresses with many presents. His plan was 
to gather the tribes and nations of the West and the frag- 
ment.s of E;istern nations in the valley of the Illinois River 
near where he proposed to build a strong fort, and then 
civilize and Christianize them under the powerful protection 
of the French. 

The plan and the accompanying presents suited the In- 
dians, and they urged La Salle to carry out his designs. In 
order for him to do this he must return to Canada, make 
arrangements with his clamorous creditors, and procure 
supplies for his new colony. 

In May he proceeded down Lake Michigan to Mackinac, 
where he found Tonty and others lately arrived from Green 
Bay. The party embarked for Montreal, where on his 
arrival La Salle found everything in a most discouraging 
condition. Ho was heavily in debt and his creditors were 
impatient for their money. But he quieted them all, and 
succeeded in once more collecting men and supplies, and 
with them returned to Fort Miamis, where he arrived in 
the early autumn. Here he chose out eighteen of his 
Eastern allies, and, joining them to his own party, found 
himself at the head of fifty-four persons, — men, women, 
and children, for the Indians insisted on the latter's accom- 
panying them. 

This party left Fort Miamis on the 21st of December, 
1C81, in six canoes, and made their way around the margin 
of the lake to the mouth of the Chicago* River, which 
they followed up to the portage, and, crossing to the river 
Des Plaines, or Aux Plains, followed it down to the 
Illinois. La Salle had abandoned his original idea of con- 
structing a large vessel for the purpose of navigating the 
Mississippi River, and did not stop at Fort Crevecoeur, but 
continued on to the Mississippi, which he reached on the 
6th of February, 1682. 

The expedition reached the mouth of the Mississippi on 
the 6th of April, following. A column bearing the arms 
of France was erected, and, amid much ceremony, La Sallo 
took possession, on the 9th of the month, of the whole vast 
region watered by the great river and its branches, which 
he named, in honor of Louis XIV., Louisia.na. 

The party returned up the river soon after. On the way 
La Salle was taken violently ill at Fort Prudhomme, a worly 
which he had erected, on one of the Chickasaw blufis oi| 
his way down. Father Membre remained to take care of 
him, while the rest of the party proceeded northward tQ 
the region of the great lakes. La Salle recovered slowly, 
and finally rejoined Tonty at Mackinac in September fol: 
lowing. 



* On Franquclin's iniip of La Salle's disoovcric, publi.'hcj in lOSI 
Ibis name is written, Chcknijiiu. 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



In the same year Tonty proceeded once more to the 
Illinois country and commenced the construction of Fuit 
St. Louis, on the famous rock in La Salle County, 111., now 
commonly known as " Starved Hock," from a lei?cnd that 
the last of the Illinois nation were there starved and de- 
stroyed by their enemies. La Salle had arranged to pro- 
ceed to France, but, hearing that the Iroquois were about 
to attack the Illinois, he changed his plans and joined 
Tonty at Fort St. Louis, and superintended its construc- 
tion. In the autumn of 1683 he sailed for France, where 
he so completely won over the king and nobility that he 
was fitted out with a powerful expedition for the purpose 
of making furtlier discoveries in the South, and also of 
establishing a colony on the Mississippi River. His liist 
appearance in the waters of Michigan was in the fall of 
1GS3, when on his way to Quebec, where he set sail for 
France. The great discoverer, one of the most remarkable 
men of any age, was assassinated by some of his followers 
in Texas on the 10th of March, 1(587. 

Fort St. Louis, on the Illinois, was given by the king to 
Tonty and La Forest, who occupied it and carried on quite 
an extensive trade from 1CS3 to about 1702, when they 
were sent to other parts of the continent, and Fort St. 
Louis was, for a time, abandoned. It was, however, again 
occupied by French traders in 1718, but only for a short 
time. Charlevoix, passing the spot in 1721, found it 
deserted. 



CHAPTER V. 

FEOM 1682 TO THE END OF THE FRENCH DO- 
MINION. 

St. Joseph, Mackinac, Detroit— List of Trench Colonial Governors. 

A.s before stated, a fort called Fort St. Joseph was built 
by Du Lhut at the outlet of Lake Huron in 1686 ; but it 
was maintained only about two years, when it was aban- 
doned. The fort at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, 
built by La Salle, and called by him Fort Miamis, was prob- 
ably occupied occasionally, and possibly continuously, from 
1680 until the establishment of a Jesuit mission at the 
place in the early years of the eighteenth century. 

It has been erroneously stated by some writers that the 
Jesuit Fatliers, Allouez, Dablon, and Marquette, visited 
this point between 1666 and 1670, but we find nothing to 
corroborate the statement; and there can be very little 
doubt that La Salle was the first European to visit it. 
Judge Campbell states that the fort was afterwards re- 
moved about .sixty miles up the St. Joseph River, where 
Charlevoix visited it in 1721. This would carry it to the 
spot now occupied by the city of South Bend, Ind. 

A military post was established at St. Ignaoe about 
1680. The Jesuit mission, as we have seen, was planted 
in 1671. After the establishment of a fort Du Lhut seems 
to have been one of the first commandants. He was suc- 
ceeded by M. Perot in 1686, who continued until 1691, 
when he was followed by M. de la Porte Louvigny, and the 
latter by M. de la Motte Cadillac in 1694, who continued 
until 1699. 



Michiliniackinac, as it long continued to be written, from 
the time of its settlement as a mission, was an important 
post, both as an ecclesiastical and a civil and military estab- 
lishment. The Jesuits clung to it tenaciously on account 
of its favorable location, and for years after the founding of 
Detroit they tried every means in their power to have the , 
latter discontinued, or, at least, continued as a military 
post. The first settlement about the Straits of Mack- 
inac was made on the north shore. The island of Mack- 
inac was not permanently occupied until 1780, when the 
English military authorities took possession and erected a 
fort thereon. Detroit was first permanently occupied by 
the French in 1701. In early days it was the site of an 
Indian village, probably of the Wyandot or Huron nation, 
and bore the name of Tjugh-sagh-ron-die.* 

There had long been a desire, not only on the part of 
the French, but of the English as well, to found a settle- 
ment and establish a fort on the strait, but the Iroquois 
confederacy had strongly opposed it. In 1700, Cadillac 
proceeded to France and laid the matter before Count 
Pontchartrain, minister for the colonies, who at once be- 
came interested in the project, and through his influence 
the king commissioned Cadillac to carry out the plan. The 
latter returned to Canada, arriving at Quebec in March, 
1701. 

On the 5th of June, Cadillac left La Chine with fifty 
soldiers, and a similar number of Canadian merchants and 
mechanics. Under him, with the rank of captain, was M. 
Alphonse de Tonty, a brother of M. Henri de Tonty, and 
two lieutenants. A Jesuit missionary to the Indians, and 
a Recollet priest as chaplain, accompanied the expedition. 

The command arrived safely at Detroit on the 24th of 
July, 1701. Cadillac constructed a small stockaded work 
having two bastions, and inclosing sufficient space to con- 
tain a few log buildings for stores and barracks. Their 
roofs were thatched with grass. This work Cadillac named 
in honor of the colonial minister. Fort Pontchartrain.f 

In the autumn of 1701 what was known as the " Com- 
pany of the Colony of Canada" entered into an agreement 
to occupy the posts of Frontenac and Detroit, to complete 
the forts at the latter place and keep the same in repair, 
and to do various and sundry other things required by the 
government, for which they were to have a monopoly of 
the fur trade by paying annually a fixed sum per hundred- 
weight on all furs collected or purchased by them. 

It would appear from this that the real object of the set- 
tlement and fort was the prosecution of the fur trade, which, 
it is probable, was the great instrumentality, nest to the 
missions, in the settlement of the whole of Canada and the 
lake region. 



'' Levi Bishop in his interesting legendary poem writes the name 
Teuchsa-Grondie. In the Ojibwa tongue the place is said to have 
been called Wa-we-at-e-nong. 

f This is generally called the first settlement at Detroit, but there 
i.s evidence that some kind of a work was erected there at nn earlier 
period. It was most probably a post of the coiii-ein-s de boh, who 
frequently carried on a clandestine trade beyond the reach of the 
government. It is referred to in the New York Colonial Documents 
in 1G79, llJSli, and 1G9I. It probably had no regular garrison until 
17(11. 



FllOM 1G82 TO TUE END OF THE FllEXCII DOMINION. 



43 



It was a cherished plan of Cadillac to gather, like La 
Salle at Fort St. Louis, a vast collection of the Indians of 
the lake region at his fort on the Detroit. He and the 
Jesuits were always antagonistic, and while Cadillac en- 
deavored to break up the mission at Mackinac and concen- 
trate the trade and mission enterprise as much as possible 
at Detroit, Fatlier Marest, in charge of the mission at 
Mackinac, strove by every means in his power to have the 
post and mission at Detroit broken up and transferred to 
Mackinac. 

It would appear that notwithstanding the obstinate op- 
position of the priest Cadillac succeeded in collecting a 
great number of the AVestern Indians around his new post. 
In 1703 there were represented at Detroit the Sauteurs (or 
Saulteurs), from the Sault Ste. Marie ; a band of the Ojibwas ; 
Mississagues, from Canada; Ilurons, from the northern 
part of the peninsula; and several bands of Miamis, Otta- 
was, and others. 

M. de Cadillac continued in command at Detroit until 
1704, when he was arrested in Montreal for alleged mal- 
feasance in office, and did not return to Detroit until 1706. 
In the mean time M. Alphonse de Tonty was in command 
for a season, when, at the request of M. de Cadillac, M. 
Bourmont was appointed in his place. 

The Iroquois Indians, the Jesuits, and the Engli.sh were 
strongly opposed to the establishment of a post at Detroit. 
In 1702 war broke out between England, Holland, and 
France, the consequences of which were felt more or less 
in America. In the summer of 1703 the English invited 
the Indians living in the vicinity of the lakes to a grand 
council at Albany. It appears, however, that no Western 
nation, excepting the Ottawas, responded to the invitation. 
These latter were so wrought upon by the English, who 
made them believe the French intended to destroy them, 
that they returned home cherishing bitter feelings against 
the latter, and the attempted destruction of Fort Pontchar- 
train soon after was directly traceable to them. 

M. de Cadillac w;is honorably acquitted and again took 
command at Detroit in August, 1706, but the hostile feel- 
ing of the savages increased, and in 1707 they killed three 
Frenchmen near the fort. In consequence of this and 
other outrages, Cadillac determiued to teach the Indians a 
lesson, and in the same year led a band of 400 men into 
the country of the Miamis and compelled them to come to 
terms and furnish hostages for their future good behavior, 
besides paying heavily for their depredations. 

In 1711, M. du Buisson succeeded M. de Cadillac in 
command at Detroit. The war between the French and 
English involved the Iroquois confederacy, which about 
thb time admitted the Tuscaroras from the South into its 
league. The Iroquois stirred up some of the Western na- 
tions against the French, among them the Outagamies or 
Foxes and the Mascoutins, living beyond Lake Michigan, 
and in May, 1712, a strong force of these latter appeared 
before Detroit, and, throwing up intrenchmcnts within fifty 
yards of the fort, sat down to a regular siege. The French 
garri.son was then reduced to about thirty men, and their 
allies, the Oltawas, Ilurons, and others, were absent on 
their annual hunt. 

The situation was critical, and the Western Indians, 



taking advantage of it, made a furious assault on the fort, 
but were so bravely met by M. du Buisson and his little 
garrison that they were repulsed and kept at bay until the 
arrival of their allies. The church and several buildings 
situated outside the pickets were pulled down by order of 
the commander, that they might not afford shelter to the 
enemy. 

Upon the arrival of the friendly Indians they immedi- 
ately joined the garrison, and the contest was de.>ipcratcly 
maintained, until at length, overcome by force of numbers, 
the enemy retreated to a fortification which tliey had pre- 
viou.sly thrown up, and here they were besieged for nineteen 
days, when they sued for peace. A parley ensued, but, end- 
ing without any definite result, the fight was renewed. At 
length, in a dark and rainy night, the baffled enemy evacu- 
ated their works and fled to an Lsland in the Detroit River, 
whither they were pureucd, and after a desperate contest 
of several days their stronghold was taken, their warriors 
were nearly all slain, and their women and children taken 
prisoners.* M. du Buisson estimated their whole loss at 
above a thou.sand souls. 

From a letter written by Father Joseph Marest at Mack- 
inac in June, 1712, it would appear that as a military post 
that place had been abandoned since about 1701. The mis- 
sion, however, h.id been continued, and constant endeavors 
were made by the Father to have the garrison restored. 
The letter contained a renewed request for the re-establish- 
ment of the post, because of the danger from the Sacs, 
Foxes, and Mascoutins, who were expected to fall upon 
JMackinac out of revenge for their defeat at Detroit. De- 
serters and cotireurs de hois were at that time in control, 
and the missionaries prayed earnestly for a military com- 
mandant and garrison. From similar correspondence it 
appears that a new post was established about 1713 on the 
south side of the strait, whither the mission and chapel of 
St. Ignace followed. 

In 1717, M. de Tonty was again in command at Detroit. 
Under his administration the fort was substantially rebuilt, 
the lands adjacent were sold to actual settlers, the colony 
increased considerably, and for a time peace and prosperity 
smiled upon the inhabitants. 

In June, 1721, M. de Tonty held a council with the 
chiefs of the Ilurons, Ottawas, anil Pottawattomies, and 
united them in a league against the tribes living west of 
Lake Michigan. The veteran governor-general, M. de 
A'audrcuil, who had presided over the interests of Canada 
for twenty-one years, died on the 10th day of October, 
1725, and was succeeded by Charles Lc Moyne, Baron de 
Longueuil, who continued only about one year, and Wiis 
followed by Cliarles, Marquis de Beauharuois. 

In 1734 the governor-general. Marquis de Bcauharnois, 
introduced a new order of land-tenure into Michigan by 
making a scries of grants upon easy conditions to actual 
settlers. He was exceedingly anxious to build up a power- 
ful colony, and rightly judged that the proper way to 
accomplish this object was to encourage tillers of the soil. 



• It 6CCII13 hanlly probnblo tbat they brought their women and 
chilJrcn witli thc:n on such an expedition, though 8ugh ocourrcuccs 
have been l<n >wn among the Indians. 



44 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAxV. 



But the vast distance of the settlements from the seaboard, 
and the uncertain market for field products, operated to dis- 
courage farming, and the business of the people continued, 
as before, to bo confined to the fur trade and the fisheries. 
The colony increased very slowly, yet there was good so- 
ciety and more or less wealth, cultivation, and even refine- 
ment. There were .some good and exceedingly substantial 
buildings, and the people raised many varieties of fruit 
and vegetables. 

The management of all public affairs during the French 
occupation was chiefly by military commanders, though 
there were notaries and a few other civil oflScers. Civil 
courts were yet in the future ; everything was determined 
by courts-martial, and punishment was immediate and .sum- 
mary, though there was scarce ever complaint of injustice. 

The early settlers were eminently social in their habits, 
and probably managed to extract as much enjoyment from 
every-day life as any people in the world. Social and 
church gatherings, festivals, various games, horse-racing, 
and winter sports made up the round of pleasures which 
the French people, and especially their Canadian descend- 
ants, enjoy in the highest degree. 

No event of great importance occurred within the terri- 
tory now constituting the State of Michigan from the date 
of the attack upon Detroit, in 1712, until the surrender of 
the French possessions in America to the English. The 
forts and missions were maintained, and occasionally a new 
one was founded. Detroit, Mackinac, and the Sault Ste. 
Marie continued to be the principal points of business, the 
former two increasing slowly in population and commercial 
importance. The government and the principal merchants 
were not without considerable enterprise, and the fur trade 
was prosecuted with a great deal of energy and business 
tact. It is also said on good authority that in 1749, under 
the orders of the Count de la Gallissonniere, then governor- 
general, a military road was opened from Detroit to the 
Ohio or Wabash River. It crossed the Maumee at the 
foot of the " Rapids" above Toledo. 

The first settlements at Vincennes, and other points on 
the Wabash River, were conducted from Detroit as a base 
of .supplies, and the last-named point was the principal 
depot for the fur trade south and west of Mackinac. 

At the close of French rule in Michigan they had posts 
and missions at Detroit, Mackinac, Sault Ste. Marie, St. 
Joseph, on Lake Michigan, La Pointe, on Lake Superior, 
and probably on some of the islands lying in Lakes Huron 
and Michigan, and perhaps at other points. The only per- 
manent population residing beyond the guns of the various 
forts was found in the settlements stretching along the De- 
troit and St. Clair Rivers, where each family held an allot- 
ment of ground, consisting of a long and narrow strip, 
generally running back perpendicular to the river, some- 
times for a mile or more. The total white population in 
1700, within the limits of the State, did not probably ex- 
ceed 2000. 

LIST OF FRENCH COLONIAL GOVEKNOUS. 
Ifil 2-29.— Samuel de Chamiilain. 
1632-33.*— Emery de Caen. 



* The English held possession of Canada from 1629 to 1632. 



1635. 
1636 
1018, 
165! 

1656 

1 657 

165S, 

1661 

1663.- 

1663. 

1(;65.- 

1672. 

16S2 

16S5 

1689 

16U9 

1703, 

1725 

1726 

1747 

1749, 

1752 

1752, 

1755 



-Samuel do Champlain. 
, — Marc Antoine de Chasteaufort. 
— Charles Huault de Montmagny. 
— Louis D'.\il]ebout de Coulonges. 
— Jean de Lauson. 
— Charles de Lauson-Charney. 
— Chevalier Louis D'.4illebout de Coulonges. 
— Pierre de Voyer, Viscount D'Argenson, 
, — Pierre du Bois, Baron D'Avangour. 
— Chevalier Augustin, de Saffrey-Mesey. 

Alexandre de Prouville, Marquis de Tracy. 

Chevalier Daniel de Rcmy de Courcelles. 
—Louis de Buade, Count of Paluan and Frontenac. 
— Antoine Joseph Le Febvre de la Barre. 
— Jacques Rene de Brisay, Marquis de Denonville. 
— Louis de Buade, Count of Paluan and Frontenac. 
— Chevalier Louis Hector de Callieres. 
— Phillippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil. 
— Charles Le Moyne, Baron de Longueuil. 
— Charles, Marquis de Beauharnois. 
— Rolland Michel Barrin, Count de la fiallissonniere. 
— Jacques Pierre de Taffanel, Marquis de la Jonquierc. 
— Charles Le Moyne, Baron de Longueuil. 
— The Marquis Duquesne de Menneville. 
-60. — Pierre Francois, Marquis de Vaudreuil Cavagnal. 



UNDEE ENGLISH EULE, 



CHAPTER VL 

SURRENDER OF DETROIT TO CAPTAIN ROGERS. 

Pontiac's War — The Quebec Act — The American Revolution — E.\pe- 
ditions. 

Ii\ the spring of 1754 was opened the celebrated war 
known in America as the " French-and-Indian War," 
which after many fluctuating campaigns finally ended in 
September, 1700, in the .surrender of all the French-Can- 
adian pos.5essions to the British arms. 

The war was inaugurated on the ICth of April, 1754, by 
the seizure of a small unfinished fort at the confluence of 
the Allegheny and Munongahela Rivers, in Pennsylvania, 
held by Ensign Ward with about thirty men, by Capt. 
Contrecocur at the head of a strong force of French troops 
and Indian warriors, who had come down the Allegheny 
from Presq' Isle")" to drive the British traders from what 
they considered the lands of the King of France. 

The French immediately proceeded to erect a strong 
compact work on the place occupied by the Ohio company's 
stockade, which, in honor of the governor-general of 
Canada, they named Fort Duquesne. 

The first actual collision and bloodshed between the bel- 
ligerents took place in Westmoreland Co., Pa., between an 
advance scouting-party of the French and Col. George 
Washington, commanding a Virginia colonial regiment. 
In this encounter Jumonville, the French leader, and sev- 
eral of his men were killed, and the remainder taken 
prisoners. But retribution speedily followed, for Wash- 
ington and his command were besieged at Fort Necessity 
on the 3d of July following by a strong force under M. de 
Villars, and on the 4th surrendered at discretion to the 



t Now Ihe city of Eric, Pa. 



SURRENDER OF DETROIT TO CAPTAIN ROGERS. 



45 



Freiicli eommander, who paroled tliom and sent tlieni back 
to Virginia. 

War, however, was not actually declared until the fol- 
lowing year (1755), when the famous expedition of Gon. 
Braddoek wa.s put in motion apiinst Fort Dufjuesne. The 
terrible defeat and slaughter of that army on the banks of 
the Monongahela, within teu miles of Fort Duqucsne, July j 
9, 1755, are familiar to every student of history. The j 
French stronghold was at length taken by Gen. John 1 
Forbes, at the head of a powerful army, in November, I 
1758, and the French dominion on the Ohio virtually 
ended with that event. Washington accompanied both 
these expeditions. 

But this war, though carried on upon a large scale in the 
Eastern colonies and Canada, did not directly disturb the 
French settlements in Michigan. The Western Indians 
espoused the cause of the French, and furnished a great 
number of warriors to their army. It is said that a strong 
force of them was in the field against Gen. Braddnck under 
the celebrated Pontiac, but this is uot sufficiently authen- 
ticated for current history. 

In 1759, when the gallant Capt. Pouchot was struggling 
against Sir William Johnson at Niagara, M. D'Aubrc}' col- 
lected a force of about 1700 French Canadians, coureurs 
de hois, and Indians of various nationalities, from the posts 
and settlements of the West, and attempted to raise the 
siege, but the English force was too strong and well disci- 
plined for his motley and ill-organized army ; he was de- 
feated with considerable loss, and the post surrendered. 

In the spring of 17G0 three powerful English and colo- 
nial armies converged from different directions upon the 
hist of the French strongholds, — Fort Levis, on Oracouenton 
Island, below Ogdensburg, in the St. Lawrence, and Mont- 
real, — and on the'Stli of September, 1760, the sceptre de- 
parted from France, which for more than 150 years she 
had wielded over a large portion of the American continent. 

On the 12th of September, four da3-s after the surrender 
of Montreal to Gen. Amherst, that officer dispatched JIaj. 
Robert Rogers, a provincial officer, born in New Hamp- 
shire, and a comrade of Stark and Putnam during the war, 
with a force of 250 rangers,* to take possession of the 
posts still held by the French in the West. 

The major left Montreal on the 13th, with his command, 
in fifteen bateaux. Slowly toiling over the great rapids of 
the St. Lawrence at La Chine and the Cedars, they entered 
Lake Ontario, and, keeping near its northern shore, reached 
Fort Niagara in rough and stormy weather on the 1st of 
October. Carrying their bateaux and supplies around the 
falls, they again launched them on the Niagara River, and 
pushed on towards Lake Erie. From the foot of Lake 
Erie, Maj. Rogers, accompanied hy a few of his men, made 
an overland trip to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh) with dis- 
patches for Gen. Monckton, in command of that post, 
after which he rejoined his command at Prcsq' Isle about 
the last of October. 

On the 10th of November the major encamped at the 



• This description of troops was rniscd among the American set- 
tlements, and was famous in all the wars prctciling the Kevolulion ' 
for efficiency against the Indians. 1 



mouth of the Cuyahoga River, on the site of the city of 
Cleveland, Ohio.' No body of English troops had before 
penetrated so far in this direction, and they naturally felt a 
growing apprehension that they might be on dangerous 
ground. The season was far advanced, and in the midst of 
a drizzling rain Rogers determined to encamp and rest his 
troops until the weather became more favorable. They ac- 
cordingly pitched their tents under the forest-trees on 
ground now occupied by a city of 150,000 people. 



The command had been only a short time in their tem- 
porary abode when a party of Indian warriors made their 
appearance, coming from the West, and announced them- 
selves as an embas.sy from the Ottawa chieftain Pontiac, 
who claimed to be lord over all this wide domain, and for- 
bade any fiirther advance of the comnuind until he should 
appear and hold a conference with the commander. Before 
the day closed Pontiac made his appearance at the head of 
a strong war-party, and haughtily demanded of Rogers his 
business and how he dared enter the country without his 
permis.sion. The major explained that the French had 
surrendered all their possessions to the English aii'l that he 
was on his way by order of the British commander to re- 
ceive the surrender of the post of Detroit. Pontiac lis- 
tened attentively until Rogers concluded, when he merely 
said, "/ sludl stand in the path until morninff," and then 
silently withdrew with his men. 

The Ottawa chieftain was then about fifty j'cars of age 
and in the prime of his physical and mental powers. He 
occupied the position of head-chief of the Ottawas and 
possessed nearly absolute control over the Ojibwas and Pot- 
tawattomies. The three nations were leagued together in 
a somewhat loosely-arranged confederation, for purposes 
offensive and defensive again.st their red and white enemies. 
Pontiac also posses.sed a vast influence over the greater 
portion of the nations of the Northwest, from the Ohio to 
the head-waters of the Mississippi. 

From his youth up he had been the firm friend of the 
French, who had treated his people with uniform courtesy 
and respect. He was shrewd and politic, a man of great 
natural abilities, yet, at the .same time, endowed with all 
the subtlety and ferocity of the Indian race. The news of 
the overthrow of the French came like a thunder-clap upon 
him, and he treated it at first as a cunning story invented 
by the English to gain the ascendency over the Indians. 
He could not believe that the chivalrous Jlontcalm, at the 
head of his veteran though wasted battalions, whom he 
was accustomed to look upon as wellnigh invincible in war, 
had been overthrown and compelled to surrender the vast 
domain of Canada. If it were indeed true, he was intelli- 
gent enough to see that it might be advantageous to his 
people, and especially to himself, as their great representa- 
tive, to enter into negotiations, and possibly to make a 
treaty of peace and amity, with the English. His imper- 
turbable Indian character and his extraordinary powers as a 
diplomat, joined with the proverbial cunning of his race, 
made him an enigma to the English, and constituted him, 
whether as a secret or open foe, a most dangerous leader of 
a treacherous and bloodthirsty race. 



46 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



During the night succeeding his appearance, the detach- 
ment under Rogers kept a sliarp lookout lest the chief in- 
tended treachery, but the hours passed quietly, and in the 
early morning Pontiac returned to the English camp and 
informed Rogers that he was willing to allow the P]nglish 
to remain in the country and to give them the same treat- 
ment bestowed upon the French, provided they showed him 
proper respect. To these propositions Rogers agreed, and 
the peace-pipe was smoked in silence by the chiefs and 
oflBcers of the opposing parties, and harmony reigned be- 
tween them. 

On the 12th, the weather having cleared, the troops 
moved forward, and soon after arrived at the head of the 
lake. Here, notwithstanding the promises of Pontiac, 
Rogers learned that a force of 400 warriors was lying in 
wait at the mouth of the Detroit River to cut him off. 

But the threatened danger was swept aside by the power- 
ful wand of the chieftain, who ordered the path cleared for 
the English, and the command continued unmolested up 
the river. 

In the mean time Lieut. Brehm had been sent forward 
with a letter to Capt. Bellestre, the French commandant at 
Detroit, informing him of the conquest of Canada, and that 
Maj. Rogers was deputed by the English commander to re- 
ceive the surrender of the post. But that officer was highly 
indignant at the summons, and flatly refused to give up his 
command. 

Upon receipt of this intelligence Maj. Rogers sent for- 
ward Capt. Campbell with a copy of the capitulation of 
Montreal, and a letter from M. Vaudreuil (late governor- 
general}, directing that the place should be given up in ac- 
cordance with the terms made between himself and the 
English commander-in-chief. This had the desired effect, 
and Capt. Bellestre reluctantly hauled down his colors and 
yielded the place. 

This event occurred on the 29th of November, 1760, in 
the presence of a great number of Indians, who had as- 
sembled to witness the change of masters. Their astonish- 
ment at the treatment bestowed upon the French garrison 
knew no bounds, for they had supposed that they would bo 
massacred by Maj. Rogers' command. The French soldiers 
were sent down the lakes, and the Canadians were allowed 
to remain in peaceable possession of their homes and prop- 
erty upon taking an oath of allegiance to the English gov- 
ernment, which they at once proceeded to do. An officer 
was despatched to take possession of the posts Vincennes 
and Ouiatenon, on the Wabash, and Fort Miami, on the 
Maumee, was also occupied. 

Rogers took upon himself the duty of proceeding up Lake 
Huron and taking possession of Mackinac, the second most 
important place held by the French in the West ; but the 
lateness of the season and stormy weather compelled his re- 
turn after reaching the outlet of the lake, and Mackinac, 
Green Bay, Ste. Marie, and St. Joseph remained in their 
hands until the following year, when a detachment of the 
Sixtieth Royal American Regiment took possession of them, 
and only the posts on the Mississippi remained in their 
possession. 

By the "Treaty of Paris," signed in February, 17G3, 
between Great Britain and France, the latter ceded all her 



Canadian possessions to the former, and both the British 
government and the American colonists fondly hoped, and 
generally believed, that an era of peace and prosperity 
would follow the transfer. 

But these fond anticipations were doomed to disappoint- 
ment. The calm which succeeded the long war was of 
short duration. The English government failed to under- 
stand the necessity of treating the Indians as original owners 
of the soil and as deserving of at least courteous attention. 
The contrast between the French and the Englisli in this 
respect was marked, and the Indians did not Hiil to notice 
it. The former had uniformly treated them as equals, and 
had paid particular deference to their chiefs and principal 
men ; while the latter looked upon the red race as vaga- 
bonds and dependants, whom it was the privilege of any 
English subject to kick out of the way without ceremony. 
Encroachments were continually made upon their domain 
by unauthorized agents, through petty chiefs, and by the 
strong hand of might. Even the Iroquois, or Six Nations, 
who had been the allies of the Dutch and English since the 
days of Champlain, began to murmur, and it is well known 
that they had refused to come to the aid of Braddock in 
1755 principally because the expedition was in the interests 
of the Ohio and other land companies, who were encroach- 
ing upon their ancient domain. 

Scarcely had the English taken possession of the various 
French posts when complaints began to be heard among the 
Indians ; and the French inhabitants of Canada, and on the 
borders of Michigan, naturally sympathized with them in 
their grievances. As early as 1761-62 secret plots were 
laid for the capture of the English garrisons, but they were 
for the time being frustrated by the vigilance of Capt. 
Campbell, in command of Detroit. 

rONTIAC'S ,WAK. 

The gathering storm, which had been so long muttering 
like a summer tempest in the west, at length broke with 
such fury that nearly everything was swept before it. The 
leading spirits in this fierce onslaught upon the English 
were Pontiac in the West and Guyasutha, or Kiasota, the 
latter a Seneca of the band living upon the Allegheny 
River. Another prominent actor in the drama was a cele- 
brated "Prophet," who arose among the Delawares, and, 
like " Peter the Hermit," preached a crusade against the 
enemies of his race. He claimed to be inspired (like many 
another impostor before and since his day), and wrought 
the minds of the savages up to a frenzy of warlike en- 
thusiasm. Pontiac, also, found it convenient to lay ex- 
travagant claims to special communion with the Great 
Spirit, and proclaimed that he had been commanded to drive 
the " English dogs" from the face of the earth and re- 
occupy the land. The French inhabitants of Canada cir- 
culated the report that the King of France had been sleep- 
ing, but was now awake, and his white-coated legions and 
armed ships were advancing up the St. Lawrence and the 
Mississippi Rivers to exterminate the English and repossess 
the country. 

The plans of Pontiac for the accomplishment of his 
grand designs were of extraordinary magnitude. Ho sent 
his embassies, bearing the great war-belt, to every nation 



SURRENDER OF DETROIT TO CAPTAIN ROGERS. 



47 



dwelling between the head of the Mississippi and the Mex- 
ican Gulf. They penetrated the northern wilds around 
Lake Nipissing and the Ottawa River, and visited the 
head-springs of the Ohio and Mississippi, urging a general 
uprising of all the nations. Had the chief posisessed 
the facilities of the commi.ssariat and pay-departments of 
modern armies, it is more than probable that he would have 
collected and maintained such an overwhelming force as 
would have swept the country like a besom of destruction, 
and forced the English colonists into- a narrow belt along 
the sea-coast. 

As it vas, the result of the great scheme was the band- 
ing together of nearly all the Algonquin nalion.s in a 
league against the English. By the latter part of the year 
17C2, Pontiac had visited the nations and fully matured 
his plans for a simultaneous onslaught upon the posts and 
frontier settlements extending from Mackinac to the borders 
of the Carolinas. 

Various rumors of the great conspiracy had from time to 
time reached Maj. Gladwyn, in command at Detroit, but, 
so far as he could understand, there were so few reasons 
for an outbreak, and the savages kept the matter so nearly 
a profound secret, and lounged about the posts with so 
much of their accustomed taciturnity and quiet demeanor, 
that all su.«picion was disarmed, and the major deemed the 
rumors but the imaginings of some distorted dream. 

At the outbreak of the Pontiac war the post at Detroit 
was garrisoned by about 120 fegular troops, and there 
were in addition, available for defense, some forty engiigix 
and fur tradere. There were also two armed schooners, 
the " Beaver" and the " Gladwyn," anchored in the stream, 
and the fort mounted a few light guns on the ba.-itions. 
The inclosing stockade was about twenty-five feet in height, 
and there were within the work about 100 straw- and bark- 
roofed houses besides the barracks. A wide ])a.ssage-way, 
called by the French clicmln da ronde, encircled the town 
nest to the stockade. 

The last grand council, preparatory to the commencement 
of military operations, was held with the various tribes 
ut the river Ecorces, about ten miles below Detroit, at 
which Pontiac made a powerful speech that worked his 
followers up to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. On the 
evening before the intended attack upon the fort, the war- 
riors held a great war-dance out of sight of the garrison, 
but sufficiently near to carry the sound of the war-drum 
to thdir cars and enable them to see the glare of the council- 
fire upon the surrounding forest. 

The night of the Gth of May was a sleepless and anxious 
one to the English commander, and extraordinary precau- 
tions were taken to prevent a surprise ; but nothing was 
attempted, and the morning of the next day dawned clear 
and beautiful. 

The plan for capturing the fort was well devised, and, but 
for the warning given Maj. Gladwyn by an Ojibwa maid, 
would in all probability have been successfully carried out. 
The plan was that Pontiac, at the head of sixty chiefs and 
warriors, with rifles shortened by being cut off and carried 
under their blankets, should ask admission to the fort on pre- 
tense of holding a council with the commander and of renew- 
ing their former friendship. Pontiac was to make a speech. 



and at a certain point present a wampum belt in a peculiar 
manner, which was to be the signal for the attack. The chiefs 
were to fire on the officers and fall on them with the toma- 
hawk, while the warriors, who were to carelessly assemble 
outside, were to scale the works and mas.saere the garrison. 

On the morning of the 7th of May, 17t!3, Pontiac appeared 
at the head of a band of sixty stately chiefs and braves, and 
was readily admitted by Gladwyn, but the haughty chief- 
tain was evidently somewhat disturbed at the warlike ap- 
pearance of the garrison, which was under arms and going 
through with various mana-uvros, while the officers were all 
accoutred for instant service. The chief .scanned the sur- 
roundings with a vigilant eye, and inquired of the major 
why so many of his young men were carrying their guns, 
to which Gladwyn replied that they were taking their usual 
exercise. 

The council convened and the chiefs seated themselves 
on the ground around their leader, wliile the English offi- 
cers occupied seats opposite. We quote from Parkman's 
" Conspiracy of Pontiac" the following dcscrijition of Pon- 
tiac and his band : 

" All were wrapped to the throat in colored blankets. Some wcro 
crested with hawk, eagle, or raven plumes; others had shaven their 
heads, leaving only the fluttering scalp-lock on the crown; while 
others, again, wore their long black hair flowing loosely' at their 
backs or wildly hanging about their brows like a lion's mane. Their 
bold yet crafty features, their checks hesuiearcd with ochre and ver- 
milion, white lead, and soot, their keen, deep-sit eyes gleaming in 
their sockets like those of raltlesnnkes, gave them an as]iect grim, 
uncouth, and horrible. For the most part, they were tall, strong 
men, and all had a gait and bearing of ])cculiar stateliness." 

The council was opened, the business of going through 
with the farce progressed quietly, but for reasons best 
known to himself Pontiac failed to give the preconcerted 
signal. Some writers contend that at one point he raised 
his arm as if to signal the onslaught, but at a sign from 
Gladwyn there was a sudden roll of drums and the clash of 
arms without and the officers half drew their swords. The 
chief was cowed, and finally sat down evidently greatly 
perplexed. Gladwyn made a brief reply to Pontiac, assur- 
ing him of the friendship of the English so long as they 
deserved it, but threatening vengeance upon the first evi- 
dence of treachery. 

The council broke up and Pontiac and his followers were 
allowed to depart, the chief making many protestations of 
friendship and promising to return in a few dajs with his 
squaws and children and shake hands with the English. 

Early on the following morning he appeared with three 
of his chiefs, bearing in his hand the sacred caliime/, or 
peace-pipe, beautifully carved and ornamented. lie offi-'red 
the pipe to the English officers and protested his friendship, 
saying that " evil birds had sung lies in their cars." Ou 
his departure, as a further pledge of his amicable designs, 
he presented the pipe to Maj. Campbell. 

In the same afternoon he invited the young men of all 
the tribes to a game of ball on the common near the fort 
which ended in a series of unearthly yells from the victors. 
The noise was so sudden and appalling that the long roll 
was beaten and the troops were ordered under arms in ex- 
pectation of an attack. While all these deceptive opera- 
tions were transpiring Pontiac was in close consultation 



48 



HISTORY OF IXGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



with the Pottawattomie and Wyandot chiefs as to the best 
phms for circumvcuting the English. He was a most con- 
.suuimate dis.sembler, and j)Ia3'ed his game in a manner wor- 
thy of a Talleyrand. But it would not do. Gladwyn had seen 
too much of Indian oharacfor to be duped, and at length 
Pontjac, finding further subterfuge of no avail, threw off 
the mask and made open and vigorous war. 

His last attempt to gain possession of the fort by treachery 
was made on the morning of the 9th of May, when, at 
the head of a throng of warriors from all the nations pres- 
ent, he presented himself at the gate and demanded ad- 
mittance, to which demand Gladwyn replied that the chief 
could enter, but his warriors must remain outside. Baffled 
in every attempt, he turned in a rage and walked towards 
his followers, who laid flat upon the ground just beyond 
the range of the musketry of the fort. As he approached 
they leaped up and ran ofi", filling the air with whoops and 
yells. 

They mas.5acred an Englishwoman and her family living 
outside the fort, and, paddling to the Isle au Couchon, 
murdered an English soldier who had been a sergeant in 
the regular army. 

The chief took no part in these bloody outrages. When 
he found his arrangements all circumvented, he walked with 
hasty strides and in a towering rage towards the river, and, 
leaping into his canoe, crossed to the Canadian side and 
ordered the Ottawa village to at once remove to the western 
shore that his people might be all together. Such was the 
alacrity with which they obeyed him that at nightfall the 
squaws had transported the entire village — lodges, pro- 
visions, utensils, and children — to the bank of the stream, 
ready for the crossing, which was accomplished during the 
following night. 

The attack upon the English posts had been well ar- 
ranged, and was nearly simultaneous from Mackinac to 
Virginia. Fort Sandusky was captured on the 16th of 
IMay ; Fort St. Joseph, on the St. Joseph River, on the 
25th ; Fort Miami, where Maumee City now stands, on 
the 27th ; Ouiatenon, on the Wabash, a few miles below 
where Lafayette, Ind., now stands, on the 1st of June; 
Michiliniackiuac on the 4lh of June; and Pre.squ' Isle on 
the IGth of the same month. Green Bay was evacuated 
on the 21st of June. Thus, at almost one fell swoop, all 
the English posts in the West, with the exceptions of Fort 
Pitt, Niagara, and Detroit, were taken and destroyed, and 
their garrisons either massacred or carried away as pris- 
oners. It was by far the most terrible catastrophe that 
had befallen the colonies since the settlement of the 
country. 

Only a single post escaped attack. Niagara was con- 
sidered too strong for assault, but Fort Pitt was surrounded 
by a powerful body of savages under Guyasutha, and be- 
sieged for weeks until relieved by the gallant Col. Bou- 
quet in August, after a weary march over the mountains, 
and ai'ter fighting one of the most obstinate and bloody 
battles ever recorded, in the heart of Westmoreland Co., Pa.* 

When Pontiac sat down to a regular siege of Detroit his 



* The foroo under Guyasutha was probably composed of Scnccas, 
Delawares, and Shawanocs. 



force was estimated by intelligent Canadians at about 820 
warriors, divided substantially as follows : Ottawas, 250 ; 
Pottawattomies, under their chief, Ninivay, 150 ; Wyan- 
dots, under Takee, 50 ; Ojibwas, 200 under Wasson, or 
Shingobwassin, and 170 under Sekahos. This enumera- 
tion included only those present and under the immediate 
command of Pontiac. Reinforcements were from time to 
time added, and it is probable that the whole number wiiich 
operated against Detroit considerably exceeded 1000. To 
those accustomed to the formidable numbers of modern 
armies these figures seem contemptible ; but to the little 
garrison in that border fortress, hemmed in and cut off 
from succor, the bloodthirsty sons of the forest tribes were 
truly a terror, for they well knew that in their hands no 
mercy need be expected. 

From this time the siege was pressed more or less vig- 
orously for many months. Never in the history of the 
Indian race has such persistency been shown. When we 
consider that they rarely make provision for sustaining their 
war expeditions beyond what each one may carry upon his 
person, and that they depend almost wholly upon the pro- 
ceeds of the chase and the fishery, it is indeed remarkable 
that Pontiac should have kept a strong force constantly 
in the field for nearly fifteen months, hemming the garrison 
of Detroit closely within their fortifications, baflSing almost 
every attempt to succor the place by water, and reducing 
the English to the last extremity. By bold and skillful 
leadership, and the exercise of a wonderful military genius, 
he was enabled to defeat a strong force which foolishly 
sought him in the field with severe loss, and to drive it back 
within the defenses. 

To keep his commissariat supplied he resorted to the ex- 
pedient of issuing his own individual due-bills, or notes of 
hand, drawn on birch-bark and signed with the figure of an 
otter, the foteju of his tribe. These obligations, according 
to good authority, he conscientiously discharged to the last 
farthing. It is the only instance where an Indian poten- 
tate established a system of finance and redeemed his 
promises. 

Gladwyn, at the commencement of the siege, thinking 
perhaps it was only the sudden impulse of passion, and 
that he might allay the storm by timely offers of redress for 
any grievances which they might have, resolved to try the ' 
effect of negotiation. Pontiac, however, was too cunning, • 
and, under pretense that he could only treat with a deputa- 
tion of ofiicers, succeeded in persuading the commander to 
allow Maj. Campbell, for whom the Indians had always 
professed great respect, end Lieut. McDougal to visit his 
camp. But when once the veteran Campbell was in his > 
power he again threw off the mask, and detained the ofii- 
cers as prisoners. McDougal soon after escaped, but Maj. 
Campbell was kept closely guarded, until in an unfortunate 
moment he was treacherously murdered by Wasson, chief 
of the Ojibwas, in revenge for the loss of a nephew, killed 
in a skirmish a few days before. Some accounts say that 
Pontiac was privy to the murder, while others aver that 
the Ojibwa chief was obliged to flee for his life. 

The garrison was supplied for a time with provisions by 
a friendly Canadian, M. Baby, who served the English at 
the peril of his own life ; but with every effort it was more 



i 



SURRENDER OF DETROIT TO CAPTALN ROGERS. 



49 



than once on the point of abandoning the place and es- 
caping to Niagara. 

Poutiac tried to persuade the French inhabitants of the 
region to unite with liim against the English; but through 
fear of the con.se(iuences, respect for the treaty between 
France and England, or other important reasons, they 
steadily refused to comply with his wishes. Notwithstand- 
ing this refusal the chief continued to treat them with 
courtesy, paid them for all the provisions which were 
taken, and guarded them from the depredations of his 
young warriors. 

Gladwyn had sent one of his vessels with a small crew to 
Niagara for assistance, which managed to escape the .sav- 
ages waiting to attack her at the entrance to Lake Erie, 
and proceeded safely on her voyage. In answer to the 
call Lieut. Cuyler had set out from Niagara on the 13th 
of May, and embarked above the falls with ninety-six men 
in bateaux, carrying a plentiful supply of provisions and 
munitions for the beleaguered garrison at Detroit. 

On the 2Stli of the month the convoy reached Point 
Pelee, about thirty miles east of the mouth of the Detroit 
River, and here they landed, hauled up their bateaux, and 
proposed to encamp, when, suddenly, they were attacked 
by a war-party of Wyaudots who had been watching them. 
The men fought desperately for a few moment.s, when they 
broke in a panic and fled to their boats ; but the Indians 
followed them and captured all but two of the boats and 
more than sixty of the troops. Lieut. Cuyler, wounded, and 
about thirty of the men, escaped in two boats and returned 
to Niagara. 

The Indians, taking their prisoners, proceeded up the 
river, and on the 30th appeared in sight of the fort. The 
garrison turned out and thronged to the landing, where they 
gave three cheers, and a salute was fired, they thinking 
that supplies and reinforcements were at hand and their 
long and exhausting vigils at an end. Suddenly they be- 
held the naked forms of the savages standing up in the 
boats and making frantic gestures, and their hearts sank 
within them as they realized the catastrophe which had 
befallen their luckless comrades. The doomed prisoners 
were taken to the Indian camps and tortured to death, a 
few at a time, during several successive days. 

Troops of Pottawattoniies passed in sight of the fort 
bearing scalps held aloft on poles, the horrid trophies of St. 
Joseph, Sandusky, and other posts, while Ojibwas and 
AVyaudots came with whoops and yells to reinforce the 
besiegers. 

Towards the last of June a great commotion was noticed 
among the Indians, who were thronging .southward in large 
numbers, evidently bent upon some new mischief. Soon 
word was received from the friendly Canadian, M. Baby, 
that the schooner sent to Niagara for reinforcements had 
returned and was endeavoring to come up the river. Upon 
hearing this two guns were fired to let the people on board 
know that the fort still held out, and the garrison awaited, 
with great anxiety, the result. 

About sixty men were on board the vessel, the most of 

whom were ordered to keep below the bulwarks, that the 

Indians might not know their numbers. The breeze died 

away, and the vessel was obliged to anchor in the narrowest 

7 



part of the channel, between Fighting Island and the main 
land. The savages had constructed a breastwork of logs 
behind the bushes on Turkey Island, and here a great 
swarm of them laid concealed waiting for the schooner. 
For a long time after coming to anchor nothing disturbed 
the stillness of the night, but, at length, the sentinel dis- 
covered dark moving forms gliding over the quiet waters. 
The Indians were stealthily closing around the ves.scl in 
their canoes, hoping to surprise her. But her oflScers were 
alive to the danger of their situation, and the men were or- 
dered to their posts in perfect silence. When the enemy 
had approached within a few rods the blow of a hammer 
upon the mast gave the signal, and sudden as a glare of 
lightning the vessel burst into flame from stem to stern. 
Cannon and musket did their deadly work ; several of the 
canoes were cut to pieces, fourteen Indians were killed, 
many wounded, and those remaining unhurt sought the 
shore amid yells of rage and consternation. Recovering 
from the surprise, they commenced firing upon the vessel, 
when she prudently dropped down into the broader channel 
below and remained for several days, until at length a 
favorable wind enabled her to come up to the fort. 

The two armed vessels were a source of great annoyance 
to the Indians. With a favorable breeze they had on sev- 
eral occasions made sail, and, coming abreast of the Indian 
camps, sent shells and canister among them with damaging 
effect, at one time routing the whole Ottawa population 
from their hut.s. To rid themselves of these dangerous 
customers the Indians constructed a large raft, and, loading 
it with combustibles, set it on fire and sent the whole down 
the river. It was not properly directed, and passed harm- 
lessly down the stream. 

The first attempt was made on the 10th of July, and on 
the 12th, nothing daunted by their failure, the enemy sent 
another and larger one down ; but this passed harmlcs.sly 
between the vessels and the fort, and burned itself out on 
the river below. A third attempt was made, but Gladwyn 
managed so skillfully that the Indians became at length 
discouraged, and gave up the attempt. 

Some time during the month of July the AVyandots and 
Pottawattoniies, tiring, or pretending to tire, of the war, 
sent embassies to make terms of peace and exchange pris- 
oners. With the former there was little difiiculty in 
coming to an understanding, but the Pottawattomies were 
more troublesome. At length a deceptive peace was ar- 
ranged, and the prisioners were exchanged. 

On the 29th of July, Capt. Dalzell, with a strong re- 
inforcement of 280 men, and abundant supplies of arms 
and provisions, in twenty-two barges, reached the fort from 
Niagara. Their arrival was hailed with the greatest joy 
by the garrison, for they now felt that they were secure 
from the bloody machinations of the savages. But, unfor- 
tunately, Capt. Dalzell, like Braddock at the head of his 
disciplined legions, imagined himself strong enough to at- 
tack Pontiac in his camp and raise the siege by driving 
him from the country. He little understood the man with 
whom he had to deal. 

The detachment which Capt. Dalzell commanded consisted 
of men from the Fifty-fifth and Eightieth Regular British 
Regiments, with twenty rangers under command of Maj. 



50 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



Rogers. Dalzell, as an officer of the regular army, out- 
ranked Rogers, who was a provincial officer. Dalzell had 
been a companion of Putnam, but recently was attached to 
the staff of Sir Jeffrey Amherst, then commanding the 
British forces in America. 

As soon as he arrived Dalzell insisted that the true course 
to pursue was to attack Pontiac with a strong force in his 
camp, and was sanguine that the war might be ended at 
once. But Gladwyn was cautious from former experience 
and opposed the project. At length, at the urgent request 
of the captain, he gave a reluctant consent, and a strong 
party of 250 men left the fort about two o'clock on the 
morning of July 31st, and moved silently towards the 
Indian camps. But the wary Pontiac, who had evidently 
suspected some such movement, had removed his camp to 
a safer position, and at the very moment when Dalzell, and 
Gray, and Rogers, and Grant, at the head of their gallant 
commands, were leaving the fort to fall upon the savages, 
Pontiac, at the head of 000 chosen warriors, was coming to 
meet them. 

The result fully justified the fears of JIaj. Gladwyn, for 
at the crossing of " Bloody Run" the detachment met with 
a most disastrous repulse, and after a desperate battle of sis 
hours' continuance, it retreated to the fort with the heavy 
loss of sixty men, killed and wounded, among whom were 
Capts. Dalzell and Gray. 

The Indians were greatly elated at their victory, and sent 
ruuners with tidings to all the nations ; and soon the rein- 
forcements began to come to the standard of Pontiac. But 
the fort, notwithstanding the heavy loss at " Bloody Run," 
still had a well-armed and disciplined garrison of upwards 
of 300 men, and there was little doubt that they would hold 
the place. 

In the beginning of September the schooner " Gladwyn," 
■which had been sent to Niagara with dispatches and letters, 
returned up the lake with a crew of twelve men all told, 
besides six Iroquois Indians, ostensibly friendly to the Eng- 
lish. On the night of the 3d she entered the mouth of the 
Detroit River, and in the morning, at their request, set the 
six Irofjuois ashore, who disappeared in the woods, and very 
likely went straight to the camp of Pontiac and reported 
the arrival of the vessel and the small number of her crew. 

At nightfall the schooner was obliged to anchor, and her 
crew watched with sleepless anxiety for the approach of 
dawn. 

In the mean time 350 Indians in canoes glided quietly 
down the stream and were close upon her before the crew 
were aware of their presence. There was only time to fire 
a single volley among them, when they came swarming over 
her sides, tomahawk in hand, and holding their scalping- 
knives in their teeth. They were a hellish-looking set. 
The scanty crew fought with a desperation born of despair, 
and made terrible havoc among them ; but they were thirty 
to one, and the contest was hopeless. The master, Horst, 
was killed, and nearly half the crew disabled, when Jacobs, 
the mate, called in a stentorian voice, " Fire the magazine 
and blow the red devils all up together !" Among the 
Wyandots were some who understood English, and hearing 
the desperate order of Jacobs, they called to their comrades, 
and in an instant the entire band leaped overboard and dis- 



appeared in the darkness. The crew escaped with a loss 
of six killed and wounded. Of the Indians, seven were 
killed and above twenty wounded. It was a remarkable and 
most heroic action, and the survivors were rewarded for their 
gallantry, each man being presented with a medal hy order 
of Gen. Amherst. 

Soon after this affair IM.ij. Wilkins, the commander at 
Niagara, collected a force of GOO regular troops, and started 
with a large number of boats, loaded with supplies, to the 
relief of Detroit. The Indians drove him back once before 
he reached the foot of Lake Erie, but re-embarking he 
proceeded on his way, and was rapidly approaching his 
destination when a violent storm compelled him to return 
to Niagara. 

The savages had now kept up the siege of Detroit from 
the lOth of May until October, and some of them were 
beginning to grow weary of the work. They had heard of 
great preparations to send a large force against them, and 
even Pontiac began to despair of overcoming the difficulties 
in his way. 

At length, on the 12th of October, a deputation of the 
Ojibwas approached the fort bearing the pipe of peace. 
Their chiefs claimed to represent the Ojibwas, Wyandots, 
and Pottawattomies, which tribes were all anxious for peace.* 
Gladwyn pleaded lack of authority for making peace, but 
said he would consent to a truce, to which the chiefs agreed, 
and departed for their camps. 

The armistice was a godsend to the beleaguered garrison, 
for they were almost destitute of provisions, and Gladwyn 
hastened to take advantage of it to procure supplies from 
the Canadians, and succeeded so well that the fort was toler- 
ably well prepared for winter. The Ottawas alone con- 
tinued their hostile demonstrations, and occasionally fired 
on the English foraging-parties. 

About the last of October, French messengers arrived at 
Detroit with a letter from M. Neyon, the commander at 
Fort Chartres, in Illinois. It was one of a number which 
the French officer, at the request of Gen. Amherst, had sent 
to various Indian tribes informing them that they could not 
expect any help from the French, and that they had best 
abandon further hostilities. This was a deadly blow to the 
hopes of Pontiac, and he left Detroit, enraged beyond de- 
scription, and retired to the Maumee River with the design 
of stirring up the Indians to a renewal of hostilities in the 
spring. 

On the 1st of November, Gladwyn received intelligence, 
by a friendly Wyandot Indian, of the disaster to Maj. Wil- 
kins' expedition, which deprived him of any hope for suc- 
cor before the coming spring. The prospect before the 
garrison was anything but encouraging, but there was no 
alternative except to hold out manfully until assistance ar- 
rived. 

The war as it was waged during the year 1703 had been 
one of almost uninterrupted misfortune to the English. 
With the single exception of Col. Bouquet's march to the 
relief of Fort Pitt, which was almost a disaster, no offen- 



* The principal chief at the head of this deputation was Wap-o- 
coin-o-queth, great chief of the Mississaugas, a branch of the Ojibwa 
nation living in Canada. 



SURRENDER OF DETROIT TO CAPTAIN ROGERS. 



51 



sive movements had been made, but now the government 
determined to inflict a heavy chastisement on the savages 
in their own country. To this end two armies were organ- 
ized, one under Col. Bouquet to operate from Fort Pitt, 
the other under Col. Bradstreet, which was concentrated at 
Albany, and moved thence up the Mohawk across Oneida 
Lake, down the Oswego River to Lake Ontario, and over 
it-s waters in boats to Niajr.ira. This force, consisting of 
about 1200 men, reached Niagara in midsummer and 
encamped around the fort. Here they found hundreds 
of Western Indians. They had gatliercd at the urgent 
rcfjuest of Sir AVilliam Johnson, who proposed to hold 
a great feast and council with them with a view to estab- 
lishing a permanent peace. Johnson's messengers had pen- 
etrated as far as Mackinac, where the Ojibwas had as- 
sembled to debate the ((uestion whether they should go to 
the assistance of Pontiac, who had invited them to join him 
in again besieging Detroit. 

The embassy changed the determination of the Ojibwas, 
and after consulting their magicians they resolved to meet 
Sir William at Niagara. 

The gathering of Indians at the treaty-ground was a re- 
markable one, including 2000 warriors and many women 
and children. Among the nations represented were Menomi- 
nees, Ottawas from Lake Michigan, Ojibwas, 5Iissis.saugas, 
Caughnawagas, Wyandots, Sacs, Foxes, Winnebagoes, and 
even a band of Osages from beyond the Mississippi. 

Separate councils were held with each nation, and the 
conference lasted until the Gth of Augu.st, when Sir Wil- 
liam Johnson set out on his return to Oswego. 

On tlie 8th of August the army, considerably reinforced 
by Highlanders, Canadian militia, and various bands of 
Indians, began its movement towards Detroit. It pulled 
a.shore at Pre.squ' Isle (now Erie), where a delegation of 
Delaware and Sliawanoe Indians mot Col. Bradstreet to ask 
for peace. But while these cunning savages were negoti- 
ating with him, their congeners were pushing the war to 
the utmost on the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia. 
Bradstreet was duped by them into a preliminary treaty, 
the Indians agreeing to meet him at Sandusky, where they 
would bring all their prisoners and conclude a definite 
treaty. From Presqu' Isle Bradstreet sent a dispatch to 
Col. Bouquet, informing him that he had made peace with 
the Shawanoes and Delawares, and that he need not pro.se- 
cute the war any further. But Bouquet was too old a 
Foldier to be deceived by Indian cunning, and he paid no 
attention to Bradstreet's information or commands, but 
kept straight on into the Indian country in Ohio. 

Bradstreet, having, as'ho supposed, settled all difficulties 
with the Delawares and Shawanoes, continued his voyage 
to Sandusky, where he was met by deputies from the [ 
Wyandots, Ottawas, and Miamis, living near, who protested 
they were anxious for peace, and promising, if he would 
not attack them in their villages, that they would meet 
him at Detroit and conclude a treaty. 

Again Bradstreet was deceived, and although he had 
been ordered by Gen. Gage to attack these very Indians, 
he graciously acceded to their request, and pursued his way 
leisurely to Detroit, where he arrived on the 28th of 
August, to the great joy of the garrison, wlio had been 



closely pent within the walls of their little fortress for up- 
wards of fifteen months. Upon the arrival of the army they 
were at once relieved by fresh troops. 

Pontiac was gone, and most of the Indians were scat- 
tered. The chief had retired to the banks of the Maumee, 
from whence he sent a defiant letter to the English com- 
mander. A few of the Indians who were peaceably in- 
clined still remained in their villages in the vicinity, poor 
and broken in spirit, for the fur trade was wholly de- 
stroyed, and they were badly in want of the necessaries of 
life. 

A council was held on the 7th of September in the pres- 
ence of the army, which was by far the largest ever seen 
in that region up to that time. The Indians present were 
fragments of the Ottawas, Ojibwas, Pottawattomies, Mi- 
amis, Sacs, and AVyandots. The principal speaker was 
Wasson, the Ojibwa chief, who professed great regret for 
the war waged against the whites, and made a very humble 
and conciliatory speech. 

This movement of Bradstreet and the council at Detroit 
virtually ended the war in the West, and Bouquet soon 
brought the Eastern Indians to terms ; but the troops, and 
particularly the Iroquois who accompanied the army, were 
much dissatisfied with the manner in which Bradstreet had 
conducted the diplomatic portion of the campaign, and his 
doings were not fully sanctioned by the British military 
authorities, who reprimanded him for being duped by the 
savages, and for trying to check Col. Bouquet's operations. 

From Detroit, Captain Howard was sent to take pos.scs- 
sion of the upper posts, and soon after the English colors 
were again flying from the rampartsof Mackinac, Green Bay, 
and Sault Ste. JIarie. An embassy, at the head of which 
was Captain Morris, which Bradstreet dispatched from San- 
dusky to visit the Illinois Indians, met with such rough 
treatment on the Maumee, at the hands of the Miamis and 
Kickapoos, that it was forced to turn back without accom- 
plishing anything, and with the loss of nearly everything 
except life. Late in the season Bradstreet returned with 
his army to Oswego, from whence the troops dispersed to 
their homes. 

In 1765, George Croghan, the deputy of Sir William 
Johnson, proceeded West with a deputation, visited most of 
the Indian and French posts and villages, and concluded 
treaties with nearly all the Western nations. Near Fort 
Chartres, on the Mississippi, he met Pontiac, who proceeded 
with him to Detroit, passing Ouiatenon, on the Wabash, and 
Fort Miami, on the Maumee. In August he held a great 
council with the various nations at Detroit, and towards 
the end of September left for Niagara. While at Detroit 
he exacted a promise from Pontiac that he would come to 
Oswego in the following spring and conclude a treaty of 
peace with Sir William Johnson. 

True to his promise, the great chieftain met Sir Williatu 
Johnson at Oswego in July, 176G, and on the last day of 
that month, speaking for all the Western nations, he signed 
a treaty of peace, and promised to keep it as long as he lived ; 
which promise he strictly kept. The council closed with a 
bountiful distribution of presents to Pontiac and his fol- 
lowers, and he returned to his home in the West, satisfied 
that his best course was to keep peace with the English. 



52 



niSTORY OF INGHA5I AND EATON COUNTIES, MICEIIGAN. 



His dream of the restoration of the French rule, so long 
cherished, had been dissipated forever. 

The chief appears no more upon the scene after he re- 
turned liome from this treaty until April, 1769, when he 
visited St. Louis, where he met his old friend St. Ange in 
command of that po.st. Pierre Chouteau also saw him at 
that time and remembered that he wore the full uniform of a 
French officer which had been presented him by the Slarquis 
of Montcalm, near the end of the French war, as a mark 
of esteem. He was in St. Louis a number of days, when, 
hearing that there was a large gathering of various tribes 
of Indians at Cohokia, on the Illinois side of the river, he 
went over to visit them and see what was going on. While 
there he partook freely of wiiisky, and during his debauch, 
while retired by himself in the woods, he was killed by a 
Kaskaskia or some otiier Illinois Indian, who had been hired 
by an Engli-shman named Williamson, a trader, to do the 
deed for a barrel of liquor. 

There is no doubt that the English were still jealous of 
him, and some of them feared he would yet stir up the 
tribes to another war; and the trader was probably one of 
tills class. 

The dastardly deed was fearfully avenged upon the 
Illinois Indians by the nations who had been under the 
leadership of the great Ottawa ; and it is said that they 
nearly exterminated the offending tribes. With him per- 
ished the hopes of the confederated natives, and it was not 
until the great Shawanoe chief, Tecumseh, arose among 
ihem that any similar attempt at confederation was made. 
Tecumseh took Pontiac for his model, but though he had 
behind him the red-coated legions of England, his great 
scheme of a powerful Indian confederation, banded together 
to resist and turn back the tide of white settlers, was a 
failure. He had one advantage of his great prototype : he 
fell honorably in battle at the head of his people, while 
Pontiac met his death by the despicable hand of the 
treacherous assassin. 

The paragraphs given to the Pontiac war illustrate the 
hardships, difiBculties, and dangers which met the early 
settlers of Michigan at every turn. They also show to 
some extent the wrongs which unprincipled men perpetrated 
upon the red owners of the soil. We may not be able to 
fully sympathize with the children of the forest, but when 
we look over the history of the years from 1615 to 1763, 
we cannot but be struck with the stubborn tenacity of both 
parties in their determination, — the one to drive out and 
dispossess the original owners, the other to retain and de- 
fend the country to the last. The settlement of the whole 
Union has Veen one continual struggle between what men 
are pleased to term barbarism and civilization for the pcsses- 
sion of a continent which has been occupied in turn by 
many races of men, — how many we may probably never 
know. 

THE QUE15EC ACT. 

This somewhat noted act, which was passed by the British 
Parliament in 1774, during the administration of Sir Guy 
Carleton, governor-general of Canada, among its provisions 
defined the boundaries of the Canadian provinces, which 
were made to include the two peninsulas of Michigan, and 
all the country lying north of the Ohio River and east of 



the Mississippi. The following paragraphs with reference 
to the act are copied from Tattle's " History of Michigan :" 

"The act granted to the Catholic inhabitants the free exercise of 
their religion, the undisturbed possession of their church property, 
and the right, in all matter? of litigation, to demand a trial according 
to the former laws of the province. But the right was not extended 
to settlers on land granted by the English Crown. *-^' 

"The enterprise of the people was not wholly confined to the fur 
trade. As early as 1773 the mineral regions of Lake Superior were 
visited, ami a project was formed for working the copper ore dis- 
covered tliere, and a company in England had obtained a charter for 
that ])urpose. A sloop was purchased and the miners commenced 
operations, but soon found, however, that the expense of blasting and 
transportation was too great to warrant the prosecution of the enter- 
]irise, and it was abandoned. The fur trade was successfully prose- 
cuted. In 17S3 a company called the Northwest Fur Company was 
organized, and store- and trading-houses were erected at many places 
on the lakes, and agents were located at Detroit, Mackinac, the Sault 
Stc. Marie, and the Grand Portage, near Lake Superior, who packed 
the furs and sent them to Montreal for shipment to England," 

There were no permanent trading-posts or white settle- 
ments established in the interior portions of either the upper 
or lower peninsula previous to about the year 1817, when 
a settlement was made at .Rochester, Oakland Co., about 
twenty miles from Lake St, Clair, 

DURING THE KEVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

From 1774 to 1779, when he was captured by Col. 
George Rogers Clark, at Vincennes on the Wabash, Lieut.- 
Gov. Sir Henry Hamilton was in command at Detroit, 
which was the Biitish headquarters for the West during 
the period of the Revolution, and, in fact, until 1796, 
when permanent possession was taken by the United States. 
The numerous expeditions and forays against the border 
American settlements in the West were nearly all fitted out 
from this point. There is strong evidence that the British 
authorities at Detroit and other places paid their Indian 
allies a stipulated sum for every American scalp which they 
brought in, though for the honor of a common humanity 
we may hope the charge is unsupported by facts. 

The post at Mackinac was also a very important one. 
At the beginning of the war the garrison was located on 
the mainland, but in 1780 the island of 3Iackinac was 
strongly fortified, and has since been the principal military 
post at the straits. 

Two quite important expeditions, from a British stand- 
point, were fitted out at Detroit against the American set- 
tlements during the Revolution. These were : one under 
command of Lieut. -Gov, Hamilton, in 1778, against the 
post at Vincennes on the Wabash ; and another, under Col. 
Byrd, against what was then called the " Beargrass Settle- 
ment," at the mouth of the Beargrass Creek in Kentucky, 
now Louisville, in 1780. Vincennes, which had no garri- 
son, was taken possession of by Hamilton, but he was in 
turn besieged and captured by the gallant Col. Clark, in 
February, 1779. Hamilton was sent a prisoner of war 



■■■ Judge Campbell says of this act : " It was delusive everywhere, 
and the historian Garneau finds a lack of words to express his indig- 
nation at the course pursued under it. By our Declaration of Inde- 
pendence it was denounced as unfavorable to liberty. If the Detroit 
colonists heard of it, it was but as a distant rumor of something which 
did not .ifFoct them." — Ontlhies of Political Uiator;/, p. I.i2. 



TERRITORIAL. 



53 



to Riclimond, Va., and his troops, scventj'-nine in number, 
were paroled aud allowed to return to Detroit. 

Col. Byrd's expedition was made up of 600 Canadian 
militia and Indians, and was accompanied by a battery of 
six small field-pieces. It left Detroit in the summer of 
1780, and made au inroad into Kentucky by way of 
the Maumee and the Big Miami and Licking Rivers. 
Quite a number of small stockades and many prisoners 
were captured, but to the honor of the commander the 
prisoners were humanely treated. Finding he could not 
long control the propensity of his Indians for bloodshed, 
Byrd made some excuse and returned with his forces to 
Detroit. It had been better in after-years if Proctor had 
followed his example. 

When Lieut.-Gov. Hamilton left Detroit with his Wabash 
expedition, he placed Maj. Lernoult* in command. This 
officer was succeeded in the following year by Maj. De 
Pey.ster. The expedition of Maj. Caldwell, in the summer 
of 1782, which ended in the bloody battle of the " Blue 
Licks," was fitted out at Detroit by order of the commander 
of that post. It comprised a total force of about 400 men, 
a large proportion of which was made up of Indians. " Simon 
Girty, the renegade," accompanied this expedition. 

In 1779 the British authoi-ities in Canada began to fear 
an invasion of their territory by Col. Clark, and JIaj. Ler- 
noult constructed a new fort at Detroit. It was much 
larger and better situated than the old French stockade. It 
was named, for the commander. Fort Lernoult, which name 
it retained until afler the war of 1812, when it took the 
name of Fort Shelby, in honor of Hon. Isaac Shelby, the 
veteran Governor of Kentucky, who at the age of more than 
sixty years served under Harrison as a volunteer aid in the 
campaign of 1813. f 

ENGLISH GOVERNORS. 

1760. — Sir Jeffrey Amherst, Commander-in-Chief. 

1705. — Sir James Murray, Governor of Quebec. 

1766 — Paulus Emtlius Irving, President. 

1766. — Sir Guy Carleton, Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in- 
Chief. 

1770. — Hector Theophilus Cramahe, Commander-in-Chief. 

1774. — Sir Guy Carleton, Governor-General. 

1778. — Sir Frederick iJaldimand, Governor-General. 

1784. — Uenry Hamilton, Lieutenant-Governor. 

1785. — Henry Hope, Lieutenant-Governor. 

1786. — Lord Dorchester, Governor-General. 

1792. — Col. John Graves Simcoo, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper 
Canada. 

^ This name is variously written Lennault, Lo Noult, Lenault, 
etc. 

t This name, according to some authorities, was bestowed upon the 
work at an earlier period than here mentioned. 



UNDER THE EEPUBLIC. 



CHAl'TKU YII. 

TERRITORIAL. 

Treaty of I7S."i, between Great Britain and the United States— The 
Ordinance of 17S7— The Northwest Territory— Gen. St. Clair— Terri- 
torial Subdivisions — Surrender of Detroit to the Americans, 17fl6 — 
Wayne County — Indiana Territory — Michigan Territory — War of 
1812-13 — Fir.^t Counties Organized — Land Surveys — Bounty Lands 
— Miscellaneous — Territorial Governors. 

Under the treaty of peace between the United States 
and Great Britain, signed at Paris Sept. 3, 1783, and rati- 
fied by Congress Jan. 14, 1784, Jlichigan became a part 
oF the American Union ; but for various reasons the British 
government kept possession of Oswegatchie (now Ogdens- 
burg), Oswego, Niagara, Pre.siju' Isle (now Erie), Sanduskyi 
Detroit, and Michilimackinac, for longer or shorter periods 
after the treaty was signed. In the spring of 1794 they 
advanced to the rapids of the JIaumee River, and rebuilt 
and strengthened Fort Miami, originally established by the 
French, probably soon after the settlement of Detroit. This 
last act was very near producing a collision between Gen. 
Wayne's army and the British garrison after the defeat of 
the Indians by Wayne in August of the same year. 

OUDIX.VN'CE OF 1787. 

Under the belief that the treaty of 1783 established the 
boundary between the two nations as it at present exists in 
the Northwest, the American Congress, on the 13th of July, 
1787, pas.sed what has since been known as the "Ordi- 
nance of 1787." Under this act all the territory lying 
west and north of the Ohio River, aud east of the Missis- 
sippi, was organized into what was designated the Northwest 
Territory, including what now constitutes the States of Ohio, 
Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and probably 
that portion of Minnesota lying east of the Mississippi and 
the Red River of the North. 

In October of the same year. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, a 
native of Scotland, who had come to America with Gen. 
Abercrombie in 1758, and a veteran officer of the Revo- 
lution, was appointed Governor of the new territory.^ 

This extensive territory, covering not less than 240,000 
square miles, and containing at this writing nearly 12,000,- 
000 people, was then substantially a wilderness, with a few 
scattered posts here and there, and contained, all told, — per- 
manent inhabitants, soldiers, traders, and trappers (exclusive 
of Indians), — probably not more than 10,000 people. Its 
Indian population was perhaps from 30,000 to 50,000. It 
had been formerly claimed by the original province of Vir- 
ginia, by virtue of English grants, but that commonwealth 
had ceded the entire region to the United States in 1784. 

Several other States also claimed proprietary rights in 
lands lying to the westward of New York aud Penusyl- 



* .St. Clair was one of the leaders of the colony which settled Mari- 
etta, Ohio, in 1788. This was mostly composed of New Kngland people 
under the Icid of Gen. Ttufus Putuam, Ueturn J. Meigs, and others. 
Oen. St. Clair had, previous lo the Revolution, lived in Westmoreland 
Co., Pn. 



u 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



vania. Of these New York had ceded her claims to the 
general government in 17S1, Massachusetts in 1785, and 
Connecticut in 17SG. 

Troubles with the Indians had broken out in open hos- 
tility at various times, and in 1790 occurred the defeat of 
Gen. Ilarmer near the site of the present city of Fort 
A\^^yne, Ind., followed in November, 1791, by the still 
more disastrous defeat of Gen. St. Clair on the head- 
streams of the Wabash, in what is now Mercer Co., Oiiio. 

Subsequently many attempts were made to negotiate a 
lasting peace with the savages, but the encouragement of 
the British authorities and traders around the lakes had 
prevented, and it became apparent that nothing short of a 
successful and decisive military campaign would bring about 
the desired result. 

In 1792, Gen. Anthony Wayne was appointed to the 
command of the Western forces. He raised a large body 
of recruits, and went into camp at a point about eighteen 
miles below Pittsburgh, on the Oiiio River, which he named 
Legionville, from the fact that he organized his army there 
something upon the plan of the ancient Roman armies, 
calling it " The Legion." 

This force was thoroughly disciplined and equipped, 
and when it took the field against the enemy it demon- 
strated in a very brief, active campaign its superiority over 
the undisciplined three months' militia, which had brought 
such disgrace upon the American arms under Harmer and 
St. Clair. On the 2(kh of August the army encountered 
a horde of about 2000 Indians under their ablest leaders, 
and reinforced by a considerable body of Canadian militia 
under British officers, strongly intrenched in a position of 
their own choosing at a place called the " Fallen Timbers," 
near the rapids of the Maumee, and after a brief but des- 
perate conflict, completely routed them with severe loss, 
pursuing them to the very walls of the Briti.sh Fort Miami, 
and destroying all the corn- fields and growing crops for miles 
around. 

This battle brought all the savages in the Northwest to 
terms, and in December following the various nations sent 
deputies to Col. Hamtramck, commanding at Fort Wayne, 
to ask for peace. 

The British agents, McKee, Elliott, and Girty, used 
every argument to prevent a treaty, but the Indians were 
satisfied with fighting, and in June, 1795, the principal 
chiefs of the Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawattomies, Miamis, 
Wyandots, Shawanoes, Ojibwas, Kickapoos, and the In- 
dians of the Wabash V^alley, met Gen. Wayne in council 
at Greenville, Ohio, and concluded a treaty with the United 
States, which remained unbroken until the machinations of 
the Sliawanoe Prophet and his brother, Tecumseh, brought 
about a collision with the army under Gen. Harrison at 
Tippecanoe, in November, 1811, a period of more than six- 
teen years. By this treaty the Indians ceded a large terri- 
tory. It was ratified by the United States Senate, Dec. 22, 
1795.* 

SURRENDER OF DETROIT. 

On the 12th of July, 1796, under the provisions of the 
Jay treaty, Capt. Moses Porter, at the head of a company 

* See Chapter VIII., Indian Treaties. 



of sixty-five American troops, took possession of Detroit, 
and for the first time unfurled the starry emblem of the 
Republic from its ramparts. In September of the same 
year Winthrop Sargent, secretary of the Northwest Terri- 
tory, proceeded to Detroit and organized the county of 
Wayne, named in honor of Gen. Wayne, which included 
within its limits all of the lower peninsula and portions of 
what are now the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and 
Wisconsin, with Detroit as the capital. The new county 
was entitled to three members of the Territorial Legisk' 
ture, which held its sessions at Chillicothe. This was the 
first civil organization within what is now the Slate of 
Michigan. Detroit, according to Weld, then contained 
about 300 houses, and probably 1500 resident inhabitants. 
Secretary Sargent was succeeded in ofiiee, in 1798, by 
William Henry Harrison, who had been on the stafi' of 
Gen. Wayne in the campaign of 1794, and was popular 
with the Western people. He held the position until Oct. 
3, 1799, when he was elected by the Territorial Legislature 
a delegate to Congress. 

INDIANA TERRITORY. 

On the 7th day of May, 1800, Congress pas.sed an act 
dividing the Northwest Territory on a line a part of which 
now constitutes the boundary between Ohio and Indiana, 
and extending thence north until it intersected the national 
boundary between Canada and the LTnitcd States. This 
line, as may be seen by examining a good map of the State, 
divided the lower peninsula very nearly in the centre, 
crossing the Strait of Mackinac and intersecting the na- 
tional boundary in White Fish Bay of Lake Superior. It 
divided what is now the county of Eaton nearly in the 
centre, leaving about eight Congressional townships in the 
old Northwest Territory and the county of Wayne, which 
latter, as then organized, was also bisected by it, and the 
remainder, a little more than eight townships, as a part of 
Indiana Territory. Ingham County was wholly in the 
Northwest Territory. 

The capital or seat of justice for the Territory was fixed 
at St. Vincennes, now Vincenncs, Ind., and William Henry 
Harrison was appointed Governor. 

Ohio was admitted into the Federal Union as a sov- 
ereign State Nov. 29, 1802, and from that date the whole 
of Michigan became a part of Indijina Territory, and so re- 
mained until it was erected into a separate Territory. 

TERRITORY OP MICHIGAN. 

The act erecting the Territory of Michigan was passed 
by Congress on the 11th of January, 1805, and took effect 
from and after June 30th of the same year. The Governor 
and judges were appointed by the President of the United 
States, and endowed with legislative power. The Territorial 
officers were nominated by the President on the 2Uth of 
February, 1805. Gen. William Hull, an officer of the 
Revolution, was nominated for Governor, and Hon. A. B. 
Woodward for presiding judge. The nominations were 
confirmed by the Senate, and Judge Woodward arrived at 
Detroit on the 29th of June, and Governor Hull on the 
first day of July. 

Oil the 11th of June, preceding their arrival, the town 



TERRITORIAL. 



55 



of Detroit had been totally destroj-ed by fire, with the ex- 
ception of two buildings. An idea of the little French vil- 
laire may be obtained by reading the following extract from 
a report made to Congress by the Governor and judges in 
October following touching the calamity : 

" The place which bore the appellation of the town of 
Detroit was a spot of about two acres of ground, com- 
pletely covered with buildir)gs and combustible materials, 
the narrow intervals of fourteen or fifteen feet, used as 
streets or lanes, excepted ; and the whole was environed 
with a very strong and secure defense of tall and solid 
pickets." * 

In answer to a petition of the distressed inhabitants. 
Congress passed an act granting them the old site and 
lOjttOO additional acres lying immediately around it, in- 
cluding the old French " Commons." The town was sub- 
sequently laid out upon a greatly enlarged and improved 
plan. 

The Territorial government of Michigan went into active 
operation on the 2d of July, 1805. It included then only 
the lower peninsula, the remaining portions being attached 
to Indiana and Illinois Territories, respectively, until the 
latter was erected into a State, in 1818, when the region 
now constituting the State of Wisconsin and the upper 
peninsula of Michigan was attached to Michigan Terri- 
tory; and in 183-1 the territory now constituting the 
States of Iowa and Minnesota was annexed for temporary 
purposes. 

WAU OF 1812-15. 

The difficulties with the various tribes of Indians inhab- 
iting the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, which cul- 
minated in the battle of Tipjiecanoe in 1811, did not seri- 
ously disturb the people of Michigan. Between the date of 
the battle of Tippecanoe and the breaking out of the war 
between the United States and Great Britain in 1812, 
Tecumseh did not commit any overt acts of hostility, but 
contented him.self with scolding Governor Harrison and 
fermenting the various tribes of the West. 

On the 19th of June, 1812, war was declared by the 
United States against Great Britain. At this time the 
whole Northwest was in an almost defen.seless condition, 
while the British had a formidable fleet under way on Lake 
Erie, and possessed a very respectable force of regulars and 
volunteer militia. 

Governor Hull, of Michigan, was appointed commander- 
in-chief of the forces destined to operate in the Northwest, 
whose numbers were fixed by Gen. Armstrong, Secretary 
of War, at 2000 men, that number being deemed sufficient 
ibr the conquest of Upper Canada. 

On the 1st of June, preceding the declaration of war. 
Gen. Hull had taken command of the army in person at 
Dayton, Ohio, from which jilace he commenced his march 
towards the Maumee, with his ultimate destination Detroit, 
constructing roads, brid-'cs, and block-houses by the way. 
He was not apprised of the declaration of war until the 2d 
of July. From the Maumee Rapids he had previously 
sent forward his own and most of the baggage of the offi- 



• Annals of the West. Tlie fori at the lime of the conflagration 
was outside the town, and escaped destruction. 



ccrs, in a small sloop, under command of Lieut. Goodwin, 
who had on board about thirty men and several ladies. 
The vessel was captured at Maiden by the British. 

The force under Gen. Hull consisted of four regiments, 
commanded by Cols. McArthur, Findlay, Ca.ss, and Miller. 
The army arrived at Detroit on the 7th of July, and on the 
12th crossed the river and occupied Sandwich. The gen- 
eral issued a proclamation to the Canadians, but he made 
no ofiFensivc or forward movement, though Col. Cass and 
the other subordinate officers strongly urged him to move 
at once upon Maiden, which was then comparativel)' unde- 
fended. He remained inactive for nearly a month, when, 
learning that the British commanders were gathering a 
strong force to attack him, he, on the 7th of August, with- 
drew across the river to Detroit. 

Col. Proctor, commanding the advance of the English 
forces, arrived at Maiden on the 2!)lh of July, and without 
delay begun operations for the purpose of cutting Hull's 
line of communications with Ohio, in order to isolate his 
army. The English commander-in-chief. Gen. Brock, a 
most able and active officer, arrived on the 13th of August, 
and made preparations not only for the defense of Canada, 
but also for the conquest of Detroit, and the capture or de- 
struction of Hull's army.f 

In the mean time, Gen. Henry Dearborn, in order to 
prevent a concentration of forces against Hull, had been or- 
dered to make a diversion at Niagara ; but instead of obey- 
ing his orders, he did the very thing which enabled the 
enemy to put all their forces in motion towards Detroit: he 
concluded an armistice with the British commander for 
thirty days. 

Proctor threw a strong force across the river and inter- 
cepted Hull's supply trains and kept him busy until the 
arrival of Brock, who immediately erected batteries oppo- 
site Detroit without being in the least molested by the 
American army, whose commander would not fire a gun. 
Brock had correctly estimated the character of Hull, and 
boldly pushing across the river demanded the surrender of 
Detroit, at the same time opening a heavy fire from his 
batteries at Sandwich. 

The following paragraphs are from a paper read by Gen. 
John E. Hunt, of Toledo, Ohio, recently deceased, before 
the Maumee Valley Pioneer Association at Perrysburg. 
The general was a brother-in-law of Gen. Cass, and was 
present at the surrender of Detroit. He was the son of Col. 
Thomas Hunt, who for a long lime commanded the First 
Regiment United States Infantry. He was born at Fort 
Wayne, Ind., in 1798, and was consequently at the time of 
the surrender a boy of fourteen years. In speaking of the 
armistice, he says : " This gave time for the ' Queen Char- 
lotte' (a British ship of war afterwards captured by Perry) 
to sail from Maiden to the lower end of Lake Eric and re- 
turn with him.self (Brock) and force, which captured De- 
troit. Soon after Hull crossed back (from Canada), Brock 
moved the ' Queen Charlotte' up the river and anchored 
her off Sandwich, covering with her guns the crossing to 
Detroit. While the ship was stationed there, Capt. Snell- 



t Gen. Brock was killed at Ihc battle of Qucenslown, near the Falls 
of Niagara, in the following year. 



56 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



jng asked Gen. Hull, in my presence, liberty to take two 
twelve-pounder guns down to Spring Wells and sink her or 
start her from her position. Hull said ' No, sir ; you can't 
do it.' " 

Gen. Hunt continues: 

"Brock had built a battery on the Canada side opposite Fort 
Shelby.- As soon as it was finished, wlien the sun was about an hour 
high, he opened fire on us. During the night shells were thrown .at 
ntcrvals. At the dawn of the ne.vt day a heavy fire of bombs and 
solid shot was opened. I was taking a drink of water at the door of 
one of the officer's quarters, in company with a boy of my age, who 
afterwards became Maj. Washington Whistler, United States Army, 
and died in Russia of cholera many years after. 

" At the next door to us, and about twelve feet from us, four of our 
officers were standing together. They were Capt. Hanks, Lieut. Sib- 
ley, Dr. Blood, and Dr. Reynolds, of Columbus. A thirty-two pound 
shot came from the enemy's battery, killing Uanks, Sibley, and Rey- 
nolds, and wounding Dr. Blood. They were knocked into a heap in a 
little narrow entry-way, — a narrow, confined space. Their mangled 
remains were a terrible sight. Capt. Hanks was lying on top, his 
eyes rolling in his head. Directly came along Gen. Hull, who looked 
in upon them and turned very pale, the tobacco juice running from 
the corners of his mouth on to the frills of his shirt. In a short time 
after the white flag was hoisled. That ball seemed to unman him. 

" After these men were killed I left the fort to reconnoitre. On the 
street in front of Maj. Whipple's bouse, a quarter of a mile in front 
of Fort Shelby, I found two thirty-two pound guns in position. Capt. 
Bryson, of the artillery, had placed them there to rake the British 
column of 1500 men, who had made a landing and were approach- 
ing the city by way of Judge May's long lane. 

" They bad landed at Spring Wells and were marching up the lane 
to reach a ravine which crossed it, and through which they could file 
and be protected from any battery we had. 

'*They were marching in close column, in full-dress uniform of 
scarlet, in perfect order, at a steady, regular pace, without music. As 
they came on, followed by their Indian .allies, and some twenty whites 
dressed as Indians, my boyish fancy was struck with their appear- 
ance, as I expected every moment to see them torn to pieces by those 
thirty-two pounders, double charged with canister and grape. 

"My brother Thomas stood ready at the guns. In his hand a 
lighted match was held up in the air. He was in the very act of firing 
when Col. Wallace, the aid of Gen. Hull, came up and said, ' Don't 
fire; the white flag is up.' At that instant Capt. Hull, who had been 
across the river with a flag of truce, fell in with us on his return. 
Col. Wallace said to him, * It's all up j your father has surrendered.' 
Capt. Hull exclaimed, ' My God, is it possible ?' 

" Capt. Hull afterwards showed great bravery on the Xiag.ara fron- 
tier, where he was killed. 

" During the British occupation of Detroit the following incident 
occurred between the British officers and myself, at the house of Mr. 
Mcintosh, in Sandwich. 

'• Mcintosh was the agent of the Northwest Fur Company in Canada 
and my brother had married a sister of his. I had been in the habit 
of going over to spend Sunday and go to church in Sandwich. 

"'The church was the only Protestant church in that part of the 
land at that time. There were also some nice young ladies there, the 
daughters of Mr. Mcintosh. On the Sunday after the surrender I 
went over with my brother. To my surprise I found Gen. Brock, 
with his staflT officers, dining with Mcintosh. 

"The host called an all the olEcors present for toasts, beginning 
.with Gen. Brock. Towards tea-time the old gentleman called on me, 
putting his hand on my shoulder, and sayiug in his broad Scotch, 
" Coom, me lad, giu us a toast.' I had become much attached to Cajit 
Hull, son of the general. On the trip to Detroit he had shown me 
much attention on account of my family connections. So I shoveil 
my chair back, stood up, and gave them ' Ciipt. Hull.' Whereupon 
Brook shipped bis hand on the table, saying, "By George, that's a 
good one.' ' Well, gentlemen, we will drink to a brave man if he is 
an enemy.' He had beard the day before of Capt. Hull, in the frigate 
'Constitution,' taking the British frigate 'Guerriere.' The joke w.as, 

» The fort was then jirobably called Fort Lernoult, though it is 
possible that the name had been changed. 



I meant Capt. Hull, of the army. They drank the toast to Capt. Hull 
of the navy. I did not disabuse their mind^, because I thought the 
taking of the ' Guerriere' a pretty good offset to our surrender of Detroit. 
" .Mcintosh clapped me on the shoulder and said, ' That's right, my 
boy ; always stick to your country.' " 

Hull surrendered on the 16tli of August, granting Brock 
his own terms, which included tlie whole Territory of Mich- 
igan and 1400 good troops. Brock's force was composed 
of 300 English regulars, 400 Canadian militia, and a few 
hundred Indians under Tecumseh. 

For this cowardly tran.saction Gen. Hull was tried by 
court-martial, found guilty of cowardice and neglect of duty, 
and sentenced to be shot. In conse(juence of his advanced 
age and his services in the war of the Revolution he was 
pardoned by the President, but his name was ordered to be 
stricken from the rolls of the army. 

On the 17th of July, preceding the surrender of Detroit, 
the garrison of Mackinac, consisting of fifty-seven men, 
under command of Lieut. Hanks, who had not heard of the 
declaration of war, was surprised and captured by a mixed 
force of British, Canadians, and Indians amounting to 
upwards of 1000 men. 

Fort Dearborn, at Chicago, erected in 1804, garrisoned 
by about eighty men under Capt. Robert Heald, was aban- 
doned on the 15th of August by the foolhardy commander, 
and the entire garrison killed or captured on the same day 
by the Pottawattomie Indians. The total number massacred 
was fifty-five. 

It was the design of the government to organize three ex- 
peditions against the enemy : one under Gen. Winchester, 
a Revolutionary soldier then living in Tennessee and but 
little known, to operate towards Fort Wayne ; a second 
under Gen. Harrison, on the Wabash River ; and a third 
under Governor Edwards, of Illinois, to operate against the 
Indians on the Illinois River. 

But the people anticipated these movements and clam- 
ored loudly for Gen. Harrison, who had been extremely 
popular since the battle of Tippecanoe in November pre- 
vious, to command the army. He was accordingly ap- 
pointed to command the Kentucky troops, at the head 
of which he relieved Fort Wayne and made a reconnois- 
sance of the Maumee Valley in September, returning to 
Fort Wayne on the 20th of the month. On the 17th of 
the same month he was appointed to the chief command 
of the Western Army, and received notice of his appoint- 
ment on the 24lh, after his return to Fort Wayne. 

On his arrival at Fort Wayne he found there Gen. Win- 
chester with a considerable force of Ohio and Kentucky 
troops, and supposing Winchester had been appointed to 
the chief command he decided to retire, and started on his 
return to Indiana Territory, of which he was then Governor, 
but was brought back by a messenger, who informed him 
of his appointment. 

In the mean time Gen. Winchester had moved down the 
Maumee as far as Fort Defianc6, at the mouth of the 
Auglaize River. His force amounted to about 2000 men. 
He remained at this point for some time, during which his 
numbers were materially diminished by the expiration of 
the terms of service of many of the men. At the begin- 
ning of 1813 ho had not above 800 men left. 



TERlllTORIAL. 



57 



About the last of September, Gen. Harrison established 
his headquarters at Frankiiiiton, on the Scioto River. Hav- 
ing secured the line of the Mauniee he proposed the re- 
covery of Michigan, and designed moving against the 
enemy in three columns, converging at the Rapids of the 
Maumee, but the winter set in before sufficient supplies 
had been procured and arrangements completed, and active 
operations were deferred until the country should be frozen 
up and the roads become solid. 

Late in November a strong detachment of GOU men was 
dispatched, under Lieut. -Col. John H. Campbell of the Nine- 
teenth United States Regiment, against the Miami Lidians 
living along the Mississinnewa River, a tributary of the 
Wabash, in Indiana. The movement was entirely success- 
ful ; many Indian towns were destroyed, a large number 
of warriors slain, and their villages broken up. But the 
command suffered .severely from the inclemency of the 
weather, no less than 180 men being badly frost-bitten. 
The loss on the field was twelve men killed and thirty 
wounded. 

Gen. Winchester reached the Maumee Rapids on the 
10th of January, ISIH, and on the 17th, at the urgent 
request of (he inhabitants of Frenchtown,* on the river 
Raisin, he dispatched 550 men, under Col. Lewis, to that 
point, sending forward immediately after 110 more under 
Col. Allen. On the 18th the enemy were routed and 
driven from the village. 

Winchester joined the advance with the remainder of 
his force on the 19th. But instead of intrenching his 
position and securing him.self from surprise he took no 
efficient measures, and the con.sequence was that on the 
night of the 21st a strong British force, under the in- 
famous Col. Proctor, approached on the ice from Maiden, 
and erected a battery within 300 yards of the American 
camps, which opened upon them at daylight on the 22d. 

The whole force under Proctor, wliich included a very 
large number of Indians, .soon moved to the attack, and 
though a portion of the Americans made a most gallant 
defense, the whole command finally surrendered, upon the 
express stipulation that they should be protected from the 
Indians. But this pledge Col. Proctor most shamefully 
violated by marching most of his regular troops to Canada, 
and leaving the prisoners at the mercy of the Indians, who 
fell upon them and committed a most dreadful massacre. 

For these and similar brutalities the name of Proctor 
has been held accursed by the American people. Less 
than forty out of 800 men e.sciiped from the enemy's 
hands. Nearly 300 were killed in the engagement and 
the massacre which followed. It is due the memory of 
Tecumseh to state that he was not present on this occasion. 

In the mean time, as soon as he heard of Winchester's 
advance. Gen. Harrison put as many troops in motion for 
his support as he could muster, but they were met by the 
fugitives flying from the rout, and his force not being 
deemed sufficient to encounter the enemy single-handed, 
Harrison fell back to the Rapids, where he soon after con- 
structed the famous Fort Meigs.| 



• Now Monroe, Michigan, 
t Named from Kelurn Jooatlian Mc 
8 



igs, Oo 



At this place, on the 28th of April, 1813, Harrison was 
attacked by a strong British and Indian force, consisting 
of about 2200 men, including nearly 1000 Indians under 
Tecumseh. Proctor erected gun- and mortar-batteries on 
the high bluff where Maumee City now stands, opposite 
Fort Meigs, and on the south .side of the river in the sub- 
urbs of what is now Perr3'sburg. 

From these he opened a heavy fire, without, however, 
producing any serious effect upon Harrison's po.sition, which 
was really more of an intrenched camp than otherwise. 

This campaign was remarkable for serious losses and dis- 
asters upon both sides. Col. Dudley, at the head of a re- 
inforcement of 800 Kentuckians, captured the British bat- 
teries on the northern bank of the river, together with quite 
a number of prisoners, and .spiked the guns ; but instead of 
obeying Harrison's orders and falling back under cover of 
the fort, Dudley pui-sued the broken troops and Indians 
into the woods, where he fell into an ambuscade laid by 
Tecuni.seh, and lost nearly his whole command, and was 
himself killed on the field. 

On the south side of the river Col. Miller made a suc- 
cessful sortie against the British position, dispersed the en- 
tire force, captured and spiked the battery, and brought in 
a large number of pri.sonera, mostly British regulars. Find- 
ing he could make no impression upon the American works, 
Proctor withdrew on the 'Jth of May and returned to 
Maiden. 

In July a second attack was made upon Fort Meigs, and 
Tecumseh undertook to decoy the garrison from their works 
by fighting a sham battle in the thick woods to the .south 
of the fort, expecting to create the impres.sion that rein- 
forcements w6re near at hand and were being attacked by 
the savages ; but Gen. Clay, then in command, was too 
wary to be deceived by the nianwuvro, though his men 
were almost mutinous because he would not lead them to 
the assistance of their struggling friends. A strong Brit^ 
ish force was lying in ambush to fall upon the works the 
moment the garrison had got into the woods. 

This demonstration was soon abandoned, and Proctor's 
next appearance was before F'ort Stephenson at Lower San- 
dusky, where Maj. Croghan| held the place with a force 
of about 200 men and one six-pounder gun. Proctor 
opened a battery of light guns against the works and kept 
up his fire for forty-eight hours, when he directed a col- 
umn of 350 men against it, which was .severely repulsed 
with a total loss of 100 men, including Col. Short, the 
commander. Proctor, on the 3d of August, once more 
withdrew from American soil never to visit it again, and 
Tecumseh retired to Canada to meet his death two months 
later. 

In the mean time Com. Perry had been busily en- 
gaged constructing a fleet at Erie, wherewith to meet the 
Briti.sh squadron on the lake. The fleet was equipped and 
ready for battle on the 4th of August, and Perry immedi- 
ately set sail in quest of the enemy under Com. Barclay, 
a veteran officer who had served under Lord Nelson. The 
two fleets came to an engagement on the 10th of Septem- 
ber, near the Bass Islands, and the British fleet was cap- 

X Pronounced Crau 



58 



HISTOllY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



tured almost entire. It is claimed that this remarkable 
naval battle was fought within the limits of the State of 
Michigan. It must have been very near the intersection 
of the boundaries of Ohio and Michigan with the national 
boundary. 

Meanwhile, the enemy under Harrison had received re- 
inforcements, and was awaiting the result of the naval 
movements. After the battle Perry took his fleet to Put- 
in-Bay, on one of the Bass Islands, to bury his dead and 
refit his vessels, which were badly disabled. 

On the 27th of September, Harrison's army embarked, 
and landed at Maiden, which had been destroyed and 
deserted as soon as the British commander had news of the 
loss of the fleet. Harrison immediately pushed on in pur- 
suit of Proctor, whom he brought to battle at the Moravian 
town on the river Thames on the 5th of October. After a 
brief defense, the British army, with the exception of 
200 dragoons who escaped with Proctor, surrendered at 
discretion ; and after an obstinate contest the Indians under 
Tecumseh were routed with loss, and the battle was at an 
end. Tecumseh was slain in the engagement, and his fol- 
lowers never again rallied during the war in any considerable 
numbers. 

Col. McArthurtook possession of Detroit on the 29th of 
September, after it had been in possession of the British for 
about thirteen months, and thus ended their rule over the 
lower peninsula of Michigan. 

In June, 1814, Maj. Croghan led an expedition of 750 
men against the British posts to the north. St. Joseph 
(probably on St. Joseph Island) and Ste. Marie were taken 
possession of, but an attempt to capture the fort and island 
of Mackinac was repulsed. The British schooner " Nancy," 
employed in supplying the various garrisons, was captured ; 
and leaving the bulk of the fleet under Lieut. Turner to 
watch the lake, Croghan returned to Detroit. Soon after 
the British, under Lieut. Worsley, succeeded in capturing 
every American vessel upon the lake, and thus the expedi- 
tions all ended in failure.* 

Two expeditions invaded Canada from Detroit, defeated 
the militia, and returned with considerable plunder. One 
of these was commanded by Capt. Holmes, the other by 
Gen. McArthur. They were both conducted with great 
spirit. 

On the 13th of October, 1813, eight days after the de- 
feat of Proctor, Col. Lewis Cass was appointed by Gen. Har- 
rison Governor of Michigan Territory, which appointment 
was soon after confirmed by President Madison, and which 
ofiice he held by various appointments until called to a seat 
in President Jackson's Cabinet, in 1831. To his able ad- 
ministration of aff'airs it may be fairly said that Michigan 
owes its early entrance upon a career of prosperity. 

EARLIEST COUNTY OKGANIZATIONS. 

As before stated, the first county organized within the 

borders of the present State of Michigan was Wayne, in 

179G, by Gen. Anthony Wayne, after whom it was named. 

It was re-established by proclamation of Governor St. Clair 

* The jjosts on tlio upper lakes continued to be held by the British 
until surrendered by the terms of the treaty of peace. 



July 15, 1815 (following the British occupation), and 
organized by proclamation of Governor Cass, Nov. 21, 1815. 
It included the lower peninsula and attached territory. 

Monroe was organized by Governor Cass, July 14, 1817, 
taken from Wayne ; Macomb, by proclamation of Governor 
Cass, Jan. 15, 1818; and Mackinac, by the same authority, 
Oct. 2(5, 1818. Oakland was organized March 28, 1820; 
St. Clair, May 8, 1821 ; Chippewa, from Mackinac, in 1826 ; 
and Washtenaw (from which Ingham was taken), in 1826, 
from the original Wayne County. Eaton was set ofi' from 
St. Joseph County in 1829, and organized in 1837. Ing- 
ham County was set off from Washtenaw in 1829, and 
organized in 1838. 

LAND-SURVEYS. 
The original system of subdividing the public lands of 
the United States into townships and sections dates from 
an act passed by Congress May 20, 1785. The particular 
.sections, or paragraphs, bearing upon this subject read as 
follows : 

"The surveyors, as they are respectively qualified, shall proceed to 
divide the said territory into townships, of six miles square, by lines 
running due north and south, and others crossing these at right 
angles as near as may be. 

'* The geographer shall designate the townships, or fractional parts 
of townships, by numbers, progressively, from south to north, always 
beginning each range with No. 1; and the ranges shall be distin- 
guished by their progressive numbers to the westward, the first 
range, extending from the Ohio to Lake Erie, being marked No. l.f 

"The plats of the townships, respectively, shall be marked by sub- 
divisions into lots of one mile square, or six hundred and forty acres, 
in the same direction as the external lines, and numbered from one 
to thirty-six, always beginning the succeeding range of the lots with 
the number next to that with which the preceding one concluded.":!: 

By this act the lot or section numbered sixteen in every 
township was reserved for the maintenance of public 
schools. This system of surveys was first introduced on 
the east line of Ohio, which, between that State and Penn- 
sylvania, formed the first principal meridian, and has since, 
with some modifications, been continued in the survey of 
all public lands. The first surveys under the act of 1785 
began, probably, in 1786 or 1787. 

All good maps of Michigan show a base-line and a prin- 
cipal meridian, from which the townships and ranges are 
numbered. These lines were first established as a neces- 
sary preliminary to the general survey in 1815. The base- 
line starts from a point on Lake St. Clair, and runs thence 
due west between the counties of Wayne, Macomb, Oak- 
land, Washtenaw, Livingston, Ingham, Jackson, Eaton, Cal- 
houn, Barry, Kalamazoo, Allegan, and Van Buren,toLake 
Michigan, near South Haven. It is in latitude about 42° 
28' north, and the distance along it from one lake to the 
other is about 173 miles. From this line the townships 
are numbered south to the Ohio and Indiana lines, § and on 
the north they reach, in the southern peninsula, No. 39, at 



f This arrangement was subsequently modified, and the ranges 
were numbered east and west from the meridian, and the townships 
sometimes both north and south from the base-line, as is the case in 
Michigan. 

I Annals of the West. 

^ In Ohio the numbers extended south to the ordinance line of 
1787, niiil Nos. 9 and 10 are now included in Ohio. 



TERRITORIAL. 



59 



Mackinac ; in the upper peninsula, No. 58, on Keweenaw 
Point, and No. 67, on Islo Royalc, in Lake Superior. 

The principal meridian is situated exactly on that of the 
Sault Stc. Marie, and is equivalent to about 84° 22' 30" 
lonptude west from Greenwich. It divides the lower 
peninsula about twelve miles east of the centre and bisects 
Ingham County in the middle, or nearly so. The len'jth 
of this line from Sault Ste. Marie to the Ohio line is about 
330 miles. In crossing the Strait of Mackinac it pa.sses 
very near, and perhaps touches, the eastern extremity of 
Bois Blanc Island. The distance across the strait at this 
point is about twenty miles. The ranges reach No. 17 east 
on the St. Clair River at Port Huron, and No. 19 at Little 
Point Au Sable, in Oceana County, in the lower peninsula, 
while in the upper they extend to No. 49, at the mouth of 
the Montreal River on the Wisconsin line. The whole of 
the upper peninsula and Isle Royale seem to have been .sur- 
veyed from the Michigan meridian and base-line, as neither 
the Wisconsin nor the Michigan survey crosses the line be- 
tween the two States ; and hence the townships are all 
fractional along that line from Green Bay to Lake Supe- 
rior. There are several correction lines in the two penin- 
sulas. The base-line also shows a break on the meridian 
line. 

The first public surveys in the State (then a Territory) 
were made in the vicinity of the Detroit River, in 1816,* 
and the lands were first offered for sale at the Detroit Land- 
Office in 1818. In 1822 the Detroit district was divided, 
and a second office established at Monroe ; and in 1831 the 
Monroe district was divided and an office established at 
White Pigeon, which, in 1834, was removed to Kala- 
mazoo (then called Bronson), where it remained until closed 
in 1858. The Grand River district was established in 
1838, with the office at Ionia. The east half of Ingham 
County has always been in the Detroit laud district, and 
the west half and the whole of Eaton County belong to the 
Grand River district. Previous to 1838 these latter were 
probably in the Kalamazoo district."!'. 

SOLDIEKS' HOUNTY-LANDS. 

On the 6th of May, 1812, Congress passed an act re- 
quiring that 2,000,000 acres of government lands should 
be surveyed in the then Territory of Louisiana,| a like 
f|uantity in the Territory of Illinois, and the same amount 
in the Territory of Michigan, but in consequence of most 
unfavorable reports made by the Michigan surveyors, the 
portion allotted to that Territory was located in Illinois and 
Missouri. It was not until 1818, when people penetrated 
the wilderness lying adjacent to Detroit and found in Oak- 
land County a most beautiful country, that the bad im- 
pression of the interior of Michigan produced by these 
unfavorable reports was dispelled. From that date the 
settlements progressed rapidly. 

• This, of course, docs not take into account the Ciirly French 
•urvcjs. 

t The first legal conveyance of land within the lower peninsula 
was made in 1707, by Antoine do la Motto Cadillac, to Fraufois Fa- 
f»rd Dcloriuc, near or at Detroit. 

t Louisiana was purchased of the First Napoleon, in ISO.!, for 
$16,000,000. 



MISCELLANEOU.S. 

In 1819 Michigan was granted a delegate in the national 
Congress, In the previous year the first steam-vessel, the 
" Walk-in-the- Water," made her appearance on Lake Erie, 
and visited Detroit in May, ISIS. Wliether she was 
named from the Huron or Wyandot chief of that name, 
or from her own peculiar powers, is uncertain. Lands 
were brought into market in 1818, and a rapid tide of im- 
migration soon began to flow into the Territory, though its 
tidal wave did not reach the country until after 1830, and 
probably culminated in 1836-37, when the greatest amount 
of land was sold during any two years in the history of the 
State. 

In the spring of 1820 an expedition was fitted out at 
Detroit for the purpo.sc of exploring the northern and 
northwestern portions of the Territory, then little known 
except by fur traders and coiireurs dc hois. It was under 
the control of Governor Lewis Cass, and its personnel was 
made up as follows : Governor Cass ; Alexander Wolcott, 
Physician ; Capt. I). B. Douglas, Engineer ; Lieut. A. Mac- 
kay, Commander of Escort ; James Duane Doty, Secretary ; 
Maj. Robert A. Forsyth, Governor's Secretary; Henry R. 
Schoolcraft, Geologist and To()ographer. A detachment of 
thirty regular soldiers formed the escort, and the whole, in- 
cluding boatmen, made up a party of sixty-six men. The 
war department instructed the commanders of all military 
posts on the region traversed to extend every facility to the 
expedition. 

It left Detroit May 24, 1820, in bark canoes, manned by 
voyageurs and Indians. Its course was along the western 
shore of Lake Huron, where the prominent points were 
visited, and a considerable halt was made at Mackinac. 
The Governor held a council at the Sault Ste. Marie, which 
point was chosen for the site of a military post. The Oji- 
bwa (Chippewa) Indians objected to its establishment, and 
behaved in an insolent and hostile manner, but Governor 
Ciu«s pursued a bold and independent course, and effectually 
overawed them, and a treaty was signed by which they 
ceded a tract of land four miles square around the Sault. 
The expedition visited Lake Superior, the Upper Missis- 
sippi River, and Lake Michigan, making a general ex- 
amination of the country and its natural resources in 
timber, fisheries, and minerals. Mr. Schoolcraft subse- 
quently published an account of the expedition. In 1826, 
Governor Cass made a canoe voyage to the head of Lake 
Superior for the purpose of making a treaty with the 
Indians. 

In 1823 a Legislative Council for the Territory was 
granted, to consist of nine members, to be appointed by 
the President of the United States. In 1825 the number 
was increa.sed to thirteen, and they were made elective by 
the people. In the same year, also, all county officers, ex- 
cepting those belonging to the judiciary, were made elective 
by the people, and the appointments remaining in the 
hands of the executive were made subject to the approval 
of the council. The Governor and council were also au- 
thorized to divide the Territory into townships and incor- 
porate them, and provide for the election of officers. The 
right of appeal from the Territorial to the United States 
Supreme Court was also granted in the same year. 



60 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



In 1827 the electors of the Territory were authorized to 
choose a number of persons corresponding with the council, 
and these, together with the original council, constituted a 
Territorial Legislature, which was empowered to enact any 
necessary laws, provided they did not conflict with the 
ordinance of 1787. A judiciary system was also estab- 
lished, and the militia was organized. 

Governor George B. Porter succeeded Governor Cass in 
August, 1831, and entered upon the duties of his office in 
September following. He was the last regularly appointed 
Governor of the Territory. He died of cholera, July 5, 
1834, and Stevens T. Mason, secretary of the Territory, 
became acting Governor. 

The Black Hawk war occurred in 1832-33, during Gov- 
ernor Porter's administration, but as it was confined wholly to 
the region west of Lake Michigan, the country to the east- 
ward of that lake was not seriously disturbed, though a 
considerable body of men from the vicinity of Kalamazoo 
were called out by an alarm and proceeded as far as Niles, 
but after a sojourn at that place for a few days returned 
home. 

GOVERNORS OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

1787.— (Jen. Arthur St. Clair. 

1796. — Winthrop Sargent, Secretary und Acting Governor. 

INDIANA TERRITORY.* 
1800-5.— Gen. William Henry Harrison. 

MICHIGAN TERRITORY. 

Gen. William Hull, from March 1, 1805, to Aug. 16, 1812, when he 
surrendered to Gen. Brock, the liritish commander. 

Gen. Lewis Cass, from Oct. 13, ISl.S, to Aug. 1, 1831. 

Gen. George B. Porter, Aug. 6, 1831, to 1834. The Last regularly 
appointed Governor of the Territory. 

The secretaries under the various administrations were, — Stanley 
Griswoid, Reuben Atwater, William Woodbridge, James Withcrcll, 
John T. Mason, Stevens T. Mason, and John S. Horner. Most of 
these in the absence of the Governor were acting at various periods 
in bis stead. 



CHAPTER VII L 

INDIANS AND TKEATIES. 

0jibwa8,t Ottawos, Pottawattomics, Okemos — Treaties of 1785, 1789, 
1795, 1807, 1815, 1817, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1836. 

The most important of all the Indian nations found in- 
habiting the present Territory of Michigan when first dis- 
covered by the French was the great Ojibwa nation. It 
was the oldest and most important branch of the Algonquin 
family, and occupied the most extensive territory. From 
the eastern extremity of its territory on the St. Lawrence 
River to Lake Winnipeg on the northwest is nearly 2000 
miles, and over all this broad region the nation was scat- 

* Including Michigan from the admission of Ohio, Nov. 29, 1802, 
to June 30, 1805, when Michigan became a separate Territory. 

t According to Kev. Peter Jones {Ka-kc-wa-f|uon-a-by), the cor- 
rect pronunciation of this name is 0-jc-bw;ly. Schoolcraft writes it 
Od-jib-wa. 



tered. The number of individuals was at one time (1847) 
estimated at 30,000. 

According to the Rev. George Copway (Kah-ge-ga-gah- 
bowh), a converted Indian and missionary of that nation, 
their traditions point to a gradual migration, in prehistoric 
times, from beyond the head of Lake Superior, eastward 
through Lakes Huron, Michigan, Erie, and Ontario, along 
the Ottawa River, and thence many miles down the St. 
Lawrence River. The same authority says that they con- 
quered all the nations with whom they came in contact, — 
Hurons, Sauks, and Iroquois. The latter gave them the 
most trouble, frequently invading their country, and pene- 
trating by their spies as far West as La Pointe, on Lake 
Superior. An army of Iroquois once reached Ke-wd-o-nou. 
Near the Buy I'Anse they were defeated with terrible 
slaughter by the Ojibwas. 

One of their tribes, which for a long time occupied the 
country around Lake Ontario, was known as the Mississau- 
gas. They were named from a region around the head of 
Lake Huron, called Me-sey-sah-gieng, where they formerly 
dwelt. This branch is said to have destroyed the Hurons 
in the valley of the Ottawa River, about 1608-10. J 

The Ojibwas believed in one Great Spirit, whom they 
called Ke-sha-mon-e-dos, or Benevolent Spirit. They also 
had inferior spirits, as the god of the waters, of the hunter, of 
medicine, of Jishes, of birds, and of the moon and stars. 
They believed in one Bad Spirit, Mah-ji-mah-ne-doo, who 
lived under the earth. To him they offered more sacrifices 
than to any other, for he held their destinies, and sent 
bad luck, sickness, and death. 

The offerings to him con.sisted of dogs, whisky, and 
tobacco. The dog was painted red on its paws, and with 
five plugs of tobacco and a large stone tied to its neck was 
sunk in tlie water, while a drum was beaten upon the shore 
and words were shouted to the Bad Spirit. The whisky 
was poured upon the ground. 

A grand annual festival was held, at which the Great 
Spirit was worshiped. The grand medicine lodge, called 
Me-toc-we-gah-mig, was 150 feet long and 15 wide, and 
only the clan of medicine-men and women was admitted 
within its walls. In consulting their spirits much the 
same ceremonies were observed that were adopted by the 
ancient Greeks in consulting their oracles. 

Some of the sayings of the medicine men : 

" If you are a good hunter, warrior, and a medicine-man, when you 
die you will have no difficulty in getting to the far West in the Spirit- 
land. 

"Listen to the words of your parents; never be imp.itient; then 
the Great Spirit will give you a long life. 

" Never pass by any indigent person without giving him some- 
thing to eat. Owh-nah-yah-bak-mekke-gah-shah-wa-ne-mig, — the 
Spirit that sees you will bless you. 

" If you own a good hunting-dog give it to the first poor man who 
really needs it. 

*' When you kill a deer, or bear, never appropriate it to yourself 
alone; if others are in want never withhold from them what the 
Great Spirit has blessed you with. 

"When you eat share with the poor children who may be near you, 
for when you are old they will administer to your wants. 

{ The Iroquois certainly drove out the inhabitants of the Ottawa 
Valley about 1650. They were also called Hurons, and a remnant of 
them still exists west of the Mississippi, known as Wyandots, by 
which name they were formerly known in Michigan and Ohio. 



INDIANS AND TKEATIES. 



61 



'* Xcvcr use improper medicine to the injury of another, lost you 
may receive the fame treatment.* 

*' When an oitporlunity ofTcrg call the aged together and provide 
for them venifon properly cooked, and give them a hearty welcome; 
then the gods that have favored them will be your friends." 

The Indians all believed in omens, good and bad, and in 
dreams. They also, like all other nations, had their days 
of fasting. They knew nothing of profanity (as the 
Christian understands it) until taught it by the whites. 
When about to have a " whisky frolic" several young 
men were appointed by the head chief to gather the fire- 
arms and deadly weapons in a safe place and keep them 
until the debauch was ended. 

Upon their first acquaintance with the firearms of the 
whites, they called a gun " the snake which spits fire, 
smoke, and death." 

Their heaven, or Paradise, which they called Ish-pc- 
ming, was in the far West, and abounded in game and 
fruits. The Ojibwiis were remarkably skilled in the manu- 
facture of the bark canoe. A prominent warrior superin- 
tended, and the squaws and children executed the work. 
Some of these frail but beautiful and serviceable barks were 
forty feet long and five feet wide. 

The Rev. Peter Jones, of the Ojibwas, says the belief 
among his people is that each nation speaking a different 
language was separately created by the Great Spirit, but in 
what way or when they cannot tell. They believe the dif- 
ferent religious beliefs and customs were all given by the 
same authority. 

The Ojibwas of Canada have a tradition that their pro- 
genitors came originally from the region of Lakes Huron 
and Superior ; that they dispossessed the Nah-doo-was,f or 
Hurons, and took possession of their country north of Lake 
Ontario. Some tribes believe that a great man, whom they 
call Nan-a-bo-zhoo, made the earth and all the Indians in 
America. They speak of a great flood which destroyed 
everything save what this man saved in his bosom. He 
climbed a great cedar-tree on the tallest mountain, and 
when the waters came up to him constructed a rafl from 
its boughs, and thereby saved himself and the animals. 
They believe that a great toad governed tlie waters, and a 
great horned animal inhabited the land. The two fought, 
and the toad, who had all the waters in his belly, being 
ripped open, a flood ensued.]; 

The Indians were always hospitable to a wonderful degree, 
and before their acc^uaintancc with Europeans a moral and 
honest people. Like all pagan nations, they made their 
women slaves. 

The Canada Ojibwas have a tradition that their most 
terrible enemies were the Iroquois, or Nah-doo-was, as they 
called them. Their last great encounter was at the outlet 



* Medicine in the Indian vernacular signifies anything mysterious 
or beyond their comprehension. Hence, a white man who could show 
anything incomprehensible to tbo Indians, or tell them of mysterious 
things, was named a " great medicine" or " medicine-man," meaning 
a master of mysteries, a magician. 

fThia term they seem to have also applied to the Iroquois and all 
enemies. The word moat probably means enemy, 

X The Rev. Jones thinks the Indians arc descended from the Asiatic 
Tartars, but this belief, of course, is the result of his education. 



of Burlington Bay, Lake Ontario, where mounds of human 
bones are said still to exist. 

They had a great number of " loodaims," or tribes ; 
among others, the Eagle, Keindcer, Otter, Bear, Bufialo, 
Beaver, Catfish, Pike, Birch Bark, White oak tree. Bear's 
Liver, etc., etc. From their word " toodaim" conies the 
word " totem." The Eagle tribe was called by the English 
Messissauga. 

The Ojibwa language was more extensively spoken in 
America than any other Indian language. The Pottawat- 
tomics and Ottawas spoke the same tongue. 

Some Indian authorities consider the Ojibwas, Ottawas, 
and Pottawattoniies as branches of the sjime original stock, 
which in former times subdivided at Mackinac. Others 
say the Ottawas and Ojibwas first became acquainted with 
the Pottawattomics around the south end of Lake Michigan. 

Schoolcraft^ considers the Ojibwas as the parent stock 
of the Algonquin family or race. The subdivisions he 
classifies as Ojibwas, Saulleurs, Nipissings, Odah-was (Ot- 
tawas), Pottawattoniies, or " Fire Makers," Mississaugas, 
Kenestenos (or •' Killers," whom the French called Crees), 
the Menominees, or Wild Rice Men, and the Abittibees, or 
Mu.skigos. The Saginaws of the lower peninsula took 
their name from Sauk-i-gong, where the Sauk tribe formerly 
lived. The Leech Lake division was called Muk-kunk-was, 
or " Pillagers." All these he considers as belonging to the 
original Ojibwa stock. 

In speaking of the appearance and deportment of the 
Ojibwas, Schoolcraft remarks : 

" The Chippewas {Ojibwasj are an active, generally tall, well-de- 
veloped, good-looking race of men. The chiefs of the band of St. 
Mary's, Lake Superior, and the Upper Mississippi, are a manly, intel- 
ligent body of men, with a bold and independent air and gait, and 
possessing good powers of oratory. Of stately and easy manners, 
they enter and leave a room without the least awkwardness or em- 
barrassment; and if one did not cast his eyes on their very picturesque 
costume, and frontlets, medals, and feathers, ho might suppose himself 
to have been in the company of grave elders and gentlemen." 

Mr. Schoolcraft thinks that the four principal Western 
tribes, Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawattomias, and Wyandots, 
were present in considerable force at Braddock's defeat on 
the Monongahela. It is a singular fact that the majority of 
the Indian tribes or nations have generally taken arms in 
behalf of the losing power in America, — with the French 
in 1755-60, and with the British in 1775 and 1812. 

The ancient capital of the Ojibwas, according to School- 
craft, wasat La Pointe, or Che-go-im-e-gon (Chaquamegon), 
Lake Superior. One of their important ^villages was at 
the Sault Ste. Marie in 1822, when Col. Hugh Brady of 
the United States Army built Fort Brady at that place. 

Among the famous chiefs of the Ojibwas were Noka, 
Bianswa, Waub-Ojeeg, On-daig-wee-os, Chig-sein-e-gon, 
and Shin-gob-was-sin. 

The falls or rapids at the outlet of Lake Superior the 
Ojibwas called Pe-wa-teeg, " place where shallow water 
falls." The name Penetanguishine in Ojibwa is Pe-nuh- 

I Henry R. Schoolcraft married O-shau-gus-co-day-way-gua, daugh- 
ter of Mr. John Johnston a Scotchman or Irishman, who settled 
among the Indians of Lake Superior about 17S5-80 and nuirried a 
daughter of the famous Ojibwa chief Wa-ba-jiek, formerly residing 
at La Pointe, Lake Superior. — WKennet/. 



62 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



dau-wung-o-sheeng, " place of caving sand bank." Tecum- 
seh they called Te-cu-mo-sah, " he who walks over water." 
In the Ojibwa tongue the word Ottawa is O-dah-wah, and 
Pottawattomie is Pood-a-wah-du-me. 

A curious and interesting account of thi.s people is given 
in the narrative of John Tanner, who was captured by the 
Saginaw Chippewas about 1795, and lived among them for 
many years.* 

In this connection it may be interesting to introduce a 
new song, said to have been composed by the great Ojibwa 
war chief, Waub-Ojeeg or Wa-ba-jeek. A translation is 
given in Schoolcraft's and other works.j^ 

WAR SONH OF WAUB-OJEEG, OR, THK WHITE FISIIEIl. 

"On that day when our heroes lay low, lay low, 
On that day when our heroes lay low ; 
I fought, by their side, and thought ere I died, 
Just vengeance to take on the foe, the foe. 
Just vengeance to take on the foe. 

" On that day when our chieftains lay dead, lay dead, 
On that day when our chieftains lay dead ; 
I fought hand to hand at the head of my band. 
And here on my breast have I bled, have I bled. 
And here on my breast have I bled. 

" Our chiefs shall return no more, no more. 
Our chiefs shall return no more ; 
And their brothers in war who can't show scar for scar. 
Like women their fate shall deplore, deplore, 
Like women their fate shall deplore. 

" Five winters in hunting we'll spend, we'll spend, 
Five winters in hunting we'll spend; 
Then our youth, grown to men, to the war lead again, 
And our days like our fathers will end, will end. 
And our days like our fathers will end." 

The Pottawattomics, who are generally supposed to be- 
long to the same stock as the Ojibwas, when first met by 
the French were mostly dwelling in the vicinity of Green 
Bay and on the islands at its entrance. A band of them 
was located near the Sault Ste. Marie when that point was 
first settled in 1GG8. Gradually they seem to have moved 
southward along the western shore of Lake Michigan, and 
about 1700 their eastern flank was on the St. Joseph River, 
from which they spread northward and eastward towards 
Grand River and the central portions of the peninsula. 
Their principal centres of population were in Berrien, St. 
Joseph, and Kalamazoo Counties. They were removed 
from the State by the United States government in 1840. 

The Ottawas in early times probably inhabited the valley 
of the Ottawa River in Canada, from whence they were 
driven by the powerful Iroquois about 1650. Of this 
nation were the people afterwards known as the Hurons 
and Wyandots. Bands of them lived about the Straits of 
Mackinac, at I'Arbe Croche, and in the valleys of the Sagi- 
naw River and its branches. 

In later years their principal habitat was in the valley of 
Grand River. These three nations were more or less inter- 
mingled, and can scarcely be said to have had any perma- 

'*■ This volume, together with many other interesting works upon the 
Indians of the Northwest, may be found in the State Library. 

f This copy of the song is from Col. McKenney's work, translated 
by John Johnston, who married a daughter of the chiof. 



nent place of abode. At various periods all three of them 
probably occupied the counties of Ingham and Eaton for 
hunting purposes, and during the sugar season. It is 
hardly probable that they cultivated much land in this 
region unless it may have been in later years on the small 
prairie-like openings in Eaton County, and on some of the 
open river bottoms. 

The Indians who principally inhabited or occupied this 
region belonged to the Saginaw tribes of Chippewas or 
Ojibwas. There were no very important villages or trails 
in Eaton or Ingham County except the village of Okcmos, 
the chief, where the white man's village of the same name 
now stands, and a principal trail following substantially the 
valley of Grand River. They had numerous camping- 
places during the hunting and fishing seasons, and while 
making their annual supplies of maple-sugar in the spring. 



The most noted Indian who lived in this region after its 
settlement by the whites was Okemos, a celebrated chiof of 
the Saginaw- Chippewas. The chief was called both a 
Chippewa and an Ottawa, and may have been of mixed 
blood. The Indians were much mixed up in this region. 

The following interesting sketch we find in the columns 
of the Lansing Repxihlican for Feb. 11, 1879: 

*' We have alrcaily alluded to tho valuable donations made by 0. 
A. Jenison to the State Pioneer Society, which held its annual meet- 
ing in this city last week. In presenting the ambrotype of the old 
Indian chief, Okemos, Mr. Jenison gave the following facts in regard 
to the picture and this old Indian, whom many of Lansing's first 
citizens well remember: 

"Okemos s.tt for this picture, to my certain knowledge, in 1857, 
and it has never been out of my possession from that day to this. 
The date of the birth of Okemos is slirouded in mystery, but the re- 
search discloses the fact that he was born at or near Knagg's Station, 
on the Shiawassee River, where the Chicago and Northeastern (now 
Chicago and Grand Trunk) Railroad crosses that stream.]: 

"At the time of his death he was said to ho a centenarian, but that 
is a period few persons are permitted to reach. In a sketch of his 
life, given in the Lansing Republican in 1871, it is said he probably 
took the war-path in 1796. This is the earliest I find of him in any 
written history. Judge Littlejohn, in his ' Legends of the Northwest,'^ 
introduces him to the reader in 1803. 

"Tho battle of Sandusky, II in which Okemos took an active part, was 
the great event of his life; and this it was that gave him his chief- 
tainship, and caused him to be revered by his tribe. For a detailed 
description of that memorable and bloody fight I am indebted to B. 
0. Williams, of Owosso, who was for many years an Indian trader, 
spoke the Indian language, and received the story direct from the 
lips of the old chief. In relating the story Okemos said, — 

" * Myself and cousin, Man-e-to-corb-way, with si.\teen other braves, 
enlisted under the British flag, formed a scouting- or war-party, and, 
leaving the upper Raisin, made our rendezvous at Sandusky. 

" ' One morning, while lying in ambush near a road lately cut for 
the passage of the American army and supply wagons, we saw tweuty 
cavalrymen approaching us. Our ambush was located on a slight 
ridge, with brush directly in our front. We immediately decided to 
attack the Americans, although they outnumbered us. Our plan was 
to first fire and cripple them, and then make a dash with the toma- 

J This statement is questioned by some. 

I This work is pure fiction, with tho exception of geographical and 
individual names. 

II What is here called a battle was a skirmish between advanced 
|)artii!3 near Fort Stephenson at Lower Sandusky. The siege of that 
post by Proctor occurred from July 31 to Aug. 3, 1S13. Official 
rucortls give no account of any serious battle in that vicinity. 



INDIANS AND TREATIES. 



63 



hawk. Wo waited until thoy approached so near that we could count 
the buttons on thi-ir coats, when firing commenced.' 

"The cavalrymen, with drawn sabres, immediately charged upon 
the Indians. Okemos and his cousin fought side by side, loading 
and firing while dodging from one cover to another. In less thnn ten 
minutes after the firing began, the sound of a bugle was heard, and, 
casting their eyes in the direction of the sound, they saw the road 
and woods filled with cavalry. Okomo?. in his <li'Scri]ttion, says, — 

" ' The plumes on their 
hats looked like a flock 
of a (houstind pigeons just 
hovering for flight.' 

'* The small party of 
Indians was immediately 
surrounded, and every 
man cut down. All were 
left for dead on the field. 
Okemos and his cousin 
each had his skull cloven, 
nnd (heir bodies were 
gnshcd in a fearful man- 
ner. The cavalrymen, be- 
fore leaving the field, in 
order to be sure life was 
extinct, would loan for- 
ward from their horses 
and pierce the cheats of 
the Indians even into 
their lungy. The last Oke- 
mos n members was that, 
after emptying one saddle, 
and springing towards an - 
other soldier with clubbed 
riflo raised to strike, his 
head felt as if being 
pierced with a rcd-bot 
iron, and he went down 
from a heavy sabre-cut. 

** All knowledge ceased 
from this time until many 
moons afterwards, when 
he found himself being 
nursed by the squa^vs of 
his friends, who had found 
him OD the battlefield two 
or three days afterwards. 
The squaws thought all 
were dead, but, upon be- 
ing moved, signs of life 
were discovered in Oke- 
mos and his cousin, who ^^^ 
were at once taken on lit- 
ters to a place of safety, and, by careful nursing, were finally restored 
to partial health. 

"The cousin always remained a cripple. The iron constitution of 
Okemos, with which he was endowed by nature, enabled him to regain 
comparative health ; but he never took an active part in another 
battle, this last one having satisfied him that ' white man was a heap 
powerful.* 

" Shortly after his recovery he solicited Col. Godfrey to intercede 
with Gen. Cass, and he and other chiefs made a treaty with the Amer- 
icans, which was faithfully kept. 

"Okemos did not obtain his chieftainship by hereditary descent, 
but this honor was conferred upon him after having passed through 
the battle juat describe^. For his bravery and endurance his tribe 
considered him a favorite with the Great Spirit, who had preserved 
his life through such a terrible and trying ordeal. 

" The next we hear of Okemos, he bad settled with his tribe on the 
banks of the Shiawassee,* near the place of his birth, where, for 
many years, up to 1837-38, he was engaged in the peaceful avocations 
of hunting, fishing, and trading with the white man. About this 
time the smallpox broke out among his tribe, which, together with the 

• The statement that he lived upon the Shiawassee is disputed by 




influx of white settlers, who destroyed their hunting-grounds, scat- 
tered their bands. 

"The plaintive, soft notes of the hunter's flute, made of the red 
alder, and the sound of the tom-tom al council-fires, were heard no 
more along the banks of your inland streams. For years before the 
tomahawk had been effectually buried, and upon the final breaking 
up of the bands, Okemos became a mendicant, and many a hearty 
meal has the oM Indian received from the early settlers of Lansing. 

" In his palmy days I 
should tliink his greatest 
height never exceeded five 
feet four inches. He was 
lithe, wiry, active, intelli- 
gent, and possessed un- 
doubted bravery. He was 
not, however, an eloquent 
speaker, cither in council 
or private conversation, 
always mumbling his 
words and speaking with 
some hesitation. 

** Previous to the break- 
ing up of his band, in 
1837-:18, his usual dress 
consisted of a blanket- 
coat, with belt, steel pipe- 
hatchet, a tomahawk, and 
a heavy, long English 
hunting-knife, stuck in 
his belt in front, with a 
large bone handle prom- 
inent outside the sheath. 
He had his face painted 
with vermilion on his 
cheeks and forehead and 
over his eyes; a shawl 
wound around his head, 
turban fashion, together 
with the leggins usually 
worn by Indians, which, 
during his lifetime, ho 
never discarded. 

" None of his biogra- 
phers have ever attempted 
to fix the date of his 
birth, contenting them- 
selves with the general 
conviction that ho was a 
hundred years old. I difl'er 
from them for these rea- 
^^' sons, — viz. : Physically 

endowed with a strong 
constitution, naturally brave and impetuous, and inured (o Indian 
life, we are led to believe that he took the war-path early in life, and 
his first introiluction to our notice is in 1790. I reason from this that 
ho was born about 1775, in which case he lived about eighty-three 
years. f Again, the old settlers of Lansing will remember that, up 
to the latest period of his having been seen on our streets, his step 
was quick and elastic to a degree that is seldom enjoyed by men of 
that age. 

" He died at his wigwam, a few miles from this city, J and was buried 
Dec. 5, 1S:»S, at Shim-ni-con, an Indian settlement in Ionia County. 
His coffin was rude in the extreme, and in it were placed a pipe, 
tobacco, a hunting-knife, birds* wings, provisions, etc. 

" He surrendered his chioftivinship a few years previous to bis death 
to his son John, but never forgot that he was Okemos, once the chief 
of a powerful tribe of the Chippewas, and the nephew of Pontiac." 



t It is possible that Mr. Jouison has overestimated, rather than 
otherwise, his age. The celebrated Joseph Brnnt ( Thni/en-dun-e-ffca), 
chief of the Mohawks, accompanied his father in the campaign of 
Lake George when only fourteen years of age; and quite probably 
Okemos may have tukeu the war-path when under twenty years of 
age. — Ed. 

J Near De Witt, in Clinton County. 



64 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



His permanent village was where the village of Okemos 
now stands, on the Cedar River, in the township of Merid- 
ian, in Ingham County. Shim-ni-con, another Chippewa 
or Ottawa village, was situated on Grand River, in the 
township of Danby, above Portland. 

Mr. Freeman Bray, who settled where the village of 
Okemos now stands, about 1839, and who knew the chief 
and his people well, furnishes some additional facts. In the 
main he agrees with Messrs. Williams and Jenison, though 
he differs from them in some respects. 

He says Okemos was either part Tawas (Ottawa) or 
closely allied to them by marriage. He hardly thinks he 
ever lived on the Shiawassee River, — certainly not after 
1840. When Mr. Bray settled where the village of Okemos 
now is, the chief had his principal village there, and was 
at the head of a mixed band of Tawas,* Pottawattomies, 
and Chippewas. All the Indians who took part with the 
British in the war of 1812, Mr. Bray calls "Canada In- 
dians." The band had a burial-ground on land now owned 
by Mr. Cook, and used to cache their corn on the knoll 
where the school building now stands. Mr. Bray says the 
Indians planted corn for two or three years after he settled 
at Okemos, on land which he plowed for them and allowed 
them to use. 

The band remained in the vicinity until about 1845-4G, 
when they became scattered. Many of those belonging to 
the Ottawas and Pottawattomies were picked up by the 
United States authorities and transported beyond the Mis- 
souri River. On one occasion a band of some 500 were 
encamped near Mr. Bray's place, and had among them a 
number of sick, including several squaws. Mrs. Bray as- 
sisted to take care of one of these, a young woman appa- 
rently in the last stages of consumption, and afterwards her 
mother visited the old ground and made Mrs. Bray a present 
as a recompense fur what she did for the sick one. 

While this large band were encamped near, Mr. Bray 
says a couple of Indians without arms of any kind made 
their appearance suddenly from the south. On the same 
day they borrowed a few pounds of nails of Mr. Bray, and 
the next day they had all disappeared. It appeared they 
had borrowed the nails to make litters on which to trans- 
port their sick and aged. The two men were fugitives from 
a detachment of United States troops, and came to warn 
the band that the soldiers were after them. They were 
exceedingly reluctant to leave the country. 

Okemos, or his people, had another village at Shim-ni- 
con, in Ionia County, but the principal one was where the 
village of Okemos now stands. After about the year 1845 
the band became so reduced by death and the scattering of 
its members that the chief had a very small following, and 
became eventually a wandering mendioaut, traveling around 
the country and living on the charity of the whites. He 
had a large family, as did many of the Indians, but they 
seemed to die of disease very rapidly. There are two of 
the sons of Okemos still living, — John, who succeeded his 
father as chief of the band, and Jim. The latter is now a 
farmer located some twenty-five miles from Stanton, in 
Montcalm or Gratiot County. John always drank consid- 

*" The common rendering of Ottawa. 



erable, and never was anything but an Indian. Mr. Bray 
relates that on one occasion he came to liis place and stayed 
over-night with him. In the morning they had griddle- 
cakes, and Mrs. Bray had made a large quantity of nice 
syrup from white sugar. This so pleased the Indian that 
he kept the women busy for a long time making cakes for 
him. He still visits his old home about once in two years. 
His last visit was in 1879. John has a son who is a suc- 
cessful farmer. His father says he is no Indian, for he will 
not hunt. 

Old Okemos in his wanderings around the country was 
generally accompanied by a troop of pappooses whom he 
called his children. He was everywhere well treated by the 
whites. Mr. Bray says he would never say anything about 
his former life, except he had been drinking. He says 
he was scarcely ever drunk, but took enough to loosen his 
tongue, when he would become very communicative. 

His account of the fight where he was so severely 
handled by the American cavalry near Sandusky differs in 
many particulars from that given by B. O. Williams, of 
Owosso. Mr. Bray says he told it to him a great many 
times, and always told it the same. 

Mr. Bray's recollection of it is that there were about 300 
Indians together. They heard that a strong force of cav- 
alry or mounted men was coming, and a council of war 
was held to determine whether they should attack it. 
Okemos was not in favor of it, but told the assembled chiefs 
and warriors that if they saidfyht he viouM Jight. It was 
decided to fight. 

Okemos, Korbish, and other chiefs led their men into a 
marsh where there was high grass, in which they concealed 
themselves and awaited the approach of the Americans. 
The chief said there was " a heap of them," and he dis- 
tinctly remembered how the leader looked with his big 
epaulets. When the Indians fired Okemos said they seemed 
to have shot too high, and he thought they did not kill a 
man. He said the commander instantly drew his sabre, 
and, giving the command to charge, they were among the 
Indians so suddenly that they had no time to reload, and 
the sabre speedily did its bloody work. The chief received 
a tremendous cut across his back, which Mr. Bray says 
remained an open sore all his life. When he came to him- 
self he looked around and could see no living being. He 
made a noise like an owl, but no one answered. He then 
imitated a loon, when some one replied to it, and he found 
the chief, Korbish, and one other alive among the crowd of 
dead. He thought they were the only ones who were not 
killed out of the 300. They got into a boat and floated 
down the Sandusky River, and finally escaped, though they 
had to pass within sight of an American fort, perhaps the 
one at Lower Sandusky. It was the only open fight Oke- 
mos ever engaged in, though Mr. Bra^says he would boast 
often, when in liquor, of how many Americans he had 
killed and scalped. He was accustomed to waylay the ex- 
press-riders and bearers of dispatches between Detroit and 
Toledo. His custom was to listen, and when he heard one 
coming to step behind a convenient tree, and as he passed 
suddenly spring upon him from behind and tomahawk him. 
Mr. Bray thinks the chief lived to be over one hundred 
years of age, and says when in his prime he was about five 



INDIANS AND TREATIES. 



G5 



feet sis or seven inches high and straight as an arrow. He 
was never what might bo called a drnnlvurd, but had a spree 
occasionally. He agrees with Mr. Juuison that lie died in 
1858, near De Witt, in Clinton County, and was buried at 
Shini-ni-con, in Ionia County. 

In 1852, Mr. Bray made the overland trip to California 
from St. Jo.seph, on the Missouri River, taking boat to that 
place from St. Louis. When about seventy miles below St. 
Joseph he met, at a landing on the river, a number of tlie 
Indians whom he had formerly known in Michigan. They 
recognized him at once, and urged liiui to come with them 
to their reservation and stay with them a week, saying they 
had plenty of corn and provisions and he should be wel- 
come, and also offered to furnish him and his companions 
with guides to set them on the trail when they departed. 
He says he would have accepted their offer if he could have 
got his wagons, goods, and team out of the boat ; but they 
were mostly in the hold and could not be got at, and he 
went on to St. Joseph. 

Mr. Bray confirms the universal statement that the 
squaws performed all the menial labor. Large numbere of 
the Indians were accustomed to visit Okemos each re- 
turning j'ear for the purpose of feeding their dead at their 
village burial-ground ; and the last thing before they were 
removed from the county was to come and bid them good- 
by. 

There are a great many statements concprning the chief 
Okemos, and each varying more or less from all the others 
in respect to his extraction, his account of the various bat- 
tles and skirmishes in which he was engaged, his p/f^s/jue, 
his habits, his place or places of residence, and his death 
and burial. 

Rufus Hosmer, Esq., a prominent writer and former res- 
ident of Lansing, gives, in a communication to the Lansing 
Jiepulilican, in 1871, some interesting reminiscences of the 
old chief, from which we have taken a number of items. 

Mr. Hosmer thinks Okemos was nearly a hundred years 
old at the time of his death. lie believes the chief fought 
against St. Clair in 1791, and Wayne in 1794, and lo- 
cates St. Clair's defeat on the eastern shore of Lake Eric* 
He gives a very different account of the fight near San- 
dusky, where Okemos was severely wounded, from those 
of others, and claims like the rest to have had it from the 
lips of the chief. 

According to bis account, the British and Indians were 
approaching Fort Stephenson, at Lower Sandusky, Ohio, in 
the latter part of July, 1813, the British by way of Lake 
Erie and the Indians by land, which was no doubt the fact. 
Gen. Harrison, knowing that Gen. Proctor would approach 
by water, naturally concluded that he would bring siege 
artillery for the investment of the fort, which being only a 
border stockade he knew could not long hold out against him, 
and he therefore sent an order to Maj. Croghan to evacu- 
ate if he could still do so with safety. The major, who 
was only about twenty-one years of age, was a gallant fellow 
and a good soldier, but he knew what Harrison did not, 
— that the whole surrounding country was swarming with 



* Tho defeat occurred on the hcftd-watcrs of tho Wabash Itiv 
what is now Mercer Co., Ohio, pear tho Indiana line. 

9 



Indians, and that to attempt to withdraw his small force 
of about, 200 men would end, as a similar attempt did 
at Fort Dearborn (Chicago) just one year before, in the 
slaughter or capture of his command. It was even 
doubtful if he could get a reply througli the lines to Iiia 
commander, and he purposely wrote a pompous note stat- 
ing that he had plenty of men, munitions, and provisions, 
and could hold the place against Proctor and his army, 
expecting it would fall into the hands of the enemy ; but 
the mes.senger succeeded in getting through and handed 
the note to Gen. Harrison, who was naturally somewhat 
astonished at its tone, and immediately ordered Capt. Ball 
to take a strong squadron of regular dragoons, proceed to 
Sandusky, and ascertain what Maj. Croghan meant. It 
was this body of men whom Okemos and bis confederates 
encountered. 

According to 3Ir. Hosmer the Indians were a band of 
Chippewas, under command of the chief Car-i-baick, who 
were approaching the fort from the south to cut off the 
retreat of the garrison. They were moving in Indian file 
across the " Seneca Plains," about six miles from the 
present city of Fremont, Ohio, when, hearing the tramp 
of Ball's dragoons, they instantly hid themselves in some 
fallen tree-tops and underbrush, intending to let the cavalry 
pass without molesting them, as they were too strong to be 
attacked ; but after the column had passed an excited 
Indian rose from his ambush, and either accidentally or 
purposely discharged his gun. Instantly Capt. Ball gave 
the command, " Column to the right about !" and charged 
furiou.sly upon the Indians with drawn sabres. The savages 
made a fierce fight for a few moments, and the chief Cari- 
baick, an athletic fellow, had a personal encounter with 
Capt. Ball, himself a powerful man, and had it not been for 
a carbine in tho hands of one of the men it, might have 
fare badly with the latter. In a few moments the Indians 
were all cut or shot down, and Okemos received a terrific 
blow from a sabre, which cleft his skull and cut through 
his shoulder-blade, and a shot in his side. When he came 
to himself he gave a signal, as stated also by Mr. Bray, and 
gave it a second time before he was answered, when, accord- 
ing to Mr. Hosmer, he found his brother " Standing-up- 
Devil," who was also terribly wounded. In telling it the 
old chief was wont to say, " I found my brother, but the 
Devil could not stand up any more," and then he would 
chuckle to himself in a very humorous way, as though it 
was a good joke. 

The-y crawled to the water and washed off tho blood, and, 
finding an old amoe, got into it and floated down the 
river among friends. 

After his recovery, Okemos went to live again at his 
home on Grand River, at Shininicon. Mr. Hosmer makes 
it appear that the chief was also present at the battle of the 
Thames, in Canada, where Tccumseh was killed and him- 
self severely wounded. He used to contend that Tccumseh 
was not killed by Col. Johnson, but by the Kentucky rifle- 
men before Johnson came up, which is about the conclusion 
arrived at by Judge Drake in his life of the great chieftain. 
Mr. Hosmer says that Okemos bore the rank of colonel in 
the British service. 

In the .spring of 1814 the chief presented himself before 



6G 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIP]S, MICHIGAN. 



Col. Godfroy, in command at Detroit, saying, " Che-mo-ke- 
man too much for Indian ! Now I make peace and fight 
no more ; me plenty fight enough !" He concluded for 
himself and tribe a treaty with Gen. Ca.ss, and was true 
to his obligations. Mr. Ilosmer thought the chief never 
made his home for any considerable length of time at the 
place where the village of Okcmos now stands ; but this 
statement does not agree with Mr. Bray's understanding of 
the matter. The former says his principal place of residence 
was at Shininicon, on Grand llivcr, in Ionia County. He 
also says he died at a hunting-lodge on the Looking-Glass 
Iliver, five miles north of De Witt, and was buried on the 
()th of December, 1858, at Shimnicon. He says he had 
four wives, at dificrent times. One of these was a Bois 
Fort Indian woman, whom he found near the head of Lake 
Superior while on a visit to that region. He remained 
there through one winter, when there was a terrible famine 
among the Indians. A great many died, and among the 
sick was the squaw of Okcmos, who, finding he could not 
remain much longer without starving, concluded to bury 
lier and leave the country. " What?" says one. " Did you 
bury her alive?" "Ugh!" said the savage, "she most 
dead !" Sir. Hosmer thought the chief was not much 
above five feet in height, and claimed that he was also a 
very temperate man. 

Samuel H. Kilbourne, Esq., tliinks the chief was in his 
better days a prominent and influential orator, and cites an 
instance at a ti'caty held at Mackinac to prove it ; but he 
became greatly degenerated in his later years, and indulged 
freely in strong drink. 

Another gentleman, Mr. E. R. Merrifield, considered 
Okcmos a great orator, the equal of Pontiac, Tecuniseh, and 
Red Jacket, and cites instances of his influence over the 
Indians in proof of the assertion. He calls him an Ottawa; 
says he held the rank of captain in the British army, and 
never drank to excess. He also claims that the chief was 
a Mason. 

There seem to be about as many opinions concerning 
this noted Indian as there were people who knew him with 
any degree of intimacy. We are not able to reconcile these 
slight difl'erences,* which are, no doubt, honest ones, and 
have, therefore, given a variety of statements regarding him 
from several parties who were more or less intimate with 
him. Mr. B. 0. Williams has been familiar with the In- 
dians of Michigan since 1818; ]Mr. P. Bray, of Okcmos, 
lived neighbor to the chief and knew him well ; Mr. 0. A. 
Jcnison also knew him well, and has had excellent facilities 
for gaining knowledge of him ; wiiile both Mr. Hosmer and 
Mr. Merrifield were also quite lauiiliar with him in the latter 
part of his life. 

A good story is told of Okcmos by a prominent gentle- 
man of Mason. In speaking of the Indians' manner of 
hunting and their experience with various kinds of game, 
he said, " Wlien deer arou.sed by Indian, he jump a few 
times, then stop and listen, and finally say, ' Me guess he no 

« We can only account for tliem in one way, and that is that perhaps 
none of the.se gentlemen ever took down verhathu his conversation 
with the chief at the time it occnrred, but reduced it to writing as he 
rememljcred it, perhaps, after tlie liipse of months or rears. Mr. 
Bray never put his in manuscript or |jrint. 



Indian.' When Indian start wild turkey, he say, ' Indian, 
hy d r and quick run off! " 

TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS. 

The first treaty with Indians inhabiting the territory 
now comprising the State of Michigan was made at Fort 
Mcintosh, on the ground now occupied by the town of 
Beaver, at the mouth of the Beaver River, in Pennsylvania, 
on the 21st of January, 1785, between the United States, 
represented by George Rogers Clark, Richard Butler, and 
Arthur Lee, and the chiefs of the Wyandot, Delaware, 
Chijipewa [Ojibwa), and Ottawa nations. 

At this treaty the above-named nations acknowledged 
themselves to be under the protection of the United States, 
and delivered hostages for the safe return of white prisoners 
in their hands. The following clau.ses are the only ones 
referring to Michigan, and are quite important : 

" The post of Detroit, with a district beginning at the mouth of 
tlie River Rosine (Raisin), on the west side of Lake Erie, and running 
west si.v miles up the southern bonk of the said river, thence north- 
erly, and always six miles west of the strait, till it strikes the Lake 
St. Clair, shall be reserved to the sole use of the United States. 

"In the same manner the post of Michilimackinack, with its de- 
pendencies, and twelve miles square about the same, shall be reserved 
to the use of the United States." 

On the 9lh of January, 1789, another treaty was made 
with the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Cliippewas, Potta- 
wattomies, and Sacs at Fort Harmar, situated on the west 
side of the Muskingum River at its mouth, but there 
seems to have been no special reference made to Michigan 
at that time. 

The next important treaty concerning Michigan was made 
at Greenville, Ohio, and signed on the 3d of August, 1795, 
between the United States, represented by Gen. Anthony 
Wayne, and the chiefs of the Wyandots, Delawares, Sha- 
wanoes (Shawanese), Miamis, Ottawas, Chippewas. Potta- 
wattomies, and the various tribes dwelling in Indiana and 
Illinois. 

The general boundary agreed upon between the United 
States and the Indian nations commenced at the mouth of 
the Cuyahoga River, and ran thence up that stream to the 
portage to the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum River ; 
thence down that stream to the crossing-place above Fort 
Laurens; thence westerly to Loramie's store, on the Great 
Miami ; thence westwardly to Fort Recovery, on the head- 
streams of the Wabash River ; and thence southwestwardly 
in a direct line to the mouth of the Kentucky River. From 
the country lying within the limits of Michigan were made 
the following reservations : 

"The post of Detroit, and all the lands to the north, the west, and 
tlie south of it, of which tho Indian title has been extinguished 
by gifts or grants to the French or English governments, and so 
uiuch more land to be annexed to the district of Detroit, as shall be 
comprehended between the river Raisin on the south and Lake St. 
Clair on the north and a line the general course whereof shall be six 
miles distant from the west end of Luke Erie and Detroit River. 

" The post of Michilimackinack, and all the land on the island on 
wliich that post stands, and the mainland adjacent, of which the 
Indian title has been extinguished by gifts or grants to the French 
or English governments, and a piece of land on the main, to the 
north of the island, to measure six miles on Lake Huron, or the strait 
between Lakes Huron and Michigan, and to extend three miles back 
from tlie water on the lake or strait; and also tlie island De Bois 
Blanc, Icing an extra and voluntary gift of the Chippewa nation." 



INDIANS AND TREATIES. 



67 



In consideration of these cessions by the Indians the 
United States government delivered at the time of the 
treaty goods valued at 820,000, and agreed to deliver 
annually thereafter, " at some convenient place northward 
of the Ohio River," goods to the value of S9500, to be ap- 
portioned among the various nations and tribes as follows : 
To the Wyandots, 81000 ; to tlie Delawares, SIOOO ; to 
the Shawanese, SIOOO; to the Miamis, SIOOO; to the 
Ottawas, SIOOO ; to the Chippcwas, 81000 ; to the Potta- 
wattomies, SIOOO; and to the Kickapoo, Wca, Eel River, 
Plankeshaw, and Kaskaskia tribes, S500 each. 

It was also "provided tliat if either of the said tribes 
shall hereafter, at an annual delivery of their share of 
the goods aforesaid, desire that a part of their annuity 
should be furnished in domestic animals, implements of 
husbandry, and other utensils convenient for them, and in 
compensation to useful artificers who may reside with or 
near them, and be employed for their benefit, the same 
shall, at the subsequent annual deliveries, be furnished 
accordingly."* 

By this treaty all former ones were annulled, and the 
Indians subscribing it acknowledged themselves to be under 
the protection of the United States, " and no other power 
whatever." Either party was to remove and punish in- 
truders on Indian lands, and the Indians were allowed the 
privilege of hunting on ceded lands. All injuries were to 
be settled by law, and not privately avenged. 

On the part of the Chippewas the treaty was signed by 
Mash-i-pi-nash-i-wi.sh, Na-shaga-sha, Ka-tha-wa-sung, Mas- 
sass, No-me-kass, I'e-shaw-kay, Nau-guey, Me-ne-dali-gee- 
sagh, Pec-washe-me-nogh, Wey-me-gwas, Gob mo-a-tick, 
and Gec-gue. 

Among other prominent chiefs were Buck-ong-a-he-las 
and Mich-e-cun-nc-r|ua (or Little Turtle), of the Miamis, 
Tarke, of the Wyandots, and " Blue Jacket," of the 
Shawanese. 

This celebrated treaty closed the war on the Western 
border and gave peace to the inhabitants until the outbreak 
led by the Shawanese Prophet in 1811, a period of sixteen 
years. 

The next important treaty for the cession of lands in 
Michigan was made at Detroit, on the 17th of November, 
1807, between Governor Hull, of Michigan Territory, and 
the Ottawas, Chippewas, Wyandots, and Pottawattomies, at 
which the nations ceded territory bounded as follows : 

. "Beginning at the mouth of the Miami River of the Lnlics (Mau- 
mce), and running thcneo up the middle thereof to the mouth of the 
Urcat Au Gluize River; thence running due north until it intersects 
a |>arallcl of latitude to be drawn from the outlet of Lake Iluron.f 
which forms the river Sinchiir (St. Clair) ; thence running northeast tho 
course that may be found will lead in a direct lino to White Rock, in 
Lake Huron; thence due east until it intersects the boundary-lino 
between the United Slates and Upper Canada, in said lake; thence 
southwardly, following the said boundary-line down said lake, through 
river Sinclair, Lake St. Clair, and the river Detroit inio Lake Erie, to 
a point due cast of the aforesaid Miami River; thence west to the 
place of beginning." 

This boundary passed through the middle of the present 



» Annals of the West. 

fThis north-and-soulh line was afterwards adopted as the principal 
meridian for the Territorial and Slate surveys. 



county of Ingham, and included, besides its cistern half, 
the counties of Monroe, Lenawee, Wayne, Washtenaw, 
Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Lapeer, and greater 
or less portions of Jackson, Shiawassee, Genesee, Saginaw, 
Tuscola, and Sanilac Counties, covering a total area of 
nearly 9000 square miles. AVithin this cession the Indians 
reserved a number of small tracts.} 

This treaty was signed on tho part of the Chippewas by 
seventeen chiefs, as follows: I'ee-wau-she-me-nogh, Ma-mon- 
she-gau-la, Poo-qui-gau-boa-wie, Kiosk, Po-qua-(|uet, See- 
gau-gc-wau, Quit-chon-e-quit, Qui-con-(iuish, Puck-e-noose, 
Ne-gig, Me-asi-ta, MaC(|uet-te-quet, Ne-me-kas, Sa-wan-a- 
be-nase, Ton-quish, Mi-ott, and Mcn-c-tu-ge-.sheck. 

In September, 1815, Gen. Harri.son, Gen. Duncan Mc- 
Arthur, and John Graham, Esq., on behalf the United 
States, held a council at Spring Wells, with the Ottawas, 
Pottawattomies, and Chippewas, and on the Sth of the 
month concluded a treat}' by which peace was granted the 
Indians, and the government agreed to restore to them all 
the possessions, rights, and privileges which were theirs 
previous to the year 1812. The former treaties of Green- 
ville and other places were also renewed and reaflBrmed. 

On the 29th of September, 1817, Governor (/ass made 
a treaty at the Maumee Rapids, or Fort Meigs, with the 
Pottawattomies, Chippewas, and others, by which they 
ceded a strip of country lying north of the Maumee River, 
but with such indefinite boundaries that it is hard to deter- 
mine whether it included anj' lands in Michigan or not, 
and it would seem that at the treaty of Chicago, in 1821, 
the boundaries were not well understood, for they are 
spoken of in a doubting manner. 

Soon after the close of the war of 1812 it became ap- 
parent that the lower peninsula of Michigan was destined 
to fill up very rapidly with settlers, provided the Indian 
titles to the land could be extinguished, and Governor Cass 
early foresaw the need of legislation upon the subject, and, 
as ex-ojicio Indian commissioner for the Territory of 
Michigan, he laid the matter before the President, from 
whom he received authority and instructions under which 
he could proceed to the extingui.shraent of the Indian 
titles. 

In September, 1819, a grand council was held with the 
Chippewa and Ottawa nations at Saginaw, where they as- 
sembled in great numbers. A treaty was concluded and 
signed on the 24th of the month, by which the Chippewas 
ceded a vast tract of country, with the exception of a few 
reservations, to the United States. The boundaries of tho 
tract are described in the treaty as follows : 

" Beginning at a point in the present Indian boui)dary-line, which 
runs due north from the mouth of the Qrcat Au Glaizo River, six 
miles south of tho place where tho base-line, so called, intersects thp 
same; thence west sixty miles; thence in a direct line to the heart 
of Thunder Bay River; thence down the same, following tho course 
thereof, to the mouth ; thence northeast to the boundary-line between 
the United States and the British province of Upper Canada; thence 



{ As a consideration the United States agreed to pay to the Chip- 
pewas and Ottawas each $.333.'!, and to the Pottawattomies and Wyan- 
dots each one-half that sum, with a perpetual annuity of $20t)U to 
each of tho two first-mentioned nations and one-half that sum to 
each of the others, the whole to be paid at Detroit, in money, good..', 
domestic animals, or implements, as the Indians should elect. 



C8 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



with the same to the line estublished by the treaty of Detroit, in the 
year 1807; and thence with the said lino to the place of beginning." 

This cession was estimated to have included about 
0,000,000 acres, and, as will be seen by reference to the 
map, extinguished the Indian title to the remainder of 
Ingham and the whole of Eaton County twelve years after 
the eastern half of the former had been purchased by Gov- 
ernor Hull. 

The reservations, in all, amounted to about 80,000 acres, 
hut none were within the counties of Ingham or Eaton. 
This treaty was signed on the part of the United States 
by Governor Lewis Ca.ss, and on the part of the Cliippewas 
by 114 chiefs and principal men. 

On the IGih of June, 1820, Governor Cass concluded a 
treaty at the Sault Ste. Marie with the Chippewas, by 
which the latter ceded a tract at the Sault equivalent to 
sixteen square miles. This treaty was signed by fifteen 
chiefs. 

On the Gth of July, in the same year, he concluded a 
treaty with the Chippewas and Ottawas at L'Arbe Croche 
and Mackinac, by which they ceded St. Martin's Island, in 
Lake Huron. This treaty was signed by eighteen Ottawas 
and two Chippewas. 

On the 29th of August, 1821, Governor Cass and Hon. 
Solomon Sibley concluded a treaty at Chicago with the Ot- 
tawas, Pottawattomics, and Chippewas by which they ceded 
a tract of country in Southwestern Michigan bounded as 
follows : 

"Beginning at a fioint on the south bank of the river Pt. Joseph, 
of Lake Michigan, near the Pare au.\ Vaches,'^-" due north from Rum's 
Tillage, and running thence south to a line drawn due east from the 
southern extreme of Lake Michigan; thence with the said line east 
to the tract ceded by the Pottowattomies to the United States by the 
treaty of Fort Meigs in 1817, if the said line should strike the said 
tract, but if the said line should pass north of the said tract, then such 
line shall be continued until it strikes the western boundary of the 
tract ceded to the United States by the treaty of Detroit in 1807 ;f 
and from the termination of the said line, following the boundaries 
of former cessions to the main branch of the Grand River of Lake 
Michigan, should any of the said lines cross the said river: but if 
none of the said lines should cross the said river, then to a point due 
east of the source of the said main branch of the said river, and from 
such poiut due west to the source of the said i)rincipal branch, and 
from the crossing of the said river, or from the source thereof, as the 
case may be, down the said river on the north bank thereof to the 
mouth ; thence following the shore of Lake Michigan to the south 
bank of the said St. Joseph at the mouth thereof; and thence with the 
said south bank, to the place of beginning." 

From the cession five small reservations were made, but 
none of them in Ingham or Eaton County. 

The principal meridian crosses the main branch of Grand 
IJiver four different times south of the city of Jackson, and 
where the boundary above given first starts to follow the 
liver is not known. From this descrij)tion it would appear 
that the northern boundary of the ceded tract followed 
Grand Kiver through tlie counties of Jackson, Ingham, and 
Eaton, thus intercepting the boundaries of the treaties in 
1807 and 1819, tlie former in Jackson County and the 
latter in Ingham and Eaton, if not also in Jackson. Eaton 
County was wholly ceded by the treaty of 1819, and the 
treaty of 1821 covered nearly its whole territory a second 



■f The cow-pasture. 



t The principal lueridi; 



time, the exceptions being those portions lying cast of 
Grand River. 

The Indian treaties were not always definite in these re- 
spects, and the cessions frequently overlapped each other. 
The treaty of Chicago was signed by eight Ottawa, two 
Chippewa, and fifty-five Pottawattomie chiefs. 

On the 28th of March, 1836, the Ottawas and Chippe- 
was ceded all tlieir remaining lands in the lower peninsula 
except a few small reservations. This treaty was nego- 
tiated by Henry R. Schoolcraft, at Washington, D. C. 

By various subsequent treaties most of these reserva- 
tions have been ceded to the government. A few still re- 
main, but many of the Indians have become individual 
land-owners, and are successfully cultivating farms in the 
northern part of the peninsula.J 



CHAPTER IX. 

STATE ORGAWIZATIOlNr. 

Boundaries of 1787 — Conventions — Border Difficulty — Admission into 
the Union — Miscellaneous — State Officers — Statistics. 

The ordinance of 1787, establishing the Northwest Ter- 
ritory, provided that the Territory should be divided into 
not less than three nor more than five States. The follow- 
ing are the clauses relating to this subject: 

" There shall be formed in the said Territory not less than three 
nor more than five States ; and the boundaries of the States, as soon as 
Virginia shall alter her act of cession and consent to the same, shall 
become fixed and established as follows, to wit : The western State 
in the said Territory shall be bounded by the Mississippi, the Ohio, 
and Wabash Rivers; a direct line drawn from the Wabash and Post 
St. Vincent's.^ due north to the Territorial line between the United 
States and Canada; and by the said Territorial line to the-Lake of 
the Woods and Mississippi. 

"The middle State sh.all be bounded by the said direct line; the 
AViibash from Post St. Vincent's to the Ohio; by the Ohio; and by a 
direct line drawn due north from the mouth of the Great Miami to 
the said Territorial line. The eastern State shall be bounded by the 
la.^t-mentioned direct line, the Ohio, Pennsylvania, and the said Ter- 
ritorial line ; Provi/ied, howei-cv, and it is further understood and de- 
clared, that the boundaries of these three States shall be subject so far 
to be altered that if Congress shall hereafter find it expedient they 
shall have authority to form one or two States in that part of the said 
Territory which lies north of an east-and-west line drawn through 
the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan." 

Out of this great area Ohio had been erected into a State 
in 1802, Indiana in 1816, and Illinois in 1818. The or- 
dinance provided that when a Territory contained a popu- 
lation of 60,000, it should upon application be admitted as 
a member of the Union. 

In 1834 the people of Michigan took the preliminary 
steps for admission. The Territorial Legislature, on the 
6th of September in that year, passed an act directing a 
census to be taken. This was carried out, and the returns 
showed a free white population of 87,273. At the session 
of the council in January, 1835, an act was passed author- 



J The foregoing facts regarding Indian treaties have been taken 
from Public Statutes of the United States at Large, — Indian Trea- 
ties, volume vii., in the State Library. 
{j Now Vincennes, Indiana. 



STATE ORGANIZATION. 



69 



izinp; a convention to be held at Detroit, on the second 
Monday of May following, for the purpose of framing a 
State constitution. This convention was composed of 
eighty-nine delegates, who met upon tlie day specified, and 
continued in session until the 24th day of June. 

A constitution was framed and submitted to the people 
in October following, and adopted by a vote of G299 to 
1359. At the same time a full set of State officers and a 
Legislature were elected to act under the constitution. 
Hon. Stevens T. JIason, secretary and acting Governor, was 
chosen Governor of the new Slate. The Legislature met 
on the 2d of November, 1835, and continued in session 
until the 28th of March, 18.36. 

In the mean time occurred the troubles growing out of 
the adju.stment of the boundary question between Ohio 
and Michigan, and familiarly known as " the Toledo War." 

The people of Michigan very justly claimed that the 
line established by the ordinance of 1787 was the boundary, 
while Ohio, finding that it cut off the port of Toledo and 
the mouth of the JIaumee lUver, set up a claim contrary 
to the provisions of the ordinance, and insisted upon run- 
ning the line so as to have it terminate at the north cape of 
Maumee Bay. 

The facts are that when Congress established the line 
" drawn through the southerly bond of Lake Michigan," 
there were no good maps of the Northwest, and it was not 
known how far south Lake Michigan extended. It was 
supposed, however, that the line would pass to the north- 
ward of the mouth of the JIaumcc Iliver. 

The rival claims of the belligerents created great excite- 
ment, and there was imminent danger of a hostile collision. 
The militia was called out in both States, and active 
preparations were made to enforce their respective claims. 
But happily no blood was shed, and the matter was finally 
compromised by an act of Congress passed July 1, 1830, 
admitting Arkansas and Michigan. The act contained the 
following proviso relating to Michigan : 

" This Hct shall not take effect until the State of Jlichignn shall bo 
ailmittcd into the I'nion according to the provisions of the act entitled 
* An Act to establish the northern boundary of the State of Ohio, and 
to jkrovidc for the admission of the Stale of Michigan into the Union 
ou certain conditions.' '* 

These conditions were that the people should recognize 
the boundary as claimed by Ohio, and in the place of the 
territory cut off from the southern portion of the State 
accept, as its equivalent, what is commonly known as the 
upper peninsula. 

An act of the State Legislature* pa.ssed on the 2.5th of 
July, 1836, authorized the election of delegates to meet in 
convention for the purpose of ratifying or rejecting the 
proposition of Congress. The delegates were chosen on 
the 12th of September, and the convention assembled at 
Ann Arbor on the 26th of the same month. The propo- 
sition was rejected, but a large proportion of the people 
were in favor of accepting it ; and, following the dis.so- 
lution of the convention, a second was called in an informal 
manner and assembled, also at Ann Arbor, Dec. 14, 1S36. 



• It 18 n curious fact that from November, 1835, until January, 
1837, Michigan had both a Territorial and State government in full 
operation. 



A resolution was adopted giving the a.sscnt of the State to 
the propositions of Congress, and, though not in accordance 
with the forms of law, it was finally acquiesced in. The 
convention appointed two special mes.sengers to carry a copy 
of their proceedings to Washington. f 

Upon the reception of the proceedings there was con- 
siderable debate in Congress, but a bill of admission was 
finally passed on the 26tli of January, 1837, and the State 
became an accredited member of the Union, though Con- 
gress had tacitly acknowledged the existence of a State 
government since November, 1835. J 

During what was known as the " Patriot War" in 
Canada in 1837-38, there was considerable sympathy mani- 
fested by the people of Michigan. Secret organizations 
called '• Hunter Lodges" were formed in a number of locali- 
ties, and small parties of volunteers crossed the line to as- 
sist the people against the British government, but the 
State militia was called out, and no serious disturbance oc- 
curred. There had been no regular garrison maintained at 
Detroit since 1827, but this outbreak showed the necessity 
of military protection along the frontier, and since that 
date the place has been occupied by a detachment of the 
United States army. 

Michigan furnished during the Mexican war of 184G-47 
one volunteer regiment of infantry, commanded by Col. 
Thomas B. W. Stockton, and one independent company of 
cavalry, recruited at Detroit by Capt. A. T. SIcKeynolds. 
There were also three additional companies recruited in the 
State for the Fifteenth United Stales Regular Infantry, to 
wit: Company A, Capt. Samuel E. Beach, at Pontiac ; 
Company C, Capt. Isaac D. Toll, a prominent citizen of 
St. Joseph County ; and Company G, Capt. Winans, raised 
in Monroe County. § 

When the great Rebellion of 1861 broke out, Michigan, 
in common with her sister States of the North, responded 
enthusiastically to the call for troops, and during the war 
furnished 90,797 men to the Union armies. They served 
in every part of the military and naval departments, — in- 
fantry, cavalry, artillery, engineers, signal corps, national 
war-vessels, river-gunboats, etc., and a Michigan regiment 
had the honor of capturing the arch-traitor Jeff. Davis 
himself at the clo.se of the war. 

The total deaths in the various organizations were over 
13,000 on the field, in hospital, and in the horrible prison- 
pens of the Confederacy, equal to about fifteen per cent, of 
the total. A history and roster of tlie organizations which 
went into the field from Ingham and Eaton Counties will 
be found at the close of the work. 

POPULATKJN. 

The population of the territory now comprising the State 
of Michigan, from the earliest information to the present 
time, has been as follows : 



■f This anomalous convention was sometimes popularly termed the 
" Frost-Bitlen Convention." 

J Wisconsin, comprising the greater port of the territory remaining, 
was admitted as a State May 2!l, 1848. 

J A company of volunteers was also raised by Capt. F. W. Curto- 
nius at Kalamazoo. 



70 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



In 17G0 (estimated), 2500. 

In 179G (estimated), 3000. 

In 1800 (census), 3200. 

In 1810 (census), 47G2. 

In 1820 (census), 8890. 

In 1830 (cen.sus), 31,039. 

In 1834 (census), 87,273. 

In 1840 (census), 212,207. 

In 1850 (census), 397,054. 

In 1854 (State census), 507,521. 

In 1800 (United States census), 749,113. 

In 18G4 (State census), 803,661. 

In 1870 (United States census), 1,184,282. 

In 1874 (State census), 1,334,031. 

In 1880 (United States census), 1,606,000. 

STATE OFFICEKS. 

Under the Comlltiillun of 1835. 

GOVERNORS. 

Stevens T. Mnson, Nov. ?,, 1S:!5, to April 13, 1S38. 

Edward Mundy, Lieutunant-ttovernor and Acting Governor, April 

13 to June 12, 183S, and from Sept. 19 to Dec. 9, 1838. 
WiUiani Woodbridge, Jan. 7, 1840, to Feb. 23, ISJl. 
James Wright Gordon, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor, 

Feb. 24, 1841, to Jan. 3, 1842. 
John S. Barry, Jan. 3, 1842, to .Tan. 5, 184G. 
Alphcus Felch, Jan. 5, 1848, to March 3, 1847. 
AVilliam L. Greenly, Lieutenant-Governor and .\cting Governor, March 

4, 1847, to Jan. 3, 1S48. 
Epaphroditus Ransom, Jan. 3, 1848, to Jan. 7, 1850. 
John S. Barry, Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan. 1, 1852. 

VmUl- the Cumtitiitiuii of 1850. 

Robert McClcllan.I, Jan. 1, 1852. 

Andrew Pursons, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor, March 

8, 1852, to Jan. 3, 1855. 
Kinsley S. Bingham, Jan. 3, 1855. 
Moses Wisner, Jan. 5, 1859. 
Austin Blair, Jan. 2, 1861. 
Henry H. Crapo, Jan. 4, 1865. 
Henry P. Baldwin, Jan. 0, I8G9. 
John J. Bagley, Jan. 1, 1873. 
Charles M. Croswell, Jan. 3, 1877, present Governor. 



LIEUTENANT-GOVERNORS. 

Edward Mundy, Washtenaw County, 1835-39. 
James Wright Gordon, Calhoun County, 1840-41. 
Thomas J. Dralie, Oakland County (Acting), 1841. 
Origcn D. Richardson, Oakland County, 1842-45. 
William L. Greenly, Lenawee County, 1846-47. 
Charles P. Bush, Livingston County (Acting), 1847. 
William M. Fenton, Genesee County, 1843-51. 
Calvin Britain, Berrien County, 1852. 
Andrew Parsons, Shiawassee County, 1853. 
George R. Griswold, Wayne County (Acting), 1853. 
George A. Coe, Branch County, 1855-58. 
Edmund B. Fairfield, Hillsdale County, 1859-61. 
James Birney, Bay County, 1S61. 

Joseph R. Williams, St. Joseph County (Acting), 1861. 
Henry T. Backus, Wayne County (Acting), 1862. 
Charles S. M.ay, Kalamazoo County, 1803-64. 
Ebenezer 0. Grosvcnor, Hillsdale County, 1865-66. 
Dwight May, Kalamazoo County, 1867-68. 
Morgan Bates, Grand Traverse County, 1869-72. 
Heury U. Holt, Muskegon County, 1873-76. 
Alonzo Sessions, Ionia County, 1877-80. 



ME.MBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM EATON COUNTY. 
SENATE. 

James W. Hickok, 1853-54; William Hervey, 1859-60; Smith W. 
Fowler, 1863-64; Albertus L. Green, 1867-68; Homer G. Barber, 
1871-72; Asa K. Warren, 1875-76; Jacob L. McPeek, 1879-80. 

HOUSE OF REPUESENTATIVES. 

Elisha Ely, 1838; Daniel Barber, 1839; Nathan Barber, 1840; John 
M.French, 1842; Whitney Jones, 1844-45; Benjamin Knight, 
1846: Wells R. Martin, 1847; William Hammond, 1848; Wil- 
liam W. Crane, John Montgomery, 1849; Horatio Hall, James 
W. Hickok, 1850; George Jones, 1852; Chester C. Chatfield, 
1854; Henry A. Shaw, 1856; Henry A. Shaw, Seneca H. Gage, 
1858; Chauncey Goodrich, Albertus L.Green, 1860; George Y, 
Cowan, John Dow, 1862; Robert Nixon, Albertus L.Green, 1864; 
William M. Tompkins, Phineas S. Spaulding, 1866; Edmund 
W. Hunt, Almon K. Thompson, 1868; Albertus L. Green (special 
election in Second District, July 19, 1870), 1870; Martin V. 
Montgomery, Rossel B. Hughes, 1870; Henry A. Shaw, Asa K. 
Warren, 1872; David B. Hale, George Iluggett, 1874; Samuel 
Ni.\on, James J. Gould, 1876; Samuel M. Wilkins, Orsamus S. 
Barnes, 1878. 
NoTK. — The counties of Eaton and Barry form the Fifteenth Sena- 
torial District, and the counties of Ingham and Clinton form the Si.\- 
teenth District. Each district is entitled to one member of the Senate. 

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM INGHAAI COUNTY. 
SENATE. 

Ephraim B. Danfovth, 1847-48; Charles P. Bush, 185.5-56 ; Whitney 
Jones, 1859-60 ; Lauren K. Hewett, 1863-64; James Turner, 1867- 
68; Isaac M. Cravath, 1871-72 ; George M. Huntington, 1875- 
76; John S. Tooker, 1879-80. 

HOUSE OF EEPRESENTATIVES. 

AmosE. Steele, 1840; Hiram H. Smith, 1843; George Mathews, 1848; 
Amaziah Winchell, 1850; John S. Grossman, 1851-52; Ferris S. 
Fitch, 1853-54; Peter Linderman, 1857-58; Newton N. Mus- 
catt, 185i'-58; John W. Phelps, 1859-60; Marcus M. Atwood, 
1861-62, 1871-72; Chauncey Goodrich, Hulbert B. Shank, 1861- 
62; Orlando M. Barnes, 1863-64; John D. Woodworth, 1863 to 
1866; Lucion Reed, 1865-66; Daniel L. Grossman, 1867 to 1870;* 
Robert C. Kedzie, 1867-68 ; George P. Sanford, 1869-70; Alvin 
N. Hart, 1871-72; Ira H. Bartholomew, Arnold Walker, 1873-74; 
Samuel L. Kilbourne, William M. Stephens, 1875-76; James M. 
Turner, Stanley W. Turner, 1877-78; Ozro A. Bowen, Henry P. 
Henderson, 1879-SO. 

PRESIDENTS PRO TEM., STATE SENATE. 

Charles P. Bush, Ingham County, 1S47. 
Alvin N. Hart, Ingham County, 1849. 

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 
Henry A. Shaw, Eaton County, 1859. 

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES. 

George M. Huntington, Mason County, Fourth District. 
Frank A. Hooker, Charlotte County, Fifth District. 

CONVENTIONS. 

Tlie first State convention in which the counties of Ing- 
liam and Eaton were directly represented was the Constitu- 
tional Convention which met at Lansing on the 3d of June, 
1850, for the purpose of forming a new State Constitution. 

Tlie delegates from Eaton County in this convention 
were Charles E. Boardsley and John D. Burns. 

From Ingham County they were Charles P. Bu.sh and 
Ephraim B. Danforth. 

* Clerk of the House from 1873 to 1878. 



STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



71 



In the Constitutional Convention of 1867 the members 
from Eaton County were Joseph Musgrave and Milton P. 
Burteh ; from Ingham, Jolin W. Longyear and Lemuel 
AVoodhouse. This proposed revision was rejected by a 
large majority. 

The Constitutional Commission, appointed in 1873 to 
revise the Constitution, was coniposed of eighteen mem- 
bers, of whom Isaac M. Crane was from Eaton County. 
The proposed revision was rejected by an immense ma- 
jority, and the State is still governed by the Constitution 
of 1850. 

The following statistics of IS.^G and 1876 show the 
wonderful growth of the State during forty years : 

ls:!G. 

Population l.Ml.nOO 

Value of agricultural jiroducls $10,0011.1)00 

" " lumlicr $300,000 

Acres of taxable land 1,000,000 

Value of manufactures ?2,.'.00,nilO 

" ■' fish products $100,000 

Number bushels of wbeat 1.000, {100 

oats ]. 000,1100 

" " corn CiilO.llOO 

" " potatoes 2,000,000 

Pounds of wool li)0,0»0 

Number of schools 800 

Value of school properly $500,000 

ISTG.* 

Population l,4lfi,000 

Value of products $3.30,000,000 

Acrca'^eof bind 36,128,640 

Acres taxable 26,530,108 

Value of manufactures $130,000,000 

" " lumber $40,000,000 

" " opper $5,000,000 

" " iron $0,'.I4,><,000 

" " salt $1,200,000 

" " fish taken $ilOO,000 

Number of farms in Slate 113,413 

" " acres in farms 10, 213, (592 

" " " improved 5,540,803 

Value of farm products $90,000,000 

Number bushels of wheat 10,000,000 

•' " corn 21,000,000 

" " oats 10,000,(0)0 

" " potatoes 12,000,000 

Number pounds of wool 8,000,000 

Number of schools 5,787 

" children taught 343,HSl 

Value of school property $9,115,354 

VALUATIOX OF THE TAXABLE PROPERTY OF 
THE STATE FOR A SERIES OF YEARS. 

1838 $43,000,000 

1840 38,(010,000 

1845 29,000,000 

1851 31,000,0(0) 

1856 138,0(01,000 

1861 172,000,000 

1S66 308,000,000 

IS7C 630,000,000 

The variation in values is owing to the difference in the 
basis established at different periods. It might be in 1838 
upon the actual value of property, in 1845 upon fifty per 
cent., and in 1850 and 1876 upon three-fourths, or upon 
the actual cash value, whatever standard was adopted. 
The latest equalized valuation of §630,000,000 in 1876 
probably represents about two-thirds of the real value ; 
to which adding fifty per cent., we have a total of nearly 
$1,000,000,000 as the true valuation of the taxable prop- 
erty of the State. 

The assessments of the various counties in the State are 
equalized by the State Board of Equalization once in five 



* These arc the latest general and official statiitics obtainable. 



years. The latest equalization was in 1><76. The Board 
is made up of the Governor, Auditor-General, Secretary 
of State, State Treasurer, and Commissioner of the State 
Land Office. 



CHAPTER X. 



STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



Tho State Capital— Removal to Lansing— The Now Capitol— Tho 
State Agricultural College — Tho State Reform School for Boys. 

THE STATE CAPITAL. f 

The original constitution of 1835 fixed the State capital 
" at Detroit, or any other place prescribed by law, until the 
year 1847," when it was to be permanently located by the 
Legislature. Detroit being the commercial metropolis of 
the State, and convenient of access, there was no objection 
to its remaining the cajiital for the time specified in the 
constitution. 

Agitation concerning the removal began in the spring of 
1846, in consequence of articles published in the Detroit 
papers severely censuring two members of the Legi-slature 
for their opposition to the granting by the State of some 
special privileges to the Michigan Central Railroad Com- 
pany. The matter was carried so far at Detroit that a 
gang of rowdies finally hung the obnoxious members in 
effigy in the public streets, and the proceedings of the par- 
tisans of the railroad became notorious throughout the 
State. 

One of these members of the Legislature was Hon. Wil- 
liam T. Ilowell, at that time a senator from Hillsdale, later 
of Newaygo County, and since deceased. The animadver- 
sions and dictatorial spirit of the Detroit press and the 
scandalous proceedings of individuals were justly consid- 
ered by the gentlemen aimed at as insults, not only to them- 
selves and the Legislature, but to the whole people of the 
commonwealth. They were men of influence, and them- 
selves and friends thoroughly ventilated the whole matter, 
the result being a strong concentration of public opinion 
a.gainst Detroit as the permanent location of the State cap- 
ital. 

Another occurrence added intensity to this feeling, and 
that was the defeat of Hon. Ejiaphroditus Ransom, of Kal- 
amazoo, for the United States Senate by Hon. Alpheus 
Felch, of Ann Arbor, then Governor of the State. Judge 
Ransom was the favorite candidate of the western coun- 
ties. His defeat was attributed to the political influence of 
Detroit, and the result was that there was soon a decided 
majority in both branches of the Legislature against that 
city. The agitation of the subject of the removal of the 
capital once commenced, public opinion every day grew 
stronger in favor of removal, and the question which natu- 
rally followed was, " Wliere shall it be located?" 

Among those who were prominently instrumental in 
getting the capital located at Lansing were Hon. Charles 
P. Bush and George W. Peck, — the former a member of 
the Senate in 1847, and the latter Speaker of the House. 



f The facts for the following article were principally taken from 
the columns of the Lansing llrpuhlkan of Sept. 26, 1873. 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



They were both residents of Livingston County, and both 
subsequently removed to Lansing. They were strong Dem- 
ocrats, and, as the Legislature was then Democratic by a 
three-fourths majority, they exerted a powerful influence 
in that body. 

Governor Felch, in his annual message, called the atten- 
tion of the Legislature to Section 9 of Article XII. of the 
constitution concerning the permanent location of the State 
capital. On the Gth of January, 1847, George B. Throop, 
of Detroit, a member of the House, introduced a bill to 
establish the State capital at Detroit. The matter was re- 
ferred to a select committee, composed of George B. Throop, 
Harvey Chubb, of Washtenaw County ; Alexander Arzeno, 
of Monroe ; Patrick Marantctte, of St. Joseph ; John D. 
Pierce, of Calhoun ; Enos Goodrich, of Genesee; and Alex- 
ander F. Bell, of Ionia County. 

On the 3d of February following this committee made 
three separate reports. Mr. Throop recommended that the 
seat of government be located in such county as should 
furnish the necessary land and suitable buildings for the 
use of the Legislature and State officers for a term of years, 
and promised that the county of Wayne would enter into 
a contract to furnish the capitol building and ground then 
occupied by the Slate at Detroit, free of expense, upon the 
passage of a bill locating the seat of government in that 
city. 

In a lengthy report, Mr. Throop opposed the permanent 
location of the capital for at least ten years, maintaining 
that the increase of population was so rapid that none of 
the locations which had been named would be satisfactory 
for any considerable length of time. This report was signed 
by Mr. Throop alone. 

The second report was adverse to the location of the 
capital at Detroit. The reasons advanced were the dangers 
of foreign invasion, which the difficulties concerning the 
Oregon boundary just then seemed to make possible, and 
the increased expense of living in Detroit as compared 
with other places. It was claimed that the State officials 
could not live within their salaries in Detroit. The mem- 
bers who signed this report also claimed that the State 
Capitol in Detroit would sell for nearly enough, when added 
to the proceeds of the State building lands, to erect a cap- 
itol sufficient for the needs of a generation. They .scouted 
the idea of expending §200,000 as a dream of 1S36. Tiie 
second report was signed by Messrs. Pierce and Marantette. 
The third report, and the one, as results proved, which 
had the greatest influence with the Legislature, was signed 
by Enos Goodrich, of Genesee County, who advocated the 
permanent location of the capital at some point north of 
the Central Railroad, and declared himself in favor of im- 
mediate action. He rea.soned that such a course would 
result in a rapid settlement of the wild land of the State, 
tliereby replenishing the treasury and adding greatly to the 
population. He referred to the location of the capital of 
Ohio in a wilderness as a most wi.se action, which had de- 
veloped the central portion of that great commonwealth and 
cemented all sections harmoniously together. 

The following propositions were considered by tlie com- 
mittee : 

The board of supervisors of Calhoun County had passed 



resolutions offering suitable buildings at Marshall, during 
the time required to erect new ones, and ample grounds, 
free of expense, upon which to erect the permanent build- 
ings for the State government. 

James Seymour, at that time a resident of Flushing, in 
Genesee County, but who owned a large tract of land and 
had erected a saw-mill at Lansing, also made a very liberal 
offer. Early in the session he had purcha.sed a large num- 
ber of farmers' maps of Michigan, from which he drew red 
conspicuous lines from Lansing (or Michigan) to most of 
the important towns of the State, and marked the distance 
on each line from Lansing to the place connected. A copy 
of this map he caused to be placed on the desk of each 
member of the Legislature. A glance showed that Lansing 
was from forty to seventy miles " from anywhere ;" but, at 
the same time, it also made apparent the fact that it was 
quite centrally located relatively to many of the more im- 
portant towns of the State, as Detroit, Grand Rapids, 
Jackson, Saginaw, Kalamazoo, etc. He offered to donate 
twenty acres on section 9 of the township of Lansing, to 
erect buildings equal to those occupied at Detroit, and to 
give bonds in $10,000 for the fulfillment of his obligations. 

A large number of towns competed for the location. 
Among them we find the names of Auu Arbor, Albion, 
Battle Creek, Byron, Charlotte, Corunna, Caledonia, De- 
troit, De Witt, Dexter, Eaton Rapids, Flint, Grand Blanc, 
Ingham,* Jackson, Lyons, Marshall, and Owosso. 

The House at that time consisted of .sixty-five members, 
and there was a full attendance at the session of 1817' 
After much discussion the matter was brought to a vote on 
the 11th of February, the question being on a choice of 
location ; twelve localities were considered, with the follow- 
ing result : 

Yens. Kays. 

Ann Arbor 18 4-t 

Albion 27 U 

Battle Creek 23 38 

Byron 27 31 

Corunna 17 44 

Detroit 18 43 

De.\ter 17 44 . 

Eaton Rapids 27 34 

Grand Blanc 23 35 

Jackson 27 31 

Lyons 30 28 

Marshall 211 32 

The vote on Lyons was reconsidered, and finally Lansing 
was chosen by the following vote : 

Yenn, 35.— John Adams, of Lenawee; Alex. F. Boll, of Ionia; 
Calvin Brit.ain, of Berrien ; Alvarado Brown, of Branch ; Lintsford B. 
Coates, of Allegan ; Jonathan H. Culver, of Branch ; Oliver P. Davison, 
of Oakland; Daniel H. Doming, of Lenawee; Alfred L. Driggs, of 
St. Joseph ; Evert B. Dyckman, of Kalamazoo ; Thomas J. Faxon, of 
Lenawee; Enos Goodrich, of Genesee ; Henry A. Goodyear, of Barry ; 
Silas G. Harris, of Ottawa ; Philotus Haydon, of Van Buren ; Charles 
A. Hob.ard, of Lapeer; Daniel B. Harrington, of St. Clair; H. S. Hol- 
lister, of Jackson; Ira Jennings, of Livingston; David Johnson, of 
Jackson; Loss E. Jones, of Jackson ; Sullivan R. Kelsey, of Shiawas- 
see ; Joseph H. Kilbourne, of Ingham ; Benj.nmin Knight, of Eaton ; 
Peter D. Mackley, of Oakland ; Thomas McG raw, of Oakland ; Albert 
Miller, of Saginaw; Horace Mower, of Kalamazoo; David A. Noble, 
of Monroe; Charles M. O'Malley, of Mackinac; Darius Pierce, of 
AVashtonaw; Charles H. Taylor, of Kent; Aaron B. Truesdell, of 
AVashtenaw; William W. Upton, of Clinton; George W. Peck 
(Speaker), of Livingston. 

'--■> Ingham City was the first county-seat of Ingham County. There 
was a village laid out there, but it was never built up. 



STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



73 



Naijn, 27. — Alex. M. Arzcno, of Monroe; llichard P. Parker, of 
Berrien; Harvey Chubb, of Washtenaw; Lewis Darrah, of Monroe j 
Eb. C. Eaton, of Wayne ; James M. Edmunds, of Washtenaw; George 
W. Fcrringlon. of Wayne; Henry Frnlick, of Wayne ; James L. tilcn, 
of Cass; Alfred Ooodell, of Macomb; Justus Goodwin, of Calhoun ; 
D. Kinnc, of Hillsdale; Thomas N. Loomis, of Oakland; Patrick 
Marantetle, of St. Joseph ; James McFarlan, of Wayne ; George W. 
Moore, of Wayne; John D. Pierce, of Calhoun ; Lyman B. Price, of 
Macomb; George Uenwick, of Washtenaw ; Jesse Sceley, of Oakland; 
£li:'ha G. Seymour, of Chi]ifiewa; James Shaw, of Cass; Jacob 
Shook, of Macomb ; Henry W. Taylor, of Calhoun ; George B. Throo|i, 
of Wayne; Zucbariah Van Uuser, of Hillsdale; Sylvester Walker, of 
Lenaweo. 

The bill was engrossed and ordered to a third reading by 
a vote of forty to tweuty-four, and a reconsideration was 
refused. A motion to recommit and substitute Marshall 
for Lansing was lost by twenty-one to forty-four, — every 
member voting. A similar motion in regard to Jackson 
was lost by twenty-three to forty-one, and on the final read- 
ing the bill was passed by the decisive vote of forty-eight 
to seventeen, every member voting. 

A supplementary bill containing the following provisions 
was also passed : 

" That this act shall take effect the first day of December ne.xt. 

''That the government cause suitable offices to be provided at the 
seat of government for the Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, 
and .Auditor-General before the day on which the act shall take elfect. 

'• That the books and all other property necessary in the respective 
offices aforesaid be removed to the seat of government by the said 
first day of December, and that the offices be opened there on tho 
second day of December next. 

" That the Governor also cause a suitable room to be prepared for 
the State Library, and the library to be removed to the seat of gov- 
ernmcut by the first day of January, 1S4S. 

" That the Governor also cause suitable rooms to be prepared for tho 
next session of the Legislature at the seat of government, and cause 
them 10 be furnished in a suitable manner, either by removing the 
furniture of the present Capitol, or otherwise, as he may think best 
and most couvenietit, before the first Monday of January, 1848." 

When the matter came before the Senate there was no 
special committee appointed for its consideration, but the 
offer of Mr. James Seymour received favorable discussion, 
though it was not finally accepted. 

The House bill was sent to the Senate on the loth of 
February, and referred to the committee on State affairs. 
This committee consisted of William M. Fenton, of Gene- 
see ; A. T. Mcllcynolds, of Wayne ; Nathaniel Balch, of 
Kalamazoo; Samuel Denton, of Washtenaw; and E. B. 
Danforth, of Ingham. 

On the 6th of March the following vote was taken, the 
Senate consisting of twenty-two members, of whom one, 
Hon. Elijah B. Wetherbee, of Flint, had died on the 20th 
day of February, previously. 

Y«is. Nays. 

Caledonia 9 12 

Detroit City 7 14 

Ann Arbor 7 14 

Do Wilt y 12 

Marshall 12 it 

This last was reconsidered and rejected by a vote of ten 
yeas, eleven nays. 

Vi-a». NuyM. 

Corunna y 12 

Flint 8 ]:i 

Lansing (first trial) i 111 

Dexter 10 11 

Eaton Unpids 'J 12 

Detroit 10 11 

Jackson 14 7 

10 



The last reconsidered and rejected. 

Vens. Niiya. 

Ingham 8 l:t 

Albion 8 i:l 

Lyons 14 7 

The last reconsidered and rejected. 

On the 9th of March, after numerous efforts to amend, 
recommit, etc., the House bill was passed by a vote of 
twelve to eight, as follows : 

)V«.— Nathaniel A. Balch, of Kalamazoo ; C. P. Bush, of Livings- 
ton ; John P. Cook, of Hillsdale; E. B. Danforth, of Ingham; Sam- 
uel Denton, of Washtenaw ; H. P. Eldridge, of Macomb; J. B. Fitz- 
gerald, of Berrien; Rufus Kihbc, of Lenaweo; Loren Maynard, of 
Calhoun; Kix Robinson, of Kent; Gel Uix, of St. Clair; Jcfl'erson 
G. Thurber. of Monroe. 

Xay. — John Allen, of Washtenaw; George A. Coc, of Branch; 
Wm. M. Fenton, of Genesee ; S. M. Green, of Oakland ; H. B. Lath- 
rop, of Jackson ; A. T. McReynolds, John E. Schwarz, of Wayne; 
Isaac D. Toll, of St. Joseph. 

In the Senate quite an effort was made to give the new 
State capital a fancy or high-sounding name. Among 
others, the following were proposed : Aloda, Franklin, Ful- 
ton, Washington, Tyler, Wright, La Fayette, and Cass. 
The name MlcillGA-V was finally adopted, and this was the 
reason why the original town-plat bore that name on the 
records and earlier maps. It was called the " Town of 
Michigan" and included only the original village, which 
has since grown into the flourishing city of Lansing. 

The law under which the capital was removed (No. 60, 
Session Laws of 1847) roads as follows: 

" The seat of government of the State shall be the town- 
ship of Lansing, in the county of Ingham." If " brevity 
is the soul of wit," then the Michigan Legislature of 1847 
was the most witty of any that ever assembled. It would 
be well if all law-making bodies were as sensible and as 
witty. 

The act was approved by William L. Greenly, acting 
Governor, on the 16th of March, 1847. Governor Felch 
had resigned to take his seat in the United States Senate, 
and the lieutenant-governor became acting Governor. 

Act No. 65 of that session provided for the appointment 
of three commissioners by the Governor " to select and 
designate a suitable and eligible site in this township, con- 
taining not less than twenty acres of land, on which to 
erect the Capitol and other State buildings, and procure 
conveyance of the same, free of all incumbrances, and 
cause the same to be recorded in Ingham County." 

The sum of §10,000 was appropriated for the erection 
of temporary buildings, for the use of the Legislature and 
State officers, to be completed by Dec. 25, 1847, and 
§1000 for the removal of the books, papers, maps, and 
archives of the State, and furniture for the several offices 
at the capital. The commissioners were required to take 
an oath that they were " not directly interested, and wouli} 
not be so while in office, in any lands or land speculations 
in the counties of Ingham, Eaton, Ionia, or Clinton groWT 
ing out of or connected with the State capital." 

The commissioners appointed to locate the Capitol were 
James L. Glen, David Smart, and Alon?o ferris. JJr. 
Glen was acting commissioner, and the ground selected WifS 
a part of the school section (16), and the " town of Michi- 
gan" was laid out around it. The reservation for tlie use 



74 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



of the State covered about thirty acres, Ijing along the 
west side of Grand Kiver, and included the present Capitol 
grounds, the old State-House square, and some of the jirin- 
cipal business blocks on Michigan and Washington Ave- 
nues, namely, 99, 100, 101, 110, 111, 112.* 

The land upon which the Capitol and other State build- 
ings were located was a part of the public school land, and 
the Legislature did a wise thing when it rejected all oflers 
and resolved to select it as the site of the permanent Capitol 
of the commonwealth."}" 

lu order to do justice to all, and especially to the school 
fund, three commi-ssioners were appointed by Hon. Abiel 
Silver, then commissioner of the State Land-Office, to 
appraise the land. These were John M. French, Kicbard 
Ferris, and Joseph L. Huntington, who personally exam- 
ined every lot and fixed its value according to their best 
judgment, and this proceeding was very advantageous to 
the school fui.d. 

In this connection the following letter from Hon. Abiel 
Silver, published in the Detroit Post and Tribune of Jan. 
18, 1879, which we copy from the Lansing Republican of 
Jan. 21, 1879, will be of interest. It was written when 
the judge was nearly eighty-two years of age: 

"Though a citizen of Boston Highlands (Mass.), I have not lost 
my interest in the pros|ieiity of Michigan, where I had an active 
business life from ISaO to ISoO. And especially am I gratified in the 
success of Liinsing, and the benefit to the common schools of Michi- 
gan arising from the location of the Capitol in the centre of section 
10. 

*'This section, a mile square, being near the centre of the township, 
with the Capitol in the centre of the section, afforded a fine oppor- 
tunity to make that section quite valuable, and having by law the 
sole charge of that section as commissioner of the" State Land-Ofiice, 
it was the summit of my ambition to have the stake for the Capitol 
stuck in the centre of that section. And by my influence, much more 
than that of any other man, the stake was there stuck. { 

" When the commissioners for selecting the location reached Lan- 
sing they found me there. I had been there a week; had been over 
the township, and found section 16 as eligible as any other point in 
the whole township of thirty-six square miles. I therefore led the 
commissioners to the centre of section 16, and did not leave them 

"^" These numbers are from the records of the State Land Department. 
They are not correctly stated in the session laws, except in one place. 

t The following is the section of the act passed by the Legislature, 
and approved April 1, ISIS, authorizing the transfer of the lands in- 
cluded in the leservation for State institutions and other purposes: 

•* Section 2. For the purpose of making a purchase and procuring 
a conveyance to the State of thirty acres of land for the use and 
benefit thereof, as selected by the acting commissioner to locate the 
Capitol, and described upon the plat of the town of Michigan as 
blocks Kos. 99, 100, 101, 110, HI, 112, and 249, the State treasurer is 
hereby authorized, out of any moneys in the treasury belonging to 
the State building fund not otherwise appropriated, to pay to the 
commissioner of the State Land-Office the sum of one dollar to the 
credit of the primary school princi|jal fund, and the said commissioner 
is hereby required upon the receipt of said sum to issue to the State 
jn the name of the State treasurer a certificate of purchase of said 
lands, and upon the receipt of said certificate the Governor shall 
make to the State a patent for said lands, and cause the same to be 
recorded by the county register and th,ereaf-ter filed in the office of 
the Secretary of State." 

J The north-and-soulh centre-line of section 16 is the west line of 
Washington Avenue, and tho centre-post of the section is in the 
centre of Michigan Avenue, at the intersection of Washington Avenue 
and on the west line of the latter. If the stake denoting the site of 
the Capitol was ever stuck there, it was afterwards removed about fifty 
rods to the west. The old Capitol stands about forty rods southwest 
by south from the centre of section 16, 



until, after thorough examination and faithful deliberation, the stake 
was stuck in the right place. 

'*Then, by the law governing and directing the action of the com- 
missioner of the State Land-Ofiice, the section was under my control. 
The law authorized the commissioner to lay out villiige or town lots 
on any of the State lands under his charge, and have tho lots ap- 
praised and offered for sale whenever he believed it would be for the 
interest of the State to do so. Therefore, I had the entire mile square 
laid out into streets and lots, selecting my appraisers, and had a value 
fixed on every lot, and off'ered them for sale with my own mouth at 
public auction, at the appraised value, or whatever more might be 
bid. I had a plat of tho town nicely drawn in my office, handsomely 
lithographed, and recorded. A stone was planted a foot below tho 
surface of the ground at the centre of crossing of the two main 
avenues, with an on the top, as the fixed point for determining 
the exact location of every lot. That starting-point established, and 
the variation of the compass recorded, settled all disputes as to 
corners. 

" I withheld the section from sale from my own judgment, whilo 
the subject of the location was in agitation in the Legislature. The 
moment Lansing was mentioned I reserved the sale and refused every 
applicant.^ 

" Somebody was kind enough to send me a number of your issue of 
the first instant, which I was glad to see, and felt disposed to add a 
little to the history of Lansing at its birtli, more than thirty years 

In the Lansing Jiejiublican of Sept. 26, 1873, we find 
the following statement by Governor Felch of the manner 
in which the valuable school section in Lansing was saved 
to the public school fund of the State : 

"In the Legislature of 1S47 the question of removing the State 
capital from Detroit was agitated early in the session. Several towns 
on the Central Railroad were talked of for its future location. When 
it was first suggested that a location should be selected farther north, 
and in a portion of the State then little more than a wilderness, tho 
proi)osition struck most persons as almost ridiculous. But, as tho 
question continued to be agitated, this proposition continually gained 
strength. Some imprudent remarks of one or more of the represen- 
tatives from Wayne Count}' added to the zeal of those who desired 
to remove the seat of government from Detroit, and ended in effect- 
ing it. 

"At length Lansing was spoken of as a central and proper plaeo 
for the new location. Nobody knew anylhiug of Lansing. Every- 
body asked, 'What and where is Lansing?' The answer told little 
more than that it boasted of one or two dwelling-houses in the midst 
of a forest region, and one saw-mill, propelled by the waters of Grand 
River. The proprietor of the little hamlet, it was said, was there 
urging the claims of his obscure, moline]] location to the dignity of 
the State capital. 

"After the project had obtained so much strength as to render its 
success quite probable, it was told me that certain persons who were 
urging the project had their eyes upon the school section of land 
which adjoined the proposed location, and which still remained unsold. 

"As yet nothing had been publicly said of the school section in 
connection with the project. It now seemed that if the proposed 
location of Lansing should be made, the school section would become 
very valuable, and the purchaser of it would secure a fortune. With- 
out this to increase its value it was not deemed worth the purchase, 
even at the low price demanded ($4 per acre), and on the long credit 
given upon the sale of the school lands. ^ 

"At length I became satisfied that there were persons watching the 
progress of things in the Legislature, and who now regarded the 
prospect of success as so favorable that they had concluded to make 
a purchase of the land. It was manifest that in all human proba- 
bility this portion of the domain given for public schools would event- 

^ There is a considerable discrepancy between this statement of 
Judge Silver and the one by Ex-Governor Feleh, farther on. The 
reader must reconcile it according to his judgment. 

II We presume the Governor derives this word from the Latin mo- 
Ihiii, a mill. 

% The price of the primary school lands was fixed by the Slate at 
I four dollars per acre. 



STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



75 



ually become very valuable, and I resolved, if possible, to secure the 
benefit of its iocreiisod value to our great educational fund. 

" Tbe State Land-Office was then kept at AIa^^^baII, .Judge Silver 
being land commissioner. The school lands were open for sale at 
bis office, but tbe Qovornor had tbo right, in his discretion, to with- 
draw any specified portion of the lands from sale. I thought it my 
duty to exercise the right in this instance. Accordingly, I caused an 
order to that effect to be forwarded to the commissioner by mail. The 
mail traiu left Detroit in the morning, and (be regular time of its 
arrival at Marshall was about the middle of the afternoon. As I 
afterwards learned, the parties above referred to sent an agent the 
same morning to make a purchase of (he land. Tbo agent and the 
mail containing tbe order withdrawing the land from sale went by 
the same train. But it so hap]iened that the train was delayed by an 
accident at Marengo, and did not ariive at Marshall until some time 
in tbo evening. The land-office was of course closed, but Judge 
Silver's mail was tnken to his residence that evening, and among 
other letters was the one inclo.^ing tbe order. 

"In the morning the purchasing agent was waiting at the office 
door when the commissioner arrived for his daily duties. The agent 
entered with him and made immediate application for the purchase 
of the land. To bis great surprise bo was informed that it was not 
subject to sale. And his disappointment was not diminished when 
he learned that the same train upon which he came for tbe purpose of 
making the purchase brought the order withdrawing the land from 
market. 

"If no accident to the train bad happened the agent would have 
completed his purchase within tbe regular office hours, and before the 
mail could have been distributed and tbe order received by the com- 
missioner. 

"This little accident saved to our noble common school fund the 
great benefit which it has since derived from the section of laud now 
graced with the Capitol of our Peninsular State."* 

Hon. Alfred Miller, of Saginaw, member of the House in 
1847, who voted and worked for the location of the capital 
at Lansing, in writing for the East Saginaw Courier, makes 
the following remarks touching the removal of the capital : 

"The writer was a member of the Legislature for Saginaw County 
for the year 1SJ7, and, from the beginning, was a strong advocate for 
the location of the capital at Lansing, — first, because he wished some 
measure adopted by which the peoi)le on the line and south of tbo 
Central Kailroad could come to tbe knowledge of the fact, that tbe 
country in Alichigan north of the tier of counties through which tbo 
road passed was other than tbe hyperborean region, unfit for cultiva- 
tion, that they at that lime believed it to be; and, secondly, it was 
believed that if the capital was located at Lansing a direct couiniuni- 
cation would be opened to Saginaw, and a large amount of trade 
brought to this vicinity from the rich farming country which would 
speedily be developed by adopting that measure. 

" After the subject had been discussed in private circles, the location 
of Lansing had many advocates. All the northern members, both east 
and west of the meridian line, were in favor of it; and when tbo 
matter came up for discussion in tbe committee of tbe whole, the 
Dames of all the places were recited which had been proposed by 
members of the committee to fill the blanks till the name of Lansing 
was inserted, when, a majority voting for it, tbe bill for tbe location 
of the capital was reported to the House by the chairman of tbe com- 
mittee, recommending Lansing .as the point; and tbe House confirmed 
the action of tbo committee. The bill was passed and sent to the 
Senate. 

"When the bill came up for final action in tbe House, tbe whole of 
the Wayne County delegation voted for it, supj)Osing that if tbe meas- 
ure was carried io tbe House the Senate would reject it, and thereby 
defeat the location at that session, and (bat tbe cajiital would then 
remain permanently at Dctroit.f 



* The statement of Governor Felch, though not agreeing with that of 
Judge Silver, would seem to be conclusive touching the disposition 
of the school section. The total sum realized by tbe school fund as 
proceeds of section No. 16, not including interest, according (o (he 
records of the State Land Department, has been $1)3,731.66. 

t This last statement does not seem to agree with the recorded vote 
on tbe question, the Wayne County names appearing in the negative. 



" No point on the Central Railroad could get a majority, for tbo 
reason that when a location was proposed all the advocates for rival 
locations at other points on the lino of that road would vote against 
it. But no one was jealous of Lansing, for, at that time, it had but 
two or three log houses and one s^iw-initl. 

" The advocates of the removal from Detroit believed they had the 
majority of tbe Legislature on their side, and that they would effect 
their object; while those opposed to its removal believed that no point 
could be selected that would command tbo vote of a majority in each 
House. But after the bill bad passed tbe House, and was in (he bands 
of the .Senate to confirm or reject, (he cxcKcuient became very great. 
There was a heavy requisition on livery-slablcs, and there were many 
explorers of the wilderness in the vicinity of the saw-mill at Lansing. 
There were parties looking after the interests of the State, as well as 
private speculations. The former ascertained that the most eligible loca- 
tion was on the school section, which was the property of the State. 

" Many applications were made by individuals for the purchase of 
that school section, but it was withheld from sale, and the Capitol 
finally located on it, which proved of great pecuniary advantage to 
the State." 

The inconveniences resulting from the removal of the 
seat of government from a fine, well-built city to a wilder- 
ness were many and serious, but there seems never to have 
been any great amount of dissatisfaction expressed. A few 
sorely disappointed individuals vented their indignation from 
time to time, but the only result was to bring a smile to the 
faces of the great mxss of the people ; and at length the 
last murmur of di.ssent died away without having created a 
perceptible ripple upon the current of popular feeling. The 
temporary inconveniences at the new location were sub- 
mitted to with good grace by legislators and State officials, 
all seeming to be looking forward to a time in the near 
future when the appliances of civilization should make the 
State capital a comfortable place of residence and a city 
which the people of the Commonwealth should delight to 
honor. That time has come even sooner than the most san- 
guine anticipated, and to-day the capital of the wealthy, 
prosperous, and populous State of Michigan has a reputation 
throughout the land second to none, as a beautilul, ener- 
getic, and thriving city, soon to become one of the princi- 
pal business centres of the State. 

As evidence that the people of Michigan are entirely 
satisfied with the location of their State Capitol, it may be 
proper to state that the article in the " Revised Constitu- 
tion " of 1850, entitled "Seat of Government," which con- 
tinued the location of the same at Lansing, was adopted 
in the Convention by a vote of eighty to nothing, and the 
Convention of 18G7 ratified this action by a vote of seventy- 
nine to nothing. There is every evidence that the people 
are entirely suited with the location, and the building of 
the new Capitol a.ssurcs its permanency. It will probably 
for centuries continue to be near the centre of population 
in the lower peninsula, and the time may come when the 
upper peninsula will desire to set up a State governiucnt by 
itself. 

There were other and powerful influences undoubtedly 
brought to bear upon the (pest ion of the removal of the 
State Capitol. The late James Turner, of Lansing, was 
wont to say that the Seymours and Townsends, of New 
York, threw a very heavy weight into the scale in favor 
of Lansing. They had employed a gentleman of Kala- 
mazoo County, a good judge of land, to examine the un- 
sold lands in the State and make investments for them, 



7G 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



they paying liini for liis services and giving hiiu a certain 
share in the investments. Previous to the agitation in 
reference to tlie removal of the Capitol he had located 
lands for the Townscnds to the south of section 16, in Lan- 
sing township, and to the north of the same for the Sey- 
mours. In 1846 he wrote these parties that he believed 
the capital would be removed to the vicinity of their lands, 
and said he would not sell his interest in them for $20,000. 
They immediately came to Detroit, where the Legislature 
was then holding its sessions, and exerted all the influence 
which they could safely bring to bear upon the subject. 
Mr. Turner always believed that but for their influence 
the capital would have been located at some other point.* 

A BKIEF IIISTOKY OF THE VAKIOUS STATE 
CAI'ITUL BUILDINGS. 

The first building erected for legislative purposes in 
Michigan was built in 1823 by the United States govern- 
ment at Detroit, for the District Court of the United States 
and the Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan. 

Its dimensions on the ground were ninety by sixty feet, 
and it was surmounted by a tower, or belIVy, 140 feet in 
height from the ground. The building was constructed of 
brick, and had a fine portico in the Ionic order on its front 
with six lofty columns. 

The corner-stone of this building was laid with Ma.soiiic 
ceremonies on the 22d of September, 1823. After the re- 
moval of the capital to Lansing, the old Capitol was con- 
verted into a school-building and has been used for school 
purposes since. It is now occupied by the high school of 
the city. 

In 1870 the Board of Education, in making some altera- 
tions, had occasion to remove the corner-stone, and the box 
which had been deposited therein was presented to the 
State during the session of the Legislature of 1861. The 
most of its contents were deposited in the corner-stone of 
the new Capitol, Oct. 2, 1873. 

The Legislature of 1847, by an act approved on the 16th 
of March, ordered the erection of a temporary building for 
the use of the Legislature at Lansing. 

A frame building was accordingly constructed and made 
ready for use in the fall of the same year on block No. 115. 
It was two stories in height and about sixty by one hundred 
feet in dimensions, and was surmounted by a plain belfry 
or cupola. In 1865 an addition of sixteen feet was made 
to the south end. The amounts expended in the erection 
of this edifice, according to the books of the State auditor, 
were as follows : 

Original cost of building, including commissioners' pay 

and c.\|iensi'S, 1847-49 S17,SCS.40 

Appi-o|ii-iations of 1865 and 1807 for enlargement and 

luruiture 8,083.55 

Total $25,!)o2.Ult 

The structure was in use for State purposes from Janu- 
ary, 1848, to the completion and dedication of the new 

* Among those who rendered valuable services in securing the loca- 
tion at Lansing were Charles P. Bush, George W. Peck, and Joseph 
H. Kilbourne. 

t The cost of the old Capitol, as commonly given, w.as $22,5i;i.a2. 
The difference is probably the cost uf furniture. Neither statement 
includes ordinary repairs. 



Capitol in January, 1879. From the latter date to October, 
1879, it was rented for various purposes, — offices, dwell- 
ings, etc. In September, 1879, the lots in the block were 
advertised by the Board of Slate Auditors for sale. The 
west half of the block was divided into six large lots, and 
the east half into regular business lots, fronting twenty-two 
feet each on Washington Avenue. No bids being received 
the board proceeded to fix a price upon each lot, and turned 
the whole property over to the commissioner of the State 
Land-Office for him to dispose of 

In October, 1879, lots Nos. 11 and 12, occupying the 
northwest corner of the block, with the dwelling tliereon, 
were sold to BIr. B. E. Brown for the aggregate sum of 
$4000 ; and about the same time lots Nos. 9 and 10, on 
which the old Capitol was located, were disposed of to Mr. 
Myron Green for the total sum of §3500, — being $1500 
each for the lots and $500 for the building. 

In 1853, the Legislature, by an act approved February 
14th, provided for the erection of " A fireproof building for 
the State offices," upon block No. 249, known as Capitol 
Square, and made an appropriation of $10,000 for its 
construction. The building was erected at a total cost of 
$15,562. After being in use for about ten years it was 
found too small for the purposes for wliich it had been 
erected, and in JIarch, 1863, the Legislature made an ap- 
propriation for its enlargement. An addition was accord- 
ingly made upon the west side at a cyst of $6482, making 
its total cost $22,044. 

THE NEW CAPITOL.J 

The changes of a score of years made it apparent that 
the State would .soon require a building for the uses of the 
Legislature and the accommodation of the various depart- 
ments of the State government of more imposing dimen- 
sions, — something corresponding to its population and im- 
portance, and in keeping with the dignity of a great 
commonwealth. 

The matter was brought before the Legislature by Gov- 
ernor Henry P. Baldwin in his annual message to that 
body on the 4th of January, 1871, calling attention to 
the necessity of a new Capitol, from which we make a brief 
extract : 

" The present State-house was built nearly twenty-five years ago, 
when the State was comparatively new, with a population about one- 
fourth as large as at the present time, and with about one-twelfth of 
the present taxable valuation. 

. . . "The present and growing incapacity of the State buildings, 
the insecurity from fire of the public records and library, — a calam- 
ity likely to result in irreparable loss, — and the requirement of sev- 
eral years' time to complete the building sufBcicutly for occupation, 
are, in my judgment, adequate reasons why immediate action should 
be taken to erect a new State-House, with capacity sufficient for the 
projier accommodation of the Legislature and all of the State depart- 
ments, and commensurate with the present and prospective wants of 
the State." 

The recommendation of the Governor resulted in the 
passage of an act which was approved on the 31st of March, 
1871, providing " for the erection of a new State Capitol, 
and a building for the temporary use of the State officers." 
The act also provided for the appointment by the Governor 



J This article is mostly compiled from a pamphlet by Allen L. Dour, 
Esq., superintendent of the Capitol and grounds. 



STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



of three suitable persons, to be known as the " Board of 
State Buildinp; Coniiuissioners," the Governor to be cx- 
officlo chairman of the board. The persons appointed a.s 
members of tliis board were Kbenezer 0. Grosvcnor, of 
Jonesville ; James Shearer, of Hay City ; and Alexander 
Chapoton, of Detroit. Mr. Allen li. Boui-s, of Lansing, 
was appointed secretary. 

It was made the duty of this board to superintend the 
erection of a buildinL' for the temporary use of the State of- 
fices, as the fireproof building erected in 1853 occupied 
the centre of the ground reserved for the new Capitol and 
had to be removed. The Legislature appropriated for the 
erection of the temporary ofiBees the sum of §30,1)110. A 
contract for the building was entered into on the 5th day 
of June, and it was completed and accepted in November 
following. It was occupied in December. Its total cost, 
including heating apparatus, was S30,G93.94. It was 
erected on the northeast corner of the old Capitol Block, 
and so designed as to be adapted for business purposes 
when the State offices were removed to the new Capitol. 
The lower story is now occupied by business firms, and the 
upper rooms for dwellings. It is three stories in height, 
and about seventy-tive by one hundred feet in dimensions. 
Material, white brick. 

The commissioners advertised for designs for the new 
Capitol, and in response no less than twenty sets of draw- 
ings were received on the 28th of December, 1871. A 
careful and thorough examination, continuing for nearly a 
month, was made of these competing designs, and the 
board finally selected the one by Elijah E. Myers, an archi- 
tect of Springfield, 111., as the one most appropriate, and 
approaching nearest to the contemplated cost of the new 
building, and a contract was entered into with Mr. 3Iyers 
to act as architect and general superintendent of the work. 
He thereupon removed his residence to Detroit and entered 
upon the duties of his position. On the 15th of July, 
1872, the board entered into a contract with Messrs. Nelie- 
miah Osburn & Co., of Rochester, N. Y., and Detroit, Mich., 
for the construction of the building, the contract price 
agreed upon being Sl,144,0i7.20. The Legislature at an 
extra session in March, 1872, appropriated the sum of 
§1,200,000, to which the total cost, including all incidental 
expen.ses, was limited. 

Mdlcridh. — The concrete upon which all the walls are 
laid is composed of limestone* from Bellevue, Eaton Co., 
Mich., broken with a " Blake Crusher" to egg size, and 
mixed in proper proportion with Louisville cement, coarse 
sand, and water. The footing-stones are of Lemont, 111., 
limestone. The superstructure is of Amherst, Ohio, sand- 
stone ; the first b:ise-course, outside steps, and landings, and 
steps to boiler-rooms, of Joliet, 111., limestone ;j the corner- 
stone of Massachusetts granite ;\ and the floors of vaults 
and flagging on the grounds, of Euclid, Ohio, freestone. 
The bricks for interior walls, floor-arches, etc., of which 
fifteen millions were used in the building, were manufac- 
tured in Lansing. The corridors of first, second, and third 
stories are tiled with Vermont marble. All the beams, 



* Carboniferous limeatunc of Michigan. 

f Sometimes called Illinois or Athens marble. 

X From Ciipe Ann, on Miissachuectts Day. 



girders, interior columns, roof-trusses, and stairways are of 
iron ; the covering of dome, soffits under landings of grand 
stairways, and ceilings of legislative halls arc of galvan- 
ized iron ; the roof is covered with very superior tin, manu- 
factured expressly for it in AValcs. The windows of the 
three principal stories and basement are glazed with the 
best quality of English plate-ghuss ; the panels in the ceil- 
ings of the House and Senate chambers are of the same 
quality of glass, embossed ; the skylights over the legis- 
lative halls are of American hammered glas.s, three-fourths 
of an inch thick. § 

Ground was broken for the building in the summer of 
1872" the corner-stone was laid with imposing Ma.sonic 
ceremonies by the Grand blaster of the Grand Lodge of 
Michigan, Oct. 2, 1872, and the work steadily progressed 
to completion, on the 2Gth of September, 1878, when the 
building was accepted by the commissioners and a final set- 
tlement made with the contractors. 

In 1875, in addition to the appropriation made in 1872, 
the Legislature appropriated for steam-heating and ventila- 
tion, §70,000 ; for changes in the construction of the roof, 
the steps to porticos, and interior finish, 830,000 ; for con- 
structing the main cornice and balustrade of stone, instead 
of galvanized iron, as at first intended, S65,000. 

In 1877 further appropriations were made as follows : 

For electrician work and other improvements, 825,000 ; 
for improvement of grounds and furnishing the legislative 
halls, library, etc., 810,000 ; and for completing the furnish- 
ing of the building the additional sum of 875,000; making 
the total appropriations to May 21, 1877, 81,505,000. 

Dcscriplionof the BulhUiigW — The new Capitol is located 
in the centre of block No. 249, or Capitol Square, the main 
front facing the east and Michigan Avenue. The block 
has a frontage on Capitol Avenue of GGO feet from north to 
south, and a depth of 7421 feet from east to west, giving 
a superficial area of 490,050 square feet, or exactly eleven 
and a quarter acres. 

Dimensions. — The building, exclusive of porticos, is 345 
feet 2 inches in length, and 191 feet 5 inches in depth, at 
centre. Including porticos and steps, the length is 420 feet 
2 inches, and the greatest depth 273 feet 11 inches. The 
extreme height is 2G7 feet. 

The ground plan is cruciform, and the structure is sur- 
mounted by a lofty and finely-proportioned dome. 

IleiglU of Stories. — Basement, 11 feet; first, second, and 
third stories, each, 20 feet; fourth story, IG feet. The east 
corridor of first floor is 29 feet wide, the west 19 feet, and 
the north and south ones, each, 18 feet. The clear diam- 
eter of the rotunda is 44'> feet, and the height from floor 
to diaphragm 150 feet. 

The State library is 100 feet long, 45 feet wide in the 
centre, and three stories in height, containing five galleries 
or tiers of cases. Height from main floor to ceiling 59 feet, 
with shelf capacity for over 63,000 volumes, which can be 
easily increased to 100,000 b}- supplying cases upon the 
upper floor. The present number of volumes in the library 
is something over 40,000. 

The legislative halls arc each 70 feet in width from east 



I From Mr. Dours" pamphlet 



jj Seo frontispiece. 



78 



IIlSTOllY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



to west ; the Representative hall being 75 feet and the 
Senate chamber 57 feet from north to south. The eeiling 
of each is 41 » feet iu height. 

The building contains, besides coiridors, passages, closets, 
and wash- and cloak-rooms, 139 rooms, as follows : Base- 
ment, 38; first and second stories, each, 33; third story, 
28 ; and fourth story, 7, besides 2 boiler-rooms and the 
necessary room for storage of fuel, situated under the north 
and south porticos, entirely outside of the building. 

There are two grand stairways, situated on either side of 
the rotunda, and extending from the basement to the fourth 
story. Tiiere are also half-flights leading from the land- 
ings of these to the second, third, and fourth floors. There 
are also two .stairways leading from the basement to the 
third floor, in the rear of the legislative halls, a stairway 
from the fourth floor to the highest gallery in the dome, 
and from tliat point to the lantern. There are also two 
circular stairways from the lower to the upper floor of the 
library, with landings at each gallery, and two private stair- 
ways connecting offices on the first floor with rooms in the 
basement. 

The distance from Capitol Avenue to foot of steps at 
east portico is 225 foot 3* inches ; from west steps to Wal- 
nut Street, 2-13 feet 3 J inches; and from the north and 
south steps to street, 119 feet 10 inches. 

The Capitol, with the porticos, covers one and one-sixth 
acres. The girth of the building is 1520 feet. 

The building is lighted by gas supplied by the Lansing 
Gaslight Company. There are 271 chandeliers and pend- 
ants, besides a large number of standards and brackets, 
with a total of 1702 burners within the building, besides 
3G burners in the lamps to light the porticos and entrances 
to the grounds. 371 of the burners are lighted by elec- 
tricity, distributed as follows : In ceiling of Representative 
hall, 150 ; in ceiling of Senate chamber, 100 ; in State 
library, 75 ; and in the dome and lantern, 46. 

The style of architecture is classed as Palladian,* and 
the building, while without the elaborate ornamentation of 
the more florid styles, is very symmetrical and of beautiful 
proportions, which are shown to great advantage by the 
pleasing color of the material employed in the superstruc- 
ture. While lacking possibly the grandeur of the pure 
Grecian, with its massive columns and entablatures, the 
effect, on the whole, is exceedingly pleasing to the eye, 
conveying the idea of grace, beauty, and solidity, and afford- 
ing a gratifying contrast to many of the other State capitols 
of the Union. 

The main pediment in the centre of the eastern front is 
ornamented with a beautiful allegorical representation of 
the rise and progress of the State, carved in bas-relief 
from the sandstone material of the strueture.f The grounds 
have been finely laid out and improved, and the approaches 
to the Capitol iu all directions give it a grand and imposinr' 
appearance. 



* Named from Andreii Palladio,a famous Italian architect, born in 
1518, who introduced a new comjiosite order of architecture into use, 
and erected many notable buildings in Vicenzn and other cities. 

t Our space will not jiermit of a more particular description of this 
fine building. For an elaborate description the reader i.s referred to 
the pamphlets compiled hy Allen L. Bours, Esij. 



Dedicntion. — The dedication of the new Capitol took 
place with imposing ceremonies on the 1st of January, 
1879, in the Hall of Representatives, in the presence of 
all the surviving Governors of the State, with one excep- 
tion (Governor McClelland), and a large assemblage of the 
wisdom, beauty, and fashion of Jlichigan. 

The exercises commenced at 9.30 a.m. with music by 
the Knight Templar Band of Lansing, followed by prayer 
by Rev. George D. Gillespie. The assemblage was called 
to order by His Excellency Governor Charles M. Croswell, 
after which the constitutional oath of office was administered 
to the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor elect, by Hon. 
James V. Campbell, chief justice of the Supreme Court. 

Addresses were delivered by Ex-Governors Alpheus 
Felch, William L. Greenly, Austin Blair, Henry P. Bald- 
win, and John J. Bagley. The report of the building 
commissioners was then read by Hon. E. 0. Grosvenor, 
vice-president of the board, following which came the 
formal acceptance of the new Capitol on behalf of the 
State by Governor Crosswell in a brief and comprehensive 
speech, in which he thanked the building committee for 
the efficient and honorable manner in which they had per- 
formed their duties, and congratulated the State upon the 
completion of the new edifice. The exercises were closed 
by the benediction, pronounced by Rev. Theodore P. 
Prudden. 

OPENING ODE, 

BY REV. GEORGE DUFFIELD. 

[Sung at tbu opiMiiiig of the House of KpprBsentntives at its first session in 
the new Capitol, Jan. 1. 1S79.J 

To Thee we wake our grateful songs, 

Thou to whom all praise belongs; 

God, our fathers' God, to Thee, 

Like her who sang beside the sea.J 

We sing this day ; with heart and voice, 

We praise and triumph and rejoice. 

Within these walls, long to remain, 
We welcome now a shining train : 
Itere Justice comes, the first and best, 
And walks a queen before the rest ; 
Here Liberty, and Law, and Peace, 
From anarchy boast full release. 

Beneath this dome let Truth preside, 

Let Wisdom teach, let Conscience guide, 

Let love of country all inspire 

To keep unqueuehed the sacred fire; 

Till exiles far remote shall come, 

Where Freedom guards her lasting home. 

High noon we meet ! The opening year 
We welcome as an omen clear 
t)f brighter, better days in store ; 
AVhen violence is heard no more, 
AVhen the dear Flag, without a stain, 
O'er every State supreme shall reign. 

Board of Slate Building Commissioners. 

Presidents: Governor Henry P. Baldwin, from organiza- 
tion of board to Dec. 31, 1872; Governor John J. Bag- 
ley, from Jan. 1, 1873, to Dec. 31, 187G ; Governor Charles 
M. Croswell, from Jan. 1, 1877, to completion of work. 

Commissioners : Hon. E. 0. Grosvenor, vice-president, 
Jonesville ; Hon. James Shearer, Bay City ; Hon. Alex- 
ander Chapoton, Detroit ; Allen L. Bours, Secretary. 



X E.todus XV. 20. 



STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



79 



E. E. M3'crs, Arcliitcct and Superintendent ; 0. Marble, 
Assistant Supcriutoudcut ; Adam Oliver, Superintendent 
of Grounds. 

Board for Furnishing the New Capitol. — Hon. Charles 
M. Croswell, Chairman, Governor ; Hon. E. G. D. Holden, 
Secretary of State ; Hon. William B. McCreery, State 
Treasurer ; Hon. Benjamin F. Partridge, Commissioner of 
State Land-Office; Simon Strahan, Designer and Superin- 
tendent of Furniture ; Allen L. Bours, Secretary. 

MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. 

The college is located on the bank.^ of the Red Cedar 
Kiver, about three miles east from Lansing by Jlicbigan 
Avenue. The buildings, mostly of brick, stand upon a 
slight eminence among the forest-trees, which have been 
purposely retained. 

There are walks, drives, rustic bridges, lawns, flower bor- 
der.?, and groves in pleasing variety. 

Tlie accompanying plan presents in outline the grounds, 
with the buildings and the cultivated fields of the farm, 
with references by letters and figures to the following de- 
scription : 

A, — College Hall, 50 by 100 feet, of three stories and 
basement. It is occupied by the garden-shop, ofiice, and 
tools in the basement ; the chapel and library on the first 
floor ; class-rooms and ofiBces of the president and secretary 
on the second floor ; and museums, zoological laboratory, 
class-rooms for zoology and botany on the third floor. 

B, — Williams Hall, in largest dimensions 116 by 116 
feet, of three stories and basement, with a Mansard roof 
and a tower. It contains a dining-hall, kitchen, laundry', 
etc., in the basement ; the steward's rooms and public 
parlor on the first floor ; rooms for about 80 students on 
the second and third floors, and society-rooms in the Man- 
sard. It is heated by steam. 

C, — Wells Hall, 50 by 150 feet, has two society-rooms, 
with a drill-room and armor}', in the basement; the three 
stories above accommodate 130 students. It also is heated 
by steam. 

D, — Chemical laboratorj', 50 by 150 feet, of one story 
and basement. The basement contains the furnace-room, 
store-room, dressing-room, and rooms for higher chemistry, 
and on the first floor are the lecture-room, analyticid-room, 
private laboratory and study of the professor, and the ap- 
paratus-room. 

E, — Greenhouse, with aggregate room for plants, 25 by 
183 feet, with gardener's rooms and potting-room attached, 
26 by 42 feet. A few rods west is the wild garden. 

F, G, II, K, L, M, and N, — Dwellings in succession of 
president, professor of mathematics, professor of entomol- 
ogy, secretary, professor of chemistry, professor of litera- 
ture, and professor of botany and horticulture. A house 
for the professor of agriculture is now building. 

and P, — Dwelling of the herdsman and the farm- 
house. 

(I, — Cattle-barn, in largest dimensions 65 by 134 feet, 
with basement stables, granary, and room for feed-mills. 

K, — Horse-barn, 36 by 100 feet, containing farm-office 
and tool-room, besides (he stables. 



S,— Sheep-barn, 33 by 90 feet. 

T,_Tool-shed. 

U, — Botanical Library, 71 by 52 feet, of two stories. 
On the first floor are the lecture-room and study, and on 
the second the drying-room and mu.seum. 

V, — Carpenter-shop, 28 by 40 feet, of two stories and 
basement, and built of brick. 

W, — Piggery, 34 by 80 feet, having sheds and yards 
attached. 

X. — Garden-barn and tool-shed, 25 by 35 feet, and 24 
by 50 feet. 

Y, — Principal entrance, with self opening gate. 

Z, — Wind-mill and tank for su|iplyiiig water to the 
yards and barns. 

The apiary is just south of the dwelling marked N, and 
the sample grounds for trees and shrubs are north of L. 

The figures distinguish the fields into which the farm is 
divided. These, ranging in size from 12 to 27 acres, are in 
crops this year as follows : Nos. 1 and 2, vegetable garden ; 
No. 3, meadow ; No. 4, forage and pasture ; No. 5, roots ; 
No. 6, wheat; No. 7, wood-pasture; No. 8, oats; No. 9, 
corn; No. 10, meadow; No. 11, wheat; Nos. 12, 13, and 
15, rough pasture; No. 14, barley. The remainder of the 
farm is woodland. 

HISTORY OF TIIK COLLEGE.* 

Directly east of the main entrance to the State Capitol 
is a wide avenue, which terminates three and a half miles 
distant, at the gate of the grounds of the Jlicbigan State 
Agricultural College. The.sc grounds arc 076 acres in ex- 
tent, and are separated into two parts by the Kcd Cedar 
River, a small stream whose source is thirty miles away. 
The college farm is mostly on the south side of this river, 
and the buildings are all in one large park of aboot 100 
acres on the north .side. The college park has been skill- 
fully laid out by Mr. Adam Oliver, a landscape-gardener of 
Kalamazoo, Mich. There are in it bo straight n)ws of 
buildings or of trees, but its more than thirty buildings, if 
barns are included in the number, are .^fparated by undu- 
lating lawns, shallow ravines, and groups of trees. In one 
place only the method of grouping trees is departed from, 
for along the higliwaj', a mile in extent, a double row of 
elms, one without the fence and one within, forms a double 
walk along the road. 

There are three entrances to the grounds, bat the western 
one, being nearest to the city, is most used. 

The drive from this entrance ascends a hill, and, leaving a 
pear- and a cherry-orchard on the left, keeps near the sleep 
river-bank on the right. At the top of the hill the drive 
divides, the left-hand road passing by the president's house, 
a small building for the teleseojie, and seven dwellings for 
some of the officers of the college, while the right-hand 
drive follows the winding liver-bank, passes the apiary 
and the new botanical laboratory, and cros.ses a ravine by 
a rustic bridge copied after one in the New York Central 
Park. From this place walks and drives diverge to the 
college-hall, the lH>ardii>g-hall, the greenhouse, the chemical 
laboratory, and other buildings. Beyond this group of 



• By T. C. Abbott, LI-D., president of the College. 



80 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



buildings are the farm-house, the farm-buildings, and the 
carpenter-shop. Still farther on are the vegetable garden, 
the small-fruits and the apple-orchard, and the bridge that 
leads to the main part of the farm. 

On the college grounds the faculty and other officers 
and students live somewhat like a large family, or at least 
community, by themselves. According to the last catalogue 
(1879), there were 13 officers and 232 students. 

The discipline of the college is in part committed to the 
students thcm.selves, who make and enforce rules and have 
a council for the trial of offenders. The students have 
formed several .societies amongst themselves for mutual im- 
provement. The College Christian Union has a valuable 
library, and sustains a scries of lectures, weekly meetings, 
and a Sunday-school of at present five classes. The Natural 
History Society has a library and collections in Natural 
History. Its members are divided into sections, and the 
moiithl}' meetings are always highly interesting. One large 
society is called the House of llepresentatives, and is in- 
tended to discipline its members in parliamentary practice 
and extemparc debate. 

Saturday is mostly a holiday, and its evening is the- 
usual time for the meeting of several college societies. 
The College Cadets is a voluntary military company 
equipped with rifles by the State. The company drills 
once, usually twice, a week, and sometimes on parade it is 
joined by the College Cornet Band, a permanent organiza- 
tion of very fitful vigor. The military company in war- 
times was once reviewed and addressed by Governor Blair. 
Every other week a public lecture is given in the chapel 
by some officer or invited person, and the widest range is 
taken in the choice of subjects. Services are held in the 
chapel every Sunday, and socials and reunions are not un- 
common. 

Every forenoon is devoted to class-room work. At eight 
o'clock the students scatter to the chemical or the botanical 
laboratory or to the various class-rooms, or sometimes to the 
apiary, the gardens, or the cattle-yard for instruction. 

The course of study is four years in length, and the 
graduates receive the degree of Bachelor of Science. 
While the college is distinctively an agricultural one, it is 
not forgotten that the students are to be men and citizens 
as well as farmers. A course of instruction in the use of 
language runs through the whole course, and history, phil- 
osophy, political economy, and constitutional law find their 
proper place in the instruction given. 

IMathematics is pursued as a study through trigonometry ; 
and every student has a practice in surveying and leveling, 
and in mathematical drawing, and has instruction in me- 
chanics, optics, acoustics, civil engineering, and astron- 
omy and architecture. The college has an excellent tele- 
scope, manufactured by Alvan Clark, and other apparatus 
from the best makers, and is a subscriber for some of the 
best mathematical, engineering, and architectural journals. 

In zoology and kindred subjects the course covers human 
and comparative anatomy and physiology, and, while the 
human body is made the special object of study, particular 
reference is constantly made to the structure of domestic 
animals. Zoology follows, and entomology, as a distinct 
department of it, takes a full term's work. 



The college has excellent collections, to which the State 
Geological Survey and the Smithsonian Institution are valu- 
able contributors. In has an apiary, where students are 
made familiar with the management of bees. Dissections 
by students of smaller (juadrupeds and of insects, with de- 
lineations of the parts on paper, are going on in each study 
for several hours each day. 

More intimately related to agriculture is the course in 
chemistry. Instruction in this branch is continued daily 
for two years. Elementary chemistry is succeeded by ana- 
lytical chemistry, in which the student has abundant practice 
in blow-pipe, volumetric, and qualitative analysis. During 
one term of his cowse of study each student spends three 
hours a day in the chemical laboratory. Agricultural 
chemistry and chemical j)liysics follow, each occupying a 
term. 

The chemical laboratory is very perfect in its arrangement 
for lectures and work ; the balances, spectroscopes, electri- 
cal machines, and other apparatus are by the world's best 
makers, and the meteorological instruments have been care- 
fully compared with those of the Smithsonian Institution 
at Washington. The laboratory, in charge of a professor 
and one assistant, has been a constant workshop for the 
benefit of farmers, to whom it has been of great value. 

A new botanical laboratory has just been erected, witii a 
class-room for 150 students, where lectures are given and 
where plants are examined under the compound microscope- 
There is a large museum, including the Cooley Herbarium 
and the Centennial collection of woods, for which a diploma 
was awarded to the college. Besides the farm and garden 
plants, the orchard and park, there is a large arboretum be- 
longing to the botanical department, where the growth of all 
forest and ornamental trees can be studied. There are 
labeled trees and shrubs in every part of the park, a wild 
garden where, among rocks or in an artificial marsh and J 
small clean ponds, the plants which like such places grow. I 
A greenhouse in several departments and propagating pits 
add to the means of studying botany, horticulture, pomol- 
ogy, forestry, and landscape-gardening. 

Besides the instruction given in vegetable physiology and 
agricultural chemistry, there is a department of practical 
agriculture under the charge of a professor and two assist- 
ants. Lectures are given to the freshmen daily for one 
term, and to the seniors daily for one term, on practical 
agriculture, and the farm and stock furnish abundant means 
for illustration and for practical work. All the students 
work three hours a day on the farm or in the gardens. 
This work system has been maintained from the first. 
About one-half the graduates follow farming as a vocation, 
and they take a prominent place in all organizations for the 
benefit of agriculture in all its various branches. More 
than twenty graduates have been called on to teach in col- 
leges, and more than a dozen now hold permanent places as 
officers of such institutions. 

For several winters past the college has held six farmers' 
institutes in different parts of the State. These have 
proved so popular that similar institutes are common every 
winter in several of the counties of the State. 

The college is supported in part by biennial appropria- 
tions of the Legislature, and in part by the interest of a 




t^JOiniil^i^y^iJ ^T4T^ A^ 




jyLTiya^L ©OLL 



STATE LXSTITUTIONS. 



81 



growing fund arising from the sale of lands given to the 
State by the general government. The number of acres 
received by the State is 235,G73. On Sept. 1, 1879, 
the State had sold 8G,121 acres for 8275,1 (i4, on which 
the college receives seven per cent, interest. 

The college is managed by a State Board of Agriculture 
of six appointed and two ex-officio members, of whom two 
arc appointed by the Governor every two years. The suc- 
ccs-sive Governors of the State have so frequently reappointed 
the old members that there have been but ten new men 
appointed in nineteen years. The Hon. II. G. Wells, of 
Kalamazoo, the president of the board, has been on the 
board since its creation, and the Hon. J. Webster Childs 
since 1SG9. Other officers al.so have been long connected 
with the college, its president since the spring of 1858, its 
distinguished professor of chemistry since 1863. A uni- 
formity in the policy of the college under experienced 
managers has resulted in its securing the confidence of all 
the great State organizations for the promotion of agricul- 
ture, — the State Agricultural Society, the State Pomologi- 
cal Society, and the State Grange, — all of which officially 
recognize the college by standing committees and official 
visits. 

In 1850 a constitution of the State was adopted which 
says, Article XIII., Section II.: "The Legislature shall, 
as soon as practicable, provide for the establishment of an 
agricultural school." Under this constitutional provision 
the friends of the project secured the pas.sage of a bill for 
its organization in 1855. Among the many earnest advo- 
cates of the college, it can hardly be invidious to mention 
the Governor of the State at that time, Kinsley S. Bing- 
ham, who heartily worked for it and gave an address at the 
time of its opening, May, 1857. The college was then in the 
woods, the stunip.s and underbrush not cleared away from 
around the three brick buildings where officers, students, and 
the public had gathered, on a spot selected for the college, 
under narrow restrictions, by the State Agricultural Society. 
Photographs of the place as it then appeared hang in the 
library of the college. But the institution owes more to Mr. 
J. C. Holmes, now of Detroit, than to any other man for 
its early organization and success. Mr. Holmes was un- 
wearied in his efforts to secure its establishment. He drew 
u[i the bill, without, however, the clause as to its location, 
and spent much time in explaining the nature and design 
of the proposed institution. He also had charge of the 
horticultural department for three years, and the college 
still enjoys his valuable friendship. The inaugural of Mr. 
Joseph R. Williams, the first president, was a production 
of great merit. A fine likeness of Mr. Williams hangs in 
the college library, and one of the buildings bears his name. 
Mr. Williams died in 18G1. 

The State Board of P]ducation had charge of the institu- 
tion until the spring of 18G1, when the Legislature created 
a State Board of Agriculture and committed the college to 
its care. During the war its fate was debated anew by 
each successive Legislature, which always made, however, 
a generous appropriation. The Congressional gift of lands 
in 1862 gave courage to its friends, and the college has 
gradually grown in influence until now it is one of the 
cherished institutions of the State. 
11 



ST.\TE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 

President, Hon. Ilezekiah G. Wells, of Kalamazoo; 
Vice-Presidents, Hon. J. AV'ebster Childs, of Vpsilanti ; 
Hon. George W. Phillips, of Romeo; Hon. Franklin Wills, 
of Constantino; Hon. Milton J. Gard, of Volinia; Hon. 
Henry G. Reynolds, of Old Mission ; Charles M. Croswell, 
Governor of the State, Tlieophilus C. Abbott, President of 
the college, ex-njjicio ; Secretary, Robert G. Baird ; Treas- 
urer, Ephraini Longyear. 

Faculh/. — Tlieophilus C. Abbot, LL.D., President, Pro- 
fessor of Mental Philosophy and Logic; Robert C. Kedzie, 
A.M., M.D., Professor of Chemistry, and Curator of the 
Chemical Laboratory ; J. W. McEwan, A.M., Professor of 
English Literature, and Librarian ; Albert J. Cook, M.S., 
Professor of Zoology and Entomology, and Curator of the 
General Museum; William J. Beal, A.M., M.S., Professor 
of Botany and Horticulture, and Curator of the Botanical 
Museum; Robert G. Baird, Secretary; RoUa C. Carpen- 
ter, M.S., C.E., Professor of Mathematics and Civil En- 
gineering; Samuel Johnson, Professor of Practical Agri- 
culture; Robert F. Kedzie, M.S., Assistant in Chemistry; 
George W. White, Foreman of the Farm ; James Cassidy 
Gardener; Ransom II. McDowell, B.S., Assistant Foreman 
of the Farm ; Frank A. Gulley, Foreman of the Gardens ; 
Emory C. Fox, Steward. 

MICHIGAN STATE llEFORM SCHOOL FOR HOYS.* 



The Michigan State Reform School is located at Lansing, 
the capital of Jlichigan. 

The city of Lansing is situated on Grand River, about 
eighty-four miles northwest of the city of Detroit, and 
about fifty miles .south of the centre of the lower penin- 
sula, and is reached by the following lines of railroad, — viz. : 
1. The Detroit, Lansing and Northern ; 2. The Jackson, 
Lansing and Saginaw division of the Michigan Central; 
3. The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern ; and 4. The 
Chicago Grand Trunk. 

OBJECT. 

The object of the institution is the correction and reforma- 
tion of juvenile offenders. B3' judicious restraint, by mental 
and moral instruction, by the teaching of some u.seful trade 
or other employment, it seeks to restore to society, as useful 
citizens, a class of unfortunates, the majority of whom, from 
circumstances of birth and earliest associations and surround- 
ings, seem to be upon the high-road to crime and degrada- 
tion, from which the State hereby endeavors to rescue them, 
and to give them the comforts of home and fostering care, 
to which they had hitherto been strangers. That much 
good has already been accomplished by the institution is a 
matter of certainty. Many are now occupying positions of 
usefulness and respectability in society, as the result of the 
restraint and habits of industry acquired at this institution, 

HISTORY. 
Governor Andrew Parsons, in his valedictory message tq 
the Legislature of 1855, said : " I believe it to be the duly 

* Prepared by Alloii L. Bunrp, Esq. 



82 



HISTORY OP INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



of the Legislature to establish a House of Correction for 
juvenile offenders. There are many children of tender age, 
when they arc easily tempted and cannot estimate the 
enormity of crime, who are induced to commit offenses 
which send them to the county jails or State prison, among 
hardened offenders, where they are likely to learn more 
injury than good. Many of these, if confined in a proper 
place, trained to habits of industry, and properly taught 
the error of their way and their duties, while yet young, 
would come out prepared to shun temptation and to make 
good and useful citizens. It is enjoined upon the parent 
that he train up his children in the way they should go. 
If the State assumes to take the charge of children away 
from their parents, or to take charge of orphan children, it 
should not treat them as men of understanding and hard- 
ened in iniquity, but, as a parent, train them up in the way 
they should go, in the hope and trust that when they be- 
come old many of them will not depart from it." 

Governor Kinsley S. Bingham, in his inaugural message 
to the same Legislature, said as follows: "The presence of 
several boys and youth among the more hardened criminals 
in the State prison, induces me to urge upon your attention 
the propriety of establishing a House of Ilefuge or Correc- 
tion, where a milder course of treatment, more especially 
adapted to their reformation, can be employed. The State 
has not discharged its duty to these unfortunate victims of 
ignorance and temptation until it has made provision, by a 
proper system of discipline, for their instruction in useful 
knowledge, morals, and piety, taught them some mechanical 
trade or other proper employment, and prepared them, upon 
their release from confinement, to become good citizens and 
useful members of society, as they return to its duties and 
privileges." In respon.se to the foregoing recommendations 
of the retiring and incoming Governors, the Legislature by 
an act approved Feb. 10, 1855, provided for the establish- 
ment of a " House of Correction for Juvenile Offenders," 
" at or near Lansing, in the county of Ingham. Ptovtdcd, 
That a suitable piece of land of not less than twenty acres 
shall be donated for that purpose." A plat comprising 
about thirty acres, situated in the eastern portion of the 
city, at the terminus of Shiawassee Street and fronting 
westward on Pennsylvania Avenue, was donated by the 
citizens of Lansing, and 195 acres adjoining the same were 
subsequently purchased by the State. 

The building was first opened for the reception of inmates 
on Sept. 2, 1856, and from that time to the date of the last 
annual report — Sept. 30, 1879 — there have been 2135 com- 
mitments, of which 1972 were white boys, 152 colored 
boys, 3 Indian boys, and 8 girls. The Senate commit- 
tee on House of Correction, at the session of the Legis- 
lature of 1859, recommended that the name of the institu- 
tion should be changed to " The State Reform School," 
urging as a reason therefor, " These lads will go forth in due 
time, as it is hoped a greater portion of them will, thor- 
oughly reformed in character, and prepared for the respon- 
sibilities of life, with far less stigma resting upon them as 
having been educated at a Reform School than a House of 
Correction." In accordance with this recommendation, the 
Legislature, by act approved Feb. 12, 1859, changed the 
name to the " Michigan State Reform School." Tiie man- 



agement of the institution was originally vested in a board 
of six commissioners, two being appointed by the Governor 
and confirmed by the Senate at each biennial session of the 
Legislature. By an act approved Feb. 10, 1857, the man- 
agement was committed to a " board of control," consisting 
of three members, the terms of service and manner of ap- 
pointment being the same as before. By the law of 1855, 
offenders under the age of fifteen were to be sent to this 
House of Correction, and those between the ages of fifteen 
and twenty might be sent if the court before whom they 
were convicted deemed them fit subjects for the institution. 
They were sent for definite terms by the circuit judges, 
police judges, and justices of the peace. The law of 1857 
provided that those guilty of prison offenses under the age 
of sixteen should be sentenced to the House of Correction 
till twenty-one years of age. The law provides that the 
board of control may in their judgment place in families, 
or indenture as apprentices, any boys who are in their opin- 
ion sufficiently reformed, or return them to their parents, 
requiring — should they deem it necessary — security for the 
future good behavior and care of the boy. 

By the act of March 16, 1861, the limits of age for 
commitment to the institution were established at seven 
and sixteen, and by the act of March 27, 1867, the limit 
was confined between the ages of ten and sixteen. 

By act approved April 28, 1877, it was provided that all 
boys committed to the institution, except for offenses pun- 
ishable by imprisonment for life, should be sentenced to 
the Reform School until they reach the age of eighteen 
years, or until discharged by law. 

The first superintendent of the institution was Theodore 
Foster, who was also one of the first board of commissioners 
appointed under the act of 1855. He resigned the posi- 
tion on July 1, 1860, and was succeeded by the Rev. Dan- 
forth B. Nichols, who held the office for the term of one 
year, and was succeeded by Cephas B. Robinson, who had, 
previous to his appointment, been the assistant superin- 
tendent. 

Mr. Robinson retained the position until his death, which 
occurred on Aug. 27, 1866. The institution was then 
under the care of assistant superintendent James II. Baker 
until the appointment, on Nov. 16, 1866, of the Rev. 0. 
W. Fay, who soon after resigned, and the Rev. Charles 
Johnson, a former teacher and assistant superintendent, 
appointed, who continued in office until April 1, 1875, 
when he was succeeded by the present incumbent, Mr. 
Frank M. Howe, then assistant superintendent. 

The institution has gradually changed from the nature 
of a prison, which its former name indicated, — with its 
grates and bars, high fence and locks, — to a school with 
no prison-like surroundings. The play-ground, containing 
some three acres, was formerly inclosed by a very high and 
unsightly fence ; this has been removed, and a neat picket 
fence substituted. The gratings have been removed from 
the windows, and the locks upon the doors are now only 
used to protect the institution from nocturnal visits of 
burglars and tramps. 

An usher, selected from the inmates, is stationed at the 
door to admit visitors, or to apprise the superintendent of 
the calls of those having business with him. 



STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



83 



The principal puniiilinieDt etnploj'cd for the refractory is 
a sj'stcm of domcrit marks, or deprivation of some enjoj'- 
inctit which the better boys may indulfi;c in ; corporal pun- 
ishment is seldom required, and is resorted to only in ex- 
treme cases. The boys show no disposition to abuse the 
confidence thus reposed in them, and attempts to escape 
from the institution are exceedingly rare, and confined 
almost entirely to boys who have not been in the institu- 
tion long enough to derive the benefit intended to be con- 
ferred upon them by its system of discipline. 

BUILDINGS. 

The centre building of the house proper fronts to the 
■west forty-eight feet, is fifty-six feet deep, and four stories 
high ; there are wings extending to the north and south, 
each ninety-five feet long, thirty-three feet deep, and three 
stories high, with towers at the extremities four stories in 
height. The north wing extends to the east eighty-three 
feet, forming an L, is thirty feet wide, and three .stories 
high. On the ground floor of the centre building are a 
dining-room and kitchen for the ofiBcers, and a store-room 
and laundry ; on the second floor are the office, reception- 
room, family dining-room, and guest-chamber ; on the third 
floor are rooms for the officers and employ'ccs ; and on the 
fourth floor the chapel, suitably arranged, and capable of 
seating 300 persons. On the first floor of the north wing 
are the dining-rooms for the boys ; on the second floor 
the art gallery and rooms for employees, and the upper 
portion is occupied for dormitories, arranged with separate 
sleeping-apartments for the boys. 

In the basement of the south wing is the bath, or wash- 
room, where the boys perform their daily ablutions ; on the 
first floor are the school-rooms and the tailor-shop ; on the 
second floor additional school-rooms and the library, and 
sleeping-apartments on the fourth floor. 

In the basement of the east wing are the laundry, store- 
room, and cellar ; on the first floor the boys' kitchen, bakery, 
ironing-room, and shoe-shop ; the second floor contains the 
hospital and bed-rooms, and the upper portion is devoted to 
sleeping-apartments for the boys. 

At short distances north and south of the main building, 
and fronting to the west, are the two family houses, each 
forty-two by fifty-two feet, two stories in height, with a 
Mansard roof, and, like the main building, built of brick. 
Each of these houses contains suitable apartments for an 
overseer and his family, with accommodations for a large 
Dumber of boys, who are placed here as a reward for good 
conduct. 

A third cottage building more commodious and of finer 
appearance and proportions than the former two was com- 
pleted in 1879, and is principally devoted to school-rooms 
and dormitories. 

The shops are located on the northeast portion of the 
yard, and occupy a substantial brick building, three stories 
in height, one hundred and forty-six feet long, and fifty-two 
feet wide, suitably arranged and provided with machinery 
for the employment of the inmates. 

The buildings are all heated by steam supplied by boilers 
connected with the workshops. About 1000 cords of wood 
three feet in length, or its equivalent in coal, is recjuired 



annually for the purposes of heating, cooking, and operating 
the machinery. 

The question of supplying the institution with an abun- 
dance of pure water was one that for years caused the 
board of control a degree of anxiety commensurate with its 
great importance ; and with the hope of an accomplishment 
of the purpose, many experiments were resorted to. Wells 
were dug without success. It was sought by means of a 
hydraulic ram to convey water from a distant spring, but 
the supply thus secured was far from being sufficient. An 
arrangement was then made for forcing the water by a 
steam engine from a spring near the east bank of the 
Grand River, at a point some hundred rods distant from 
the building ; but this involved an annual expense which 
it seemed should be incurred only as a last resort. The 
board therefore decided to sink an artesian well upon the 
premises. The well was bored to a depth of some 600 feet, 
and although a flowing stream was not secured, yet an 
abundance of excellent water was obtained. The well is 
piped to the depth of 100 feet, to exclude the surface 
water, and by means of a pump the water is brought from 
that depth. 

The farm, which has been greatly improved of late by 
the labor of the boys, under the direction of the superin- 
tendent, is all under cultivation and pasturage, and has for 
its use a large barn forty-eight by sixty feet, upon a sub- 
stantial stone foundation, with cellar; also with sheds for 
stock, wagons, and farm implements, horse-barn, piggery, 
and all the customary outbuildings and conveniences re- 
quired or usually found upon a well-regulated farm. 

MANAGEMENT. 

The board of control hold monthly meetings at the school, 
at which all accounts for purchases during the preceding 
month are audited and allowed, applications for discharge 
are considered, and all matters pertaining to the general 
welfare of the institution are discussed. 

The superintendent has the general charge of the interests 
of the institution, conducts its correspondence, keeps a 
record of all inmates received, with their description and 
history, and such facts pertaining to their place of nativity, 
age, social condition, habits, cause of commitment, time 
and reason for discharge, and, in ep.se of death, the disease 
and its duration, and such other facts as he may deem per- 
tinent. He also procures the necessary supplies for the 
school, examines and approves all accounts, visits, at least 
once a day, each department of the institution, and is ex- 
pected to require promptness and efficiency on the part of 
all other officers and employees in the discharge of their 
various duties. The a.ssistant superintendent aids the super- 
intendent in the discharge of his duties, and acts in his stead, 
for the time being, whenever, from absence, sickness, or 
other disability, he may bo incapacitated. 

The teachers have charge of the inmates when in school, 
and are responsible for the cleanliness and ventilation of 
the school-rooms. 

The female teachers, in addition to their duties in the 
school-rooms, have the supervision of the dormitories, which 
they are required to keep clean and in order. The male 
teachei's, in addition to their school duties, in conjunction 



84 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



with the assistant superintendent, have the oversight of the 
boj's during the hours of recreation, see that they rise and 
retire at the proper time, and attend to their ablutions, and 
go to their respectivc-wori<-shops at the appointed hours 
for labor. 

The other officers and employees of the institution have 
charge of the duties peculiar to their various positions. 

No regular cliapiain is employed for the institution, nor 
any one form of religious belief or instruction adopted, but 
the resident clergy of Lansing of all denominations, and 
such other clergymen as may be visiting at the capital, 
are invited by the superintendent to officiate, and religious 
services are held in the chapel each Sunday afternoon. In 
the forenoon the boys assemble in the chapel for Sunday- 
school, and receive religious instruction from the teachcis 
of the school. 

A physician is employed to attend at the school, when 
required, at an annual salary of $150, although, owing to 
the general good health of the inmates, resulting from a 
healthful location, with plenty of pure water and the regu- 
lar habits of the inmates, wholesome food, cleanliness, and 
the absence of excesses and irregularities, cases of severe 
sickness rarely occur, and the physician's visits are not 
frequently required. And when we consider the fact that 
the majority of the inmates come to the institution with 
constitutions impaired by disease, inherited from vicious 
parents, in fulfillment of the divine decree, that " the sins 
of the fathers shall be visitrd upon the children," it is a 
matter of surprise and congratulation that so few cases of 
severe illness and so few deaths have occurred within its 
walls. Since the opening of the institution, twenty-four 
years ago, among the 2135 inmates who have been received, 
there have been but twenty-eight deaths ; and in several 
instances the victims were suifering at the time of their 
reception with the disease whicli ended their lives. 

The boys rise at half-past five o'clock in the morning 
from April 1st to October 1st, and during the remainder of 
the year at six, and retire at eight o'clock, giving them nine 
hours and a half for sleep in the summer, and ten hours in 
the winter. Each boy, unless incapacitated by sickness, is 
required to work five hours each day, attends school five 
hours and a quarter, and one hour military drill, and the 
remainder of the time, — from two and three-quarters to 
three and a quarter hours, — except while at meals, is de- 
voted to play and recreation. A pleasantly-located play- 
ground, comprising about three acres between the main 
building and the shops, with a play-house, covered to pro- 
tect the boys from the summer's heat or storms of winter, 
aflbrds them a fine opportunity to indulge in those sports 
so highly prized by boys ; while balls and bats, marbles, and 
similar instruments of amusement have been generously 
supplied by friends of the iu.stitution. 

The term of confinement — if a residence at the school 
may now be properly so called — depending mainly upon the 
deportment of the inmates, is of unequal duration. 

By the operation of law, all boys are sent to the institu- 
tion to remain there until they complete their eighteenth 
year, but the same law provides that boys who by uniform 
good conduct give the best evidence of reformation may 
be sooner discharged, and that bad and incorrigible boys. 



upon whom the reformatory influences have failed to effect 
an improvement, and whose continuance in the school is 
deemed prejudicial to its management and discipline, may 
be returned to the court which issued the commitment, for 
such disposition as to such court may appear proper. 

While it is believed that a great improvement is wrought 
in the cases of a large majority of the boys committed to 
the institution, and that many go forth from it to occupy 
positions of usefulness and respectability in society, it can- 
not be denied that in some cases boys who have been sent 
here, and discharged in consequence of good conduct, event- 
ually find a place in the house of correction or State prison, 
and to explain why this is so, or to prevent it, would require 
more than the wisdom or potency of man. Few boys are 
discharged from the institution who have not been there at 
least a year, and to secure a discharge in so short a time 
requires the most exemplary behavior and attention to rules 
and regulations. No distinction is made on account of 
dilferences in birth or color. All are on an equal footing, 
and good behavior is the only pass-word which will allow 
an inmate to go free from the door. Where a boy has no 
home to return to, or, worse than that, a home presided 
over by intemperate and criminal parents, he is retained at 
the institution, even after he has given the most abundant 
assurance of his reformation, until a suitable home can be 
found for him, where the board of control are satisfied his 
education and religious training will not be neglected. 

The labor of a large number of the inmates is required 
to supply the wants of the institution ; many of the boys 
are employed upon the farm, others in the tailor- and shoe- 
shops, manufacturing clothing and shoes for themselves and 
companions, others in the laundry and kitchen, and others 
in such branches of industry as the board can find a market 
for. The manufacture of cigars for several years gave em- 
ployment to a large number of boys, and assisted materially 
in paying the current expenses of the institution, but the 
contractors for this class of labor discontinued the same at 
the close of the year 1875, and the only work for which 
there is any demand at present is the caning of chairs. 
The introduction of such labor as will benefit the boys by 
ae(iuiriug a knowledge of its operation, and at the same 
time relieve the taxpayer to some extent of the burden of 
supporting the institution, has been the object of much 
.study and inquiry on the part of the board of control of 
this and kindred institutions, and the problem still remains 
un.solved. 

The number of inmates at the commencement of the last 
fiscal year — Oct. 1, 1879 — was 327. During the year 139 
were admitted, and 159 discharged, as follows: 116 were 
discharged as reformed, and returned to their homes, 7 were 
returned to their parents to reside out of the State, 19 were 
discharged on ticket-of-leave, for 14 places were found 
with farmers, 1 escaped, and 2 died, leaving 307 in the in- 
stitution at the close of the year. The average number 
during the year was 320|. 

The library contains upwards of 3000 volumes of books, 
carefully selected and suited to the wants and tastes of the 
boys. The privileges of the library, reading-room, and 
art-gallery, the latter containing a large number of paint- 
ings and engravings, the most of which have been generously 



STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



85 



donated to the institutiou, besides a collection of house- 
plants and other attractions, are highly prized and appreci- 
ated by the boys, and many hours are here pleasantly and 
profitably employed that otherwise might be devoted to what 
is not very uncommon with boys of like ages, — planning 
and perpetrating mischief. 

The farm stock consists of five horses, thirty-two head of 
cattle, — mostly thoroughbred Ayrshire, — and forty-nine 
head of swine. The horses are employed upon the farm 
and draw to the premises all supplies purchased, besides 
delivering manufactured work at all the railroad depots. 
The cows supply all the milk required, and a considerable 
revenue is derived from the sale of calves and pigs, while 
everything required for the sustenance of the stock is pro- 
duced upon the farm. The benefits derived from the opera- 
tion of the farm are varied and important. The productions 
of the soil being consumed at the institution save the large 
expenditure which their purchase would require, while 
a large number of the inmates are supplied with health- 
ful and respectable employment, and thereby prepared for a 
field of usefulness upon their discharge. In this connec- 
tion it is proper to state that in some cases the boys have 
acquired such proficiency in the various branches of labor 
in which they have here been educated that upon receiving 
thiir discharge they have been employed by the institution 
to carry on the work for which they have shown themselves 
so well adapted. 

COXCLUSIOX. 

A thorough investigation of the subject, a visit to the 
Reform School, and an examination of its conduct, of the 
boys in the school, in the work-shop, or on the farm, in the 
chapel, and on the play-ground, the thorough .sj'.stem of 
order, regularity, and discipline pervading the whole, the 
physical condition of the boys, and the geuen^ appearance 
of contentment, cannot (iiil to impress the visitor with the 
wisdom of those who pnjccted this great charity, and its 
successful working in every particular. As an investment, 
viewed from a purely business standpoint, it pays well ; for 
the little waifs who are just about to enter the broad ave- 
nues to crime, which, in mo.st cases, are the only openings 
before them, are rescued, properly trained for useful life, 
and transformed from expensive consumers to industrious 
producers, greatly lessening the number who are to occupy 
hereafter our prisons and almshouses. 

Each successive change in the office of superintendent 
has been accompanied by some good result ; for each new 
incumbent, having before him the policy of his predeces- 
sor, and viewing both its advantages and faults, has been 
able to introduce some new feature in the conduct of the 
institution which experience has demonstrated to be an im- 
provement. The most important change of stripping the 
institution entirely of its prison garb hius been effected by 
the present superintendent, and its thorough trial for more 
than five years past has proved a triumphant success. 

In the report of the board of control for the year 1873 
the opinion of the board was expressed in the following 
words : 

" And we cannot think any person can carefully inves- 
tigate the character and condition of all the cases we have to 
deal with but they must come to the conclusion that for a 



portion of those committed here we mu.i/ either have im- 
passable walls or an immense increase of overseers and 
watchmen to prevent escapes, which have a very deleterious 
efl"ect upon the discipline of the school, as one successful 
escape always has the tendency to induce the attempt on 
the part of others." 

Superintendent Johnson, in his report to the board fur tlie 
year 1872, said, — 

" The wooden fence around the bo^'s' yard is greatly de- 
cayed and liable to fall by the force of the storms. Would 
it not be prudent to commence the erection of a peu.ma- 
NE.VT WALL of sufficient strength and stability to resist the 
action of severe gales, and remain a subsUoitial fixture for 
the future ?" 

In accordance with this recommendation of the superin- 
tendent, the board of control, in their summary of needs 
for which appropriations were recommended, reported : 

" For the erection of a permanent wall around the yard 
and shops, in place of the dilapidated board fence, which 
was only erected as a teniporar}' affair, and which has often 
been blown down, and caused much extra trouble and care 
in keeping the boys in subjection, we need at least five 
thousand dollars." 

The present superintendent, upon assuming control of 
the institution, demanded not only the removal of this high 
and unsightly fence, which had previously caused so much 
apprehension in consequence of its in.security in preventing 
the escape of boys, but that it should be replaced by a neat 
picket fence of usual height, and the further removal of 
iron doors and bars, contending that the boys could better 
be restrained without resort to such precautions. The 
board, with some hesitancy, consented to these suggestions, 
and find as the result of the change that attempts to escape 
have become exceedingly rare. 

The boys no longer regard themselves as convicted crim- 
nals, nor consider their residence at the institution a dis- 
grace. 

Efficient teachers instruct them daily in tlie more im- 
portant studies, they acquire habits of industry, cleanli- 
ness, and regularity, and go forth upon the world better 
prepared to meet and overcome its difficulties than a large 
proportion of those whose entrance upon the stage of life 
was attended with more promising surroundings. 

liOARD OF CO.XTROL. 

D. B. Hale, Chairman, term expires 1883 ; E. II. Davis, 
Treasurer, term expires 1881 ; George A. Smith, Clerk, 
term expires 1885. 

Officers. — Frank M. Ilowe, Superintendent ; T. 11. 
AV'^aters, Assistant Superintendent ; J. W. llagadorn, Phy- 
sician ; A. L. Bours, Bookkeeper. 

The following interesting paper upon a subject compara- 
tively new to the great bulk of the citizens of the State 
has been carefully prepared by Dr. Baker, at the solicitation 
of the writer in charge of this work, in the hope that the 
people of Ingham and Eaton Counties may read it atten- 
tively, and thereby understand the magnitude and impor- 
tance of the great work which the State Board of Health 
is undertaking to carry out, — a work which, though more 



86 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



or less technical and scientific in its modus operandi, yet 
vitally concerns every inhabitant of the State. 

Many subjects of a scientific character are frequently 
treated with indifference by the general public, which, if 
better understood, would command widespread attention ; 
and we know of no means more effectual to the enlighten- 
ment of "those who sit in darkness" than the printed pages 
of a popular volume, which we sincerely trust this work 
may prove to be. — Editor. 

THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.* 

State Boards of Health seem to be a result of a growing 
belief that much of the sickness and many of the deaths 
which afflict mankind can be and should be prevented, this 
idea being joined with the observation that as a rule, and 
except in large cities, local Boards of Health do not seem to 
have succeeded well in the prevention of disease, apparently 
because of their lack of knowledge of the cause of diseases 
and best methods of restricting and preventing sickness, — 
knowledge which can bo gained only by extensive observa- 
tion, experience, and scientific research, usually beyond the 
power of any single local Board of Health to secure. 

By means of a State Board of Health the entire public- 
health service of a State may be systematized, and knowl- 
edge gained in any part of the State, or even outside the 
State, may be utilized for the general good, the effectiveness 
of local Boards of Health being increased, much as is that 
of troops in an army, by means of systematic organization ; 
and as in the army much of success or defeat depends upon 
the character of the general who commands, so in the gen- 
eral sanitation of a State much may depend upon the 
amount and character of the information which the State 
Board is able to gather for the guidance of the action of 
those who heed its utterances. 

Though this State was not the first to organize a State 
Board of Health, the organization of the Michigan Board 
in 1873 was a new departure in public health legislation, 
in that the State Board was relieved more completely from 
actual conflict with those people of localities who disregard 
sanitary laws than was any preceding Board of Health, so 
far as known. It was assumed that local nuisances should 
be abated and local work done by local authorities, and that 
the State Board should systematize and aid in every way 
possible. There are now many State Boards organized on 
the same principle, and this is true of the National Board 
of Health, except possibly as relates to quarantine. This 
State Board is thus left free to collect facts, study their 
relations so as to learn the causes of diseases, the best 
methods of prevention, and the true principles of the ap- 
plication of these methods, and to do this for the people 
throughout the State without that bias which might be due 
to local influences if the actual work was local. 

For its researches in ascertaining the causes of diseases, 
the Michigan Board receives the contributions of a large 
corps of " observers of diseases" in different parts of the 
State. These observers are as a rule the leading physicians, 
and every week each one makes out and sends to the office 
of the board a report of the sickness which has come under 

« Pn-inued by Henry B. Baker, M.D., sccrel.iry of the board. 



his observation, specifying which is the most prevalent 
disease, and giving other details of the diseases actually 
existing in his locality. The State owes a debt of gratitude 
to these philanthropic men for their gratuitous and very 
valuable contributions for the public welfare. Similar re- 
ports are also required to be made by the health olEcer of 
each city ; but it has been found that as yet the cities do 
not all make adequate provision, and they do not represent 
all parts of the State, so that the voluntary reports by 
leading physicians are a very valuable addition to those 
made out and sent in at the expense of the cities. At the 
ofiice of the board these weekly reports are compiled in 
such ways as to show the relative sickness from each dis- 
ease in the different localities ; the localities are also grouped 
in eleven divisions of the State, and the relative proportion 
of sickness in each division from each disease is shown. 
Tables, diagrams, etc., containing the combined results are 
made and published in the annual reports of the board. 
In the report of the board for 1879, page 471, is a short 
statement which embraces, in a few lines, a summary of the 
tables for the State for the year 1878, wherein is shown 
from which disease there was the most sickness, and, as 
regards all of the prominent diseases, the relative amount 
of sickness from each. Such knowledge as this is essential 
to the most effective public-health service. We need to 
know the nature of danger to be overcome, the particular 
diseases which cause most sickness, then to search out their 
causes in order to be able to prevent them if possible, and 
to avoid what cannot be prevented. 

The consolidated reports for the year 1878, just men- 
tioned, showed that the disease which caused most sickness 
in Michigan in that year was intermittent fever, commonly 
called ague ; the next most prevalent disease was bronchitis ; 
the third, was rheumatism ; the fourth, consumption ; fifth, 
remittent fever ; sixth, influenza; seventh, diarrhoea ; and 
the eighth, pneumonia, sometimes called inflammation of 
the lungs. Each of the above diseases appears to have 
caused more sickness than the average of twenty-two of 
the most common and important diseases. 

The Michigan State Board of Health has not as yet 
been intrusted with money sufficient to enable it to enter 
upon very extensive investigations in the way of special 
research involving expert ability in the use of the micro- 
scope, chemical analyses, etc., though it has collected much 
evidence on the causation of intermittent fever, and upon 
the causation of many of those diseases which create most 
sickness. Inasmuch as the people of this State are taxed, 
or at least have to pay, millions of dollars in every year be- 
cause of sickness, the money losses make this a subject of 
great consequence ; and the money consideration may be 
supposed to be of less consequence than the suffering among 
the people caused by the sickness and deaths. 

We have seen that the State Board of Health ascertains 
what diseases cause most sickness, and those which seem 
to have caused most sickness in 1878 have just been men- 
tioned ; the State Board of Health has another extremely 
important source of knowledge respecting the relative dan- 
gers from different causes, so far as relates to deaths, in the 
vital statistics, which are reported to the State department 
by the supervisors and as.sessor.s. These statistics are com- 



STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



87 



piled by counties, and consolidated for the State in ways to 
show the proportion of deaths from each important disease ; 
and from a stud}' of them it is found that the danger of 
death is greatest from consumption, a disease which does 
not seem to cause so much siciiness as does intermittent 
fever, while the deaths from intermittent fever are not very 
many. These statistics seem to show that about one out of 
every eight persons in the State dies, sooner or later, from 
consumption. Stated in this way, it seems plain that time 
and money spent in gaining a knowledge of the causes of 
this disease arc spent in one of the most important labors 
which can engage the attention and support of the people. 
Lately much light has been thrown upon the subject by 
expert investigations, principally in Germany, where it has 
been proved to be a communicable disease ; and if it shall 
be shown that it is caused in no other way, its prevention 
will soon be quite practicable. The Michigan Stale Board 
of Health has collected and published much evidence as to 
the climatic conditions coincident with the greatest amount 
of sickness from this disease ; and, in the vital statistics, 
much evidence has been published relative to the deaths 
from the disease, with reference to climatic conditions, and 
also the influence of age, sex, etc. For the determination 
of the whole question, however, special expert investiga- 
tions are much needed, and if legislators will see the im- 
portance of appropriating sufiBcient money for the purpose 
of carrying such work forward to completion, the State 
Board of Health will undoubtedly undertake to so enlarge 
its labors as to accomplish the work. Much can be done, 
however, by a State Board of Health in the way of utili- 
zing such work done elsewhere, and it is quite possible that 
the enthusia.sm and philanthropy of those physicians who 
have talent and leisure for such investigations may cause 
this particular work to be done before the slower movement 
of the people, as represented by governments, shall have 
made adequate provision therefor. The ^Michigan Board 
has in several instances taken advantage of knowledge con- 
tributed to the common stock by independent and volun- 
tary investigators, and has published and widely distributed 
among the people of the State small documents giving spe- 
cial information respecting the cause of and best means of 
preventing scarlet fever ; also one giving similar informa- 
tion respecting diphtheria. One similar paper concerning 
the cau.se and prevention of glanders was published in its 
annual report for 1879, but not otherwise distributed. The 
board has elaborated, published, and widely distributed a 
method for resuscitating persons suffocated or drowned ; 
and cases of the successful application of the method have 
been reported. 

One interesting line of work by the board deserves espe- 
cial mention : it is the extensive meteorological data col- 
lected by an able corps of observers throughout the State, 
aided now by the observers for the United States Signal 
Service within the State. Each observer makes and re- 
cords, three times in each day, observations as to tempera- 
ture, humidity, cloudiness, force and direction of the wind, 
ozone, rain-fall, barometric pressure, etc., and reports the 
results to the State Board of Health, where clerks " reduce" 
the observations of the barometer, p.sychrometer, etc., add 
the results by months, compute averages, etc., and the facts 



arc put upon record for immediate comparison with the 
reports of sickness and with those of deaths, which have 
been mentioned, as also for use hereafter whenever new 
knowledge shall make a reference to such data important iu 
establishing the causes of disea.ses. 

In studying the di.sca.scs, and comparing with them the 
meteorological conditions, the secretary of the board has 
adopted the plan of concentrating the statements of the 
consolidated reports of diseases in the form of diagram.s 
which shall enable one to see at a glance the rise and de- 
cline of the several diseases by months, and of similarly 
picturing the several meteorological conditions on diagrams 
on such a scale as that the total range of the average 
monthly temperature, humidity, cloudiness, etc., shall cover 
about the same space as does the range of the sickness from 
the diseases reported, so that any coincidence between the 
rise of a certain condition of the atmosphere and the rise 
or fall of any given disease may be seen by comparing the 
several diagrams with each other. Some of these diagrams 
are published in each of the later annual reports of the 
board. By such comparisons much has already been learned 
as to probable causes of some diseases and conditions favor- 
ing the spread of other diseases, and, though it .seems rea- 
sonable to suppose that what has already been learned is 
only a foretaste of what may be learned when the system 
of observation has continued long enough to permit of 
studying the subjects for scries of yoai-s, the study is already 
one of very great interest and promise for the good of 
mankind. 

The meteorological observers do the work gratuitously, 
the public spirit of some leading them to supply their own 
instruments, the State Board of Health being able to sup- 
ply from its appropriation only a few each year. With the 
exception of the secretary, whose time is wholly given to 
the work, the members of the board serve without any 
compensation, and their individual work in connection with 
many subjects has been of very great value. Mention may 
be made of a few of the subjects, including that of illumi- 
nating oils, which has cost Prof Kedzie and other mem- 
bers of the board much effort and anxious thought, but on 
account of which it is believed many lives have been saved, 
and under the consequent enlightenment of the people it 
is not probable there will be a return to the old-time slaugh- 
ter by dangerous oils. The subjects of poisonous wall- 
papers, draining low lands, ventilation of schools and of 
dwellings, school hjgiene, scarlet fever, diphtheria, and other 
communicable di.sea.ses, are a few among the many important 
subjects upon which members of the board have contributed 
valuable papers, which have been published in the annual 
ri'ports of the board. The annual report.s of the board 
have also received valuable contributions from other workers 
in the 6eld of sanitary science than members of the board, 
and aside from the regular correspondents of the board 
which have been previously mentioned. 

Probably no other interest which the State fosters has so 
many earnest and faithful workers thoughout the State, 
who, without fee or reward, contribute so much to the 
public Welfare, as has the interest of public health ; and it 
is well that this is so, for the State itself as yet pays very 
much more for objects of in&uitcly less consequence than 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



this, notwithstanding public-health work has to do with the 
chances of life of every man, woman, and child in tlie State, 
and with the life, health, and happiness of those who are to 
follow this generation of citizens. 

STATE PIONEER SOCIETY. 

An act to provide for the incorporation of State, county, 
municipal, and other .sociclies was passed by the Legislature 
at the session of 1873, and approved by the Governor on 
the 25th of April in that year. 

On the 2d of tJuno following Mrs. II. A. Teiincy, State 
librarian, issued a general circular to the press and people 
of Michigan, calling for donations of everything which 
might be of interest in any department of knowledge to 
the citizens of the State, including general statistics, books, 
sketches of the lives of eminent persons, collections and 
specimens in natural history, paleontology, etc., with a view 
to making up a collection for presentation to the State 
Library. 

The pas.sage of the act mentioned and the circular of the 
State librarian called attention to the matter, and on the 
11th of March, 1874, a meeting, composed of delegates 
from various county societies, convened at the library-room 
of the old Capitol, in Lansing, for the purpose of organizing 
a State Pioneer Society. 

The meeting was called to order by J. C. Holmes, of 
Detroit; Judge Albert Miller, of Bay City, was appointed 
chairman, and J. C. Holme?: secretary. It was resolved 
that all persons having resided twenty years in a county be 
admitted to seats in the convention. A committee of nine 
persons was appointed to draft articles of association. The 
following-named persons constituted the committee : Witter 
J. Baxter, Levi Bishop, Henry A. Shaw, Ephraim Long- 
year, J. Webster Childs, Oliver C. Comstock, E. Lakiu 
Brown, Ralph Ely, John N. Ingersoll. This committee 
issued a call for a meeting at Lansing on the 22d of April, 
1874. 

At the appointed time a society was organized under the 

name of " The Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan," 

and its objects were stated to be " The collection and preser- 

' vation of historical, biographical, or other information 

relative to the State of Michigan." 

Under the rules adopted any person forty years of age 
who has resided in the State twenty-five years may become 
a member of the society, and counties whose organization 
does not date back twenty-five years may bo represented by 
citizens who were residents at the date of organization. 

The first ofiicers of the society were as below : President, 
Judge Albert Miller, of Bay City; Vice-Presidents, one 
from each county having a society and represented in the 
State Society ; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Harriet A. Ten- 
ney, of Lansing ; Corresponding Secretary, Ephraim Long- 
year, of Lansing ; Treasurer, A. N. Hart, of Lansing. The 
present ofiicers are: President, Hon. H. G. Wells, of Kala- 
mazoo ; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Harriet A. Tenney, 
Lansing; Corresponding Secretary, George H. Greene, 
Lansing ; Treasurer, Ephraim Longyear, Lansing. Exec- 
utive Committee, H. G. Wells, Kalamazoo; Albert Miller, 
Bay City ; F. A. Dewey, Tecumseh ; T. D. Gilbert, Grand 
Rapids. Historians, H. G. Wells, Kalamazoo; J. C. 



Holmes, Detroit; M. H. Goodrich, Ann Arbor; M. Shoe- 
maker, Jackson ; Oliver C. Comstock, Marshall ; Mrs. H. 
A. Tenney, Lansing. 

Business meetings are held annually at Lansing on the 
first Wednesday of February, and other meetings when ne- 
cessary. The society has rooms in the Capitol, and its 
collections are deposited in one of the alcoves of the State 
library. Two volumes of pioneer collections have been 
published, and they will probably be continued at such 
intervals as the accumulation of materials may require. 
Valuable papers have been contributed by able writers, and 
a general interest has been awakened throughout the State, 
which promises well for the future. 



CHAPTER XL 

THE COURTS-GENERAL. 

Ilrsuine of tlie Early Courts — Changes of Jurisdiction — Territorial 
aDtl State Courts. 

The present excellent system of judicature of Michigan 
has been gradually developed through a long and devious 
way. The people, since the first permanent .settlement by 
the French, in 1701, have lived under many forms of gov- 
ernment, — edicts of kings, orders of military commanders, 
decrees of imperial parliaments and provincial Governors, or- 
dinances of national Congresses, enactments of Territorial 
Governors and Councils, provisions of State constitutions, 
and laws of State Legislatures. From the CotUume lie 
Paris to the la.st State constitution and enactments of the 
last Legislature, the changes of 179 years have left their 
impress along the way. 

The following paragraphs from Judge A. D. Frazer'a 
admirable introduction to the " Territorial Laws of Michi- 
gan" give an excellent summary of the various forms of 
legislation in operation previous to the organization of the 
Territorial government in 1805 : 

" The customs of Paris and the ordinances of the kingdom were 
introduced by the French into Canada at a very early period. These, 
with certain arri-is and decrees of the French Governor and other au- 
thorities of the province, constituted the rules of civil conduct in that 
extensive region of country. The administration of justice, however, 
seems to have been limited to the densest settled portions of the 
country. There, only, courts of justice were established. 

" The only civil officer located at any of the northern posts was a 
notary public, duly commissioned by the Governor. He was always 
an educated man, well versed in the Codtume de Pun's, and a very 
important official, in view of the duties cast upon him%y law, being 
required to keep a register of all the legal instruments he drew, 
as also the original documents, certified copies being furnished inter- 
ested parties. In all matters of controversy between the inhabitants, 
justice was meted out by the commandant of the post in a summary 
manner. The party complaining obtained a notification from him to 
his adversary of his complaint, accompanied by a command to render 
justice. If this had no efiect he was notified to appear before the com- 
mandant on a particular day and answer the complaint; and if the 
last notice was neglected, a sergeant and file of men were sent to 
bring him in, — no sheriff, no taxation, no costs. The recusant was 
fined and kept in prison until he did his adversary justice. 

".Such was the condition of things in the early settlements, pro- 
tected by the northern forts, up to the very time that France trans- 
ferred Canada and her other possessions in the country to the Crown 
of Great Britain, in 17fi3. The laws of England, civil and criminal, 
were introduced into the four separate and distinct governments,— 



THE COURTS— GENERAL. 



89 



Quebec, East and West Florida, and Canada, — but neither Michigan, 
nor any other part of the territory north of the Ohio, was embraced 
in the limits of either of these provinces, and for eleven years the 
country continued to be without the ])aIo of civil government. At 
length a bill was introduced into the liritish Parliament lo 'make 
more effectual provision for the government of Quebec, in North 
America;' and, upon the motion of Burke, amended so as to embrace 
the whole of the Northwest Territory, the bill became a law, Michi- 
gan and the Northwest being embraced in the province of Quebec. 

" l!y the provisions of the net ' Canadian subjects were to hold and 
CDJoy their property and possessions, with all customs and usages 
relative thereto,' and all their civil rights were guaranteed them, the 
same as under the French authority ; and in all matters of contro- 
versy relative to property and civil rights, the laws of Canada were 
to be the rule of decisions. The criminal law of England was to bo 
continued in force in the province. 

" Notwithstanding the adoption of this act, the inhabitants of 
Michigan did not at once realize the benefits of a civil government, a 
few justices of the peace, only, being commissioned; but, in 177fi, a 
flagrant case occurred in Detroit, which terminated tragically, and 
brought about an improvement in the administration of justice. 
Two persons were accused of theft, and the commandant of the post 
directed a justice of the peace (Dejean) to try them by a jury, which 
was done, and the culprits convicted, sentenced to be executed, and 
accordingly put to death. The whole proceedings were a mockery 
and a gross violation of law, and warrants arrived in Detroit for the 
arrest of tho commandant and justice, but thoy escaped." 

Tired of administerins; justice, the Governor, in 1779, 
proposed to the niercliauts to establish a " court of trus- 
tees," with jurisdiction extending to cases involving the 
amount of ten pounds, Halifax currency. This met tlie 
approval of the meichant.s, and eighteen of the most promi- 
nent of them entered into bonds that three of their num- 
ber should constitute a weekly court in rotation, and that 
they would defend any case which might be appealed from 
their decision. Tiiey were empowered to render judgment, 
issue executions, and imprison the defendant in the guard- 
house. 

The people gained little by change of rulers or of laws. 
No regular courts were established by either, and no judges 
appointed or pri.sons erected, other than the military guard- 
house. At length the province of Quebec was subdivided 
into districts by the governor-general, Lord Dorchester, 
in 1788, the one which included Michigan being called 
" Hesse." 

On the 25th of September, 1790, the imperial Parlia- 
ment passed an act by which the province of Quebec, which 
had included the whole of Canada, was divided into two 
provinces, designated " Upper" and " Lower" Canada, 
the dividing-line being the Ottawa River and the boundary 
between Canada and New York and New England. Each 
of the newly-organized provinces was granted a Legislative 
Council and General As.serably, upon which was bestowed 
the power to make all laws neces.sary for its government 
not repugnant to the provisions of the organic act. All 
laws enacted were to be subject to the approval of the 
king and governor-general. 

The Governor and executive council, to be appointed by 
the king, were created a court of civil jurLsdiclion for hear- 
ing and determining appeals. On the 15th of October, 
1792, tho Legislature of Upper Canada, to which Michi- 
gan was attached, repealed the existing laws of Canada as 
a rule of decision, but reserved all rights which had accrued 
under the same, and declared the laws of England to be 
the rule of decision in all matters of legal controversy. 
12 



Subsequent legislation introduced jury trials, established 
a court in each district, and made provision for the erection 
of court-houses and jails. 

In the absence of Protestant clergymen marriages had 
been solemnized by various military and civil officers, and 
in 1793 these were legalized by a public act. 

In the latter year Courts of General Quarter Sessions of 
the Peace were also established, with the time and places 
of holding them. The further vifrodticlioii of slaves was 
also prohibited, and a Surrogate and a Probate Court were 
established in each district. During the same year acts 
were pa.sscd minutely regulating juries, establishing a su- 
perior court of civil and criminal jurisdiction, and regula- 
ting the Court of Appeal. An act was also passed estab- 
lishing an inferior court for the cognizance of small causes, 
and by the same " The Court for the Western District is 
required to be holden in the town of Detroit." 

The last term of the District Court, under British rule, 
was held at Detroit on the 29th of January, 1796, and an 
execution issued on a judgment then obtained was made 
returnable to the court on the 1st day of September there- 
after; but in the month of July, of the same year, the 
posts of Detroit and Mackinac were surrendered by the 
British government to the United States in accordance with 
the terms of Jay's treaty. 

On the 15th day of July, in the same year, the county 
of Wayne was established by proclamation of Governor 
St. Clair, then Governor of the Northwest Territory, of 
which Michigan became a part. The new county embraced 
the lower peninsula, a small portion of Northwestern Ohio,* 
and a strip of Northern Indiana, over which were then 
introduced the laws governing the Northwest Territory. 
At the .same time the laws of Canada became a dead letter 
and inoperative. They were formally repealed Sept. 16, 
1810. No special inconvenience resulted from this sudden 
change in legal jurisdiction. The Territorial Courts were 
held at Detroit as the seat of justice of Wayne County. 

In 1800, Indiana Territory was organized and the west 
half of Michigan became a part of the same, while the ea.st 
half continued a portion of the Northwest Territory until 
December, 1802, when, upon the admi.ssion of Ohio into 
the Union, the whole of it fell under the jurisdiction of 
Indiana Territory, and so continued until 1805, when 
Michigan was organized as a separate Territory. The Gov- 
ernor and judges then became the law-making power, and 
so continued until the establishment of the Legislative 
Council in 1823. This latter continued until the adoption 
of a State constitution in 1835. The State was admitted 
in 1837, when the new constitution became the organic 
law. It was revised in 1850, and with some modifications 
remains the law of the State. 

SUrUEMK COURT. 
The first court established in the Territory of Michigan 
was the Supreme Court, consisting of one supreme judge 
and two associates, appointed by the President and confirmed 

» The disputed territory of 1835-36. It included a strip of country 
extending from what is now the Indiana line to Lake Erie at Toledo, 
about ten miles wide from north to south. It also embraced the strip 
lying north of the same line (ordnance of 1787) in Indiana. 



90 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



by the Senate of the United States. This court was origin- 
ally organized by Governor Hull and Judges Woodward 
and Bates, July 2-i, 1805.* It had original and exclusive 
jurisdiction of all cases, both in law and equity, when the 
title of land was involved, and original and concurrent 
jurisdiction in all cases where the matter or sum in dispute 
exceeded $200 ; appellate jurisdiction in all cases whatsoever; 
and original and exclusive jurisdiction in all criminal cases 
where the punishment was capital, and in cases of divorce 
and alimony. f 

DISTRICT COUllTS. 

Tiiese were created by the same authority on the 25th 
of July, 1805, and the Territory was divided into four 
judicial districts, — viz., Erie, Detroit, Huron, and Miehili- 
inackinac. The juristiction of those courts was " over all 
persons, causes, matters, or things which shall exceed the 
value of twenty dollars, whether brought before them by 
original process or by any legal ways or means whatsoever, 
except in cases exclusively vested in some other court." 
Justices of the peace were given cognizance of all actions 
where the amount in dispute or the penalty to be inflicted 
did not exceed twenty dollars, and the marshal of the Terri- 
tory and his deputies were the executors of the processes of 
the courts and justices. 

The judges of the Territory of Michigan were required 
to hold the District Courts on their first creation, but on the 
2d of April, 1807, the act creating them was amended, and 
the Governor was empowered to appoint for each district 
one chief judge and two associates, "persons of integrity, 
experience, and legal knowledge," residents of the district 
in which the court was held, to hold their offices during 
good behavior, and to appoint their own clerk. They were 
also empowered to levy and collect the district taxes for 
court charges. No new counties were organized during 
Governor's Hull's term of office. The subdivisions were 
the four judicial districts. 

After a brief existence the District Courts were abolished 
on the 16th day of September, 1810, but all rights acquired 
between June 2, 1807, and Sept. 1, 1810, were reserved. 
All unfinished business on their respective dockets was 
transferred to the Supreme Court and the courts of jus- 
tices of the peace, according to the respective jurisdic- 
tion of each, that of the latter being extended to sums not 
esceeding-$]00 ; that of the former to all sums and matters 
exceeding $100, and to the probate of wills. 

During the period of British occupation the machinery 
of the courts was continued in operation by proclamation 
of Proctor, the British Military Governor, who also a.ssumed 
the office of civil magistrate, and appointed Judge Woodward 
secretary. Little or no judicial business was done under 
this occupation. With the return of peace and the reoccu- 
pation of the country by the Americans, the ante helium 
status was restored. 



« The persons named by the President and confirmed by the Senate 
a-s judges of the Territory were Augustus Brevoort Woodward, Samuel 
Huntington, and Frederiek Bates. Mr. Huntington declined the 
ofBeo, and in 1S06 his plaee was lilled by John Griffin. — Ctimpbell. 

t The first code of laws for the Territory was frauiod and adopted 
within three months after the appointment of the judges. The State 
Supreme Court holds four terms annually at Lansing, commeueing on 
the first Tuesdays in January, April, June, and October. 



COUNTY COURTS. 

County Courts were established by act of the Governor 
and judges on the 24th of October, 1815. They were to 
be held by one chief justice and two associate justices, 
and were given original and exclusive jurisdiction in all 
civil matters, both in law and C([uity, where the matter in 
dispute exceeded the jurisdiction of justices of the peace 
and did not exceed $1000, but had no jurisdiction in cases 
of ejectment. These courts, also, had exclusive cognizance 
of all offenses the punishment of which was not capital, 
and had the same power to issue remedial and other pro- 
cesses (writs of error and mandamus excepted) as the 
Supreme Court. They were intermediate courts, with 
powers and constitution similar to the former District 
Courts. They had appellate powers of justices of the 
peace, whose jurisdiction extended to matters not exceed- 
ing twenty dollars, unless the person voluntarily confessed 
judgment, in which case their jurisdiction was enlarged to 
cases involving $100. The judges of the County Courts 
were appointed by the Governor. 

Judgment could be rendered against the plaintiff if he 
was found culpable or indebted. Execution included the 
body, unless sufficient property was found to satisfy it. 
The law exempted from seizure one sheep, one hog, and 
the apparel, bedding, and tools of the defeated party. 

Tiie grand-jury system was established for the Supreme 
Court in 1805, and the provisions of the act were extended 
to the County Courts in December, 1837. Upon the or- 
ganization of the County Courts, the jurisdiction of the 
Supreme Court was confined to all matters where the 
amount in dispute exceeded $1000, except in actions of 
ejectment, over which it had exclusive jurisdiction. 

The powers of a Chancery Court were extended to the 
County Courts on the 13th of June, 1818, and the Supreme 
Court was given concurrent jurisdiction with, and appellate 
powers over, the County Courts, and the Governor was 
authorized to appoint a master commissioner in chancery 
for either court. 

CIRCUIT (;OURTS. 

Circuit Courts for the counties of the Territory were 
created by the Legislative Council in August, 1824, and 
reaffirmed in April, 1825, the act to take effect in Septem- 
ber of the same year. These courts were held in each of 
the organized counties by justices of the Supreme Court. 
They had original jurisdiction, within their respective cir- 
cuits, in all civil actions at law where the amount due or 
demanded exceeded the sum of $1000, and concurrent 
jurisdiction within the County Courts in all civil actions 
where justices of the peace had not jurisdiction, and of all 
actions of ejectment and capital criminal cases, and appellant 
powers over the County Courts. 

The Circuit Court of the Territory of Michigan was 
created on the 15th of April, 1833, and all the organized 
counties of the Territory were constituted one circuit. The 
presiding judge, who was appointed by the Governor, was 
styled the " circuit judge," and was required to be a person 
learned in the law. He was appointed for four years. As- 
sociated with him were two judges, appointed in each county, 
who held their offices for two years. Any two of the judges 



THil COURTS— GENERAL. 



91 



might form a r{uorutn for the transaction of ordinary busi- 
ness, but no flaj^rant crime could be tried in the absence of 
the circuit judj^e unless the person charged therewith 
consented to a trial. 

These courts possessed chancery and common-law juris- 
diction, original in all civil cases where justices had not 
jurisdiction, and had cognizance of all offenses not similarly 
cognizable by justices, and appellate powers over justices. 

The Circuit Courts existing at the date of the passage of 
the act were denominated by it " the Superior Circuit Courts 
of Michigan," but the business on their dockets was trans- 
ferred to the new tribunal. 

The Stale constitution of 1835 provided for a Supreme 
Court, and as many others as the Legislature should choose 
to proviJe, including a Probate Court in each county. 

The Supreme Court was to consi.st of one chief and three 
associate justices, appointed by the Governor, on nomination 
of the Senate, to serve for seven years. 

In 1837 the Legislature divided the State into four judicial 
circuits, the justices of the Supreme Court holding the 
courts in the several counties. The jurisdiction of the 
courts remained the same as under the Territorial organi- 
zation, except in chancery cases. Two as.sociate judges 
were to be cho.sen in each county, one of whom was required 
to sit with the presiding judge. 

A change was made in the courts in April, 1848, by the 
State Legislature. The Supreme Court was reorganized, 
and made to consist of one chief and four associate justices, 
and the State was divided into five judicial circuits. The 
supreme justices were each to hold at least two terms in 
each county in the circuits assigned them, and in the exe- 
cution of that duty to be styled circuit judges. 

The constitution of 1850 vested the judicial powers of 
the State in one Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, Probate 
Courts, and justices of the peace. Municipal Courts were 
to be provided at the will of the Legislature. 

The judges of the Circuit Court in each of the eight 
circuits of the State were to form, for the next six years, 
the Supreme Court of the State, after which period the 
Legislature was to provide for a reorganization of the latter 
court by the election of one chief and three associate jus- 
tices for terms of eight years, the term of one to close 
every alternate year, — the Legislature to change the limits 
and increase the number of circuits, — and the courts had 
original jurisdiction in all matters, civil or criminal, not 
excepted by the constitution or prohibited by law, and 
appellate and supervisory over all inferior tribunals. The 
county clerks are clerks of the court.* 

COUKT OF CllANCEKY. 

This court was provided for by the constitution of 1835 
and created in 1837, and its earlier sessions were held at 
Detroit until the year 1840. Its powers were similar to 
those of the chancery courts of England. The presiding 
judge was called a chancellor, and was appointed by the 
President of the United States. Registers were appointed 



* There arc twenty-three circuits in the State. The Fourth is made 
up of the counliea of Washtenaw, Jackson, and Ingham ; the Fifth of 
Calhoun, Barry, and Eaton. 



for each district. In 1839 this court was given cognizance 
of the banks, and in 1841 the power was extended to par- 
tition and sale of lands, concurrent with the Circuit Court. 
The Supreme Court possessed appellate powers over this 
court. 

PROBATE COURT. 

Under the ordinance of 1787, established for the govern- 
ment of the Northwest Territor}', provisions were made for 
regulating the line of descent and for administering upon 
estates and wills. The widow's right of dower was made 
inviolate, and wills were to be attested by three witnesses, 
and when proven were to be recorded within one year in 
the offices provided for such purposes. On the 31st of 
August, 1805, Governor Hull and Judges Woodward and 
Bates passed an act providing for the probate of wills and 
the administration upon intestate estates in the Territory 
of Michigan. Wills were to be recorded in the office of the 
clerk of the District Court. 

In January, 1809, this act w.is materially amended, and 
in 1810 wholly repealed. In January, 1811, a new pro- 
bate law was enacted, and a register provided for, with the 
authority of a judge in the probate of wills, and in granting 
administration upon intestate estates, and wills were re- 
corded in his office. A register was provided for each 
judicial district. Power to compel specific performance 
on contracts of decedents for conveyance of land was vested 
in the register, and also the power to decree the sale of 
lands to pay the debts of decedents. 

On the 27th of July, 1813, the Governor and judges 
passed an act creating a Probate Court in each organized 
county, to be held by a judge appointed by the Governor. 
A register of wills was also appointed by the same author- 
ity, who was also register of deeds until 1835. 

The Probate Court had full cognizance of mortuary mat- 
ters, and the Supreme Court had appellate jurisdiction over 
the same. The probate law was amended, from time to time, 
by the Territorial authority, and by State authority since 
its admission into the Union, until at the present time the 
administration of estates is become very simple and almost 
free from costs of court, the judge receiving an annual salary 
and keeping his own records. Litigation, of course, entails 
its own expense. 

In 1837 the power to sell real estate for the payment of 
debts was given the Probate Court, concurrently with the 
Circuit and Chancery Courts. 

Michigan belongs to the Sixth Circuit of the United 
States, comprising, besides Michigan, the States of Ohio, 
Kentucky, and Tennessee. 

The State is divided into two districts, called Eastern and 
Western, Ingham County being iu the Eastern and I'^aton 
in the Western District. These districts are subdivided, 
and courts are held at Detroit and Port Huron in the 
Eastern, and at Grand Rapids and Marquette in the 
Western, District. 



92 



UISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICEIIGAN. 



CHAPTER XII. 

INTEKNAL IMPHOVEMENTS. 

Indian Trails— Early Roads— State Roads — Plank-Roads— Railways. 

We cannot go back to prehistoric times and restore 
the ancient highways, if, indeed, any such ever existed in 
Michigan. How far the unknown people who built the 
great mounds of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, who 
worked the copper deposits of Lake Superior and cultivated 
the "Garden Beds" of Southwestern Michigan, extended 
their settlements and improvements towards the centre of 
the peninsula, we have little means of determining. The 
strong probability is that in their day, which some place as 
far back as 2500 years ago, or more than COO years prior 
to the Christian era, the lower peninsula of Michigan was 
not in a favorable condition for the occupation of human 
beings. At all events, they have left no indications of 
any enduring system of highways, such as the Spaniards 
found iu Mexico and Southern America. 

The Indian race which succeeded them never attempted 
to introduce any artificial system of roads in any part of the 
country. They were content to follow the narrow footpath 
which has been called by the whites a trail, and over such 
primitive roads many a war-party has passed to and fro. 
In most parts of the country they made use of the numer- 
ous streams and lakes, and on these, in their light, easily- 
handled canoes, made of bark or wrought from the bodies 
of forest-trees, they traversed the country in pursuit of 
game, or of their hereditary enemies, as silently as the wild 
fowl, which covered the quiet waters. 

Tiie lower peninsula of Michigan is wonderfully adapted 
to canoe navigation. A complete network of streams and 
small lakes permeates it in every direction, and by short 
portages from the head of one stream to another, and be- 
tween the innumerable lakes, they could pass from Lake 
Michigan to Lake Huron, and from the Maumee and St. 
Joseph Rivers to tlie Straits of Mackinac. 

Their numerous trails centred at various prominent 
points, as Detroit, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, 
Saginaw, etc., but there seem never to have been any im- 
portant converging points in either Ingham or Eaton County. 
A considerable trail followed Grand River, and less impor- 
tant ones probably traversed the valleys of its principal 
branches. 

This was a heavily-timbered region, and even if their 
trails had been as numerous here as around Kalamazoo and 
frairie Ronde, the clearing away of the forest and culti- 
vating the ground would have obliterated them in a short 
time. 

EAItLV JIO.VIXS. 

The earliest roads used by the first settlers were cut 
through the country probably without any special regard 
to township or section lines. They were " bushed" out in 
the direction leading towards the locality where they pro- 
posed to settle and make their future homes. The heaviest 
timber was avoided as much as possible, and the underbrush 
and smaller growth of forest-trees were cleared away just 
Eu|3iciently to permit the passage of the team and wagon of 
the immigrant. Oftentimes for many miles the settler 



picked his way among the giant trunks without being 
obliged to use his axe, except occasionally to cut away a 
prostrate tree, blown down by the wind or fallen from decay 
and old age. In the southern portion of the State there 
were many openings where the timber, consisting largely of 
burr oak and other varieties of the Qitercits* family, grew 
so scattering tiiat the land could be cultivated with little 
labor of clearing ; but in the region of Ingham and Eaton 
Counties the timber was generally heavy and dense.f ^ 

STATE rvOAD.S. i 

Very early in the history of the country the attention of 
the Legislature (Territorial and State) was directed to the l 
subject of roads, and a large number were laid out under 
its authority. As early as 1817 the United States govern- 
ment began the construction of a military road from De- 
troit through Royal Oak, Pontiac, and Flint, to Saginaw. 
It was cut through the whole distance 100 feet in width, 
and more or less improved. It now forms one of the finest 
turnpikes in the State, and is kept in repair either by a 
small rate of toll or by a tax levied in the various townships 
through which it passes. 

The Congress of the United States passed an act on the 
4th of July, 1832, directing the President to appoint three 
commissioners to lay out a road " from Detroit, through 
Sciawassee County, to the mouth of Grand River," for 
military and other purposes, and this was accordingly done. 
In 1833-34 the government expended $2500 on the first 
ten miles from Detroit. In March, 1835, Congress appro- 
priated 825,000 additional, which was expended upon the 
road in 1835-36, mostly in clearing away the timber and 
in constructing bridges over the Rouge, Huron, Shiawassee, 
and Cedar Rivers. The road was cleared to a width of 100 
feet, and probably as far west as the site of North Lansing. 
This was the extent of the work done by the general gov- 
ernment, for the Territory became a State in 1837, and 
thenceforward all the Territorial roads were under State 
jurisdiction. A grant of land was, however, obtained from 
the United States, to the amount of 5000 acres, for the 
Grand River and Saginaw roads. 

After the admission of Michigan into the Union, very 
little was done on these roads for several years. As late as 
1840 there had been very little work done west of Brighton, 
in Livingston County, on the Grand River road. An act 
was passed by the Legislature, and approved on the 2d of 
April, 1841, appropriating §5000 to be expended on the 
road, under the direction of the Board of Internal Improve- 
ment. This sum was taken from the balance remaining of 
a $60,000 appropriation, formerly made for the benefit of 
the " Northern Wagon Road," which last-named project 
had been virtually abandoned. This appropriation was 
mostly expended under the supervision of John Mullett, of 
Detroit, a noted surveyor of the early days, between Lan- 
sing and Fowlerville. It was about the same time that the 
first line of passenger and mail coaches (which were said to 



•E- Q:(ercue nlba 'white oak), Qiiercis riiiru (red oak), Qnerctis 
inncrncarpn (burr oak), etc. 

f Tlii'rc were exceptions, as tlie site of Charlotte, which was a small 
prairie-like opening;. 



INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 



93 



have been lumber wagons) was put on the road from De- 
troit to Grand River. Tlie line between Howell and Lan- 
sing; was owned by Ralph Fowler, O. B. 'Williaras, and 
others. 

On the 24th of March, 1S45, an act was approved by 
the Governor authorizing the expenditure of certain non- 
resident highway taxes on tiiat part of tlie Grand River 
road " between the village of Ilowell and the house of 
Justus Gilkcy, in Ingham County."* 

These non-resident taxes embraced all highway taxes 
levied on the property lying within two miles of the road 
on cither .side, in the years from 1845 to 1848, inclusive, 
and all such taxes unexpended on the first day of May, 
1845. Ralph Fowler, of Handy, Livingston Co., and 
Joseph H. Kilbourne, of Meridian, Ingham Co., were ap- 
pointed under the act special commissioners " to have super- 
intendence of said road within their respective counties, 
and to direct when the labor shall be performed on said 
road." 

Another act was passed in March, 1848, appropriating 
10,000 acres of internal improvement lands for the benefit 
of the Detroit and Grand River road between the villages 
of Michigan,! in Ingham County, and Howell, in Liv- 
ingston County. Six thousand acres of this were to be ex- 
pended in Ingham and 4000 in Livingston County. The 
work was to be done under the supervision of special com- 
missioners appointed by the Governor. 

The original route was laid out to the northward of the 
Cedar River, but in 1849 it was changed to a more south- 
erly and direct one through the villages of Fowlcrville, in 
Livingston County, and Webberville, Willian).ston,and Oke- 
mos, to its terminus at North Lansing, in Ingham County. 
The road was opened and worked by Ralph Fowler and 
others, and the State grants of lands and money were 
supplemented with subscriptions sufficient to render it 
passable. 

By reference to the session laws we find the following 
acts relating to other State roads in Ingham and Eaton 
Counties : 

Feb. 16, 1837. An act authorizing a State road from 
Dexter, in Washtenaw Count}', via the county-seat of Ing- 
ham County, to Lyons, at the mouth of Maple River, in 
Ionia County. Commissioners were appointed to carry it 
into efiect. 

March 17, 1837. A second act relating to the same 
subject was passed, making Jacksonburgh a point on the 
road. 

March 11, 1837. An act authorizing a State road from 
Battle Creek, in Calhouu County, to the mouth of Looking- 
Giass River, in Ionia County. This road passes through 
the western part of Eaton County. At the same date an 
act authorizing a road from Marshall, in Calhoun County, to 
the county-seat of Ionia County, and another from Bellc- 
vue, in Eaton County, to Hastings, in Barry County. An- 
other of the same date from Marshall to Saginaw City 
probably passed through both Eaton and Ingham Counties. 
Also one from Pontiac, in Oakland County, to Lyons, in 



• Mr. Oilkcy rciidod on section 5, in the tonnsbi|j of Lnnsing. 
t Xonn of Micliigun, no(r city of Lansing. 



Ionia County, which must have passed through Ingham 
County. Another from Bass Lake, through Lansing to 
Allegan. Also one from the county-scat of Eaton County 
to Cashway's Point, on Maple River, in Clinton County. 
All passed March 11, 1837. 

March 9, 1838. A road commencing on the east line of 
Eaton County, two miles north of the base-line, and run- 
ning north to the road leading from Lansing to Allegan. 

April 18, 1839. An act providing for a State road from 
a point in the west line of Ingham County, where the 
Bellevue road terminates, easterly to the mills in the town- 
ship of Leslie, and thence to Pinckuey, in Livingston 
County. 

At the same date, a road from Mason to the Little 
Rapids,! on Grand River, and terminating on section 20 or 
21, town 4 north, range 21 west. 

Same date. From Marshall, in Calhoun County, to 
Bellevue, in Eaton County ; and from the south line of 
Clinton County, where the Grand River crosses it, to the 
village of Mason. This would make Lansing a point. 

March 17, 1848. An act authorizing a State road from 
Lansing to AUogan, running through on the line between 
the townships of Oneida, Benton, Chester, and Roxand to 
the village of Vcrmontvillc ; thence to Ha.stings, in Barry 
County, and thence to Allegan. The act appropriated 4000 
acres of " internal improvement lands" for opening and 
improving the road.S; 

March 29, 1848. A State road was authorized and or- 
dered laid out and established from Verniontville, in Eaton 
County, east through the Whcaton and Hovey settlon)ent,s 
to a point on Battle Creek, in Benton town.ship. 

April 1, 1848. A State road authorized from the quarter 
post on section 16, in Lansing, through Lansing, Delhi, 
Aurelius, and Onondaga townships to the base-line, and 
thence to the village of Tompkins, in Jack.son County. 

By an act of the same date a State road from Lansing 
to Byron, in Shiawassee County, and one from Marshall, 
Calhoun Co., to Lan.sing ; also one from Flint, Genesee Co., 
Vitt Corunna, in Shiawassee County, to Lansing. 

April 3, 1848. Act authorizing commissioners to lay 
out and establish a State road from Albion, in Calhoun 
County, to Eaton Rapids, in Eaton County. The act ap- 
propriated 2000 acres of " internal improvement lands," 
the proceeds to be expended between Duck Lake and 
Eaton Rapids. At the same time an act was approved 
appropriating 3000 acres of the .same lands for the im- 
provement of the State road between Ma.son, in Ingham 
County, and Dexter, in Washtenaw County, the proceeds 
of two-thirds of the grant to be expended between Mason 
and Stockbridge, and the remainder east of the last-men- 
tioned place. 

March 13, 1861. An act authorizing a State road from 
Port Huron, at the foot of Lake Huron, to Bay City, 
thence southwesterly to Lansing, to be known as the " Port 
Huron, Bay City, and Lansing Road." 

March 15, 1861. An act passed authorizing a State 



X A point now within the city limits of Lansing. 
^ This net seems to cover substantially tho same ground as one 
parsed March II, 1337. 



1)4 



HISTORY OF INGHAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



road from Ionia, in Ionia County, to Vermonfville, in 
Eaton County. Of tlie same date, an act establishing a 
State road from the south part of Delta township, on 
section 35, thence south to intercept the State road running 
from Lansing to Hastings, in Barry County. 

March 20, 1865. An act passed authorizing the Ingham 
and Clinton State road, and three sections of " internal 
improvement lands" (1920 acres) were appropriated for its 
construction. 

Most or all of these roads have been worked and im- 
proved, until at the present time they are equal to the 
average roads of tlie West. The roads of Michigan vary 
materially in different portions of the State. On sandy 
lands they are alwaj's dry, but very heavy for draught pur- 
poses, and are being rapidly graveled and converted into 
solid turnpikes, as around Pouliac and Grand Rapids. The 
soil of Ingham and Eaton Counties is mainly a clayey loam 
with sandy and gravelly sections, and occasionally gravelly 
ridges. The roads are fine in the dry season, but become 
somewhat muddy and heavy in rainy seasons, and while the 
frost is leaving the ground in the spring. There is, however, 
a sufficiency of good gravel for road purposes in the two 
counties, and the wagon roads will in a few years become 
all that can be desired. 

PLAXKROADS. 

In common with many other sections of the Union, 
Michigan passed through a pl.ase of experience which may 
be designated as the " plank-road mania." Its extensive 
fore-st lands furnished ample material for development in 
this direction, and the construction of wooden roads was 
carried on for a number of years with a zeal worthy of 
Sherman's grand army in its march through the South. 
Plank-roads almost innumerable were projected in every 
part of the State where there were permanent inhabitants, 
and even the wilderness was invaded by this universal 
remedy for the crying evils of mud and sand. The number 
of charters granted by the Legislature was something as- 
tonishing, and the feeling among the people was very simi- 
lar to that expressed upon the completion of the great Erie 
Canal through the State of New York. 

The enthusiasm for the new style of road was not without 
some foundation in reason. The country was new, and 
although there was abundant material for the construction 
of durable turnpikes, the property of the people was not 
sufficiently developed to bear the strain of a taxation equal 
to the needs of the country. Timber was everywhere 
cheap and in many places really a trouble.some nuisance, to 
be got rid of in a summary manner. The building of 
plank-roads would subserve two ends : it would aid in clear- 
ing valuable land for cultivation and furnish at least a tem- 
porary relief from the evils of imperfect roads. 

Accordingly, charters were obtained, mills put in opera- 
tion, right of way was obtained, funds were raised, and the 
work began and was carried on more or less generally 
throughout the State. For a period of from ten to fifteen 
years the plank-roads answered a good purpose ; but when 
they began to wear out and stand in need of repairs it is 
astonishing how rapidly they went out of use. Some were 
superseded or rendered unprofitable by the building of rail- 



roads, but the graded beds of many of them have been 
transferred into graveled turnpikes, which are being rapidly | 
constructed in many parts of the State. 

Tiie era of plank-roads has undoubtedly passed, but in 
their time, when the people were unable to pay for any- 
thing more substantial and enduring, they undoubtedly 
served an excellent purpose. 

By reference to the session laws of the State we find the 
following acts b3'the Legislature incorporating various com- 
panies for the construction of plank-roads : 

April 3, 1S4S. The Michigan* and Mason Plank-Road 
Company, incorporated for the purpose of building a road 
from Michigan to the village of Mason. The incorporators 
were George B. Cooper, George W. Peck, and Minos Mc- 
Robert. The capital stock was fixed at 825,000. 

Under the same date the " Dexter and Michigan Plank- 
Road Company" was incorporated for the purpose of con- 
structing a road from Dexter, in Washtenaw County, to 
^Michigan, in Ingham County. The incorporators were 
Samuel W. Dexter, D. C. Whitwood, and E. B. Danforth, 
and the capital stock authorized was So0,000. 

At the same time the " Portland and Michigan Plank- 
Road Company" was incorporated to build a road from 
Portland, at the mouth of the Looking-Glass River, in 
Ionia County, to Jlichigan, in Ingham County. The in- 
corporators were William F. Jenison, A. Newman, and 
Hezekiah Smith. Capital, 850,000. 

Also on the same date was chartered the " Jlichigan and 
De Witt Plank-Road Company," to build a road from 
Michigan, in Ingham County, to De AVitt, in Clinton 
County, distance about ten miles. Incorporators, James 
Seymour, Siloam S. Carter, J. W. Turner-, George T. Clark, 
David Ferguson. Capital stock authorized, 810,000. 

Also at the same time the " Ann Arbor and Michigan 
Plank-Road Company," to construct a road from Ann 
Arbor, in Washtenaw County, to Michigan, in Ingham 
County. The incorporators for this road were G. D. Hill, 
Luther Boyden, Robert S. Wilson, C. N. Ormsby, Volney 
Chapin, Edward Mundy, Charles P. Bush. Authorized 
capital stock, 8100,000. 

At the same date the " Battle Creek and Michigan 
Plank-Road Company" was chartered to build a road from 
Battle Creek, in Calhoun County, to Michigan, in Incham 
County. Incorporators, William Johnson, Hannibal G. 
Rice, Sylvanus Huntsecker, William Brooks. Capital, 
875,000. 

Under the same date was chartered one of the two com- 
panies which eventually built the only plank-road that ever 
reached Lansing, — to wit, the " Detroit and Howell Plank- 
Road Company." The incorporators named were Henry 
Ledyard and Ashbel S. Bagg, of Detroit ; Jabesh jM. Mead, 
of Plymouth, Wayne Co. ; Augustus C. Baldwin, of Oak- 
land County ; and Josiah Turner, of Livingston County. 
This company were authorized by the act to take possession 
of the Grand River State road between Detroit and How- 
ell, provided they did not obstruct it for ordinary traffic 
purposes. The capital stock was fixed at 8125,000, and 
the charter was granted for sixty years. 

* Jfow Lansing. 



INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 



95 



Also, at tlie same time, was chartered the Eaton Rapids 
Plank-Road Company to construct a road from Eaton 
Rapids to Jackson. The incorporatoi-s were Gardner T. 
Rand, Horace Ilaiulin, Benjamin Wright. Capital stock, 
875,000 ; charter to run sixty years. 

One of the latest companies chartered was the Lansing 
and Ilowfll Plank-Road Company, March 20, 1850. The 
incorporators were James Seymour, Hiram H. Smith, 
Ephraim B. Danforth, George W. Lee, Frederick C. 
Whipple. Authorized capital stock, §00,000, in 2400 
shares of twenty-five dollars each. 

Under the act the Detroit and Howell Company was 
authorized to subscribe stock in the Lansing and Howell 
Company in a sum not exceeding 815,000. These two 
companies built the only road terminating at Lansing, 
though there were no less than seven companies chartered 
to build as many different roads diverging in various direc- 
tions. 

The Detroit and Howell Company probably constructed 
their road between 1848 and 1850. When the Lansing 
and Howell Company was chartered the Detroit and Howell 
Company took the amount of stock in the new company 
authorized by the act of incorporation. 

Among the prominent stockholders in the Lansing and 
Howell Plank-Road Company were Erastus Corning, of 
Albany, N. Y. ; Horatio Seymour, of Utica, N. Y. ; L. D. 
Coman, of New York City ; L. K. Plimpton, of Buffalo, 
N. Y. ; John Owen, F. Wetmore, C. C. Trowbridge, H. 
P. Baldwin, Zachariah Chandler, C. H. Buhl, of De- 
troit; and A. N. Hart, of Lapeer. 

The contractors for the construction of the road were 
H. H. Smith,* James Turner, and Charles Seymour, the 
latter a son of James Seymour, under the firm-name of 
Smith, Turner & Seymour. 

Ground was broken on the road about the 1st of July, 
1850, and a portion of it, between Lansing and Okemos, 
opened for business in June, 1851. The entire line be- 
tween Lansing and Howell was completed and opened prob- 
ably in December, 1852. James Turner was treasurer and 
superintendent for the company from 1851 to Oct. 10, 
18G9, the date of his death. Sir. Turner was also prom- 
inent in the construction of the Jackson, Lansing and 
Saginaw Railroad. 

The Lansing and Howell Plank-Road had seven toll- 
gates, located as follows: No. 1, a mile east of Lansing; 
No. 2, two miles west of Okemos Village ; No. 3, at Red 
Bridge, ten miles east of Lansing; No. 4, at Leroy Vil- 
lage ; No. 5, near Fowlerville ; No. 6, between Fowlerville 
and llowell ; and No. 7, at Howell. The road connected 
at Ionia and Grand Rapids with boats on Grand River, 
and thence via Grand Haven with steamers on Lake Mich- 
igan. It was not only a valuable property to the stockhold- 
ers, but of vast advantage to the business interests of the 
whole central and northwestern portions of the State. It 
was extensively patronized, and a constant stream of travel 



* Mr. Smith became snbfcquently a noted railroad contractor, and 
constructed several important lines in Michigan. lie is at this time 
a wealthy and respected cilizcn uf the city of Jackson, well advanced 
in J- cars. 



and traffic passed over it, until the completion of the De- 
troit and Milwaukee Railway attracted a large portion of 
its former business. The completion of that line of rail- 
way occurred in 1858. The road was .still comparatively 
profitable and was maintained as a plank-road until about 
18GG, when the company procured an act of the Legisla- 
ture authorizing them to change the road to a graveled 
turnpike. The change began about the last-named date by 
filling the bad j)laces where the plank had decayed with 
gravel ; and this process gradually went on until about 
1870, when the whole line from Lansing to Detroit had 
become a solid turnpike, and as such is still maintained. 

The old plank-road followed substantially the Territorial 
and State road for the entire distance, passing through 
Bedford, in Wayne County ; Farmington, Novi, and Lyon, 
in Oakland ; Brighton, IIowoll, and Fowlerville, in Livings- 
ton ; and Wcbberville, Williamston, and Okemos, in Ing- 
ham County. The total distance between Detroit and Lan- 
sing is eighty-five miles. 

The firm of Ilibbard & Burrell (Daniel Hibbard and A. 
Burrell, of Detroit) was the first to establish a through line 
of mail- and passenger-coaches after the plankroad was 
finished over this route. The coaches were strong and 
capacious, and carried twenty passengers each, making the 
entire distance in ten hours, or an average of eight and 
a half miles per hour, — a feat more marvelous in those 
days than the performances of the fast mail-trains over our 
railways to-day. 

The completion of the Detroit, Lansing and Northern 
Railway in 1871 again diminished its business rjuite mate- 
rially, and it at present has about an average amount of 
traffic with other prominent lines of highway in the State. 

There has been a great amount of complaint in recent 
years that the companies who constructed the plank and 
graveled roads should be permitted to continue the toll- 
gates upon them. The charters will expire as follows : 
The Detroit and Howell, April 3, 1908, and the Lansing 
and Howell, March 20, 1910. It seems a long time to the 
people, no doubt, to look forward to 'a free road, and it is 
more than probable that long before the time expires the 
•system of toll will be given up ; but there is also another 
side to the rjucstion which it is well enough for those who 
are clamoring for the abrogation of the charters to examine. 

Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, in October, 1879, published a 
statement of some interesting facts as a reply to those who 
are calling for the abolition of the toll-road. We make a 
few extracts from his article : 

" It is useless to c;»tch the ear of the pre,=cnt bu.'^y generation as to 
what transpired about these roads thirty-odd years ago ; but the fact is 
undeniable that at certain seasons of the year, an<l about half of the 
time, they were almost impassable, and that at such periods non-iu- 
turcoursc with the country was the rule. A great outcry was raado 
fur relief. Certain uf our business men procured the passage of the 
plank-road act of 1818, and these corporations were organized under 
its provisions. Failing to persuade the farmers and the city land- 
holders to take up the capital stock, these same business men took it 
and built the roads. At first they were profitable to their owners, 
but the revenues soon fell olTaud the expenses uf repair increased, so 
that for the l:i8t seventeen years the .Saline bos paid only an uverago 
of one and one-seventeenth per cent, per annum; the Lansing and 
ilowell, for twrnty-fivc years, tmc and one-eighth per cent. ; the l>e- 
troit and llowell, for si.\teen years, t\x and three-tilths per cent. ; and 
the Erie less than nine per cent. ; the whole average being less than 



90 



HISTORY OF IxXGIIAM AND EATON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN. 



five per cent.; while the yearly saving to oar citizens in the cost of 
fuel and supplies and the general effect upon the markets has been 
equal to the total cost of the ro.ads, and the lands along their lines 
have quadrupled in value. Please note hero that these and the suc- 
ceeding dividends will be all that the shareholders will receive in re- 
turn for S:!0(),OUO which they expended in building these roads. At 
the expiration of their charters, now only twenty-eight years distant, 
the roads revert to the vicinage and become town property, subject to 
ta.iation for repairs. In respect to one of them that period will prob- 
ably be materially shortened, for it is already diflicult, by the most 
economical use of the revenue, to keep it in passable condition. 

" Under those circumstances the proprietors feel that they are oquit- 
aVdy entitled to whatever the law allows, and they ask their fellow- 
citizens to put themselves in their place and not to condemn them as 
thieves for endeavoring to maintain their rights. It is obvious to all 
who have served as road-masters that if left to the towns to keep the 
roads in repair the people would never submit to the necessary ta.xa- 
tion. Up to 1S79 the Howell road had expended for that purpose 
$:!0;i,369.'J8, or an average of S11,G67.10 per annum; the Erie, 
.•?276,890.1fi, or an average of $10,619. 60 ; the L.ansing, $98,854.07, or 
an average of $3954.18; and the Saline, $261,610.31, or an average of 
$10,464.41; a total, of about $1,000,000.» 

RAILWAYS. 

Upon the admission of Michigan into the Union as a 
sovereign State in 1837, the State government entered upon 
a grand system of infernal improvements, to include the 
navigation of rivers, the construction of canals, and the 
building of three trunk lines of railway across the State, — 
a southern, a central, and a northern line.f 

A State loan of $5,000,000 was provided for, and great 
expectations were indulged for the future of the young and 
ambitious State. But the grand scheme, however correct it 
may have been in principle, was too extensive and costly 
for the new-fledged commonwealth. 

But, undeterred by the magnitude of the work, the State 
proceeded with the construction of the southern line from 
Monroe to Hillsdale, a distance of sixty-six miles, complet- 
ing it to the latter point in 1843. In 1846 the State sold 
its interest to a company which completed the line to 
Chicago about 1852. 

The Michigan Central llailroad was commenced by the 
Detroit and St. Joseph Railroad Company in 1836, | but 
before any great amount of work had been done the com- 
pany sold to the State in April, 1837. The State com- 
pleted the road westward from Detroit in sections, as follows: 
From Detroit to Ypsilanti, Feb. 5, 1838 ; to Ann Arbor, 
Oct. 17, 1839; to Dexter, June 30, 1841 ; to Jackson, 
Dec. 29, 1841; to Albion, Jan. 25, 1844; to Marshall, 
Aug. 12, 1844; to Battle Creek, Nov. 25, 1845; to Kala- 
mazoo, Feb. 2, 1846. On the 22d of September, 1846, 
under an act of the Legistature, the State sold the road to 
the Michigan Central Railroad Company, wjiich completed 
it to Ciiicago in May, 1852. Nothing was done by the 
State upon the northern lines. 

The first railroad connecting with Lansing was the Am- 

*■ llistory of Livingston County, by Franklin Ellis. 

f These lines were to be located as follows : The central to commence 
at Detroit and terminate at the mouth of the St. Joseph River; the 
southern to commence on the navigable waters of the river Raisin 
and terminate at New Buffalo, on Lake Michigan ; and the northern to 
commence at Palmer, at or near the mouth of liluck River, and ter- 
minate on the navigable waters of Grand River or on Lake Michigan, 
in the county of Ottawa. 

I This company was chartcica in ls:i2. 



Loj/, Lansing and Traverse Bay Railroad. The company 
filed articles of association Jan. 29, 1847. The southern 
terminus was at the village of Amboy, iu the southern part 
of Hillsdale County, near the Ohio line. A valuable grant 
of land was made to this road by the Legi.'^lature, in order, 
it is said, to insure a road to the new State capital, which 
was in those days almost inaccessible. § 

The construction of the line was begun at Owosso, on the 
line of the Detroit and Milwaukee road, and it was com- 
pleted from that point to Laingsburgh, in Shiawassee County, 
in 1858, to Bath, in Clinton County, in 1859, and to Nortii 
Lansing Sept. 4, 1861. A special grant of a number of 
sections of land was made to aid in the construction of the 
line from North Lansing to Lansing, to which latter point 
it was completed in 1863, the distance being one mile. 

The rights of the company south of Lansing were as- 
signed to the Nortliern Central Michigan Railroad Com- 
pany/ in 1866. This latter company filed articles of asso- 
ciation Nov. 12, 1866, and constructed the line from Lan- 
sing to JonesvillCjOn the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern 
road. It was completed from Jonesville to Albion Jan. 7, 
1872, to Eaton Rapids Sept. 30, 1872, and to Lansing 
Jan. 13, 1873. The road is owned and operated by the 
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Company, but the 
name under which all legal business is transacted is still 
Northern Michigan Central. 

The Lansing and Jackson Railroad Conipany filed 
articles of association Feb. 23, 1864. The name was 
changed to Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw, and Saginaw 
made the northern terminus Feb. 24, 1865. The line was 
opened to Lansing in June, 1866, and to Saginaw in 1867. 
This line has been extended northward from Saginaw as 
far as Otsego Lake, which point it reached in 1873, and 
will probably soon be continued to Mackinac via Cheboygan. 
The construction of this road was materially aided by the 
Michigan Central Company, which now operates it.|| It 
connects at Jackson with the Jackson and Fort Wayne 
road and does an extensive freighting business, principailly 
iu lumber and merchandise. 

In 1866 this company purchased the rights and fran- 
chises of that part of the old Amboy, Lansing and Traverse 
Bay road lying between Lansing and Owosso, and incor- 
porated them with their main line to Saginaw. 

The Peninsular Railroad Company filed articles of asso- 
ciation Oct. 3, 1865. This company was organized to con- 
struct a line from Battle Creek to Lansing. The road was 
completed and put in operation in December, 1869. It 
was consolidated with the Port Huron and Lake Michigan 
road Aug. 15, 1873. Tiiis last-named line extended from 
I'ort Huron, at the foot of Lake Huron, to Flint, in Genesee 
County, between which points it was completed in Decem- 
ber, 1871. 

The Chicago and JVurtheastern Railroad Company was 
organized to construct a road between LansinK and Flint, 



J The grant was accepted by the company March 21, 1857. 

]| Among prominent local men who were instrumental in pushing 
the line to completion were Hon. 0. M. Barnes, James Turner, and 
n. II. Smith. Mr. Barnes is still prominently connected with the 
company as man.ager of the land department, of which the office is at 
Lansin^r. 



INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 



97 



and the road was opened for business in January, 1877. 
It was consolidated with other divisions of tlie lino in Sep- 
tember, 1879, when the Canada Grand Trunk became pro- 
prietor of the entire hne from Port Huron to Chicago. 
The link between the latter city and Valparaiso, Ind., 
has been completed, and in the spring of 1880 the various 
divisions were united under the name of Chicago and 
Grand Trunk Railway. It now forms a portion of a 
through-line from Chicago to the sea-board, connecting 
with Montreal, Quebec, and Portland, and when placed in 
good condition and fully equipped it will no doubt do an 
extensive business in both freight and passenger trafiBc. 

The Ionia and Lansing Railroad Compani/ ^led articles 
of association Feb. 26, ISGG. James Turner, of Lansing, 
was treasurer of the company, and his influence with the 
Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw and Michigan Central Com- 
pany was largely instrumental in the early construction of 
the road. In December, 1SG8, he addressed a letter to Mr. 
James F. Joy, giving in a condensed form statistics of the 
population, resources, and business of the region through 
which it was proposed to extend the road, which was from 
Lansing via Grand Ledge, Portland, Ionia, and Greenville 
to Howard City, and thence eventually to Pentwater, in 
Oceana County, on Lake Michigan. 

The line was opened between Lansing and Ionia in De- 
cember, ISG'J, and to Greenville in 1871. In the last- 
named year it was consolidated with the Detroit, Uoicell 
and Lansing road, and the line took the name of Detroit, 
Lansing and Lake Michigan road. The line from Detroit 
to Lansing was completed in August, 1871. In the same 
year the northern end was continued to Howard City, on 
the Grand Rapids and Indiana road. Through Mr. Tur- 
ner's exertions the Central Company was induced to give 
the road material aid, and after its completion operated it 
for a number of years. The name was changed, Jan. 1, 
1878, to the Detroit, Lansing and Nortliern Railroad. 
The extension from Howard City to Lake Michigan has 
not yet been made, but will probably be carried out in the 
near future. The line does a very extensive business in 
the transportation of lumber, grain, and merchandise. 

All the before-mentioned lines have ample facilities at 
Lansing for the transaction of business. There are five 
passenger-stations within the city limits, — two in the cen- 
tral part, one in the southern suburbs, and two at North 
Lansing. They are all comfortable and convenient struc- 
tures, and the building of the Lake Shore and Michigan 



Southern road, erected in 1872, at a cost of about 820,000, 
is an elegant, well-furnished, and roomy edifice. A new 
station-house has recently been completed by the Chicago 
and Grand Trunk Company. 

The extension of the Lansing division of the Lake Shore 
and Michigan Southern line is proposed from Lansing north 
through Clinton and Gratiot Counties. Several years since 
the line was partly graded as far north as St. Johns, the 
county-scat of Clinton County, and it will probably be put 
in operation before many years, as it would open an ex- 
tensive region of country not now accommodated with rail- 
way facilities. 

The only remaining line passing through the counties 
of Ingham and Eaton, or either of them, is the Grand 
River Valley road, running from the city of Jackson via 
Grand Kapids, Charlotte, and Hastings to Grand Rapids. It 
passes through portions of five rich and well-developed coun- 
ties, and is an important road. It was opened for traffic in 
1870. Its length is ninety-four miles, and its connections 
at the termini are first class. 

The principal railway stations in the two counties are 
Lansing, Mason, Leslie, and Willianiston in Ingham, and 
Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, Grand Ledge, Vermontvillc, and 
Bellevue in Eaton County. 

An extension of the old Mansfield and Coldwatcr road, 
called the Marshall and Coldwatcr road, has been projected 
from Coldwatcr, in Branch County, through ."Marshall, in 
Calhoun County, and thence through the western part of 
Eaton County to Portland, in Ionia County. A large 
amount of work has been done on portions of this line, and 
it may yet be built, though at present the prospect is not 
promising. 

The approximate number of miles of track in the coun- 
ties of Ingham and Eaton is about as shown below : 

Milca. 

Grnnd Trunk line 40 

.Jncksnn, Lai)t>ing and .Saginaw 30 

Lake Shuro and Michigan Southern 2j 

Dclroit, Lansing and Northern »0 

Grand River Valley 36 

Total 100 

A glance at the map shows Lansing to be an important 
railroad centre, having seven lines radiating from it in 
various directions, with another probably soon to be added, 
when it will stand next to Detroit and Grand Rapids ;is a 
terminal point. All of these lines have been built since 
18G0, and most of them since 18G5. 



13 



FJ^TijT XX. 

HISTORY OF INGFIAM COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 



CIVIL OEGANIZATIOW. 



Pedigree of Inghfim County — Laying out and Organization — County- 
Scat — Organization of Townships — Political and other Statistics — ■ 
List of County Officers— Census Statistics. 

The county organizations out of wliioh grew the county 
of Ingham have been as follows : Wayne County, organized 
by autiiority of Gen. Anthony Wayne in 1796,* re-estab- 
lished by proclamation of Governor St. Clairf in July of 
the same year, organized by proclamation of Governor 
Lewis Cass Nov. 21, 1815. Upon its original organization 
in 1796 the county included the lower peninsula and por- 
tions of what are now Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wis- 
consin. 

Washtenaw County, from Wayne, laid out in 1822, or- 
ganized in 1826. By this it will be seen that the territory 
now constituting Ingham County formed a part of only two 
counties previous to its separate organization, Wayne and 
Washtenaw. It was laid out in 1829, as appears from the 
following, passed Oct. 29, 1829 : 

"Be it enacted h\j the Legislative Comicil of the Territory of Michi- 
gan : 

Sec. 2. " That so much of the country as is included within the 
following limits — viz., north of the base-line, and south of the line 
between townships four and five north of the base-line, and east of 
the line between ranges two and three west of the principal meridian, 
and west of the line between ranges two and three east of the me- 
ridian — be and the same is hereby set off into a separate county, and 
the name thereof shall be Ingham." 

By act of Nov. 4, 1829 (section 5), Ingham County 
was attached to Washtenaw for judicial and other purposes. 

By the 7th section of the same act the counties of 
JacksonJ and Ingham, attached to Washtenaw County, 
were annexed to and formed part of the township of Dex- 
ter, in Washtenaw County. Between the date of being set 
off and the organization of Ingham County the Territory 
of Michigan became a State. The following is from the 
act for tiie organization of the county : 

* Red Book of Michigan for 1879. Albach in his Annals of the 
West says Winthrop Sargent, secretary of the Northwest Territory, 
organized the county of Wayne in September, 1796, and this state- 
ment is very probably correct, 

t St. Clair was then Oovernor of the Northwest Territory. 

I Jackson County was laid out in lS2a and organized in IS32. 
Ingham County was attached to Jackson for judicial purposes (proba- 
bly) between 1832 and l.tSS. 



ACT OF ORGANIZATION. 

' lie it enncled bij the Senate and Honse of licpri 



. of the 



State of Michigan: 

Sec. 1. "That the county of Inghom be and the same is hereby 
organized, and the inhabitants thereof entitled to all the rights and 
privileges to which, by law, the inhabitants of the other counties of 
this State are entitled. 

Sec. 2. "All suite, prosecutions, and other matters now pending 
before any court, or before any justice of the peace of Jackson 
County, to which the said county of Ingham is now attached for ju- 
dicial purposes, shall be prosecuted to final judgment and execution, 
and all taxes heretofore levied shall be collected in the same manner 
as though this act had not passed. 

Skc. 3. "The Circuit Court for the county of Ingham shall be 
held on the first Tuesdays of June and November, in each year, and, 
until convenient buildings be erected at the county-sent, at such place 
in said county as the supervisors or commissioners thereof shall 
direct. 

Sec. 4. " There shall be elected in the said county of Ingham, on the 
first Monday of June next, all the usual county officers to which, by 
law. the said county of Ingham is entitled, and whose terms of office 
shall severally expire on the 3Ist day of December next ensuing, and 
said election shall in all respects be conducted and held in the man^ 
ner prescribed by law for holding elections for county and State 
officers. 

Sec. 5. " The board of county canvassers under this act shall con- 
sist of one of the presiding inspectors of said election from each 
township, and said board shall meet at the dwelling-house nearest the 
county-seat of said county, on the Thursday next after said election, 
at or before three o'clock p.m. of said day, and organize by the ap- 
pointment of one of their number chairman, and another secretary of 
said board; and thereupon proceed to calculate and ascertain the 
whole number of votes given at such election for any individual for 
either of said offices, and shall set clown the names of the several 
persons so voted for, and the number of votes given to each for either 
of said offices in said county, in words at full length, and certify the 
same to be a true canvass of the votes given at such election in said 
county, and that the person receiving the highest number of votes for 
either of said offices is duly elected to said office; which certificate 
shall be signed by the chairman and secretary, and delivered to the 
clerk of said county to be filed in his office. 

Sec. 6. "This act shall be in force and take effect on and after the 
first Monday of June next. 

"Approved April 5, 1838." 

COUNTY-SEAT. 

The origiual county-seat of Ingham County was located 
about two years previous to the organization of the county. 
The record of the appointment of commissioners to perform 
this duty and their report cannot be found in the Territorial 
or State session laws, but reference to the executive journal 
in the office of the secretary of state furuishes the follow- 
ing facts : 

Under an act of the Legislature the Governor was cm- 




f 1 




^C3 

"^""^ L'^#^'^' 'lit* 



•fir T 



•V^' 



? »»- 






0.^ 
















"^.~, 



-^t*ii.j« 



iNCHA-M- -COUNTY €00 f(T HOV6E , MASON MICH. 



CIVIL ORGANIZATION. 



99 



powered to appoint three commissioners to locate county- 
seats, and on the 8th day of March, 1836, Governor 
Stevens T. Mason appointed Thcophiius Crawford, of Liv- 
ingston, Washin<;lon Wing, of Washtenaw, and John 
Wright commissioners to locate the county-seat of Ingham 
County. Mr. Wright resigned, and on the 16th of March 
John Bronson, of Detroit, was appointed to serve in his 
place. 

On the 15th of June, 1836, the commissioners made the 
following report : 
"To BIS Excellency Stevens T. Mason. 

" Gijteruor in and orer llir Slalt of Michigan. 

** The un<iersigned. commissioners appointed to locate the seat of 
justice in the county' of Ingham, have located the scat of justice in 
said county at the quartcr-section po.^t, between sections one and 
twelve, town two north, range one west. 

(Signed) "T. CRAwronn, 

" Wasiiixjton Wing, 
"John Bronson. 

"Detroit, .April 7, 1S36." 

On the 15th of June, Governor Mason issued his procla- 
mation confirming the location of the county -.seat of Ingham 
agreeably to the report of the commi.ssioners. 

The laud upon which the county-seat was located was 
owned by Charles T. Thayer, who, previous to March, 
183C, had entered the south half of section 1 and the 
north half of section 12 in Vevay township (town 2 north, 
range 1 west). 

In a letter written by Mr. Thayer, on the 2Sth of April, 
1880, in response to inquiries, he says : " The commis- 
sioners, Clark Sill and Joseph Arnold, both of Dexter, 
Mr. Christy, of Scio, and myself, of Ann Arbor, proceeded 
to Ingham County and examined my location on sections 
1 and 12, as above described, and then, at the re(juest of 
Clark Sill (who represented the interests of some parlies 
then living in Monroe, Mich.), to examine the land where 
Mason now is and the present county-scat. After having 
examined the said land as re(|uestcd by the said Clark Sill, 
they returned to my location and decided that my land was 
the most desirable for the count^'-seat, and therefore estab- 
lished the sime on the quarter-post between sections 1 and 
12 as above referred to. Soon after, or about the time the 
said commissioners made their report to the Governor, I 
went to Detroit and paid to the State treasurer (Mr. How- 
ard) the expenses of said commission.' 

At this point Mr. Thayer laid out a village and named 
it Ingham, and, according to Hon. 0. M. Barnes, he had 
hopes of eventually making it not only the county-seat of 
Ingham County, but the capital of the State. These com- 
forting expectations were never realized; for, although his 
village was made the nominal scat of justice, it does not appear 
that the county ever erected any buildings there, or that 
there was ever any county business transacted at the place. 

There seems to have been dissatisfaction expressed at the 
location by the commissiouers, and petitions were drawn up 
soon after asking for its removal.* These were at length 
successful, and the Legislature passed an act, which was 
approved on the Gth of JIarch, 18-10, as follows: 

Sec. 1. " Be it tnacltd ly the Senate and Home of Repretenlatlret 
of the State of Michigan, That the county-site or seat of justice of 

Petitions were presented tu the Legislatarcg of 1$3S and 1840. 

L.ofC. 



the coanty of Ingham, as heretofore located, be and the same is 
hereby vacated. 

Sec. 2. "That from and after the pa"sage of thii act, the said seat 
of justice shall be permanently located and established at the village 
of Mason, in said county, at such point in said village as shall be des- 
ignated by the county commissioners or supervisors of said county ; 
Provided, that the proprietors of laud in said village shall deed to the 
county commissioners or supervisors of said county, as the case may 
be, at least five acres of land within said village, for the use and ben- 
efit of said county, at the point so designated as aforesaid; And pro- 
vided aho, that the title of said land to be conveyed, as aforesaid, 
shall be good, absolute, and indefeasible, and the premises free from 
all incumbranee.f 

Sec. 3. " This act shall be in force from and after its passage. 

"Approved March 6, 1SJ0."| 

The once promising village of Ingham has long since 
been forgotten, — in fact, it was never begun except on 
paper, — and all the land once occupied by the village — on 
paper — is now in cultivated farms, with the exception of a 
few small lots at the cross-roads. It was very near the 
geographical centre of the county, but, being on neither a 
stream nor a great traveled road, the village of Mason very 
soon drew busine.ss to the new centre, and the embryo vil- 
lage died ere it had donned its swaddling-clothes. 

OKG.VXIZATIOX OF TOWNSIIU'.S. 

As before noted, the whole county of Ingham formed a part 
of the township of Dexter, in Washtenaw County, at the date 
of the laying out of the former, in 1S29. The first town- 
ship organized within the new county was Stockbridge, 
which included a congressional township in the southeast 
corner of the county, and was erected March 26, 1836. 
Tl;e first town-meeting was held at the house of Daniel S. 
Comfort. 

The dates of organization of the remaining townships 
have been as follows : 

ACRELIUS. — Including the west half of the county, 
March 11, 1837. First town-meeting at the house of 
Elijah Woodworth. 

Ingham. — Including Ingham, White Oak, Wheatfield, 
and Leroy, March 11, 1837. First town-meeting at the 
hou-se of Caleb Carr. 

Leslie. — A congressional township, from Aurelius, Dec. 
30, 1837. First town-meeting at the house of Heury Fisk. 

Oxo.VDAGA. — Congressional township, from Aurelius, 
March G, 1838. First town-meeting at the house of Barney 
Johnston. 

Vevav. — Congressional township, from Aurelius, March 
6, 1838. First town-meeting at the public-house in the 
village of Mason. 

Alaiedon. — Including the four northwest comer town- 
ships, from Aurelius, March 15, 1838. First town-meet- 
ing at the school- house in Jefferson Village. 

Bu.VKER Hill. — Congressional township, March 21, 
1839. First town-meeting at the house of David Fuller. 

White Oak. — Congressional township, from Ingham, 
March 21, 1839. First town-meeting at the bouse of 
Daniel Dutcher. 



f The five acres were deeded to Ingham County by Charles Noble 
and wife. 

J Jacob Loomis, Uenry Lee, and William A. Dryer were a commit- 
tee to superintend the removal according to the act. 



100 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Phelpstown Including Williamstown and Locke, 

March 22, 1839. First town-meeting at the house of 
David Phelps. Name changed to Williamstown by act of 
Legislature, Feb. 17, 1857. 

Brutus. — Including Wheatfield and Leroy, from Ing- 
ham, March 22, 1839. First town-meeting at the house 
of Ephraim Meech. Name changed to Wheatfield, March 
20, 1841, by act of Legislature. 

Leroi. — Congressional township, from Brutus, March 
19, 1840. First town-meeting at the house of Isaac 
Coleman. 

Delhi. — Congressional township, from Alaiedon, Feb. 
16, 1842. First town-meeting at the school-hou.se in dis- 
trict No. 4. 

Lansing. — Congressional township, from Alaiedon, Feb. 
16, 1842. First town-meeting at the " shantee near the 
Cedar bridge.' 

Meridian. — Congressional township, from Alaiedon, 
Feb. 16, 1842. First town-meeting at the house of George 
Mathews. 

Locke. — Congressional township, from Phelpstown, Feb. 
16, 1842. First town-meeting at the house of John C. 
Townsend. 

The following diagram shows the original subdivision of 
the county by townships as first laid out. All others were 
formed from these : 




LIST OF COUNTY OFFICERS, 1838 TO 1880. 
The following list is as perfect as can be made from the 
records in the clerk's office at Mason :* 

SHERIFFS. 
Rich.ard K. Lowe, 18.18 anil 1857-58; Amazinh WinohcII, 18.59-42 
Nathaniel R. H.animonil, 1843-44; Joseph Hunt, 1845-46 
Joseph L. Iluntington, 1847-49; Chauncey A. Osborn, 1851-54 
Perry Anderson, 1855-50 ; Eily Baker, 1859-60 ; Truman Spencer, 
1861-62,1867-08; Frederiek P. Moody, 180.3-06; Horace An- 
gcll, 1809-70; William Spears, 1871-72; Allen R. Burr, 187-3 
-70; James R. Dart, 1877-80. 

CLERKS. 
Valorous Meeker, 1838; Peter Lowe, 1839-40, 1843-44, 1851-52; 
(ieorgc W. Shafer, 1841; Anson Jackson,! 1841-42; John Coats- 



»■ At the first general election, held in the fall of 1838, Ingham 
County polled 260 votes. 

t Shafer cither did not serve at all, or only for a short time. 



worth, 1845-48; Henry P. Atwood, 1849-50 ; Philip McKernan, 
1853-56; A. R. L. Covert, 1857-60; Luoian Reed, 1861-62 ; Ste- 
phen P. Mead, 1863-64 ; H. P. Henderson, 1865-66; Stanley W. 
Turner, 1867-70; Daniel D. Bolton, 1871-74; John C. Squiera, 
1875-78; Claude C. Walker, 1879-80. 

TREASURERS. 

lliram II. Smith, 1838-40 ; John W. Burchard, 1841-42 ; John B. 
Packard, 1S4.3-44; George Miithows, 1845-48; Samuel Skadan, 
1849-52; Franklin La Rue, 1853-56 ; John H. Mullett, 1857-58 ; 
Lemuel Woodhouse, 1859-62, 1875-78 ; Abram Hayner, 1863-66 ; 
John A. Barnes, 1867-70; Thaddcus Dcnsmore, 1871-74; Jack- 
son P. Bond, 1879-80. 

REGISTERS OF DEEDS. 

Dr. Minos McRobcrt, 1838-40; Zaccheus Barnes, 1841-42, 1857-58 ; 
Thomas North, 1843-44; William H. Ilorton, 1845-50; William 
Woodhouse, 1851-56, 1863-66; Joseph S. Pierson, 1861-62; 
Charles H. Darrow, 1867-70; Ucnry J. Haight, 1871-74 ; John 
C. Cannon, 1877-80. 

COUNTY JUDGES.^ 

Associates, Amos E. Steele, E. B. Danforth, 1838-40; John R. Bow- 
dish, E. B. Danforth, 1841-44; County Juclge, Benjamin Davis 
(resigned); Second Judge, Horatio N. Forbes; Associates, Joseph 
E. North, Joseph Hunt, elected in 1846; William H. Chapman, 
elected County Judge in 1849, in place of Davis, resigned ; 
Mason Branch, County Judge, elected in 1S50; Second Judge, 
Orrin Sharp, in 1850. 

JUDGES OF PROBATE. 

Peter Linderman, 1838; Valorous Meeker, 1839-42; Henry Fiske, 
1843-44; Amos E. Steele, elected to fill vacancy, in 1845-46; 
Richard Ferris, 1847-48; Griffin Paddock, 1849-52; William H. 
Chapman, 185,3-56; William H. Pinckncy, 1857-64; Horatio 
Pratt, 1865-72; Mason D. Chatterton, 1873-80. 

CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS.? 

Griffin Paddock, elected in 1852; Horace B. Williams, in 1856; Griffin 
Paddock, in 1858; Horatio Pratt, in 1860; Mason D. Chatterton, 
in 1864; John R. Van Velsor, in 1868; Dougal McKenzio and 
Moses A. Hewitt, in 1870 ; William H. Francis, in 1872 ; Edward 
C. Chapin and George W. Bristol, in 1874; Russell C. Ostrander 
and George W. Bristol, in 1876 and 1878. 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 
Previous to 1850 the prosecuting attorneys were ap- 
pointed by the Governor, and the record at the county- 
seat does not necessarily show who filled the ofiBce, but we 
find the names of John W. Burchard and Daniel L. Case, 
and these were probably all.|| Since they became elective 
the following persons have filled the ofiBce : 

William W. Upton, 1851-52; 0. M. Barnes, 1852-56; George I. P.ar- 
sons, 1857-60; Stephen D. Bingham, 1861-62; G. M. Hunting- 
ton, 1863-64; R. C. Dart, 1865-08; H. B. Carpenter, 1809-74; 
Henry P. Henderson, 1874-76; Edward Cahill, 1877-80. 

SURVEYORS. 

Anson J.ackson, 1838-48, and in 1851-52, '56 ; Lewis D. Preston, 1849- 
50; Thomas J. Brown, 1857-00, and in 1873-74; James G. Staf- 
ford, 1861-62 ; William H. Rayner, 1865-70; John H. Mullett, 
1871-72; Dwight A. Harrison, 1875-76; Aaron P. Drake, 
1877-80. 

J Previous to the adoption of the Constitution of 1850. 
? Under Constitution of 1850. 

II It is possible that W. AV. Upton and George I. Parsons also filled 
the office previous to 1850. 



THE COURTS AND COUNTY SOCIETIES. 



101 



CORONERS. 
Horatio N. Forbes, J»mcs Phillips, nnd Ilenrjr Wood, 1838-40 ; Tal- 
incr Rossmtin, Joseph Hunt, and Joseph L. Huntington, elected 
in 1S42; James Reeves and Honry II. North, in 1841 ; Henry H. 
Korth, Stephen V. Kinney, in I8J6; David liorstline and John 
McKernan, in 1848 ; Henry II. North and William Pratt, in 1850 ; 
M. A. lialjwin and John C. Granger, in 1852; Mason Branch 
and Elihu Elwood, in 1854; Marvin Gcer and Huram Bristol, in 
1850; David F. Rath and John R. Bowdish, in 1858; Edwin 
Hubbard and Sidney 0. Russell, in IStiO; Philip J. Price and 
Samuel Skadan, in 1802; Orton Williams and S. R. Gidney, in 
1SG4; James I. Mead and Elliott II. Ahgell, in 1800; Gardner 
Fletcher and James I. Mead, in I8CS ; Benjamin S. Peets and 
William W. Root, in 1870: Alexander Dockstader and Philip 
Taylor, in 1872; Levi Godding and Henry Wcigman, in 1874; 
Jacob Switzgablo and John J. Tuttlo, in 1870 ; Jacob Switzga- 
ble and Samuel P. Reynolds, in 1878. 

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 
From 1839 to 1842 a board of three commissioners was 
elected to transact the county business in place of township 
supervisors. The following are the persons who served : 

Peter liindcrman, Jacob Loomi?, and Henry Lee, elected in 18.18; 
William A. Dryer, elected probably in 1839; Caleb Carr, elected 
in 1840; George JIathews, in 1841, after which no more appear, 
the board of supervisors being restored. 

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. 
Wc find only one person elected to this office, — Elmer D. North, in 
1871. 

POLITICAL STATISTICS. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 
1840.— Harrison, 265; Van Burcn, 2G1. 
1S44.— Clay, 432; Polk, 441. 
1848.— Taylor, 473; Cass, 092 ; Van Buren, 332. 
1852.— Scott, 780; Pierce, 929; Hale, 128. 
1850.- Fremont, 1849 ; Buchanan, 1534. 
I8C0.— Lincoln, 2181 ; Douglas, 1838. 

1864.»— Lincoln, ; McClellan, . 

1808.— Grant, 3004; Seymour, 2511. 
1872.— Grant, 3450; Greeley, 2265. 
1870.- Hayes, 4058; Tildon, 3994. 

VOTES FOR GOVERNOR, 1854 TO 1878. 
1S54.— Bingham, 939; Barry, 1182. 
1856.— Bingham, 1844 ; Felch, 1565. 
1858.— Wisner, 1917; Stuart, 1077. 
1800.— Blair, 2152; Barry, 1873. 
1802.— Blair, 1045; Stout, 1780. 
1804.— Crapo, 1803; Fenton, 1791. 
1800.— Crapo. 2538,; Williams, 2050. 
1868.— Baldwin, 2988 ; Moore, 2540. 
1870.— Baldwin, 2864; Comstock, 2483. 
1872.— Baglcy, 3402; Blair, 2353. 
1874.— Bagley, 3032; Chamberlain, 3085. 
1876.— Croswell, 4043; Webber, 4005. 
1878.— Croswell, 3141; Barnes, 2046; Smith, 1584. 

VOTE ON THE VARIOUS CONSTITUTIONS. 
1850.— Yea, 1000; nay, 300. 
1807.— Y'ea, 2193; nay, 2846. 
1873.— Yea, 1191 ; nay, 3424. 

AGRICULTURAL STATLSTICS OF INGUAM 
COU^"rY. 

Number of acres of improved lands 100,822 

" " un>m|irovcd lands 113,155 

" " wheat in 1879 44,441 

" bushels of wheat " 819,803 

" acres of corn " 19,872 

" bushels of corn " 1,312,875 

" acres of oats.. " 9,678 

• No returns. 



Number of bushels of oats in 1879 305,857 

'* acres of clover *' 7,001 

" bushclsof clover-seed 1879 12,113 

" acres of barley " 542 

" bushels of barley " 14,200 

** acres of peas " 248 

" bushels of peas " 5,136 

" acres of potatoes " 1,082 

" bushels of potatoes " 163,933 

** acres in grass " 24,044 

" tons of hay cut " 20,511 

" horses " 8,328 

" milch cows " 7,655 

" cattle " 8,386 

hogs " 11,888 

" sheep " 00,288 

" sheep sheared " 00,990 

pounds of wool " 329,181 

** acres in apple-orchards " 6,723 

'* acres in peach-orchards " 54 

" pounds of grapes sold " 8,770 

CENSUS OP INGHAM COUNTY' FROM 1840 TO 1880. 





1840. 


1850. 


1854. 


1860. 


1864. 1870. 1874. 


1880. 


AInir>(]on 


221 
148 
03 


370 
601 
374 
402 
739 


518 
773 
447 
C4C 
8r.I 


909 

1,107 

672 

928 

l.lfil 


80C 1,2!)0 1,293 


1,474 






Delhi 

Ingham 


919' 1,259 ],M7 1,54;) 
1.141, 1,:)92 1,:):18 1,41U 



Lansing | i 1,210 

Lansing Oily 

LeKoy 110 

hcsMt 



Locke 

Mason City.* 

McridiuM 

Onoiiilaca 270 

St.ickbri.lgo 385 



3,047 

021 

1,247 



(iiy ., 



WliKitni'ld.t I ' 231 

While Oak i 270 608 

M'illjamstowu.l 



920 1,188 1,00G l,22!l; 

769 875 715 892i 

919 1,297 1,197 2,3.12 

369 1 572' OIW 781 

018; 777| 732 979 

610 693 774 1,237 



2,597 1,207 

942 1,209 

955 1,038 

1,405 1,852 



Totals 2,401 8,606 , 10,722 17,398 17,128 25,268 29,493 33,640 



* Mason City organized in 1875. Included in Tevay for 1874. 

f Formerly calleil Brutus. 

J P'ornierly culled Pheljistown. 

The apparent discrfiwincies in population were causcil hy changes in terri- 
tory. By the census of 1837, Ingham County contained 822 inliahilnntii ; in 
1845, 5240. These figures up to 1874 have all been carefully compiled from of- 
licial State and United States census returns in the State Library. The figures 
for 1880 arc from returns filjd in the county clerk's office by the Uuited States 
marshals. 



CHAPTER II. 



THE COUKTS AND COUNTY SOCIETIES. 

County Court — Circuit Court— Probate Court'— Agricultural Soci- 
eties — Bible Societies — Pioneer Society. 

The earliest court held in Ingham County was denomi- 
nated the Circuit Court, held in the school-house at Mason, 
Nov. 12, 1839. Hon. Wm. A. Fletcher was the presiding 
judge, with Amos E. Steele and William Child as associate 
justices. Peter Lowe, clerk. 

The first grand Jury was composed of the following per- 
sons : Jacob Countryman, Robert Chappel, Joshua Doane, 
JIarviii Gear, Zenas Atwood, Benjamin P. Avery, Lucius 
Wilson, Jonathan Tiioinas, Marsiiall Hicks, John B. Lob- 
dil, Joseph L. Handcc, John Dakin, Crandall M. Howard, 
Oliver M. Smith, John C. Haines, Nathan Searles, Henry 
A. Hawley, Enos Northrop, Hiram H. Smith, Hiram Con- 
verse, Wm. H. Ilorton, David Wait, Emmons White. 
Hiram II. Smith, foreman. 

* For history of the various courts of tho State, seo Chaj'ter .\l.. 
General History. 



102 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Petit. Jury. — Nicholas Lewis, James Phillips, Joel Strick- 
land, Nathan Davidson, Win. C. Leek, Adam Overacker, 
Egbert Patterson, Wright Ilorton, James Shafor, Lorenzo 
Da<:gett, Henry E. Fifield, E. S. Howe, Hiram Austin, 
AVm. Page, Jr., Mahlon Covert, S. D. Russell, Benjamin 
Davis, V. H. Powell, Heury Meeker, Deusel Roice, B. F. 
Smith. 

Simeon Ford seems to have furnished a large share of 
the business before the court, for the docket shows the fol- 
lowing entries : Joshua Crandall vs. Simeon Ford ; John 
Southworth vs. Simeon Ford ; Phineas Farrand vs. Simeon 
Ford. 

The first attorney admitted to practice waS" Augustus D. 
Hawley. Among the cases presented were the following: 
The people against Elijah Woodworth, indicted by the 
grand jury for disturbing a religious meeting. Continued 
to next term. The people against Ezekicl T. Critchell, — 
assault and battery. Bound over to appear at the next 
term. P. Farrand, attorney. 

The first applications for naturalization papers were made 
by James Allchin, a native of Great Britain, March 28, 
1840; James Coatsworth, a native of Canada, April 13, 
1840; Edmund Allchin, a native of England, May 22, 
1840 ; and George Reason, Jr., a British subject, Sept. 19, 
1840. 

The early judges who held courts in the county were 
Wm. A. Fletcher, Alpheus Felch, Charles W. Whipple, 
George Miles, Edward Mundy, George Martin. Among 
the associate justices were Amos E. Steele, Wm. Child, 
E. B. Danforth, John R. Bowdith, and David Johnson. 

The presiding judges were members of the Supreme 
Court of the State; the assistant justices were elected in 
their respective counties. There seems to have been no 
definite distinction made on the records between the old 
County Courts and the Circuit Courts. 

Ingham County has been in the Fourth Judicial Circuit 
since the organization of the Circuit Courts under the 
constitution of 1850. The district as organized in 1851 
comprised the counties of Washtenaw, Jackson, and Ing- 
ham, which arrangement continued until 1877, when a new 
district was constituted of Washtenaw and Monroe, leaving 
Jackson and Ingham as the Fourth, which has since con- 
tinued. 

The judges of the Fourth Judicial District have been as 
follows, with terms of office; David Johnson,* elected in 
1851, and held until 1857 ; Edwin Lawrence,* elected in 
1857, re-elected in 18G3, and held until 1809 ; Samuel 
Higby, elected in 1869, resigned in 1873; Alexander D. 
Crane, appointed to fill unexpired term of Samuel Higby 
in 1873, served until 1875 ; George M. Huntington, elected 
in 1875, term expires in 1881. 

SUPREME COURT. 

The Supreme Court of the State holds four terms at the 

Capitol in Lansing annually, — in January, April, June, and 

October. The court consists of a bench of four judges, 

who are elected one every two years at the spring elections 



■*■ Judges Johnson and Lawrence also held terms of the State 
Supreme Court. 



for eight years respectively. Each in turn serves during 
the last two years of his term as chief justice. The re- 
maining three are designated as associate justices. 

This court was organized in 1858, and the judges have 
been : George Martin, Randolph Manning, Isaac P. Chris- 
tiancy, James V. Campbell, Thomas M. Cooley, Benjamin 
F. Graves, Isaac Marston. The latter is at present chief 
justice. The clerk of the court is E. W. Lowe. 

PROBATE COURT. 

The first entry on the record of the Probate Court ap- 
pears Aug. 3, 1840, in the matter of the estate of Asa 
Rowe, of Onondaga Co., 
N. Y., the petition of 
Sally Ann Rowe to sell 
real estate in Ingham 
County, by George C. 
Bates, her attorney. 




•' Ordered that parties in- 
terested in the estate be cited 
to appear at the probate oiBce, 
in Mason, on the first Monday 
in November, 1S40. 

*' Valorous Meeker, 

"Judge of Probate.^* 

The settlement of this estate continued through a number 
of years, and into the administration of Judge Henry 
Fiske. 

The next record appears in the matter of the estate of 
John Wilson, April 3, 1843, at which date Robert Wilson 
was appointed administrator, and gave bonds in the sum of 
$1000, with William Ballentine and Jonathan Thomas as 
sureties. The bond was approved by Henry Fiske, judge. 

On the 8lli of the same month Lucius Wilson, Henry 
Wood, and Jonathan Thomas were appointed appraisers of 
the estate. 

On the 5tli of June the bond of Isaac Coleman, admin- 
istrator of estate of Isaac Carmer, deceased, was filed, with 
E. B. Danforth and Peter Lowe as sureties. Amount of 
bond, $300. 

On the 4th of March, 1844, Gardner Fletcher filed his 
bond in the sum of $3000 as administrator of the estate of 
John Fletcher. Sureties, R. W. Whipple, Elijah Ham- 
mond. 

On the same date William Ballentine was appointed 
guardian of the minor heirs of John Wilson, and filed his 
bond for $200, with James Graham and Lucius Wilson as 
sureties. 

Ex\RLIEST MARRIAGES. 

The earliest marriages on record at the county clerk's 
office are the following : 

William Coddington and Harriet Wheaton, married by 
Orrin Gregory, justice of the peace. May C, 1838. 

Jo.scph E. North, Jr., and Emily Rolfe, married by 
Peter Lindermau, justice of the peace, July 1, 1838. 

CENTRAL MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The organization of this flourishing society is largely 
due to the determined efforts of Rev. L. B. Potter, who in 
the beginning of November, 1865, drew up and circulated 
a call for the formation of a " Union Agricultural Society," 



THE COURTS AND COUNTS SOCIETIES. 



103 



to embrace some of the counties of Central Michigan. 
Amonj; tlie prominent names attached to that call were 
those of L. B. Potter, N. B. Jones, V. M. Cowles, E. H. 
Davis, George W. Peek, Charles W. Butler, William II. 
Pinckney, E. H. Whituey, Harley Ingersoll, and Ephraim 
Longyear. 

A society was organized under the name of the " Central 
Michigan Agricultural Society" on the 31st of January, 
18C6. It then embraced the counties of Ingham, Eaton, 
Clinton, Livingston, and Shiawassee. The first ofiiccrs were 
William A. Dryer, President ; L. B. Potter, Secretary ; 
Vj. II. Whitney, Treasurer. Two vice-presidents were also 
chosen from each county, and an executive board consist- 
ing of two members from each county was establi-shed for 
tlic transaction of business. 

In the mean time the society was really doing business 
witliout authority of law, but at the winter session of 1867, 
Dr. Ira II. Bartholomew and Rev. L. B. Potter were in- 
strumental in getting a law passed by the Legislature au- 
thorizing the organization of district agricultural societies, 
for which no provision had previously been made. The 
needed act was passed and approved, and under its provisions 
the society was fully organized on the 29th of January, 
1868, with Ira II. Bartholomew as President ; E. H. Whit- 
ney, Secretary, and L. B. Potter, Treasurer. 

In the spring of ISOG the executive committee pur- 
chased of various parties about forty acres of land eligibly 
located, mostly on the northeast quarter of section 20, bor- 
dering over a quarter of a mile on Grand River, and lying 
in the southwestern part of the city of Lansing, about one 
mile and a quarter, by the streets, from the Capitol. 

Upon this ground the society has expended, including 
the purchase price, something over §20,000 in fitting it up 
with necessary buildings, sheds, etc. A half-mile track was 
laid out and graded in 18G6,* and the society have thirteen 
wells, ten of which are " drive" wells, as they are called, 
and the rest partly bored and partly dug. There is also a 
good spring upon the ground. 

For several years the society labored under very dis- 
couraging circumstances; the seasons were wet and bad; 
debts accumulated, premiums could not be paid, and little 
progress was made; but since 1873 a better state of things 
has existed, and the society is now out of debt, with over 
8700 in the treasury. For some three or four years the 
grounds were leased to the Central Michigan Horse- 
Breeders' Association, which held one or two exhibitions. 
The society is now expending annually several thousand 
dollars for improvements. 

The first public meeting took the form of a sheep-shear- 
ing festival, which was held at the State Agricultural Col- 
lege, May 24, I8GG, at which time Governor Crapo de- 
livered an address. One or two similar festivals have since 
been held. 

The first regular fair was held on the grounds Sept. 12, 
13, and 14, 18GG, and, though the weather was rainy, a 
Very good show was made, and the friends of the entcr- 



*To ahow the interest taken b; the members or the society, it may 
be proper to stjite that James M. Shearer drove the team and Rev. L. 
B. Potter held the plow to turn the first furrow for the trotting-track. 



prise were not discouraged. The fairs have been held an- 
nually since, and have generally been well attended, as 
many as 15,000 tickets having been sold in a single day. 

Tlie receipts for 1S7D were over 89G00, and the pre- 
miums paid amounted to 82173.05. Addresses have been 
delivered by Hon. Zachariah Chandler and other prominent 
gentlemen on various occasions. 

The counties of Ionia and Calhoun were admitted to the 
ranks Jan. 29, 1880, and competition is open to Jack.son, 
Genesee, and Montcalm Counties. 

The presidents in their order have been Wm. A. Dryer, 
Ira U. Bartholomew, A. N. Hart, L. B. Potter, J. N. Smith, 
Roland Vj. Trowbridge, and 0. M. Barnes. 

The present officers are Hon. 0. M. Barnes, President; 
Benj. B. Baker, Secretary ; D. F. Woodcock, Treasurer. 
Mr. Baker has filled the position of secretary for seven 
years. 

INGII.VM COUNTY AGKICULTUUAL SOCIETY. 

This body was organized at Mason, about the year 1854, 
but we have been unable to find reccirds of its early pro- 
ceedings, the secretary "s book going back only to 18G0. 
Among the gentlemen most prominent in supporting the 
interests of the society were Franklin La Rue, Ferris S. 
Fitch, Kiieelaud Sweet, and Henry A. Ilawley. 

The first regular fair was held in the Court-IIouse 
Square at Mason, probably in the fall of 1854. There was 
a very good showing of the products of the county, and 
George W. Peck, then a prominent lawyer of Lansing, de- 
livered an address to a very enthusiastic and numerous au- 
dience. 

The officers, commencing with the year 18G0, have been 
as follows : 

I'KESIDKNTS. 

Perry Henderson, elected in the fall of IS60 ; Franklin La Rue, fall 
of 1S61 ; Alfred Parker, fall of 1862; John W. Post, fall of 186.i ; 
Uuram Bristol, elected in 1864, IS66, and 1806 ; Thiiddcus Dens- 
more, elected January, 1868; L. 11. Ives, January, 1S6'J-7I; W. 
W. Root, 1872-7,!, 76-77; 1). L. Cady, 1874; Samuel Skadan, 
1875; Amos F. Wood, 1878; Ferris S. Fitch, 1S7'J ; Caleb An- 
gevine, 1880. 

SECRETARIES. 

A. E. Steele, Jr., 1800-61; Erastus Peck, 1862; U. P. Henderson, 
1803, 1866-67; Oeorge \V. Bristol, 1864-65, 1868-79; John C. 
Squires, 1880. George W. Bristol, who had held the office of sec- 
retary for thirteen years, resigned in 187U, and the board of di- 
rectors adopted by a unanimous rote a icsulution complimenting 
him upon the faithful and eflicient manner in which be had dis- 
charged his duties. 

TREASURERS. 
Henry ,\. Uawley, elected in 1860-64; Perry Henderson, 1865-66; 
Lorent Sweet, elected Jan. I, 1868; 1). C. Smith, Jan. 1, 180!», 
1874-76; A. 1). Kingsbury, 1871 ; Thaddeus Densmore, IS72-7:i; 
R. F. Griffin, 1875; Alexander Bush, 1877; William W. Webb, 
1878-79; Willis Horton, 1880. 

In 1868 the present constitution was adopted and thp 
society placed on a solid basis; and in 1870 the articles of 
association under which the society is now operating werq 
adopted, and it then really became a legal body. 

The first purchase of land was by deed from Jabcz 
Wightman and wife. May 13, 1856, of four and sixty-one 
one-hundreth acres, on the southwest quarter of section 9, 
Vevay township. It was of irregular shape and too small 



104 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



for the purposes of the society, but was fitted up with a 
track and used until 1871. It wa.-*, however, sold to Jo- 
sephine Wightiuan in 1863, and leased from that time 
until the new grounds were purchased. On the 10th of 
January, 1871, the society purchased of Charles Noble and 
others eighteen acres in the southwest corner of section 8, 
Vevay township, for S400. It is within the corporate 
limits of the city of Mason, and very eligibly located, with 
running water passing the northeast corner. 

In 1875 many improvements were made on the grounds, 
among them the erection of a new floral hall of a very 
original and unique design, by Mr. S. A. Paddock, of 
Mason. The floral hall of the Central Michigan Agricul- 
tural Society, at Lansing, is modeled after this, and others 
in the region are also copied from it. The cost of this 
structure was $1895. A good half-mile track has been 
fitted up, and the sheds, stands, etc., are convenient and 
ample. Every year since the organization of the society 
has witnessed a successful fair, and addresses have been 
delivered by President Abbott, of the State Agricultural 
College, Dr. W. H. Perrine, of Albion College, Erastus 
Peck, and other distinguished gentlemen. 

The financial condition of the society is very satisfiictory. 
The indebtedness is about $1700, payable in six years, and 
to meet this 100 patrons have pledged themselves to pay 
fifteen dollars each. The value of property belonging to 
the society, as exhibited by the books of the secretary, is as 
follows ; 

Eighteen acres of land at $100 $1800 

Floral hall, cost ISOo 

Dining-hall " 350 

Ticket-office " 2110 

Grand and judges' stands, cost 2oO 

Stables 350 

Total $4845 

COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY. 

A County Bible Society was probably organized as early 
as 1855, but there are no records to show the exact date or 
the names of olEcers. In 1867 a change was made, and the 
original society divided into two, one still called the County 
Bible Society, located at Mason, and the other called the 
Lansing Bible Society, located at Lansing. 

The ofiEcers of the County Society at the present time arc, 
Dr. W. W. Root, President ; George W. Bristol, Secretary ; 
J. H. Sayres, Treasurer; Henry Whitely, Depositarian. 
This society includes the eight southern townships of the 
county. No great amount of business appears to have been 
done by this branch in recent years. At one period there 
was an auxiliary society at Dansville, and perhaps a few at 
other places. 

LANSING BIBLE SOCIETY. 

The earliest records of this society which we have been 
able to find date from May 19, 1807, from which it appears 
that an earlier .society was changed, and, as stated above, 
probably two societies were formed out of an original county 
society. The first meeting of the last-named society was 
convened at the First Presbyterian church in Lansing, from 
which it adjourned to meet in the evening of the same day 
at the Methodist Episcopal church. At this meeting the 



following ofiicers were elected : President, J. B. Porter ; 
Vice-President, James Turner ; Secretary, H. T. Chandler ; 
Treasurer and Depositarian, A. J. Viele. 

Executive Board, L. B. Baker, S. H. Rowe, J. C. Arm- 
strong, C. B. Stebbins, J. Van Auken. By a vote of the 
meeting the pastors of the several churches were made ex- 
officio members of the executive board. 

In 1868, Mr. Viele, the treasurer and depositarian, was 
burned out, and the society lost quite a large quantity of 
books then on deposit. The loss was about $300, and fell 
heavily upon the society, which was owing a considerable 
sum to the American Bible Society. An attempt was made 
to collect in union meetings suSicient funds to liquidate the 
debt, but it proved only partially successful. The Amer- 
ican Bible Society finally compromised the matter by divid- 
ing the loss, and about 1878 the account was settled. 

The Lansing society is auxiliary to the American Bible 
Society, and embraces the city of Lansing and the eight 
northern townships of Ingham County. The design is to 
include all the Protestant denominations whose pastors take 
part in the work of the society. 

The officers of the society have been as follows: Presi- 
dents, J. B. Porter, C. H. Hickox, L. B. Porter, J. R. 
Esselstyn, W. H. Faxon, J. R. Esselstyn, H. N. Lawrence. 
Secretaries, H. T. Chandler, L. B. Potter, E. H. Porter, 
C. H. Thompson, A. 0. Bement, Mrs. V. A. Allen. De- 
positarians, A. J. Viele, J. S. Baker, E. D. Keyes, H. P. 
Hitchcock, Wesley Emery. The depositarian is also treas- 
urer. 

THE PIONEER SOCIETY OF INGUAM COUNTY. 

This society was organized at the court-bouse in Mason, 
on the 28th day of May, 1872, with the following officers: 
President, Dr. Minos McRobert ; Vice-President, Uriah 
Coulson ; Secretary, Peter Lowe ; Treasurer, Samuel Ska- 
dan. 

The officers for each successive year since have been as 
follows : 



1S73.- 
1874.- 
1875.- 

1876.- 
1877.- 

1878.- 

1879.- 

1880.- 



Memhe 
Oi 
II. 
L. 
E. 



■President, Rev. E. K. Groute ; Vice-President, Uriah Coulson; 
Secretary, Peter Lowe; Treasurer, Samuel Skadau. 

-President, J. M. Williams ; Vice-President, Henry A. Hawley ; 
Secretary, Peter Lowe; Treasurer, Samuel Skadan. 

-President, William A. Dryer; Vice-President, Henry A. 
Hawley; Secretary, Peter Lowe; Treasurer, Samuel Ska- 
dan. 

-The same as for 1875. 

-President, Alonzo M. Chapin ; Vice-President, Henry H. 
North ; Secretary, Peter Lowe; Treasurer, Minos McKobert. 

-President, William H. Clark; Vice-President, William A. 
Dryer; Secretary, Peter Lowe; Treasurer, J. A. Barnes. 

-President, AVilliam A. Dryer ; Vice-President, John J. Tuttle; 
Secretary and Treasurer, Peter Lowe. 

-President, Samuel Skadan ; Vice-President, Sydney 0. Rus- 
sell ; Secretary and Treasurer, Peter Lowe; Executive Com- 
mittee, John R. Price, Lansing; A. R. L. Covert, Leslie; 
Thaddeus Densmore, Mason. 

:■«. — M. V. Armstrong, Jacob Armstrong, A. D. Aldrich,* 

•ainel Arms,^-'" Horace Angcll, Darius Abbott, John A. Barnes, 

. R. Bullcn, Marcus Beers, Zaccbeus Barnes, 0. M. Barnes, D. 
Case, Uriah Coulson, Joseph P. Cowles, J. F. Cooley, Albert 

. Clough, James Chase, AVilliam U. Clark, A. M. Chapin,® Wil- 

im Cook, A. R. L. Covert, Mahlon Covert, Nathan C. Branch, 

■eeman Bray, Jabez W, Brown,^-T. P. Baldwin, George Beemon, 

■*' Deceased. 



TUE COUNTY LEGISLATURE. 



10.j 



Asnbel Baldwin, Edy Baker, Charles Cogswell, C. C. Darling, 
I Charles S. Duvis, Thaddcus Dcnsmore, William E. Everett, Knn- 

8om Everett, Gavin Fellows, Gardner Fletcher, John M. French, 
(ieorgo 15. Fuller, Jonathan C. Frceland,* Henry Gil.bs, Alfred 
F. Gallup, E. K. Groute,* R. F. Griffin, Oscar S. Gregory, Ira 
JIuljbard, Andrew Hunt, Uoraco Uaynes, Carlos A. Holden, 
Matthew King, William M. Case, Nathan L. Coolcy, Israel Chap- 
' man, Richard II. Davis, William A. Dryer, Alexander Dobie, 

William Drown, Edmund Hubbard, Amidon Ilolden, Henry A. 
Ilawley, Thales W. Ilunloon, Joseph L. Huntington,' Josiah 
Ileddcn, James M. Hudson, Robert Haywood, Abram llayner, 
William II. Horton, Henry P. Henderson, H. II. Hodges, J. W. 
Hopkins, George M. Huntington, S. W. Hammond, Bowen 
Hicks,» Silas lloU. Enos Northrup, J. R. Price, Chauncey A. 
Osborn, J.imcs D. Phelps, Joseph H. Kilbournc, Ephraim Long- 
year, Peter Lowe, Richard R. Lowe, AVilliam Long, Nicholas 
Lewis, R. D. Lyon, Chauncey Mur|.hy, Minos JIcRobcrt, Eph- 
raim Mccch, Jesse Monroe, Patrick Markee, Waldo May, Henry 
H. North, Manning K. North, John D. Reeves, J. P. Reed, 
Amos E. Steele,* E. E. Smith, George W. Shafer, Joel B. 
Strickland, David M. Strickland, D. V. Smith, Daniel Searl, 
Samuel Skadan, Russell D. Sowlc, Orlando B. Stillman, George 
D. Pease,* Alfred Parker, Hirum Parker, William Potter, John 
Potter, Lemuel Pierce, Daniel C. Potter, George W. Polar, 
Samuel Proctor, Ira Rolfc, S. 0. Russell, Ephraim Rolfe,s^ Alvin 
Rolfe, James Reeves,® E. D. Rumsey, C. C. Rolfe, Isaac H. Tall- 
ninn. Smith Tooker, Winslow Turner, J. J. Tultle, Reuben 
Torrey,^ Jonathan Thomas, Micajah Vaughan, Elijah Wood- 
worth, Arnold Walker, E. Ward, David Wait, iMarlin A. Sweet, 
W. Sommerville, C. H.Sackrider, Rodolphus Tryon, Frank White, 
Isaac B. Woodbousc, Wm. Woodhousc, Marcus Whitney, Amaziah 
Winchcll, J. U. Webb, G, C. Young. Joseph Wilson, Randolph W. 
Whipple, A. U. Whipple, George B. Webb, James M. Williams. 

These names do not by any means include all the early 
settlers, as the society was not organized until after many 
had passed away ; and there are others still living, probably, 
who have never enrolled their names. Peter Lowe, Esq., 
lias been the secretary since the organization of the society, 
and has accumulated a considerable fund of written and 
printed matter relating to the early settlement of the county. 
The annual meetings were held for a number of years on 
the second Tuesday in May, but the time was subsequently 
changed to the second Tuesday in June. 

The annual meetings are generally well attended and are 
very enjoyable occasions. The exercises consist in music, 
speeches, addresses, the reading of pioneer papers, anecdotes, 
and a general comparison of early recollections. 



CHAPTER IIL 

THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE. 

Courts of Quarter Sessions — County Commissioners — Supervisors — 
County Buildings — Poor Farm. 

The first civil body having jurisdiction of county business 
was the old Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, 
which was established by an act of the Territorial Legis- 
lature or Council, approved Nov. 25, 1817. This court 
was constituted of the justices of the County Court and 
justices of the peace. The clerk was appointed by the 
Governor of the Territory. It was made a board of audit 
for all county business, including the management of assess- 
ment and taxation. Its sessions were held on tlic first 
Monda3's of March, June, September, and December. 



14 



The law of 1817 was repealed May 30, 1818, and in the 
place of this court a board of three county conimi.ssionera 
was established, the members to be appointed by the Gov- 
ernor, and to be allowed thirty dollars each per annum. 
The county clerk was made clerk of this board, and received 
a salary not exceeding fifty dollars per annum. 

The board of county commissioners was continued until 
April 12, 1827, when an act was approved aboli,>»liing it and 
establishing a board of supervi.sors, to be elected from the 
several towns of the county, and to appoint their own clerk. 
Their regular meetings were to be held on the third Mon- 
days of January, April, July, and October of each year ; 
and they were to meet at such other times as they might 
deem nece.ssary, not exceeding eight days additional. The 
board of supervisors was abolished and the board of county 
commissioners established in 1838, which system was con- 
tinued until 1842, when the board of supervisors was 
again restored, and has been continued without interruption 
since. 

The fiscal affairs of Ingham County were first managed 
by a board of supervisors, and their first meeting appears 
to have been held at Ma.son, Oct. 2, 1838, The county of 
Ingham was laid out in 1829, and organized by an act ap- 
pioved April f), 1838. The county-seat was located by the 
proper commissioners at the " City of Ingham," situated on 
sections No, 1 and No. 12, in the town.ship of Vevay, in 
March, 1836, but no county buildings were ever erected, 
or any public business ever transacted there, and by an act 
approved March 6, 1840, the seat of justice was removed 
to the village of Mason, where it has since remaincd,f 

At the date of the first meeting of the board of super- 
visors there were seven townships organized in the county, 
as follows : Stockbridge, Aurelius, Ingham, Leslie, Onon- 
daga, Vevay, and Alaiedon. It is not stated in what 
building the board met, but it was most probably in the 
school-hou.sc, for there were then no public buildings in the 
place. The board was composed of the following persons : 
Peter Linderman, Benjamin Davis, John Barns, Henry 
Lee, Orrin Gregory, Amos E. Steele, William Lewis. 
Henry Lee, Chairman, and Minos JIcRobert, Clerk. 
Amos E. Steele not being present, Joscphus Tuttle was 
admitted in his place. 

Minos Mcllobert presented a bill for tran.scribing the 
records from Jackson County, amounting to 8190,50, which 
was allowed. 

The town of Aurelius originally included the west half 
of the county, but it had then been cut into five townships, 
and a resolution was passed " that the supervisors west of 
the meridian be a committee to settle the accounts witii the 
old town of Aurelius." 

In those days the depredations of wolves formed a proiU' 
incnt subject of legislation. The State was then paying 
a bounty of eight dollars per head, and the supervisors of 
the county passed a resolution to pay two dollars and fifty 
cents per head additional. Twenty-four dollars State 



f Soe Chapter I. of County History, An attempt was made in IS77 
to remove the county-seat to Lansing, but it failed for want of a two- 
thirds majority of the board of supervisors in favor of sul)mittii)a^ 
it to the people. 



106 



HISTORY OP INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



bouuty was allowed for three wolves, recently killed. This 
was the last meeting of the supervisors until 1842. 

A board of county commissioners was elected in the fall 
of 1838, and it held its first meeting at Mason, on the 
20th of November of that year. The board was com- 
posed of Jacob Loomis, Henry Lee, and Peter Linderman, 
and they drew for their respective terms, as follows : Loomis 
for three years, Lee for two years, and Linderman for one 
year. Mr. Linderman was chosen chairman of the board. 

Tile first business was the presentation by Mr. Loomis 
of the certificate and affidavit of Wo-non-quit, an Indian, 
to prove that he had killed one wolf within the county. 
The board thereupon magnanimously allowed him the 
State bounty of eight dollars, but paid him no county 
bounty. At the same time Mr. William W. Dewey pre- 
sented his certificates and affidavit showing that he had 
taken five wolf sealps, and the board at once allowed him 
both State and county bountj', amounting in the aggregate 
to fifty-two dollars and fifty cents; but then possibly the 
Indian never knew the dilTerencc. The discrimination was 
a very delicate one. 

In the absence of one of the commissioners Valorous 
Meeker, judge of Probate, took the required oath and 
served in his place.* 

The accouut of William Dallas for constructing maps for 
assessment purposes, amounting to twenty dollars, was pre- 
sented, but not allowed. 

Among these to whom wo!f bounties were paid in 1839 
were Philetus Scovel, David Fuller, and William W. 
Dewey. Peter Lowe was clerk of this board. 

The valuation of townships in 1839 was as follows: 

state fax. 

Alaicdon $180,011 $r.i2.~i 

Aurelius •19,m6 lID.dT 

Bunker Hill 46,392 1(18.76 

Brulusf 113,929 272.9(5 

Ingham 61,034 146.24 

Leslie 61,565 123.66 

Onondaga 61,292 146.S5 

Phelpstown 116,729 272.29 

Stoekbridge 78,497 1SS.08 

Vcvav 62,966 126.88 

White Oak 60,761 136.97 

Totals $807,702 $2074.00 

The county tax for 1839 was 82G00.02. Township ex- 
penses for 1839 : 

Alaicdon $24.i.n2 

Aurelius 179.75 

Bunker Hill 69.28 

Brutus 121.79 

Ingham 77.99 

Leslie 320.10 

Onondaga 160.SS 

rhcljistown 650.00 

Stockbridgc ,. 172.73 

Vevay 212.73 

White Onk 136.00 

H. H. Smith served as clerk 2>ro tern., and George W. 
Shafer was deputy clerk. 

At the meeting of the commissioners held April 9, 1840, 
William A. Dryer appears as a member of the board. Tiie 
other new members of the board were Caleb Carr and George 
Matthews. 



-s Whotlicr it was a legal proceeding or not, it seems to have been of 
quite frequent occurrence to substitute a new man for any officer who 
might be absent at a public meeting. 

t Now Wheallield. 



A settlement was effected between Ingham and Jackson 
Counties on the 24th of March, 1840, at Jackson, at which 
the county of Ingham agreed to pay the county of Jackson 
$120 in full of all demands. The last meeting of the com- 
missioners was held March 28, 1842. 

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 

COUNTY OFFICES. 

After the removal of the county-seat to INIason, the 
county commissioners, on the 11th of April, 1840, pro- 
ceeded to select the lots for the use of the county, and 
chose twelve lots in block No. 22, of the original town 
plat of JIason ; the south half and lots 3 and 4 of block 
No. 17 ; lots Nos. 9 and 10 in block 8 ; lots 5 and 6 in 
block 18 ; and lot 10 in block IG ; containing in all twenty- 
five lots, equal to about five acres of land. These lots were 
convoyed to the county commissioners in pursuance of the 
act removing the scat of justice. 

At the meeting held April 9-11, 1840, it was resolved 
to construct a county clerk's and register's office, to be 
completed on or before the 15th of September following. 
William A. Dryer voted against this resolution. 

A proposal was received from Emmons White to erect 
the building for the sum of S32o, and accept county 
orders in payment. Mr. White also agreed to clear the 
timber from block No. 22, and the south half of block No. 
17, for a warranty deed of lot No. 7, in block 22, which 
was agreed to by the county commissioners. The commis- 
sioners also hired F. Wilson to clear off the remainder of 
the county lots and the streets surrounding them, for which 
they agreed to deed him in payment two lots, he paying as 
a balance the sum of fifteen dollars. 

The first building for county, offices was built by 
Emmons White in 1840, at the price above stated, on the 
ground now occupied by the sheriff's dwelling. It was a 
one-story frame building about sixteen by twenty-four feet 
in dimensions, and is still standing east of the jail, occupied 
as a dwelling. 

E. B. Danforth built a platform and set up steps for the 
new offices at a cost of six dollars, making the total cost 
§331. The building appears not to have been fully com- 
pleted until the spring of 1841. 

The new board of supervisors, to succeed the county 
commissioners, were elected in the spring of 1842, and their 
fir.st meeting was held at Mason on the 2d day of May 
following. Joseph E. North was moderator at this meet- 
ing. The names of the members who assembled at the 
meeting held at Mason, July 4, 1842, were as follows : 
Minos Mcliobert, Benjamin Davis, Joseph Gale, Joseph 
E. North, Henry H. North, Henry Wood, George Ma- 
thews, John II. Bowdish, Wm. A. Dryer, Peter Linder- 
man, Samuel Skadan, Wm. Tompkins, Lewis Lounsbury, 
David Phelps, Oiriu Dana, Isaac Finch. Minos McRobert, 

Chairman. 

COt'RT-IIOUSE. 

At a meeting of the board held Oct. 6, 1842, Minos 
Mcllobert, Joseph Gale, and George Mathews were ap- 
pointed a committee to procure a suitable place for the 
holding of the Circuit Court for the November term of 
1842. On the 8th of October, at the same session, it was 



THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE. 



107 



resolved to sound the people upon the project of erecting 
a court-house at a cost not exceeding §800, and at a meet- 
ing held in December of the same year a resolution was 
passed appropriating tliat sum for the purpose, of which 
amount $000 was to be paid in State bonds and $200 in 
real estate. A committee of five was also appointed to 
serve as a building committee, and to make the necessary 
contracts for the building. This committee was composed 
of Minos Mcllobert, Peter Liodcrman, George Mathews, 
Benjamin Davis, and Samuel Skadao. The contract was 
finally let to Wm. Ilammond & Co. at the terms proposed. 

The building was erected in 1843 on lot No. 4, of block 
No. 17. It was a frame, twenty-eight by thirty-four feet in 
size, with eighteea-feet posts, and finished in two stories. 

The board of supervisors for that year was composed as 
follows: Lansing, Joseph E. North ; Delhi, Roswell Ever- 
ett; Aurelius, Jonathan Snyder; Onondaga, Joseph Gale; 
Leslie, Benjamin Davis ; Vevay, Peter Linderman ; Alai- 
edon, Edwin D. Tryon ; Meridian, Miizor Turner ; Phelps- 
town,* J. M. Williams; Wheatfield, Wm. Tompkins; 
Ingham, Samuel Skadan ; Bunker Hill, Lewis Case ; 
Stockbridge, Joseph Hunt ; White Oak, John Clements ; 
Lcroy, Orrin Dana ; Locke, David Phelps. 

James Turner was allowed 8100 for painting the build- 
ing and 642 for furnishing stoves and pipe, including the 
expense of putting them up. A fence was also built 
around the court-house, and painted yellow with wliite 
trimmings; the cost of the painting, which was done by 
Hiram H. Smith, was three dollars and seventy-five cents. 
John Coatsworth was allowed .seventy-four cents per rod 
for building it. 

In June, 1843, J. W. Burchard was authorized by the 
board to sell the lots belonging to the county, excepting 
two on the north and two on the south of the public s<:juare. 
Mr. Burchard was at that time prosecuting attorney for the 
county. 

When the court-house was completed the vote in the 
board of supervisors upon the question of accepting it from 
the contractor stood " 8 to 7," — eight in favor and seven 
against. Whether this was a forerunner of the action of 
the Electoral Commission of 1876 is not known. 

NEW COUXTY OFFICES AND JAIL. 

In the beginning of 1848 it wotdd appear that the ne- 
cessity for new county offices and a jail had become ap- 
parent. Up to this time prisoners and criminals had been 
transported to Jackson for safekeeping. 

On the Gth of January the matter was presented to the 
board, and a resolution was passed to appropriate SIOOO, 
to be raised by tax, and to loan an additional SIOOO for the 
purpose of erecting fireproof offices and jail for the county, 
and a committee of three was appointed to superintend the 
work. The committee was composed of Peter Linderman, 
Joab Page, and John Coatsworth. 

The new offices were erected on the ground occupied by 
the old office-building, which was sold at auction to Edwin 
Hurlbert for seventy-five dollars, and by him removed a 
few rods east, where it still stands. The " anderpinning" 



Name changed to Williamstown io 1867. 



WX-; Sold to Dr. Minos Mcllobert, for three dollars and 
fifty cents. The jail and .sherifi''8 residence were erected 
on the ground where the Presbyterian church now stands, 
in rear of the first court-house, on lot No. 10, of block No. 
17. The building was constructed of brick, but the cells 
of the jail were of hewn timber. Mr. C. D. Huntington, 
who was a son of the sheriflF, Joseph L. Huntington, slept 
in the jail for some time afler its completion, and kept fires 
through the night to dry the walls. 

In October, 1855, the board appropriated 8100 to build 
a barn for the use of the sheriff. It cost, complete, $142.50. 

At the January meeting of 1855, the board passed a 
resolution to submit a proposition to the people to raise by 
tax S.5000,— half in 1855 and half in 1856, — and to loan 
a further sum, not exceeding S5000, for the purpose of 
erecting a new and more commodious court-house, the old 
one after a lapse of twelve years having become inadefjuate 
to the wants of the county. This action was reiteratc-d in 
December following, and at the township elections in April, 
1856, the vote stood as follows : For a tax of 85000, 1090 ; 
against it, 665. For the loan of 85000, 1088 ; against it, 
052. 

Under the authority conferred by this vote, the board of 
supervisors proceeded to appoint a committee of three per- 
sons to select a site and procure plans and specifications for 
a new court-house. This committee was composed of P. 
R. Peck, William Woodliouse, and J. C. Bailey, who se- 
lected the centre of the puljic square as the proper place 
for the new edi6ce. Matthew Elder, of Lansing, furnished 
plans and specifications for the building. The contract for 
the job was let to Matthew Elder, June 20, 1857, at 
811,700. The village of Mason subscribed 81500. The 
money was presumably raised in the manner specified. 

One portion of the loan was negotiated with John Camp- 
bell, of Dutchess Co., N. Y., who loaned the commissioner, 
Ferris S. Fitch, 82800 on 83000 of Ingham County bonds, 
at ten per cent, per annum. 

The court-house was completed in the spring of 1858, 
and the board of supcrvbors accepted it from the contractor 
by a resolution passed on the 19th of April. 

The total cost of the building, according to the record, 
was as below : 

Contract with M. EWcr $11,700.00 

Eitra work by him SS.I.IO 

Extra work by T. R. Egc 25.00 

Pay of building vominittec 121.00 

?12,229.19 

The building is still in use, but the wants of the county 
will before many years necessitate a more commodious one. 

In December. 1858, a committee was appointed to lay 
out and ornament the courthouse grounds, build water- 
closets, etc., the expense of which was defrayed by sub- 
scriptions taken in Mason Village. 

NEW JAIL AND .SHERIFF'S RE.5IDENCE. 
In January, 1867. the board of supervisors passed a 
resolution to build a new jail and sheriff's residence, and 
appointed a committee to superintend the work. The build- 
ing was erected on the ground occupied by the old county 
offices, which were torn away for the purpose in 1863, and 



108 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



cost, according to the books of the county treasurer. 
The structure comprises a large two-story dwelling in front 
for the sheriff, and the jail attached in the rear, also of two 
stories. The building is of brick, and presents a good ap- 
pearance. It was constructed after plans furnished by Mr. 
Gillctt. 

Tiie criminals, insane persons, and others of the county 
are distributed in various directions, — some to the State 
prison at Jackson, State House of Correction, at Ionia, lie- 
form School for Boys, at Lansing, and to the Asylums for the 
Insane, at Kalamazoo and Pontiao. A considerable number 
were formerly sent to the Detroit House of Correction. 

COUNTY POOR FARM AND BUILDINGS. 
The first recorded action by the county board regarding 
the poor was on the 19th day of June, 1843, when the 
supervisors appropriated fifty dollars for their support. The 
first land for a county farm was purchased of Horace 
Havens and wife, by the superintendents of the poor, under 
date of Jan. 9, 1844, and described as the east half of 
the northwest quarter of section 21, town 3 north, range 
1 west (Alaiedou), 80 acres; consideration, $400. A 
second purchase was made under deed dated Feb. 3, 18(J9, 
of I'eleg G. Thomas, covering the east half of the west 
half of the southwest quarter, and the southeast quarter of 
the southwest quarter of section IG, town and range as 
above, 80 acres, and on April 30, 18G9, a further pur- 
chase from the same parties of the west half of the west 
half of the southwest quarter of the same section, 40 
acres, making 120 acres in the two last-named purchases, 
for the sum of $3458.72, making the total cost of the land 
in the original county farm $3858.72, covering an aggre- 
gate of 200 acres. 

The total amount expended for the first year (1843-44) 
appears to have been $434.48. In January, 1844, the 
superintendent was authorized to draw for the support of 
the poor $250, and in May of the same year $200 addi- 
tional appears to have been appropriated. 

In October, 1844, the board made an appropriation of 
$150 for an addition to the poor-house, and appointed Daniel 
P. Stillman a committee to superintend its erection. The 
addition was twenty-two by eighteen feet, with twelve-feet 
posts. At the same session $400 was appropriated for the 
maintenance of the poor. 

In 1861 the sum of $1000 was appropriated for the 
erection of suitable buildings on the farm, and in the same 
year it was voted to raise $7416.13 for the support of the 
families of those who had enlisted in the army. The num- 
ber of these families relieved in the county in that year was 
ninety-nine, and the amount paid them on county orders 
$2165.07. 

In January, 1862, began the long discussion with refer- 
ence to the sale or exchange of the old farm and the pur- 
chase of some more eligible location for a permanent county 
farm. A resolution was passed to purchase the farm of 
Messrs. Pease and Smith if satisfactory arrangements could 
be made, and the superintendents were authorized to erect 
a wood building on the farm for the use of the poor at an 
expense not exceeding $500. This building was erected in 
that year. 



WAR FUNDS AND BOUNTIES. 

In October, 1862, the board voted to raise $12,000 for 
the relief of soldiers' families. 

The following statement compiled from the records shows 
the total amounts raised by tax and loan for the volunteer 
relief fund during the war of the Rebellion : 

ISRl, raised by tax $4,009 

IS63 " " 12,000 

1563 " loan 20,000 

1564 " tax 32,000 

1865 " " 7,000 

Intorest paid on loans 5,000 

AuiouutpaiJ for disbursing 7,600 

" " printing, etc 2,310 

Total $00,000 

This large sum was distributed among the various towns 
and cities as follows : 

Alaicdon $4,324.10 

Aurclius 4,548.44 

Bunker Hill 4,164.05 

Delhi 5,028.98 

Ingham 5,925.91 

Leslie 5,925.91 

Leroy 3,587.40 

Locke 3,523.40 

Meridian 4,742.53 

Onondaga 5,925.91 

Stockbridge 5,285.20 

Williamstown 4,538.39 

White Oak 3,939.75 

Wheatfield 3,587.48 

Vevav 6,868.87 

Lansing township 4,099.99 

Lansing City— First Ward 2,626.53 

Second Ward 5,285.22 

Third Ward 3,491.35 

Fourth Ward 2,562.47 

$89,981.97 

This does not quite make the $90,000, but the discrep- 
ancy is probably owing to inaccuracy in making the appor- 
tionment among the towns. 

In October, 1873, the superintendents of the poor were 
instructed to purchase the Holden farm, lying near the 
county farm and containing 120 acres, if it could be had 
for sixty dollars per acre. They were likewise authorized 
to advertise for a farm of 200 acres, provided the Holden 
farm could not be purchased or exchanged for. On the 
6th of February, 1874, the superintendents were author- 
ized to sell the county farm, then consisting of 200 acres. 

In October, 1875, it was resolved to raise $5000, by tax, 
for the erection of proper buildings on the county fiirm, 
provided the Holden farm could not be purchased at sixty 
dollars per acre. This action was finally rescinded and the 
amount fixed at $1000. The committee appointed to ex- 
amine the condition of the poor farm and buildings made a 
lengthy report, showing very unfavorably both as regarded 
the condition and the site for new buildings. A change of 
location was strongly recommended, and an appropriation of 
$4000 asked for 1876. On the 5th of January, 1876, the 
committee recommended the bonding of the county for 
$15,000, to purchase the Holden farm and erect new build- 
ings thereon. This report was at first laid on the table, 
but subsequently taken up, and a resolution passed to sub- 
mit the matter to the voters at the next annual election. 
This was amended by resolving to appoint a committee to 
confer with Mr. Holden and offer him $7200 for his farm, 
and to pay him ten per cent, until the money could be 
raised by the county. 



THE COUNTY LEGISLATUHE. 



109 



Tlicse conditions were rejected by Mr. Holden, who de- 
manded cither the bonds of the countj", bearing ten per 
cent., at .si-xty dollars per acre, or cash for the whole 
amount, at .sixty-6ve dollars per acre ; whereupon the board 
withdrew the proposition. 

It was then resolved to submit a proposition to the 
people at the next election to raise SI 0,0(10 upon the bonds 
of the county,— S3000 payable in ISSG, S3000 in 18S7, 
and 6-40(10 in 1888, — with interest at seven per cent. It 
does not appear that this was carried out. In (3ctober, 
1876, we find the board resolving to authorize the super- 
intendents to examine locations for a farm containing from 
100 to 200 acres. Again, in January, 1877, they were 
authorized to purchase a new location and exchange the old 
farm in part payment, provided they could find a satisfac- 
tory bargain uy paying a sum not exceeding S2500 in 
addition. Under these instructions two of the three super- 
intendents, Messrs. Hayner and Huntington, proceeded to 
make a trade with C. H. Darrow for the west 142i acres of 
the north half of section 21 in Vevay township, town 2 
north, range 1 west, exchanging eighty acres of the old 
farm and paying Darrow §2500 cash. To this arrangement 
James I. Mead, the other superintendent, demurred, and, 
the matter coming before the board of supervisors, the 
transaction was ignored, the two obnoxious superintendents 
removed, and John Craddock and James M. Williams ap- 
pointed in their stead. The original resolution authorizing 
the purchase of a farm was reconsidered and rescinded, and 
a committee of three persons appointed to settle with Mr. 
Darrow on the best possible terms. The money was evi- 
dently paid over to him, and the best that could be done 
was to exchange deeds and allow him to retain §500 as fcn-- 
foit money. The balance (§2000) was paid back to the 
county. 

An arrangement was finally entered into in January, 1878, 
with Orrin J. Lewis, for the east 120 acres of the north- 
east quarter of section 34 in Meridian township, town 4 
north, range 1 west. In payment Lewis received the south 
eighty acres of the old farm in Alaiedon, east half of the 
northwest quarter of section 21, and §1500 in money. 
This land was incumbered by a mortgage of §2700, and 
Lewis executed a mortgage to the county of §1240 as se- 
curity. The matter was arranged by Edward Cahill, pros- 
ocuting-attorney for Ingham County, and closed Feb. 21, 
1878. 

Immediately following this transaction the board of su- 
pervisors resolved to raise a loan of §10,000 for the erec- 
tion of necessary buildings, and the proposition was sub- 
mitted to the people at the April election in that year, and 
by tliera rejected. In the mean time the supervisors 
had authorized contracts to be entered into for material and 
work, and when the necessary funds were refused by the 
voters of the county, they found themselves in an unfortu- 
nate predicament, and the work of building came to a 
sudden standstill. 

At the October meeting in 1878, it was resolved to sell 
the old farm and proceed in some way to the erection of 
the necessary buildings. Plans for new buildings were fur- 
nished by Mason & Rice, of Detroit, and a contract for 
construction was let to Seth A. Paddock and John W. 



Mellobert, in June, 1879, for the sum of §9715.88, in 
part payment of which Messrs. Paddock & McRobcrt 
took the remaining 120 acres of the old county farm at 
83000. The total cost of the building, including interest 
and the pay of the building committee, was, according to 
the books of the treasurer, §10,355.59. 

The total length of the building on the proper front is 
121 feet. The main building in the centre is thirty-four 
feet front and fifty feet deep, and consists of three stories 
and basement; the wings are thirty-three feet deep, with 
two stories and basement. It is finished complete, with 
the exception of the attic story. The material of the walls 
is brick, and the whole structure is substantially con- 
structed throughout. The heating apparatus cost over 
§400, which is not included in the above estimate. The 
new building presents a fine and commanding appearance, 
and affords accommodations for 100 persons, which will 
probably be ample for years to come. The outbuildings 
include good barns, a granary, etc., and are in good condi- 
tion. The farm is located about one and a half miles east 
by south from Okemos Station, and about seven miles from 
the Capitol in Lansing on a direct line. The Detroit, Lan- 
sing and Northern Railway crosses the northeastern corner 
of the farm. Altogether the county has an approximate 
of §20,000 invested in the property. The value of the 
products of the farm for 1879 was §1373.57. The 
amounts appropriated in various years since (he organi- 
zation of the county for the maintenance of the poor have 
been about as follows : 



is.ig $50.ofl 

lS4.i 4.34.4S 

1844 4nu.oo 

1SI6 65U.00 

ISoO 910.00 

IS56 800.00 



1858 soon.nn 

1860 jlO.OO 

1861 2.M10.00 

1R65 .■(JOII.DO 

lS7;i .'iiuiii.lio 

1879 S6ji).00 



Appropriations have been made from time to time for the 
support of insane poor at the Kalamazoo Asylum. 

Among the earlier superintendents of the poor were II. II. 
Smith, Caleb Carr, Joseph H. Kilbourne, E. E. Cochrane, 
and others. The total number of persons admitted in 1875 
was forty-eight. Number remaining September 30th, same 
year, thirty-one. Average, thirty-six. 

VALUATION, TAXATIOX, SALARIES, Etc. 
The valuation of property in the county in 1839 has 
been given. The following tables will show it at difierent 
periods to the present time : 

1S50. 

Real Estiitu. Personal I'rqiwrty. 

Mcri.linn $;i2,S22 $1,420 

In-hum .•i6,200 6,047 

Onondiiga 39,810 b.bU 

I,(,cki' , 27,880 1,021 

.Aurelius S2,079 8(i;i 

Whciitticlil 30,.t62 1.294 

Bunker Hill 29,,'ill 2,770 

Leslie 38,509 3,583 

I'helustoivn .'iO,»S2 3,813 

I,eroy 27,fi.S7 900 

AInicdon .34,830 2,931 

White Ouk 32„882 3,112 

Delhi 37,667 2.919 

Slockbriilijc 38,703 5,871 

Vevay 43,217 5,434 

Lttni^ing 117,302 18,175 

Tot.ils $630,433 $65,633 



110 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



I860. 

Total V.ihlation. 

Aliiiodon $1:J2,0I>0 

AurcUus 145,(100 

Hunker Hill 127,000 

Delhi 10,1,000 

Inghain ]So,Oon 

Lansing (township) 1:15,000 

Lansing (city) 415,000 

Leroy 1. 15,000 

Leslie 18(1,000 

Locke 115,000 

Meridian 142,1100 

Onondaga 185,000 

8tockbridge 1 fill, 000 

Vcvav 215,000 

Whea'tfield 110,000 

AVhite Oak 127,000 

Williatnstown 148,000 

Total $2,821,000 

St.ate tax $.•5,599.79 

County tax 12,645,00 

Total $16,244.79 

1870. 

.Alaiedon $212,000 

Aurclius 229,000 

Bunker Hill 168,000 

Delhi 250,000 

Ingham 280,000 

Leslie 295,000 

Leroy 166,000 

Locke 194,000 

Lansing township 200.000 

Lansing City 827,000 

Meridian 229,000 

Onondaga 275,000 

Stockbridge 18,'!,000 

AVheatfield 17.3,000 

White Oak 163,000 

AVilliamstown 202,000 

Vevay .■',40,000 

Tolal $4,386,000 

State tax $5,737.06 

County tax 20,000.00 

Total $25,737.06 

The sum voted to be raised in 1875 was §52,677.15, of 
which §20,000 was by loan. The equalized valuation of 
the county in 1875 was $5,218,000. 

1880. 

Alaiedon $527,500 

Aurelius 549,800 

Bunker Hill 374,2110 

Delhi 520,300 

Ingham 580,0110 

Leslie 792,500 

Lansing township 455,000 

Leroy 417,500 

Locke 4 07,500 

Meridian 465,000 

Onondaga 580,000 

Stockbridge 390,000 

Vevay 559,100 

WheatBeld 490,400 

White Oak 308,400 

Williamstown 578,600 

City of Lansing 2,377,200 

City of Mason 450,000 

Total $10,883,000 

Total tax for 1880, §72,319.81. County indebtedness 
to State (nominally), §21,275,61. Tiie real indebtedness 
was §18,009.28. 

These valuations do not necessarily indicate the true 

value of property. The valuation of 1880 probably 
approaches nearer to it than any other. 

SALARIES, Etc. 
In 1839 the board fixed the salary of the prosecuting 
attorney at -SISO per annum, and of the treasurer at §200. 



In 1850 the salary of prosecuting attorney was fixed at 
§300, of the county judge at §225, and county clerk at 
§225. In 1855 they were allowed as follows: county 
treasurer, §550 ; prosecuting attorney, §150 ; county clerk, 
§350. In 1801 the total of officers' salaries amounted to 
§2650. In 1874 the amounts had increased to, county 
trea.surer, §1000; county clerk, §800 ; prosecuting attorney, 
§1000; judge of probate, §1025; county superintendent 
of schools, §1.50 per day. 

RAILROAD INDEBTEDNESS. 

The county, by a vote taken in November, 1863, was 
bonded for §10,000 in aid of railways. The remaining 
stock in the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw road was sold r 
in 1867 to 0. M. Barnes for §10,000, and the proceeds setlj 
aside as a sinking-fund to meet outstanding bonds. ' 

STATE LIQUOR LAW. 

The amount collected under this law in 1879 was . 
§4975.97, which is paid to the county treasurer, and by I 
him to the various cities and corporate villages of the J 
county, less his commissions. The receipts for 1880 will ' 
considerably exceed this amount. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE PKOFESSIONS. 

Early Ear of Ingham County — Early Physicians. 

The following brief notices of the early attorneys of 
Ingham County have been collected and compiled from a 
variety of sources, — a considerable moiety from the columns 
of the Lansing Republican, and a few from other papers. 
Many have been picked up by correspondence, and Hon. 
Daniel L. Case has aided materially in furnishing informa- 
tion. We have also consulted Judges Chapman and Piuck- 
ney, Ephraim Longyear, W. W. Upton, and others. It 
would have been much more satisfactory' to the writer in 
charge of the work and to the public, undoubtedly, had 
some member of the profession furnished a more elaborate 
and comprehensive chapter. Under the circumstances the 
compiler has done the best possible. If any of the earlier 
ones have been omitted, it has been rather for lack of infor- 
mation than of disposition on the part of the writer. 
Notices of others not included in this chapter may be 
found among city and township biographies. 

Col. John Woolsey Bcrchard was one of the 
first practitioners of law in Ingham County. He was 
born in Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1814, and com- 
menced the study of law at Rochester about 1836. In 
1839 he removed to Lenawee Co., Mich., where he was 
admitted to practice, and in the same year settled at Mason, 
Ingham Co., where he continued until 1843, when he partly 
gave up the profession to engage in other business at Lan- 
sing. He purchased land and a portion of the water- 
power of James Seymour in 1841, and erected a dam acro.ss 
Grand River in 1S43, but was unfortunately drowned in 



THE PROFESSIONS. 



Ill 



April, 1844, while inspecting his dam, which had been in- 
jured by high water.* 

lie was treasurer of the county in 1341-42, succeeding 
Hiram H. Smith, the first incumbent, and was also prose- 
cuting attorney previous to his removal to Lansing. He 
was elected supervisor of Lansing township in the spring 
of 1S44, a few days before his death. 

Among the earliest lawyers was Jason Packard, a son 
of Dr. Packard, of Ann Arbor, Mich. lie came to the 
county probably soon after its organization, and ^as county 
treasurer in 1843-44. Soon after the expiration of his 
term of office he returned to Jackson, where he had been 
previously located. 

Hon. Daniel L. Case, another early settler and attorney, 
was born near Three Rivers, in Canada, where his father's 
family was temporarily stopping, in 1811. His father had 
purchased land in Canada, but the breaking out of the war 
of 1812 brought him under the ban of the British govern- 
ment, his property was confiscated, and he returned to the 
liiitcd States. 

Mr. Case began the study of law with M'm. J. bloody, 
of Penfield, near Rochester, N. Y., about 1833. He visited 
Michigan when a boy in 1829 ; went back to New York 
in 1832, and again visited IMichigan in 1834. Mr. Moody 
removed to Jackson, Jlich., at the last-mentioned date, and 
Mr. Case accompanied him. In 1836 he went to Louisiana 
and Texas, and practiced law for a time in both States. In 
1S42 he returned to New York, and in March, 1843, came a 
third time to Michigan, and settled at Mason, Ingham Co., 
where he opened a law office. He was appointed by the 
Governor prosecuting attorney in 1844, and held during 
a part or all of three terms. In 1847 he removed to Lan- 
sing. He had entered into the mercantile business in 1845 
at Mason, and in 1847 transferred it to Lansing, which was 
just beginning to attract the attention of traders and capi- 
talists. From the last-mentioned date he virtually aban- 
doned the practice of law. While temporarily residing in 
Ionia County, at Portland, in 18."i0, he was elected a mem- 
ber of the State House of Representatives. In 1858 he 
was elected auditor-general of the State, and served 
through 1859 and ISGO. Mr. Case married a sister of 
Mrs. James Turner and Mrs. John W. Longyear. In 
1864 he was commissioned major and paymaster in the 
United States army, which office he resigned a short time 
before the close of the war. He was prominently engaged 
in the work of enlisting troops at the outbreak of the Re- 
gion, and continued active during the war. 
Mr. Case has a fine residence on Washington Avenue, in 
Lansing. 

Hon. JonN W. Lonctear j was a native of Shandaken, 
Ulster Co., N. Y., where he was born Oct. 22, 1820. He 
graduated at Lima Seminary, New York, and commenced the 
study of law soon after. In 1844 he removed to Michigan, 
and settled at Mason, where he completed his studies with 
his brother-in-law, Daniel L. Case, teaching a district school 
during the winter while pursuing his studies. 



> Sec History of Lansing. 

1- This sketch of Judge Longyear is conipilcJ mostly from an 
itaary written soon after his ilcath by Hon. D. C. Leach. 



In the spring of 1847, upon the removal of the State 
Capitol, he came to Lansing, having been admitted to prac- 
tice in 1846. At Lansing he practiced in connection with 
Ephraim Longyear, his brother, and ranked high in his 
profession. In 1862 he was elected to Congress from the 
Third District, then composed of Calhoun, Eaton, Ingham, 
Jackson, and Washtenaw Counties, and was re-elected in 
1864. In 1867 he was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention, and took an influential part in its deliberations. 

He was appointed judge of the United States District 
Court in May, 1870, and in 1871 removed to Detroit, 
where he remained until his death, which took place on 
the llih of March, 1875. 

Jud"e Longyear was one of the soundest lawyers in the 
State, and ranked among the ablest members of the judicial 
bench. His decisions gave almost universal satisfaction, 
and are regarded as the standard in bankruptcy. They 
were prepared with great care, and were remarkable for 
clearness and vigor. 

While residing at JIason he married Miss Monroe, a 
sister of Mrs. D. L. Case and of xMrs. James Turner, of 
Lansing. His wife and their children survive him. 

" We knew Judge Longyear intimately. We heartily indorse what 
a contemporary says of him, ' that he was a man of sterling integrity 
of character, firm in his convictions, nfTable and courteous, and on 
the best of terms with all who knew him.' " 

George W. Peck was born in the city of New Vork, 
where he passed his early years. He began the study of 
the law in 1837, and in 1839 emigrated to Michigan, in- 
tending to commence the practice of his profession, but 
unforeseen circumstances prevented this intention from being 
carried into execution, and he engaged in mercantile pursuits 
in Oakland and Livingston Counties until 1841, when he 
resumed the study of the law. He was admitted to prac- 
tice in 1842, and opened an office in the town of Brighton 
in the same year. During the succeeding three years he 
devoted himself to practice, but the country was too new to 
admit of any remarkable advance in the profes.sion or the 
accumulation of any great amount of pecuniary profits. 

In 1845 he was elected a member of the Michigan House 
of Representatives, where he immediately distinguished 
himself as a prominent debater and active member. Ho 
was returned in the following year, and was elected Speaker 
of the House. Among the distinguished men who com- 
peted for the position were John J. Adam and A. Noble. 

In the spring of 1847, Mr. Peck removed to Lansing, 
the new State capital, where he continued to reside until 
about 1864, when he removed to East Saginaw, and from 
the latter place to St. Louis, Mo., about 1S75. He is now 
located at the Hot Springs, Ark., where he has an extensive 
practice. He holds the position of attorney for the St. 
Louis and Iron Mountain Railway Company. 

Mr. Peck w;is the first postmaster at Lansing, and in 
1848 was appointed secretary of state, in which capacity 
he served for two years. In 1852 he became proprietor of 
the MicJii'ffan State Journal, and was appointed State 
printer. In 1854 he was elected to Congress. He was a 
prominent member of the Masonic order, and filled many 
positions of trust. 



112 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUxNTr, MICHIGAN. 



Hon. AV. W. Upton.* — Ainon<; the lawyers earliest 
settled at Lansing was Hon. W. W. Upton, the present 
second comptroller of the United States Treasury Depart- 
ment. 

Mr. Upton was born in the town of Victor, Ontario Co., 
N. Y. He received an academical education at the Genesee 
Wesleyan Seminary, of Lima, N. Y. During the summer 
half of his last two years at the seminary he was engaged 
with a corps of engineers in making surveys of the Auburn 
and Rochester Railroad, now a part of the New York Cen- 
tral road ; and, although his name was recorded as a stu- 
dcnt-at-law in the office of John C. Spencer, at Canandaigua, 
N. Y., before receiving much instruction at this office he 
was induced to survey and lay out a canal in Northern 
Indiana ; and, being thus brought in contact with the nat- 
ural beauties of the then unsettled West, he, while still a 
minor, made a settlement at Victor, Clinton Co., Mich., 
where he cleared up a farm, in the mean time continuing 
his law studies, his name having been entered as a student- 
at-law with Levi Townsend, Esq., of De Witt, at which 
place he was admitted to practice about 1845. 

He represented Clinton County in the last session of the 
Legislature that convened at Detroit, during which he in- 
troduced the bill, which finally became a law, permanently 
locating the State Capitol at Lansing. At the close of that 
session, in the spring of 1847, he removed to Lansing, 
where, in partnership with Henry Jipson, he built the first 
house that was erected on the west side of the river in 
Lansing, and engaged actively in the construction of the 
old State Capitol and other prominent buildings, which were 
erected on contract. 

In the fall of 1847, Mr. Upton resumed the practice of 
law, and continued to devote his attention to it in Lansing 
until the spring of 1852, when he removed to California. 

He married at Victor, N. Y., in 1840, Miss Amanda 
Hollister, and was again married, at East Avon, N. Y., in 
18G0, to Miss Marietta Bryan. His first wife and three 
children accompanied him, overland, on his trip to Cali- 
fornia, which was begun April 1 and ended Sept. 18, 
1852. 

For twelve years he devoted his time to the practice of 
law in California, serving in the mean time, in 1856, as a 
member of the Legislature, and as district attorney of Sac- 
ramento County from 1861 to 1863. In the fall of 1864 
he removed from Sacramento to Portland, Oregon, where 
he practiced his profession until February, 1868, when he 
was appointed a justice of the Supreme Court of the State 
to fill a vacancy. In the following June he was elected by 
the people to the same position for a term of six years. On 
the 1st of September, 1872, he became chief justice of the 
State of Oregon, and continued in that position until Sep- 
tember, 1874. 

On the 1st of October, 1877, he was appointed by Presi- 
dent Hayes to fill the very important position which he now 
occupies, — a position in which it becomes his duty to revise 
all the work of the second, third, and fourth auditors of 
the Treasury, and to make the final decision as to the 



inform.itiDii furnished by Mr. Upton. 



amount due to every claimant, on account of expenditures 
in the army, the navy, and in the transaction of Indian 
a flairs. 

Orange Butler was born in Pompcy, Onondaga Co., 
N. Y., March 5, 1794. He graduated at Union College, 
Schenectady, and studied law with the celebrated Victor 
Birdseye, of Pompey. During the period of his studies 
he also taught the cla.ssical languages. 

He commenced the practice of law at Vienna, a village 
of Ontario Co., N. Y., but subsequently removed to Gaines, 
Orleans Co., where he built up an extensive practice, 
being prominent in the famous Morgan trials during the 
Anti-Masonic excitement. He was elected prosecuting 
attorney for the county. 

About the year 1835 he removed from Orleans County 
to Adrian, Mich., and was a member of the House of Rep- 
resentatives in the Slate Legislature in 1837. He removed 
to Delta, Eaton Co., Mich., in April, 1847, where he pur- 
chased the Ingersoll Mills, and remained until 1840, when 
he sold the property and removed to Lansing. He prac- 
ticed law and was a justice of the peace for a long period. 

Mr. Butler died at Lansing, on the 11th day of June, 
1870, at the age of seventy-six years and three months. 
Mrs. Butler survived him until 1875. Her maiden name 
was Wealthy S. Handj'. She was born in Connecticut, 
Sept. 1, 1800, but early emigrated with her parents to 
Pompey, N. Y. She married Orange Butler Dec. 4, 1821. 

At the time of Mr. Butler's death he left five children, 
— A. S. Butler, of Allegan, Charles W. Butler, of Lansing, 
Mrs. 0. A. Jenison and Sirs. C. M. Beebe, both also of 
Lansing, and Mrs. C. D. Smith, of Milwaukee. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Butler were among the most respected and prom- 
inent citizens of Lansing. 

Rupus HosMER was born in the town of Stowe, Wor- 
cester Co., Mass., July 19, 1819. His fiuher, who was 
also named Rufus, was an eminent lawyer and a distin- 
guished citizen, and his grandfather was an officer of the 
American army in the war of the Revolution. 

On the maternal side the family name was Payne, and 
his grandfather on that side was also an officer in the Revo- 
lutionary army. 

Rufus Ilosmer entered Harvard University in 1830, one ■ 
of the youngest students ever admitted, and graduated with 
honor in 1834, at eighteen years of age. He immediately 
thereafter entered upon the study of the law in his father's 
office, and attended a regular course of lectures at the Dana 
Law School in Cambridge. 

In 1838 he removed to Michigan and was admitted to 
practice in the courts of law and chancery. He was at first 
a partner of Charles Draper, an eminent attorney of Pontiac, 
with whom he continued for three years. In November, 
1840, he married Miss Sarah Chamberlain, daughter of Dr. 
Chamberlain, of Pontiac. He soon after, for a brief season, 
engaged in mercantile business. Subsequently, he was a 
law partner of Hon. George W. Wisner for several years, 
during which he won a fine reputation and marked success. 

At a somewhat later date he abandoned the practice of 
his profession, and turned his attention into literary and 
political channels, in which he won distinction as an able 
writer, standinsr amon<r the foremost in the State. From 



THE PROFESSIONS. 



113 



the time he gave up hiw practice he was connected with 
the press until his death. 

About 1S57 he settled in Lansing, and from thence wa.s 
connected witii tlie Repiibllcan during the remaining 3'cars 
of his life, furni.shinjr a leading editorial for its columns 
only a few days before his death, which occurred on the 
20tii of April, 18G1, at the age of forty-two j-ears. 

Soon after the inauguration of President Lincoln he 
was appointed consul-general to Frankfort-on-the-Main, but 
died a few days subsequently. He left a widow and three 
children. 

Epiir.\im LoxaYE.\R. — This gentleman was born in 
Shandaken, Ulster Co., N. Y., Feb. 7, 1827. On the 
father's .side the family was originally from Holland. The 
mother's ancestors were English. His father, Peter Long- 
year, was a farmer, and removed with his family to the 
township of Alaiedon, Ingham Co., Mich., in the autumn of 
1843. He was killed by the fall of a tree in 1845. 

The son, Ephraim, came to Michigan in the spring of 
1843. In the following winter he taught school in the 
town of Unadilla, Livingston Co., and for about six years 
taught during the winter and worked on his father's 
farm in the summer. When he was twenty-one years of 
age he was elected township clerk, and served two years. 
He taught the district school in North Lansing for two 
terms, and the first public school iu the central district, 
south of where the new Capitol stands. 

Mr. Longyear read law more or less from the time he 
was a boy in the State of New York. After his removal 
to Michigan he studied iu the office of his brother, John 
W., at Mason, with whom he w;ia subsequently associated. 
He was admitted to practice at Mason in 1847, and located 
in the same year at Lansing. He practiced from that time 
to I860 in company with his brother, with the exception of 
the years 1852-53, during which he was in California, 
where he also practiced his profession. 

In 1861 he was appointed postmaster under Mr. Lincoln, 
and held the office for a period of five yeare, when he en- 
gaged in the banking business, and has since virtually given 
up the practice of law. He was the first recorder of 
Lansing, serving two years, and was also first president of 
the city board of education. 

D.wiD Elwood Corbi.n* was born in the town of Lin- 
coln, Addison Co., Vt., March 11, 1814. When he was 
thirteen years of age the family removed to Lockport, Niag- 
ara Co., N. Y^. He attended such schools as were then 
afforded in Western New York, and completed his educa- 
tion at the Lewiston Academy, in Niagara County. He 
received a thorough English education, and obtained a 
partial knowledge of the Latin language, reading Virgil 
and other Latin authors. His favorite study was mathe- 
matics, and he gave considerable attention to practical sur- 
veying and civil engineering, devoting his attention for a 
considerable time after he became of age to the latter 
calling. 

At the age of about twenty-six years he entered the law 
office of Woods & Bowen, at Lockport, N. Y., as a stu- 



• From matcrinls furnished b^ bis brolbcr, Isaiab 11. Corbin, of 
Cnlcdonia, Kent Co., Mich. 

15 



dent. At that period, under the statutes of that State, 
before a student could be admitted to practice in all the 
courts, he must produce certificates from respectable attor- 
neys that he had studied law for a period of seven years, 
besides submitting to a rigid cxaminatiou in open court 
upon the principles of the common law, and upon the rules 
I and practice of the courts, both in law and equity. If a 
I party was a regular collegiate, four years were deducted ; 
, if he was not, hut had studied the classics and higher Eng- 
lish branches, upon proof thereof such time was deducted 
I from the seven years; provided, however, in the last-mcn- 
I tioncd cases, that no more than three years could be de- 
j ducted from the seven years of the law study. 
1 In due time he was examined in the city of Buffalo and 
j admitted to practice in all the courts of the State. He 
j practiced his profession for a time in Niagara Co., N. Y., 
I and in the spring of 1848 removed to the (then) village of 
Lansing, Mich., where he formed a partnership in the prac- 
tice of law with W. W. Upton, a prominent attorney, who 
had .settled in Lansing in 1847. 

He continued in Lansing until about the middle of July, 
1850, when he went on a visit to his father's family in 
New York, where he was taken suddenly ill, and died on 
the 3d of August in that year. He had been married, 
but at the time of his death was a widower, his wife having 
died about five years previously. He had two children, 
one of whom died a year before his deniihe ; the other is 
still living. 

Mr. Corbin held no official positions, so far as known, 
though he was tendered a nomination for the Legislature 
while a resident of New York. This he po.sitively de- 
clined, preferring " to devote his time and energy to the 
profession of his choice rather than enter the arena in the 
struggle for political emolument and honors." 

He was a mau who ranked high in the profession, and 
but for his untimely dccea.se would have been distinguished 
in his cho.sen calling. 

Hon. Wili,i.\m H. Pincicney. — The Pinckncy family 
is of English extraction. Three brothers came to America 
in an early day and settled, one in West Chester Co., N. Y., 
one (a bachelor) on the Harlem lliver, and one in Nova 
Scotia. 

James Pinckuey, the father of Judge Pinckncy, was a 
farmer, and lived and died in the State of New York. He 
rai.scd a family of nine sons and two daughters. 

William H. Pinckncy was born in West Chester Co., 
N. Y., March 18, 1824. His parents removed to the town 
of Aurelius, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in the same year. Ho 
obtained the better part of his education after he was 
eighteen years of age by traveling daily four miles and back 
to Auburn Academy. His earliest schooling was at the 
district school. He read law with Stei)hen Q. Goodwin 
(recently deceased in Chicago) during four years, at Auburn, 
N. Y., and was admitted to practice before the Supreme 
Court at Auburn in 1848. He visited Lansing in 1849, 
and removed to the place in 1850. His intentions were 
originally to settle at Madison, Wis. He has practiced 
liis profession in Lansing since, with the exception of eight 
years from 1857 to 1865, during which period he lield 
various official positions. He held the office of recorder 



114 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



for the citj- in 1865, and was private secretary of Hon. 
Jacob M. Howard, while he was attorney-general of the 
State, for several years. He married, ou the 17th of Jan- 
uary, 1849, Maria B. Comslock, of Cayuga Co., N. Y. 
His present residence and office are on Grand Street, in the 
city of Lansing. During the present year (1880) he was 
one of the enumerators for taking the census of the city. 

J. P. Tiiojii'.soN, recently deceased, was one of the early 
attorneys of Lan.sing, and was born near Hartford, Conn., 
in 1826. He read law in his native State, and after his 
arrival in Lansing in 1818 was law partner of Hon. Wm. 
H. Chapman. Sub.sequenlly he became editor of the Lan- 
sing Stiite Journal, which position he filled until 1856. He 
was afterwards editor of the Grand Rapids Herald and 
Enquirer. About 1861 he began to interest himself in the 
agriculture of the State, and mainly through his influence 
the State Pomological Society was founded in 1869. He 
became its secretary, and labored in its behalf until 1876, 
when he was elected secretary of the State Agricultural 
Society. He soon after became assistant editor of the 
Michigan Farmer, and finally agricultural editor of the 
Detroit Post awl Tribune. He died of Bright's disease on 
the 5th of July, 1880, at the age of fifty-four years. 

Hon. Wm. H. Chapman. — The Chapman family was 
originally from England and among the early settlers of 
Connecticut, various members locating at Stonington, Hart- 
ford, Fairfield, and other places. Wm. H. Chapman was 
born in Tolland Co., Conn., Jan. 20, 1820. He attended 
the district schools of his day, and was a student at the 
celebrated Wilbraham Academy, founded by Rev. Wilbur 
Fisk. He read law with Governor Toucey, of Connecticut, 
and attended two terms at the law school of Yale College. 
In 1847-48 he passed a year in Binghamtou, N. Y., a con- 
siderable portion of which was in the office of Daniel S. 
Dickinson, was admitted to practice at Hartford, Conn., 
in 1847, and came to Lansing, Mich., in 1848. He was 
admitted to the Michigan bar, but never practiced very 
much in the State. In the spring of 1880 he removed to 
a farm in Meridian township, where he now resides. 

He has filled the offices of county judge, judge of Pro- 
bate, aud mayor of the city of Lansing. He married Julia, 
the daughter of John Stimp.son, formerly of Italy, N. Y., 
subsequently an early settler in Washtenaw Co., Mich., and 
at a later date a citizen of Kalamazoo. Judge Chapman 
has been prominent in the business and political circles of 
Ingham County for many years. 

George I. Parsons was born in New Hartford, Oneida 
Co., N. Y., about 1822. He read law in Peterboro', N. Y., 
and was probably admitted to the bar in Oneida County. 
He came to Michigan about 1836, and settled in Clinton, 
Lenawee Co., where he remained in the practice of his 
profession for some twelve or thirteen years. He removed 
to Lansing about 1850, and was elected prosecuting attorney 
for Ingham County in 1856, serving until 1860. He wa.s 
also connected with the Lansing Republican in an editorial 
capacity for a considerable time. He was supervisor of 
the township of Lansing" in 1852, and city attorney in 
1861-62. He removed to Springfield, Mo., soon after the 
war of the Rebellion, and remained there until about 1869, 
when he removed to Winona, iMinn., and is at the present 



time engaged in farming about two miles above that city. 
He is a man of excellent legal attainments and a respected 
member of society. 

JMason D. Chatterton was born in the town of Mount 
Holly, Rutland Co., Vt, Aug. 30, 1838. In 1851 he 
came to Michigan, and arrived in Meridian, Ingham Co., 
on the 23d of June in that year. He spent three years at 
the State Agricultural College, being the first student ex- 
amined and admitted to that institution. On the 1st of 
October, 1859, he entered the Michigan State University 
at Ann Arbor, and graduated on the 27th of March, 1861. 
On the 23d of March in the last-named year he was ad- 
mitted to the bar of Washtenaw County, and soon after 
opened an office. 

On the Sth of November, 1864, he was elected Circuit 
Court commissioner of Ingham County, and removed to 
Mason, March 20, 1865, where he has since resided. Nov. 
5, 1872, he was elected judge of Probate Court for Ing- 
ham County, which office he now holds. In 1873 he was 
president of the Mason village board, and on the 2d of 
September, 1874, was admitted to practice in the Supreme 
Court of the United States. 

ATTORNEYS. 
The following list comprises the attorneys who have 
practiced in Ingham County since 1859.* Most of them 
were admitted in the county, but a few were admitted in 
other parts of the State. 



Eesiclonc 
II. P. Henderson, Matron. 
M. D. Cbatterton, " 
Lueien Reed, " 

George F. V-.iy, " 

George W. Bristol, '■ 
II. L. Henderson, " 
V. .T. Tcfft, " 

I. B. Woodhouse, " 
A. B. JIaines, " 

to. M. Barnes, Lansing. 



Kesideuce. 
WillKuu W. Osborne, Lansing. 
AViiliiim H. Pinckney, " 
Jiinies B. Judson, " 

Jason E. Nichols, " 

Charles S. Alton, " 

Lucius D. Johnson, " 

Etumctt A. Osborne, " 
Albert F. Rouse, " 

Russell A. Clark, " 

Charles F. Hammond, " 



fStcphen D. Bingham, Lansing. George F. Gillam, " 

Rollin C. Dart, " fWiHiam H. Chapman, Meridian. 

F. D. Barker, " Ralph N. Marble, now of Harris- 

M. V. Montgomery, " villc, Alcona Co., Mich. 

R. A. Montgomery, " Edwin H. Ashley, now of Ithica, 

.1. C. Shield.s, " Gratiot Co., Mich. 

Isaac M. Crane, " Dougal McKenzie, now of Pe- 

Frank L. Dodge, " tosky. 

S. F. Seiiger, " JL M. Atwood, Dansville. 

A. E. Cowles, " t'^riffif Paddock, White Oak. 

Edward Cahill, " C. P. ISewkirk, Webbcrville. 

Samuel L. Kilbourne, " E. D. Lewis, Williamston. 

H. B. Carpenter, " Quincy A. Smith, " 

S. S. Olds, " B. D. York, 

Edward C. Chapin, " 0. B. Williams, formerly of Wil- 

N. F. Handy, " liamston. 

Russell C. Ostrander, " Jay Calkins, Leslie. 

J. E. Tenney, " F. C. Woodworth, " 

Frank A. Cahill. " Champ Green, " 

EARLY PHYSICIANS OF INGHAM COUNTY.| 

LANSING. 
Dr. Hulbert Bartow Shank was born on the 31st 
of May, 1820, in Springport, Cayuga Co., N. Y. He studied 

® Some of these practiced much earlier. f Not in practice. 

X See also the history of various townships and villages in Ingham 
County, more particularly Williamstown, Meridian, and Delhi. 



THE PROFESSIONS. 



115 



medicine in Geneva, N. Y., and graduated at tlio Geneva 
Medical College. 

He practiced for a short time in Aurelius, Cajuga Co., 
where he married, in 1848, Miss Frances P., daughter of 
Dr. Daniel Johnson, of Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y., 
who also settled at Lan.sing, Mich., in 1848. 

Dr. Shank came to Michigan and settled in Lansing in 
the fall of 1848. He was a particular friend of Dr. David 
E. McClure, then about giving up the active practice of 
medicine, and who gave Dr. Shank the benefit of his ex- 
perience and assisted him into practice. From that day to 
the present time Dr. Shank has been a prominent prac- 
titioner in Ingham and the surrounding counties of Central 
Michigan. He was first pliysician to the State lleform 
School for Buj's, was a member of the House of Represen- 
tatives in the State Legislature in 1S61-G2, and went out as 
surgeon of tlie Eighth Jlichigan Infantry in the war of the 
Rebellion. He was a member of the old State Medical So- 
ciety, and served as its president one term. 

Dr. Shank has for many years been a leading member 
of the medical profession, and his practice has been exten- 
sive, covering a radius of thirty miles around Lansing. 
He has also been actively interested in political and re- 
ligious matters, and is a prominent member of the First 
Universalist Church of Lansing. 

His son. Rush J. Shank, graduated at the State Uni- 
versity in 1871, and is now engaged in practice with him. 
A second son, Charles, died in 1855. 

Dr. IIo.se.\ Stanto.n Burr was born in the town of 
Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., about 1820. When about 
sixteen years of age he visited Kentucky, in company with 
a cousin, and remained there for a considerable time, in the 
mean time pursuing the study of medicine. He subse- 
quently removed to Wooster, Ohio, where he read medi- 
cine with Dr. Coulter, and possibly practiced his profession 
with him. He afterwards returned to Darien and opened 
an oflBce. He attended medical schools at Louisville, Ky., 
and Cincinnati, Ohio. His practice in Genesee County 
grew to large proportions, and he was a popular and suc- 
cessful physician. 

On the 10th of June, 1846, he married, at Darien, Jliss 
Laura Montgomery, daughter of Martin Montgomery, Esq., 
a prominent farmer of Genesee County. She was born in 
Pembroke, Feb. 28, 1828. 

In August, 1847, he removed to Lansing, Mich., where 
he purchased property, and continued his practice with 
great success. He superintended the building of his first 
dwelling, which was on River Street, and one of the first 
erected in that part of the town, doing a large amount of 
the work with his own hands. 

On their first arrival in Lansing, Dr. Burr and wife 
boarded at the hotel known as the Michigan Exchange, 
where they became acquainted with the prominent families 
then living in the place. 

For a number of weeks he and his wife lived in a shanty 
hastily constructed on his lot while his dwelling was in 
progress. The doctor had quite a valuable library, which 
was in great danger of being spoiled by the rain which 
came into the cabin. The whole site of Lansing was then 
a dense wilderness, excepting a few small clearings here and 



there, and Mrs. Burr remembers well of getting lost in the 
woods on the west side while returning from North Lan- 
sing. The paths were almo.st impassable. 

But the doctor did not live long to enjoy and profit by 
the reputation which he was fast building up in Lansing. 
A destructive epidemic, in the nature of a congestive or 
spinal fever, visited the place in the spring of 1849 and 
numbered among its victims Dr. Burr, who died on the 
lath of April in that year. It was so alarming that the 
Legislature adjourned on account of it. Many of the 
people died of the disease. 

Dr. Burr was a pleasant, affable, and cultivated gentle- 
man, and a favorite with his patients and the people gen- 
erally. His bearing was polite, and he was physically a 
finely-modeled man, though only of medium size. 

Mrs. Burr was a well-educated woman, and to aid in 
building up a home opened a school soon after their arrival. 
Among her ])upils were three children of Dr. Goucher, two 
sons of Jlr. Doarin, two children of Mrs. Thompson, who 
was living at the National Hotel, and two of Mr. Hunt, 
who built the Michigan Exchange. 

Their house was partially completed, so that they occu- 
pied it at Christmas, 1847. 

Mrs. Burr has seen a varied life since the decea.se of her 
husband. Her occupation has been mainly that of an 
artist, and she has taught in many of the principal cities 
and towns of the country, beginning at Ann Arbor. Her 
proficiency in the art of landscape-painting for many years 
kept her talents in constant demand, and her profession has 
introduced her into very much of the best society in the 
Union. Her education was mainly obtained at Attica and 
Le Roy, N. Y. Her earnings as a teacher were more con- 
siderable for some time after they settled in Lansing than 
those of the doctor, for, while he only had running accounts, 
Mrs. Burr received ready money for her services, and when 
she had accumulated twenty or thirty dollars it seemed like 
a very large sum. 

Her home has been only occasionally in Lansing since 
Dr. Burr's death, though she has oivned property and is 
still pecuniarily interested in the place. She has no chil- 
dren. Her intellectual accompli.shments are of a high 
order, and her familiarity with the scientific writers of the 
past and present is somewhat remarkable. 

Dr. William L. Wells was one of the early physicians 
of Lansing, to which place he removed from Howell, Liv- 
ingston Co., in 1847. He remained only fora short time 
and returned to Livingston County. We have not been 
able to learn any particulars of his former or .subsequent 
life. 

Du. Joil.N GouciIER came from Ohio to Lansing about 
the 1st of September, 1847. He was a member of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He purchased the lots 
where the Lansing House now stands and erected a dwelU 
ing and office. The dwelling is still standing on Capitol 
Avenue. He belonged to the eclectic school, and built up 
a considerable practice in this vicinity. He was also well 
versed in surgery, and was a man who possessed a good 
opinion of himself and great confidence in the school of 
medicine to which he adhered. His family was eoniposcv} 
of a wife and four children. About 1SG5 he sold his prop- 



116 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



crty to La Fayette C. Baker* for $5000, and soon after 
removed to Pennsylvania, settling at first in Monongahcla 
City, but subsequently removing to Pittsburgh, and after- 
wards to Ohio. His sou, Elijah, was also educated fur a 
physician. 

I)r. J.v.mes Watts Hol.mes was born on Pompey Hill, 
Onondaga Co., N. Y., May 27, 1810. He read medicine 
with Dr.s. Hanford and Dimick, of Monticello, Sullivan 
Co., N. Y., attended lectures at Little Falls, and took a 
second course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
New York City, in which the celebrated Dr. Valentine 
Mott filled a professorship. He began practice in Lansing, 
Tompkins Co., N. Y. ; removed to Blissfield, Lenawee Co., 
■ Mich., in 1836, and remained until January, 1848, when, 
on the removal of the capital, be settled in Lansing, Mich., 
where he continued until his death, which occurred on the 
8th of May, 1872. After his removal to Lansing he con- 
tinued the practice of his profession for about five years, 
when he gave it up and engaged in mercantile pursuits, 
which he conducted under various branches for about 
twenty years. He erected a block of frame stores on the 
southwest corner of Michigan and Washington Avenues, 
which were afterwards removed or destroyed to make way 
for brick structures. One of the buildings is still standing, 
nest west of the Clu.praan House, on Michigan Avenue. 

He married, in 1838, Miss Harriet B. Wright, daughter 
of Ebenezer Wright, of Rome, N. Y. Mr. Wright erected 
the first grist-mill at Potsdam, N. Y., and was a distant 
relative of Hon. Silas Wright. He was the father of three 
children, two sons and a daughter, all living. The eldest 
son, Theodore S., is in business in Lansing, and his mother, 
who survives her hu.sband, makes her home with him. 
The second son was named Roscius Judson, after Gen. 
lloscius Judson, of Ogdcnsburg, N. Y., and the daughter 
was named Caroline. 

Dr. Holmes was a member of the State Medical Society, 
al.so of the board for locating the State Reform School. 

Dr. David E. McClure was also an early settler in 
Lansing. He was born in Middletown, Rutland Co., Vt., 
about 1785. The family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and 
originally settled at an early date in Massachusetts. The 
father of Dr. McClure removed to Middletown, Vt., and 
settled on the highest land in the township, probably before 
or during the Revolutionary war. Dr. McClure studied 
medicine with Dr. Clark in Middletown. When he had 
obtained sufficient knowledge of liis profession to commence 
practice for himself, he purchased a horse and a pair of the 
old-fashioned saddle-bags, then common but now nearly un- 
known, and made his way on horseback to Swanton, Frank- 
lin Co., Vt., near the Canada line, where he settled, and 
subsequently married a lady whose family resided in Bakers- 
field. 

He practiced in Swanton about ten years, when he re- 
turned to Middletown and bought Dr. Clark's residence, and 
remained in his native town some ten years, when he re- 
moved to Granville, Washington Co., N. Y. 



» Tbo property was really purchased by subscriptions among a few 
prominont citizens of Lansing, who donated it to Mr. Baker in con- 
sideration of his agreement to erect a first-cla.?s hotel on the "■rmind. 



After a residence in the last-named place of four or five 
years he removed to Bennington, Vt., but not being satis- 
fied with the location, he soon after removed to Broekport, 
Monroe Co., N. Y., then an active and growing business 
point. Here he continued his practice until 1837 or 1838, 
when he removed to Jackson, Mich., and remained for 
about ten years. 

In August or September, 1848, he removed to Lansing, 
where he had purchased property soon after the town was 
laid out. For a time after his arrival he boarded at the 
National Hotel. He had been an active, energetic man, 
and performed an amount of physical labor, especially after 
he settled at Jackson, which had at length produced its 
effect, and when he came to Lansing he bad lost much of 
the vigor of his earlier years, and consequently did not 
engage in the active duties of his profession, but surrendered 
them to younger men. Dr. H. B. Shank was then a young 
practitioner, and to liim Dr. McClure resigned active practice 
and gave valuable information and assistance. 

He erected a frame store, one of the first in the central 
part of the town, on the northwest corner of Washington 
Avenue and Allegan Street. It was a wide building, and 
occupied by himself — for a drug- and grocery-store — and a 
tenant. He subsequently erected several business buildings, 
and about 1851 built a two-story frame dwelling, which is 
still standing, on the northeast corner of Washington Avenue 
and Ionia Street. In 1849 he was reduced very low by a 
disease which had probably been induced by years of severe 
labor ; but, contrary to the opinion of all the medical men 
who visited him, he recovered sufficiently to attend to his 
business affairs, and even made a journey to New York City 
for goods. His death occurred Nov. 21, 1858, and his re- 
mains were interred in the old cemetery, but subsequently 
reinterred in the new one. He was a man of robust phys- 
ique and commanding presence, and of a very -energetic 
and persevering nature, well calculated to accomplish a vast 
amount of both physical and mental labor. 

Dr. McClure was three times married. His first wife 
was a Brigham, of Bakersfield, Vt., and his last two were 
from Windsor, Vt. He had two children, both by his first 
wife, — Henry B. and a daughter who died quite young. 
His son, Henry B. MeClure, settled at Jacksonville, 111., in 
November, 1S3G. He was educated for the profession of 
law, which he studied in Monroe Co., N. Y. He was ad- 
mitted to practice before the Supreme Court at Albany, 
N. Y., in 1835. From 1836 to about 1874 he was engaged 
in practice at Jacksonville, 111. He succeeded to his 
father's estate, and for many years has passed a consider- 
able portion of his time in Lansing. 

Dr. Daniel Johnson. — Among the physicians who 
settled in Lansing at an early day, though he never prac- 
ticed his profession here, was Dr. Daniel Johnson, a native 
of Canterbury, Conn., where he was born Oct. 1, 1795. 
He read medicine with Dr. Hezekiah Hibbard, a well-known 
medical gentleman of the same town, and with his father, 
who was also a physician. In the fall of 1818 or 1819 he 
removed to Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y., where he prac- 
ticed fur about two years, and married in the mean time. 

In the Ml of 1848 he removed to Lansing, Mich., which 
had been named after the town of his residence in New 



THE PROFESSIONS. 



117 



York.- He was accompanied by his son, Daniel B., and 
Pr. H. B. Sliaiik, who married his daughter. He never 
practiced his profession after liis settlement in Michigan, 
thuujrh he was occasionally called in consultation cases. 
He built a somewhat pretentious dwelling for those days on 
block 157, facing Washington Avenue, now owned by Dr. 
Shank, and al.-^o owned the farm property in the southern 
part of the city now occupied by his son. Dr. Johnson 
died in Lansing on the 2d day of December, 1865. 

Dr. S. W. Wright was born in Rome, Oneida Co., 
N. Y., June 22, 1817. His father's family was originally 
from Massachusetts, from thence removing to Connecticut, 
and sukscqucutly to the " Wright settlement," near Rome, 
N. Y. He studied medicine with a cousin. Dr. Potter, of 
Oswego, N. Y., and also at Blissfield, Mich., with Drs. 
Holmes and Wyman. He came to Blissfield in 1848, and 
remained for about two years, in the mean time attending 
medical lectures at Cleveland, Ohio. In 1845 he removed 
from Blis.sfield to Dundee, Monroe Co., Mich., where he 
commenced practice, and continued for five yeai-s. He re- 
moved to Lansing in the spring of 1850, and has since 
made the place his residence. He continued his practice 
until about 1853, when he embarked in the mercantile 
business. From 1857 to 1859 he was again in practice, 
and once more from 1863 to 1866. He is at present in 
the mercantile business on Washington Avenue. He 
studied and practiced surgery, also, to a limited extent. 
Dr. Wright in May, 1855, married Flora L., a daughter of 
C. D. Bartiiolomew, a farmer of Waddington, then a part 
of Madrid township, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. They have 
two daughters. 

Dr. Or.\nge B. Webster was bom in Clarkson, Mon- 
roe Co., N. Y., Sept. 10, 1828. His father, Levi Webster, 
who was a farmer by occupation, removed to Madison, 
Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1836. Dr. Webster was educated 
at Adrian, and read medicine with Dr. Erasmus D. Post of 
that place. He attended the medical branch of the State 
University at Ann Arbor and the medical college at Bufl'alo, 
N. Y. In May, 1851, he settled in Lansing, Mich., and 
commenced practice. From May to November in that year 
he was in the office of Dr. H. B. Shank, since which he 
has been in practice by himself at North Lansing, where 
he has a fine residence at No. 231 Larch Street. In Sep- 
tember, 1850, he married Emily S. Hath, a daughter of 
Sanborn Hath, of Wayne Co., Mich. His medical prac- 
tice lias been quite extensive in city and country. 

In 1869 and 1870 he held the office of deputy sheriff, 
and is at the present time a member of the school board of 
the city of Lansing. 

Dr. Ira H.vwlev B.VRTitOLO.MEW was born in the 
town of Waddington, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in January, 
1828. His education was obtained in the common schools 
of his native town, and at the academies of Ogdensburg 
and Canton, in the same county. He studied medicine in 
Ogden.sburg with the well-known physicians, S. N. and B. 
F. Sherman, and graduated at the Michigan State Univer- 
sity in the spring of 1853. 

He returned to New York, and commenced the practice 
of medicine in his native town. In the fall of 1854, at 
the solicitation of Dr. II. B. Shank, whose sister he mar- 



ried Nov. 19, 1856, he came to Michigan, and .settled in 
Lansing in the fall of 1854. For the first three years of 
his residence he was in partnership with Dr. Sliank, but 
since 1857 has practiced by himself. He was for a time 
engaged, in company with his brother, in the drug business 
in Lansing, but continued practice during tliat period. 

His professional business soon grew to large proportions 
and his ride extended over a wide region in all directions, 
he being frequently called as far away as Jackson and 
Ionia. His education included a knowledge of surgery, 
which he has also practiced as circumstances demanded. 

He has held many official positions, both professional 
and civil ; is a member of the State Medical Association, 
of which he was president in 1870-71 ; and was the .second 
president of the Central Michigan Agricultural Society, 
which position he held for two years. He was principally 
instrumental in getting a law passed authorizing the forma- 
tion of district agricultural societies. He also, as chair- 
man of the committee on public health, drew up and intro- 
duced in the Legislature the bill for the organization of 
the State Board of Health, an institution which deservedly 
stands at the head of sin)ilar organizations in the Union. 
He vigorously supported the measure, and urged it upon 
its final passage. 

The doctor is a member of the American Public Health 
A.s.sociation, and was present in 1879 at its annual meeting 
at Nashville, Tenn. Ho filled the office of mayor of Lan- 
sing for three consecutive terms, an honor conferred upon 
no other person, and has for years been prominently con- 
nected with the orders of JIasonry and Odd-Fellowship, 
lie has also been connected with the State University, and 
is at the present time president of the Alumni Association, 
before which he recently delivered an address. 

The Bartholomew family is of New England stock, and 
settled early in the history of that portion of the Union. 

Isaac Bartholomew, his grandfather, was a non-commis- 
sioned officer in the Revolutionary army, serving with the 
Connecticut troops. His father, Charles D. Bartholomew, 
still lives upon the old homestead in St. Lawrence County. 
On his mother's side, the family name was Hawley, and his 
grandmother was connected with the Barnum family of 
Connecticut. 

Dr. Russell Tiiayer was born in Lebanon, Madison 
Co.. N. Y., in August, 1822. He studied with his elder 
brother Rufus, now living in Pennsylvania, and also in 
Hamilton, and prepared himself for practice at some of the 
medical schools of Central New York. He commenced 
practice at the village of Smithville, Chenango Co., N. Y., 
and continued for two j-ears, when he removed to Wooster, 
Ohio, where he remained four years. He removed to 
Michigan and settled in Lansing in 1854, where he estab- 
lished himself in the drug business, giving up active prac- 
tice, except occasionally among his friends, and continued in 
Lansing until the time of his death, which occurred on the 
31st of Augu.st, 1865. 

In September, 1847, he married Nancy S. Williams, of 
Northfield, Ohio, who survives him and is still living in 
Lansing. His son, A. R. Thayer, was also in the drug 
business for a number of years in Lansing, where he now 
resides. 



118 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



LESLIE. 

Tlie first physician who settled in Ingham County was 
Dr. Valorous Meeker, who came to Leslie townsiiip 
early in 1837. He was then a young man, and a most ex- 
cellent physician for that day. He enjoyed a very large 
practice and had an extensive ride, and is well remembered 
by the pioneers now living. Not long previous to 1847, 
his health having failed as a consequence of his labors, he 
returned to the State of Vermont, and finally died in the 
Ea.st. 

Dr. Jlecker was succeeded by Drs. M. L. Fiske and 
JoH.N p. Sawyer. The latter soon after settling here 
removed to Eaton Rapids, but afterwards returned and 
finally located in Jackson, where he died. Dr. Fiske was 
a son of Henry Fiske, a pioneer of Leslie, and studied and 
grew to manhood in the township. He is now a resident 
of San Francisco, Cal. 

Dr. J. D. WooDWORTH came to IMichigan in 1831 from 
Genesee Co., N. Y., with his father, George W. Woodworth, 
who settled on a farm in Jackson County, where the hitter's 
widow is now living. Dr. Woodworth commenced the study 
of medicine in Jackson with Abraham Sager, now deceased, 
who was one of the officers of the Michigan University. 
He came to Leslie in 1849 to take the place of Dr. Sawyer, 
and began active practice, which he has since continued. 
In the winter of 1851-52 he was graduated from Rush 
Medical College at Chicago. 

Dr. Henry A. Raney a young physician, came to 
Leslie soon after the arrival of Dr. Woodworth, but re- 
mained only a few months. Dr. McRay, a Thompsonian, 
was here when Dr. Woodworth came, but stayed only three 
or four years. While he was liere Dr. Jesse O. Se.\rl, 
now residing in the village, came and practiced with him, 
and has lived in the place most of the time since. Others 
have come, remained a short time, and departed for other 
fields. Dr. Woodworth is now the oldest physician in Les- 
lie, and, besides him and Dr. Searl, there are now practicing 
in the place Dr. Martin R. Dowling, in partnership with 
Dr. Woodworth, Dr. C. C. Wheeler, Dr. Brown 
(liomoeopathist), and Dr. Allen C. Manly. Dr.s. Ford 
and Clark have families here, but practice elsewhere. 
Mo.sl of the physicians who have been located at Leslie 
were able and worthy members of the profession. 

MASON. 

The fir.st physician at Mason, and the second in the 
county, was Dr. Minos McRobert, who came from Clin- 
ton Co., N. Y., in June, 1837, and engaged in practice at 
this place. He had previously practiced four or five years 
in the East. For his own convenience he built an office 
which was found useful for a variety of purposes, — doctor's 
office, county register's office, and, as the doctor says, almost 
a court-house. Dr. McRobert afterwards owned and con- 
ducted a drug-store, but in 1848 sold out to Dr. D. W. 
Halstead and ceased practice.* 

Dr. J. W. Phelps was the second physician to locate 
at Mason, coming in 1841 from Plymouth, Wayne Co., 
Mich. He has been dead about fourteen years. 

■*' Sec bi(igrn(jh.v in ;inotber jplace. 



Dr. Singer practiced here for two years and 

moved to another field. Associated with Dr. Halstead 
at one time was Dr. William H. Hugg, who remained 
but a sliort time. Dr. Halstead, formerly from the State i 
of New York, practiced for some time in Lenawee Co., 
Mich., and came from there to Mason, where he is now en- 
gaged in the drug and grocery business, practicing but 
little. 

Dr. William W. Root, from Cayuga Co., N. Y., was 
graduated from Michigan University in 18G2, and from 
Bellevue College, New York City, in 1866. Between these 
dates he served three years in the army, having practiced 
a few weeks at liorae in 1862 before enlisting. May 19, 
18GG, he came to Mason, where he has since been engaged 
in active practice. Dr. Root's gralidfather, JoiiN Barnes, 
— father of 0. M. and Zaccheus Barnes, — settled in Ing- 
ham County in 1837, and died in the township of Aurelius 
in 1862. 

Dr. a. B. Campbell, now of Mason, studied in Bel- 
mont, Canada, with his brother. Dr. J. B. Campbell, still 
located at that place. In 1875 he was graduated from 
Michigan University, and in 1876 from the Cincinnati 
Medical School. In the latter year he came to Mason and 
began practice, which he still continues with marked suc- 
cess. His brother. Dr. W. W. C.\mpbell, a graduate of 
Ann Arbor and Bellevue, practiced at Mason four years, 
and left in 1877. 

Dr. L. a. Snell (homoeopathist) is a native of Or- 
leans Co., Vt., and commenced practice in 1864 at White- 
field, N. H. About 1872 he removed to Michigan and 
located at Lyon, Oakland Co., where he remained a year 
and a half, removing thence to Charlotte, Eaton Co., where 
he practiced five years. He has been in Mason since 
March, 1879. The doctor has two brothers at present 
practicing in Eaton County, one at Vermontville and one 
at Kalamo. 

J. N. Sherman, M.D., is a native of Burlington, Rens- 
selaer Co., N. Y., a graduate of Williams College, Massa- 
chusetts, and was a pupil of the Bellevue Medical Hos- 
pital, New York, and other institutions. He first established 
himself at Burlington, Iowa, as an oculist, aurist, and general 
medical practitioner. Finally, owing to failing health, he 
gave up his extended practice and removed to Mason, 
where he has since followed his profession to some extent. 

Henry H. Cook, M.D., was born in Courtland Co., 
N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1867, locating at Saline, 
Washtenaw Co., where his father, Dr. Eli Cook,f was then 
practicing. In 1869 the family removed to Mason. In 
the same year the younger gentleman entered the Medical 
Department of the Michigan University, from which in 
1872 he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He 
began practice at once in Mason, where he still continues. 

Dr. Charles H. Sackrider, for many years a popular 
and successful physician of Mason, finally relinquished 
practice (except consultation) on account of failing health. 
In 1855, in connection with his medical labors, he began 
the practice of dentistry, being the first in the place to raise 



\ Dr. Eli Cook practiced for si.x years in Mason, and moved to 
n.ica-o in 1S75. 



THE PROFESSIONS. 



119 



it to the dignity of a profession. Dr. Sackrider is one of 
Mason's most wealthy and prominent citizens. 

Dii. Charles H. Daurow, a native of Schenectady, 
N. Y., moved to Michij;an in 1853, in which year he was 
graduated from the Albany Medical College, and located at 
St. John's, Clinton Co. After practicing about one year 
at that place — then entirely new — he changed his place of 
residence to the village of Okemos, Ingham Co., in 1854, 
and entered upon a practice which reached extensive pro- 
portions. He remained in Okemos until 1867, and duritig 
the time achieved a widespread reputation for his efficiency. 
His ride covered a large territory, and the labor incident to 
his practice finally caused liis health to break down and 
necessitated his withdrawal from the field. In 18G7, having 
been elected register of deeds for Ingham County, he re- 
moved to Mason, where he has since resided. He con- 
tinued in office four years. Dr. Darrow is now engaged in 
mercantile business at Mason. 

AUUKLIUS. 
The first resident physician in this township was perhaps 
Dr. Levi Mann, who lived northeast of Aurelius Centre. 
The first at the latter place was Dr. George W. Swart- 
IVOUT, from Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., who came to 
Michigan in 1855 and located at Mason, removing to Au- 
relius Centre in 18(50, where he has since continued in 
practice, except for the time from 1863 to 1870, when he 
practiced again at Mason. He was graduated from Michi- 
gan University in 18G0,and is a practitioner of the regular 
school. His wife is a daughter of Joseph Hopkins, who 
settled in the township of Vevay in the fall of 1841. 

ONOXDACA. 

Dr. Hiram Frye, from Andovcr, Mass., settled in 
Onondaga township in 1838, and a few years later com- 
menced the practice of medicine, which he continued until 
about 1877. 

BAX.SVILLE. 

The first physician to locate at this place was Dr. Daniel 
T. Weston, who came in 1847-48, or perhaps earlier. In 
18G3 there were located in the village Drs. Tiiojias J. 

Webb,* Edgar Hahn, Wiggins (now of St. 

John's), and D. T. Weston. Dr. Adelbert Weston 
came later. 

Dr. L. D. Dean, from Monroe Co., N. Y., came West 
for his health in 18(33, and was induced to locate at Dans- 
ville, where he has since enjoyed a large practice. lie 
studied at Bellevue Ilo.spital, New York, and was graduated 
at Ann Arbor in the winter of 1856-57. The other ])hy- 
sicians now at the place are Charles Randall, C. C. 
Sherman (homceopathist), and Epiir.mm Sherwood. 

williamstox. 
James A. Leasi.\ was born in the city of Detroit, of 
French parents, on the 16th of January, 1821. He was 



• I'r. Webb, «lio li.id not practiced for eomc year?, died at Daiis- 
Tillc, Sept. 26, I8S0. 



educated at Oberlin, Ohio, and graduated at the Cleveland 
Jledical College in 1847. He settled at Williamston, Ing- 
ham Co., Mich., in 1844, and attended one course of medi- 
cal lectures after his .settlement. His practice dates from 
his first arrival in Williamston, and extends over a period of 
thirty-six years, with a fair prospect of continuing for many 
years to come, for the doctor, notwithstanding all the hard- 
ships encountered in a wilderness region for so many yeai«, 
is still possessed of excellent physical health, and appears 
robust and vigorous. The early years of his practice were 
mostly passed on horseback, excepting occasionally when 
the roads were impassable for a horse, and then he per- 
formed liis journeys on foot, sometimes traveling a distance 
of ten miles in a single trip. He had an extensive ride, in- 
cluding the counties of Ingham and Shiawassee and por- 
tions of Cliinton, He also practiced surgery whenever 
occasion required. Previous to the commencement of his 
regular medical practice he was engaged in the study and 
practice of dentistry for about two years at Flint and Grand 
Rapids, and in the latter place read medicine with Dr. 
Charles Shepard. 

During his attendance at the college in Cleveland he was 
a member of the Cleveland Medical Lyceum, an institution 
conducted by the students. He has been a member of the 
Michigan Central Medical Society, and of the American 
Jledical Association since 1856. 

The doctor has had a drug-store in connection with his 
practice in Williamston from the first, which, starting on a 
small scale, has gradually grown to the respectable propor- 
tions of the present day. It is now partly under the 
management of his son. 

He has been twice married, the first time in 1846, and 
the second time in 1858. Has had four children, only two 
of whom are living. 

Dr. Leasia has been a prominent citizen of Williamston 
for many yeare, and contributed no mean share towards 
building up and improving the place, having erected at 
various periods two residences and three business buildings. 
His present residence is the finest in the village, and one 
of the best in the county. 

The years 1869 and 1870 he passed in California, at 
South Vallejo, where he settled with his family for the 
benefit of his health, and practiced his profession, and also 
carried on a drug-store in connection. He purchased a lot 
in that city, built upon it, and was a prominent citizen. 
During his stay he was examining surgeon for the Maine 
Mutual Life Insurance Company, and was also postmaster 
at Vallejo. He hiis filled the office of -school inspector in 
Williamston for sixteen yeai-s. Dr. Leasia has been con- 
nected with a number of men as students and partners in 
his profession during his residence in Williamston, some 
account of whom will be found in the history of that 
village. 

Among early physicians in the southeastern parts of the 
county was Dr. TuNNICLIFF, who practiced in Stockbridge 
at a very early day. At last accounts he was living in the 
city of Jackson, Mich. 

Dr. James Acklev also practiced at Stockbridge pre- 
vious to 1841. He removed soon after that date to some 
part of Jack.son County. 



120 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 



llOMCKOI'ATliy*. 

Tlu' first i>hysifi;iii ol' this scliool that attained to promi- 
noiK'f iti Mioliif^aii was Dit. Ellis, of Grand Rapids, who 
begun jiractice as early as 1815. He subsequently removed 
to Detroit and praelieed in company with Dr. Thayer, of 
that eily, and after a few years removed to the eity of 
New York. 

Dii. Bi,.\CK\voon, of Wasiitonaw County, also became 
(luite prominent at nearly as e.irly a date ns Dr. Ellis. He 
liad been an old-school praetitioner previous to 1845. 

Dll. C. A. JlU'KUlKS was about the third prominent 
physician of the same school, for some account of whom 
see sketch farther on. 

Dll. Gu.VY, of Washtenaw County, was also among the 
prominent member.s of the profession. 

The lirst honuvopathic society in the State wa.s organized 
at Ann Arbor, about 184(5. It was called the "Michigan 
Homioopathie Institute," and among those prominent in its 
organization were Messrs. Thayer, Ellis, Rhiekwood, Jeffries, 
and Gray. 

About 1855 this school of medicine received a great 
impetus in Michigan. Dr. Thayer, who had then mostly 
retired from practice, was spending considerable time in 
Lansing, where the State Legislature was then in session, 
and he and Dr. Jeffries, then a resident of Washtenaw 
County, discussed the idea of introducing the study of 
lioma'opathy into the State University. By diligent and 
unwearied effort a bill was prepared and introduced into 
the liCgislature, providing for a honuvopathie professorship 
in the university, which bill finally became a law. At the 
present time there is a depaltment of homwopathy on an 
e((ual footing with the regular school, with three professors 
and its separate branches of medical studies. 

MICIIW.VN llOMtEOl'ATlIIC COl.LEOE. 

About 1870 an effort was made to establish a honuv- 
opathie eollcge at Lan.sing, for the advaneeiuent of which it 
was expected the State Legislature could be induced to 
lunkc a handsome appropriation in money, lands, or other- 
wise. In the fall of 1871 a college with the above title 
was temporarily established in Lansing. Rooms were 
rented in the State offices, then standing ou the ground 
now occupied by the new Capitol building, and also for a 
time in Mead's Rlock, where lectures were delivered. The 
Central Jliciiigan Homo>opathie Institution was principally 
instrumental in forwarding the enterprise. Among the prom- 
inent men not belonging to the profession who interested 
themselves in its behalf was Judge Alvin N. Hart, of Lan- 
sing. The attempt to interest the Legislature in a sub- 
stantial manner failed, and after a fitful existence of some 
two years the enterprise was given up. 

The faculty of tlie college was one of quite formidable 
proportions, comprising the following names : 

Cu.vuLKS J. He.mpei,, M.l)., Emeritus Professor of Ma- 
teria Medica; R. W. Nei.so.n', M.D., 5I.R.C.S., England, 
Professor of Obstetrics; De Forest Hunt, M.D., Pro- 
fessor of Diseases of Women and Children ; E. R. Ellis, 
W.D., Professor of Special Surgery; H. B. BAQLEr, M.D., 

» Coiii|iiK'(l from iiifonnutuni funiislieil by l>rs.,Tofrrios mid Nelson. 



Professor of the Principles and Practice of Surgery ; C. P. 
Btmcil, M.D., Professor of Operative and Clinical Surgery ; 
Isaac P.vrks, M.D., Professor of Anatomy and Histology ; 
Joseph Hoopeii, M.D., Professor of Physiology and Pa- 
thology ; Everett W. Fish, M.D., Professor of Chemistry, 
Toxicology, and Botany ; F. B. S.mitii, M.D., Professor of 
Materia Medica and the Science of Medicine; A. INIcNeil, 
A.M., A.ssistant Professor of Materia Medica; -B. F. Bai- 
ley, M.D., Professor of the Principles and Practice of Med- 
icine; B. J. BlloWN, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology; 
E. D. BuilR, M.D., Professor of Bledical Jurisprudence; 
J. P. Fullek and Mrs. M. J. Bailey, Demonstrators of 
Anatomy ; J. J. Tyler, Janitor : E. D. Burr, Dean ; A. 
V. Weller, Registrar. 

Dll. C. A. Jeefiiies was burn in Throopsville, Cayuga 
Co., N. Y., in 1811. lie was educated at Auburn, N. Y., 
and Pittsfield, Mass. He studied medicine at Auburn, and 
commenced practice under the old school at Ann Arbor, 
Mich., in 1SI54. He remained there three or four years, 
when he removed to a farm in Washtenaw County, but, the 
business not proving satisfactory or congenial to his tastes, 
he continued it only about a year and a half, when he re- 
moved to Howell, in Livingston County, and resumed the 
practice of medicine. He remained there until 1844, when 
he removed to Dexter, in 'Washtenaw County, and con- 
tinued until the spring of 1847. 

While visiting patients in Livingston County, in April 
of that year, he met three men who afterwards became 
prominent citizens of Lansing, — Messrs. Bush, Thomas, 
and Peck. These gentlemen were then busily interesting 
themselves in lands at the new capital, and pursuaded Dr. 
Jeffries to accompany them to the place, which he did. 
The .spring was late, the streams had overflowed, and ice 
was everywhere. The roads were nearly impassable, and in 
one place they got the single wagon which they had along 
with them into a .swampy place, and were obliged to take 
off the horse and pull it out backwards. They came by the 
old Territorial road. At the crossing of the Cedar River 
they were delayed for some time. Finally a part of the 
company went back, and the doctor, together with Bush 
and Thomas, took turns in riding the saddle-horse to Lan- 
sing, adopting the old method of " riding and tying." 
When they arrived at North Lansing the dwelling of Deacon 
Pago, who usually kept travelers, was full, and they were 
obliged to proceed to the house of Justus Gilkey, nearly 
two miles farther down the river, to find accommodations. 
The doctor remained a few days, went over the ground 
where the new Capitol now stands, and exaiuiued the 
lands to the south of section IG. He remembers seeing 
wolf tracks near where the Capitol now stands. 

The doctor soon returned to his home in Dexter. Messi's. 
Bush, Thomas, and Peck were anxious to get him to settle 
in the new town, and as an inducement oftered him lots on 
the corner south of where the Everett House now stands. 
The offer being a good one, the doctor concluded to accept 
it and make Lansing his home, and aeeoidingly, in May, 
1847, be came back and commenced to build his house, 
which forms the main portion of the one still standing on 
the lot. He completed it and removed his family to 
I Lansing in the fall of the same year. He continued in 



THE PROFESSIOxNS. 



121 



practice from that date until 1850, when he returned to 
Washtenaw County to take cliarpc of the farm of hi.s 
father, who liad died in 1849. lie remained on the old 
place until 1801, when he returned to Lansinj;, princi[i!illy 
for the purpose of having his dauj;htcr attend the school 
for young ladies then recently opened hy Miss Ilogers. 
Here he remained in the practice of his profession until 
1864, when he once more returned to the homestead, and 
remained upon it until 18(J7, when he sold it and removed 
to Ann Arbor, in which place he practiced until 1871, 
when he removed to Kast Saginaw, and continued until 
187C, in which year he removed to Omaha, Neb. In June, 
1877, he again returned to Lansing, and again in 1879 re- 
turned for a short sea.son to Omaha. In July, 1880, he 
came hack to Lansing, and is now located in practice with 
his daughter, Anna J. Jeffries, near the corner of Well- 
ington Avenue and Shiawassee Street. 

Dr. Jeffries adopted the practice of homeopathy in 184G, 
and is now about the oldest living practitioner of that school 
in the State. About 18C0 his eyesight began to fail, and 
the infirmity increased upon him until he became wholly 
blind several years ago. He still continues his practice, 
however, considering that lie can as fully understand dis- 
ease and prescribe as well as before the misfortune overtook 
him. Dr. Jeffries was surgeon in the Michigan State 
troops during the "Toledo War," on the staff of Gen. 
Davis. 

Db. Kicuaku W. Nklso.n was born in London, Eng- 
land, Oct. D, 181 C. He was educated in London, and 
graduated at the Royal College of Surgeons in November, 
18H8. In June, 183'2, Dr. Nelson removed to the United 
States, settling in Buffalo, N. Y., in the same year. In 
February, 1854 he received a diploma from the State 
Medical Society of New York at Albany. He remained 
in Buffalo until May, 18.^6, when be removed to St. Louis, 
Mo., from which city he removed in .March, 18G1, to 
Bloouiington, 111., where be practiced about one year, when 
he gave up practice and reported to Governor Yates for ex- 
amination as an a.ssistant surgeon in the arm}'. He received 
a certificate, and was ordered by the Governor to report at 
the Mound City General Ho.spital. In the beginning of 
the war he had a-ssisted in recruiting the Twenty-sixth Illi- 
nois Infantry llegimcnt. He served at various stations 
until June, 18G4, when lie resigned in consei|uence of 
being completely worn down by arduous duty, and was 
honorably di.sehargcd. 

His family had removed from Bloomington to Lansing, 
Mich., in 18G3, on account of the health of his son, a lad 
of five years, who, during a visit with bis mother to the 
army while at Island No. 10, liad contracted severe illness. 
Suksequent to receiving bis discharge the doctor joined bis 
family in Lansing, where he has since been engaged in the 
practice of his profession. He was educated in the regular 



school, and practiced undi^r it until ISGfi, when, alter care- 
ful investigation, he accepted the ideas of Ilabnenianii, and 
has since practiced in the hom<eopathic school. 

When the Michigan Honiueopathio (y'ollego was estab- 
lished at Lansing in 1871 he was chosen professor of ob- 
stetrics, and served until the enterpri.se was abandoned. He 
lectured before the students in the winter of 1871-72, and 
again in 1872-73. The summer course of lectures in 1872 
was given in Detroit. In June, 1877, Dr. Nelson pur- 
chased the right to use the Electro-Therapeutic Bath, and 
has connected it with his practice since. 

Dr. Nelson married. May 21, 18.")G, Mi.ss Augusta H. 
Montgomery, of Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y. Miss Mont- 
gomery was a graduate of the Female Medical College 
of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, Jan. 27, 18r»3, and has 
practiced medicine more or lass since her marriage, chang- 
ing, with her husband, to the practice of homa-opathy. 

Among other physicians of the hoimcopalbic school who 
have also practiced in the city of Lansing may be named 
Dii. IlENiiy Hawlkv, about 18r)8 to 18G.'i, wlio was asso- 
ciated with Dr. Jeffries in 18G1. He removed to Midland 
Co., Mich., about 18G:5. 

Dii. E. H. LatiiudI' practiced in Lansing for some two 
years, about 18G8-G9. He is now a resident of Hastings, 
Barry Co. 

Dk. a. H. Ba.nchoft practiced from about 18Gf) to 
1880, with the exception of a year spent in (Jhiu in 1870 
-71. 

Dr. L. E. Phei.PS was in Lansing for several years. 
He was from Owosso or vicinity, and removed about 1878. 

Dtt. I. Dk Vkii practiced for a short period about 1877 
-78. 

Dr. Wii.ma.m Baii.kv, a brother of Dr. B. F. Bailey, 
was also here for a year or two about 187^^-74. 

Dr. B. F. Baii.ey practiced in Detroit from 1873 to 
1877. 

The following pliysicians and surgeons are at present 
residents of Lansing, and all in regular practice except l>r. 
Henry B. Baker : 

Kfgiilar.—W. B. Shank, Uush J. Shank, O. B. Web- 
ster, Ira H. Bartholomew, J. B. Hull ; J. H. Wellings, 
City Physician ; George E. Ilanney, Secretary State Medi- 
cal Association ; Henry B. Baker, Secretary State Board 
of Health ; J. W. Hagadornr-Alexander McMillan, Wil- 
liam H. Haze, C. N. Haydcii, Thomas Dolan, (Jrville 
Marshall, L. Anna Ballard. 

Ifommipathii. — C. A. Jeffries, Anna J. Jeffries, Richard 
W. Nelson, Augusta R. Nelson, Benjamin F. Bailey, J. 
Dcville Dennis, Mrs. K. C. Betts, C. P. Burch. 

Eclectic — John Bender, D. R. Sherman. 

JJoliiiiic. — William Miller. 



IG 



CITY OF LANSING/ 



The city of Lansing is lociited on sections Nos. 8, 9, 10, 
15, 1(3, 17, 20, 21, and 22, occupyinp; the whole of 9, 10, 
15, IG, 21, and 22, and the east half of 8, 17, and 20. 
The site is mostly well elevated above the rivers, consisting 
mainly of a comparatively level plateau. This is more par- 
ticularly true of the portion lying on the west bank of 
Grand River, in the great bend of that stream, which 
enters the city limits from the west, turns northeast on sec- 
tion 21, north on the south line of section 16, and flows 
thence nearly north to the centre of section 9, where it 
turns northwest and crosses the city-line near the northeast 
corner of section 8. The southern and southeastern por- 
tions, lying along the Grand, and especially along the Cedar 
Kiver, are somewhat low, while the portion of the city to 
the east of Grand River and north of Cedar River is 
mostly high, dry. and rolling, inter.spersed with depressions 
and ridges of sand, gravel, and clay. The lands in the 
western part of the city are mostly composed of heavy clay 
and the natural drainage is less perfect than in the other 
portions. Wiien the city adopts and carries out a compre- 
hensive and perfect system of drainage and a uniform 
grade for its streets, the site will become dry and healthful 
throughout its whole extent. The greatest difficulty in the 
drainage is encountered in those portions lying immediately 
west of the Capitol, where the ground is generally level, 
but interspersed with low places and basins. These are all 
many feet above the level of Grand River, and a general 
system of sewerage will make them dry and valuable. 

When it is considered for a moment that so late as 1850 
nearly the entire site of the city was a dense, heavy forest, 
it is surprising to note what has already been done, and the 
prospect of seeing a clean, well-drained, and beautiful city 
in the near future is very gratifying. 

The region comprising Ingham and Eaton Counties was 
surveyed into townships in 1824 and 1825, and the section- 
lines were run generally a year or two later. The township 
of Lansing was surveyed by Lucius Lyon in 1825, and the 
interior lines were run by Musgrove Evans in 1827. The 
earliest entries of land in the township were made in the 
fall of 1835. AVithin the limits of what is now the city of 
Lansing, as will be seen by reference to plat on another 
page, the lands were entered in 1835 and 1836. The first 
entries were made on sections 9, 20, and 21, by William 
H. Townsend, in the latter part of September, 1835. On 
the 21st of May, 1836, Frederick Bushnell entered a large 
amount on sections 8, 9, and 17, and on the 7th day of 
July, in the same year, James Seymour also entered several 
hundred acres on sections 8, 10, 15, and 17. 



Bv S.-uniu-I W. Durnnt. 



"I5IDDLE CITY." 

Early in 1836, JSrry and William Ford entered that 
portion of .section 21 which lies east and south of Grand 
River, and on the 11th day of April, in that year, laid out 
a village on the south half of the section, which they called 
" Diddle City."f It included the whole of the southeast 
quarter and about 120 acres on the south side of the 
southwest quarter of the section, being a mile long on the , 
south line, half a mile on the east line, and about 120 ) 
rods on the west line. It had forty-eight full blocks and 
seventeen fractional ones, and was provided with a " public 
square," a "church square," and an " academy square." It 
boasted of many high-sounding names to its principal 
streets, and was altogether a remarkable city, — on paper. 
Quite a number of lots were sold, but the plat was subse- i 
quently vacated. Those curious to look up such matters | 
will find the famous city plat on the first leaf of Liber 6, j 
Deed Records, in the register's office at Mason. | 

This village site was afterwards sold for taxes. A part 
was purchased by Joab Page, who sold to C. I*. Bush. (See 
farther on.) 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

James Seymoue, one of the original proprietors of the 
town of Michigan, now the city of Lansing, was a cousin 
of ex-Governor Horatio Seymour, of Utica, N. Y., and 
at the time he purchased lands around Lansing was presi- 
dent of a bank in Rochester, N. Y. It is probable that 
Horatio had a pecuniary interest in these purchases, and, 
according to the record at Mason, on the lOtli of August, 
1847, James Seymour deeded him an undivided half of 
the property. Subsequent to the death of Mr. Burchard 
James Seymour continued the improvement of the water- 
power at North Lansing, and erected mills and other 
buildings. He was never a permanent resident of Lansing. 

He died at the house of his son-in-law. Rev. C. S. Arm- 
strong, io Lansing, in 1859. After his death his son 
Charles assumed his interests, and at a later period he 
and Horatio Seymour made a partition of the Lansing 
property. The latter is still interested in the city to a 
small extent, mostly in unsold lots. The as.sessment for 
purposes of taxation for 1880 shows property of the value 
of ?6900 belonging to Governor Seymour. 

Col. John W. Burchard.]; — Beyond a peradventure 



"f" The pl.ace was said to have been named in honor of Maj. John 
Biddle, of the United States army in the war of 1S12. He was also 
a delegate in Congress from the Territory of Michigan and a histori- 
cal writer of some prominence. 

J Information concerning Col. Burchard has hcen obtained from 
many sources. The date of his purchase of land at Lansing was 
obtained from the records. His former wife, now Mrs. Frances New- 



CIT? OP LANSING. 



123 



(lie first person who erected a dwelling within the limits of 
the city of Lansing with the intention of making a per- 
manent stay was John Woolsey Burchard. Cul. Burchard 
was born in Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1S14. His 
father subsequently removed to the village of Moscow, 
Livingston Co., N. Y., where he carried on the trade of a 
harness- and saddle-maker, at which John W. also worked 



sing is situated, was purchased from the government in 
1S;55, and 1S36 by AVilliam IL Townsend and Frederick 
Bu.shnell, the latter taking all except the portion of the 
northwest (|uarter, lying north of Grand Kiver. James 
Seymour, of Rochester, N. Y., also purchased lands on 
sections 8, 10, 15, and 17, and it was understood that Sey- 
mour and BushncU were in company in the purchase. At 




I'l.AT OF SECTIOXS IN THE CITY OF LAXSIXC, SIIOWIXO OBIGIXAL LAND EXTEIES. 



in his younger days. The latter began the study of law 
about 1836, and, as his wife recollects, at Rochester, N. Y. 

Li 1839 he removed to Lenawee Co., Mich., where he 
was admitted to practice, and in the same year settled as 
an attorney in Mason, Ingham Co. 

On the 7th of April, 1841, he married Mi.ss Frances 
llayncs. He continued in practice at Mason until 1843, 
in August of which year he removed to Lansing. 

As has been stated, section 9, now wholly included in 
the city, and on which the water-power at North Lan- 



man, of the city of Jackson, has furnished considerable and of course 
reliable material, while Daniel L. Case, Samuel L. Kilbourne, James 
Turner, Mrs. Thomas Clark, and others hare also supi>licd many 
facts. 



any rate, we find by the record that James Seymour, on 
the 13th day of October, 1841, sold to John W. Burchard 
the southeast fractional quarter of section 9, including the 
water-power, or a portion of it. This transaction shows 
either that Seymour and Bushnell were or had been in 
company in the purchase of these lands, or that Seymour 
had bought Buslinell's interest in this quarter section.* 

In August, 1843, Col. Burchard took his family to Lan- 
sing and settled there in a log house which he had probably 
built a short time previously on the block wliere the " Sey- 
mour House" and " Grand River House" were afterwards 



• Seymour gave Burchard a warranty deed, and the latter mort- 
gaged the |iroperly to Seymour to secure a portion of the purchase- 
money. 



124 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



(about 1847) erected. Immediately on the removal of his 
family ho commenced the erection of a dam across Grand 
liiver where the present one stand.s. Mrs. Newman remem- 
bers well that the wolves were fre(|uently heard howling in 
the night near their cabin. The country around was a 
dense wilderness. There were then two children in the 
family, — a son, John W., named for his father, now living 
in Leslie, and a daughter, who became the wife of Samuel 
L. Kilhourne, Esq., but since deceased. Col. Burchard 
was very sanguine of the future, and indulged in fund an- 
ticipations. Tile dam was completed in the fall of 1843, 
and in the winter or early spring he went East and pro- 
cured assistance from his brother, Ciiarlcs W. Burchard, 
now living in Nunda, Livingston Co., N. Y., and Thomas 
Clark, to aid liim in getting his mill-irons and equipment, 
which were purchased at Auburn, Cayuga Co. 

With these he returned to Lansing and prepared to erect 
a saw-mill. The spring flood of 1844 had washed out a 
portion of the new dam on the west shore, and it became 
necessary to repair the break. On the. 7th of April, in 
company with three hired hands, — William Pierce, Alonzo 
Baker, and a tliird, whose name is not remembered, but be- 
lieved to have been Coe G. Jones, — he ventured in a canoe 
below the dam to examine the break, and while so engaged 
tlie back-water carried the canoe under the sheet. The three 
men who accompanied him were saved, but he was drowned, 
and his body was recovered ten days later, being found on 
an island or bar at IngersoU's (Delta), several miles below. 
At that time there was no public burial-ground at Lansing, 
and his remains were taken to Mason and interred. This 
sad bereavement occurred on the third anniversary of Col. 
Burchard's marriage. 

The following obituary notice was published in a Michi- 
gan paper a few days after his death. Ic has been oblig- 
ingly furnished by Mrs. Frances Newman, formerly Mrs. 
J. W. Burchard : 

'•FATAL ACCIDENT.* 

"It becomes our painful duty to announce the sudden imd unex- 
pected death of our much esteemed citizen and friend, Col. Joii.v W. 
UuucHAHD.-f On the morning of the 7th inst., while crossing (iraud 
Kiver, immediately below his mill-dam, the boat he was in capsized, 
and he was borne some dit^tance from the s]>ot by the fury of the ele- 
ment, when iill sight of him was lost. Diligent search has been made 
to recover the body, but as yet without effect. 

"Col. Burchard has been taken from among us in the siiringtime 
of his usefulness and worth (being only about twenty-nine years of 
age), and his loss is deeply mourned by the citizens of the county. 

" Among the first who settled in this place.J he was intrusted with 
many offices by the people, all of which he discharged with credit to 
himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Of a (juick and 
perceptive mind, he was foremost in projecting plans and devising 
measures to improve the facilities and extend the improvements and 
interests of this villagej and county, and, although cut down in the 
midst of life and usefulness, he lived to see the inhospitable wilder- 
ness dotted with fruitful and cultivated fields, and this very spot, 
shaded with the thick foliage of a dense forest, — the lair of the wolf 
and the deer, — converted into a populous village, the mart of business 
and wealth, and a county placed in a condition truly enviable. 



* This account was probably published in a Mason paper, though 
Avc have not the means of identifying it. 

t We have received no explanation of how he came by his title of 
colonol. 

t Probably referring to .Mason. 



" Mr. Burchard was a member of the bar, and as such highly es- 
teemed. As a politician he was liberal and consistent, ever willing 
to award the meed of honor and merit to whom it was due, of what- 
ever political party or creed. 

" By the above decease a wife is bereft of a fond and affectionate 
friend and bosom companion, and two interesting little children .ire 
de|)rivcd of a kind father's watchfulness and protection, all, too, in 
one sad and unexpected moment."^ 

After Col. Burchard's death his widow removed from 
Lansing, and the property again fell into the hands of 
James Seymour, who continued the woik of building mills 
and made other improvements. 

As corroborating evidence bearing upon the early settle- 
ment of John W. Burchard at Lan.sing, the following facts 
were obtained from Samuel Tower, Esq., a resident of 
Greenville, Montcalm Co., wlierelie is engaged in foundry 
and machine business. 

In the autumn of 1843, Mr. Tower, who is a native of 
Springfield, Windsor Co., Vt., left Albany, N. Y., accom- 
patiied by his wife and child, and also his wife's father, and 
came to Detroit, Mich., his destination being Grand llapids, 
whither his father's family had removed from Vermont, in 
1839. At Detroit he took the Michigan Central llailway 
and proceeded to Jackson, then the western terminus of the 
road. Arrived at that place he looked around for some 
mode of conveyance to Grand Eapids, and found the best 
he could do was to pay teamsters SlOO to take his family 
and cflTeots to that point. As he had only about eighty 
dollars, this plan was impracticable. Pursuing his inquiries, 
he found several persons busily engaged in building a couple 
of scow-boats, and, inquiring what they were going to do 
with them, was informed that two families, with their house- 
hold goods, were going down Grand River in them as far 
as Ionia, or farther. At that time Tower did not know 
that Jackson was on the head-waters of Grand River, and, 
asking where the river was, was informed that he was on 
its banks. A new train of ideas at once took possession of 
the immigrant. He inquired where they got their lumber, 
and was told that they procured it from a certain man, but 
had purchased all he had, and, they thought, all there was 
in the place. Looking around, he found a man who dis- 
covered in his loft three very nice pine planks, but which 
he said were not for sale, as he was going to work them up 
into sash. Tower says, " I am going to have them." 
" Well," the man says, " I guess not, because they are not 
for sale." " How much will they be worth," says Tower, 
" when they are worked up ?" " About six dollars," says 
the man. " Here's your money," says Tower, and procuring 
tools he proceeded to cut them up and make a scow-boat, 
about fifteen feet long and seven feet wide, which would 
carry about two tons' weight. He matched the lumber, and 
procuring a quart of tar spread it over the edges and drove 
it together, and after a few hours' soaking in the river the 
boat became perfectly water-tight. He built a cabin "amid- 
ships," and placing his household goods and family on board 
started on his voyage down the river. He had among his 
heavier goods a cook-stove and a large family bureau. He 
also bought a small box-stove to warm his cabin, as the 
weather was quite cold and there was some thin ice in the 

^ See for further notice the chapter on the legal profession. 






CITY OF LANSING. 



125 



rivor. He had made a lon^ scuUing-oar, but for the 6rst 
ihirty or forty miles, or until he had passed Eaton llapids, 
he used a settiiiii-polo. Between Jackson and Eaton Kapids, 
or near the latter ])laee, he hauled up to the bank on account 
of rain, and taking a path leadin;; from the river found a 
log house, and in it a man who afterwards became Governor 
of the State, with his family. This gentleman, who must 
have been Austin Blair, sent down his men and helped the 
family up to his house, where they remained for two or 
three days before the storm subsided. 

Starting out anew they pursued their way to Eaton 
llapids, where there was a dam across the river and a bridge 
a little below the dam. There was a slide or chute in the 
dam, and the river being comparatively low nearly all the 
water ran over the slide. Tower walked out on the dam, 
which was nearly dry on each side of the apron, and deter- 
mined to run over it in his boat. The people living there 
thought it a foolhardy venture, but taking out his bureau, 
and getting a bed-cord ready to fling to parties on the bridge 
so as to have them tow tlie craft ashore, lie pushed on to 
the opening, and steering with much skill went through 
safe, though he dipped a little water as he dashed into the 
stream at the foot of the slide. Passing under the bridge 
he stood up and threw the line to those waiting for him, 
who towed him ashore, where he took in the family and 
bureau once more and went on his way. He says there 
was only a small clearing at Eaton Rapids at that time. 

About the 25th day of November, 1843, he swept 
around the bend in the south part of what is now the city 
of Lansing, and passing down the river under the shade of 
the stately forest-trees, which then overshadowed the stream, 
he soon brought up at another dam, and this he found 
had no slide to facilitate the passage of his craft. Here 
was a small clearing, and to the right of the dam, about 
thirty rods away, towards the northeast, was a solitary set- 
tler's log house, from which curled the smoke of a welcome 
fire. Here was living John Woolsey Burchard with his 
family, consisting of a wife and, Mr. Tower thinks, one 
child. There was also a man wiiom lie remembers as being 
named Myers, and possibly one or two others, who wore 
working for Burchard. Mr. Burchard had then cer- 
tainly been living there long enough to erect a substantial 
dam, from timber which was cut in the surrounding forest 
and the bowlder stones and clay and gravel taken from the 
bank. 

Mr. Tower and family remained over-night with Burchard, 
all the parly finding accommodations in the log cabin, which 
he describes as quite roomy and comfortable. Burchard 
and his help assisted in getting the boat around the dam, 
and the family once more resumed their voyage towards 
Lake Michigan. Snow had fallen during the preceding 
night to the depth of six inches, and there was considerable 
slush ice in the river. Mr. Tower thinks that Burchard pro- 
cured his flour and supplies at " Ingersoll's," a few miles 
below Lansing, where there was another dam and mills. 
There were no mills at Lansing. 

The two families before spoken of, who were building 
boats at Jack.son, had passed down the river a few days 
earlier, and the men had been so independent and insulting 
to the few people along the way that they had received no 



assistance in getting around the dams. Tiiey had told the 
settlers at Ingersoll's or Delta that there was a fellow com- 
ing whom they would help ; and, sure enou;;h, when Tower 
reached Delta and brought his boat ashore all the people 
were awaiting him. They told him about those who had 
preceded him and said they had heard of him, and if he 
■^vanted to procure supplies now was his time, for they had 
them. Leaving his boat and family he went to a small 
store some distance away, where he purchased flour or 
bread, meat, and a few groceries ; but when he offered 
money for them the proprietor would not take a cent. He 
said it was all right ; he had heard of him, and he was 
welcome to all he needed ; but the other fellows had been 
too saucy, and had to help themselves around the dam and 
pay for whatever they got. When Tower returned to the 
river to his surprise he found his boat, family, and goods 
awaiting him on the river below the dam. While he was 
away the men had taken everything around in good shape, 

and 

" .Sped the piirting guest" 

with many jolly " good-bys" and invocations for "good 
luck." 

In due time the traveler arrived safely at Grand Rapids 
with his family, having made a voyage of 250 miles from' 
near the head of Grand River to within forty miles of its 
mouth. His boat cost him about seven dollars, and he sold 
it at Grand llapids for fourteen, and it went to Grand 
Haven. Mr. Tower passed the other families before reach- 
ing Grand Rapids, and was probably the first man who 
made the voyage with his family to the last-mentioned 
place. He vividly remembers the journey, the incidents 
connected witli it, and the country through which he trav- 
eled. 

The Page family was among the very earliest to settle 
within the limits of what now constitutes the city of Lan- 
sing. Joab Pa^Si '''^ father, was born in Clarendon, Rut- 'n^ 
land Co., TtT^Feb. IG, 1788. On the 11 th of May, 1811, 
he married Abigail Olds, who was born in Poultney, Rut- 
land Co., April 3, 1787. Jlr. Page was a carpenter and 
builder by trade, and a very excellent mechanic, well known 
in Vermont and New York in his younger days. His 
daughter, Mrs. W. Smith, of Mason, says he framed and 
raised in 1829-30 the first church building at Sheldon, 
Franklin Co., ever erected in Vermont without the use of 
liquor. Among his labors in the State of New York was 
the erection of the first iron-works at Peru, Clinton Co. 
In 1830 he removed from Vermont to Orleans Co., N. Y., 
where he remained until February, 1832, when he came to 
Jacksonburg (now Jackson), Mich., with his family. He 
had visited that place in 1831, and built the first saw-mill 
erected in the place. He was, in addition to his other trades, 
a millwright, and his services were in great demand in tlio 
new country. He purchased property two miles south of 
Leoni, in Jackson County, and erected a saw-mill on the 
out-let of Grass Lake, which ran through his land, in tho 
summer of 1832. 

He afterwards sold this property and built and kept i^ 
tavern on the old Territorial road, called the " Grass Lake 
House." This he also sold and erected another hotel 
building of brick, which he in turn sold and removed to 



12G 



IIISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the south part of Vevay township, Ingham Co., in the 
fall of 1840, purchasing a farm of 160 acres, probably on 
section 32. On this he built a log house, improved his 
land, and remained until his removal to the site of Norlh 
Lansing, in the autumn of 1844. 

Mr. Page had four children, — one son, Isaac Chauneey 
Page, and three daughters, — all of whom were married and 
accompanied him to Lansing. His daughter, Cornelia M., 
married Whitney Smith ; another daughter, Orselia, mar- 
ried George 1). Pease; and a third married Alvin Rolfe. 
A dam had been built by John W. Burchard some time 
previous to this date, but, Mr. Burchard having been acci- 
dentally drowned near it in the spring of 1844, Mr. James 
Seymour went on with the work of building a saw-mill and 
improving the water-power, and to aid him in the enterprise 
he sent for Mr. Page and his sons on account of their being 
mechanics. Mr. Smith was regularly bred to the business 
of a millwright. 

When they arrived at the spot where North Lansing now 
stands they found a single untenanted log cabin,* which 
stood south of where the Seymour House was afterwards 
built, on the same block and a little back from the road. 
Into this they moved, but it was so small that they imme- 
diately built an addition to it, and here they remained while 
constructing the saw-mill for Scymour.f One of his sons- 
in-law, llolfe, remained only a few weeks, and returned to 
his farm, in Vevay township, where he is now living. The 
son, Isaac C. Page, was in poor health, and finally died in 
Lansing, Dec. 12, 1848. 

When the family removed to Lansing it was not with the 
intention of settling permanently, but simply to work upon 
the mill for Seymour. But the town grew apace, and wlien 
in 1847 the State capital was removed to the place the 
settlement increased rapidly, and all eyes were turned to- 
wards the new capital in the wilderness. When the town 
of " Slichigan" was laid out in the early summer of 1847, 
Mr. Page and Whitney Smith purchased a lot and erected 
a two-story frame house, which afterwards became the 
" Grand River House," and kept boarders, having at one 
time as many as sixty. Mr. Pease also bought a lot and 
built a house, which is still standing, on the corner of Adams 
and Centre Streets. 

Within a year after building the " Grand River House," 
Messrs. Page and Smitli sold the property and purchased 
six lots iu another part of the village, where they erected a 
dwelling. This is now known as the Parmelee place. 
Here they remained until February, 1853, when they ex- 
changed the property for a farm, now partly included in the 
village of Mason, to which they removed. From the time 
of his removal to JIason, Mr. Page's health became im- 
paired and he never was in good health afterwards. He 
died April 28, 1863, on his farm. 

During his residence in Jackson County, Mr. Page had 
served as a justice of the peace, and he was elected to the 
same office in Lansing in April, 1845, being the first resi- 
dent justice within the city limits, though not the first in 



» This was the log hnuse huilt by Mr. Burchard in 18J.'?. 
t Till! timber for this mill was purchased at Eaton Riiiiids and 
laflcd down the rivi-r. 



the township. He held the office during one term. J lie 
was also elected to the office of supervisor in 1845, 1846, 
and 1847. His son, Isaac C. Page, was regularly elected 
supervisor at the annual town-meeting in April, 1845, but, 
removing on account of his health, his father was elected in , 
his place at a special election in September of the same I 
year. The son was also elected township clerk in 1847. '' 

Whitney Smith was the principal millwright in this 
part of the country for a number of years, and did most of 
the work in his line about Lansing until the time of his 
death, which occurred at Mason, Sept. 7, 1866. George 
D. Pease also died at Mason, in the house now occupied by 
his widow and the widow of Whitney Smith, May 12, 
1876. 

Joab Page was a member of the Slethodist Episcopal 
Church, and held official positions for many years in that 
body. 

Among the prominent settlers in Lansing (then Michi- 
gan) in 1847 was James Turner. Blr. Turner was a 
native of Cazenovia, Madison Co., N. Y., where he was 
born April 1, 1820. He came to Michigan and set- 
tled at Mason, where, in company with William Jack- 
son, of Leoni, Jackson Co., he engaged in the mercantile 
business. In the spring of 1847, Mr. Turner settled in 
Lansing, where he continued the same business. At 
Mason, and probably also at Lansing, their goods were 
exchanged for wheat, corn, oats, gra.s.s-seed, flaxseed, pork, 
tallow, lard, beeswax, butter, cheese, furs, deer-skins, hides, 
ashes, black salts, etc. Mr. Turner built an ashery in Lan- 
sing, and manufactured pearl-ashes. He occupied for a 
store a portion of the Seymour House, the first hotel 
erected in the lower town, which was built the same year 
of Mr. Turner's arrival (1847). 

He continued in business in. Lansing until he engaged 
with Charles Seymour and H. H. Smith in the construction 
of the plank-road between Lansing and Mason, about July 
1, 1850, when he removed his store to the road, locating a 
part of the time at Leroy, and afterwards at Fowlerville. 
While engaged in the constiuction of this road he spent a 
winter, probably in 1850 and 1851, in Florida, where he * 
went for his health, being threatened with a pulmonary 
difficulty. Subsequently to his return from the South he ' 
was again engaged in the mercantile business in company , 
with Daniel L. Case, at North Lansing, where they were 
afterwards burned out, on the northeast corner of Frank- 
lin and Turner Streets. 



I The "courts" were held in Mr. Page's house, and many amusing 
and interesting scenes transpired during liis terms of office. At one 
time a replevin suit was tried before Esq. Page, brought by one Jacob 
Baker, an early lawyer or pettifogger of Do Witt, in Clinton County. 
The constable was liliely to get into trouble on account of the loss of 
a bond which he had given, and which somehow failed to be produced 
in court. But luckily for him one of Mr. Page's daughters, in stroll- 
ing about the premises waiting for the contestants to vacate the 
dwelling, stumbled upon the missing paper, which had evidently been 
torn in pieces and punched into the mud with a stick. The fragments 
were cleaned and pasted together and produced before the court, to the 
no small chagrin of Mr. Baker. 

This man Baker was a rough-spoken borderer who never spoiled a 
story for relation's sake, and took every legitimate means to win his 
cases. He subsequently removed to Muskegon, afterwards to Texas, 
finally settled near Fort Smith, Ark., where it is believed he died. 




cJ^^/a^^^^'^ 



CITY OF LANSING. 



11:7 



In connection with Messrs. Case and Loniryear, Mr. Tur- 
ner was the founder of the female collcpre known as Miss 
Rogere' Scliool, now the Odd-Fellows' Institute. He was 
also lar<i;ely interested in the Jaekson, Lansing and Sag- 
inaw and the Lansing and Ionia Railwaj's. 

On the first of Oetober, 1843, Mr. Turner married Miss 
JIarian Munroe, daughter of Jesse Munroe, a native of 
I'awlet, Rutland Co., Vt., where he was born in 1791. Mr. 
Munroe is still living (June, 1880), in good health, with 
his daughter, Jlrs. Turner. The latter was born in Am- 
herst, Erie Co., N. Y., whither her father had removed 
from Vermont, Dec. 8, 1818. The fiuuily is of Scotch ex- 
traction. Mr. Munroe removed to Michigan in 183(5, 
settling in Clinton County, in the town of Kagle, where 
Mr. Turner was married. 

About 1838, Mrs. Turner made a j'isit to friends re- 
siding in Ma.son, going on horeeback, accompanied by a 
relative. She went via Okemos, fording the Cedar River 
at that point, which was so swollen that Mrs. Turner — then 
Miss Munroe — was obliged to hold her feet upon the horse's 
back to keep them out of the water. On their return to 
Clinton County they followed the Indian trail along Grand 
River, and stopped for lunch on the ground, or very near, 
where the Turner mansion now stands. Mi.ss Munroe was 
greatly pleased with the location and the fine view it af- 
forded, and remarked that she should not wonder if, when 
she was married, she might some day make her home there. 
The prophecy has long since been fulfilled, and certainly 
there is no more pleasant site for a home in Ingham County, 
overlooking, as it does, a long sweep of the beautiful river 
and a broad scope of cultivated country in all directions. 
At the time of this first visit the whole region was a wil- 
derness. The high bluff bank of the river at this point is 
clothed with a majestic growth of forest-trees, then open 
and unobstructed by undergrowth, with cold, pure springs 
gushing from the slopes, and dashing to the river below. 
This is to-day the most romantic spot in the vicinity of Lan- 
sing, and with a small outlay could be transformed into a 
picturesque park. 

Mr. Turner had purchased lots in the lower town pre- 
vious to his marriage and removal here. On these Mrs. 
Turner planted a few locust-trees in the spring of 1844, 
one of which is still looking thrifty and vigorous. Mr. 
Turner built a small one-and-a-half-story frame dwelling 
(still standing) on these lots, which are situated south of 
the lane leading to the family residence. The present 
property was purchased at various times of F. M. Cowles, 
James Seymour, and Lsaac Townsend, or his heirs. Mr. 
Turner was administrator of the Isaac Townsend estate. 
Mr. Turner's death took place on the 1st of October, 18G!J, 
in his fiftieth year and on the anniversary of his marriage. 

Mn. Augustus F. Weller came to Lansing with the 
commissioners appointed to locate the capital in the spring 
of 1847. His recollection of the roads of those days Is 
vivid. The party was three days in getting from Jackson 
to Lansing, a distance of some forty miles. At Mason, 
then an embryo village, they found both the dam and bridge 
over Sycamore Creek, or River, washed away, and were com- 
pelled to cross the swollen stream on the body of a tree 
which they felled for the purpose. The parly, with the 



single exception of Smart, one of the commissioners, crossed 
the stream in safety, but the stubborn Scotchman refused 
to trust his valuable person on such an unco' bridge, and 
they were obliged to construct a raft, upon which he finally 
consented to make the voyage. The team was driven 
through the torrent, and they proceeded on their way. But 
the road between Mason and Lansing was .simply horrible; 
it had been bad enough between Mason and Jackson, but 
the last twelve miles was nearly impa.ssable by reason of the 
overflow of the streams. The road was corduroyed more 
or less and the logs were afloat in many places, while at all 
creek crossings and small culverts the whole was washed 
away. 

Upon their arrival at what was then the nucleus of the 
future city they all put up at the house of Joab Page, who 
was boarding-house keeper, landlord, esquire, and boss me- 
chanic all in one. There they boarded for several weeks 
while examining the present site of the city. Justus Gil- 
kc}', who lived on section i), down the river, was the only 
man who had whisky for sale by the quantity within reason- 
able distance of the capital, and it was in constant demand. 
The commis.sioners tramped through the woods from North 
Lansing to where the residence of Hon. 0. M. Barnes now 
stands, and during the whole exploration the Scotchman, 
Smart, made the woods echo with his crisp expletives as he 
floundered through the mire or fell headlong over the rotten 
logs which everywhere covered the spongy ground. 

William H. Townsend cleared a space of about an acre 
where the Capitol stands, and on this cleared spot a game 
of ball was played. 

Among the early settlers of Eaton County, and subse- 
quently of the city of Lansing, we may mention CllRISTO- 
ruER C. Darling, who was born in Wood.stock, Windsor 
Co., Vt., July 10, 1800, and died in Lansing, JLiy 20, 1880. 
He was the son of Josculi Darling, who traced his ancestry 
to the Pilgrims of Plymouth. His mother's maiden name 
was also Darling, and she was remotely related to her hus- 
band. In 1804 the family removed to Cold Spring, Niagara 
Co., N. Y. During his residence here, Christopher was cm- 
ployed in the construction of the Erie Canal. 

In 182G he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where ho en- 
gaged upon the canal connecting Lake Erie with tlie Ohio 
River. He resided in Cleveland eight years. On the 9th 
of April, 1829, he married, at Tu.scarawas, Ohio, Jliss Anne 
Culver, born Sept. 22, 1809 ; she survives her husband. 

In June, 1832, Mr. Darling removed to Jackson (then 
Jacksonburg), Mich. In the following year he operated 
the first saw-mill built at that place. During the years 
1834 and 1835 he was engaged in the construction of Ter- 
ritorial roads. In 183G he removed to Eaton Rapids, 
where in company with Me.ssi-s. Hamlin and Spiccr he 
erected a saw-mill, and subsequently a grist-mill. It is 
claimed, also, that he opened the fii-st public house in Eaton 
Rapids. 

In 1845 he came to Lansing to aid James Seymour in 
building a permanent dam across Grand River.* The dam 



* At the time of building the dam, io ISIS, Mr. Burchnrd visited 
Jackson for tlio |iur|>asc of procuring the services uT Mr. Daillug 
to superintend the work, nnd he probably wo? so employed. 



128 



niSTOKY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



built by Col. Buichard, in 1843, was insecure, and fre- 
quently much damaged by floods. Mr. Darling was an ex- 
cellent workman, and succeeded in putting in an enduring 
structure. In the summer of 1847 he opened a store and 
bakery on the spot where the Hudson House now stands. 
He rafted the first sawed timber used in Lansing from 
Pjaton Rapids. In 1848 he removed his family from 
Eaton Rapids to Lansing, and resided in the place until his 
death. He was a prominent member of the Universalist 
Church, and contributed largely in the erection of a house 
of worship. He was highly esteemed as a worthy citizen.* 

In the spring of 1847 a new real-estate firm — Bush, 
Thomas & Lee — came to Lansing, where they purchased 
a large amount of land, and Bush and Thomas erected a 
store and opened an extensive stock of goods. Charles P. 
Bush"f was from Livingston Co., Mich., near Howell. John 
Thomas came from Farmington, Oakland Co., and Daniel 
S. Lee, the third partner in the real-estate firm, lived at 
Brighton, Livingston Co. 

The property of the Fords, on section 21, was heavily 
mortgaged, and had been sold for taxes. The southeast 
((uarter of the section was purchased at the mortgage sale 
by Joab Page, who soon after sold to Charles P. Bush. 
The latter purchased all the tax titles, and perfected his 
own title to the land. The southwest quarter of the sec- 
tion was purchased by the firm, — Bush, Thomas & Lee. 
This firm erected the first bridge over Grand River 
within the limits of Lansing. It was on Main Street, a 
little below where the iron bridge now crosses the river at 
the mineral spring. It was built after the ordinary style 
of those days, on the old " bent" plan, and completed in 
1847. A bridge of similar construction was built in the 
same year at North Lansing. 

Bush & Thomas erected a frame store building on the 
east side of Grand River, probably on lot No. l,of block 
227, original town. William Hinman, who married a 
daughter of Mr. Bush, came at the same time, and entered 
the store of the company as clerk. A post-oflice was also es- 
tablished in 1847. George W. Peck was the first postmas- 
ter, the office being kept in the store of Bush & Thoma.s. 
Young Hinman was made a deputy and handled the mails. 

About 1848, Bush sold his interest in the mercantile 
business to his partner, Thomas, who continued it for 
several years. The store was afterwards removed to the 
southeast corner of block 110, near the Capitol. In the 
same year a public-house was erected on block 231, near 
Bush & Thomas' store, by Daniel Clapsaddle, from Ionia 
County. It was called the National Hotel. J 

When settlements began to be made on the site of Lan- 
sing, in 1847, it was covered with a forest, and section 16 
was very heavily timbered. At the "lower town," as 
North Lansing was long called, and on Main Street, in the 
south part of the town, the land was dry and easily drained 
of any surface water, while the central portions were more 
level, and the clay subsoil held the water like a huge dish. 

9 Materials from an obituary notice furnished the Lansing Uepiih- 
l!cn„ by R. C. Dart, Esq. 

t Mr. Bush was then a incnibor of the State Legislature. 

t Mr. ClapsacMle was killed in the same year while raising his barn 
by a "beut" falling upon him. 



For some time the first comers indulged the idea that the 
business would grow up and remain at the lower town, and 
about Main Street in the south part of the town. The 
latter was quite a business thoroughfare, and before the 
winter of 1847-48 there were three hotels and a number 
of stores and shops in full operation upon it. The hotels 
were the National, on the east side of the river, already 
spoken of; the Michigan House,§ on the northwest corner 
of Main and River Streets, west of the river ; and the Benton 
House, named for Thomas Benton, T'nited States .senator, 
on the northwest corner of Main Street and Washington 
Avenue, — now the Everett House. Four other hotels were 
also erected the same season, — viz., the Lansing House, 
built of logs, on the corner opposite where it now stands ; 
the Columbus House, on the ground now occupied by the 
Hudson House ; the Ohio House, a third-rate afi"air, near 
where the livery-stable now stands, west of the Lansing 
House; and the Seymour House, at the lower town.|| 

.4mong parties engaged in business at the south end were 
Edward Elliott, who put up a small frame building near Bush 
& Thomas' store, and opened a stock of shelf hardware, stoves, 
tinware, etc. He purchased his goods of Bush & Thomas, 
and also kept a tinsmith at work. The stove-pipe for the 
new Benton House was made at Elliott's shop. One Peter 
J. Weller also had a small eating-house or restaurant. These 
were all on the east side of Grand River. On the west 
side, along Main Street, were the grocery establishment, 
where a man named Ford kept a few groceries, whisky, 
beer, crackers, fish, etc., and a bowling-alley by one Sweet, 
which was perhaps tlie first "gaming-house" in the town. 

Business continued and increased along JIain Street for 
about two years, when it began to remove to the centre of 
the town and concentrate in the vicinity of the new State 
Capitol, until in the course of time it entirely left its former 
Jiabilat, where may .still be seen a few scattered landmarks 
of the former business thoroughfare of the place. The 
only remaining business building now occupied for its 
original purpose is the Benton House, rechristened the 
Everett House, and this has at times served other uses 
than those of an " hostelrie," among others being used as an 
academy or select school for a number of years by Rev. C. 
C. Olds, about 1856-57. The Benton House was the first 
brick structure erected within the city limits, and was quite 
a pretentious one for those days. 

Among the early arrivals in Lansing was that of Capt. 
John R. Price (still a resident). Capt. Price was born in 
South Amboy, Middlesex Co.. N. J., July 5, 1816. He 
removed to Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1831, with a married 
sister, and after remaining about three and a half years 
revisited New Jersey, and settled in Jackson Co., Mich., 
in 1834. At that place he remained until 1840, when he 
removed to Albion, Calhoun Co., where he resided until 
1843. On the 15th of March, in the last-named year, he 
married and settled at Marengo, in the same county, from 
which place he removed to Lansing late in 1847, where he 
has since resided, with the exception of about ten months 



^ Other authority calls this the Michigan E.xchange and says it was 
built in ISIS. 

11 For account of hotels see farther on. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



129 



spent upon a farm, lie purchased about two acres where 
he now lives and erected a dwelling, then in the midsi ut' 
the woods. 

('apt. Price has been a prominent citizen of Lansing 
and filled various positions, — civil, military, and in con- 
nection with the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been 
an active member for many years. 

Among those who visited Lansing at a very early day and 
subsef|ueuily became a settler was Cuaules \V. Butler, 
who came from Jackson, Mich., to Lansing, in March, 1847, 
upon business with a Mr. Glassbrook, who was then living 
or working here. lie stopped while here with eJoab Page, 
Esq., who had the only house where travelers could be ac- 
commodated at that time. Mr. Butler's father settled in 
Delta, Eaton Co., in July, 1847, and Mr. Butler came to 
Lansing in September, 1848, as a clerk in the auditor-gen- 
eral's office. He was subsequently deputy auditor-general 
under Col. Whitney Jones for four years. 

Mr. Butler has been an extensive builder in Lansing, 
and from 18:i5 to 1872 or 1873 associated in the real- 
estate business with William Woodhousc, who died at 
Mason several years since. Mr. Woodhousc was county 
register for a period of ten years. Messrs. Butler & Wood- 
house at one time owned the land on which the artesian 
well is situated, and for a time owned the well. Messrs. 
Butler, Woodhousc & Angell erected the Mineral Well 
Hotel in the spring of 1871, at a cost of about §12,000. 
Mr. Butler sold his iuterest to Woodhouse, and he and 
Angell sold it to Messrs. C. Y. & D. Edwards, and it was 
burned Feb. 5, 187(J. 

TOWN or MICHIGAN. 

Immediately following the location of the State Capitol 
at Lansing, or rather in Lansing township, the State com- 
missioners proceeded to lay out the school section (which 
was State property) into blocks and lots, reserving about 
thirty acres of the same for the use of the State. This 
reservation included blocks Nos. 99, 100, 101, 110, 111, 
112, the old State-House square, now block No. 115, and 
the large block where the new Capitol stands. No. 249. 
The new capital was named by the Legislature the " Town 
of Michigan." 

In conjunction with the State, the parties owning lands 
adjoining section 16 proceeded to lay out large portions of 
sections Nos. 9 and 21 into lots and blocks, the streets and 
blocks corresponding with those upon section 10. These 
parties, joint proprietors with the State in the new town, 
according to the record at Mason, Liber 7, page 593, were 
James Seymour, Samuel P. Mead, George W. Peck, and 
William II. Townsend. The following certificate explains 
iUelf: 

"State of Michigan,) 

CuiSTv OK Ingham. i 

" I, Justus Gilkey, a justice of tho peace in nod for the said County 
of Inghum, do hereby certify that on Ibis twenty-second day of June, 
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred ond forty-scvcn, 
appeared before me Abiel Silver, Comiuiasioner of the State Laud- 
Uffice; Jauic9 L. Glen,* acting commissioner under the ' Act to pro- 



* It is said that the small island in Grand River, above the bridge 
of the Grand Trunk Railway, was named after Mr. Ulen. Whether 

17 



vide for the removal of tho Scat of Government, and for other pur- 
poses,' approved March Ifi, 1817 ; Jamea Seymour, proprietor of the 
south part of section nine, in town four north, of range two west ; 
and Samuel P. Mcud and George \V. Tcck, for themsolvcii, and as Ibo 
proper agent and attorney of William II. Townsend, proprietor of the 
north half of section twenty-one in said town four norlli, range two 
west, nnd severally the said proprietors each for himself, as such, and 
the said commissioners each for himself by virtue of the power and 
authority of his ofTice, as aforesaid, acknowledged the making and 
execution of tho within plat of the town of Michigan, comprising 
section si.xteen. the south part of section nine, and tho north part of 
section twenty-one, Town four north, Range two west, ami of the spc- 
citications thereof hereon written, to be their free act and deed for tho 
purposes therein nnd thereon namc<l, expressed, and intimated: and 
further acknowle'lgcd and declared that the streets and public grounds 
on said plat, laid out and described, shall be and remain forever to 
and for said uses and purposes, herein named, expressed, or intimated, 
and for no other use or purpose whatever. 
'• Recorded June 23, 1817. 

"JrSTI'S Gll.KEV, 

"Juallce of the Peace, 
" Wm. II. IIorton, 
" lieffivter/* 

The name bestowed upon the new capital does not seem 
to have been very satisfactory, and at the next session of 
the Legislature the following appears of record : 

"Act No. 2.37. 

** An Act to chanfje the ntime of the town of Michigan: 

"Sec. I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 

of the State of .Michigan, That the name of tho town of Michigan, 

in the County of Ingham, be and the same is hereby changed tu 

Landing. 

"Approved April 31, 18iS.'*f 

ADDITIONS AND SUBDIVISIONS. 
CITY OP LANSING. 

April 3, 1849. — By James Seymour. Subdivision of 
blocks No.s. 2G and 27. 

April 10, 1849. — By James Seymour. Subdivision of 
block 12. 

April 30, 1849. — Subdivision of the southwest quarter 
of section 10. 

April 21, 1856. — By George I. Parsons. Subdivision 
of lots 1, 2, 3,4,5, in block 244. 

March 12, 1864. — By executors and administrators of 
Isaac Townsend. Subdivision of part of section 20, north 
of Grand River. 

March 25, 1864. — By Isaac Townsend's heirs. Subdi- 
vision of section 9. 

March 9, 1866. — By Daniel H. Morri.son. Subdivision 
of block 16, Townsend's plat. 

Dec. 14, 1866. — By Whitney Jones. Subdivision of 
block 97. 

Dec. 28, 1866.— By the same. Subdivision of lots 2 
and 3, block 2. 



this is true or whether it was named " Glen Island" from the fact that 
it lies in a natural glen, we cannot say. 

I Joseph E. North, Sr., is generally accorded the honor of having 
given the name " l.antimj' to the township, from a town of the same 
name on Cayuga Lake, now in Tompkins Co., N. Y. When the Legis- 
lature named the new village " Town of Michigan," he is said to have 
felt not a little disappointed, nnd it was owing somewhat to his re- 
monstrances that the name was changed to Lansing within a year 
thereafter. 



1.30 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



March 16, 18G8. — By Ames Turner. Subdivision of 
lots 1, 2, 3, in block 16. 

April 18, 1868.— By Daniel L. Case. Addition on the 
southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 10. 

Jan. 8, 1869.— By Charles W. Butler and Albert E. 
Cowles. Subdivision of block 103. 

March 7, 1870.— By Richard Elliott. Subdivision of 
lots 6 and 7 of original block No. 23. 

May 11, 1870.— By Albert Claypool. Subdivision of 
the east half of northeast quarter of section 17. 

Deo. 26, 1871.— By A. N. Hart. Subdivision of lots 9 
and 10, block 25. 

April 1, 1872. — By John M. French, Jr. Subdivision 
of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 
17. 

April 16, 1S72. — By Charles F. Prine. Subdivision of 
lots 19 and 20, Seymour's subdivision section 10. 

May 4, 1872. — By George Jerome. Addition on the 
south thirty acres of the west half of the northwest quarter 
of section 15. 

June G, 1872.— By Bush, Butler & Sparrow. Addition 
on oast half of the southeast quarter of section 17. 

Sept. 18, 1872. — By George Jerome, Green Oaks ad- 
dition on southwest quarter of section 15. 

Sept. 18, 1872. — By Samuel C. Smith. Subdivision of 
lots 3 and 4 in block No. 20. 

May 30, 1873. — By Elizabeth Shumway, Auburndale 
subdivision of block 3, of Townsend's addition. 

June 12, 1873.— By C. C. Dodge and Dodge & Daniels. 
Subdivision of Claypool's addition. 

July 3, 1873.— By David M. Bagley, Hiram Byam, 
Michael Maloy, H. H. Gunn, and William L. Rice. Sub- 
division of lots 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, in block 248. 

Aug. 1, 1873. — -By George E. Ranney. Subdivision of 
lot No. l,iQ block 241. 

Sept. 13, 1873. — By Melancthon Carey. Addition on 
the northeast corner of the west half of the northeast quar- 
ter of section 17. 

Oct. 27, 1873.— By Appleton Ballard, W. H. Kynett, 
John H. Mevis, and Wm. Smith. Addition on the north- 
west quarter of the northwest quarter of section 10. 

March 20, 1874.— By A. E. Cowles. Subdivision of 
original block No. 19. 

March 21, 1874. — By John Harris. Addition on south- 
east quarter of section 21. 

By G. W. Cartwright, Albert M. White, Henry M. 
Potter, and James A. Potter. Cornell's addition on sec- 
tion 8. 

Subdivision of lot No. 6 of Townsend's subdivision, by 
James M. Turner and Dwight Smith. 

April 18, 1874.— By Mosely, Howard, and others. Sub- 
division of block 11, original town. 

Aug. 20, 1874. — By Jones, Smith, and Chapman. Sub- 
division of lot 1 in block No. 240. 

Aug. 3, 1875.— By E. Beechcr White. Subdivision 
of blocks 1 and 11 of Claypool's subdivision. 

April 6, 1876.— By Turner and Smith. Subdivision of 
part of the northeast quarter of section 9. 

Same date. — By T. Gale Merrill. Subdivision of lots 
3 and part of 4 in Claypool's addition. 



June 17, 1876. — By George Gansslcy. Addition on 
northeast quarter of section 15. 

Feb. 17, 1880.— By James M. Turner. Subdivision of 
Townsend's subdivision. 

Apr;l 29, 1880.— By the same. Subdivision of block 
No. 56, original town. 

These are all that are shown by the record to June, 1880. 

The city is laid out upon a broad and liberal scale, and 
in a very uniform manner. The streets are all of generous 
width, and several of the principal avenues are more than 
a hundred feet broad. In most portions of the city great 
pains has been taken to ornament the streets with forest- 
trees for shade, the finest in this respect being Grand Street, 
which is beautifully shaded with thrifty trees, largely of the 
hard maple variety. Very few of the ancient growth of 
forest-trees that so recently covered the west division are 
left, about the only specimen being a magnificent white elm 
in the public square southwest of the Capitol, and this has 
recently been badly riven by a bolt of electricity. 

Only one of the public squares has yet been beautified 
and ornamented, but the others will probably be reached in 
due time. Many of the private grounds are finely im- 
proved, and a commendable spirit in this direction is very 
generally being developed. 

On the 1st of April, 1848, an act was approved making 
provisionsfor the benefit of schools, streets, bridges, churches, 
asylums, and cemeteries in the town of Michigan. Sec- 
tion 4, relating to roads and bridges, reads as follows : 

" In order to make the necessary provisions for the improvement 
of streets and sidewalks upon the grounds designated in the second 
section of this act,* and the school lands within said town of Michi- 
gan, and to provide for the erection of a bridge across Grand River 
at the foot of Michigan Avenue, and to lay out a road from the east 
end of Michigan Avenue, in an easterly direction, until it shall inter- 
sect the Grand River road ;f and also to improve the said avenue and 
road from the said bridge to the Grand River road, oUOO acres of 
internal imjirovement lands are hereby appropriated." 

CITY CHARTER. 

Unlike most settlements and villages Lansing did not 
pass through the intermediate or village existence, or, in 
other words, it never had a village charter. From the date 
of the first settlement within what are now the city limits, 
it formed a part of the township, and all public business 
was transacted by the regular township ofiicers, until, like 
the Grecian goddess, it 

'■ Sprang forth a Pallas, armed and undefiled," 

leaping at once from the primitive township to the full- 
fledged city. 

It was chartered as " The City of Lansing" b3' an act of 
Feb. 15, 1859. The limits named in the original charter 
were the same as now, and included seven and one-half 
square miles, or 4800 square acres. It was originally divided 
into three wards, the interior dividing-lines being Saginaw 
and Washtenaw Streets. 

The charter has been amended and revised at various 



«" Referring to the blocks reserved by the State on section 10, 
mounting to about thirty acres altogether. 

f This road intersects the Grand River road near the east line of 
le township, on the Agricultural College farm. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



131 



periods since: in 1861, March 13, when the number of 
wards was increased to four, and clianges were made in the 
manner of electin'; certain officers; by act of March 14, 
1803, by wliich the city was consolidated into a single 
school district; revised by act of March 17, 1865 ; revised 
charter amended Feb. 21, 1867 ; amended Slarch 22, 1871, 
when the number of wards was increased to five ; amended 
April 30, 1873; amended March 24, 1874, when the num- 
ber of wards was increased to six, the present number; 
amended March 2G, 1877, April 20, 1877, and May 24, 
1873. 

C'lTV OFFICERS. 

The following list of the principal city officers was taken 
from the records in the city clerk's office, and is as com- 
plete as it could be made. The record is at times incom- 
plete and somewhat indefinite, more particularly in its earlier 
portions. There is no record of the first charter election, 
and for several years the number of votes polled is not 
given.' The first volume, of which there are six, opens 
with the first regular meeting of the council after the elec- 
tion in the spring of 1859. 

1859.— Mayor, Hiram 11. Smith ; Clcrlts, J. G. RamsJcll,' George A. 
Arm.^trongj llecordcr, Ephraiin Longyear; Aldermen, Allen 
K. Burr,3 Malliew Elder, William II. Haze, .lames I. Mead,* 
John A. Kerr, S. D. Ncwbro, William H. Pinckney; Audi- 
tor, James Turner; Surveyor, Thomas J. Brown; City 
Physieian, J, 13. Hull; City Attorney, John W. Longyear; 
Marshal, James P. IJaker,^ Horace Angell. 

18C0. — Mayor, John A. Kerr; Clerks, George A. Armstrong, James 
G. Stafford; Recorder, Ephraim Longyear; Tieasurer, 
Frank F. Russell; Aldermen, Charles Thayer, James I, 
Mead, Willi.am H. Pinckney, John J. Whitman ;« Auditor, 
H. li. Ames; Marshal, James J. Baker; Attorney, G. I. 
Parsons. 

1861. — Mayor, William H. Chapman; Clerk, Theodore Foster; Re- 
corder, Rollin C. Dart; Treasurer, Rodney R. Gibson; 
Aldermen, Eugene P. Newton, Frederick JI. Cowles,' John 
A. Kerr,^ William Woodhousc,® Horatio A. Barker, Jcdm 
N. Bush; Attorney, George I. Parsons; Auditor, J. W. 
Barker. 

1862.— Mayor, William II. Chapman; Clerk, Joseph E. Warner ; Re- 
corder, Edmond D.W. Burch ; Treasurer, R. R. Gibson; 
Aldermen, James I. Mead, Daniel W. Buck,' George K. 
Grove, Solomon W. Wright; Justices of the Peace, Rollin 
C. Dart, Franklin La Rue; Attorney, George I. Parsons; 
Auditor, Joseph AV. Barker; Mar.shal, Horace Angell. 

1863. — Mayor, Ira H. Bartholomew ; Clerk, James B. Ten Eyck ; Re- 
corder, Orange Butler; Treasurer, R. K. Gibson ; Aldermen, 
Alvin N. Hart, William H. Chapman, James Johns ;^^ Jus- 
tices, Solomon D. Ncwbro, Rollin C. Dart ;" Marshal, James 
P. Baker; Attorney, Delos C. Wiley .'2 

1864. — Mayor, Ira II. Bartholomew; clerk, Albert E. Cowles; Re- 



' The minutes of the first charter election are in the township 
record. The whole number of votes cast for mayor was 657, indi- 
cating a population of 30U0. 

'' Resigned, and George A. Armstrong appointed in his place. 

' Resigned in 1861. 

* Appointed in the place of William H. Haze, resigned. 
^ Resigned, and Horace Angell appointed. 

° Resigned before expiration of term. 

" Resigned in December, 1862. ^ To fill vacancy. 

* Resigned before term expired. 

'" Aldermen elected, one in each ward for one year, and one for two 
years, at first, and one each year Ihereafter. 

" Dart resigned Aug. 22, lS6j, and W. H. Pinckney appointed to 
fill vacancy. 

'■ No additional appointments for 186.3 shown im record. 



cordor, E. D. W. Burch ; Treasurer, T.owi? 0. Loomis ; Alder- 
men, .<ilas N. Williams, John W. Edmonds, Adolphus W. 
Williams, R.illin C. Dart, Solomon W. Wright; Marshal, H. 
H. Dunks; Auditor, 0. A. Jinison; .Attorney, D. C. Wil«y ; 
Physician, J. B. Hull." 
-Mayor, Ira II. Bartholomew; Clerk, Albert E. Cowles; Re- 
corder, William II. Pine-kney ; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis ; 
Aldermen, Alvin N. Hart, John W. Edmonds, Jeremiah 
Van Keuren, Edwin II. Whitney; Marshal, J. P. Baker; 
Auditor, 0. A. Jenison : Assessor, William H. Pinckney. 
-Mayor, William II. Haze; Clerk, Albert E. Cowles; Recorder, 
J. E. Tenney ; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis ; Aldermen, Silas 
N. Williams, Nelson B. Jones, Carmi C. Olds, Benjamin Van 
Aken; Justices, Henry B. Carpenter;" Assessor, D. M. 
Bagley ;'5 Attorney, H. P. Atwood; Marshal, J. P. Baker; 
Auditor, C. Tracy. 
-Mayor, George W. Peck ; Clerk, George G. Lapham ; Recorder, 
J. Eugene Tenney ; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis; Aldermen, 
Curtis T. Cady, E. W. Dart, Eli II. Davis, Joseph B. Hull; 
Justices, Charles Campbell, Henry B. Carpenter; Marshal, 
Benjamin I. Williams; Attorney, Samuel L. Kilbournc; 
Auditor, S.W.Wright; Surveyor, E. F. Bird; Physician, 
Ira II. Bartholomew."! 
-Mayor, Cyrus Hewitt; Clerk, George G. Lapham; Treasurer, 
Lewis C. Loomis; Recorder, J. £. Tenney; Aldermen, Al- 
vin N. Hart, E. F. Bird, 11. D. Pugh, A. C. Adams; Mar- 
shal, D. R. Rothrock ; Attorney, A. E. Cowles ; Auditor, M. 
A. Hewitt; As,<essor,'' M. D. O.sband ; Justices, W. S. 
Humphrey, appointed December 2Sth in place of H. B. Car- 
penter, resigned. 
-Mayor, Cyrus Hewitt; Clerk, Dougal McKcnzie; Treasurer, 
Lewis C. Loomis; Alderman, Rudolph Kern, First AVard; 
Justice, George G. Lapham;'* Marshal, D. R. Rothrock; 
Attorney, A. E. Cowles; Auditor, M. A. Hewitt. 
—Mayor, Solomon W. Wright ; Clerk, Dougal McKcnzio ; Treas- 
urer, Lewis C. Loomis; Aldermen, Alvin N. Hart, A. R. 
Thayer, II. D. Pugh, Daniel L. Case; Justice, Shubael R. 
Greene; Marshal, C. A. Shofcr; Attorney, A. E. Cowles; 
Auditor, M. A. Hewitt; Physician, Ira H. Bartholomew. 
—Mayor, John Robson ; Clerk, Eugene B. Wood; Treasurer, 
Lewis C. Loomis; Aldermen, Spencer 11. IJeechcr, Ale.\an- 
der Blair, Dorman K. Fuller, James R. Dart, Sylvester G. 
Scofield,'" Charles II. Shcpard;'^ Justices, Charles Campbell, 
Shubael R. Greene; Marshal, Leo C. Hutchinson; Attorney, 
R. C. Dart; Auditor, S. R. Greene; Assessor,'-'* George G. 
Lapham. 
—Mayor, John S. Tooker; Clerk, Eugene B. Wood; Treasurer, 
Lewis C. Loomis; Aldermen, Alvin N. Hart, Cassius P. 
Ten Eyck,=' Eben W. Dart, John T. Page, Edwin H. Whitney, 
Nelson B. Jones; Marshal, Lee C. Hutchinson ;-'' Attorney, 
Rollin C. Dart; Auditor, S. R. Greene. 
—Mayor, John S. Tooker; Clerk, Seymour Foster; Treasurer, 
Iicwis C. Loomis; Aldermen, Amos Turner, John Robson, 
Martin Hudson, Joseph W. Barker, James Johns; Marshal, 
Jacob Foltz,'^ N. R. Potter,'-" James 11. Baker ;'^ Attorney, 
S. L. Kilbournc: Auditor, George 11. C(de. 
— Mayor Daniel AV. Buck; Clerk, Seymour Foster; Treasurer, 
Lewis C. Loomis; Aldermen, A. N. Hart,'^ H, II. Lamed, 
L. B. Potter, Orrin P. Tracy, Alfred Wise, John A. Carr;-" 



" Resigned in May, 1867. " Resigned December, 1868. 

'^ Resigned, and M. D. Osband appointed. 

1*^ Appointed in place of Dr. Hull, resigned. 

*' Elected for three years. 

'* These five nauics are all the record shows were elected in 1869. 

" These two were elected in the new Fifth Ward, one for one year 
and the other for two years. 

^ For three years. 

^' Mr. Ten Eyck was elected at a .-special election Dec. 9, 1872, to fill 
vacancy occasioned by resignation of S. II. Buck in First Ward. 

'^^ Resigned. '-^^ Elected to fill vacancy. 

'-" Elected at regular meeting and resigned. 

'^ Appointed to fill vacancy. 

^" Died August, 187 I. -" Elected to fill vacancy. 



132 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Justice. L. K. Hewitt j^ Marshal, Horace Argell ; Attorney, 
i?. S. Olds; Auditor, II. W. Wallicr; Assessor, George G. 
La|)hain.2 

iS75.— Mayor, Daniel W. Buck; Clerk, Frank M. Howe; Treasurer, 
L. C. Loomis,3 Thomas W. Ilibbard;* Aldermen, Arthur 
N. Hart, John Kob.son, Smith Daniels, Frederick M. Coivks, 
James A. Metlin, Daniel Edwards.s Thomas W. Westcott;^ 
Justices, Charles Caiu|il)ell,'> Stephen E. Longyoar,' Au- 
gustus F. WcIIcr; Mar.<hal, Smith Tooker; Attorney, Wm. 
H. I'iuckney; Auditor, G. H. Cole; Assessor, William H, 
H.ize. 

IS76.— Mayor, John S. Tooker; Clerk, Frank M. Ilowe ; Treasurer, 
Seymour Foster; Aldermen, John A. Carr, John McKinlcy, 
John S. Harris, Myron B. Carpenter, Alfred Wise, Daniel 
Edwards; Justice, J. S. Butterfield ;» Marshal, D. D. White; 
Auditor, G. H. Cole; Attorney, R. A. Montgomery; Asses- 
sor, Charles W. Butler,' Frank I. Moore.'" 

;S77. — Mayor, Orlando M. Barnes; Clerk, John F. Rouse; Trea.s- 
urer, Seymour Foster; Aldermen, A. N. Hart, William Van 
Buren, Smith Daniels, Erastus A. Tillotson, Nelson B. Jones, 
Thomas W. Westcott ; Justice, George F. Gillam; Marshal, 
A. 0. Simons; Attorney, Edward C. Chapin; Auditor, Wm. 
G. Patterson ; Assessor, Frank I. Moore.'' 

878. — Mayor, Joseph E. Warner; Clerk, J. F. Rouse: Treasurer, 
Eugene Angell ; Aldermen, James W. Hinchey, Frederick 
Thoman, John C. Adams, Myron B. Carpenter, Thomas J. 
Charlesworth, Daniel Edwards; Marshal, Henry D. War- 
ner; Attorney, R. A. Montgomery; Auditor, George H. 
Cole. 

:879.—Miiyor, William Van Burcn ; Clerk, Charles D. Cowles; Treas- 
urer, Eugene Angell; Aldermen, Oscar F. Camp,'^ William 
C. Hawes, D. K. Fuller, Sylvester M. Miller, Horace Lap- 
ham, S. H. Rowe; Justices, Oscar A. Clark, Clarence W. 
Root, George F. Gillam; Marsh.il, John T. Page; Attorney, 
H. B. Carpenter; Aud'tor, Herman AVehner; Assessor, 
Frank I. Moore ; Surveyor, Manly Miles. 

.SSO.— Mayor, William Van Buren; Clerk, Charles D. Cowles; Treas- 
urer, Eugene B. Wood; Aldermin : First Ward, James W. 
Hinchey, Edward N. White; Second Ward, Ulysses D. 
AVard, W. C. Hawes; Third Ward, D. K. Fuller, J. H. 
Moores; Fourth Ward, S. M. Miller, Eugene Angell; Fifth 
Ward, Horace Lapham, Alfred Wise; Sixth Ward, S. H. 
Rowe, R. J. Shank ; President, pro tetn.^ Samuel H. Rowe; 
Assessor, Frank I. Moore; Marshal, John T. Page; Attor- 
ney, Edward C. Chapin; City Auditor, Herman Wehner; 
Street Inspector, John T. Page; City Sexton, William II. 
Hunter; Chief Engineer, J. W. Edmonds; Assistant Engi- 
neer, W. P. Carnier; Cily Physician, Dr. J. H. Wellings; 
Surveyor, II. D. Bartholomew; City Auctioneer, S. II. Pen- 
nington; Pound-Master, Gilbert Fowler ; Scavenger, Charles 
McKrill; Cemetery Trustees : John S. Tooker, three years ; 
"William Reid, two years; James Johns, one year; Sewer 
Commissioners: E. H. Davis, three years; John Robson, 
two years; M. B. Carpenter, one year ; Fire Wardens, T. K. 
Cushing, Calvin Tracy; Night \Vatchmen, Charles H. 
Holmes, D. R. Taft ; Justices of the Peace : First and Fourth 
Wards, 0. A. Clark; Second and Third Wards, George F. 
Gillam; Fifth and Si.xth Wards, C. W. Root; Ward Con- 
stables: First Ward, Stephen Rogers; Second Ward, L. C. 
Hutchinson; Third Ward, Henry Firth; Fourth W^ard, 
Charles Clark; Fifth Ward, John Broad; Sixth Ward, 
George B. Sutton. 

^ Elected at special elections for Second, Third, and Fifth Wards. 

2 Elected for three years. 

3 Died December, 1875. 

* Hibbard elected by the council to fill vacancy. 

6 Edwards and Westcott elected in the new Sixth Ward. 

« Campbell died in June, 1877. 

' Longyear died in February, IS77. 

^ Elected at special election to fill vacancy. 

» Appointed March 12, 1877, in place of Campbell, deceased. 
10 Regularly appointed by council after annual election. 
" Appointed Dec. I!, 1877, for two years. 
'2 Resigned March 22, 1880. 



MANUFACTURES. 

The manufactures of Lansing, though at first hardly ap- 
parent to a stranger, are nevertheless important and numer- 
ous. For a young city, but yesterday a forest, in the centre 
of a wilderness region, and almost unapproachable, the 
showing is remarkable. Like every other important place 
in the country, it has had its seasons of prosperity and ad- 
versity. Floods have swept away its improvements ; fires 
have consumed its capital and almost paralyzed its energies, 
and extravagant expectations have often been disappointed ; 
but, on the whole, the manufacturing interests have grad- 
ually and surely developed, until, at the present time, we 
find there is an investment of not less than half a million 
dollars in important branches of manufacture, and there 
are single establishments that rank with those of much 
older and more densely settled communities. 

We herewith present a brief history of the more im- 
portant branches of manufacture that have flourished in 
the past or are to-day in successful operation. The state- 
ments of facts and figures arc given by the parties. 

WATER-POWER. 
The water-power at North Lansing is farni.shed by a 
dam of about seven feet elevation, and the head at the 
various mills and factories is probably from seven to nine 
feet. The total amount of power is estimated to be equal 
to the running of twenty runs of ordinary mill-stone. It 
is divided into twenty shares, and the dam and canal are 
kept in repair by the various mill-owners, who are assessed 
in proportion to the number of shares owned. Three shares 
of the power, to be drawn on the west side of the river, are 
owned by ex Governor Horatio Seymour, of Utica, N. Y. 
The remaining shares are owned by parties doing business 
on the east side. The Seymour power is not at present in 
use. The flouring-mills supplement the water-power when 
too high or too low by steam-power. When the water is 
very high the back-water clogs the w.heols, and there have 
been occasions when the water was drawn off for the pur- 
pose of repairing the daiu. It is in ordinary stages an ex- 
cellent power. There are also one or two unimproved powers 
within the city limits. 

SAW-MILLS. 

The earliest saw-mill in Lansing was built for James Sey- 
mour, by Joab Page and his sons-in-law, in the year 1844. 
It stood on the spot now occupied by the saw-mill of S. G. 
Scofield. Col. John W. Burchard had purchased laud and 
water-power of Mr. Seymour in 1841, and erected a dam 
across Grand River, where the present one stands, in 
1843. The property was not paid for, and upon the death 
of Col. Burchard, by drowning, in the spring of 1844, it 
foil back into Mr. Seymour's hands, and he proceeded to 
build a saw-mill and make other improvements. 

This original mill was in use for a number of years. In 
1848-49 a larger one was built by Mr. Seymour, and known 
as a " double mill," — that is, having two upright saws and 
two sets of gearing. In 1SG2, Messrs. I'armelee and Ellis 
tore away the old original mill and erected a new one. The 
double mill was still standing at that time, but in a dilapi- 
dated condilion. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



133 



In 1S65, Siniih Tookcr became the owner of the old 
frame, took it down, removed it to the west side of the 
river, rebuilt it, and, leasing water-power of Horatio Sey- 
mour, operated it for about ten years, when the business 
was abandoned. The old frame is still standing. A steam 
saw-mili of small dimensions, containing one upright saw, 
was erected on the east side of Grand River, between Michi- 
gan Avenue and Main Street, in 1847, by a man named 
Quaekenbush. lie did not remain long in the place. 

Mr. S. G. Soofield came from Genesee Co., N. Y., to 
Michigan in 1854, and settled on a farm in Lansing town- 
ship, from whence he removed to the village of Lansing in 
the fall of 1863, and purchased the Parmclee & Ellis saw- 
mill. He operated it until 18GG, when it was burned. 
He immediately rebuilt the mill, adding thereto a chair- 
factory, and continued business until September, 1877, 
■ when the establishment was a second time destroyed by fire. 
At that time he was doing a good business and shipping 
material to Massachusetts. 

The works were rebuilt the same fall, and commenced 
running on the first of January, 1878. His present busi- 
ness consists in the manufacture of hard-wood lumber, 
broom-handles, and felloes. In the latter article Mr. Sco- 
field is doing a profitable business. The mills give employ- 
ment to about sis regular hands. 

In 181)5 the dam was so badly injured by high water that 
it required several months to make the necessary repairs, 
during which there was a stoppage of business to a con- 
siderable extent. At that time Mr. Scofield erected a 
saw-mill, which he operated by steam about two years, when 
it was taken down and removed to the northern pineries. 

FI.OUK- AXD aUIST-MILI.S. 

The earliest grist-mill erected in Lansing was one built 
by A. N. Hart, E. B. Danforth, and II. H. Smith, on the 
ground now occupied by Hart's Mills, in 1848. It was a 
primitive affair, containing three or four runs of stone, 
probably made from bowlders. Judge Danforth bought out 
the other partners and operated it for several years in his 
own name. Subsequently it became the property of B. E. 
Hart, a son of A. N. Hart. It was burned in the fire of 
18GG, and rebuilt on an extensive scale, soon after, by B. 
K. Hart, who put in ten runs of stone and added a plaster- 
mill. An extensive business was done until the great fire 
of 1877 again totally destroyed it. It was a second time 
rebuilt, in 1878, by Arthur N. Hart, another son of A. N. 
Hart, on a smaller scale, but in a very substantial and com- 
plete manner. It is a frame structure, three stories and 
basement, and covered with sheet iron. It is operated ex- 
clusively as a merchant-mill, and has a capacity of 200 
barrels of flour in twenty-four hours, with five runs of 
stone. The products are all marketed in New JIngland. 
It is the only mill in the city running exclusively on 
merchant work. 

Pearl Mills — A. iMngenhucher. — The original mill 
erected on the site of the Pearl Mills was built by Chester 
Mo.seley, about 1855. It was a brick, two-story structure, 
and contained two runs of stone. Mr. Mosele}' died, and 
his son Henry operated the mill for a lime and .sold it to 
C. Kouscr. It subsequently pas.«cd through a number of 



hands, and, in 1878, Mr. A. Longcnbacher purchased the 
property of G. Geisenhafer, tore away the old mill, and 
built the present substantial and well-arranged mill upon 
the old site. The old foundation walls were used, but the 
superstructure is entirely new. The building is frame, with 
brick veneering. Dimensions about thirty-three by sixty- 
six feet, and three .stories in height. There are four runs of 
improved stone, with modern machinery, and everything 
in complete order. Capacity of the mill, 100 barrels in 
twenty-four hours. Doing both merchant and custom work. 

About the year 1856, N. J. Alport erected on the ground 
now occupied by the liardware-storc of L. Damon & Son a 
small frame custom grist-mill which contained three runs 
of inferior stone. From certain peculiarities it was known 
as " The Pepper-Mill." It was operated for only a few 
years, when it was torn away. 

Oi'lenUd Mills. — This establishment was erected in 1857 
by Messrs. Ileilz & Thoman. It contained at first two 
runs of stone, and two have been added since, in 1875, 
making four at present in use. The mill is at the present 
time doing merchant and what is called, among millers, 
'• exchange" work. The capacity is equal to the production 
of 100 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. Steam-power 
is used, which is furnished by an engine of seventy-five 
horse-power. The mill is in fine order, and turns out ex- 
cellent work. The products arc sold on orders throughout 
Michigan and in the Eastern States. The properly has 
changed hands a number of times since the building was 
erected. The owners have been Rcitz & Thoman, Reitz 
& Beidorslatt, F. Thoman, Thoman & Lorenz, F. Tho- 
man again, Es.selstyn <t Robinson, and since 1878 F. 
Thoman has been sole proprietor. Tlie mill is located on 
the northwest corner of Grand and Ottawa Streets, and 
does a large business. Building of brick. 

JiWies I. Mead Flour-Mill and Chair-Factor)/. — This 
institution, which is situated on East Shiawassee Street, 
was originally put in operation by James I. Mead, who 
built the chair-factory and a saw-mill (the latter since re- 
moved) about 1872, and carried on quite an extensive busi- 
ness in both branches. The flour-mill was erected in 1874 
at a cost of §21,000, and operated by Mr. Jlead until the 
autumn of 1879, when it was transferred to his son, Fred. 
B. Mead, who kept it in operation until March, 1880, since 
which time it has not been operated. It contained four runs 
of stone, and was fitted up for an extensive business. The 
motive power was steam. F. B. Mead has since disposed 
of the machinery of the mill, and the intention is to trans- 
form it into a grain elevator, for which purpose it is favor- 
ably situated on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern 
Railway. 

As early as 1858, Mr. James I. Mead put a tannery in 
operation at North Lansing, and continued it for a number 
of years. It was afterwards sold for a dwelling, and sub- 
sequently destroyed by fire. 

Cnpltal Mills, Ciirmcr, Parmclee ct Co. — These mills 
were erected in the fall of 1877 by Carmer, Parraelee & 
Co. on the site of the woolen-mill destroj'ed by fire. The 
amount of capital invested is about §20,000, and the build- 
ing, machinery, and appliances are in every respect first- 
class. The building is a three-slory and basement, frame, 



134 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



veneered with brick, a style of structure now inuch ia 
vogue in the West and Northwest. 

The mill has four runs of stone, and is capable of pro- 
ducing 150 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. Both 
uierchant and custom work are done, the market for the 
former being mostly in New England. A fifty horse-power 
steam-engine is attached for use in case of necessity. In 
the basement the firm have a .set of wool-carding machinery 
for custom work, of which a considerable amount is turned 
out. 

IiifjersoWs Mill. — The custom-mill of Egbert Ingcrsoll 
& Sons, situated on Grand Street near Michigan Avenue, 
was erected by Luther A. Ingcrsoll in 1878-79, and sub- 
sequently purchased by the present firm. It is twenty-two 
by sixty-five feet in dimensions, with two stories and base- 
ment. It contains at present two runs of stone, with room 
for two more runs when needed. It is driven by a forty 
horse-power engine, and is mostly employed upon custom 
work, making specialties of Graham flour, corn-meal, and 
cracked wheat, in all of which productions it has an excel- 
lent reputation. The invested capital is about $8000, and 
the mill gives employment to several hands. The result 
already meets the highest expectations of the firm, and 
they are doing a large and profitable business. The milling 
business of the city is an important branch of its indus- 
tries, and the surrounding region is capable of furuLshing 
grain to any desired extent. 

IRON-WORKS. 

Ctidy, Glassbrook ds Co. — The earliest foundry and 
machine-works in Lansing were put in operation by Turner 
& Crosraan, in 1848. Many changes occurred in the firms 
which operated the business, and among the names of parties 
who were at various times interested were the two brothers, 
James and Eichard Turner, Hiram H. Smith, Watkins & 
Tompkins, now of Williamston ; Hayes & Tooker, and 
Thomas Metlin & Son, the latter being succeeded by the 
present firm. The original establishment was located on 
the site of the present works, which represent a consolida- 
tion of several firms that have at various periods carried 
on the business. About 1857 or 1858, James, Richard, 
and George Turner established a foundry and machine-shop 
on the site, near the Grand River Bridge, now occupied by 
the planing-mill of Walker & Huston. It was operated by 
them until about 1863, when upon the death of George 
Turner, who was the business man of the firm, the machin- 
ery was purchased by iMessrs. Hayes & Tooker, who re- 
moved it to the site now occupied by Cady, Glassbrook & 
Co., and the business after many changes has come into the 
hands of the last-mentioned firm. Messrs. Cady, Glass- 
brook & Co. are doing a general foundry and machine-shop 
business. They also build portable farm engines, and do 
general repairing and job work. The capital invested is 
about 112,000, and eight hands are employed. The works 
were repaired and improved in 1879, during which period 
the firm rented the Lansing Iron-Works for one year. 
Water-power is exclusively used. 

Agricultural Worlcs of E. Bcment cO Soil's. — The orig- 
inal business out of which the present extensive estabUsh- 
mcnt has grown was started at Fostoria, Ohio, in 1 844, in the 



form of a small foundry, by B. Bement & Brother. This 
continued with some changes in the firm, though always in 
the family, until 1869. A tin-shop was also in operation in 
connection with the foundry for a number of years. In 
the last-named year the firm, which consisted of E. Bement 
and his oldest son, A. 0. Bement, sold out in Fostoria and 
removed to Lansing, Mich., where, under the firm-name of 
E. Bement & Son, they commenced the carriage and foundry 
business in a building on River Street known as the Old 
Houghton Foundry. They carried on the foundry business 
and manufactured the Bement plow, which was the inven- 
tion of one of the firm. In that building, which they 
rented, business was conducted until 1870, when they re- 
moved to their present location, corner of Grand and Ionia 
Streets, where they had purchased ground and erected 
buildings. 

Their works have been added to as the necessities of 
their growing trade rendered necessary from time to time, 
until they have grown to extensive proportions, ranking 
among the most important in the State. In 1871 another 
son, G. W._Bement, was admitted as a partner, and in 187S 
a third, C. E. Bement, became a member of the firm. Mr. 
E. Bement, the father and senior partner, died in March, 
1880, since which the firm has been composed of the three 
brothers, though the old name, E. Bement & Sons, is re- 
tained. 

The business consists in the manufacture of agricultural 
implements, principally as follows : Plows of all kinds, 
chilled iron, steel, and common cast-iron, with wooden and 
iron beams, all of new and improved patterns ; corn tools, 
one-, two-, three-, and five-tooth cultivators ; shovel plows of 
various patterns ; harrows of ail kinds, including Garver's 
celebrated spring-tooth harrows, of which the firm control 
the patent for the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, 
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and 
the Territory of Dakota; cast-iron and steel road scrapers; 
caldron kettles ; round heating stoves ; cultivators ; seeders, 
and bob-sleds. Their trade is extensive, and extends from 
New York to Dakota. The buildings now or soon to be 
occupied consist of a foundry 40 by 80 feet, with additions 
40 by 30 and 40 by 20 feet; the main (old) building, 28 
by 90 feet, with additions 20 by 40 feet (grinding-room), 
20 by 25 (buffing- and polishing-room), 28 by 30 (wood- 
shop), and 20 by 25 (supply-room) ; blacksmith-shop, 22 
by 40 ; storage- and shipping-room, 40 by 60 (old Episco- 
pal church building) ; warehouse and stable combined, 40 
by 84 feet ; and the ofiice building, 16 by 24 feet. During 
the present season (1880) a new main building is being 
erected of white Lansing brick, partly three and partly two 
stories in height ; the three-story part, 50 by 110 feet, and 
the two-story part, 30 by 110 feet; extreme dimensions, 
80 by 110 feet. This will, when completed, take the place 
of the old main building, which will be used for other 
purposes. 

The new structure is solidly built of the best materials, 
and conveniently and systematically arranged for a large and 
rapidly increasing business. 

The firm is an enterprising and cap.iblo one, which has 
built up its busine.ss from small beginnings and by its own 
experience. The facilities of the institution and every- 




rj^ 



CITY OF LANSING. 



135 



tiling connected arc first-class, and the new building is in- 
tended to be fire-proof, in the ordinary acceptation of the 
term, with a strictl)' fire-proof engine- and boiler-room. 

In 1870 the products of the business amounted to about 
S4000 ; in 1875 this had been increased to 830,000, and 
the present year (18S0) will show a total approximating 
SI 25,000. The demand for their goods is practically un- 
limited, and the limits of production depend upon amount 
of capital and facilities employed. The number of hands 
at work since January, 1880, has averaged 100. 

These works take precedence in Lansing as the most im- 
portant and profitable manufacturing works in the city, 
and the prospect for future increase and development is 
excellent. 

Laiislttg Iron- Wurks. — The buildings at present occu- 
pied by Jarvis, Barnes & Co. were erected in 1872 by the 
Lansing Iron Company, of which W. S. George was Presi- 
dent ; B. Y. Simons, Vice-President; M. L. Coleman, 
Treasurer; and W. W. Hildrcth, Secretary. A foundry 
and machine business was commenced by the company in 
the fall of 1872, and continued until March, 1870, when 
it was closed. The property was turned over to W. S. 
George and 0. M. Barnes, who settled up the business. 
George sold to Barnes in 1879, and from April, 1879, to 
April, 1S80, the works were rented and operated b}' Cady, 
Glassbrook & Co. At the last-mentioned date Joseph 
Lugen and Samuel E. Jarvis purchased a half interest of 
Mr. Barnes, since which the firm has been Jarvis, Barnes 
cV Co. 

The firm has about 825,000 invested, and the works are 
fitted up for a large business, with new and improved ma- 
chinery. The buildings consist of a machine-shop forty 
by sixty, two stories, and a foundry forty by eighty, one 
story in height, all constructed of brick. Steam power is 
employed, which is furnished by an engine of twenty horse- 
power. Every variety of work in the line of business is 
done, and a specialty is made of portable farm steam- 
engines. Adjoining the works Mr. A. Van Ceulabroeck 
has fitted up a shop for the manufacture of steam-boilers, 
and the two establishments reciprocate in their respective 
classes of work. 

CARKIAGE-WORKS. 
.1. Clark (t- Co. — The original of the present important 
business of this firm was a shop opened by A. Clark and 
P. G. Sprang on the same ground at the foot of Washtenaw 
Street, in 18CG, who commenced the manufacture of car- 
riages and business-wagons, with an invested capital of some 
$4000, and a force of about six hands. This firm continued 
businc.ss four years. In 1870, Sprang sold to Warren 
Gunnison, and the firm-name became A. Clark & Co., as at 
present. In 1871 the firm sold to Dart & Davis, the pres- 
ent firm, who retain the old name. The amount of capital 
at the present time employed in the business is about 
840,000. About twenty-five hands are employed, and the 
annual products approximate a value of 835,000. The 
work is confined exclusively to light carriages, and the fact 
that the goods arc marketed in all parts of the Northern 
States, from New York to Colorado, .speaks well for the 
<iuality of work. 



A fine new brick Imilding, forty by sixty-six feet and two 
stories in height, was erected in 187S. 

The materials used arc purchased in Philadelphia, New 
York, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, Kentucky, — 
wherever tlicy can be most advantageouslj' procured. The 
firm has a salesroom on the .southeast corner of Washington 
Avenue and Allegan Street. The individual members are 
Albert Clark, Eli II. Davis, and Ebon W. Dart. 

Jolin MoKiiiliy iC- Co. — The carriage- and wagon-busi- 
ness now carried on by Messrs. JIcKinley & Co. was begun 
about 1870 by P. G. Sprang, on the southwest corner of 
Washington Avenue and Shiawassee Street, the site occu- 
pied by the present firm. Mr. Sprang continued the busi- 
ness until March 1, lSSO,when he sold his stock to Mes.srs. 
McKinley & Co., and the building to Professor Beals, of 
the Agricultural College. 

The firm are doing a good business in the manufacture 
of all varieties of carriage-work, including buggies, wagons, 
sleighs, and cutters. The establishment is fitted up with a 
wagon- and carriage-shop, a blacksmith-shop, and paint- 
and trimming-shop. About 82500 capital is invested, and 
eight hands arc at present employed. 

1'I.A XING -MILLS.— SASH, DOOUS, AND BLINDS. 

A planing-mill was erected on the ground now occupied 
by Allen, Hall & Co., about 181)5, by D. C. Buckland and 
William II. and Nelson Chapman. In 18G7 the Chapmans 
.sold two-thirds of their intercut to Abram Allen and Alfred 
Wise. Mr. Buckland died in 1870, when the firm changed 
to Allen & Wise, and so continued until Jatiuary, 1875, 
when 3Ir. Wise sold his interest, and the firm became A. 
Allen & Co. 

On the night of June 18, 1S7G, the entire establishment 
was destroyed by fire, involving a loss of some 815,000. 
The buildings were partially rebuilt by Allen & Co., and in 
April, 1877, Mr. B. V. Hall became a partner in the firm 
and the works were completely restored. 

In January, 1879, P. II. Howe was admitted as a mem- 
ber of the firm, and the name was changed to Allen, Hall 
& Co. Mr. Howe owns a saw-mill near Stanton, Montcalm 
Co., and the firm are stocking it for 1880-81. 

The business carried on is general planing, and the 
manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, etc. The capital in- 
vested is about 830,000 ; number of hands employed at the 
Lansing works about twenty-five, and the annual product 
about 800,000. In the most prosperous times a still larger 
business was transacted. The building on Michigan Avenue 
cast of the bridge is about fifty by one hundred and four 
feet, partly two and partly three stories. The power is 
furnished by a fifty horse-power engine. A wholesale 
business is done, and the products are marketed principally 
in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. The establishment is 
fitted up with complete machinery for first-class work. The 
firm arc making a specialty of Allen's interlocking blind- 
slat, an ingenious and popular invention of Mr. Allen, the 
senior partner. This firm prepared the exhibit of Jlichi- 
gan woods shown by the State Agricultural College at the 
Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 187G. 

Lnpliam cf' Lotiystrrct. — A planing-mill was built and 
put in operation by Messrs. Burgess iV AVolcott, on the 



130 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ground now occupied by this firm, about 1870. At the 
end of about one j'ear Burgess sold his interest, and the 
firm became Jacl^son & Wolcott, which continued another 
year, when they sold to I. Foltz, who carried on the busi- 
ness until 1872, when the present firm of Lapham & Long- 
street purchased the property. They enlarged the works 
and put them in operation with a capital of about $12,000, 
and are now employing fifteen hands as an average. The 
business consists in the manufacture of sash, doors, and 
blinds, which are mostly disposed of at the mill, though a 
wholesale business is carried on to some extent at different 
points. 

A lumber-yard was put in operation on the ground oc- 
cupied by the present firm, about 1872, by Barnes & Hitch- 
cock, who sold to Foltz in 1873, and the latter sold to Otis 
k Son, from Otisville, Lapeer Co., which firm put in a large 
stock of lumber and continued the business until the death 
of the senior partner in the fall of 1875. B. A. Otis, the son, 
continued until his death, which occurred in April, 1876, 
wiieu the stock, then amounting to about $10,000 in value, 
was sold at administrator's sale. Messrs. Lapham & Long- 
street opened a lumber-yard in connection with their mill 
in 1877, which branch of the business has been since con- 
tinued. The amount of their total annual sales is about 
$20,000. The mill is a frame about fifty-six by one hun- 
dred feet in dimensions, and is driven by an engine of forty- 
horse power. Works on Slichigan Avenue east of the iron 
bridge. 

About 1803 the old, former foundry and machine-shops 
of Turner & Crosman fell into the hands of Chester 
Moseley, and soon after (the other machinery having been 
removed) the works were converted into a planing-mill 
and operated by various firms, — Verity & Dart, who rented 
of Moseley, Walker & Howard, and since by the present 
owners, Messrs. Gilman Walker and William R. Huston. 
Mr. Walker leases or rents his interest to Huston & Park, 
who carry on the planing and manufacturing business to- 
gether, doing job work and turning out doors, sash, blinds, 
etc. The capital invested is about $8000, and three or four 
hands employed. The upper part of the building is rented 
to A. A. Wilber, who manufactures a variety of furniture. 
The mill is situated near the east end of the iron bridge 
in North Lansing, and is operated by water-power. 

Daniel L. Case owns a planing-mill located on the rail- 
road at North Lansing. It is not now in operation. The 
mill was erected by a stock company for the manufacture 
of furniture and other material from hard-wood. 

The planing-mill on Wall Street, North Lansing, was 
put in operation by Graham & Son about 1874, and busi- 
ness continued by them until the spring of 1878, when 
they sold to P. B. Narmore, who has continued it since. 
Mr. E. N. Wood rents a half-interest, and the two operate 
it together. The capital is about $6000, and five hands 
are employed. It is the intention to refit and enlarge the 
mill the present season (1880). They are making a spe- 
cialty of fanning-mills, which are being manufactured for 
Henry Cortrite. They also make bee-hives and section 
boxes to a considerable extent. The boxes are an improved 
invention of BIr. Wood. 

A. llVic. — Mr. Alfred Wise, who had formerly been in 



partnership in the same business with Abram Allen, com- 
menced business in his own name on the ground now occu- 
pied by him, in 1876. He erected a model of a mill sixty 
by one hundred and twenty feet, and fitted it up in the 
most complete order for a large business, with new and im- 
proved machinery for the manufacture of doors, sash, 
blinds, etc., and for general planing-mill purposes. He has 
about $40,000 invested, and gives employment to twenty- 
five hands. His bu.siness is extensive, and he has probably 
the most complete establishment of the kind in the county. 
A specialty is the manufacture of the patent Capitol inter- 
locking blinds, which are in use in the new State Capitol 
and many other public and private buildings. The blind is 
the invention of Mr. B. F. Wilson, foreman of the mill. 

These works are eligibly situated alongside the tracks of 
the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw and Detroit, Lansing 
and Northern Railways. The motive power is steam, and 
the products are principally marketed in Michigan and in 
Northern Ohio and Indiana. The aggregate business is 
large. 

Lansing Gas-Lif/ht Company. — This company was or- 
ganized June 19, 1872. The incorporators were James 
Clements and Hon. Thomas M. Cooley, of Ann Arbor, and 
E. F. Cooley, a son of Judge Cooley, of Lansing. The 
works were erected, and operations commenced in the same 
year. The capital stock is $40,000. The company has 
laid about five miles of gas mains. The number of public 
street-lamps is sixty-one, and of private consumers about 
200. The coal now used is the celebrated Youghiogheny 
coal of Pennsylvania, noted as an excellent gas coal. At- 
tempts have been made to utilize the Michigan coal, but it 
does not afibrd a good quality of gas. 

The company expended, in 1880, $10,000 in a new tank, 
and the capacity of the works is from time to time being 
increased as necessity demands. Thomas M. Cooley served 
as president of the company from 1872 to 1879, since 
which 0. M. Barnes has filled the position. 

The price of gas per 1000 feet is uniform to all consum- 
ers at two dollars and eighty cents. 

Lansing Woolen- Mills. — A frame woolen-mill was erected 
in 1866, by E. Parmelee & Co., on the site of the present 
flouring-mill of Messrs. Carmer, Parmelee & Co. It was 
what was known as a one-set mill, and manufactured 
yarns, flannels, cassimere, and hosiery. A capital of about 
$15,000 was invested, and employment was given to about 
thirty hands. Wool was purchased in the immediate vi- 
cinity, and the goods were marketed mostly in Michigan, 
sold by agents to regular dealers. The business was quite 
successfully conducted until the summer of 1877, when the 
entire establishment was destroyed in the great fire of that 
year and has not been rebuilt. The favorable location of 
Lansing, and the facilities for procuring the raw material 
and for marketing the manufactured goods, would seem to 
indicate a good point for this class of business. 

MARBLE-WORKS. 

John W. Butler was the first to engage in the marble 

business in Lansing. He opened a shop about 1852, on 

the ground where the present Lansing House stands, and 

continued it until his death. May 12, 1854. His brother, 



CITY OF LAiNSlNG. 



137 



Charles \V. Butler, in company with AVilliam Woodhouse, 
continued the business at the same place for a time, and later 
removed to the opposite side of Washington Avenue, where 
they carried on an extensive business until about 1870, 
when they closed it out. Their sales of manufactured 
■work extended over a large region. They were succeeded 
probably by E. L. Hopkins, who afterwards sold to J. L. 
Stewart. 

About the year 1872, Messrs. 0. S. Torrcy and 0. Wil- 
liams commenced the manufacture of marble monuments in 
a shop on Washington Avenue, and afterwards carried on 
the business at the corner of Ionia and Grand Streets, in 
all about four years. Mr. Williams had formerly been in 
the busiftess at Albion, Calhoun Co., where he commenced 
in 1852. From there he removed to Battle Creek, and 
from thence to Bcllcfontaine, Ohio. Came to Lansing in 
18GG. About 1876, Williams purchased Torrey's interest, 
and continued the business about two years, when he sold 
to Mr. J. L. Stewart, by whom he is at present employed. 

L. 0. Bean/. — Oliver Williams first started the marble 
business at the building now occupied by Mr. Beard, nearly 
opposite the Lansing House. Frank Howe succeeded him 
about 1876, and a year later Howe sold to Samuel Beard, 
who sold to his son, the present proprietor. 

Mr. Beard is doing every variety of work in his line. 
Deals in American and Italian marbles, granite, etc. His 
annual sales are about 88000, and he gives employment to 
five liands. He keeps one team on the road delivering, 
and one man canvassing. His work is marketed over a 
radius of sixty miles around Lansing. 

./. L. Sicicart. — This gentleman carried on the marble 
business at Ingersoll and Guelph, Dominion of Canadti, from 
about 1869 to 1873. He removed to Lansing, and com- 
menced business, in the fall of 1874, on Washington Avenue, 
between Ionia and Siiiawassee Streets. In 1876 he removed 
to his present location, in the block opposite the Lansing 
House. Mr. E. L. Hopkins was a partner for about a year 
after the removal to the present site. Mr. Stewart handles 
all varieties ft' American and foreign marble, granite, etc., 
and also manufactures and deals in Ohio sandstone materials. 
He employs about six men, and his annual sales reach from 
§5000 to $6000. Business extends over a radius of 100 
miles. 

Peter L. Banmrjras & Co. opened a shop corner of 
Franklin Street and Washington Avenue, in North Lan- 
sing, May 7, 1879, and are doing their share of work in 
the line of marble and granite monuments, and all descrip- 
tions of cemetery work. A considerable capital and several 
hands are employed, and the work ranks with the best in 
the city. 

The three firms above enumerated compri.se all at present 
engaged in the business in Lansing, and there would seem 
to be an ample field for each. 

ARTIFICIAL STONE. 

The business now conducted in Lansing by Messrs. Ste- 
vens & Lucas was origiDally commenced at Jackson, 
Mich., by C. W. Stevens, who learned the trade at the 
Frear Stone-Works in that city. He transferred his busi- 
ness to Lansing, and began the manufacture of artiGcial 
18 



stone near the depot of the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw 
Bailroad in the spring of 1877. A partner was also admitted, 
and the firm was styled Stevens & Jenkins. This arrange- 
ment continued about one year, when Jo.seph Harding pur- 
chased Jenkins' interest; this also continued for about 
one year, when the firm became Stevens & Taylor. In the 
spring of 1880 Taylor sold to Stevens, and Thomas II. 
Lucas purclia.scd an interest, and the firm is now Stevens 
& Lucas. 

The working capital is stated at §1500. The business 
began small, and has been gradually working into a healtliy 
condition. A great variety of stone is turned out, and 
the intention is to add the manufacture of sewer and well 
pipe. The materials used in the composition are English 
Portland cement, sand, and gravel, — the first imported, the 
others obtained in the vicinity. Four hands are at present 
employed. The establishment is called the Lansing Arti- 
ficial Stone- Works. 

L. M. Curry & Co. — Mr. Curry learned the trade of 
stone-making of Charles Yelland and Thomas II. Chrimes, 
and began the manufacture of artificial stone at his present 
location, on Michigan Avenue, in September, 1879. The 
firm furnished all kinds of stone-work, both plain and orna- 
mental. Since the bu.sincss was put in operation, Mr. Curry 
has furnished trimmings for about twenty buildings, mostly 
in the city of Lansing. A very durable and beautiful side- 
walk material is also furnished to order. 

Mr. Curry was formerly a ma.son and uuilder by trade, 
and had established a considerable business in Lansing 
previous to embarking in the manufacture of artificial stone. 
Traflic in the new material is increasing, and, as it is claimed 
to be equal in durability to many varieties of natural stone, 
and furnished at a much smaller cost, it is becoming quite 
popular, especially among those who cannot afi'ord the nat- 
ural stone. All kinds of ornamental work are manufac- 
tured. 

STAVES, HEADING, AND BAItRELS. 

Scludiz & Satllcr. — The original of this business was 
put in operation about 1868, under the firm-name of Hen- 
ning & Schultz. The capital invested amounted to some 
825,000, and the business was at first confined to the man- 
ufacture and sale of staves and heading. The firm was 
changed to Schultz & Sattler in 1875. The business at 
the present time embraces the manufacture of staves and 
heading for both tight and .slack work, and a variety of 
barrels. A specialty is made of pork-barrels and lard- 
tierces, and the firm claim to manufacture a greater num- 
ber of the former than any other house in the Union. The 
annual cash transactions of the Lansing branch of the busi- 
ness approximate 8200,000. 

The establishment is driven by a seventy-five horse-power 
steam-engine. The firm arc doing business at Coral and 
Sheridan, Montcalm Co., and at Morrice, Shiawassee Co. 
A branch of the bu.sincss is also carried on at Jackson, 
Mich., where the labor of 100 convicts is utilized. They 
are employed within the Mi.son walls, and manufacture 
exclusively pork-barrels and lard-tierces. The branch at 
Morrice, in Shiawa.ssee County, is also a very extensive one. 
The aggregate number of hands employed at all points is 
about 300, and the total value of production over 8500,000. 



138 



HISTORY OF IxVGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Each factory keeps separate accounts and has its own 
foreman. The business is transacted under three firm- 
names, but Jacob F. Schultz is a partner in each, and the 
principal manager of the whole. Ho is under fifty years 
of age, and has been in active business for many years. 

At Lansing the firm own ten acres of land along the 
tracks of the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw and the De- 
troit, Lansing and Northern Hallways, which are largely 
covered with the buildings and stock of the firm. Products 
are marketed principally in Chicago and Detroit. The firm 
cut and saw their own staves and heading, and manufac- 
ture all stock for tight work. They deal wholesale in flour- 
barrel and other slack stock. 

Frtd. Alton (f- Son. — One of the oldest residents and 
most prominent mechanics of Lansing is Frederick Alton, 
a native of Germany. Mr. Alton came to America in 
1843, and after stopping in the city of New York about 
four months emigrated to Michigan and settled at Marshall, 
where he remained for about two years. He also passed a 
few months each in Dexter and Ann Arbor, and thirteen 
months in Albion, Calhoun Co. He came to Lansing in 
February, 1848, and has since resided here.* Previous to 
removing his family to the new State capital he had, in 
October, 1847, purchased lots in the place. He opened a 
shop on River Street and worked alone at his trade for 
about a year. In 1849 he built a frame shop and enlarged 
his business, employing several hands, and doing all kinds 
of work in his line; among other jobs turning out a great 
many cisterns. He remained on lliver Street about eight 
years, when he sold his property and purchased lots on the 
corner of Washington Avenue and Lapeer Street, on the 
north side of the latter. About 1870 he removed his shops 
to the south side of Lapeer Street, where he has since car- 
ried on his trade. His business was mostly custom work, 
and he manufactured a considerable amount of flour barrels 
for B. E. Hart, of North Lansing. His working force for 
many years was from six to fifteen hands. Since the ad- 
vent of railways he has manufactured and shipped to vari- 
ous points, principally Chicago, a large number of packing 
barrels and tierces. Previous to railroad days he shipped 
considerable quantities of work by wagons to Jackson and 
other points. 

Mr. Alton has now associated with him his son, A. F. 
Alton, under the firm-name of Fred. Alton & Son. They 
have a considerable capital invested and keep constantly on 
hand a large amount of stock, including raw material and 
finished work. The firm turns out annually about 4000 
packing-barrels and a large number of potash and other 
barrels. The yearly sales average from $3000 to $5000. 

There are several other small shops in the city doing 
custom work. 

CHAIR-FACTORY. 

Tills institution, which is at the present time occupied 
by four diSerent firms, was originally erected in 1874-75 
by a stock company, and put in operation in the spring of 
1875 for the manufacture of a variety of cane- and wood- 
seat chairs, and continued for about two years, when it was 



* Upon his arrival at Lansing ho lived for a number of weeks in the 
house with Dr. Gouchor. 



closed out. Messrs. Baker & Porter purchased the stock 
and a portion of the machinery, and worked up the stock 
remaining on hand, continuing nearly two years. Succeed- 
ing them, Messrs. Goodwin & Fulton carried on the chair 
business until July, 1879. Messrs. Dart & Merrill pur- 
chased the buildings and a part of the machinery soon after 
the closing out of the original company, and have owned 
them since. Mr. A. L. Shattuck purchased the interest of 
Goodwin & Fulton and continued the manufacture of 
chairs. He is making a specialty of cane-seat chairs, and 
has about $1500 invested in the business. He employs 
four hands. His goods find a market mostly in Michigan. 

Handles. — Mr. A. A. Piatt commenced the manufacture 
of handles of all descriptions at Delta Village, Eaton Co., 
in 1874, and continued it about eighteen months, when 
he removed to Millett's Station, where he remained until 
January, 187G, when his establishment was destroyed 
by fire. 

Ill February, 1876, he commenced business in Lansing, 
in a building belonging to Charles Butler, on River Street, 
where he remained until October of the same year, when 
he removed to his present location in the buildings erected 
by the Lansing Chair Company. Mr. Piatt rents a portion 
of the buildings and the steam-engine, and supplies power 
to all the firms domiciled in the premises. The engine is 
of 140 horse-power. He has about 86000 invested in 
machinery and stock, and employs an average of twenty-five 
hands. His business is principally confined to the produc- 
tion of fork and broom handles, and he markets his goods 
principally in Great Britain, at London, Liverpool, and 
Glasgow. 

Under the firm- name of Piatt & Cory he is also engaged in 
shipping large quantities of maple lumber to Liverpool. 
His partner in this business has no interest in the handle 
department. 

Material is procured in the vicinity of Lansing, though 
it is being rapidly exhausted. The business seems to be a 
very flourishing one. 

Furniture. — In the same building is the firm of D. W. & 
M.J. Buck, who are engaged in the manufacture of furniture. 
They commenced business in the fall of 1877, and are turn- 
ing out a large amount of various descriptions of furniture, 
and in addition do a large amount of job work. They have 
a capital of some §3000 invested, and employ ten or twelve 
hands. Daniel W. Buck settled in Lansing, from Lansing, 
Tompkins Co., N. Y., in October, 1848. He cleared the 
ground where the Second National Bank now stands, and 
erected a frame building in the winter of 1848. Ho has 
been in the business of manufacturing furniture for thirty- 
two years in Lansing. The firm of D. W. & M. J. Buck 
have an extensive furniture salesroom on the northwest 
corner of Washington Avenue and Ionia Street. 

Rocking-chairs. — Mr. D. P. Ashley occupies another 
portion of the establishment, and is engaged in the manu- 
facture of the celebrated "Eastlake Hooker." He has a 
small capital invested, and gives employment to about six 
hands. His material is purchased in the vicinity, and his 
goods find ready sale to dealers in Chicago and throughout 
the Western States. 

Taken altogether, this establishment is a very extensive 



CITY OF LANSING. 



139 



one, and a large amount of products is manufactured an- 
nually. 

Tlie buildings consist of two three-story structures of 
brick, fifty by one hundred and twenty-five and fifty by 
one hundred feet, with engine-room, forty by fifty feet and 
two stories in height, having a dryiug-kiln on the second 
floor. 

The works are situated near the foot of Grand Street, 
between Shiawassee and Saginaw Streets. 

5Iessi-s. William Woodhousc and C. W. Butler carried 
on the manufacture of chairs for a number of years before 
the advent of railways in Lansing. They employed about 
200 of the boys at the State Ileform School, and did all 
their work in that institution. The amount of capital in- 
vested was from 810,000 to 815,000. Their products were 
hauled by wagons to Jackson, and shipped thence to Chi- 
cago and other points. They were twice burned out at the 
Reform School ; supposed by incendiaries. 

" Eureka" Fanning-MiUs. — This well-known and highly- 
esteemed mill is the invention of the brothers II. and B. 
Cortritc, the former of whom commenced its manufacture 
at Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., in 185S, and continued 
the business at that point until 1874, when he sold 
and removed to Lansing on account of better shipping 
facilities and a more central location. He began to manu- 
facture his mill in Lansing, on the ground now occupied 
(East Michigan Avenue), in 1875. 

The present amount of capital invested in the business 
is 820,000, and employment is given to fifteen men, seven 
of whom are on the road selling the work. The machine 
work is done by Normore & Wood at North Lansing, and 
the mills are put together and finished ready for use at the 
shop on Michigan Avenue, which is convenient to three 
railway stations. 

B. Cortritc is engaged in their manufacture at Norwalk, 
Huron Co., Ohio. The number of mills manufactured 
and sold by both firms from 1876 to 1880, inclusive, is 
about 10,000. They retail at thirty dollars each, and 
are mostly sold in Michigan, reaching all parts of tlie State 
where grain is rai.sed. 

This mill was awarded the highest medal premium at 
the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876, and has taken the 
highest premiums at the Ohio and Michigan State fairs ; at 
the former during nine years, and at the latter during the 
past four years. The amount of annual sales reaches the 
value of 825,000. They are sold mostly by traveling 
agents, who are employed by the month. A few are oc- 
casionally sold in lots. 

Mr. Cortrile has a fine and convenient shop fitted up at 
his residence on Michigan Avenue, and his house and 
grounds are among the finest in the cast division of the 
city. The business is in a prosperous condition and in- 
cre.ising annually. 

BRICK MANUFACTURE. 
The first brick manufactured in Lansing was made near 
where the stave-, heading-, and barrel-works of Shultz & 
Co. now stand in North Lansing, by a man named Bcal, 
familiarly known as " Old Man Beal" or " Deacon Bcal," 
in 1847. The brick for the " Benton House," now the 



Everett House, were made at that yard. A son of the old 
man carried on the business in the same place for many 
years. 

The first brick made on the ground now occupied by 
John Jordan, on the northwest quarter of section 22 in 
Lansing, were made by Henry Footc, who commenced the 
business about 1850, and continued it for fifteen years or 
more. 

About 1870 a man by the name of Buck commenced 
operations at the last-named locality, and carried on the 
business some two 3'ears, when he .sold to George B. Hall, 
of Detroit, who had the contract to furnish brick for the 
new Capitol. He furnished, during the years 1873-75, 
about 14,000,000, when he made an assignment to his 
father, Richard II. Hall, of Detroit, and in the fall of 
1875 he sold the property to John Jordan, who has carried 
on the business since. The real estate is the property of 
E. B. and Henry Morgan, of Aurora, N. Y., who have 
owned it for many years. After succeeding to the business 
Mr. Jordan manufactured and furnished about 800,000 
bricks to fill the remainder of the contract with the State. 
Since 1876 the annual production of the yard has been 
over 3,000,000. The product consists mainly of common 
brick, as the market for a fine quality is exceedingly 
limited. 

Mr. Jordan at first essayed to manufacture a more costly 
and finer article, but after a short experiment gave up the 
idea. He has about 87000 capital invested in the business, 
and his annual sales amount to about $11,000. The 
number of hands employed averages twenty-eight; 1200 
cords of wood are annually consumed. Both white and 
red brick are manufactured, there being two qualities of 
clay, the upper for about the thickness of three feet burn- 
ing red, and the lower stratum, averaging about eleven 
feet in thickness, burning white. The bricks are much 
whiter than the celebrated Milwaukee make. Mr. Jordan 
leases seventy acres of the northwest quarter of section 22. 
The formations are singular and remarkably adapted to 
the production of brick. 

About one-third of the tract, in the northeastern portion, 
is a vast bed of sand, which has been penetrated to a depth 
of over sixty feet without reaching the bottom. The sand 
is fine and sharp, the only fault about it being the presence 
of limestone pebbles, which it is necessary to screen out 
before using. An abundance of soft water is everywhere 
found at depths varying from fourteen to twenty-eight feet. 
The clay is of an excellent quality and perfectly pure, with 
the exception of an occasional drift bowlder. 

Mr. Jordan has in use two of the Swoard brick-machines, 
each capable of producing 30,000 brick per day, and one 
Standard machine, making 10,000 per day. A finer quality, 
denominated "stock brick," is manufactured by hand to the 
number of 3500 per day, or about 350,000 for the season 
of 100 working days. T''e market extends over a radius 
of 80 to 100 miles in all directions. 

POTTERY. 

A pottery was established i(i North Lansing by Simon 
Lowell about 1853. It was subsequently owned and 
operated by Lowell & Richardson. In 1868, J). B. Nar- 



140 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



more purchased Lowell's interest, and in the following year 
purchased the remaining interest of Richardson, and con- 
tinued the business until 1872. The manufacture was con- 
fined to common stoneware exclusively. The raw material 
was obtained at Millett's Station, in Eaton County. The 
products were disposed of mostly by teams in Michigan. 
The business gave employment to about four hands, and 
the aggregate sales for the year amounted to about 82500 
or S:5000. The advent of railways brought competition 
from Ohio and other parts of the country, which, by reason 
of superior facilities and materials, made the business in 
Lansing unprofitable, and it was given up. The establish- 
ment was located on the east side of Centre Street, be- 
tween Adams and Wall Streets, where the remains of the 
kiln or oven are still to be seen. 

I'OT- AND PIilARL-ASHES. 

The manufu<:ture of these goods was commenced in Lan- 
sing by John Swindenner, on the ground now occupied by 
the present establishment on Larch Street, about 1863. 

The business was at first confined to the manufacture of 
potash, but in September, 1874, the production of pearl-ash 
was commenced, and has been continued to the present time. 

In 1S7G, C. D. Denio purchased the works, and in 1879 
they were completely refitted throughout. A steam-engine 
was put in and a new set of kettles, leaches, and apparatus 
generally, placing the works on a solid footing for perma- 
nent business. A fine new oven was also built in the same 
year. The establishment is now producing annually from 
twenty-five to thirty tons of goods, which are sold in New 
York for $125 per ton. About five hands are regularly 
employed. 

A similar establishment was put in operation in the north- 
west part of the city in 1879 by a man named Eigler. This 
last-named is making potash extensively. 

TANNERIES. 

The tanning business was commenced about 1856, in 
River Street, by three brothers named Loderer, who carried 
it on until April, 1865, when they sold to H. D. Pugh, 
who continued it for about four years, and closed it out. 
The old buildings are still standing. 

About 1859, Mr. Christian Zeigler built a tannery on 
Saginaw Street, near the bridge. Mr. Zeigler was origin- 
ally from Germany, from whence he emigrated to America 
about 1854, and first settled at Ann Arbor, Mich., where 
he remained a few months, and removed to Lansing. He 
carried on the tanning business for about ten years, when 
he sold to his sods, C. II. and C. W. Zeigler, who continued 
for about ten years, and in 1875 sold to Frederick, another 
brother, who still carries on the trade. The two brothers 
first named are engaged in the wholesale and retail leather 
business on Washington Avenue, and handle the products 
of the factoiy.* 

BREWERIES. 

The brewing business was commenced about 1865-66, 
by Messrs. Yeiter & Co., who erected and put in operation 



* This tnnnery was destroyed by firo on the night of the 2J of 
August, 18SU. 



the works now owned by A. Foerster, at the foot of Madi- 
son Street, known as the Grand River Brewery. The 
firm carried on the business until the spring of 1880, when 
they sold to JSIr. Foerster. . 

The capital invested is about §10,000, and employment 
is given to five hands. There is an artesian well on the 
premises, and the intention is to put up a steam-engine the 
present fall. 

Mr. Foerster also owns the brewery and bottling-houso 
situated near the depot of the Grand Trunk Railway, where 
he has about $7000 invested, and gives employment to 
about the same number of hands as at the other works. 
These last-mentioned works were erected, about 1875, by 
August Galler. 

The Citi/ Bieiceri/, situated at the foot of Jefferson 
Street, was built by a Mr. Shoettle, about 1865. It is com- 
paratively a small establishment, and is at present not in 
operation. 

SHOW-CASE MANUFACTORY. 

The business of manufacturing show-cases is one not 
generally found outside of the larger cities. It was begun 
in Lansing by C. L. Harrison, in 1872, in a room over the 
drug-house of Frank Wells. Mr. Charles H. Mann, who 
had come over from Germany in the last-mentioned year, 
and who understood that kind of work, was employed by 
Mr. Harrison. The latter sold to Henry Mohl about 1875, 
and Mohl to Cliarles Daman, in 1876. Mr. Manu was 
associated with Mr. Daman in the business, and in January, 
1880, purchased his partner's interest, and has since con- 
ducted the business in his own name. He has a fine build- 
ing on Washington Avenue, near Ionia Street, and is doing 
a busine.ss of some §3000 annually, on a capital of about 
$1300. His work is principally the manufacture of show- 
cases of all varieties, but he also makes office furniture, ice- 
boxes, counters, jewelry-trays, etc. 

AGGREGATE CAPITAL INVESTED. 
The following tabular statement, which, not protending to 
absolute accuracy, and only including the more important 
manufactures, will furnish an approximate idea of the mag- 
nitude of manufacturing Interests in Lansing: 

Capital. 

Saw-mills Sl(l,UUll 

Flour ami custom-mills 11!I1,(MH» 

Iron-works 100,0110 

Carriage-worlis 40,000 

I'luning-mills, sash, and blinds 85,000 

Marble-works 10,000 

Artificial stone 3,000 

Staves, heading, and cooperage 60,000 

Chairs, furniture, etc 30,000 

Pot and pearl ashes 2.000 

Gas manufacture 40,000 

Briek manufacture 10,000 

Breweries 2i,000 

Printing 50,000 

Tanning-mills 20,000 

5011,000 
EARLY MECHANICS. 

Probably the first mechanics to locate in Lansing were 
the Page family, including the father, Joab Pago, his son, 
Isaac Chauncey Page, and his sons-in-law, Whitney Smith 
and George D. Pease. These parties built the first saw-mill 
at North Lansing, in^844, and several of them erected 
dwellings and other buildings. 



DANIEL W. BUCK. 



One oi" the earliest to establish liinisolf in busi- 
ness at Lansing, at the time ahnost a complete 
wiideruess, was the gentleman above named. Mr. 
Biici'C is a (leseentlant from a I'amily of Seoteh-Irish 
nativity, wlio were among the inhabitants of the 
famed " nortli of Ireland. " Members of the 
family emigrated very early to the Ameriean con- 
tinent, and settled in the old colony of Connecti- 
cut, from wliieh their descendants removed to 
Southern and Southwestern New York. Mr. 
Buck's gi-andfather was among the earliest settlers 
of Tompkins Co., N. Y., and lost a brother and 
three nephews in the terrible massacre at Wyoming, 
in 1778. The family of Benjamin Buck was quite 
large. His son, Daniel Buck, always resided in 
the State of New York, and died in 1854, at the 
age of sixty-nine years. 

Daniel W. Buck, a son of the last named, was 
born in the town of Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y., 
April 21, 1828, and after arriving at a proper age 
served an apprenticeship of five years at the cabinet- 
maker's trade. In the fall of 1848 he started for 
Michigan, and arrived at its new capital on the 8th 
of October. He aided in clearing away the trees 
from the ground where now stands the Second 
National Bank of Lansing, and estai)lishe(l himself 
in business in a small shop on that site. After a 
few months he employed a man to assist him, and 



from that beginning his business has grown to its 
present |)roportions. Mr. Buck is now (November, 
1880) in companj' with iiis son, Mayton J. Buck. 

On the llth of May, 185;3, Daniel \V. Buck 
was married to Miss Nancy M. Russell, of Crown 
Point, Essex Co., N. Y., at which place she was 
born Dec. 24, 1831. Several years after this mar- 
riage Mrs. Buck's widowed mother removed also to 
Lansing, where her death finally occurred. The 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Buck are five in number : 
Mayton J., the oldest, was born Aug. 22, 1854, and 
in February, 1878, was married to Miss Lizzie 
Allen, daughter of Abram Allen, of Lansing. She 
died Nov. 7, 1880. He is now in partnership with 
his father in business. Florence A. was born Aug. 
15, 1856; Mary E., July 5, 1863; Bailey, Dec. 
27, 1866; and Martha E., Oct. 4, 1869. All are 
residing at home with their parents. 

Politicjilly, Mr. Buck is a Democrat, and has 
been once elected alderman in the Second Ward of 
Lansing, and twice mayor of the city. An evi- 
dence of his public spirit may be seen in the fine 
opera-house bearing his name which he erected in 
1872. A business career of thirty-two years in 
the city of his adoption luis brought to him pros- 
perity and an excellent reputation, and he is in 
truth one of the rej)resentative business men and 
substantial citizens of the place. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



141 



Smith Tookcr was also among the earliest settlers after 
the location of the capital at Lansing, having arrived on the 
8ih day of April, 1847, and continued since, with the ex- 
ception of three years spent in California. Mr. Tooker 
was born in Lodi, Seneca Co., N. Y., in 1819. The family 
removed to Steuben County in 1826, and thence to Ann 
Arbor, Mich., in 1835. In 1810 his father removed to the 
town of AVoodhull, in Shiawassee County. Mr. Tooker 
married Marietta Sowle, who was born in Chenango Co., 
N. Y., in 1825. Soon after his marriage he settled in Bath, 
Clinton Co., Mich., and from thence removed to Lansing, 
as before stated, April 8, 1847. His father, Eliphalct 
Tooker, came to Lansing in 1848, and died in that place in 
June, 1851. His mother died in Shiawassee County in 
1841. The father was a minister of the Baptist denomi- 
nation, and was filling the position of chaplain to the State 
Senate when he died. He was also a carpenter and joiner 
by trade. lie filled several town offices, and was township 
treasurer at the time of his death. While a resident of 
Shiawassee County he filled the office of supervisor of the 
township of Woodhull. Ills family consisted of ten chil- 
dren, six sons and four daughters, all' now living in the 
vicinity of Lansing, except one daughter deceased, and a 
son living at Matherton, Ionia Co. 

The father of Jlrs. Smith Tooker, My. Ilobert Sowle, 
settled near Okemos in 1838, and died there in 1841. 

John Thorburn, now a farmer in Delhi township, was a 
blacksmith at North Lansing for some ten or twelve years 
from 1849, and did a flourishing business. Another black- 
smith of early days was one Pettis, — about 1849 to 1852. 

J. P. Cowles was an early carpenter and builder. The 
business of Lansing was largely at the lower town for many 
years, and the place still holds a large share of trade, though 
the new portion of the city has outgrown it in a great 
degree. 

IMPKOVEMKNTS IX LANSING. 

Lansing has had a steady and healthy growth, as a rule, 
since it became the seat of the State government. Planted 
in the midst of a dense wilderness, and situated many miles 
from the older settlements of the State, it has, notwith- 
standing these discouragements, continued to advance in 
wealth, population, and importance in a ratio corresponding 
with the material progress of the State. The location of 
the State capital naturally called the attention of capitalists 
and drew around it a permanent and intelligent class of in- 
habitants. Its central location and the. subsequent con- 
struction of important lines of railway contributed in no 
small degree to its steady advancement, while its excellent 
water power and consetjuent manufacturing facilities have 
been important factors in its iavor ; but perhaps the most 
important consideration has been the rapid development of 
the naturally rich agricultural region which surrounds it, 
and which promises soon to equal in productiveness and 
permanent improvements any portion of the State. 

A large and rapidly increasing trade centres at Lansing 
and though it has vigorous competition in the important 
towns of Charlotte, Mason, Williamston, Grand Ledge, St. 
Johns, and others, yet the fact of its being the State capital, 
and its unrivaled iiiciiities for the transaction of business, 
will always make it the principal city in the central portion 



of the State. Its experience is similar in many respects to 
that of Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Ind., which, like 
Lansing, were planted in the midst of a wilderness, sur- 
rounded with, apparently, almost insurmountable obstacles 
to rapid growth and development, but which have already 
become the two largest inland cities in the Union (strictly 
speaking), with populations respectively of 60,000 and 75,- 
000. The history of Springfield, Ills., Des Moines, Iowa, 
and Madison, Wis., is also in many respects similar, though 
they are situated in more open regions, where the opportu- 
nities for rapid development are more favorable than in a 
heavily timbered country like Slichigan. 

There has been comparatively much less speculative 
movement in and around Lansing than in the case of some 
of the State capitals mentioned, and con.se(|uently the pro- 
gress and improvement of the place have been steady and 
uniform, rather than spasmodic and phenomenal. 

The obstacles to be overcome when the Legislature made 
this point its permanent home were truly gigantic, but the 
indomitable perseverance of the pioneers, who came from 
among the best elements of our Eastern population, and 
from the prominent nations of Europe, triumphed over 
every difficulty, and won a realm from the wilderness, and 
built up a capital city in its midst of which even the hoary 
nations of the Eastern continent might be justly proud. 
And there is nothing in the pathway of the future indica- 
tive of any falling off in the material advance and pros- 
perity which have thus far characterized the settlement of 
the great Northwest. 

Beginning with the j'car 1871, we find the improvements 
of the city to have been more or le.«s important and perma- 
nent year by year to the present time. About eighty 
buildings, costing from SHOO upward, were erected in 1871 , 
the aggregate value being §181,056, exclusive of 8200,000 
expended by the State. 

From September, in the last-named year, to September, 
1872, more than 100 substantantial buildings were erected 
at a total cost of §372,400. Among the prominent struc- 
tures were the Operallouse block, costing 610,000 ; the 
Odd-Fellows' Institute, S30,000 ; Eichcr's block, $14,000 ; 
Butler's block, §20,000 ; Cottrell & Thayer's block, 814,000 ; 
D. L. Ca.se's block, 85,000 ; and the Ilinman block, $6,000. 

The years 1873 and 1874, on account of the general de- 
pression in business throughout the country, were not as 
active sea.sons as usual. In 1875 there was a great re- 
vival in building operations, about 250 new structures 
being erected at a total expenditure of §473,000. Of 
the.se, 223 were dwellings, and the remainder business 
buildings of various descriptions. Among the prominent 
ones were the High-School building, erected in 1874-75, 
costing §60,000 ; the Lansing Iron- Works, §9,000 ; Mead's 
flouring-mill, §33,000 ; chair-factory, §20,000 ; Hart's llour- 
ing-mill, §14,000; another flouring-mill, §4000 ; planing- 
mill,§3000; the Lake Shore and Jlicliigan Southern Ilailway 
Company's elevator, §3000 ; and sixtceu stores, costing in the 
aggregate §72,000. 

Among the prominent structures erected in 1875-76 
was the new Congregational church edifice, corner of Al- 
legan and Townsend Streets, at a cost of §18,000. It is 
the finest church building in the city. 



142 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



From September, 1878, to September, 1879, about 100 
buildings were erected at a cost of 8210,000, among the 
prominent ones being the post-office building, by Turner & 
Moody, costing §26,000. 

The improvements in progress in 1880 are quite im- 
portant, including the erection of several business houses, a 
large addition to tlie agricultural works, and the erection of 
a considerable number of dwellings in various parts of the 
city. 

HEAVIEST TAXPAYERS IN LANSING.* 

The following table, compiled from the books of City 
Assessor Moore, shows the valuation for purposes of taxa- 
tion in 1880 of the property held in Lansing by various 
persons, firms, and corporations. No amounts under 84000 
are included in the table, and the amounts are supposed to 
represent the cash value of the property assessed : 



Angcli, Eugene $7,tiJ0 

Avrcs, P. C 8,11.^(1 

Aber, A B,350 

Amerhine, John 5,(1U0 

Allen, A 4,SO0 

Appleyard, James 16,.^^50 

Alton, Fred 7,3(10 

Allen A Hall 7,500 

Adams it Porter 8,100 

Amos, Mrs. U. M 7,750 

Belts, (i. 1 6,500 

Buck, D.W 32,100 

Buck, D. W. A M. J 10,000 

Bingham, S. D 6,200 

Bement 4 Sons 12,050 

Barnes, O.M 109,850 

Blood, L. C 6,700 

Bcek, S 14,000 

Brisbin, G. S 12,550 

Bertch. Andrew 7,000 

Bush, J. J 24,350 

Buck & Gillelt 23,500 

Bartholomew, I. U 7,000 

Bailey, L. H 4,300 

Bennett, Eliza J 7,000 

Brown, G. W 4,000 

Broas, Charles 4,000 

Brown, B. E 4,000 

Carmer, W. P 8,000 

Camp, 0. F 7,000 

Carmer, Parmelee & Co. 8,000 

Cady, Glasebrook & Co.. 4,200 

Chamberlain & Parmelee. 6,000 

Case, D. L 17.850 

Chapman, Mrs. W. H.... 10,500 

Corvell, Susan D 5,500 

Cottrell, A 8,600 

Cannell A Edmonds 14,000 

Crawford, George 7,600 

Clark, A., 4 Co 7,000 

Carter, L 5,300 

Crosman, J. A 4,500 

Calkins, N. S 9,500 

Cowles, A. E 9,750 

Cowles, Mrs. F. M 15,000 

Coleman, M. h 8,500 

Cortrite, H 5,300 

Christiancy, I. P 6,000 

Daniels, Smith 8,000 

Diugman, W. K 5,000 

Dart, U. C B,900 

Dayton, C. E 18,980 

Dayton, G. M 20,900 

Dart, Bowen A Co 12,700 

Davis A Larned 6,900 

Daniels, P. L 11,500 

Davis Bros 5,500 

Davis, Frank 4,150 

Dart A Merrill 6,000 

Davis, E. U 4,100 

Elliott, Elvira 6,400 

Ekstein, Lederer & Co... 5,000 

Edgar, Mirandi 4,000 

Englcbart, Phil 6,500 



Eiohele, Jacob $5,250 

Emery & Forester 6,000 

Edgar, D. P 6,000 

Fuller, Martha A 5,550 

French, J. M. (estate)... 12,500 

French, J. M., Sr 5,000 

Fuller, A. D 4,200 

George, W. S 20,600 

George, W. S.. & Co 19,750 

Green, Mary E. B 5,000 

Grove, G. K 5,500 

Glaister, Richard 16,900 

Gleckman, J 5,000 

Green, Myron 5,200 

Greene, S. R 4,500 

Hurd, D. C 4,000 

Hinchey, J. W 9,650 

Hart Estate 34,100 

Hart, A.N 19.000 

Hudson, M 13,550 

Haze, Wm. H 18,700 

Higgs, J. W 4,700 

Hull, J. B 12,150 

Hewitt, Cyrus 6,450 

Hawc.s, W. C 4,000 

Hosford, 6,000 

Hinman, Wm 8,700 

Holmes, J. C 6,100 

Isbell, N. G 36,500 

Ingersoll, H 48,950 

Isbell, G. A 8,750 

Johnson, Mrs. W 4,500 

Jerome, George 14,950 

Johns A Bailey 6,400 

Joy, James F 4,050 

Jenison, X. F 6,000 

Jones, Whitney 17,200 

Jones, N. B 4,000 

Johnson, D. B 7,350 

Kent, Thomas 4,500 

Kerr, Mrs. Polly P 7,000 

Langenbacker, A 16,000 

Lceland, C. P 10,100 

Lansing Gas Company.. 16,850 

Lansing National Bank. 14,500 

Leidly, Godlup 7,900 

Lougyear A Sons 42,700 

Lapham A Longstreet... 5,500 

Lansing Iron-Works 6,500 

Lathrop, F. R 10,900 

Mead, J.I 53,200 

Miller, J. P 5,000 

Marshall, Thomas 4,50,0 

Murrey, G. R 8,600 

Merritield, E. R 6,900 

MoClure, H. B 39,250 

Jlerrill, J 8,000 

Marks, C. T 4,250 

Merrill, T. Gale 7,330 

Moores, J. U 4,450 

McCammon, Mrs 7,600 

Marvin, M. P 6,000 

Morgan, Heury 1.3,800 

Nichols, A. A 9,500 



' From the Lansing lle2>iililican. 



Nash, C. E $5,800 

Nagle, John 4,500 

Olds, S. S 6,450 

Oyer, John, Sr 7.500 

Pincknev, Wm. U 7,050 

Porter, J. B 4,500 

Packard A Packard 5,000 

Peck, Mrs, Sophia 4,000 

Robson, R. S 7,350 

Robson, John 5,000 

Robson Bros 10,000 

Robson Bros. A Co 8,000 

Rapleo, W 9,000 

Ranney, G. E 5,300 

Rodman, D 5,500 

Rciff, D. P 14,050 

Scofield, S. G 9,500 

Siittler, C. L 6,200 

Shultz A Sattler 11,000 

Sbelden, Allen 8,300 

.Sanford, G. P 8,350 

Shank, H. B 4,100 

Stebbins, C. B 9,900 

Simons, B. F 28,700 

Shubel, Fred 6,400 

Sabin, W. D 8,000 

Smith, II. H 25,000 



Shull A Alsdorf $8,50ii 

Sparrow, E. W , 6,250 

Seymour, 11 6,900 

Shank, Mrs. H. B 5,500 

Taylor, J. W 4,700 

Turner, Mrs. M 14,000 

Turner A Seymour 6,000 

Tuttle, G. R 12,980 

Troestl, Fred 12,500 

Tenney, J. E., agent 5.3,520 

Terry, Lorain 8,000 

Thoman, Fred 17,900 

Thayer, Mrs. N.S 7,950 

Turner, J. M 9,550 

Turner A Moody 18,000 

Torrencc, L. A 4,500 

Uebele, Wm. (estate).... 4,000 

Van Husen, C 11,800 

AVells, Frank... 14,0011 

Wiley, W. G 24,370 

Weinmaster, John 5,750 

Woodworth, H, A 6,300 

AVhitney, E. H 5,500 

Whitelev, John 21,850 

Warner," Mrs. J. E 7.000 

AVise, A 15,000 

Yeiter A Co 9,000 



From a report of City Engineer Bartholomew, made 
in April, 1880, and published in the Lansing Republican, 
the following fiicts are drawn : Number of streets in the 
city, 119; number-of miles of the same, 70; grading on 
46 streets to the extent of 36 miles, at a cost of 8157,000. 
There are 19 permanent monuments in the centre of streets, 
put down by the city at a cost of 83000. The average 
amount raised annually during the past five years for keep- 
ing the streets in repair has been 82800. 

Since the spring of 1866 the city has erected ten 
bridges, seven of iron and three of wood, at a cost vary- 
ing from 8200 to §10,000 each ; the whole costing some- 
thing over 850,000, with an additional expense of 836,000 
for approaches, abutments, and piers. Since 1870 eight 
important culverts have been built from the bridge fund, at 
an aggregate cost of 83200. The present value of bridges 
within the city limits is estimated at 880,000, and of cul- 
verts at 83000. 

Since the organization of the city government there has 
been raised for bridge purposes the sum of 8120,000. The 
number of miles of sidewalks and crosswalks is estimated 
at forty-five, costing 850,000. Up to the time this esti- 
mate was made the drainage and sewerage had cost 812,000, 
to which extensive additions are being made in 1880. At 
the same date there had been six reservoirs constructed, 
with a capacity of over 3000 barrels, at a cost of $3500. 
These are for the use of the fire department. 

Recapitulation in tabular form : 

Opening and grading streets $160,000 

Ten bridges, complete 80,000 

Side and crosswalks (forty-five miles) 50,000 

Permanent sewers and drains, including ex- 

penditures of ISSO 24,800 

Open ditches and minor drains 5,000 

Five reservoirs (one abandoned) 3,500 

Eight bridge culverts 3,000 

Paving of six blocks on Washington Avenue.. 20,000 

Total $346,300 

This does not include bridges, culverts, and other similar 
constructions made by the various railway companies. 

Two very important public improvements are being made 
the present season, 1880, to wit: the paving of Washing- 
ton Avenue for a distance of six squares, from Shiawassee 
Street on the north to Kalamazoo Street on the south, and 



CITY OF LANSING. 



143 



the construction of large sewers on several of the principal 
streets. The contract for paving Washington Avenue was 
let to Gardner & O'Connor, of Lansing, at the round sum 
of S20,000. The sewerage work is being done by James 
Hurley and Perry Mathews, of Lansing, at 812,800 for 
the main sewers and the Lenawee and Michigan Avenue 
drains. The State is expected to make an appropriation 
to the amount of §7000 or SSOOO, in aid of the sewerage 
system of the city. The main sewer is to run north on 
Grand Street to a certain distance, then across to Seymour 
Street farther wCst, and thence run north to Grand River, 
below the dam, so as to carry the drainage clear of the 
settled portions of the corporation. A thorough system of 
drainage will greatly improve the healthfulness of the place. 

The pavement adopted by tlie council for Washington 
Avenue is of complex kind. The street is first reduced to 
a uniform grade and the surface covered with a heavy layer 
of sand, upon which the pavement is placed without any- 
thing intervening. A space of thirty feet in the centre of 
the street is paved with white cedar blocks, of sizes varj'- 
ing from three inches to a foot in diameter, set upon end, 
and the interstices filled with gravel. The remainder of the 
street from the wooden pavement to the curb is paved with 
medium- sized bowlders procured in the country around 
Lansing. It remains to be seen whether the wooden block 
pavement will be sufiiciently durable to justify the outlay. 
The distance to be paved is half a mile, and the cost per 
lineal foot amounts to about seven dollars and fifty-eight 
cents, including lots and streets bordering and crossing the 
avenue. Lateral sewers and drains will be laid so as to 
discharge into the main sewer. 

The plan is a good one, and if the whole of that portion 
of the city lying upon the west bank of the Grand River 
be eventually drained into the river, at a point below the 
Seymour Street bridge, it will undoubtedly contribute 
greatly to the general health of the city. 

The expenditures for public purposes, it will be readily 
seen, have been very large, indicating a disposition which, 
while it lays somewhat heavy burdens of taxation, evinces 
an understanding of the needs of the population, and a de- 
termination to make wise provision for the future. 

BRIDGES. 

The first bridge erected within the limits of the present 
city of Lansing was one over Cedar River, on what is now 
Cedar Street. It was constructed of logs, under the superin- 
tendence of Joseph E. North, Sr., probably as early as from 
1840 to 1842, certainly before the location of the capital at 
Lansing. It was carried away in the spring of 1832, and 
replaced by a second one probably in the same year, which 
remained until 1SC6, when the covered lattice bridge still 
standing was built by Smith Tooker, of North Lansing, at 
a cost of S3250. 

The first bridge over the Grand River, before noticed, 
was erected in Main Street in 1847, by Bush, Thomas & 
Lee at their own expense. The work was done by George 
Mathews. This was destroyed by flood, and about 185C 
a second bridge was built on the same site, at the expense 
of the township, at a cost of about 61400. The contractors 
were Messrs. Smith looker, Capt. J. R. Price, and Capt. 



J. J. Jeffries. This was destroyed by an ice flood, and 
since that time there has been no bridge at this point. 

The first bridge at North Lansing was also erected in 
1847, but the one on Main Street was first completed. The 
lower bridge was erected at the expense of James Seymour, 
at a probable cost of S1500. It was a wooden "bent" 
bridge, and, with considerable repairing, stood until 18G7, 
in which year Smith Tooker removed the last of the old 
"bents," and erected a covered lattice bridge at a cost of 
6G200. It was a very superior structure, having a twenty- 
foot carriage way and six-feet sidewalks on either side, roofed 
and shingled. It was modeled after one of the Connecticut 
River bridges. This was carried away by the great flood 
of 1875, and replaced by the present iron structure in the 
same year. 

The first bridge on Michigan Avenue was also a wooden 
bent bridge, built at the expense of the State in 1848. 
One Taylor was the contractor, and the probable cost wxs 
§1500. Mr. Tooker was also employed in the work. This 
stood until 18tj3, when it was replaced by a lattice bridge, 
but without a roof Tlie contractors were David Burnett, 
of Grand Rapids, and Smith Tooker, of Lansing, and the 
cost was about §3500. 

This structure remained until 1871, when it was succeeded 
by an iron bridge, which was carried away in 1875, and 
replaced by the present one. 

The first bridge on Washington Avenue was erected in 
1857. Messrs. Rush, Thomas, and Lee owned the lots on 
the north bank of the river at this point, and the avenue 
terminated at Main Street. The company gave a four rod 
street through their land (since widened to five by the city), 
and in addition each of the partners gave §300, William 
Hinman gave §200, and others donated considerable sums 
towards it. The Board of State Auditors also appropriated 
§1500, and the work was completed at a total cost of §3000. 
The contractor was Col. John Berr}', of Jackson. It was 
a wooden bridge. This was replaced in 1873 by the pres- 
ent iron structure. Iron bridges were also constructed in 
1873 at the Mineral Well, and on Shiawassee, Saginaw, and 
Seymour Streets. Those destroyed by the flood of 1875, 
as related elsewhere, were replaced in the same year. 

GREAT FLOOD IX GRAND RIVER. 

On the 1st of April, 1875, there occurred a memorable 
flood in Grand River which involved great 'destruction of 
property in Lansing. The stream spread over all the low 
bottom lands, and immense quantities of drift-wood min- 
gled with the icejam which swept majestically down the 
valley, bearing destruction in its course. Some of the 
streets of the city were navigated in boats, and the scene 
resembled that often witnessed along the Mississippi and its 
tributaries. 

An immense ice-gorge formed above the city, and there 
was an accumulation of logs and drift-wood which foreboded 
disastrous results. About 11 o'clock A.M. this gorge gave 
waj" and came with terrific force down the stream. The 
bridge of the Grand Trunk Railway was the first to feel its 
effects ; but though considerably damaged it resisted the 
flood. The iron bridge on Washington Avenue, on account 
of its elevation, was left uninjured, but the next in order, 



1-tl 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the Mineral Well bridge, was doomed to destructioa. Being 
heavily built of iron, it resisted for a time the immense 
pressure, but finally succumbed and floated away upon the 
top of the jam of ice, logs, trees, and other drift-wood. The 
moment it fell it was apparent that unle.«s it .sunk or stranded 
on the shore the remaining bridges below were doomed. 
The bridges on Michigan Avenue and Shiawassee and Sag- 
inaw Streets (juickly went down before the rubbish which 
swept against them, and then followed the wooden structure 
on Franklin Street at North Lansing, though it resisted the 
pressure for a half-hour, during which the people anxiously 
watched the increasing accumulation of rubbish and the 
rising waters which stood level above the top of the dam. 
At length the force became too great, and the bridge was 
lifted bodily and the whole vast mass of debris which had 
accumulated at that point pushed on resistlessly towards the 
new bridge on Seymour Street, the last one on the river. 
This was carried away like straw, and the city was thus in 
a few hours swept clear of all its bridges on Grand River 
except one. The four iron and one wooden bridges were 
erected at an original cost of nearly $30,000. 

During this scene a great crowd of people followed the 
march of destruction from the Mineral bridge to the lower 
end of the city, watching its progress amid great excite- 
ment. 

Some of the heavy spans of the iron bridges were caught 
and fastened to the shore at various points below the city, 
and one of them, nearly entire, was left by the flood on 
Stambaugh Island. The North Lansing wooden structure 
was caught at Grand Ledge. Foot bridges were constructed 
as .soon as the waters subsided, — one at North Lansing 
within twenty days after the flood, and another at the Min- 
eral Spring. The first-named cost $130. 

On the 7th of July following, a contract for rebuilding 

the four iron bridges was let to the Canton Iron Bridge 

Company, of Canton, Ohio, at the sum of $1-1,653.9-1:, and 

the bridges were rebuilt and completed during the same 

season. In February, 1876, the city bridges had another 

very narrow escape from destruction, but happily the flood 

pa.ssed without causing serious damage. After every severe 

winter there will be great danger of a similar destructive 

flood, though the amount of drift-wood is growing less year 

by year. 

NOTED FIKES. 

As early as 1852 or 1853 a number of buildings were 
destroyed by fire on the west side of Washington Street, in 
the block bounded by Washington, Michigan, and Capitol 
Avenues, and Allegan Street. Among the sufferers were 
Dr. McClure and a merchant named Bascom. The post- 
ofiice was also burned at this time. The fire was incen- 
diary. 

One of the earliest of the many destructive fires which 
have desolated Lansing occurred on the 18th of October, 
1857. The aggregate loss approximated §25,000. Among 
the heaviest losers were G. W. Peck, on block of business 
buildings, 810,000; Burr & Grove, hardware, §6000; 
Mead & GrLswold, Slate Journal ofiice, $6000; John 
Thomas & Co., §2000 ; Masonic lodge, §300. 

On the 14lh of July, 1860, a serious fire at North Lan- 
sing destroyed property of the value of $75,000, including 



$24,000 on mercantile goods, the flour-mill of B. E. Hart, 
pla.ster-mills, saw-mills, a chair-factory, and a foundry. 

On Saturday, the 18th of February, 1871, a destructive 
fire occurred on the southwest corner of Wa.shington and 
IMichigan Avenues, which destroyed four two-story frame 
stores and much of their contents. The total loss was 
about §-10,000, on which there was insurance to the amount 
of $27,000. 

On the 15th of April, 1875, Cowlcs' block, on Wash- 
ington Avenue, was destroyed, involving a loss of about 
§35,000. Among the heaviest losers were F. M. Cowles, 
building, §30,000; Smith Hunter, §2500; and H. B. 
Carpenter, law library, §1000. Other parties who suffered 
were J. Esselstyn & Son, J. M. French & Son, and A. E. . 
Cowles. 

The large hotel known. as the Mineral Spring IIou.se was 
destroyed Feb. 5, 1876. Loss about $12,000. On the 
night of June 18, 1876, the large planing-mill and sash- 
and-blind factory of A. Allen & Co. was totally destroyed, 
involving a lo.ss of $20,000. It was the largest establish- 
ment of the kind in the city, and gave employment to over 
twenty hands. The building was erected in 1865 by Buck- 
land & Chapman. In 1867 the Chapmans sold two-thirds 
of their interest to Abram Allen and Alfred Wise. The 
firm was doing a business of from $30,000 to $100,000 
per annum. A fire at North Lansing on the 24th of Jan- 
uary, 1877, destroyed the drug-store of 0. 1'. Frary & Co., 
causing a loss of §7000. During this fire there was almost 
a panic at Hart's Hall, where a play called " The Drunkard" 
was being enacted by an amateur company. 

Ou the 15th of February, 1877, a wooden block, .situated 
on Washington Avenue south of the German block, was 
destroyed ; loss, $3000. 

On the 8th of September, 1877, the stave-factory of 
Schultz & Co., was damaged to the extent of $75,000, 
principally by the destruction of sheds and stock. About 
4000 tight barrels and a million staves were burned. 

By far the most serious fire that ever occurred in North 
Lansing was on the 20th of September, 1877, the aggre- 
gate losses reaching about §100,000. The area burned 
over was about an acre. The property destroyed included 
Hart's flouring-mill, containing tea runs of stone, and in- 
cluding grain valued at $50,000 ; Parmelee & Co.'s woolen- 
mill, valued at $33,000 ; Scofield's saw-mill, valued at 
§6000 ; the foundry of Cady, Glassbrook & Co., valued at 
$4000 ; and an ice-house, on which the loss was about 
$500. 

Besides these losses a large number of buildings in 
Centre and Franklin Streets were greatly damaged, there 
being about twenty business stocks injured by removal. 
About 100 persons were thrown out of employment, and 
the business of North Lansing sustained a heavy blow. 
Several persons were injured during the progress of the 
fire, and there was assistance present from Jackson, Owosso, 
St. Charles, and other places. The total losses by fire 
during 1878 were $10,092.50. The losses during 1879 
were considerable, including three frame buildings and 
stocks of merchandise at North Lansing, loss about $3000, 
March 19th; Christopher's store, on the 7th of May, loss 
about $8500; the Lake Shore and iMichigan Southern 



CITY OF LANSING. 



145 



Railway Company's coal-sheds, August 1st, loss S2000 ; 
the dwelling of Bernard Kelly, on Capitol Avenue, about 
the same date, loss SOOO ; and Thomas McKcwin's house, 
on St. Joseph Street, loss §800. Tlie total losses for 1879 
foot up about 815,000. 

FIKE DEP.VltTMKNT. 

The organization of the Lansing fire department dates 
baik to Oetobcr, 1857, when an engine company, a hook-and- 
ladder company, and a hose company were organized, and 
soon after jirovided with fire apparatus.* The first engine 
was worked by hand, and was made to order by the cele- 
brated firm of L. Button & Son, of Waterford, N. Y., and 
cost, complete, 81000. It was received at Lansing in June, 
1858. The hose-cart and hook-and-ladder carriage were 
made in Lansing, by Sprang, Tobias & Co., a firm of car- 
riage-builders, who turned out a creditable piece of work. 
The whole outlay at that time w;is not far from §1700. 

For a while the city rented rooms for the accommodation 
of the apparatus, but after a time purchased a building and 
fitted it up for the department. 

Another hand-engine was purchased in June, 18G6. It 
was made by Jeflers, of Pawtueket, R. I., and at the time 
of purchase was owned at Adrian, Mich., where it had 
been in use for about two years, though nearly as good a.s 
new. It cost §800. Both the hand-engines were after- 
wards sold, — the first to the village of Cheboygan, Mich., 
and the second to the village of Leslie, Ingham Co. 

In February, 1871, two steamers were in Lansing on 
trial ; one from the celebrated Silsbee manufactory and the 
other from the works of Clapp & Jones. Both were of 
the third class, and the last named was a piston engine. 
The Silsbee engine was the favorite, and was purchased 
about the 27th of February, and on the same day the other 
was purchased at a reduced price, the owners preferring to 
dispose of it at less than regular rates rather than transport 
it back to the factory. The SiLsbee engine cost the city 
§4500, and the Clapp & Jones §3500. These arc .still in 
use, and are the only engines belonging to the city. They 
were from 1871 to 1877 furnished with hired teams by 
contract, but in the last-named year the city purcha.sod two 
teams of two horses each at a cost of §775 for the two, and 
wagons and harness, which brought the cost of the outfit 
to about §1000. 

A frame engine-house, the same now in use, was built at 
North Lansing in 18G4. The cost of building and lot was 
about §900. The brick engine-house on Allegan Street 
was erected in 18GG at a cost of §7000. The lot cost 
§1200. In 1877 a fire-alarm bell, weighing 1000 pounds, 
was purchased in Cincinnati, Ohio, at a cost of §200, and 
hung in the tower. It is much inferior to the Meneely 
bells of Troy, N. Y., but cost something less for the same 
weight of metal. The engine-house at North Lansing also 
has a small alarm-bell. 

The city has constructed three brick reservoirs on Wash- 
ington Avenue at a cost of about §1000 each, and having 
a capacity of from 900 to 1000 barrels each. The appa- 



• These proceedings were principally in consequence of no incen- 
diary 6re not long before, which destroyed a large amount of property. 

19 



ratus at present consists of the two steamers named, a hose- 
cart with each engine, an extra one for use in case of need 
when water is a long distance from the fire, and the neces- 
sary tools and appliances, all in good condition. 

The chief engineers under the old system with the hand- 
machines were C. C. Dodge, George K. Grove, J. W. Ed- 
monds, and II. B. Shank. Under the new arrangement 
with the steamers they have been A. Cottrell and J. W. 
Edmonds, the last named having served consecutively seven 
years, in addition to two years' service under the old sys- 
tem. Mr. William II. Carmer has been assistant engineer 
for the past seven years. 

The paid fire department of the city now consists of a 
chief engineer and one assistant, sixteen hose-men, and ten 
hook-andladder men, making a total of twenty-eight men. 

The city is built so scattering and over such a great ex- 
tent of country that the department frequently has as much 
traveling to do as that of many cities having twice the 
population of Lansing. The city has no system of water- 
works as 3'et, and the water supply is drawn from the reser- 
voirs above mentioned and from Grand River. The depart- 
ment is in an efficient condition and under good discipline.f 

POLICE DEPAKTMENT. 

The city supports a small police force, consisting of two 
regular night watchmen, with special policemen at the 
various railway stations. The city marshal is chief of 
police. 

The city government has as yet no buildings of it.s own, 
but rents very commodious rooms in Turner & Moody's 
Block, over the post-office. 

L.VNSING POST-OFFICE. 

A post-office was first established in Lansing in May, 
1847, under the administration of James K. Polk. George 
W. Peck was the first postmaster, and the office was kept 
in the store of Messrs. Bush & Thomas, which w;»s 
located on the east side of Grand River, ne.ar the old Main 
Street bridge over that stream. The fixtures of the office 
were constructed by Henry Gibbs, one of the earliest car- 
penters and builders in the place. William Ilinman, who 
was a clerk in the store of Bush & Thomas, was made 
deputy, and transacted the business. According to Mr. 
Gibbs' recollection the boxes occupied a space about three 
or four feet square. The mails for Lansing previous to the 
establishment of a post-office had been carried back and 
forth by a post-rider between Lansing and Jackson. Tho 
first "mail-coach" arrived from Jackson in May, 1847. 

Mr. Gibbs states that the office was removed in the latter 
part of December, 1847, to a two-story frame building, 
known as the " Carter Block," which stood near where the 
Hudson House now is. Col. Whitney Jones succeeded 
Mr. Peck in 1849, under Gen. Taylor. About 1850 he 
removed the office to a frame building which stood abouf 
on the ground now occupied by the drug-house of Frank 
Wells. The building was erected by Henry Gibbs for Dr. 



t The property of (ho Gre doparlinei^t iit tho present time, includ- 
ing engines, carts, carriages, horses, buildings, reservoirs, and all 
apparatus, represents an oi^llay of over $20,000. 



146 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



James W. Holmes. There was a great outcry at this last 
removal of the office " into the woods," as it was called. 
At this place the office was burned out in December, 
1852,* when it was removed to a frame building situated 
south of where the old Lansing House stood, on the east 
side of Washington Avenue. 

Col. Jones was succeeded in 1853, under President 
Pierce, by Van S. Murphy, wlio continued during that 
administration, and was succeeded in 1857, under Mr. 
Buchanan, by J. M. Griswold, who held the office until 
the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, when Col. A. R. 
Purr was appointed. During Mr. Griswold's term the 
office was considerably enlarged and improved. Col. Burr 
resigned in 18G1, and Ephraim Longyear was appointed in 
his place and held the office for five years, when he re- 
signed to engage in the banking business, and Col. Whitney 
Jones was appointed and continued until May, 1871, when 
he was succeeded by the present incumbent, Stephen D. 
Bingham. 

Mr. Griswold removed the office to a building which 
stood about where Esselstyn's store now stands. Under 
Mr. Longyear's administration a system of lock-boxes was 
introduced, and the office was removed to a building in 
rear of the Second National Bank. Col. Jones removed it 
to a building a little farther east on Michigan Avenue. 
Mr. Bingham removed it to the second building south of 
the Lansing National Bank, where it remained until Oct. 1, 
1870, when it was removed to its present elegant and con- 
venient quarters on the ground floor of the Turner and 
Moody Block, northeast corner of Washington Avenue and 
Ottawa Street. 

The present Lansing post-office has no superior in the 
State. It occupies the entire first floor of the block, and is 
fitted up in the most convenient and thorough manner. 
The room is sixteen feet high to the ceiling, finished in front 
with heavy plate-glass windows, and floored with alternate 
squares of Vermont white marble and dark-colored slate. 
The interior supporting-columns are of iron, and the whole 
office is well lighted and ventilated. 

The interior of the post-office proper is arranged in the 
most convenient manner, principally under the direction of 
Mr. Bingham, who has apparently exhausted his ingenuity 
to make it perfect in every particular. The mailing-table 
is a model of compactness and convenience, and the arrange- 
ment of the boxes and general delivery is all that could be 
desired. The whole cost of fitting up was over $2000 in 
excess of what the government allowed, which came out of 
the postmaster's private purse. 

The government allows ^1000 for rent, and this amount 
covers the cost of heating and a portion of the gas bills. 
The whole number of boxes and drawers is 1650, with 
ample room to extend when needed. Large boxes are 
arranged for the delivery of mail to the Agricultural College 
and Reform School, and also for the various State depart- 
ments. The fitting-up of the boxes and the glass used in 
the office was by the Yale Lock Company, of Stamford, 
Conn., and everything is first-class of its kind. 

There are separate rooms for the postmaster, for money- 



' Mr. Gibl)S says tlii.<* fji-o occurred .Tan. 17, 1863. 



orders, and registered letters, and there is also a large fire- 
proof vault for money and valuable books and papers. 

In addition to other expense, Mr. Bingham has put up six 
United States mail-boxes in the business portion of the city, 
and four daily collections are made. There is no free de- 
livery, as the city is not yet entitled to it. 

A branch of the main city office has been established at 
North Lansing for the accommodation of the business of 
that part of the city. It is fitted up with 400 boxes, and a 
clerk of the principal office has charge of it. A carrier is 
employed between the two offices, and makes three trips 
each way daily. The proceeds and expenses of the branch 
are included in the general accounts of the main office. 
The government receives the entire proceeds, and allows a 
certain sum for postmaster's salary, clerk hire, rent, etc. 

Seventeen mails are received and dispatched daily, all 
over the various railway lines which centre in Lansing. 

The following figures give the amount of business trans- 
acted at the Lansing post-office for 1879 : 



GENERAL ACCOUNT. 

EECEIl'TS. 

From stamp?, envelopes, postal-cards, due 

letters, and waste-paper sold $10, 

Box-rents and sub-lease 1. 

Tot.al $21 

EXPENSES. 

Oenoral expense account $^, 

Postmaster's salary 2 

Total S7 

Net profits of office 



029.70 
,854.44 



444.05 
800.00 




MONEY-ORDER BUSINESS. 
The following statement shows the business of the money- 
order department : 

RECEIPTS. 

Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1879 $.'!80.fi7 

4000 domestic orders issued 00,872.48 

fees on same SGil.lO 

32 British orders issued 310. o5 

fees on same 11.00 

12 ficrman orders issued 128.00 

fees on same 3.95 

27 Canadian orders issued 280.(10 

fees on same 7.20 

Drafts on postmaster at Nevf York 37,400.00 

Total $89,902.95 

DISBURSEMENTS. 

5973 domestic orders paid $84,736.51 

43 Canadian orders paid 850.12 

4 British orders paid 43.74 

40 German orders paid 1,770.09 

5 Swiss orders paid 159.25 

3 Italian orders (laid 01.76 

35 domestic orders reptiid 231.48 

Deposited with postmaster at Detroit 1,333.00 

Money-order expenses 401.02 

Balance Dec. 31, 1879 375.08 

Total $89,962.95 

REGISTRY BUSINESS. 

Number sent from this office 757 

Number received for this office 29S9 

Number handled in transit 3514 

Total 7260 



CITY OF LANSING. 



147 



In addition to the above business, deposits were received 
from other post-offices to the amount of S3392.83, and de- 
partment drafts paid amounting to 813,440.20. 

In 1877 the total receipts for stamps, etc., amounted to 
§17,923.44, and the net income to §11,483.32. There 
were 9982 orders issued and paid in 1877, amounting to 
§126,458.30. In 1879, 11,074 orders were issued and 
paid, amounting to §138,335.85. The registered letters 
of 1877 were G344, and of 1879, 7260. Those sent from 
this office were 481 in 1877, and 757 in 1879. Those re- 
ceived for this office numbered 2513 in 1877, and 2989 in 
1879. 

PKESENT FORCE E.M PLOYED. 

Stephen D. Bingham, Postmaster ; E. D. Cole, Assist- 
ant-Postmaster ; M. H. Kinsley, Money-Order Clerk ; Chas. 
E. Porter, Mailing Clerk ; W. S. Jones, Stamp Clerk ; W. 
L. Grove, General Delivery Clerk. 

Kurth Lansing Branch. — H. C. Hedges, Clerk. 

illLITAKY 0RG.\N1ZATI0XS. 

Company H, First Regiment JMichigan State Troops, was 
originally mustered into service March 26, 1876. It was 
at first known as the Lansing Light-Guard, for about two 
years. Its present civil title is Governor's Guard. The 
commissioned officers of the company have been as follows : 
Captains, D, Henry McComas, Eugene Angell, and D, 
Henry McComas again, who is the present commander ; 
First Lieutenants, G. W. Chandler, Eugene Angell, Wy- 
man W. Staley ; Second Lieutenants, Eugene Angell, Al- 
bert C. Jefferson, William P. Appleyard, Wymaii W. 
Staley, Rush J. Shank, Henry D. Warner, William E. 
Belts, William E. Crossett. 

The First Sergeants have been William E. Bctts, Wil- 
liam E. Cro.ssett, Thomas L. Ilobbs, Julius N. Baker, 
Joseph Lederer. 

Officers of Governor s Guard. — Presidents, A. A. Piatt ; 
Addison L. Moody, George Royce ; Secretaries, E. B. 
Wood, Clarence P. McCurdy, Samuel N. Stambaugh, Em- 
mctt A. Osborn. 

Treasurers, H. T. Carpenter, Joseph Lederer. 

By an amendment to the constitution the captain is cx- 
ojficio president of the organization, and in his absence the 
lieutcDauts act. 

Officers elected annually on the first Monday in De- 
cember, to take effect on the first of January. The enlist- 
ments were originally for a term of six years, subsequently 
changed to three years. 

The uniform is the regulation uniform of the United 
States army. Tiie company was at first armed with the 
Springfield breech-loading rifled musket, calibre fifty. This 
weapon was subsequently turned over to the State, and in 
July, 1878, replaced by the Sharps breech -loading rifle, 
calibre forty-five. 

Regular meetings for drill are held once per week, and 
business meetings on the first Monday evening of each 
month. 

Regimental encampments are held every year, and brigade 
encampments occasionally. The brigade eneampnient for 
1880 was held at Kalamazoo, commencing August 9th. 

Transportation and expenses, uniforms, arms, and equip- 



ments are furnished by the State, and the men are allowed two 
dollars per d;iy when on duty. The State also allows §300 
annually for rent of armory to the Lansing company. Tlic 
annual parades arc on the 22d of February (Washington's 
]}irthday) and July 4th. The State makes no allowance 
for these parades. 

Company H has generally had a drum corps, though it 
is not a part of the organization. The Barnes Drum Corps 
has been the most noted one connected with it. 

The present strength of the company is seventy-six mem- 
bers, including commissioned and non-commissioned offi- 
cers, musicians, and privates. 

The active militia force of the State consists of three 
regiments, two of eight companies each,* and one of nine 
companies. The companies of the First Regiment, to which 
Company H belongs, are as follows : Company A, at Ann 
Arbor ; Company B, at Adrian ; Company C, at Tecura- 
seh ; Company D, at Monroe; Company E, at Hudson; 
Company F, at Ypsilanti ; Company G, at Jackson ; Com- 
pany H, at Lansing; Company K, at Mason. 

BANKING. 

The first attempt at banking in Lansing was made .soon 
after the removal of the capital to the place, probably as 
early as 1850, by J. C. Bailey, who opened an exchange 
office, and continued for a time in a small way. About 
1855 he erected the building now occupied by the Second 
National Bank, on the northeast corner of Washington and 
Michigan Avenues, and commenced a regular banking busi- 
ness. 

In 1864, J. C. Bailey and others organized 

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF LANSING, 
but sold out, including the building, to the Second National 
Bank before doing any business, and thus there really never 
was any First National Bank in the city. 

THE SECOND NATIONAL BANK OF LANSING 

was organized Jan. 8, 1864, and chartered February 18th 
in the .same year by Hugh McCulloch, comptroller of the 
United States Treasury. The number of this bank is 2G4 
in the national series. The authorized capital is §150,000 ; 
paid-up capital, §50,000. 

It is a bank of issue, and has §45,000 in circulation. 
A general banking, exchange, and collection business is 
transacted. The deposits range from §50,000 to 8100,000, 
and the surplus is §10,000. 

The first officers were James I. Mead, President ; Ilirani 
II. Smith, Vice-President; Joseph Mills, Cashier. The 
present officers are Ephraim Longyear, President ; D. Long- 
year, Cashier; H. Longyear, Teller ; James I. Mead, Ilirani 
H. Smith, Ephraim Longyear, Ilarley IngersoU, Frederick 
M. Cowlcs, John Robson, Joseph Lauterman, Richard El- 
liott, Joseph Mills, Directors. The second president of the 
bank was II. H. Smith, and E. and D. Longyear were 
second and present cashiers. 

After J. C. Bailey sold to the Second National Bank, 
he opened a private banking-house on the corner where the 



* The First Rrgimcnt Ims nine tompanics. 



148 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Central Michigan Savings Bank now stands, and continued 
the business until his death, under the firm-name of J. C. 
Bailey k Co. The partner was C. S. Hunt. Following 
Mr. Bailey's death, Daniel L. Case, the executor of the es- 
tate, continued the business under the firm-name of D. L. 
Case it Co., for a time, and was succeeded by Hewitt & Co., 
which firm sold out to the Second National Bank on the 
1st of January, 1878. The.se various firms conducted 
business in the building which stood on the northwest 
corner of Washington and Michigan Avenues. 

Theodore Hunter, who was deputy State treasurer, also 
opened and conducted, for a few years, a private bank 
where Es.selstyn's grocery-store now is. 

Nelson Isbell, owner of the Lansing IIou.se, also conducted 
a jirivate bank for some time in company with John J. 
Bush. They dissolved partnership and clo.sed the business 
in 1872, and Mr. Bush became the fir.st president of the 
Lansing National Bank. Their ofiice was in the Lansing 
House. 

THE CENTRAL MICHIGAN SAVINGS-BANK 
was organized under the laws of the State, June 1, 1875, 
with a capital of $-5,000, and commenced business July 
1st in the same year. It was at first located in the large 
brick building on Michigan Avenue, in rear of the Lansing 
National Bank, from whence it was removed to the room 
now occupied by the Western Union Telegraph Company, 
and to its present location, northwest corner of Washington 
and Michigan Avenues, in November, 1879. 

The institution is doing a general banking and collection 
business. The present deposit account amounts to about 
§155,000. The officers of the institution have been W. S. 
George, President; 0. M. Barnes, Vice-President; D. F. 
Woodcock, Cashier. Mr. Barnes has retired from the 
position as vice-president, and a successor will probably be 
chosen. The board of directors consists of W. S. George, 
President; Willliam Humphrey (warden of the State 
prison at Jackson) ; N. F. Handy, of Jackson ; Dr. J. W. 
Ilagadorn, D. F. Woodcock, John J. Bu.sh, S. L. Papineau, 
and Mrs. H. L. George, of Lansing. The institution is the 
only one in the county, and is in a flourishing condition. 

TUB LANSING NATIONAL BANK 
was organized in April, 1872, as a national bank, with a 
capital of $75,000, which was increased in 1873 to 
$100,000. The authorized capital is $200,000. It is a 
bank of is.sue, and has $50,000 in circulation. A general 
banking, exchange, and collection business is transacted, 
and the institution is favored with a large patronage. 

The average deposits reach about $175,000, and it has a 
surplus of $20,000. The bank owns the building in which 
its business is transacted, on the southeast corner of Wash- 
ington and Blichigan Avenues. 

The first officers were John J. Bush, President ; 0. M. 
Barnes, Vice-President; M. L. Coleman, Cashier. The 
present officers are 0. M. Barnes, President ; William 
H. Haze, Vice-President; M. L. Coleman, Cashier. A 
private banking and exchange office was opened at No. 10 
Franklin Street, North Lansing, in June, 1873, by Mr. 
Eugene Angell, for the accommodation of the large manu- 



facturing and mercantile business in that portion of the 
city. A general business is transacted, and the institution 
is very successfully conducted. 

With the rapid growth of every kind of mercantile and 
manufiicturing business in Lansing, banking facilities will 
no doubt be largely increased in the near future. 

FINANCIAL. 

The city of Lansing has at various times invested quite 
largely in railways, as will be seen by the following table ; 
but the indebtedness is rapidly being canceled, and the 
financial condition of the city is very satisfactory. In 1872 
the total bonded debt with accrued interest was in round 
numbers $248,000. In 1876 it was $179,400. To-day 
the city actually owes but $105,400. A statement of the 
amount, and nature of indebtedness, is given below : 

Tiible ehuwimj the lutid bonded indehtedneea of the citi/ of Luiiaiiiy, 
M!eh., May ], 1880. 



PunposE OF Issue. 



Briilge Rebuilding bridges 

Cemetery IPurcbasing and improving 

Ionia and Lansing Railroad | Railroad aid 

Peninsular Railroad 'Railroad :iid 

School Ilish-scliool building 



$2,000.00 
10,000.00 
27,600.00 
17,800.00 
48.000.00 



$105,400.00 



The equalized value of the city of Lansing, October, 
1879, was $3,930,760. The value of property owned by 
the city of Lansing is $205,000. 

SOCIETIES AND ORDERS. 
SYMBOLIC MASONRY.* 

Symbolic Masonry seems to have existed in Michigan at 
a very early day. We fiud that as early as April 27, 1764, 
a warrant was issued by the Grand Lodge of the colony of 
New York for Zion Lodge, No. 1, in the city of Detroit. 
This lodge, however, seems to have become dormant, and 
remained so for many years. 

Sept. 7, 1794, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of 
Canada issued a dispensation for Zion Lodge, No. 10, to 
be held " at or in the city of Detroit, in Upper Canada," 
and named James Donaldson, W. M. ; Edward Byrn, S. W. ; 
and Findly Campbell, J. W.,and on the 19th of December 
of that year this lodge held its first communication, at the 
house of Bro. James Donaldson, when Edward Byrn, by 
virtue of a warrant for that purpose, opened a Grand Lodge 
for the installment of Bro. James Donaldson, W. M., after 
which the Grand Lodge was closed and adjourned to Quebec. 
James Donaldson then opened an Entered Apprentice lodge, 
and conferred the first degree on " Bro. Ruland." 

In 1803 the brethren of this lodge, finding it incon- 
venient to have regular correspondence with a foreign gov- 
ernment, petitioned to the Grand Lodge of New York, " if 
they think it meet and convenient, to revive a warrant, No. 
1, of this place, now lying dormant, and formerly under the 
sanction of their lodge, but, if this cannot be accomplished, 
to grant a new warrant." 



* Contributed by George H. Greene. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



14a 



A new charter was granted, dated Sept. 3, 180G. 

A Grand Lodj^e of Mieliigan was organized June 24, 
182G, with Gen. Lewis Cass as first Grand Master, but the 
storm of Anti-Masonry at that time was too severe for it, 
and by a formal resolution, adopted in 1829, it suspended 
Masonic labor. 

A general meeting of the Masons of the State was called 
for inquiry in 1840, and an effort made about that time to 
reorganize, but of these proceedings we have little account. 

The present Grand Lodge was organized in 1844, and 
its officers installed by Gen. Lewis Cass, M. W. P. G. M., 
since which time nothing has occurred to interrupt its on- 
ward course of growth and pro.sperity. At present it holds 
jurisdiction over no less than three hundred and fifty sub- 
ordinate lodges, with a membership of not less than twenty- 
five thousand Masons. 

Lansing Lodge, No. 33. — It is very difficult to obtain 
all the flicts relative to the organization and the first eight 
years' existence of this lodge, owing to the rea.son that in 
October, 1857, all its records, its charter, furniture, etc., 
were destroyed by fire in the burning of the Moore Build- 
ing, in which it then held its meetings. 

In the latter part of the winter of 1848^9 a dispensa- 
tion was granted to organize a lodge in the village of Lan- 
sing, then scarcely two years old, and in almost a dense 
forest, and when the present Grand Lodge was but five 
years old. Certainly it can be said that Masonry was in- 
troduced here at a very early day. 

Paul B. King, of Jackson, was here and assisted in its 
organization, and remained for a week or more, conferring 
the degrees on a number of applicants, and until the 
officers were thoroughly posted in the work and their 
duties. 

This organization was made in the second story of what 
was called the Moore Building, a wooden structure situated 
on the southeast corner of Washington Avenue and Alle- 
gan Street, where now stands the carriage depository and 
office of A. Clark & Co. The officers named in the dis- 
pensation were George W. Peck, W. M. ; Daniel L. Case, 
S. W. ; and John W. Longyear, J. W. ; and the regular 
election of officers under dispensation, as shown by the 
returns to the Grand Lodge, resulted as follows: George 
W. Peck, W. Jl. ; ^I. W. Quackenbush, S. W. ; John W. 
Longyear, J. W. ; L. S. Warner, Sec. ; Daniel Johnson, 
Trcas. ; James W. Holmes, S. D. ; W. W. Upton, J. D. 

At the following session of the Grand Lodge application 
was made for a charter, which was granted Jan. 10, 1850, 
naming George W. Peck, W. M. ; M. W. Quackenbush, 
S. W. ; John W. Longyear, J. W. 

The first regular annual election of officers under the 
charter resulted as follows: JI. W. (Quackenbush, W. M. ; 
John W. Longyear, S. W. ; James W. Holmes, J. W. ; 
L. S. Warner, See. ; Daniel Johnson, Treas. ; AV. W. Up- 
ton, S. D. ; M. N. Pritchard, J. D. 

Among its charter members were also the names of 
Alanson Ward, Rev E. S. Tooker, Champlin Havens, and 
V. S. Murphy. 

The present charter bears date Jan. 15, 1858, signed by 
William Fenton, M. W. G. M., and James Fenton, Grand 
Secretary; and on its margin is the following note: "This 



is issued to replace the charter dated Jan. 10, 1850, which 
was destroyed by fire last year." 

After the fire arrangements were made with Capital 
Lodge of S. 0., No. GG, to use their room in the second 
story of McClure's Block, on the west side of Washington 
Avenue, over the store now used by J. Waltz as a clothing- 
store, and since that time all the Masonic bodies, except 
Covenant Lodge, No. 2GI, at North Lansing, have occupied 
rooms jointly. 

From the JlcClure Block they removed, about the year 
18G0, to the third story of the store now occupied by A. A. 
Nichols, in the Beebe Block, and from thence, in 18G7, to 
the third story of Van Keurcn's Block, over the store now 
used by A. Abor & Co., and from thence, in 1872, to tiie 
rooms they now occupy in the third story of the Opera- 
Ilouse Block. 

The first work done in this lodge is .said to have been on 
Henry H. Smith and James Turner. 

For thirty-one years has this lodge prospered, and ranks 
at present among the best working lodges in the State. It 
hiis been the Masonic birthplace of more Masons than any 
other in the county, and can truly be said to be the mother 
lodge. 

The first break in its membership, except by death, was 
in 1853, when preparatory steps were taken to organize 
Capital Lodge of S. 0., No. GG, and Mason Lodge, No. 70, 
both of which were chartered in January, 1854, and nearly 
all of their original members were those who were made in 
this lodge, and withdrew to aid in the organization of these 
new lodges. Both of these lodges worked for a time under 
the by-laws of Lansing Lodge, No. 33. 

The following is a complete list of its Masters, in the 
order of their election and the years in which they served, 
—viz. : George W. Peck, 1849-50 ; M. W. Quackenbush, 
1851 ; John W. Longyear, 1852 ; Alanson Ward, 1853 ; 
George W. Barnum, 1854 ; John L. Bradford, 1855, who 
moved away during the year and E. B. Merrifield filled the 
unexpired term, and was also elected for 1856 ; Joseph C. 
Bailey, 1857; George W. Peck, 1858-59; E. R. Merri- 
field, 18G0; George W. Peck, lSGl-62; Joseph P. Cowles, 
18G3-G4; Nelson B. Jones, 1SG5-GG; Joseph P. Cowles, 
1867 ; Benjamin F. Buck, 1868-69 ; Samuel L. Kilbourne, 
1870; George II. Greene, 1871-74; Josiah Bruno, Jr., 
1875-76 ; Leland II. Briggs, 1877-79 ; Eben W. Dart, 
1880. 

Of those worthy brothers who participated in the 
organization of this lodge but few remain. Its present 
membership is 143. 

Ccij>ital J^oiJgc of Strict Observance, Xo. 66. — This 
lodge is an offspring of Lansing Lodge, No. 33. In 1853 
a number of brethren took dimits from the old lodge with 
a view of organizing a new one, and soon after Grand Mas- 
ter Henry T. Backus issued a dispensation to George W. 
Peck as W. M. ; John W. Longyear, S. W. ; and James 
W. Holmes, J. W., to ojion a new lodge in the village of 
Lansing, to be known as Capital Lodge of Strict Observ- 
ance, and on the 30th day of August, 1853, the first meet- 
ing was held, in the rooms occupied by the Odd-Fellows, in 
the Carter Building, on the northeast corner of Washington 
Avenue and Washtenaw Street, with the following-named 



150 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



brethren present : George W. Peck, John W. Longyear, 
E. E. Beebe, Champlin Havens, George I. Parsons, IIul- 
bort B. Shank, Horace Baker, Rev. C. W. Knickerbacker, 
Harvey L. Baker, Adolphus W. Williams, and Abram 
Cottrell. The letter of dispensation was read, and the lodge 
was opened in due and ancient form, and, in addition to the 
oflBcers named in the dispensation, the following were ap- 
pointed : P]. E. Beebe, Sec. ; Harvey L. Baker, Treas. ; 
Hulbert B. Shank, S. D. ; Cbampiin Havens, J. U. ; Hor- 
ace Baker and Waterman Ward, Stewards; D. McCalpiu, 
Tiler. 

The by-laws of Lansing Lodge, No. 33, were adopted to 
govern this lodge until further action could be had. 

The first petition for the benefits of Masonry was from 
William Smith, at a communication held Nov. 2.3, 1S53, 
and the first work was to initiate Edgar Walker on the 
evening of the 14th of the following mouth, which appears 
to have been the only degree conferred while under dis- 
pensation. 

At the aunu.'il communication of the Grand Lodge, held 
in Detroit, commencing Jan. 11, 1854, an application was 
made for a charter, which was granted on the second day 
of the session, and bears date Jan. 12, 1854, signed by 
Henry T. Backus, M. W. G. M., and James Fcnton, Grand 
Secretary. It named the same officers who were named in 
the dispensation, and the other officers appointed when 
under dispensation seem to have been continued through 
the year 1854, as the records do not show any election of 
officers at the organization under the charter. The first 
communication under the charter was held Jan. 28, 1854, in 
the rooms of Lansing Lodge, No. 33, as the room iu which 
it had been holding its meetings, in the Carter Block, was 
destroyed by fire on the night of Jan. 1, 1854. At this 
meeting Ephraim F. Thomp.son was initiated, and a reso- 
lution of thanks to the officers and members of Lansing 
Lodge, No. 33, for their kindness in extending to them the 
use of their room, jewels, etc., was adopted. Soon after 
this arrangements were made for a place of meeting in the 
second story of the MeClure Block. 

Edgar Walker was the first to receive the second degree, 
Feb. 1, 1854, and one week later he was rai.sed to the 
degree of a Master Mason. 

The first regular election of officers, as shown by the 
records, took place on Dec. 27, 1854, and resulted as fol- 
lows : George W. Peck, W. M. ; Hulbert B. Shank, S. W. ; 
William H. Pinckney, J. W. ; Waterman Ward, Sec. ; F. 
Mortimer Cowlcs, Treas. ; E. E. Beebe, S. D. ; Abram 
Cottrell, J. D. ; Daniel L. Case and Harvey L. Baker, 
Stewards ; Edgar Walker, Tiler. 

The same evening the officers were installed by the Mas- 
ter elect, who was at that time Grand Master of the Grand 
Lodge. This lodge has maintained a steady growth and 
})rosperous career through its existence, and is a good work- 
ing lodge. Its present membership is 126. The following 
is a list of its Masters from its organization to the present, 
and the years in which they served: George W. Peck, 
1853-55; William H. Pinckney, 1856; Hulbert B. 
Shank, 1S57 ; E. E. Beebe, 1858-59 ; William H. Pinck- 
ney, ISGO-Gl; E. E. Beebe, 1862-G3; J. W. Barker, 
18(!4-GG; William II. Pinckney, 18G7 ; Alexander Blair, 



1868-74; Allison A. Nichols, 1875-78; and Andrew 
Jackson, 1879-80. 

Covenant Lod(je, No. 261. — In the early part of the 
year 1869 the brethren in North Lansing petitioned Grand 
Master A. T. Metcalf to grant them a dispensation to or- 
ganize a lodge in that part of the city, to be known as 
Covenant Lodge, which he did, and on the 10th of March 
of that year the first communication was held in the third 
story of Amos Turner's brick store, on the south side of 
Franklin Street, now occupied by S. Edson, when an or- 
ganization was effected with the following officers : Rudolph 
Kern, W. M. ; Alfred Bixby, S. W. ; Oliver Marshall, J. 
W. ; Myron B. Carpenter, S. D. ; James W. Tillotson, J. 
D.; A. B. Watkins, Treas. ; E. Hudson, Sec. ; Willis Shaw, 
Tiler. The first three were named in the dispensation. 
The first petition for the degrees was from Christian Zeiglcr, 
March 22, 18G9, on whom the first work was done; initi- 
ated May 10th, and raised to a Master Mason June IGth 
following. 

Application was made to the Grand Lodge at its annual 
session in January, 1870, with the necessary recommenda- 
tions, for a charter, which was granted, to be known as 
Covenant Lodge, No. 261, and bears date of Jan. 14, 1870, 
signed by A. T. Metcalf, M. W. G. BI., and James Fenton, 
Grand Secretary, and names Rudolph Kern, W. M., Myron 
B. Carpenter, S. W., and Oliver G. Tooker, J. W., and in 
addition to these the following constituted the first list of 
officers under the charter: Spencer H. Beecher, Sec; A. 
B. Watkins, Treas. ; E. Hudson, S. D. ; James Tillotson, 
J. D. ; J. Baumgras, Tiler. 

The first communication under the charter was held on 
the 14th of March, 1870, when, by authority from the 
Grand Master, the lodge was duly constituted, with twenty- 
eight charter members, by Hulbert B. Shank acting as 
Deputy Grand Master. They continued to occupy the 
same room in which they organized until April, 1876, when 
they moved into the third story of the Van Auken Block, 
over Northrop's drug-store, which they now occupy. The 
following is a list of its Masters and the years in which 
they served : Rudolph Kern, 1869-70 ; Myron B. Car- 
penter, 1871-74; Gilman Walker, 1875; Myron B. Car- 
penter, 1876; Joseph P. Cowles, 1877-78; Myron B. 
Carpenter, 1879; and Sidney Edson, 1880. Its present 
membership is fifty. 

CAPITULAR MASONRY. 

The first organization of Capitular Masonry in the State 
of Michigan was that of Monroe Chapter, No. 1, at Detroit, 
under dispensation granted Feb. 3, 1818, by Companion 
Do Witt Clinton, then Most Excellent Grand High Priest of 
the General Grand Chapter of the United States, to fourteen 
Royal Arch Masons, to open a chapter and confer the several 
degrees in the city of Detroit, under the name and style of 
Monroe Chapter No. 1. For twenty-seven years, and a little 
more, this was the only Royal Arch chapter in the State. 

On the 10th of IMay, 1845, St. JoscjMs Valley Chapter, 
No. 2, located at Niles, was organized under dispensation 
granted by Companion Paul Dean, then Most Eminent 
Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, with a 
membership of nineteen Royal Arch Companions. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



151 



Tlie next was the organization of Jachson Chapter, No. 
3, at Jackson, March 18, 1847, under a charter granted by 
the General Grand Chapter, with a membership of nine 
companions. Tiiis was the last cliapter in tlie State organ- 
ized by authority direct from the General Grand Chapter 
of the United States, except to permit the organization of 
a State Grand Chapter, which was done through a conven- 
tion of delegates and proxies from Monroe Chapter, No. 1, 
and Jackson, No. 3, assembled at JIason's Hall, in the vil- 
lage of Jackson, March 9, 1848. This convention elected 
a list of officers, with Companion E. Smith Lee at the head, 
as Grand High Priest, and designated March ISth, follow- 
ing, as the time for the Grand Chapter to meet, at Mason's 
Hall, in the city of Detroit, for the purpose of installing the 
grand officers elect, and for such other business as might 
come before it. 

Pursuant to this appointment, the Grand Chapter of 
Michigan held its first convocation at the above time and 
place, when it was opened in ample form on the Royal 
Arch degree, and Companion E. Smith Lee was installed 
into the office of Grand High Priest by Companion Jere- 
miah Moors, the Senior Past High Priest, and he, in turn, 
then installed the other grand officers elect, and the Grand 
Chapter of Michigan was then fully organized. 

Tlie number of Royal Arch Masons in the State at date 
of this organization did not exceed seventy. 

Charters were granted in turn by this body to Lafayette 
Chapter, No. 4, at Marshall ; Oakland, No. 5, at Pontiae ; 
Washtenaw, No. G, at Ann Arbor ; Grand Rapids, No. 7, 
at Grand Rapids; and Jonesville, No. 8, at Joncsvillc, 
which brings us to Lansing, No. 9. Jan. 1, 1851, the re- 
turns made to the Grand Chapter showed seven subordinate 
chapters with a membership of 214. (Jonesville, No. 8, was 
chartered at the same session :is Lansing, No. 9, as was also 
Adrian, No. 10.) 

Lansing Choptcr, No. 9. — This chapter was organized 
JIarch 14, 1851, in the same room where Lansing Lodge, 
No. 33, effected its organization. The organization was 
made under a dispensation of same date granted by Czar 
Junes, then Most Eminent Grand High Priest, on the pe- 
tition of the following-named Royal Arch Masons: Elijah 
J. Roberts, David G. JlcClure, Thomas Fitzgerald, Noah 
Beach, Gordon Case, James A. Dyer, James M. Higby, 
George W. Fish, and W. N. Choate. 

At the first convocation were the following-named com- 
panions, who acted as officers ; Czar Jones, H. P. ; Michael 
Shoemaker, C. H. ; Jerome B. Eaton, R. A. C. ; Andrew 
Ilarvie, P. S. ; James A. Dyer, M. 3d V. ; David Stuart, 
M. 2d v.; and Noah Beach, M. 1st V. ; also Companions 
John Barber, Calvin Britain, and David G. McClure. 

Only one of the petitioners, or of those present at the 
organization, David G. McCIure, appears to have been a 
resident of Lansing, or of the jurisdiction covered by the 
dispensation. Most of them, however, were sojourners in 
Lansing by virtue of their being members of the Legisla- 
ture then in session, — viz., Elijah J. Roberts, of Eagle 
River; Noah Beach, of Bridgeport; Michatil Shoemaker, 
of Jackson; Andrew Ilarvie, of Detroit; John Barber, of 
Adrian, all State senators ; and Jerome B. Eaton, of Jack- 
son, and Calvin Britain, of St. Joseph, representatives. All 



the others, except Thomas Fitzgerald and David Stuart, of 
Detroit, were residents of Jack.son and members of Jackson 
Chapter, No. 3. 

Only three of the petitioners for dispensation were present 
at the first convocation, — viz.. Companions Dyer, Beach, 
and McClure. 

The first petitions for the degrees were those of H. S. 
Roberts, Ilulbert B. Shank, and Chaniplin Havens, all of 
Lansing, and David Sturgis, of Dewitt, a State senator. 

The first work done was the conferring of the Mark 
Master's degree on II. S. Roberts and Ilulbert B. Shank. 
All of this was at the first convocation, Friday, March 14, 
1851. 

This work of petitioning, balloting, and conferring of 
degrees continued daily, morning and evening, for one 
week, during which time all the chapter degrees were 
coiiferred on twelve applicants. 

The first work on the Royal Arch degree was at a morn- 
ing session, Tuesday, March 18, 1851, on II. S. Roberts, 
Hulbert B. Shank, and Chaniplin Havens; and at an even- 
ing session of the same day on James A. Bascom, John D. 
Irvine, a representative in the Legislature from JIackinac, 
and Rev. E. S. Tookcr. Again, on the following day, on 
David Sturgis, John Bacon, a representative from Eagle 
River, and Daniel L. Case, then a representative from Port- 
land ; and again, on the next day, Thursday, March 20th, 
on E. E. Beebe, W. W. Upton, and Geo. I. Parsons. 

Up to this time no officers were named in the dispensa- 
tion, but at this last convocation, Thursday, the following 
were appointed and indorsed on its back, — viz , Hulbert B. 
Shank, H. P. ; David G. McClure, K. ; E. S. Tooker, S. ; 
and a further appointment of the following: W. W. Upton, 
C. H. ; H. S. Roberts, P. S. ; James A. Bascom, R. A. C. ; 
E. E. Beebe, M. 3d V. and Sec. ; Champlin Havens, M. 
2d V. and Treas. ; and Geo. I. Parsons, M. 1st V. 

Thus we find Lansing Chapter, U. D., organized at a 
very early period in the hi.story of Capitular Masonry in 
this State, when the Grand Cliapler was but three years 
old, and when there were but 214 reported Royal Arch 
Masons in the State. 

We also find it organized in a most irregular manner ; 
the only semblance of regularity is that the Grand High 
Priest presided over all these convocations as High Priest. 
These irregular proceedings can only be accounted for by 
their lack of experience at so early a day, or their niisunder- 
standidg of the rules and regulations, and not in a willful 
departure from the ancient usages and landmarks of the 
order, for wc have every reason to believe they acted in 
good faith. 

Application for a charter was made at the next convoca- 
tion of the Grand Chapter, held in Detroit, Jan. 15, 1852, 
and on account of all these irregularities the committee 
on charters and dispensations reported adversely to grant- 
ing it. The matter was then discu.ssed at considerable 
length, and finally Michael Shoemaker offered the follow- 
ing preamble and resolutions, which were adopted Jan. 16, 
1852: 

"H7,c,c'i», The Grand Ilijjh Priest of this (J rand Cliuplcr did grnnt 
a dispensation to a number of companions, purporting to reside in 
the village of Lansing, Ingham Co., State of Michigan ; and 



152 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, IMICFIKJAN. 



" Whtreat, Said diupcnsntion is inroiiunl, ami tlio organization 
irregular; and 

" iVIierciia, Sundry Iloyal Arcli Miisiins liavo been made, in said 
irregular eliaptcr, in good faith, as tliey had a right to believe; and 

" Whermii, The rooorda of said irregular chapter show good work; 
thorcforo 

" lieiolvcd. With a view to honl all such as liavo been made in said 
Lansing Chapter, llwit (his (irand Chapter does recognize thorn as 
liojal Arcli Masons, as though they had beiu niailo in a regular 
chapter; and does reoogni/.o the records sulmiilteil by theui to tliis 
(Jrand Chapter as correct and regular. 

" IUkhUi-iI, That a charter bo granted to Lansing Chapter, No. 9, 
and that llulbert I!. Shank ho the first High Priest, David O. 
MeCluro tho first King, and (Joorgo \V. Harnuni the fir.^it Scribe; 
anil that tho Uoyal Arch iMa.sons cicaltcd, under tho informal dispin- 
satiiin for Lansing Cliapter, bo recognised as menibors of said Lan- 
sing Chapter, No. II, and entilled to all tho privileges of members, 
after signing the by-laws." 

Tlic (Irand Iliij;li Priest, Jerciiiiah Moors, through the 
fir;ui(l f^ecrotary, in formed thcni that before they could 
h'gallv he eon.stituted a chapter it would be ncccs.sary that 
they .^iliould be consecrated and installed, and that if they 
would designate .some worthy Present or Past High Priest, 
he would commi.ssion hiui to perform that duty, but for 
some reason no reply was made to this, con.sequontly they 
were not installed during that year, and no work whatever 
was done during the year 1852, except to allow a few ac- 
counts ; nor was any election of officers had, but imincdi- 
ately after the convocation of tho Grand Chapter in 1S53 
the Grand High Priest issued a dispensation to liold a spe- 
ci:d election, whieli they did on the 22d day of January, 
ISSli, in pursuance to a call m;ide for that purpose, which 
was the first election of officers under the charter, and re- 
sulted as follows: Conip. Hulbert 1). Shank, II. P.; 
Champlin Havens, K. ; F. II. Read, S. ; John W. Long- 
year, C. II. ; George I. Parsons, P. S. ; James A. Bascom, 
R. A. C. ; E. E. Roche, M. 3d V. ; Daniel L. Case, IM. 
2d v.; James W. Holmes, M. 1st V. ; Champlin 
Havens, Treas. ; Charles S. Hunt, Sec., and at the saiue 
time the chapter was duly constituted and officers elected 
and installed by M. K. G. II. I'. Michael Shoemaker, a.s- 
sLsted by 1). G. II. P. E. Piatt, P. G. K., J. C. Wood, 
and P. II. P., James A. Dyer. In addition to the names 
already given as having received the Royal Arch degree 
while under dispensation are tho following, in the order in 
which they were exalted, — viz. : George Willsou, George W. 
Rarnum, F. R. Read, John Sanford, Adolphus W. Wil- 
liams, Charles S. Hunt, William 11. Chapman, James W. 
Holmes, John W. Longyear, J. W. Phelps, Joseph L. 
Huntington, and Peter Lowe. 

From this time on, for several years, everything moved 
along smoothly and satisfiictorily to all ; much good work 
and square work was done, — such work as stood tho test of 
the overseer's square, — but fin;tlly difficulties arose among the 
workmen in consequence of a laxity in the management of 
its finances ; dues and other obligations to the chapter were 
uncollected, and its treasury became depleted; consequently, 
for a time its dues to the Grand Chapter remained unpaid, 
and no annual returns were made to that body as required, 
nor had it any representative there. In short, " it brought up 
no work for inspection," and in the midst of all this eon- 
fusion among the workmen the Grand High Priest, William 
P. Innis, in the early part of 1S()1, after mature delibera- 



tion, and being confident that order could not again be re- 
stored, recalled tho charter, and accordingly took possession 
of all tho effects of the chapter and placed them in the 
hands of Companion George I. Parsons, subject to his order 
or tho order of the Grand Chapter, and thus closed the 
brief history of ten years of old Lansing Chapter, No. 9. 

Capital Cluipfer, No. 9. — Soon after the arrest of the 
charter of Lansing Chapter, No. 9, the foUowingnamed 
companions petitioned to the Grand High Priest to grant 
them a dispensation to organize a new chapter, — viz. : Joseph 
C. Bailey, George W. Peck, Ilulbcrt B. Shank, William 11. 
Chapman, John A. Kerr, Champlin Havens, JIanly Miles, 
Charles S. Hunt, James W. Holmes, Adolphus W. Williams, 
Abram Cottrell, George I. Par.sons, William Woodhouse, 
James A. Bascom, Matthew Eider, Rodney R. Gibson, and 
E. E. Bcebo, all Royal Arch Masons. 

In regard to these proceedings the Grand High Priest, 
in his address to the Grand Chapter at its next annual con- 
vocation, says: "Soon after taking away the charter from 
Lansing Chapter, No. 9, I received an application in due 
form and properly recommended, from certain worthy com- 
panions residing in Lansing and vicinity, praying that a 
dispensation be granted them to open a chapter of Royal 
Arch Jlasons in tlic city of Lansing, to bo known as Capital 
Chapter, and setting Ibrth many good and solid reasons why 
a dispen.sation should be granted them. I took the matter 
under advisement, and feeling confident that a chapter, 
in the right hands, would be of much service to the craft 
in that vicinity, and personally knowing every member who 
signed the application, and having their pledge that they 
would promote the good of the cause, I decided to grant 
tho application." 

Pursuant to this letter of dispensation, the petitioners 
met in Masonic Hall, March 5, .1801, and opened and or- 
ganized a chapter of Royal Arch Masons, known as Capital 
Chapter, U. D., and elected the following officers, — viz. : 
Manly Miles, H. P. ; George W. Peck, K. ; William Wood- 
house, S. ; William II. Chapman, C. H. ; George I. Parsons, 
P. S.; Abram Cottrell, R. A. C. ; Joseph C. Bailey, Jl. 
3d v.; Matthew Elder, M. 2d V.; Hulbert B. Shank, 
M. 1st v.; James W. Holmes, Sec; Rodney R. (Jibson, 
Treas. ; E. E. Becbe, Sentinel. 

The unfinished work of Lansing Chapter, No. 9, seems 
then to have been taken up and completed. 

The first work, March 8, 18G1, was on Randolph Strick- 
land, who was advanced to' the degree of a ftlark Master, 
and the same evening Israel Gillett, Jr., received the degree 
of Most Excellent Master. 

At the annual convocation of the Grand Chapter in 
January, 18t!2, application for a charter was made, which 
was granted and bears d:ite Jan. 9, 18ti2, signed by 
Benjamin Porter, M. E. G. II. P., and J. Eastman John- 
son, Grand Secretary, and names Manly Miles, II. P. ; John 
W. Longyear, K. ; and William Woodhouse, S. ; and, by 
resolution, all tho property of Lansing Chapter, No. 9, was 
given to this chapter, and Capital Chapter made No. 9. 

Jan. 24, 1862, tho chapter was duly instituted, and the 
officers were installed by M. E. G. H. P. Benjamin Porter, 
assisted by Comp. C. A. Weismorc ; and as there is no 
record of an election at that time, we infer that the officers 



dry OV LANSING. 



\:,:i 



elected while und^r dijipcnsation were continucrl tlirou;r)i 
the year 18C2. 

The first petitions for thc']cf;rccH, after the new or^xariiza- 
tion, were from Ira II. Uartlioloniew awJA. W. Nicholit, 
received Jan. ^.0, 18f»2. The Grand IIi;ih Frir;<(t, heinj; 
present, gave pernii.<»ion lo receive and ballot the oame even- 
ing, and both were on that evenin'^ a<Jvanc<.-d to the degree 
of Mark Ma»ter. 

The fir.it work on the Royal Areh dCnTec under the 
charter wa.<t Feb. II, lHli2, on Ira H. Uartholomew, Israel 
Gillett, Jr., and Delos C. Wiley. The first re<:iilar election 
of offieem, an appears from the rccordx, wan Dec. !i3, 18G2, 
and reaultcd a.f follow.s : Georf.^e W. Peck, II. P.; K. K. 
Beebe, K. ; William WrKKlhou-iM;, H. ; William If. Chap- 
man. C. II.; Ge<jr;;c I. Parsons, P. S. ; Jamex A. IJa/icom, 
R. A. ('.; Ira II. B.irtholomew, M. ■id V.; Jo»»;ph C. 
Bailey, M. 2d V. ; J. W. Barker, M. 1st V. ; ii-yJncy II. 
Gibson, Trcai. ; E. II. Whitney, Sec, who were installed 
the same eveninj? by Pa.^t Ilijih Priest Manly Miles. 

Thus ch<fted the first year's labors of this new organiza- 
tion, and that it was then in a prosfitrou.^ and harmonious 
condition Li indicated in the Grand Ili^'h Priest's addrcKS lo 
theGrand Chapter. Jan. 12, 18C3, in which, referring; to this 
chapter, he says: "This chapter, chartered at your last con- 
vocation, sprung from the ruins of Lansing Chapter, which 
fell io con.4e'|ueocc of difficulty among the workmen, and it.s 
effects were given to the new chapter. The difficultir^s which 
formerly distracted the labors of J^ansing Chapter seem lo 
have di.iapptared under this new organization, and their 
work. I tru.ft, will redound to the honor of the Jl/iyal Craft." 

ThU chapter wa.s organized with twenty-one charter 
members, and haa now a membendiip of 122, all in gwK] 
and regular standing, and as a working chapter it will rank 
among the best in the State. 

The following is a list of its High Priests in the order 
of iheir election, and the years in which they served ; 
3Iaoly Miles, 18CM;2; George W. Peck, IHi;?,; E. E. 
T;.rbe, 1864; Ge^^rge I. Par.wis, 186.^; Hulbert B. Shank, 
-67; J. Van Keuren, 1868; Hnlliert B. Shank, 
I; William 11. Chapman, 1870-72; Timothy B. 
Thrift, 1873 ; llulbcrt IJ. Shank, 1874; Gwrge II. Greene, 
1^7.>-80. 

fKYITIC .MA.aO.VItY. 

yptic Masonry is the term aied to designate the Coun- 
cil Degrees of K/jyal and .Select .Ma-itcrs, which are num- 
bered the eighth and ninth of the i'ork Kite of Ancient 
Craft Ma.vjnry. 

These degrees wc-re introduced into Michigan by Cornp. 
E. Smith Lee in the year 1 844, who, t/<gether with several 
companions, worked them under an organization known as 
Monrfje Council, No. 1, of K/iyal and Select .Ma.sters, held 
in the city of Detroit until 1856, when, for reas^m.s sufficient 
to thenuelves, they made application to the T. L Grand 
Master of Connecticut for a di.spen.<ialion, and on the 1 2th 
of Jlay, 18.57, the Grand Council of that State grantwl 
them a charter, and the council became known as Monroe 
Crjiincii, Xo. 23 ; and at the same .vawion charters were 
granted to a number of worthy c/.>mpanion.^ at St. Clair, 
known as St. Clui' CourusU, Xo. 2.1, and one at Ponliac, 
known as I'onl'uic Council, No. 26. 
20 



Pursuant to a will, these three councii.i, by their reprc- 
fntiilivcH, met in the city of Detroit on the i:jih of Jan- 
uary, 1858, in c/jnvcnlion, and proceeded to form and 
organize a Grand Council of Royal and Select .Ma.ilers for 
the State of Michigan, and electwl a full list of grand 
officers, who were duly installed into their respective offic/;« 
by T. 1. Cornp. T. B. Engle, acting as proxy of the T. I. 
Grand ,\Ia.stcr of Connecticut, 

This Grand Council was duly rec/ignized and welc/imed, 
and hinw that time Cryptic Masonry in .Michigan has flour- 
ished and prospered. It has now under its juri.'^diction no 
less than fifty subordinate cjuneils, and a membership of 
2000 in good and regular standing. 

Lamiiifj Council, No. 29. — In the latter part of 1860 
a number of Royal Arch Ma.<t(jns in the city of Lansing 
and vicinity became desirous of f»enetrating int<j the mys- 
teries of Cryptic Mas'^nry, and of organizing a wjuncil of 
Royal and Selec-t Masters here, and, in order to obtain the 
rcrjuisitc number to apply for a ehart*;r, the following nine 
Wjrnpanion.^i — viz.: Ilananiali D. Pugh, Adelbcrt R. Thayer, 
Andrew J. Davis, Alli.ion A. Nichols, George K. Grove, 
James ,\. .Metlin, Benjamin 15. Baker, P. S. Derbyshire, 
and J. W. Barker — p«;titioned for and rec<;ived the degrees 
\>(;c. 20, 1869, in I'ortland Council. No. 2.'{, and then, at 
the annual .session of the Grand Council in January, 1870, 
made application to that bfxly for a charter, which was 
granted, for a council to be known as Lansing Council, No. 
29, and bearing date Jan. 12, 1870, signed by 0. L. 
Spaulding, T. I. G. M., and V. Bourke, Grand S';cretary. 

The first a.sseinbly was held at Masonic Hall, in the third 
story of Van Kcuren's Block, Jan. 24, 1870, at which time 
T. I. G. M. Oliver L. Spaulding was prfisent and presided 
at the opening. The foWoviti';; offic<;rs were elcctcl : An- 
drew J. Davi.s, T. I. M. ; Hulbert R. Shank, D. T. I. M. ; 
Iknj. B. Baker, P. C. of W. ; Jam'rfi Metlin, Tnas. ; Adcl 
bert R. Thayer, Rew^rder; Hananiah D. Pugh, C. G. ; and 
Geo. K. Grove, Steward. 

Companion Spaulding then installcl the officers int/< 
their respective offices, and i>ansing Council, No. 29, be- 
came ttiereby duly organized. 

The first petitions for the degrees were at this meeting 
from Stephen P. Mead, Alfred Bixby, Gcj, W. Cbandlcr, 
Dorman K. Fuller, Bcnj. V. Buck, and William 11. Chap- 
man, ail of whom received the degrees of liityal and Select 
Maiitcr on this same evening. 

The present meml>ership is fifty-nine. 

The following is a li.st of the presiding officers in the 
order of their election and the years in which they s<;rved, 
— viz.: Andrew J. Davis, 1870-74; .Myron B, (JarfjenlJ'.r, 
1875-76; Leiand H, Briggs, 1877-78; Geo, II. Gre/;ne, 
1879; and J>/siah Bruno, Jr., 1880. 

CHtVALKIC MA.^O.'JKY. 
The first organization of Chivalric Mawjnry in the .State 
was Detroit Commandery, No. l,at Detroit, organizial Jan. 
8, 1851, und/rr a warrant from the General Grand Encamp- 
ment of the f This was followed by Nos. 2, 
3, 4. 5, and .ler di^pcn.sation granted by the 
same Ixidy. Ojj m,': i.ru of January, 1857, in the city of 
Detroit, the first .>ite{;s were taken towards the organizition 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of a State Grand Commandcry, and on the 7th of April 
following the same was fully organized, under a warrant 
issued by William B. Hubbard, Grand Master of the Gen- 
eral Grand Encampment of the United States, with a mem- 
bership of but fifty-five. The number Jan. 1, 18G0, had 
increased to 135 ; Jan. 1, 18G5, to 318 ; and Jan. 1, 1869, 
about the time of the organization of'Lansing Commandery, 
No. 25, to 12G7. 

This Grand Commandcry at present holds jurisdiction 
over thirty subordinate commanderics, with a meniber.ship 
of 2509. 

Lansing Cumnuinderi/, A'o. 25. — In the year 1SC8 a num- 
ber of lloyal Arch Masons, being desirous of advancing in 
IMasonry as far as the order of the Temple, together with the 
few Knights Templar then in this jurisdiction, began to dis- 
CU.SS the((uestion of taking steps towards the organization of a 
commandery of Knights Templar at Lansing, and, on de- 
ciding to do so, it was found that they lacked three of the 
requisite number belonging to the order, six being all they 
could muster, — viz. : Alfred Bisby, of Lansing, knighted 
May 26, 18G5, in Detroit Commandery, No. 1 ; Dr. Charles 
H. Darrow and Nelson A. Dunning, of Mason, both 
knighted Sept. 4, 1868, in Corunna Commandcry, No. 
21 ; William W. White, of Williamston, Nov. 21, 1865, 
in De Slolai Commandery, No. 22, of the State of New 
York ; Benjamin F. Davis, of Lansing, June 17, 1867, in 
Columbia Commandery, No. 2, Washington, D. C. ; and 
Benjamin B. Baker, of Lansing, June 30, 18G0, in Jack- 
son Commandery, No. 9. 

In order to obtain the other three, it was agreed that 
William H. Cl;apman, George W. Chandler, and Benjamin 

F. Buck, all of Lansing, should petition for the orders to 
Jack.sou Commandery, No. 9, which they did on the 23d 
of December, 1868, and on the 30th of tliat month, at a 
special conclave of that commandery, received all the orders 
of knighthood. 

These, with the above-named, then immediately peti- 
tioned, with the proper recommendations, to the 11. E. 

G. C, Sir John H. Armstrong, for a dispensation to or- 
ganize a commandery of Knights Templar and confer the 
orders, which he granted on the 25th day of January, 
1869, under the name of Lansing Commandery. Sir Al- 
fred Bixby, E. C. ; Sir William II. Chapman, G. ; Sir 
George W. Chandler, C. G. 

This dispen.sation was made returnable to the Grand 
Commandery at its next annual conclave, to be held in De- 
troit in June following. 

The first conclave was held on the 2Sth of January, 
1869, at JMasonie Hall, with all the above Sir Knights 
present. And in addition to the officers named in the dis- 
pensation the following were appointed: Sir Charles II. Dar- 
row, Prel.; Sir Benjamin F. Davis, Recorder; Sir Benjamin 
F. Buck, Trea.s. ; Sir Benjamin B. Baker, S. W.; Sir Wil- 
liam W. White, J. W. ; Sir Nelson A. Dunning, Warden. 

The first petitions for the orders were received at this 
conclave, being tho.sc of George K. Grove, Stephen F. 
]\Iead, James Johns, and Ira Hawes, ail of Lansing. 

The first work was done at the nest succeeding conclave, 
Feb. 1, 1869, when the order of Knights of the Red Cross 
was conferred on the above-named applicants. Petitions 



were also received at the same time from Edwin H. Whit- 
ney, Ilananiah D. Pugh,Dr. Ilulbert B. Shank, and John 
S. Tooker, all of Lansing, and at the next conclave, Feb- 
ruary 5th, the order of the Red Cross was conferred on these 
petitioners, wiih the exception of Dr. Ilulbert B. Shank, 
who received the same at a subsequent conclave, May 14, 
1869. 

The first work on the order of Knights Templar and 
Knights of JIalta was performed at this conclave, February 
5th, by conferring the orders on George K. Grove, Stephen 
P. Mead, James Johns, Ira Hawes, and Hananiah D. Pugli, j 
and at the same time the following officers were appointed, | 
which completed the list, — viz., George K. Grove, Std.-B. ; 
Stephen P. Mead, Swd.-B. ; and Ira Hawes, Sentinel. The 
recorder was also directed to notify the Sir Knights com- 
posing the commanderics of Jackson, Corunna, Ionia, and 
St. Johns that a dispensation had been granted for a com- 
mandery in Lansing, and that it was then fully organized 
and in working order. 

Between the date of organization and June 1, 1SG9, the 
orders had been conferred on eleven members, which, with 
the original nine, made a membership of twenty at the 
time of applying for the charter, all of whom were from 
among the best citizens and most enterprising business men 
of Lansing and vicinity. Certainly this showed a prosper- 
ous condition of affairs for a commandery not yet five 
months old. 

Application for a charter was made at the thirteenth 
annual conclave of the Grand Commandery, held in Detroit, 
June 1 and 2, 1869, at which time the R. E. G. C, Sir 
John II. Armstrong, in his address, speaking of the pros- 
perous condition of the commanderics throughout the 
jurisdiction, says : "Even Lansing Commandery, No. 25, 
U. D., the infant commandcry of the State, scarce six ' 
months of age, has .struggled out of its swaddling-clothes , 
and invested its vigorous limbs with the full uniform of its * 
adult relatives. Wliat may we not expect of this pre- 
cocious youth ?" 

The application was referred to the committee on charters 
and dispensations, who made the following report, which • 
was adopted : " To the R. E. Grand Commandery, OflBcers, > 
and Sir Knights of the Grand Commandery of Michigan : 
Y'^our committee on charters and dispensations would beg 
leave to report that they have examined the by-laws and 
records of Lansing Commandcry, U. D., and find them 
correct, and recommend that a charter be granted, to be 
known as Lansing Commandery, No. 25." Signed, James 
T. Ilayden, A. T. Metcalf, and J. Cogshalj, Committee. 

The charter bears date of June 2, 1869, and is signed 
by T. H. Flower, R. E. G. C, and 0. Bourke, Grand 
Reccu'der. 

Tiie first conclave, under the charter, was held at Masonic 
Hall, June 11, 1869, when the following oflncers were duly 
elected : Sir Alfred Bixby, E. C. ; Sir William H. Chap- 
man, G. ; Sir George W. Chandler, C. G. ; Sir Charles H. 
Darrow, Prelate ; Sir Benjamin F.Davis, Recorder; Sir 
Benjamin F. Buck, Treasurer; Sir Benjamin B. Baker, 
S. W. ; Sir William W. White, J. W.; Sir James Johns, 
Std.-B. ; Sir Hananiah D. Pugh, Swd.-B. ; Sir Nelson A. 
Dunning, Warden ; and Sir Ira Hawes, Sentinel. 



CIT^ OF LANSING. 



155 



Tlic officers were publicly installed at Mead's Hall, Tues- 
day evening, July 20, 18C9, by P. E. G. C. Jobn H. 
Armstrong, of Hillsdale, on which occasion Sir A. G. Ilib- 
bard, of Detroit, delivered a very interesting and instructive 
address, wliich was duly appreciated by the Sir Knights, 
after which all repaired to the Lansing House and partook 
of a fine banquet. 

From this time on this eoniniandery has had a steady 
growth, until it now numbei-s eighty-two members, among 
whom are many of our most prominent citizens and business 
wen. 

Three times has the angel of death knocked at the door 
of our a.sylum, and taken from our midst our beloved, true, 
and courteous Sir Knights Stephen P. Mead, Sept. 30, 
1870; Jesse X. Parkill, July G, 1871 ; and Benjamin F. 
Buck, Nov. 12, 1873; and in each case their remains 
were escorted to their last resting-place in knightly form. 

The following is a list of its Eminent Commanders from 
its organization, in the order of their service; with the 
years of their election: Sir Alfred Bixby, 18011-75; Sir 
George W. Chandler, 187G ; Sir Timothy B. Thrift, 1877 ; 
Sir George W. Chandler again, in 1878-79; and Sir Charles 
n. Hodskin, 1880. 

INDEPENDENT OKDER OF ODD-FELLO\yS. 

Ci'pitol Lodge, No. 45, was instituted by a dispensation 
issued Jan. 11, 1850, with the following charter members : 
0. A. Jamison, Daniel Munger, D. E. Corbin, Jesse L. 
Fisher, George \. Parsons, E. G. Gregg, and 51. N. Prit- 
chard. It was instituted by District Deputy Grand Master 
Snow, of District No. 4. On the 30th of June, 1850, the 
lodge reported twenty-seven members. 

From 1857 to ISGG the lodge appears to have been in- 
active, and no reports were made, though the charter was 
not surrendered and the organization maintained a quasi 
connection with the order. The lodge was resuscitated and 
eommenced new work on the 4th of September, 1SG6, 
under the direction of Father B. W. Dennis, and from that 
time to the present has been active and in a pro.sperous 
condition. 

In December, 18G6, the report showed thirty-seven 
working members. The last report, June 30, 1880, showed 
a total of ninety members. The lodge rents a hall on 
3Iichigan Avenue, which is finely fitted up and furnished. 

The officers for the last terra of 1880 were as follows: 
Noble Grand, Rev. George B. Stocking; Vice-Grand, 
Daniel Barringer; llec. Sec, George L. Davis; Perm. See., 
A. E. Nugent ; Trcas., Cyrus Hewitt ; District Deputy 
Grand Master, A. E. Nugent. The total receipts of the 
treasurer for 1879 were S477.49, and the total disbur.se- 
ments for all purposes §340.64. Funds on hand, §288.45. 

Friendship Encampment, No. 33, of Lansing, was insti- 
tuted Sept. 21, 18G9, by John N. Ingersoll, with seven 
patriarchs. In December, 1879, the report showed thirty- 
four members. The officers for 1880 are : Chief Patriarch, 
0. P. Frary ; High Priest, D. Barringer; Senior Warden, 
11. Mott; Junior Warden, A. E. Nugent; Scribe, James 
Twaits ; Treas., J. W. Edmonds. 

Protection Lodye, No. 321, of North Lansing, was in- 
stituted on the 21st of November, 1878, with fourteen 



charter members. On the 30th of June, 1880, the lodge 
reported forty-two members. It is in a pro.sperous condi- 
tion, and doing active work. 

The officers for the last terra of 1880 were, Noble Grand, 
0. P. Frary ; Vice-Grand, James Twaits ; Sec, T. W. 
Greene ; Treas., James Downer ; District Deputy Grand 
Master, L. B. Huntoon. Ileceipts for the last six months 
of 1879, S229.35. 

Odd-Felloici Jns/ilitle — In connection with this brief 
account of Odd-Fellowship in Lansing, it is proper to state 
that about 1871 the order purchased the property of the 
Michigan Female College, or rather received it as a dona- 
tion from members and friends in the city, and subsequently 
expended about §30,000 in enlarging the buildings and 
in other ways. The design was to establish an educational 
institute and asylum for the benefit of orphans and other 
proper objects of charity in connection with the order. 
For some reason the project did not meet with that generous 
encouragement expected from the order throughout the 
State, and the enterprise was finally given up. The prop- 
erty is now rented to the State to be u.«cd as an institu- 
tion for the blind, who have recently been transferred from 
the asylum at Flint. 

INDErKNDENT OKDER OF GOOD TEMPLAR.S.S' 

The records of this order in Lansing and the surrounding 
region are imperfect, and we have not been able to procure 
as satisfactory an article as we had wished. The first lodge 
of Good Templars in Lansing was organized by F. N. 
Newman, April 14, 18GG, and continued until the winter 
of 1870, when it suspended. The second lodge was or- 
ganized Sept. 8, 1871, by Kev. John Ilus.sell, with four- 
teen charter members, and was in active existence for about 
three years. 

Capital Lodge was organized Dec. 11, 187G, by Charles 
P. llussell, with twenty-three charter members. AVarren 
Hopkins was the first W. C. T., and the lodge has now 
seventy members; W. M. Clark, W. C. T. ; II. J. A^inder- 
hoof, L. D. 

On the 12th of March, 1878, North Lansing laodge 
was organized by Charles P. llussell, with Mrs. Esther 
Christopher as W. C. T., but it continued only about 
eighteen months. 

On the 10th of February, 1880, Grand River Lodge 
was organized by P. C. Leavenworth, Jr., with Wallace 
Hilbert as W. C. T. It is active and doing a good work. 

There are at the present writing, October, 1880, six sub- 
ordinate lodges in Ingham County, and a district lodge 
which meets quarterly. 

ORDER OF THE STARS AND STRIPES.f 

This organization is of a semi-military character, only 
honorably-di.sebarged soldiers of the Union army and their 
sons being eligible to membership. 

The order was originally organized in New York City in 
the fidl of 18G8, as a political body, in the interest of the 



* From iDformntion furnisbcd by Ifudson K. Nelson. 
t From informatiiin furnislicj by Cbarlcs D. Cowlos, Ejq., and Dr. 
R. W. Ncljon. 



156 



HISTOKY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



election of General Grant to the Presidency. The political 
character has been since virtually given up, at least the 
partisan portion of It. 

Its objects may be briefly slated : tlicy are, to keep alive 
the memory of those principles for which the Union army 
fousht and so many died, to render mutual benefit and aid 
to those in distress whenever opporlunity presents, and to 
care for sick and dying comrades, and their widows and 
orphans. 

Lansing Council, No. 7G, was organized March 1, 1875, 
with twenty-two charter members and the following offi- 
cers: President, Gen. Ilalph Ely; Senior Vice-President, 
Alexander Cameron ; Junior Vice-President, AVilliam II. 
Marston ; Secretary, B. S. Ilotaling; Treasurer, E. R. 
Osband. 

Since its organization, and largely through the influence 
and assistance of the " Ladies' Monument A.'^sociation of 
Lansing," of wiiich Jlrs. Harriet A. Tenney, State Libra- 
rian, was for a time president, the council has secured a 
plot of ground in section C, Mount Hope Cemetery, and 
erected thereon a finely-designed and elegant monument of 
light-colored sandstone to the memory of fallen comrades, 
several of whom are there interred. 

The order embraces in Lansing a most respectable mem- 
bership, and counts among its supporters many prominent 
men of various callings. 

Tliere are also councils established at JIason and Leslie, 
in Ingham County, and all an believed to be in a prosper- 
ous condition. 

L.^XSING LIBRARY AND LITERARY ASSOCIATION. 

This association was organized April 21, 1871, at which 
time articles of association were adopted and ofiieers chosen. 

It was incorporated for thirty years for " literary and 
.scientific purposes." The original act under which it was 
incorporated was approved March 21, 18G5; but the act 
has been since amended in some particulars. 

The object of the association, as stated in the third article 
of the con.stitution, is " to establish and maintain a library 
for the benefit of the members thereof." The original capital 
stock was §1000, in shares of five dollars each, which can 
be increased to §10,000 if necessary. 

Since the date of organization the society has accumu- 
lated a well-selected library of 2000 volumes. The society 
has as yet no building of its own, but rents commodious 
rooms in the McClure Block, which are comfortably and 
tastefully fitted up. The regular meetings of the association 
are held monthly by the board of directors in the library 
rooms. 

The original ofiieers of the association were: Mrs. H. L. 
Gazley, President; W. S. George, Vice-President; Mrs. D. 
F. Woodcock, Recording Secretary; Mrs. S. E. Dart, Cor- 
responding Secretary ; II. D. Bartholomew, Treasurer ; 
]\Irs. E. H. Porter, Librarian ; jMrs. II. A. Tenney, Miss 
Carrie Howard, Mrs. J. A. Cro.ssuian, George F. Strong, 
F. W. Sparrow. 

J^secutive Committee: II. D. Bartholomew, Chairman; 
W. S. George, Mrs. J. A. Grossman, Mrs. S. E. Dart, and 
Mrs. E. H. Porter. 

Book Committee: E. R. ^Merrificld, Chairman; AV. S. 



George, Mi.ss Carrie Howard, Miss Delia Rogers, Mrs. H. 
A. Tenney. 

The present oflScers are : Mrs. 0. M. Barnes, President ; 
W. B. Carpenter, Vice-President ; Sirs. Charles Campbell, 
Secretary; D. F. Woodcock, Treasurer. 

The board of directors consists of the above ofiieers, 
with Mrs. 0. M. Barnes as president, Jlrs. L. S. Jenison, 
Mrs. E. II. Merrifield, Mrs. Abram Allen, Mrs. S. L. 
Smith, Miss Delia Rogers, and Mrs. Frank Mead. 

THE LANSING WOMEN'S CLUB. 

This association, though not directly connected with the 
foregoing, is yet a legitimate outgrowth of it. It was 
organized in March, 1874. The object of the a.«sociation 
is stated in the preamble to the constitution as follows: 

" W^e, the undersigned — feeling that home and society 
demand of the women of today the broadest and fullest cul- 
ture, and being well assured that our usefulness and enjoy- 
ment will be increased by such culture, believing, also, that 
the interchange of thought and a unity of purpose will 
stimulate our mental growth — do hereby unite ourselves as 
a Wome.n's Club, for the sole purpose of study and mental 
improvement." 

The club meets on Friday of every week, at two p.m., in 
the library-rooms of the literary association, excepting 
eight weeks during the heated term. Very many of the 
prominent ladi,es of the city are connected with it, and the 
discus.sions and readings take a wide range, and are exceed- 
ingly interesting and instructive. 

Among the historical studies of the club we find the fol- 
lowing, taken from one of its circulars: Europe at the Fall 
of the Roman Empire ; The Feudal System ; Chivalry ; The 
Saracens in Europe ; The Moors in Spain ; Charlemagne ; 
The Temporal Power of the Pope ; Commerce and Agricul- 
ture during the Middle Ages; History of Venice; The 
Jews in Europe ; Palestine in the Eleventh Century ; The 
Crusades ; Invention of Printing ; Arabic Learning ; Lives 
and Works of the Great Poets and Artists, etc. In the 
list of miscellaneous topics for discussion are : The Napo- 
leons ; Life and Works of Hawthorne ; Life and Works of 
Emerson ; Webster and Calhoun ; Gibbon ; Modern Chiv- 
alry ; Wives of Great Men ; Divorce Laws ; The Successful 
Woman and the Successful Man compared; The Historical 
Importance of Mexico; Arnold's "Light of Asia;" Buddh- 
ism; Russia and Nihilism; Dress and Health; History 
of the Steam-Engine ; True and False Economy ; Works 
and Life of George Eliot; The Jlichigan School System. 

The.se studies indicate a wide departure from the ordi- 
nary life of woman and give a hopeful earnest of better 
things for her in the future. They also show that intelleet- 
ually the women of the present day are becoming more in- 
terested in those subjects which have heretofore been prin- 
cipally monopolized by the sterner sex. Such organizations 
are beyond a doubt of great utility, and the tendency in 
the direction indicated is greatly on the increase. 

The first ofiieers of the club were: Mrs. Harriet A. 
Tenney, President ; Mrs. T. S. Westcott, Secretary. The 
present ofiieers are : Mrs. M. Howard, Presideut ; 3Irs. 
A\'arrcn, Treasurer ; Mrs. Latimer, Recording Secretary ; 
31 rs. S. L. Smith, Corresponding Secretary. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



157 



GRAND RIVER BOAT CLUB. 

This institution was organized on the 25th of June, 
1872, and filed articles of association July 19, 1872. Tlie 
original members were Benjamin H. Berry, William A. 
Barnard, L. C. Butler, E. C. Cliapin, M. J. Buck, W. C. 
Ten Kyck, C. 1). Kin-sley, H. T. Carpenter, J. T. Pa-c, 
L. S. Hudson, T. W. Westcott, S. S. Olds, A. J. Ketchum, 
B. J. Shank. The first officers were : B. II. Berry, Presi- 
dent ; William A. Barnard, Vice-President; L. C. Butler, 
Secretary and Treasurer; E. C. Chapin, Coxswain; T. W. 
Westcott, First Assistant; L. S. Hudson, Second Assistant; 
Board of Directors, Messrs. Hudson, Kctehum, and West- 
cott. 

An eiiiht-oarcd barge and a fcjur-oared shell were first 
purchased of the "Neptune'' Club, of East Saginaw. The 
barge was christened the" William A. Barnard." In 1874 
the club purchased a six-oared shell of the " Undines," of 
Toledo. 

Their first race was at Grand Haven, Aug. 12 and 13, 

1874, when they fairly won the first prize, but lost it by a 
peculiar decision of the judges. On the 4th of July, 1875, 
they won a race over the home-course at Lansing, against 
the " Goguacs," of Battle Creek. On the 6th of July, 

1875, the club joined the Northwestern Amateur Rowing 
Association, and took part in the Toledo regatta, Aug. 5, 
1875. 

At Grand Haven they rowed two miles in 14.05 ; at 
Lansing, against the "Goguacs," two miles in 14.08; and 
at Toledo, against a heavy current and floating drift-wood, 
in 14.54i. The one and a h.ilf 'miles at Detroit was rowed 
in 11.27. 

At Detroit on the 4th of July, 1S7G, the club competed 
for and won the prize for ten-oared barges against eight 
competing clubs from various parts of the country. In 
August, 1877, they entered in a race of the National Ama- 
teur Bowing Association, but owing to want of practice 
and a change in their barge failed to win. Since 1877 the 
club has not been in active practice. It is found very diffi- 
cult to keep up a crew of ten oars in a place the size of 
Lansing. A crew of four would be more easily supported, 
and the club may yet be reorganized with a four-oared 
shell. They made a remarkably good record during the 
continuance of the organization. 

KXIGIITS TE.MPLAR BAXD.* 

This noted and accomplished organization, in which the 
citizens of Lansing and the central counties of Michigan 
take a commendable pride, has been the outgrowth of the 
last fifteen years. 

The first band organized in Lansing was the old Lansing 
Cornet Band, whidi took form in July or August, 18G5, 
and was composed of about fifteen young men of North 
Lansing, prominent among whom were Charles Williams 
(since deceased), Henry Norton, and J. I. Christopher. 
But the solid ground of permanency had not yet been 
reached, and the organization held together for only a few 
months. The teacher of this organization was Mr. Cyrus 

* From information furnished b> J. I. Christ(>|ilicr and William 
:^I. Drcsskell. 



Alsdorf, of Lansing, and the instruments were mostly a 
picked-up set. The leader of the first band was J. I. 
Christopher. 

A second attempt to effect an enduring organization was 
made in 1867, and about the same number as composed 
the first joined the second, many of ihera having been 
members of the first. This organization also had a pre- 
carious existence for a year or more. Joseph Bobbins, of 
Owosso, was engaged as teacher, and Mr. G. W. Christo- 
pher acted as leader. About 1868 the band was reorgan- 
ized, a new set of German silver instruments, manufactured 
by Hall it Quinby, of Boston, was purchased, and the 
prospects of the organization began to brighten. The first 
playing with the new instruments was at the laying of the 
cornerstone of the Odd- Fellows' Institute in Lansing. 
About 1870 the band accompanied the Knights Templa 
to the fair at Grand Rapids, where they attracted much 
attention. In October, 1872, they played at the laying of 
the corner-stone of the new State Capitol. They first ap- 
peared in uniform about 1870. About 1872 the number 
of active members began to increase, and in the fall of that 
year there were eighteen. The old name was changed to 
" Knights Templar Band ' about 1874. Among the early 
teachers were Prof. J. Henry Gardner, of Flint, in 1871, 
and Charles A. Jones, in 1875. 

In 1877, Prof. William M. Drcsskell, an accomplished 
musician and excellent teacher, was engaged for a period 
of three years to lead and conduct, and he has continued 
to fill the position to the present time. Mr. G. W. Chris- 
topher, the previous leader, being engaged in business, and 
unable to devote the necessary time, resigned the position, 
though he has continued an active member of the band. 
The membership had increased in 1879 to twenty-five 
pieces, and in 1880 there were about thirty-two members 
of the organization, some twenty-five of whom are residents 
of Lansing. 

A State band tournament was inaugurated in 1877 at 
Port Huron by Prof. Olilenhouse, and the Knights Templar 
Band was among the fifteen which competed at that time. 
The competition was open to the bands of Michigan and 
Canada. The Lansing band competed with seventeen 
pieces against the Strathroy (Canadian) Band of twenty-five 
pieces. 

The second tournament was held at Lansing in 1878, 
when seventeen bands assembled to compete for prizes, the 
home band being barred by the rules from the contest. 
Gardner's Flint City Band took first prize. In 1879 the 
tournament was again held at Port Huron, where the fol- 
lowing prizes were awarded the Knights Templar Band : 
The grand prize, open to the United States and Canada, 
§250; the State prize, open to the State of Jliehigan, 
§150 ; special prize for marching and appearance, §25 ; the 
Distin banner, valued at §75, won in the solo contest by 
G. W. Christopher as second prize, and a fine cornet, won 
in the solo cornet contest by William M. Drcsskell. 

The fourth annual tournament was held at the city of 
Flint in June, 1880. There were three competing bands 
in the first cla.ss, — the Flint City Band being debarred, — 
and again the Knights' Templar Band won a decided victory, 
their score showing nearly a third more points than any 



158 



HISTORY OP INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



otlicr, and they were awarded the following prizes: $150 
in £;old, and the leader, Professor Drcsskell, taking the second 
]irize in the cornet contest, a very fine cornet, valued at 
$100. 

In 1S75 the band visited Chicago, and again in August, 
1880, accompanied the Knights Templar Commandery of 
Lan-siug to the famous triennial conclave in that city, where 
they met many of the finest organizations in the country, 
including the Marine Band, of Washington, D. C. Their 
fine playing and general appearance drew forth high enco- 
miums from the Chicago papers and many professional 
musicians. 

They also attended the Centennial at Philadelphia in 
1876, and passed a few days in New Y'ork City on their 
way home. At different times the organization has also 
visited Detroit, Toledo, Milwaukee, Grand Rapids, Mack- 
inac, and other noted places, always eliciting admiration 
and complimentary notices from the press and public. 

Under the leadership of Professor Dresskell, the Knights 
Templar Band has made rapid progress and won high dis- 
tinction ; but tliough standing confessedly at the head of 
similar organizations in Michigan, the members keep up a 
spirit of emulation, believing in still higher attainments, 
and conscious that their continued success depends upon 
unabated vigilance and indomitable perseverance. 

Under the impulse of the State Tournament Association 
there has been developed a wonderful musical taste and a 
progress in the mastery of difficult and rare composition 
that have already made the Peninsular State renowned 
throughout the country; and the effect cannot but be 
beneficial to a still more marked degree in tlie future. 

The State BandLeader Association was organized in 
1878, and is made up of the leaders of bands within the 
State of Michigan. 

The ofiicers are: President, Professor William M. Dress- 
kell ; Secretary, J. F. 0. Smith ; Treasurer, Professor J. 
Henry Gardner. Its aims are to encourage the formation 
of bands and the cultivation of instrumental music. 

The following shows the present instrumentation of the 
band: William M. Dresskell, leader, solo cornet; G. A. M. 
Storer, solo clarionet ; Frank Taylor, solo cornet ; K. Boyce, 
solo cornet ; George Lauzun, solo alto ; G. W. Christopher, 
solo baritone; James Richmond, solo euphonium; John 
Cowan, piccolo; Joseph Bailey, clarionet; I. Hoppin, clari- 
onet ; J. I. Christopher, clarionet ; Charles Ilolbrook, clari- 
onet ; S. Foster, E flat cornet ; C. H. Norton, first B flat 
cornet ; C. H. Astell, second B flat cornet ; Will H. Car- 
penter, third B flat cornet; Ed Atkinson, first alto; C. D. 
Percy, second alto ; C. Bergman, first horn ; L. M. Curry, 
second horn ; B. P. Christopher, first trombone; F. Robson, 
second trombone ; William Armes, second tenor ; Edward 
Keyes, tuba; A. M. Robson, tuba; Will S. Wright, E. 
Spencer, J. Dodge, E. Dillingham, battery; N. J. Roe, 
sergeant; John. Angell, porter. 

The officers of the band are. President, N. J. Roe ; Vice- 
President, Henry Norton; Treasurer, William M. Dresskell; 
Secretary, J. I. Christopher; Leader, William M. Dresskell; 
Second Leader, G. W. Christopher. The officers constitute 
an executive committee. 

A marked feature of this band is the number and beau- 



tiful harmony of the clarionets employed. A half dozen 
or more of the members are competent teachers, and the 
esprit de corps is excellent. The uniform is blue, trimmed 
in red and gold. 

New instruments of silver plate, costing 81035, were pur- 
chased in 187i), and in 1879 and 1880 about $300 were 
expended in uniforms. The instruments were manufiic- 
tured at Elkhart, Ind., by Conn & Dupont, — a firm which 
has built up a very extensive trade within a few years. 

LANSING BUSINESS COLLEGE.* 

This institution was originally established, in the spring 
of 1807 by Professor H. P. Bartlett, of Lansing. The 
school was first opened in the " Benton House," now the 
Everett House, and continued there until the fall of 1868, 
when it was removed to rooms in the third story of Bailey's 
Block, corner of Washington and Michigan Avenues, as a 
more central and convenient situation. It remained in this 
location until the fall of 1874, when it was removed to the 
third story of the Ingersoll Block, on Washington Avenue, 
and there continued until the summer of 1880, when rooms 
were obtained in the north part of the first floor of the old 
Capitol building, and the school was removed thither. 

The institution has grown from small beginnings to a. 
po.sition of rank and standing, and enjoys an excellent repu- 
tation among institutions of its class. The average attend- 
ance during the past ten years has been about eighty pupils. 

The principal branches of study embraced in the curric- 
ulum are grammar, penmanship, book-keeping, arithmetic, 
algebra, geometry, and commercial law, supplemented by- 
such additional English studies as may be necessary. 

The school is open throughout the year, with the ex- 
ception of a vacation of about two months during the 
heated term, and students may enter at any time. Pro- 
fessor Bartlett has generally performed the greater portion 
of the labor in the instructors' department, though he has 
at times employed an assistant. Students have been largely 
from the surrounding country, though a considerable num- 
ber have come from adjacent States, and a few from as far 
away as the State of New York. 

Life scholarships are forty dollars for gentlemen and 
thirty dollars for ladies. For the theoretical course of 
three months the charges are twenty dollars ; for the ele- 
mentary course, thi'ce months, fifteen dollars. The school 
is now in a very flourishing condition, with good prospects 
for the future. The rooms in the old Capitol are conve- 
niently and comfortably fitted up, and ample accommoda- 
tions arranged for 100 students. 

OPERA-HOUSE. 

The Lansing Opera-House, located on the southwest 
corner of Washington Avenue and Ionia Street, was erected 
by Messrs. Buck, Cowles & Elliott in the fall and winter of 
1872. It was completed and opened to the public March 
1, 1873. The building is of light-colored brick, with arti- 
ficial stone trimmings, one hundred by sixty-six feet in di- 
mensions, and four stories in height, including a lofty Man- 
sard story. It is divided into three business stores on the 

« Fioui Jata furnislica by Profcs.?oi- II. V. Bartlett. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



159 



ground floor, and the upper stories are occupied by the 
opera-house proper, whicli is conveniently fitted up, with 
scats for lOtiO persons. The building as a whole presents 
a very imposing appearance and is among the most promi- 
nent in the city. The property is now owned by Daniel 
W. Buck. 

NEW.'^PAl'Elt.S. 

THE L.VNSIXO KEPUISLICAN. 

This paper was first issued as a seven-column folio, 
weekly, on the 28th of April, 1855, by Henry Barns, of 
Detroit, who was prominently connected with the Tribune 
of that city. Tiie original subscription-price was one dollar 
per year. 

The Republican party had come into power in Michigan 
in the beginning of that year, and the necessit}' of a party 
organ, firmly cstabli.shed at the State capital, was strongly 
felt. With the first issue the desire was expressed to ex- 
change with all the papers of the State, and tliis idea has 
been virtually carried out to the present time. Its. ex- 
change-list is the largest of any paper in the State. 

The only business advertisements appearing in the first 
issue were those of C. C. Darling, proprietor of the Co- 
lumbus House, and S. II. Greene, furniture-dealer. 

Mr. Barns published only two numbers of the paper, 
when it pa.ssed into the hands of Kufus Ilosmer and George 
A. Fitch, the former assuming editorial control, and the 
latter becoming proprietor. At the time it was established 
!Mr. Barns had expected to obtain the State printing, but, 
this being awarded Messrs. Fitch & Ilosmer, be withdrew 
from the concern. The office has had the contracts for the 
State printing and binding since that date. 

With the i.ssue of the fifth number the name of Ilerman 
E. Hascall appeared as publisher, and this position he held 
until Aug. 4, 1857. The publishers succeeding him have 
been Ilosmer & Kerr, John A. Kerr & Co., Bingham, Kerr 
& Co., Bingham George & Co., and W. S. George & Co., 
the present firm. 

Mr. Filch retired Aug. 1 1, 1S57, and was succeeded by 
John A. Kerr. Mr. IIo.smer died on the 20th of April, 
1861, and was succeeded as a silent partner by George 
Jerome, of Detroit. Mr. Kerr died July 30, 1868, and 
was succeeded by W. S. George, on the first of January, 
1869. Stephen D. Bingham was a partner fur one year 
from May 1, 18G8, to May 1, 1869. 

De Witt C. Leach, formerly of Genesee Co., Mich., was 
appointed State librarian by Governor Bingham early in 
1855, when he came to Lansing, and entered upon his 
duties. He was also private secretary to the Governor, and 
had been corresponding editor of a paper in Detroit. He 
became the real editor from the issue of the eighth number, 
June 19, 1855, and continued until his nomination for 
Congress in 1856, when his name was withdrawn during 
the canvass. After the election he again assumed the 
editorial chair, and so continued until called to Washington 
in December, 1856. Mr. Hosmer's name was continued as 
editor for some time, though he had very little to do with 
the paper during Mr.' Leach's connection with it. After 
Mr. Leach's term of service in Congress (four years) ex- 
pired, he removed to Traverse City, where he purchased 
the Grand Traverse Ilerald, and was its editor and pro- 



prietor until about 1875, when he sold and removed to 
Springfield, Mo., where he is now publishing the Patriot 
Advertiser. 

Upon the retirement of I^Ir. Leach, Jlr. Bingham be- 
came the responsible editor of the Rcpnhiican in the fall of 
1856, and continued for some months, when Mr. C. B. 
Stcbbins, tlic Governor's private secretary, succeeded, and 
filled the position of editor until the return of Mr. Ilosmer 
from Detroit, about 1858, when the latter again assumed 
control, and continued in that capacity until his death, in 
1861. 

Mr. Hosmer was formerly a lawyer at Fontiae. In his 
early j'cars he was a small man, but in his latter daj's be- 
came very corpulent and weighed about 300 pounds. He 
was an able political and literary writer, and noted far and 
near as one of the best story-tellers in Michigan. 

After the death of Sir. Hosmer the paper was edited by 
Capt. Isaac M. Cravatb, who was afterwards State senator 
from this district. In the fall of 1861, Capt. Cravath raised 
a company of volunteers for the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, 
and Mr. Bingham again became editor, and continued in 
charge until some time in 1862, when George I. Parsons 
succeeded and continued for about a year. He was suc- 
ceeded by Theodore Foster, superintendent of the State 
Reform School, who discharged the duties of editor in an 
able manner until his death, in 1865. Following him came 
S. D. Birgham, I'or a third time, who filled the position 
until Jlay, 1868, assisted by N. B. Jones and George 
P. Sanford as local editors. Mr. Bingham had political 
charge of the paper until Sept. 1, 1873, when he finally 
retired. 

On the 30th :May, 1866, the form of the HepuhUcan 
was changed to eight pages, with six colutnns to the page, 
but, this not proving satisfactory, the folio form was again 
resumed on the 4lh of May, 1869, with seven columns to the 
page. This was increased to eight columns on the 20th of 
July, 1874. 

On the 5th of January, 1875, a seven-column folio semi- 
weekly edition was commenced and continued until Jan- 
uary, 1880, when it was changed to a tri-weekl^' issue, 
which is still continued. The weekly has been kept up 
during all these years, with the exception of an interim from 
January to November, 1875, during which the publication 
of the weekly edition was suspended. The weekly contains 
no advertising, and enjoys a large country circulation, also 
among business men, lawyers, and politicians throughout 
the State. 

Sanford Howard, secretary of the State Board of Agri- 
culture, was agricultural editor for nearly three years, and 
his position was ably fiiled by his wife for some lime after 
his death. 

The liepuhlican has been a gradual growth with the 
increase of population and business in Lansing, and the 
development of the vast and varied interests of Michigan. 
It has come to be a recognized exponent of the welfare of 
the people and the principles of the Republican party. 
From a weekly, with hardly a single local item, and not 
above two hours' editorial work on each issue, it has grown 
into a tri-weekly, with several columns of interesting local 
news, and it employs the full time of three persons in the 



KjO 



niSTOKY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



editorial department, besides the attention given to it by 
the chief editor, who has been State printer since Jan. 1, 
1868. No paper in Michigan is more frequently quoted, 
and none is more rarely caught in mistakes of fact. The 
rule of the chief editor is to go to the fountain-head, in all 
cases where it can be reached, for information, and to make 
no statement without good evidence of its truth, and to per- 
sist in no statement after a njistake is shown. The chief 
editor, W. S. George, has had more than forty years' expe- 
rience in printing-offices, and published a successful news- 
paper nearly twenty-five years ago iu the East. His prin- 
cipal assistant, James \V. King, has developed fiue talents 
for newspaper-work of every kind, and is an accomplished 
short-hand writer. He was a soldier in the Army of the 
Cumberland, and one of the first men, if not the first, to 
mount Mission Ilidge, where he received a severe wound. 
He also received a severe wound at Atlanta in 180-1. The 
local editor, William M. Clark, published a successful news- 
paper in Iowa before the war. He is a practical printer 
and proofreader, and an accurate, painstaking reporter. 
Not a statement of his in the Repuhlican has ever been 
successfully controverted, and, as is the case with all re- 
porters, the news which he does not tell would be very 
much more interesting than what he does, — iu other words, 
his discretion is good. 

Newspapers have come and gone in Lansing, and new 
ones have been threatened. The field has been prospected 
for a daily, yet no one has the courage or money to under- 
take it at present. When there is a decent chance of sup- 
port for a daily, the Riqmhlican will put one in the field. 

THE LANSING .JOUllNAL. 

This paper is a weekly eight-column folio, twenty- 
eight by forty inches. Democratic iu politics, publisjied 
every Thursday by George P. Sanford, who is editor and 
proprietor. It is the lineal descendant of the Free Press, 
the first paper published at the State capital, by Messrs. 
Bagg & Harmon, the first i.ssue having been on the 11th 
o,f January, 1848, during the first session of the Legisla- 
ture in Lansing. 

A few months subsequently the name was changed to 
the JUichiffaa Stale Journal, which was published until 
about 1802, when it was suspended. During this period 
of fourteen years a number of prominent gentlemen were 
connected with the paper, foremost among whom were 
George W. Peek, a brilliant orator, writer, and representa- 
tive in Congress; J. P. Thompson, recently deceased; 
Joseph M. Griswold, Hon. W. II. Chapman, Hon. Samuel 
L. Kilbourne, and James B. Ten Eyek. 

On the 6th of June, 1866, John W. Higgs re-estab- 
lished the paper as tlie Lansing Stale Democrat, and pub- 
lished it until July 12, 1872, when he sold the property to 
Hon. W. H. Haze and George P. Sanford, who changed 
the name back to the Lansing Journal. 

On the 1st of January, 1873, George P. Sanford became 
sole proprietor, and has owned, edited, and published the 
paper since. The Journal has a large circulation, and the best 
advertising patronage of any paper published in Central 
Michigan. Under Col. Sanford's administration the paper 
has been managed with ability, and has won that success 



which its merits deserve and which few provincial papers 
attain. 

George P. Sanford was born iu Byron, Genesee 
Co., N. Y., July 6, 1835, and raised upon a farm, his 
father having emigrated to Michigan in 1837. He read 
law, — though he has never engaged in practice, — and grad- 
uated at the State Normal School, at Ypsilanti, in 1856. 
In 1856-57 he taught the Lansing High School, and 
graduated at the State University, at Ann Arbor, in 
1861. 

In the beginning of the war of the Rebellion he raised 
Company C of the First Michigan Infantry, and entered 
the service as captain, serving with distinction. Subse- 
quently he resigned on account of impaired health, but 
after an absence from the army of about one year again 
entered it with the rank of major, and served on staff duty 
until July, 1866, when he was discharged. During his 
second term of service he was promoted colonel for good 
conduct and efficiency. 

His residence has been in Lansing since he left the ser- 
vice, where he has been prominent as a citizen and politician, 
filling several offices in the gift of the people, and serving 
for six years as a member of the Democratic State Central 
Committee. He was a member of the Legislature in 1868, 
and in 1869 was a candidate for regent of the university 
on the Fusion ticket. He has also been prominently before 
the people as a candidate for gubernatorial honors, and 
received a very complimentary vote in the State convention 
held Aug. 12, 188U. His candidacy brought out many 
flattering notices from his coadjutors of the Democratic 
press throughout the State. 

THE PRIMITIVE EXPOUNDER. 

This paper was originally established at Ann Arbor, 
Mich., in 1844, by Billings & Thornton. It was a small 
quarto in form, with two columns to the page, and issued 
semi-monthly. As its name indicates, it was a religious 
paper, and devoted to the interests of the Universalist de- 
nomination of Christians. The second volume was pub- 
lished at " Alphadelphia"* to which place it had been 
removed by the publishers. The office did not continue long 
at this place, being removed to Jackson, Mich., some time 
iu 1845. 

In 1840, J. II. Sanford, now of Berlin, Ottawa Co., 
Mich., to whom we are indebted for the information here 
given, purchased the interest of Mr. Billings, when the 
paper was removed to Ann Arbor and published by Thorn- 
ton & Sanford. In 1848, Mr. Sanford became sole pro- 
prietor, and in the same year removed the office to Lansing, 
Mich. 

The first issue of the paper in Lansing was on the 1st 
of January, 1849. With the commencement of Volume 
VI. at Lansing the paper was issued weekly in quarto form, 
and continued until 1852, when it was merged in the Slur 
in the West, then published in Chicago, we believe. Mr. 
Sanford continued in the editorial department for one year 
after this change, when he severed his connection. 

-■ Alphadeliihia was a communistic village, founded about tlio 1st 
of January, 1S4-4, in the town of Comstock, Kalamazoo Co., Micb. 



CITV OF LANSINc;. 



it;i 



THE LANSING SENTINKL. 

A job office wxs estalili.slied at Norlli Lansing about 1871 
by Eugene Tlioiupscin, and in connection he also pubiislied 
a woelcly paper, called the Laiisiny Herald, for several 
luoutlis. Subsec|iieiitly he devoted liiniself exclusively to 
the j)rintinp; of druggists' labels and ordinary job-work. 
In tlie label line he built up f(uite an extensive businit.-, 
and continued it wiih success until tiie licavy rivalry of 
large houses in Chicago, Detroit, and other cities made it 
unprofitable. Mr. L. S. I'addock was in the employ of 
Tiionipson as a solicitor, and when the latter decided to 
close up iiis business Mr. Paddock persuaded Mr. 11. 11. 
Nelson to take it up, and lie and Paddock entered into 
partnership, in the fall of 1876, in the publication of a small 
weelily paper called the Young Citizen, the first number of 
wliich was issued on the 23d of March, 1877. They also 
carried on the job business. Mr. Thompson also continued 
the job department of his business lor a number of months 
alter bis sale to Nelson & Paddock. 

The firm issued the Young Citizen for about nine or ten 
inonlhs, when Mr. Nelson was taken sick, and during his 
illness the partnership became dissolved. Mr. Paddock is 
now connected with a prominent printing-liouse in Detroit. 
Upon his recovery Mr. Nelson leased the office to Mr. II. 
E. Ilobbs, and at the end of about six months the latter 
purchased the properly. 

Mr. IIoLbs continued the jobbing department until Nov. 
1, 1879, when he sold a half-interest to J. iM. Potter. 
On the 8th of November, 1879, the first number of the 
Jjitnsing Sentinel was issued, and (he paper is still continued. 
On the 5lh of July, 1880, Mr. Ilubbs disposed of his re- 
maining interest to Mr. Potter, who is the present editor 
and publisher. The paper is devoted to the interests of 
the working cla.sses, and is the special organ of that branch 
of the American political family familiarly known as the 
" Greenback Party." Mr. Potter has about S2U00 in- 
vested, and carries on a general printing business. 

The Sentinel is published weekly, and has a circulation 
of about 2000. 

The office was originally located in the Case Block. 
Subsequently it was moved to its present location, in Chris- 
topher's Block, where it was burned out in the spring of 
1879. During the rebuilding of the premises it was tem- 
porarily removed to rooms in Hart's Block. 

A CURIOUS AND KAKK COLLKCTION'. 

Among the notable things worthy of special niention in 
the city of Lansing is the wonderful and unir|ue collection 
of prehistoric and Indian relics and curiosities accuma- 
lated during a period of twenty-seven years by O. A. Jen- 
ison, Esq., the well-known and indefatigable antiquarian 
and arehajologist. Mr. Jenison is an enthusiast in this 
line of research, and like a consummate general approaches 
liis task with the utmost system and order, never resting 
satisfied when once on the trail of a '' good thing" until it 
is secured and added to his carefully-gathered storcfs and 
eloquent relics of a forgotten age. 

That his collection is rare and valuable is amply demon- 
strated when it is known that the famous Smithsonian col- 
lection, undoubtedly the richest of the kind in the world, 
21 



has among its most valued articles phisier casts of a num- 
ber of Jlr. Jenison's best specimens, because tlie originals 
Could not be purchased from their happy possessor. His 
collection consists in part of the following articles, all ex- 
cellent, and many of them exquisite, specimens of preliis- 
toric art: 14 rare and beautiful pipes, 'MO perfect flint 
arrow heads, 12 fine spear-hcads, 30 stone axes, -10 superb 
skinning-stones or fleshers, 70 weaving-stones, and an end- 
less collection of " totems," charms, sinkers, plumb-bobs, 
and articles whose use can never be determined. 

Among the pipes are some wonderful specimens: one 
from California, manufactured from the beautiful obsidian 
of the volcanic Pacific coast, black as a raven's wing ; 
another, purchased from the Indians of Northern Michigan, 
made from a fine-grained, light-colored .stone, exquisitely 
carved, and having a wonderfully lifelike figure of a bald 
eagle, carved like the rest from the solid stone, upon the 
stem. This is what he calls his " bo.ss jiipe," and he chal- 
lenges the country to produce its equal — for ten dollars. 
Among the spear-hcads is one of giant size, chiseled from 
the Huronian rocks, fourteen inches in length and weigh- 
ing about five pounds. It belonged to one of the sons of 
Anak who dwelt on the Mississippi in the days of the 
primitive mastodon. 

His collection of Indian "totems" is also a remarkable 
one, and the specimens are finely wrought, mostly from 
beautifully-grained slate stone. They represent various ani- 
mals and birds. The finest is :i representation of a beaver, 
most faithfully wrought out, and, no doubt, in his day, the 
pride of some famous chieftain. 

His stone-axes and skinning-stones present some rare 
specimens, and are nearly all excellent in workmanship. 
There are gorgets, and sinkers, and plumb-bobs, and orna- 
ments, and charms, in great variety, and an hour can be 
most delightfully passed with Mr. Jenison by any one 
curious in these nuitters. He has also a great silver disk, 
in the form of a medal, with curious devices, which was 
presented by the United States government to the Ottawa 
chief Cataw. It is about nine inches in diameter and a 
rare specimen of Indian relics. 

In addition to what has been already mentioned, Mr. 
Jenison has a fine collection of rare and ancient coins 
aiuounting to about 3000 in number. The huge volumes 
which he calls his "scrap-books" are not among the least 
interesting of his varied collection, filled as they are with 
everything pertaining to the history of Lansing and the 
new Capitol, and illustrated with a large number of photo- 
grajihs of various objects, including views of the Capitol 
in diffi;rent stages of construction and portraits of every 
officer engaged in the work. They also contain copies of 
all the great se.ils of the States of the Union, with many 
interesting matters which we cannot mention. Rlr. Jeni- 
son's contributions to the State Pioneer Society have been 
valuable, and he is constantly accumulating whatever may 
add to the completeness of his " museum." Most of big 
collection has been gathered in Michigan. 



Previous to the location of the State capital at Lansing 
there were no hotels in the place, though Esquire Page, 



U2 



IlISTOllY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and possibly one or two others, accommodated travelers and 
land hunters; but in the same year in which the place was 
made the Capital liostclries spran<; np on every hand. In 
the south part of the town we (ind the Miehisjan House, 
built by Levi Hunt, of Livingston County, still standing; 
the National, on block 231, east of the river, built by 
Daniel Cl.ipsaddle, who was killed in the same year by the 
fall of a bent while raising his barn ; and the Benton House, 
now the Everett House, erected by Bush, Thomas & -Lee. 
This was the first brick building erected in Lansing, and 
tiie brick were made at North Lansing by " old man 
IJeals." 

At North J>ansing was the Seymour House, the largest 
hotel in the place, erected by James and Horatio Seymour; 
and in the middle of the town were the old Lansing House, 
built of logs, on the corner opposite (east) whore the present 
Lansing House stands, the Columbus House, now forming 
a part of the Hudson House, and the Ohio Hou.se, west of 
the present Lansing House. The National was afterwards 
destroyed by fire. 

The Benton House, named for Hon. Thomas Hart Benton, 
United States senator from Missouri, was, as before stated, 
erected by Messrs. Bush, Thomas it Lee, a real-estate firm, 
who owned a large amount of land in and around Lansing. 
C. P. Bush, a member of the firm, was the first landlord, 
but ofliciated for only about lour months, and was succeeded 
by William Hinman, who had been a clerk in the store of 
Messrs. Bush & Thomas. Altogether, Jlr. Hinman kept 
the house for a period of about six years, at two difierent 
times. Dr. James W. Holmes kept it for a time, and in 
June, IStil, JIartin Hudson became the landlord and kept 
it, until April, 1SG3, when he leased the place he now owns, 
then known as the Columbus House. Rev. C. C. Olds 
afterwards purchased the Benton House and kept a select 
school or academy in it for a short time. Cyrus B. Pack- 
ard followed in 1870, and his son is the present landlord. 
Packard changed the name to Everett House.* 

Lansiiiff House. — The original Lansing House was built 
of logs by Henry Jipson and W. W. Upton, in 1847. 
They afterwards added a frame building three stories in 
height and of large diniensions.f This house was kept by 
Henry Jipson, a man naiued Holbiook, the Bakers, and 
M. P. Marvin. In 1859, Martin Hudson leased it of Jere- 
miah Marvin, bought the furniture, and kept it. until it was 
burned, — about 18()2. 

The new Lansing House was built by La Fayette C. 
Baker, the i'amous head of the Government detective force 
and colonel of a regiment belonging to the District of Co- 
lumbia during the war of the Uebellion, iu 186G, at a 
cost of over §100,000. The lots where the hotel stands 
were formerly owned by Dr. John Goucher, who, about 
1805, sold them to a company of citizens, which in turu 
donated them to Mr. Baker in consideration of his erecting 
a first-class hotel on them. The original intention was to 
expend about $.')0,000, but good judges estimate the actual 
outlay at §120,000. The building is one hundred and 



'■ Cyrus 13. PaekarJ was UillcU on llio railroad-track nhich runs 
through his farm in Windsor, on the 2d of Sei.tonibcr, 1S75. 
■f Jipson was the mechanic and builder. 



twenty by one hundred and ten feet, with four stories 
and basement, and with a large court between the wings. 
About tlie time of completion Baker sold the property 
to a Lansing company, wiiich held it for some four years, 
when it was sold on a mortgage and bid in by the mortgagee, 
Hiram Sibley, of Rochester, N. Y. The mortgage and 
interest aiuounted to about §41,000. Subsequently, N. G. 
Isbell purchased the property for §37,000. Mr. Isbcll died 
in 1879, and it now belongs to his heirs. 

Martin Hudson leased the hotel upon its completion in 
May, 1867, furnished it at a heavy expense, and kept it for 
ten years. After he withdrew Mr. Isbell kept it for a few 
months, and in 1878 the present proprietor, Mr. T. J. 
Lyon, succeeded him. The house is large, roomy, and con- 
venient, and the only first-class hotel building in Lansing. 

Si'jjmonr Iloiise. — This once famous " hostelrie," now 
known as the Franklin House, was erected in 1847, by 
James and Horatio Seymour, at a probable expense of not 
less than §10,000. Its dimensions were about one hundred 
and twenty-eight by forty feet, and it was two stories in 
height. It has since been raised and had a brick basement 
stoiy put under it. James Seymour at that period owned 
large saw-mills at Flushing, Livingston Co., and hauled 
over a considerable portion of the lumber for the construc- 
tion of his hotel. 

In the early days and until the advetit of railways it was 
the prominent house of the city, and being situated on the 
great traveled road leading from Detroit to Grand Rapids 
was well patronized by all classes. It was also a favorite 
stopping-place of the Legislature. The building of several J 
railways through Lansing, and the growth of the central \ 
portions of the city, greatly changed the tide of travel and 
business, and the house is now mostly confined to local 
patronage. 

It was first opened about Jan. 1, 184S, by Jesse F. Tur- 
ner, who kept it I'or about one year, and was followed by 
one McGlovey, and the latter by John Powell, all previous 
to 1853. About the last-named date the Seymours sold 
the property to N. J. AUport, who continued until January, 
1855, when he sold to Horace Angell, a native of Blassa- 
chusctts, who subsequently removed to Wayne Co., N. Y., 
later to Wayne Co., Mich., and from there to Ingham 
County, in 1850. Mr. Angell owned the property until 
18G5, and kept it as a hotel either by himself or a tenant. 
In the last-mentioned year he sold it to Israel Richardson, 
who owned and kept it as a hotel until 18G7, possibly with 
a partner a portion of the time. In 1867 he sold to a Mr. 
Damon, who raised the building and put in the basement 
story. He owned it for only a short time, during which it 
was not opened to the public. Damon sold to a non-resi- 
dent, and he to Mr. J. W. Hinchey, the present owner and 
landlord, about 1870. 

Uudson House. — The original of the present Hudson 
Hou-se, and still constituting a portion of it, was the old 
Columbus House, built by Columbus C. Darling, a former 
resident of Eaton Rapids. He kept the hotel for a time 
and was succeeded by others, among whom were his son, 
John Darling, a Mr. Dearing, C. T. Alien, and James N. 
Shearer. In 18G3, Martin Hudson succeeded Shearer as 
landlord, and in 18GG purchased the property. From 1867 



Clir OF LANSING. 



1«3 



to ls77, diiriiijr Mr. Hudson's stay in tlic now Lansinfj 
House, tlie place was eloseil as a hotel. In 1877 tlie house 
was largel}' rebuilt and greatly improved, at an expense of 
over S80U0, by Mr. Hudson, who has been its landlord and 
proprietor since. A new and commodious dining-room, 
lifty-cight by tbirly-six feet, is being added the present sea- 
son, at an expense of §2300, together with other important 
eulargemenls and improvements. 

Kilgnr Jloiise. — The firet house by this name was a 
frame two-story building, erected by the father of the 
present proprietor about 1SG5-CG. It was kept under the 
name of Edgar House for a number of years by Nelson 
Kdgar, a son of the builder and owner. 

The present fine brick ihreestory liotel on the ground 
occupied by the old one was erected about 1878 by Mr. D. 
1'. Edgar, who opened and kept it for one or two years. 
The furniture was all made by Mr. Edgar, who is an ex- 
cellent worker in wood, from white a.-'h and black walnut, 
and Ls of the best description. In May, ISSO, Mre. S. A. 
Ileiser, laic of Kokomo, Iiid., leased the house, and is keep- 
ing cue of the best and cleanest hotels in the city. 

Banies House. — This hotel is located in the Butler 
Block, corner of Washington Avenue and Kalamazoo 
Street. The block was erected by Charles W. Butler, in 
1872, at an expense of about 822.000. It was built with 
the intention of using it for a first-class boarding-house, 
and no expense was spared to make it complete in all re- 
spects. About 1874, Mr. Butler sold a half-interest to 
Mr. John J. Bush, and about J877, Mr. Bu:-h purchased 
the remainder of the property. The latter gentleman sub- 
sequently converted it into a hotel by fitting up the centre 
store on the ground floor for an oflice, and making other 
necessary alterations. The name '■ Barnes Hou.se'' was 
given it by Mr. Bush, who opened it as a hotel Jan. 1, 
1879. On the 1st of September, 1880, Mr. Bush lea.sed 
the premi.>es to Mr. A. Selleck, i'rom Peiitwater, Mich., an 
experienced landlord, who will keep it as one of tlie lead- 
ing liotels of Lansing. The house contains about fifty 
rooms for guests, besides two .stores on the ground floor. 
The building is of brick, and very substantially constiucted 
throughout. I'revious to building Mr. Buller had pur- 
chased the old State offices which stood on the ground now 
occupied by the new Capitol, and from the materials of the 
demolished building the Butler Block was largely con- 
structed. 

The above mentioned comprise the prominent hotels that 
have existed in Lansing, though by no means all of them. 

CKXTENXIAL CELKI511ATI0-V. 
The Fourth of July, 187C, was duly celebrated in Lan- 
sing. A national salute was fired at sunrise, and at ten 
o'clock A.M. a grand procession was formed, lieaded by the 
Governor's Guards (Company H, First Michigan State 
Troopsj, with band, the Lansing fire department, the Ger- 
man Workingmcn's Society, etc., and including a large 
nuiuber of citizens. The procession marched to the ground 
selected for the occa-sion, where Judge Tenney delivered a 
carefully prepared oration, and the other usual exerci.«s 
were gone through with. There was a grand dinner, and 
in the afternoon a series of races came off at the fair- 



grounds. The ])roceeds of the dinner were transferred 
to the .soldiers' monument fund. 

There were appropriate celebrations also at the State 
Agricultural Farm and the Reform School for Boys. 

PKKSENT BU.SINESS OF L.VX.>^IXG. 

The mercantile, manufacturing, and general business of 
the city is large and, at the present time, in a prosperous 
condition. Its manufacturing establishments, which are 
written up somewhat at length in another place, are very 
respectable in numbers, variety, and amount of ca|iital and 
labor employed, and there is no reason why they should not 
continue to increase even in greater ratio than the natural 
increase of population. 

The mercantile and commercial interests are also exten- 
sive, growing out of several sufiicient cau.ses, chief among 
which are its central location, its railw.iy facilities, and the 
fine agricultural region surrounding it. There arc no exact 
data i'rom which to compile an accurate statement of the 
number of bu.sincss firms or the amount of business trans- 
actions. The directory of 1878 is the latest publication, 
and the lapse of even so short a period as two years makes 
a material change in the business of any live Western city, 
but it is the only publi.shcd .source of information now 
available, and the following recapitulation of business firms, 
making a reasonable allowance for the subsc(|uent incrca.se, 
will give an approximate idea of the general business of 
the city. A very considerable wholesale business is carried 
on by a number of firms in the various branches of trade, 
and in addition Lansing is an important grain and wool 
market, the transactions in grain reaching probably 500,000 
bushels, and in wool, in late years, 300,000 pounds, per 
annum. The region immediately tributary to the city is 
one of the best wheat- and corn-growing sections of the 
State, and the area of productive acres is constantly in- 
cre;ising with the clearing away of the dense forests and 
the drainage of low-lying lands. The mineral resources of 
the region arc also important and valuable, though yet com- 
paratively undeveloped, but time will eventually bring all 
the elements of prosperity into activity. In this connection 
it is also proper to consider that the location of the State 
capital alone would make Lansing an important city, but 
independent of this factor her natural and acquired advan- 
tages are among the best in the State. 

The following statistics are compiled mainly from a di- 
rectory published in 1878, for the use of which we are 
under obligations to W. S. George & Co. We class the 
various trades and occupations alphabetically for facility of 
reference. In most cases firms, and not single individuals, 
are indicated : 

Agricultural implciociit**, o ; architects, 2 ; auctioneers, 2 ; artiflrijl 
ftune, 2; bouti< and shoes, 10; business colleges, 1 ; hlacktimtlh-*. 
12; banks an'l bankers, 4; b.-irbcrs, ID; books and stationery, 6 ; 
bnkcrifp, 4; billiards, 7; cigar-makers, 3 ; carjujl dealer.'*, ',>; 
clothing, Ti; coopers, 5 ; carriage and wagon uinnufucturers, 6 ; 
contractorB and builders, 5; druggist-*, 10; dentists, G ; dress- 
makers, 12; dry-goods, 10; furniture and undertaking, h; llour- 
and custom-mills, J ; foundries and iiiachinc-shofis, 3 ; flour and 
feed, 1 : yroccriis an<l crockery, 4 ; grocers, 31 ; gloves and mil- 
tens, 2; gunsmiths, .1; grain-dealers, exclusive of millers, 2 ; 
general stores, 7 ; hardware, 8 : hotels, 10; harness, collars, etc., 
b\ io^urancc, 10; lime, plaster, sod cement, 3 ; livery, C; laun- 



KM 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



dries. 2: lumber, 5; milliners, 7; wholesale milliners, 4; marble 
works, 3; meat markets, 10; merchant tailors, 6; newspapers, o ; 
physu-ians (all grades), about 25; photographers, 5; sash, doors, 
and blinds, C; restaurants, 10 ; sewing-machines, about fi: real 
cslalc, li; saloons, 15; watches, cloeks, and jewelry, 7. Total, 

There are also two express companies, the American and United 
Ptates, and one telegra})h company, the A\'c.-teru Union, doing busi- 
ness in the city. 

The public buildiiij;s of the city are the new State Cap- 
itol, llio Refoni) School for Boys, the Asylum for the Blind, 
the beautiful high-sciiool building and six ward schools, 
fifteen churches, a fine opera-house, the new post-office, 
anionir the best in the country, the armory, a number of 
•iood hotels, iind a very large proportion of elegant and costly 
stores and offices. The city also shows a number of tasty and 
expensive private residences, the most conspicugus of which 
is ihiit of Hon. O. M. Barnes, on Main Street. The Lake 
Shore and Michigan Southern Eailway passenger station is 
also a conspicuous building. 

The city of Jjansing is claimed to be very healthful, and, 
with the exception of imperfect drainage and the back-water 
of the dam at North Lansing, there is no natural cause for 
malaria or epidemic diseases. It was stated in the Rrpuh- 
/icdii, of date June 15, 1875, that the death-rate of Lan- 
sing per 1000 was 9.26, being the lowest of forty cities re- 
ported, which ranged from those figures to 38.96; the 
highest rate for that year being in Cluirleston, S. C. 

The city is getting to be a great centre for conventions, 
parades, and meetings of various descriptions, and the ten- 
dency is towards a rapid increase in the future. Seven lines 
of railway converge at this point, with one or two additional 
roads in prospect, and this fact, together with the location 
of the State capital, must always make it a prominent 
centre I'or public and civic demonstrations. 

The crowds in attendance upon the annual fairs of the 
Central Michigan Agricultural Society, and the picnics of 
the Patrons of Husbandry, indicate tlie gatherings that 
are likely in the future to assemble in the capital city. It 
is already a famous point for railway excursions, and during 
the summer and fall months, as often as every alternate 
iltiy, excursion parties may be seen taking in the lions of 
the place, among which the beautiful Capitol building is the 
most conspicuous. Band tournaments and military displays 
are among the enjoyable occasions, and the citizens of Lan- 
sing are reasonably certain of seeing around them a lively 
and growing city. During the biennial meetings of the 
Legislature the city is crowded with the leading men of the 
State, and hotel accommodations arc at a premium. 

GRANT OF LAND FOR CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS 
IN LANSING. 

The following act in the interests of churches and schools 
in Lansing was approved April 3, 1848 : 

"Sf.c. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the State of Michigan, That there be and is hereby granted unto 
all the religious denominations of professing Christians in the town 
of Michigan,'^- and each school district regularly organized in said 
town, suitable grounds in the town of Michigan, owned by the State, 
whenever the said denominations may severally erect proper and com- 
modious bouses for public worship ; or whenever school-houses may be 



erected as provided herein : Pi-ovuicf, Apjdieation for said grounds 
shall be made as hereinafter directed, within one year from the pas- 
sage of this act. 

" Skc. 2. That whenever any application for such groumls for tlic 
purposes aforesaid shall be made in writing to the Auditor-General, 
Secretary of State, and State Treasurer, by the proper officers of any 
such religious denominations of prolessiiig Chrit-tians, or of said 
school districts, it shall be the duty of said Auditor-tiencral, Secre- 
tary of State, and State Treasurer, a majority of whom shall be au- 
thorized to act in the premises, to receive said application, and as 
soon thereafter as may be to select one lot in the town of Michigan, 
owned by the Slate, and notify said officers of such selection, and, if 
the same be accepted, to make and e.vecute a deed thereof, in behalf 
of the State of Michigan, to the officers of any such denomination, 
or school district, capable of receiving deeds and conveyances of land 
for the purposes contemplated in this act. 

"Sec. -J. The Secretary of State is hereby directed, whenever 
any lot or lots shall be selected as above prescribed, to notify in 
writing the Commissioner of the Land-Office of such selection, par- 
ticularly describing the lot or Jots selected, and, upon receiving said 
notice, the Commi.-^sioner of the Land-Office shall withhold said lot 
or lots fi-om sale until he shall receive notice from the Secretary of 
State, whose duly it shall be to give the same, that such lot or lots 
have not been accepted. 

"Sec. 4. The Governor, Secretary of Stale, and Auditor-General 
may, in their discretion, select one or more blocks of the said town 
plat, anywhere on the school section, for a burial-ground, and, upon 
filing a proper description of the block or blocks selectel in the oflSco 
of the Secretary of State, said block or blocks so selected shall be 
ajtpropriatcd for that purpose. 

"To take effect upon its passage. 

" Ajjproved April ;i, 184S." 

Advantage of this act was taken by a number of the 
.... . t 

religious denominations, as shown by the following state- ; 

ments furnished by the deputy secretary of the State Land- 
Office. It would appear from the dates annexed that the 
time provided in the bill must have been subsequently 
extended : 

Lot No. 1, BIk. S.'',.— Sold to First New Church Society, Dec. 21, 
1S50, for ,$5 : paid in lull; number of certilicate, 340; not patented. 

Lot No. 1, BIk. 95.— Sold to First Baptist Church, Aug. 4, 1856; 
.Joint Resolution, No. 13, IS55; number of certificate, 922; patented 
Aug. 4, 1856. 

Lot No. 1, BIk. 96.— Sold to St. Paul's Parish, Dec. 2], 1850, for 
85 ; full paid ; number of certificate, 341 ; not patented. 

Lot No. 6, BIk. 96.— Methodist Episcopal Church, Act No. 231; 
Laws of 1S48; no certificate issued; deeded to church. 

Lot No.7, BIk. 9li. — Central Presbyterian Church ; sold for $5, Dec. 
23, 1S50; full paid; number of eerlificate, 342; not patented. 

Lot No. 1, BIk. 113. — Univcrsalist Church ; no certificate issued. 

Lot No. 1, BIk. 127.— First Presbyterian Church, for .$5, Dec. 24, 
1850; full jjaid; number of certificate, 343: patent surrendered and 
canceled under Joint Resolution No. 22, of 1853. 

Lot No. 10, BIk. 128.— Trustees of Plymouth Church; sold for .95, 
Se]it. 27, 1867 ; full paid; number of certificate, 1132; not patented. 

Lot No. 2, BIk. 245.— First Wesleyan Methodist Church; sold f.r 
$5, May 4, 1855; full paid: number of certificate, A 884; patcntoil 
May 4, 1855. 

L t N s 1 and 2, BIk. 82.— First Presbyferi.an Church, Feb. 12, 
1853; Joint Resolution No. 22 of 1853 ; no certificate issued. 

SCHOOLS IN THE CITY OF LANSING.f 

The township of Lansing was organized in February, 
1842, and three years later but sixteen votes were polled 
at the fall election. A road was cut out along the east side 
of the river for the convenience of the south part of the 
township, where the North and Cooley families had settled. 

In March, 1847, the Legislature located the capital in 

t Pre].arel by C. B. Stcbbins. 



CITY OF LAxNSING. 



105 



tlio towiii^liip of Lansiiiir. Coiuniissioners were at once 
appointed to select the site, limited only to the bounds of 
the township. The}' found tiie sehoul section (IC) an un- 
broken forest, with not a tree cut, except tlie road above 
mentioned. The family of Joab Paj^e and his sons-in-law, 
living in a rude log house, was the only one within the 
present limits of the city, which comprised nearly one- 
lourth of the then township, in which there were then 
about twenty families in all. 

The commissioners about the middle of April located the 
site near the centre of the school section, through which 
Grand Kiver flowed towards the north. Schools had been 
kept about two miles south and about the same distance 
north of the site, but to this time there had been no school 
nearer. The commissioners platted the school section into 
" city lots," which they apprai.sed, and on the 1st of July 
sold a large number at auction. The whole were eventually 
sold, and realized to the primary school fund about 8100,000. 
The sale of the lots brought a rush of speculators, some 
bringing their families for a ])crmanent residence. Some 
were sheltered in tent.s, .some in log shanties, and some in 
more pretentious shanties of boards. One of the number 
describes the scene as not unlike a primitive backwoods 
camp-meeting. By midsummer several families were set- 
tled in such dwellings as the}' could extemporize, and build- 
ings were going up as fast as the owners could clear off their 
lots and obtain materials. The commissioners cleared off 
some of the streets, and the State-house absorbed most of 
the seasoned lumber. By Jan. 1, 1818, the State-house 
was completed, and the place began to look quite village- 
like, but scattered amid stumps and fallen trees for a dis- 
tance of more than two miles. 

TtIK FIRST SCHOOL. 

But the new-comers did not wait till that time before they 
began to think of schools. May 1, 1847, Sliss Eliza Pow- 
ell, now Mrs. John N. Bush, commenced a school at the 
lower town in a board shanty, whose only window was 
an opening iu the wall, having a door hung with heather 
straps at the top to close the room when not in use. She 
commenced with ten pupils, which number in three months 
increased to thirty. We can find no one who remembers 
whether she was employed by individuals or by district 
oflicers ; probably the latter, as a school-house was built the 
same autumn where the First Ward school-house now 
stands. We are unable to learn anything definite as to 
the organization of the district, and the district records 
cannot be found. The winter .school in 1847-48 was 
kept in the new house by Eliliu Elwood. 

In 1851 the house was moved awa}- and a two-story 
brick house erected in its place. It had four school-rooms, 
and cost probably §5000. Among the early teachers were 
George and Mary Lathrop and Jane E. Howe, now Mrs. 
H. D. Bartholomew. In 1850, 172 children were reported. 
Among the active early friends of the school were James 
Turner (deceased), D. L. Case, J. 11. Price, and Smith 
Tooker. There was no abatement of educational interest 
in the district until the consolidation of all the districts in 
the city in 18G1. This district was previously known as 
No. 2. 



THK SECOND MOVK.MEXT. 
About the 1st of August, 1847, Jlrs. Laura E. Burr, 
then recently married, came with her husband. Dr. II. S. 
Burr, from the State of New York. Mrs. Burr, still (1880) 
a resident of Lansing, was a lady of superior culture, and 
could not wait i'or a house before opening a school. She 
procured .some rough .scats, and on the 1st of September 
called the children together under the trees on the bank of 
the river on Kiver Street. She commenced witli nine 
pupils. Her school continued in the grove till cold weather, 
when their dwelling was so far completed that slie could 
move the school into it, and by Christmas she had eighty 
pupils. Through the winter she was assisted by Miss Delia 
L. Ward, now Mrs. Jlortimer Cowlcs. Mrs. Burr had pupils 
in drawing, Latin, and French. She tells how she one day 
walked to the lower town by the road on the east side of the 
river with her husband, and wishing to return on the west 
side he carried her across in his arms below the dam, and 
picking their way up through the roads, around swamps, 
and across ravines, they became lost, and found their way 
out only with considerable difficulty. 

TIIE SECOND DISTRICT. 

In March, 1848, a district was organized, embracing all 
of section 16 west of the river. This was known as No. 4. 
May 20th, lot G, block 117, was agreed upon as a Me for a 
school building. This was the corner lot of the present site 
of the Second Ward house. It was voted at the same time 
to build a brick house, which was not built, but a frame 
building was erected the next year, and in 1850 the school 
was taught by Ephraim Longyear, assisted by Clarinda 
Grager and Sarah Burt. In September, 1850, the number 
of children of school-age in the district was 174; in 1851, 
180; in 1852, 175; in 1853, 200; in 1854, 209; in 
1855, 223. This shows that for several years the growth 
of Lansing was very slow. There was at first what, under 
the circumstances, might be considered ([uite a rush ; but 
there was very little business ; fever and ague held undis- 
puted sway, and a fatal epidemic — a .sort of brain fever — 
carried off a good many ; among others, the husband and 
a brother of Jlrs. Burr. Some of the people saw their 
mistake and moved away ; and the bad reports created a 
strong impression throughout the State that the capital 
would soon be removed, so that everything conspired to 
keep the people away from the town in the wildirness. 
In 1850 the population of Ingham County numbered only 
8606. 

The last school taught in the house above mentioned was 
in 1855, by Uollin C. Dart, assisted by Miss Mary Bice. 
The house was moved to the corner of Capitol Avenue and 
Kalamazoo Street, and sold to the United Brethren for a 
church. Ou the disbandment of that church it was con- 
verted into a dwelling-house — practically rebuilt. Two more 
lots were added to the site, and the present Second Ward 
hou.se — the main part — was erected and furnished at a cost 
of about 89000. 

In 1859 the district reorganized, under the new law for 
graded schools, with six trustees. The trustees elected 
were S. R. Greene, C. W. Butler, Franklin La Rue, Thco. 
Hunter, George W. Swift, and L. K. Hewitt. The first 



166 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



two are still residents of Lansing, and all are living ex- 
cept Mr. Hewitt. 

In the autumn of 1860 a portion of the roof was blown 
oif by a storm, and repaired at an expense of nearly §1000. 
The last teachers previous to 1861 were F. G. Ilussel, — 
now of Detroit, — principal, with Misses Harriet A. Far- 
rand, — now an editor of the Chicago Advance, — Eliza A. 
Foote, and Emily Nash, now Mrs. E. H. Porter; the latter 
two still residents of Lansing. 

Among the active friends of the school in this district 
in the earlier years, and still residents of Lansing, were 
Henry Gibbs, S. 11. Greene, William H. Chapman, Charles 
W. Butler, Whitney Jones, S. W. Wright, II. C. Dart, 
Ephraim Longyear, H. B. Shank, Ezra Jones, A. 11. Burr, 
and S. S. Coryell. Several of these have at different times 
been members of the board of education under the city 

charter. 

DISTRICT No. .■!. 

March 31, 18.51, District No. o was organized. It 
embraced all of section 16 south of Michigan Avenue and 
east of the river, with some three sections of adjacent ter- 
ritory. Henry Foote was the first director. A school 
was taught three months of that year in a house built for 
a dwelling, rented of William McGivren, on Cedar Street. 
a little north of Cedar River. In September SiJOO was 
voted to build a brick school-house, and a site agreed upon 
in the very corner of the district, near JMichigan Avenue. 
But that was too absurd, and the next month the site was 
changed to block 219, — across the street from the rented 
house, — a plan adopted for the house, and the director was 
instructed to use " the utmost diligence" in letting the con- 
tract. But the next month the vote for the $300 tax was 
rescinded, and it was voted that " the inhabitants meet en 
masse next Saturday to repair the school-house," the 
McGivren house. 

Sept. 27, 1852, fifty dollars was voted, and the board 
authorized to obtain a site with or without a house, in their 
discretion ; but nothing appears to have been done, and in 
September, 1853, it was voted to raise $300 to build a 
frame house when the board should select a site. There 
were at this time forty-six children in the district. But 
nothing was done, and school continued in the McGivren 
house. The next record shows that in September, 1854, it 
was voted that the " moving and repairing of the school- 
house be let to the lowest bidder." The evidence is therefore 
inferential that the lot was purchased, though there is no 
record in relation to it except the payment of §149.50 to C. 
Butler. It was a poor apology for a house, but it was moved 
upon the rear of the lot, and the records are full of expenses 
for repairs as long as it was used, till the erection of the 
brick house in the (now) Sixth Ward in 1867. It then 
stood unoccupied for four or five years and was almost a 
ruin when, covered over with tax titles, it was sold for $275. 

FAILURE OF UPPER TOWN. 
In the first settlement of the place a business centre was 
e-itablished in the vicinity of this house. Near the locality 
of the mineral well stores and a hotel were established, and 
several dwellings and a saw-mill were erected. But it could 
not compete with the locality of the State-house, and .soon 



fell into decay. Hotel, stores, and mill disappeared ; some 
of the buildings were moved to other localities and others 
went to decay, and the " upper town" has long been known 
only in men's memory. This reverse accounts for the dif- 
ficulties and delays in securing a school-house, yet they never 
failed in having six to ten months' school annually till the 
districts were reunited. A portion of the district which 
was a I'orcst until about 1860 has now a considerable popula- 
tion. 

SCHOOLS UNDER THE CITY CHARTER. 

The village of Lansing was made a city in 1859, but 
there was no change made in the school districts by the 
charter. The districts were, largely from local feeling, un- 
able to unite, and in 1861 the city was made a single dis- 
trict by the Legislature, with a board of education con- 
sisting of twelve members. In the election of this board 
the citizens agreed that the schools should be " kept out of 
politics." To this end it was arranged that the members 
should be nominated in union caucus, one-half to be Re- 
publicans and one-half Democrats. That plan has been 
since pursued, but it cannot be claimed that anything has 
been gained thereby. Whoever gets the nomination — per- 
haps in a packed caucus, as has sometimes been the case — 
has no legitimate competitor, and the people have practically 
no choice, but must take the man selected by perhaps less 
than ten per cent, of the voters. If each party made a 
nomination the voters would have a choice between at 
least two candidates, and it would also be a check upon the 
action of any caucus that might be disposed to nominate an 
unfit man. 

The first board of education consisted of James Turner, 
Smith Tooker, R. B. Jefi'erds, S. S. Coryell, A. W. Wil- 
liams, George F. Strong, Ezra Jones, George W. Peck, 
Charles W. Butler, James Somerville, Louis Saur, Ephraim 
Longyear. 

No important changes were made in the .schools, except 
perhaps in the employment of a higher grade of teachers. 
No new buildings were erected till 1867, when the brick 
house south of Cedar River, containing two rooms, and a 
similar one in the Fourth Ward, were built. They cost 
about $3500 each. v 

THE SCHOOLS GRADED. 

Nothing was done towards grading the schools till 1868, 
when the board took a new departure by providing for a 
superintendent, the grading of pupils, and establishing a 
high-school department. The board which took this im- 
portant step consisted of James Turner, C. W. Butler, J. 
W. Barker, Israel Gillett, Robert Barker, S. P. Mead, C. 
B. Stcbbins, S. R. Greene, E. H. Whitney, M. T. Osband, 
J. W. Holmes, Smith Tooker. 

Benjamin R. Gass was elected superintendent at a salary 
of $1400. In 1870, Mr. Gass resigned, and E. V. W. 
Brokaw was elected. In 1876, Mr. Brokaw declined a 
re-election, and was succeeded by Charles A. Sanford, the 
present incumbent, 1880. 

Th(? rapid growth of the city made additional school- 
room constantly necessary, and in 1868 a frame building 
with four school-rooms was erected at a cost of about $3000, 
on a corner of block 81, which the Legislature in 1861 



CITY OF LANSING. 



1G7 



fjianted to the city for a school-site for nine hundred and 
ninety-nine years, at a rent of one dollar per annum. Tlie 
number of children in the city in ISOS was 1357, while 
there was school-room — including the new house on block 
81— for iiardly COO. 

The scliools had been conducted very loosely as regarded 
rules, and in the reorganization the board adopted rules 
similar to those of the best schools in other cities. They 
were, in fact, very nearly a copy of the rules in Adiiaii. 
But it created quite an excitement. Leading citizens de- 
clared that they would defeat any appropriation for the 
schools the coming year unless the rules were relaxed, and 
there was danger that they would. Had this occurred the 
board had decided unanimously to resign. But considerable 
argument and explanation satisfied most people that the 
board were right, and the tempest subsided without harm. 

For want of school-room the board were compelled for 
some years to rent rooms in the third story of stores, in 
the basements of churches, and in houses built for residences. 
In 1870 a frame house with two rooms was built on Larch 
Street, north of Michigan Avenue, at a cost of about 
$3500. The citizens do not point it out to visitors as a 
specimen of architectural beauty. In 1872 an addition of 
two rooms was made to the house on block 81, at an 
expense of over 81000. 

In 1871 the board decided to establish a kindergarten 
school, a thing that had not been done in any public school 
in the State. An addition was made to the rear of the 
Second Ward house for a room, at a cost of about SOOO, 
and a lady sent abroad for training as a teacher. She had 
over sixty pupils. It was found necessary considerably to 
modify the German system. Only one teacher could be 
employed where there .should be three. The expense for 
apparatus was heavy, and after a trial of two years the 
experiment was abandoned. 

Until 1874 no permanent debt had been created. In that 
year the city voted to issue bonds for §50,000 to erect a house 
on block 81. This was completed in 1875, and •' speaks 
for itself" The only criticism upon the interior is in the 
small amount of room considering the expense, and upon 
the exterior in its superabundance of ornamentation. The 
building on the corner of the block was sold for 81025 
and moved away, so that the amount of schoolroom was 
not largely increased by the new building. Schools were 
still continued in the basements of two churches. 

No full showing of the expense of this building has ever 
been made, but it is supposed to be (including the building 
and other expenses growing out of its erection) not less 
than 875,000. 

In 187G the house in the First Ward — erected in 1851 — 
was pronounced unsafe, and the city voted 84000 for re- 
building. This action was carried out, but at an expense 
of nearly 87000. 

The rapid increase of population has necessarily made 
school taxes heavy, and yet the public interest is such that 
the people have almost invariably voted all the taxes the 
board have asked for. The bonded debt is 848,000, at 
eight per cent, interest, and the bonds are worth ten per 
cent, premium. The value of school property is estimated 
at 8120,000. The number of sittings in all the bouses is 



1414, which, in practice, is liardly sufficient for 1000 
pupils, while the number enrolled Sept. 1, 1880, was 1232. 
The number of school age in the cit}' is 2271. About 200 
children are taught in the Catholic and other parochial and 
private schools. About sixty foreign pupils were in attend- 
ance in 1879. The library contains nearly lOOO well- 
selected volumes, and an educational museum is about to be 
established. 

MKIIHiAX FK.MAI.F, COI.MJOEf 

In connection with the public schools of Lunsing it is 
but just to the truth of history to mention the Female 
College, establi^hcd by the Misses Kogcrs in 1855, and 
sustained by their indomitable energy for fourteen yeai-s. 
These ladies had 88500, their private means. This, with 
about 810,000 from the citizens of Lansing and vicinity, — 
part of which was in the nature of scholarships, and was 
thus refunded, — and nearly S20l'0 from Hon. Zachariah 
Chandler and Kber Ward, enabled them to erect a large four- 
stoiy building in the northwestern part of the city, twenty 
acres of latid for that purpose being donated by U. H. 
Suiith and J. W. Collins. The institution was opened in 
this building in 1858, the school till then having been kept 
in a rented building. It was conducted with marked suc- 
cess till 1809, w'len, upon the decease of the eldest of the 
Rogers sisters, it was suspended. The property was after- 
wards sold to the Odd-Fellows, who (xpendtd 830,000 on 
an addition to the building for an educational and benevo- 
lent institution in connection with the order. But that 
project was not carried out, and the premises are now rented 
by tlie Odd- Fellows to the Slate for a school for the blind. 

During the existence of the college about 1000 young 
ladies received instruction and fifty were graduated after a 
full college course. 

llKI.KilOCS (>i:c;.VMZATI(t\S.t 

The earliest religious teaching in the town>hip of Lan- 
sing was in the first settled neighborhood in the south and 
southwest parts. As early as 1.S40 several clergymen of 
the Methodist, and perhaps other denominations, had visited 
the scattered settlements and preached an occasional sermon. 
Among the earliest preachers was the Kev. Henry Lester, 
who preached in the north neighborhood as early as 1844. 
He was a Protestant Methodist, and was never regularly 
employed as a minister in tlie township or village. 

METHODIST EIM.-^COl'AL, CIIUKCH. 

The first sermon preached within the limits of the city 
of Lansing is said to have been by Rev. Lewis Coburn, who 
is now a resident of the city. Mr. Coburn is of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal denomination, and delivered his first dis- 
course in the log dwelling of Joab Page some time in 1845. 
In 184G a cla.s3 was formed at the hou.se of E.<fjuire Page, 
with the following members: Joab Page, Abigail Page, 
Orselia Pease, Eliza Ann Lester. In September, 1847, 



» Prepared by C. B. Sicbbins. 

t The history of Ihc two Methoclist Episcopal and tbo (wo Prcsliy- 
terinn cliurcbcs has been mostly taken from Ibo eoluiaus of the Lan- 
sing Ilipiililiinii, for which it was furnished by perMDS connected 
with the churches named. 



1G8 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Elvira Elliott and William S. Calkins joined the class. 
The first class-leader was Joab Page. 

In April, 1847, tlie Ilev. Orrin Wliitnioro visited Lan- 
sing, and on the 11th of the month preached a sermon in, 
probably, the first frame building erected in North Lansing, 
which was an addition to Es(|uire Page's log house. This 
building was used for a variety of purposes, — as a dwell- 
ing, boarding-house, hotel, churcji ; as a business-office by 
tile State commissioners appointed to locate the Capitol ; 
and as a court-room by Mr. Page, who was the first justice 
of the peace officiating in the village, or, at least, living 
williin its limits. It was also the common rendezvous of 
the land speculators who visited this region, and was 
altogether a busy place. At tlie before-mentioned meeting 
there were about sixty persons convened, and a tin horn 
was used to call the people together. The audience was 
mostly composed of men. This was the first regular Sun- 
day service held in Lansing. A .small society had been 
previously organized to the north of this point, and occa- 
sional meetings hold, but it was soon dissolved. 

Lansing was situated between the Lyons and jMaploton 
Circuits, whicii were called " four weeks' circuits." On the 
Lyons Circuit tlie preachers were Ilev. F. A. Blades, now 
of Detroit, and Ilev. William C. Comfort, since deceased. 
On the Maploton Circuit they were Rev. S. Bessey, now of 
Grand Rapids, and Rev. Orrin Whitmore, now of Grand 
Blanc, Genesee Co., Midi. 

The Grand River district, which covered the Grand 
I'liver Valley, and extended as far cast as Flint and Pontiac, 
included these circuits. In 184G, Rev. Larmon Chatfield 
(since deceased) was presiding elder of the Grand River 
district, and resided at Portland, in Ionia County. 

Rev. William C. Comfort continued to preach in Lansing 
until the meeting of the Annual Conference at Ypsilanti in 
September, 1847, when Rev. James Shaw was appointed 
]iresiding elder of the district and located in Lansing, lie 
officiated as chaplain to the State Senate in the session of 
1848. Rev. F. A. Blades labored in Lansing from 1847 
until the Annual Conference of 1848, when Rev. Ransom 
R. Richards was stationed there. Mr. Richards also offi- 
ciated as cliaplain to the Senate in 1849. Rev. George 
Bradley, of Lyons, was presiding elder in 1849. 

In 1848 the following-named members were added to 
the .society: Porter Lathrop, Sr., Emily Lathrop, Eliliu 
Elwood, Harriet Elwood, David A. Miller, Jane Miller, 
Lucy Calkins, George Lathrop, William A. Dryer, Betsey 
II. Dryer, Almira Dryer, A. II. Bartlett, Orange Keeler, 
Charlotte Keeler, Joseph H. Kilbourne, Mary A. Lathrop. 
David A. Miller was appointed class-leader. 

The first Quartcily-Meeting Conference was held at Lan- 
sing on the 18th of November, 1848. Rev. George 
Bradley, presiding elder, occupied the chair, and Rev. R. 
R. Richards was secretary. Joab Page read a report upon 
the condition of the Sunday-school, of which A. R. Bart- 
lett was superintendent, from which it appeared that there 
were twelve teachers, twenty-six scholars, and fifty volumes 
in the library. 

At this meeting Joab Page, William S. Calkins, E. F. 
Thompson, and Joseph H. Kilbourne were appointed stew- 
ards. Joab Page was made recording steward. A collec- 



tion amounting to five dollars and eighty-eight cents was 
taken, of whicli thirty-eight cents was paid for communion 
wine, two dollars and fifty cents to the presiding elder, and 
three dollars to Rev. R. R. Richards. 

A Presbyterian society had been organized in Lansing, 
in December, 1847, and there being no regular house of 
worship the two organizations, by mutual agreement, occu- 
])ied the school-house together, the Presbyterians making 
u.sc of it in the forenoon of Sunday, and the Methodists 
in the afternoon. There was a warehouse in the place be- 
longing to James Seymour, which stood southeast of the 
Franklin House, and in the latter part of 1848 the two 
societies converted this structure into a chapel, which they 
occupied alternately for about two years. It was thirty by 
fifty feet in d'nien>ions. The fitting up of this building was 
under the superintendence of James Turner (since deceased) 
and Iliram H. Smith, now of the city of Jackson, Mich. 
The new chapel was made ready for services in the winter 
of 1849-50, and was considered .something remarkable for 
these days. 

Rev. R. R. Richards, after serving for six months, re- 
signed on account of ill health, and Rev. Orrin Whitmore 
was appointed to the vacancy. At that time there was an 
annual missionary appropriation of $30t), which was divided 
equally between these two pastors. 

At the Annual Conference of 1849, Rev. George Bradley 
was reujipointcd presiding elder and Rev. Resin Sajip 
pastor of the Lansing society. During the year ending 
Aug. 15, 1849, the Lansing church raised $184.77, whicli 
was disbursed as follows: To Rev. George Bradley, $10; 
Rev. R. R. Richards, $96.57 ; Rev. 0. Whitmore, $78.20. 
During the same period twenty dollars were raised for the 
benefit of the Sabbath-school library. 

On the 2d of September, 1850, the Ilev. R. Sapp pre- 
sented the following account : For preaching, $232 ; travel- 
ing expenses, $22 ; table expenses and fuel, $150; house 
rent, $50 ; total, $464. Of this sum the society was only 
able ''to raise $136.08, but the Legislature appropriated 
$150 for his services as chaplain, which made up the total 
paid him to $286.08. 

At the Annual Conference in September, 1850, Ilev. 
David Burns was appointed presiding elder, and Rev. Orrin 
Whitmore to the Lansing charge. 

On the 2d of March, 1851, James Turner and wife, and 
several others, united with the Methodist Church, and on 
the same day Hiram H. Smith and wife joined the Pres- 
byterian Church. At the Annual Conference in 1851 the 
appointments for the Grand Rapids district for presiding 
elder and pastor of the Lansing church for 1850 were con- 
tinued another year. 

Early in 1852 the society erected a parsonage (now 
occupied by Mrs. Paddock) at a cost of $547.18. 

At the Annual Conference of 1852, Rev. Larmon Chat- 
field was appointed to Lansing, and Rev. Burns continued 
as presiding elder of the district. 

On the last Wednesday of December, 1852, the Presby- 
terians dedicated their new church on Washington Avenue, 
and the Methodists came into sole possession of the chapel 
ill North Lansing. In 1854 the chapel building was pur- 
chased by the society of Mr. Seymour at a cost of $100, 



Clir OF LANSING. 



1G9 



which w;us cnntrihuted by James Turner, William Johnson, 
Cluirles Fox, William S. Calkins, Rii-liaid Elliott, I'^dinund 
Parmek'o, William A. Dryer, G. D. Lathroj), and Michael 
Bloomheri;. 

In Septcmhcr, 185!?, the Conference appointed Ilev. E. 
House to the Lansing charge, and continued Rev. Burns 
a.s presiding elder. 

On the Dtli of January, 1854, the society was reorgan- 
ized on account of the removal from tlic place of John 
Jennings, Joab Page, David H. Miller, William Widdcn, 
and Joseph II. Kilbourne. Charles Fox, William John- 
son, John T. Irish, William S. Calkins, William A. Dryer, 
and James Turner were appointed trustees. 

The first rental of pews in the church took place on the 
12th of May, 1854, at which the prices realized ranged 
from one to five dollars. At the Annua! Conference in 
1854, Kev. II. Penfield was appointed presiding elder, and 
Kev. Park S. Donaldson assigned to Lansing. Both of 
these gentlemen served for two years. At tlie Annual 
Conference of 1850 a new district, the Lansing district, 
was formed, of which Rev. II. Law was appointed presid- 
ing elder, and Rev. William Malioii was appointed to the 
Lansing charge. 

The Annual Conference for this district for 1857 was 
lield at Lansing on the IGth of September. Rev. H. Law 
was reappointed presiding elder, and Revs. William Brock- 
way and Nelson L. Brockway were assigned to Lansing. 
The former was sent to Lansing to organize a central church, 
but the time had not arrived to consummate the plan, and 
Rev. N. L. Brockway only remained. 

At the Conference of 1858, which met at Kalamazoo, 
the presiding elder was continued for anotlier year, and 
Rev. N. Abbott was assigned to Lansing. 

In 18ti0 the Conference appointed Rev. Geo. Bradley 
presiding elder, and Ilev. D. D. Gillette was sent to Lan- 
sing. These were reappointed for another year in 18G1. 
In 1802, Rev. 11. Hall was appointed presiding elder, and 
Rev. Jeremiah Boyntou was assigned to Lansing. In 18G3, 
Rev. Hall was reappointed and Rev. David Burns sent to 
Lansing, and these were continued in their places in 18G4. 
In 18G5, Rev. Hall was continued another year, Rev. II. 
H. Parker was stationed at Lansing for six months, and 
Kev. II. F. Spencer for the remainder of the year. In 
1866, Rev. J. Jennings was appointed presiding elder, and 
continued until his death, some nine months later, when 
Rev, C. C. Olds was appointed to the vacancy. Rev. 
Spencer was continued at Lansing. In 18G8, Rev. Olds 
was reappointed presiding elder, and Rev. W. W. Baldwin 
was assigned to North Lansing. 

In 1868 the society commenced the erection of a new 
church edifice on the corner of Franklin and Centre Streets, 
which was completed in 1870 at a total cost of $10,000. 

The basement was finished and dedicated Jan. 14, 18G!), 
Rev. E. 0. Haven, of Ann Arbor, preaching the sermon. 
Rev. George Taylor preached in the evening. Upon the 
completion of the house, Jane 19, 1870, under the charge 
of Rev. Noah Fassett, the Rev. J, M. Reid, of Chicago, 
preached the dedication sermon, and Kev. J. M. Fuller, of 
Lowell, officiated in the evening. 

In 1875 extensive alterations and repairs were made, and 



the edifice was rededioated on the 5th of December, in that 
year. President Jo.sIyn, of Albion College, conducting the 
exercises. 

The presiding ciders for the district since 18CS have 
been Rev. C. C. Olds, 1869-70; Rev. Wm, II. Perkins, 
1870-71 ; Rev. Noah Fas.sett, 1871-75 ; Rev. F. B. Bangs, 
187G-78 ; Rev. T. H. Jacokes, 1879-80. The pastors at 
North Lansing since 1870 have been Rev. Noah Fai-.sett, 
1870-71 ; Rev. F, B. Bangs, 1872-73 ; Rev. Wm. Rice, 
1874 (resigned before his year expired, and Kev. Nelson 
Reasoner was appointed in his place) ; Rev. A. A, Rolfe, 
1876-77; Rev. G. C. Draper, 1878-79; Rev. C. C. Olds, 
1880. 

The membership record of this church shows considera- 
ble variation ; beginning with six members in 1847, it in- 
creased to 140 in ten years, and to 280 in twenty years. A 
division of the society has reduced its maximum member- 
ship, and in 1879 it was 113. The greatest number of 
probationers was 108, in 18G8. The membership of the 
Sunday school began with 26 in 1848, reached 300 in 1862, 
424 in 1868, and in 1879 was 78. The number of volumes 
in the Sabbath-school library was 50 in 1848, 650 in 1854, 
1200 in 1860, and 150 reported in 1879. 

Central Methodist Episcopal Church. — It having been 
determined to divide the old MethodLst Episcopal Church 
of North Lansing and establish a new organization in a 
niore central location, a sub.sciiption paper was put in cir- 
culation on the last day of February, 1859, for the purpose 
of raising funds to erect a church edifice. The project 
proved .successful, and the new building was so far com- 
pleted that the basement was occupied in August, 1862. 
The wliole structure was com])leted at a cost of §15,000, 
and dedicated on the 4th of February, 1863. It is known 
as the Central Methodist Episcopal Church of Lansing. 

Upon the completion of their new house of worship the 
society were in debt to the amount of S4200, the payment 
of which was provided for. Until the year 1869 the two 
Methodist .societies were under the control of joint trustees, 
and the annual reports were known as those of the Lansing 
charge. 

Since 18C8 the pastors of the Central Church have been 
as follows: 1868-69, Rev. W. H. Perrine ; 1870-72, 
Rev. J. W. Robinson; 1873, Rev. Isaac Taylor; 1874, 
Rev, A, A, Knappen ; 1875-70, Rev. E. Cooley, Jr.; 
1877, Rev. L. H. Pearce ; 1878-80, Rev. H. M. Joy. 

The membership beginning with 1869 was 187. In 
1874 it had increased to 300 ; in 1879 it was 270. The 
Sabbath-school niembcr.ship has varied from 165 to 250, 
The present number is 211. Number of volumes in 
library in 1879, 320, 

German Methodist Episcopal* — The first cfl^orts to es- 
tablish a German Methodist Episcopal Church in Lansing 
were made on the 13th of September, 1853, by the Rev, 
Jacob Krebiel, who was then in the ministry at Ann Arbor. 
In the face of many and serious difficulties a society with 
eleven members was organized on the 25th of March, 
1854. The membership had increased in the following 
September to twenty. 

' From inforiiiulioii furniflitd l.j- Kev. C. Trcuscllcl. 



170 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



At a session of the Cincinnati Conference, held Sept. 25, 
185-t, Lansinp; appeared on the list as a mission, and the 
Rev. Jacob Krebicl was appointed to the cliarge. He re- 
mained two years. 

Previous to tliis the society had decided to build a 
church, and it was erected during Mr. Krebicl's ministra- 
tion. Among the early members were J. G. IJoese, J. 
Strobel, and II. Seiberlick. Some of these are still living, 
and have for many years held various offices of trust in the 
church. 

The labors of the difi'ereiit ministers stationed here were 
not confined to Lansing, but extended throughout the sur- 
rounding country, and with such a measure of success that 
churches were organized at many places visited by theui, 
most of which are now in a flourishing condition. They 
visited and preached at Delhi, Okemos, Alaiedon, Do Witt, 
Riley, St. Johns, and other places. 

The following list gives the names of ministers who 
have been stationed in Lansing from 185-1 to 1880 : 1854- 
56, Jacob Krebiel; 1856-57, H. Krill ; 1857-59, J. 
Jahrans; 1859-60, H. Maentz ; 1860-62, D. Meier; 
1862-63, A. Helmker; 1863-65, G. Bertram; 18(i5-(]7, 
A. Meyer; 1867-68, J. Braun ; 1868-69, J. Bertram; 
1869-72, C. F. Heitmeyer ; 1872-74, C. A. Militzer; 
1874-77, W. Andre; 1877-80, C. Treuschel. 

As the circuit extended and increased in membership the 
work became too great for one man, and from 1865 to 
1872 the preacher in charge was provided with an assistant. 
The names of the assistants during that time were H. 
Buddenbaum, W. Miiller, H. Pullman, G. Weilor, and 
F. L. Wagler. Through their united efforts the member- 
ship increased so rapidly that it was at length determined 
to separate Delhi, Alaiedon, and Okemos from Lansing, 
and form a new circuit, which was named the Delhi Cir- 
cuit. During the next four years the Lansing Circuit com- 
prised Lansing, in Ingham County, and De Witt, Riley, 
and St. Johns, in Clinton County. In 1877 Lansing was 
made a station, and De Witt, Riley, and St. Johns consti- 
tuted a circuit. 

By the last report the society at Lansing numbered fifty- 
five members. Out of the Lansing Circuit have been or- 
ganized two other circuits and one station, now embracing 
a mcmber.ship of 300, including those on probation. The 
Sunday-school in Lansing numbers forty scholars, with ten 
ofiicers and teachers. The schools, in wiiat was originally 
the Lansing Circuit, now number 240 scholars, officers, 
and teachers altogether. The church edifice in Lansing is 
situated on the southeast corner of Saginaw and Seymour 
Streets. 

African iletliodiM Ejjiscojial* — This church was orig- 
inally organized with the title of " Independent Methodist 
Church," in 1862, by Rev. William Douglas, a missionary 
preacher from Canada, who occasionally visited and preached 
in this region when the colored inhabitants were few and 
mostly in limited circum.stances. The first membership 
comprised seven persons, to whom Mr. Douglas ministered 
at intervals of four weeks for a period of about eighteen 



* Compiled from information ]>rincipally furnislied by Henry N. 
Lawrence and Lord Nelson Turner. 



months. Succeeding hiin came Rev. James Neese, who 
continued for about two years, when he was followed by 
Rev. John Henderson, who continued until the reorganiza- 
tion in 1875. He was an energetic and efficient helper 
among his colored brethren and aided them in many ways. 

In 1875, Rev. Robert Jcffcrs, of Battle Creek, who 
acted as presiding elder over the African Methodist Confer- 
ence, came to Lansing and reorganized the society, under 
the name of the African Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Lansing, with thirteen members. Rev. J. P. Coates was 
the first resident minister after the reorganization, and con- 
tinued about a year and a half. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Joseph Crow, who also continued for a period of eighteen 
months, preaching half of the time at Lansing and dividing 
the remainder between Marshall and Mason. Rev. Jesse 
Bass followed Mr. Crow, and his successor was Rev. J. H. 
Alexander, the present pastor. 

The first meetings of the colored people were held in the 
Froe-Will Baptist church by the courte.sy of that society. 
After the organization was efl^ected the society held meet- 
ings in a building of their ownT This building, which was 
an old dwelling, together with the lot on which it now 
stands, was purchased by Lord Nelson Turner, a prominent 
member of the church, at a total cost of §330. The build- 
ing was fitted up inside at a considerable expense, and is 
still used by the church pending the completion of a new 
house of worship. 

I'nder the management of Rev. 5Ir. Alexander the 
society have undertaken -the erection of a new building. 
The corner-stone was laid on the 12th of October, 1879, 
and the building has been erected and inclosed. It is sur- 
mounted by a symmetrical spire, and has an addition in the 
rear. It remains to be veneeredf and finished on the inside, 
and will probably have cost, when fully completed, some- 
thing over $2000. A circular appeal has been issued to 
the friends of the church throughout the country, asking 
aid to enable the society to complete their house, of which 
they stand in great need. When the new building was 
decided upon the old structure was moved to the rear of 
the lot, where it is doing service for the congregation. The 
present membership comprises the heads of about twenty 
families, and is the only colored church organization in the 
city. 

A Sabbath-school has existed since the organization of 
the first society, but it languished, and was not kept up 
steadily until April 13, 1879, when Mr. Henry N. Law- 
rence, Deputy State Commissioner of Insurance, with other 
white friends of the enterprise, was induced to take hold 
and endeavor to place the school on a more substantial 
foundation. In this praiseworthy object he has succeeded 
beyond expectation. Principally through his efforts, aided 
by teachers and workers from the other Protestant Sunday- 
schools of the city, the school has been brought up to a 
comparatively high standard, and now numbers (average 
attendance) about fifty, divided into five classes, of which 
two are adult, two intermediate, and one an infant class. 
Including Mr. Lawrence, who acts as superintendent, there 

f Tlie process of bricking up a frame on the outside is known in 
tile West as veneering. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



171 



are five teachers, all white, and volunteers from the various 
clmrches of the oil}'. 

Knowinj; the value of good music, and espociiiUy among 
the colored people, Mr. Lawrence has succeeded in procur- 
ing a good .second-hand organ, at a cost of about fifty dollars, 
which he has presented to the school. A white lady from 
one of the other cliurchcs presides at the in.strument. The 
school is strictly a nii-ssion school ; and it is earnestly hoped 
that both the church organization and the Sabbath-school 
may be ere long placed beyond a peradventure, and take 
their places among similar institutions of the land. 

Jlr. Turner, whose curious name is mentioned in a pre- 
vious connection, has seen a checkered life. He was born 
in Clark Co., Ky., in February, 181.5, and named after the 
celebrated Kngli.sh admiral who fell at Trafalgar. At the 
breaking out of the Mexican war, Mr. Turner followed the 
army in the capacity of a servant to Capt. Pridgett, of an 
Ohio regiment, marched with the regiment from Natchez 
overland through Texas to the Mexican boundary, and was 
present at the famous battle of Buena Vista, where he wit- 
nessed the death of young Henry Clay, of whom he speaks 
enthusiastically as a most gallant ofiicer and accomplished 
gentleman. Mr. Turner has been prominent in connection 
with the African church, filling at various periods the offices 
of class-leader, trustee, etc. 

PROTESTANT METHODIST.* 

This society grew out of a Sunday-school which was 
established on Cedar Street, east of the river, in the spring 
of 1866 by Mrs. L. J. Hill and her brother, L. B. Baker, 
in the house where they lived, with a view to affording re- 
ligious instruction to that portion of the city lying near the 
confluence of the Grand and Cedar Rivers, which was 
popularly known as " Mackerel Point," and was supposed 
to bear about the same relation to the city generally that 
the celebrated " Five Points" in the lower portion of New 
York City bore to that metropolis. Many of the dwellers 
in that benighted neighborhood, and more especially the 
children, were deemed by Christian people to stand as much 
in suffering need of mission efforts as the heathen of foreign 
lands, and it was under this philanthropic view of the situa- 
tion that Mrs. Hill and her brother, who were members of 
the Presbyterian Church, undertook to furnish means of 
instruction. The school was soon transferred to the old 
" Michigan Hotel" building, situated in the midst of the 
benighted district, and the efforts seem to have been covered 
with abundant success. Interest became awakened, and 
soon a numerous congregation gathered in the venerable 
hostelry, until it became necessary to enlarge the operations 
by procuring the services of a minister, which was accom- 
plished by calling Rev. Alfred Bryant, a venerable apostle 
of his Master, who preached with so much effect that a 
revival of religion soon followed, and many were converted 
and became respectable and worthy members of society. 

The effort was prospered beyond the expectations of 
those who had been instrumental in piromoting it, and 
closely following the revival a church society was organized, 



• Compiled from information furnished by Mrs. L. J. Hill and Mr. 
I.. B. Baker. 



a lot was purchased, and a neat frame church erected near 
the corner of Main Street and Washington Avenue. The 
cost of the building was about §1600, which was largely 
contributed by Mr. Bryant, who held a lien on the properly 
as security. Considerable sums were collected in other 
ways; friends in New Jersey furnished a bell, and Mr. A. 
J. Viele donated a fine cabinet organ for the use of the 
congregation. The church building was erected in 18G7, 
and Mr. Bryant continued his labors until about 1870, 
when owing to many untoward circumstances the property 
was sold to clear off the debt due Mr. Bryant, which had 
not been liquidated. 

About the same date a Protestant Methodist society, 
compo-sed quite largely of members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Lansing, was organized, among its most 
prominent and efficient promoters being Messrs. Smith and 
Gibson, the former living south of Lansing, and the latter 
in Meridian township. The new Methodist society finally 
purchased the church property, and now own it clear of 
debt. From that time it cea.scd to be a Presbyterian 
society. 

Since the change to a Methodist organization the society 
have had preaching most of the time, though there have 
been intervals when they were destitute of a settled min- 
ister. Among those who have officiated have been Revs. 
John Cromach, Samuel Reeves, Shultz, E. G. Brum- 
baugh, and Burghof, the present pastor. The society 

is small, and it is with considerable difficulty that a minister 
is supported. There is a Sunday-school connected with the 
church, whi(th is a continuation of the original school of 
186G. 

PUESBYTIiltlAX. . 

Probably the initiatory movement out of which resulted 
the organization of the First Presbyterian Church in Lan- 
sing was made by tho.se professing the doctrines of the 
Congregational denomination. On the 7ih day of July, 
1847, seven of these, j" under the leader.ship of Rev. S. S. 
Brown, an agent of the Connecticut Home Missionary 
Society, met in North Lansing, then a part of the " Town of 
Michigan," and constituted a Congregational society ; but 
owing to removals and disagreements the organization was 
short-lived, and the minister in charge. Rev. Benjamin F. 
Millard, after a Ce\f months' labor, became discouraged, and 
certified to Rev. Calvin Clark, then agent for the American 
Home Missionary Society for Michigan, that the only hope 
for Calvinistic believers in Lansing was in the prompt or- 
ganization of a Presbyterian Church, and he recommended 
that steps be taken to that end immediately. 

Agreeably to this recommendation, it was resolved to 
proceed with such an organization, and on the 17th of 
December, 1847, a meeting was held at the school-house 
in North Lan.sing, the following minutes of which are from 

the church record : 

"Dece.miieii 17, lf47. 

"At a meeting of professing Christians held at tbo school-house in 

the 'Town of Michigan/ agreeable to previous notice, for the purpose 

of forming a Presbyterian Church, there were present, Ucv. Calvin 

Clark, who acted as moderator; Mr. Aaron Norris, from Presbyterian 



"f Of the seven original members of this society two are still li' 
in Lansing, and have never united with any other church. 



172 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Church at Northville, Mich.; Mrs. Louisa Norris, from First Presby- 
teri.nn Church of Plymouth, Mich.; Mr. James Scjmour, from Brick 
Church of Rochester, N. Y. ; and Mrs. RanJall, from Presbyte- 
rian Church, Hamilton, N. Y. 

"Meeting opened with prayer. 

"Voted, that a Presbyterian Church in connection with the Mar- 
shall Presbytery be formed at this time, and that it be called 'The 
First Presbyterian Church of the Town of Michigan.' * 

" Voted, that the confc^^sion of faith and covenant adopted by the 
Presbytery of Geneva, N. Y., and now presented by Mr. Clark, be 
adopted by this church. Mr. Norris was appointed a deacon pro tern." 

The society had no stated ministry for several months, 
but ill July, 1848, the llev. Mr. Rice, from the Presbytery 
of AVatevtown, N. Y., visited Lansing with a view of set- 
tling, but after a few days returned to New York. On the 
1st of September, of the same year, Rev. Calvin Clark, 
accompanied by Rev. W. W. Atterbury, visited the place 
and introduced his companion as a candidate for ministerial 
labors. After preaching one Sabbath, and visiting during a 
few days, he returned to Detroit. A meeting of the members 
was soon after called, and, upon consultation, an invitation 
was extended to Mr. Atterbury to become their pastor. 
This call he responded favorably to, and began his labors 
on the first Sabbath in November, 1848, under a com- 
mission from the American Home Missionary Society, 
which guaranteed his salary, to the extent of §400 per 
annum, for one year. He continued his labors from that 
date as stated supply until the last Sabbath in April, 1854. 
During his continuance the cliurch secured from the Home 
Missionary Society annually the sum of 8200, the remainder 
of the §400 being collected in the field. Under his min- 
istry sixty members were added to the church, — twenty 
on profession of faith ; twelve were dismissed to other 
churches, three died, and one was excommunicated for suf- 
ficient cause. 

During the first three years of Mr. Atterbury 's continu- 
ance Sabbath services were held in the State Capitol in the 
morning, excepting about three months of the year 1849, 
when they were held in a tavern building then known as 
the " Ohio House," the minister using a flour barrel set on 
end for a pulpit. The afternoon services during the first 
year of the three were held in the school-hou.se where the 
church was originally formed ; after that in the chapel, 
which was u.sed in common by the Presbyterians and Meth- 
odists at North Lansing. 

On the first Sabbath in January, 1849, six per.sons 
united with the church by letter, to wit: S. R. Greene, P. 
S. Greene, his wife; John R. Price and Jane, his wife; 
James T. Kedzie, and Jane Caull. Of this number Mr. 
Greene and wife are yet members ; J. R. Price and wife were 
dismissed to join the Franklin Street Church ; James T. 
Kedzie is now an elder in the church at Blissfield, Mich. ; 
and Jane Caull is since dead. 

On the 12th of March, 1849, S. R. Greene and Aaron 
Norris were elected and duly installed as ruling elders, 
which completed the organization of the church. Elder 
Greene has been continued in this office to the present 
time. Elder Norris was twice re-elected, and finally dis- 
missed, in 1855, to join the Methodist Church. John M. 



* When the Legislature, in 1848, changed the name of the place to 
L8nsin°r, the church altered its title to suit the circumstances. 



Chase was elected an elder in 1853, but after about a year's 
service left this church and united with one at Ann Arbor, 
-Mich. 

The enterprise of building a church edifice began to be 
agitated in the winter of 1850-51, and in the spring fol- 
lowing the people of Lansing and vicinity pledged the sum 
of §2200, and about §1500 was raised among friends at the 
East towards the object. On the 1st of March, 1852, a 
contract was entered into between the church trustees and 
S. R. Greene and J. B. Price to erect the building. AVork 
commenced in April of the same year, and the edifice, which 
was originally fifty-eight by thirty-eight feet in dimensions, 
was completed and dedicated on the last Wednesday of De- 
cember, 1852. The dedication sermon was delivered by 
Rev. S. H. Hall, of Marshall, Mich. The expense of build- 
ing left the society considerably in debt, a burden which 
was not wholly removed until 1860. 

In the autumn of 1856, mainly through the efforts of 
the Ladies' Benevolent Society, the first church bell in Lan- 
sing was procured and hung in the tower of this church. 
It was rung not only for religious services, but as a time- 
bell for the accommodation of the people for several years. 
The total cost of the edifice originally was something over 
$4000. 

From 1851 to 1855, in common with other interests, this 
society suffered from the general stagnation of growth and 
business in Lansing. 

In the spring of 1854, Mr. Atterbury declared his in- 
tention of resigning his charge, and his resignation was 
finally accepted, with much regret, to take effect from May 
1st of that year. He was succeeded on the first Sabbath 
in May by the Rev. Benjamin Franklin, from the Presby- 
tery of Salem, Ind., who officiated as stated supply until 
the last Sabbath in October, 1855. During his ministra- 
tions twenty persons were added to the membership, and 
about an equal number were dismissed to other churches. 

From Nov. 1, 1855, to July 1, 1856, the church was 
without regular preaching. There was occasional preaching 
by candidates for the pulpit, and reading services, in the 
absence of these, were kept up by lay members. 

In June, 1856, the Rev. Chester S. Armstrong, a grad- 
uate of Union Theological Seminary, New York, but not 
an ordained minister, with whom some of the members had 
become acquainted, was invited to officiate for the society, 
and began his work on the first Sabbath in July following. 
His ministry proving satisfactory, a formal call was extended 
him to become the regular pastor in September, after a reg- 
ular meeting of the church and congregation, and the so- 
ciety resolved that henceforth they would be self-supporting. 
Up to this time it had been a mission church, and as such 
had received from §150 to §200 per annum from the 
American Home Missionary Society. The town had once 
more begun to build up, and among the new-comers were 
several of wealth and influence who aided this church. Mr. 
Armstrong was duly ordained a minister by the Presbytery 
of Marshall, and installed pastor of the Lansing church on 
the 6th of November, 1856. He continued from that time 
until September, 1864, to discharge acceptably the duties of 
pastor, and during his term of service there were 120 ad- 
ditions to the membership, of whom 110 wore by profession. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



173 



During the same time sixty-two were dismissed to other 
churches, two were cscommunicated, five were suspended, 
and fourteen died. Mr. Armstrong finally resigned to ac- 
cept tlie position of chaplain in the 4th .Michigan Cavalry 
llcgiment. 

A Sabbath-school had been organized at the beginning 
of Mr. Atterbury'.s labors, but liaviiig fallen off somewhat, 
a determined effort was made during Mr. Armstrong's min- 
istration, under the lead of Joseph Mills, since deceased, 
and the school was placed upon an improved standing; 
large additions were wade to the membership, and much 
interest was manifested in its prosperity. 

p]arly in the year 18G3 a movement was inaugurated 
among the members living in the northern part of the city 
looking to the establishment of a second church. This was 
encouraged by prominent citizens and others, and a society, 
called the " Franklin Street Church," was organized. By 
this movement a large number of the members of the old 
church were drawn off, and the new one increased and 
flourished to a remarkable degree, and a cordial state of 
feeling was kept alive between the two societies. 

About a year later, in the early part of the year 18G4, 
the First Church suffered a further diminution by the with- 
drawal of about thirty of its members who had resolved to 
adopt the discipline and belief of the Congregational 
Church. From September to December, 18G-t, the church 
was again without a pastor. 

In the beginning of December of this year Rev. J. 
Everts Weed, of Toledo, Ohio, was secured to fill the pulpit 
for a season, and his work being satisfactory he was called, 
and formally installed as pastor on the 28th of June, 1805, 
and remained until May 12, 1870. During his ministry 
there were seventy-eight additions to the membership by 
letter, and forty-two by profession. The church edifice was 
also enlarged and repaired at a cost of something more than 
83000.* 

In the early part of June, 1870, Rev. L. W. Chapman, 
i'rom an Indiana Presbytery, commenced labors with this 
church as stated supply, and continued one year, during 
which two members were added b}' letter, and four on pro- 
fession of faith. In July, 1871, Rev. John M. AUis, of 
tlie Albany, N. Y., Presbytery, visited Lansing and received 
a call to this church which he accepted, and entered upon 
his labors on the 28th of August. He continued to fill the 
position until October, 1874, when, in consequence of the 
continued ill health of his wife, he was reluctantly com- 
pelled to tender his resignation, which was regretfully ac- 
cepted. During his stay the church had been remarkably 
well organized, and he was a most efficient and popular 
leader. It was during his pastorate that the fine organ 
was purchased and placed in the church, the enterprise 
being materially aided by the ladies of the congregation. 
Sixty-one new members were added to the church during 
his ministry. 

Succeeding the removal of Mr. AUis for a period of 
about ten months the cliureh was without a regular pastor. 



* The original pinnning and building of the church, and the en- 
largement and improvements mcDtionod, were under the siipKrvision 
of Elder Greene. 



Quite a number of candidates filled the desk, until in Au- 
gust, 1875, the Rev. Charles Simp.son, of the Presbytery of 
Gene.see, N. Y., was invited to preach for one year ; but at 
the end of that period, his ministration not having been 
satisfactory to all the members, he was not further en- 
gaged. During the year thirty-four members' were added 
to the roll. 

In November, 187(5, an arrangement was made with Rev. 
George Duffield to supply tlic pulpit, and on the 5th of Do- 
cember, in the same year, he was unanimously called to the 
pa.storate, which call he accepted, and continued until the 
la.st of May, 1879, when he was succeeded by the Rev W.- 
K. Spencer, the present pastor, who was regularly installed 
in September following. 

The present membership of this churcli is 225, and the 
Sabbath-school has an average attendance of about 200. 

Frunhlin Street Pieshyteruin C/iuieh. — This church is 
an offshoot from the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing. 
The members of the latter church in October, 18(13, formed 
a society and commenced holding services in the old chapel 
previously occupied by the Methodists and Presbyterians. 
The Methodists had entertained the project of forming a 
second society in North Lansing, and propo.sed to erect a 
new church edifice at the foot of Washington Avenue; but 
after thoroughly considering the matter the project was 
given up as impracticable. About this time James Turner, 
a leading member of the Methodist Church, proposed to 
Rev. BIr. Armstrong to donate the lot at the foot of Wash- 
ington Avenue to the Presbyterians, provided they would 
undertake to supply North Lansing with gospel preaching. 
This very liberal proposition of Mr. Turner's was accepted, 
a board of trustees was appointed, and immediate steps were 
taken towards the erection of a commodious house of wor- 
ship. 

In October, 18C3, the Presbyterian Synod met at Lan- 
sing, and among the attending members was Rev. Alfred 
Bryant, whose services were secured for the new society for 
one year, beginning with November, 18G3. 

Early in 18C4, under Mr. Bryant's ministry, "The 
Franklin Street Church" was organized and established on 
a firm foundation. The original membership was composed of 
twenty-five persons dismissed from the First Cliurch, about 
twenty from other churches, and ten converts, the fruits of 
a series of meetings held early in the spring of 18G4. The 
church organization was completed on the 20th of April, 
18G4. Mr. Bryant continued as pastor until August, 1SG5, 
when he resigned his charge preparatory to engaging in mis- 
sionary labor. 

The work of erecting a house of worship was pushed 
vigorously under the supervision of 51 r. Bryant, and the 
building was completed in October, 1865, about two months 
after the resignation of the pastor. In the mean time, Rev_ 
C. S. Armstrong had resigned his chaplaincy in the army 
and returned to Lansing. Upon the resignation of Mr. 
Bryant, Mr. Armstrong's services were procured as stated 
supply, and he commenced his labors about the 1st of Sep- 
tember, 1865. 

The new edifice was dedicated on the 3d of October, in 
the last-mentioned year, with appropriate ceremonies. Mr. 
Armstrong continued to perform the duties of pastor until 



174 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the month of April, 1869, when he resigned to accept a 
call from Alton, 111. 

On the 3d of June, 1809, Rev. William Grandy, of 
Gait, Canada, accepted a call and served the society until 
September, 1870, when he was succeeded by Rev. Alfred 
Bryant, wh5 became a second time pastor of this church. 
Mr. Bryant was regularly installed in December of that 
year, and remained until Sept. 1, 1874, when his resigna- 
tion was tendered and reluctantly accepted. Succeeding 
him, for a period of eighteen months, came Rev. Coles R. 
Wilkins, who resigned at the end of that period, and re- 
lumed to the State of New York. 

From about midsummer of 1876 to the summer of 1877 
the society was without the services of a settled pastor. 
The Sunday-school services were, however, continued regu- 
larly. 

In the summer of 1877, Rev. W. H. Allbriglit, a student 
of Auburn New Y^ork Theological Seminary, occupied the 
desk by invitation for about three months, succeeding which 
there were no regular services until the summer of 1879, 
when steps were taken to procure the services of Rev. D. 
L. Munro, who was then in Europe completing his theo- 
logical studies. On the 24th of August, in that year, Mr. 
Munro began his labors as pastor elect. On the 17th of 
September following he was examined by the Lansing 
Presbytery, in session at Marshall, and being found accept- 
able, was duly installed on the 19th of September as pastor 
of the church, which position he still occupies. 

The membership of both church and Sabbath-school is 
large and the society is prosperous. 

PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.® 
The original Congregational Society in Lansing was or- 
ganized on the 7th of July, 1847, with seven members, by 
Rev. S. S. Brown, an agent of the Connecticut Home 
Missionary Society. Rev. Benjamin F. Millard was the 
first settled pastor, but remained only a few months ; and 
most of the members were soon after merged in the Pres- 
byterian Church which was organized in the latter part of 
the same year. This was understood, however, to be a 
temporary arrangement ; but the different elements worked 
harmoniously together for a period of sixteen years. 

No further attempt was made to organize a Congrega- 
tional Church until the 26th of April, 1861, though several 
of the members of the first society remained steadfast 
through all the intervening years, never giving up the 
cherished idea of one day seeing a flourishing church in 
Lansing. At the date last mentioned a church was organ- 
ized under favorable auspices and given the title of " The 
Plymouth Church of Lansing." The original members 
numbered twenty-seven. Nearly at the same time a Con- 
gregational Society was organized for the purpose of taking 
charge of the secular and financial affairs of the church. 

The Senate-chamber in the old Capitol was occupied for 
religious services until the autumn of 1865, when a chapel 
was fitted up on a lot donated by the State lying west of 
the Lansing House, on the same block. This building was 
removed to the site of the new church edifice in 1870, and 



I'lincipally Trom infiirraation furnished hy Deacon C. B. Stebbins. 



enlarged and refitted for use until the latter was completed, 
since which it has been occupied for prayer-meetings and 
for Sunday-school purposes. It is thirty by sixty feet in 
dimensions, and comfortably and conveniently fitted up. 

The ministers officiating previous to July, 1865, were 
Revs. J. B. Walker, A. H. Fletcher, F. Hurd, J. C. Arm- 
strong, Professors 0. Hosford and G. T. Fairchild, and 
perhaps a few others. At the last-mentioned date Rev. C. 
C. Mclntire became the settled pastor, and continued for 
three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Stewart Sheldon, 
who remained one year. In January, 1870, Rev. S. 0. 
Allen accepted the position and remained two years. In 
March, 1872, Rev. M. W. Fairchild entered upon his 
pastorate and continued until March 10, 1874, when lie 
resigned, and the church was without a settled pastor until 
November in the same year, when Rev. Theodore P. Prud- 
den, of New Haven, Conn., accepted a call, and still con- 
tinues to fill the position, receiving a salary of $2000 per 
annum. 

On the 6th of December, 1875, the preliminary steps were 
taken towards the erection of a new church edifice. The lots 
had been already purchased at an expense of about SHOO, 
though a portion was subsequently sold at .such an advance 
that the actual cost of the site was reduced to some §300. 
The lots formerly occupied by the first chapel were sold for 
other purposes. 

The architectural plans of the new building were fur- 
nished by G. H. Edbrooke & Co., of Chicago, and it was 
commenced in 1876, and carried to completion as rapidly 
as possible. The church was formally dedicated on the 
18th of March, 1877. Rev. T. P. Prudden preached the 
sermon, and Rev. T. C. Abbott, president of the Agricultural 
College, took part in the exercises. Professor Chadwick, of 
Olivet, presided at the organ. 

The new structure, which stands on the southeast corner 
of Townsend and Allegan Streets, facing the State Capitol 
on the north, is in the Norman Gothic style, one hundred 
by seventy-five feet in dimensions, and co.st complete, in- 
cluding furniture, organ, etc., about $22,000. The cost 
of the building proper was about $18,000. The principal 
material in the walls is red brick, manufactured in Lansing, 
with trimmings of sandstone from Illinois. The steps are 
from the limestone quarries of Joliet, 111. The height of 
the roof from the ground is 72 feet, and of the tower, 
100 feet. There are two entrances: the principal one, 
on Allegan Street, is ornamented by a fine portico, having 
four flanking columns with carved capitals. The windows 
are of stained glass, and include a large and beautiful cir- 
cular one in front over the main entrance. The ceiling of 
the audience-room is elaborately frescoed, and the wood- 
work is of black walnut finely finished. The organ loft 
and choir, in the rear of the pulpit, are finished in carved 
wood-work by Mr. D. Edgar, of Lansing, and do credit 
to his taste and mechanical skill. The seats are arranged 
in circular or elliptical form upon a rising floor, and com- 
fortably accommodate 520 persons. The edifice was pro- 
nounced by the architect of the State Capitol one of the 
finest in the country. The organ is a very superior instru- 
ment, and the church supports an excellent choir. 

The present membership is about 260, and the average 



CITiT OF LANSING. 



175 



membership of the Sabbath-school not far from 200. The 
latter possesses a large and well-selected library. 

Among those who have served the church in the capacity 
of deacons are C. B. Stebbins, C. B. Seymour, P. C. Ayres, 
Kalph Camp, Justin Esselstyn, J. B. Porter, H. Pliinney, 
N. B. Jones, and E. Benieiit. The superintendents of the 
Sunday-school have been C. B. Stebbins, J. B. Porter, K. 
Bement. 

FREE-WILL B.APTL^T. 

Firs/ Free -Will Btip/ist* — This church was organized 
May 30, 1848, by Rev. II. S. Limbocker and James Big- 
nail, at the residence of Cyrus II. Thompson, who was 
chosen the first deacon, — ten gentlemen and seven ladies 
uniting in the organization. 

They met in their first "covonant'-meeting on the 24th 
of June following in the school-house, a small frame build- 
ing then " in the woods," nearly on the site now occupied 
by the Second Ward school building. Horatio A. Barker 
was the first clerk of the church. 

Kev. L. J. Madden was the first pastor, commencing his 
laboi-s July 1, 1848. His pastorate continued nearly a 
year, with some success, yet under many discouragements. 

From the close of Elder Madden's labors until April 4, 
lSu2 (nearly three years), the church was without a pastor. 
They were visited occasionally by Elders Limbocker, Cur- 
rier, Parker, Bignall, and perhaps others. During this 
period the church was struggling, under much embarras.s- 
ment, to build a house of worship. Considerable funds 
had been raised by Elders Limbocker and Bignall, through 
the Michigan Yearly Meeting, to assist in this effort. On 
the 2Uth of February, 1852, the work was so far advanced 
that the first prayer-meeting was held in the new house, 
and on the 5th of March following it was dedicated, 
Elder II. S. Limbocker preaching the sermon ; after which 
he continued a series of meetings, which resulted in a 
number of conversions, of whom several of the subjects 
were baptized and united with the church. Among these 
was Sister J. W. Barker, who has continued a faithful and 
working member, and is at this time the member of longest 
standing. 

On (he 4lh of May, 1850, the church licensed Brothers 
B. C. Macumber and II. A. Barker to preach, and Brother 
Barker assumed pastoral relations with the church April 4, 
1852. In October following he and Brother JIacuuiber 
were ordained by the " Grand Kiver Quarterly Meeting" 
at the refjuest of the church. Brother Barker continued 
as pastor for about one year. 

On the 6th of August, 1853, Elder William Collins, 
from the State of New York, met with the church in 
" covenant'-meeting. He and his wife united with the 
church, and he was chosen pastor and filled the ofiice faith- 
fully until removed by death, Jan. 11, 1854. The church 
was again left without a pastor, and its members were 
greatly discouraged, until Rev. J. C. Ferris came from the 
State of New York and became a resident of Lansing. 
On the 20th of February, 1856, himself and wife united 
with the church, and he was chosen pastor, and in that 



• By Rev. L. B. Potter. 



relation labored until the 28th of February, 1857, when he 
resigned. 

From this time the church had no preaching for more 
than a year, and by deaths and removals became much 
reduced in numbers and disheartened to the verge of dis- 
bandment. To this time fourteen members had been added 
by baptism. 

On the 24th of April, 1858, Brother L. B. Potter met 
with a few who had gathered in eovenant-ineetings, and 
gave them some encouragement.. He was a licensed min- 
ister, and had removed hence from Jackson Co., Mich., 
and with his wife united with the Lansing church. At 
that time the meeting-house was occupied by the Close- 
Communion Baptists, who vacated it about the 1st of June 
following, at which time Brother Potter commenced preach- 
ing every Sabbath as pastor, — which relation continued 
without interruption a little more than ten 3'ears. By re- 
quest of this church. Brother Potter had been ordained by 
the Grand River Quarterly Jlceting, July 11, 1858. 

At a covenant-meeting, held on the 6th of September, 
1868, Elder Potter moved to extend a call to Rev. A. J. 
Davis to become pastor of the church, which motion was 
adopted. Brother Davis, being present, asked time until 
the next meeting to con.-ider his answer. At a covenant- 
meeting, held Oct. 4, 1868, Elder Potter tendered his 
resignation, which was accepted, and Elder Davis was 
elected pastor at an annual salary of S600. 

During the last pastorate a new roof had been put upon 
the house of worship and other needed improvements 
made; and long-standing indebtedness, incurred in the 
erection of the building, had been paid in full. The church 
lot, which was burdened with tax titles, had been freed 
from incumbrance, the membership had slowly but gradu- 
ally increased to about threefold the number when Mr. 
Potter commenced his labors, and the church was united. 
Twelve had been added by baptism to the membership 
during the same period. 

Until this time the financial condition of the church had 
been such as to compel the necessity of every minister sup- 
porting his family, maini}' by secular labor during six days 
of the week, leaving him little time to prepare for Sabbath 
services, or to attend to needed pastoral work. 

Elder Davis labored as pastor until the close of 1874, a 
period of six years and three months, without intermission, 
and baptized ten persons who united with the church. 

From Jan. 1 to Oct. 1, 1875, the church was without a 
pastor, but regular meetings were kept up by "supplies," 
and during the interval five persons were baptized and 
united with the church. 

About the 1st of October, 1875, Elder John Malvern 
began labor as pastor, which relation was mutually ter- 
minated in less than a year, in consequence of the failing 
health of his companion. During this short pastorate 
seventeen new members united with the church by baptism. 

On the 15th of October, 1876, the church voted to call 
Elder L. B. Potter to ofliciate as pastor for one year, at the 
close of which term the church was again dependent upon 
supplies for about the period of another year; Rev. C. M. 
C. Cook, a resident minister, officiating a greater part of 
the time. Rev. Horace Perry was then settled as pastor, 



170 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



but continued less than a year in consequence of the fast 
failing health of liis wife. During his pastorate four mem- 
bers united by baptism. 

From tlic au(umn of 1S79 followed another season of 
"supplies," which continued until the second Sabbath in 
May, 1880, when llcv. I. U. Spencer, the present pastor, 
accepted a call and entered upon his labors. 

During the existence of this church 187 persons have 
had a membership, of whom 62 united by baptism and 
125 by letter. Of these, 20 are deceased, 15 have been 
excluded, 71 have gone out by letter, 25 have removed 
without letter, 4a remain as resident members, and lo as 
non-resident members. 

The number of persons connected with the Sabbath- 
school is at present 55 ; number of volumes in the library, 
225 ; number of papers taken, GO ; value of church prop- 
erty, about $2500. 

There is connected with this church a " mission band," 
which was organized in June, 1879. It is largely con- 
ducted and managed by the ladies of the congregation, and 
supports a native zenana-teacher in India at an expense 
of twenty-five dollars per year. The Indian school was 
named the " Lansing School, ' in honor of this society, by 
Miss Phillips, daughter of an American Baptist missionary 
to India, who was born in that country. 



First Baptist Church* — Tiie first meeting for the pur- 
pose of organizing a Baptist Church in Lansing was held in 
the school-house at North Lansing, Jan. 26, 1851. The 
original members were Nathaniel Glassbrook, Ephraim Can- 
field, J. D. Edwards, Hannah Quackenbush, James Olds, 
Hannah Olds, Eliza N. Merrill, Susannah Canfield, Mary 
W. Dryer, Margaret P. Dryer, Eleanor Ann Welsh, Lavinia 
Simons, Eliza Glassbrook, and Ilebekah B. Edwards. The 
first deacons were Eluathan Canfield and Nathaniel Glass- 
brook. 

The first additions to the church were William Sears, 
John A. Willoughby, Mary J. Dooty, Delilah A. Clapsad- 
dle, Harriet M. Tooker, and Sally Olds, who were received 
through the ordinance of baptism on the 2d of February, 
1851. The society was recognized as a regular Baptist 
Church by a council of churches held March 26, 1851. 
The .sermon on the occasion was delivered by Rev. C.- A. 
Lamb, who also gave the " right hand of fellowship." An 
address to the new church was made by Rev. J. Gunder- 
uian. 

The church extended a call to Rev. P. C. Dayfoot to be- 
come their pastor on the 1st of September, 1852, and he 
was regularly appointed to the charge on November 1st in 
that year by the American Home Missionary Society. He 
remained until the 4th of May, 1855. 

On the 14th of December, 1856, a call was extended to 
Rev. L. H. Moore to become pastor of the society, which 
was accepted, and he commenced his labors Jan. 30, 1857. 
He contiuui.d until Jan. 1, 1860, and *as succeeded, on 
the 5th ot May following, by Rev. James McLeod, who 
remained uLtil Feb. 2, 1861. Following him came Rev. J. 



C. Armstrong from June, 1861, to May 31, 1862, after 
which the pulpit was filled by Rev. Charles Johnson from 
June, 1862, to Jan. 31, 1863, and Rev. Hoagle from Jan. 
3, 1863, to May, 13, 1863, as supplies, when Rev. William 
Tilley was installed as regular pastor, and continued in that 
relation until April 30, 1864, when he resigned. 

Succeeding him. Rev. G. H. Hickox was pastor from Oct. 
23, 1864, to Sept. 30, 1871. Rev. Daniel Crosby was pas- 
tor from March 2, 1872, until some time in March, 1877, 
in which month he was succeeded by Rev. ]<1 J. Fish, who 
continued his labors for nearly two years, and was followed, 
on the 1st of March, 1879, by Rev. Andrew Murdoch, the 
present pastor. 

The present membership is 224. Deacons, John A. 
Crosman, R. C. Coryell, J. B. Lemley ; clerk, E. F. Swan. 
The Sunday-school numbers six ofiicers, thirteen teachers, 
and 193 scholars. Volumes in library, 212. 

Previous to the erection of their church edifice the mem- 
bers assembled for worship in diiFerent places, sometimes in 
school-bouses and at times in other convenient buildings. 
The present church edifice was erected previous to 1860, at 
a cost of about $4000. It is a neat and substantial edifice 
of wood, surmounted by a spire, and contains a cabinet 
organ and bell. It stands on the southwest corner of Capi- 
tol Avenue and Ionia Street. 

EPISCOPAL. 

St. Paul's Protestant Fpisopal.'f — This church was 
organized in 1856, and the following- named persons were 
elected the first " board of vestiymen :" William H. Chap- 
man, Edwin R. Merrifield, Edwin H. Whitney, Thomas 
W. Meacham, Herman Hascall, George W. Peck. 

Rev. John Bramwell, of Monroe, Mich., accepted a call 
from the vestry to become rector of the parish. Services 
were held in the old State Capitol until a church building 
could be erected. A lot on the southwest corner of Wash- 
ington Avenue aud Ionia Street was subsequently pur- 
chased, and a small frame edifice erected thereon in 1859 
at a cost of about §2500. Services were held in this build- 
ing until 1872, when the lot, which was becoming valuable 
for business purposes, was sold to Daniel W. Buck, and 
the building to Messrs. Torrey & Williams, who removed 
it to the east side of Grand Street, near the foot of Ionia 
Street, and transformed it into a shop for the manufacture 
and sale of marble monuments and headstones. It has 
since become the property of Messrs. Bement & Sons, who 
are now using it for the storage of agricultural implements. 

Upon the lot was erected the fine Opera-House Block 
owned by Daniel W. Buck. After the sale of the property 
on Washington Avenue the vestry selected and purchased 
two lots on the northeast corner of Seymour and Ottawa 
Streets, fronting the Capitol grounds, on which, in 1873, 
was erected the Gothic edifice now occupied by the society, 
at a cost, including furniture, beating apparatus, carpets, 
organ, etc., of $8500. The sittings in the new edifice num- 
ber 350, and the building is a very neat and respectable 
one. 

The rectors succeeding Mr. Bramwell have been the 



* From matcrialiS furnished by E. F. Swan. 



f Prepare! by Mr. Edwin H. Whitney. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



ir, 



following: Revs. William Withingfon, William W. Ilickox, 
Edward Jleyer, H. Bolding Burges-s, Henry J. Brown, 
Henry Bunwell, J. F. Walker, Joseph Wood, John W. 
Clark, Ebenezer Thoiupson. 

The present number of communicants is about 100, and 
the parish supports a growing, prosperous Sunday-school. 



Si. Mary's. — About the year 1830 the Rev. Father 
Kuntel, of the Order of the Holy Redeemer, was sent by 
the Right Rev. 1'. V. Lefevere to attend to the spiritual 
and temporal interests of the Catholic population living in 
and about Lansing, in all, at that time, some thirty fam- 
ilies. Soon after the foundations for a brick church edifice, 
ihirty-six by fifty feet, were laid, but from the want of 
thorough organization and the necessary means the work 
came to a standstill, and was not renewed until the year 
]8(j;5, when another priest was sent by the same bishop. 
He found the few Catholics of St. Mary's Church very 
poor and almost discouraged in the work of finishing their 
house of worship ; but after considerable exertion about 
81 000 were at length obtained, and the work of building 
was resumed. The sum was sufficient to carry up the walls, 
and the confidence of the people was restored. Both 
Catholics and non-Catholics came forward liberally, among 
the latter Hon. John A. Kerr, of the Ldiising Republican, 
being prominent. In the autumn of 18G4 the new build- 
ing was consecrated. After the lapse of nearly ten years, 
in 1S73, it became apparent that the cliurch edifice afforded 
insufficient space for the increasing congregation, and an 
addition, thirty-six by fifty feet in dimensions, was made. 
But as the number of Catholics kept increasing, two wings 
Were added in IST'J, each twenty by thirty feet, making the 
form of the building nearly that of a cross. During the 
]iresent season of 1880 the tower and spire have been also 
carried to completion, and the finished structure is a credit- 
able specimen of the builder's art, and roomy and con- 
venient. A comfortable dwelling for the priest adjoins the 
church on the north, and a convenient building has been 
erected for a parochial school. The church and parsonage 
are of brick, the school building of wood. The present 
number of communicants is about 'JOO, the average Sunday 
attendance of services about 850 people. 

UNIVERSALIST.f 
The First Vniversdlist Church of LuHsimj was organ- 
ized in the year 1840 under the Rev. C. W. Knicker- 
bocker, who was its first pastor. The pastors who have 
since officiated liave been Revs. George Vibbert, E. Morris, 
M. B. Carpenter, J. Straub, T. N. Glover, W. Sisson, Au- 
gustus J. Chapin, H. Slade, and George B. Stocking, the 
present pastor. The church edifice, a plain brick structure, 
situated corner of Grand and Allegan Streets, was dedicated 
on the 14lh of October, 1SG3. The society have the finest 
church organ in the city. It is from the manufactory of 
Hook & Hastings, Boston, Mass., and cost nearly 82000. 



• From inrormntion furnished by Rev. Louis Vandrifls, the priest 
in cbargo. 
t From informatiuQ furnished by Rev. George D. .Stocking. 
•li 



The yearly resources of the church amount to more than 
$2000. The present membership is 141, and about 100 
families regularly attend public .services. 

A flourishing Sunday-school is maintained, which dates 
back to 18.")."5. Its present membership is 140 scholar.^, 12 
teachers, and the usual officers. It has a valuable library 
of 400 volumes, and an annual revenue of 8150. The 
society is free from debt and in a prosperous condition. 

LUTllER.^N. 

.SV. Emanuel's German Lutheran.^ — Previous to 1856 
there was no organization of the German Lutherans in Lan- 
sing, though there was a considerable number in the place. 
Rev. F. Schmidt, of Ann Arbor, had visited this portion 
of the State, and preached in school-houses and private 
dwellings for a number of 3'ears; and in June, 1850, he 
organized the present church, or congregation, with some 
twelve or fifteen members. 

The present church edifice had been commenced in 1854 
on a lot purchased fin- the purpose, and was gradually com- 
pleted by individual labor and donations of lumber, stone, 
sand, etc., by the congregation generally. At first a loose 
floor of common boards was laid down, and the seats were 
of rough boards laid upon blocks. The building was finally 
finished in December, 1857. A fine bell, costing between 
8300 and 8400, was placed in the tower in 1808. The 
building is very neat and tasty, and has accommodations 
for 250 or 300 people. 

The first settled minister was Rev. Chr. Volz, in July, 
185G, who remained until May. 1857, when he removed to 
Bufl"alo, N. Y., where he now resides. Rev. Adam Burkle 
succeeded him in July, 1857, and continued until May, 1800, 
wlien he removed to Woodville, Ohio, and subse(|uently 
to Arkansa.s. He was followed on the 28th of October, 
1800, by Rev. John Her, who remained until August, 
1869, when he removed to the State of New York, and 
later to Kingsville, Md., where he now resides. Rev. R, 
Conrad succeeded him in July, 1870, and filled the position 
until June, 1873; and following Mr. Conrad was Rev. L. 
Zuber, who commenced his pastoral labors July 31, 1873, 
and ofliciatod until August, 187G, when he was succeeded 
by Rev. John M. Eipperlo, the present minister, who re- 
ceived the call on the 13th of August, and removed from 
Sturgis, Mich., on the 5th of September, in that year. In 
addition to his Lansing charge he also supplies his people 
at Okemos, in Ingham County, Laingsburg, in Shiawassee 
County, and Olive, in Clinton County, at stated intervals. 
At Okemos he occupies the Baptist church, which is rented 
for a portion of the time, and at Laingsburg and Olivo 
preaches in school buildings. 

A comfortable parsonage was erected by the congregation, 
on the lot with the church, in 1807 and 1868, and a small 
but convenient school building was also built in 1808, in 
which a school is taught during the six winter months by 
the minister. It is strictly a religious school, designed tu 
prepare the children for confirmation. During the remain- 
ing months they attend the public schools. The average 



J From informaliun obligingly furnii^bed by Rev. Johp M. Eip- 
perle, pastor of the eburcb. 



178 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



attendance at this school is about thirty. A Sabbath- 
school is held on every Sunday, with an average attend- 
ance of 125 pupils, under the instruction of twelve teachers. 
The school has a small library. The three buildings are 
situated on the same lot, northeast corner of Seymour and 
Kilbourne Streets. 

The Lutherans estimate their membership by families, of 
which only the names of the male members appear on the 
church records. The number of families at present con- 
nected with the congregation is about eighty-five, indicating 
a population of between 400 and 500. 

The Trinity German Lutheran Society was originally 
formed by about fourteen members who separated from this 
congregation in 1869. 

Trinity German Evangelical Lutheran* — This church 
w.is organized in 1871 by Messrs. F. Yeiter, E. A. Reitz, 
C. L. Baier, H. Rabe, J. Maier, J. C. Schneider, and 
others. With the single exception of Mr. Schneider these 
gentlemen were formerly members of St. John's Evangeli- 
cal Lutheran Church of Lansing, which the seceding 
. members claimed had become somewhat lax in church dis- 
cipline, more particularly in the matter of teaching the 
confessional books of the Orthodox Evangelical Lutheran 
Church. 

When Rev. J. Her was elected pastor of the St. John 
Evangelical Lutheran Church, and had taken charge in 
1866, he soon discovered what was wanting in his congre- 
gation and performed his duty accordingly. Some discon- 
tent arose, and he was complained of as being too severe in 
his sermons and too rigid in his discipline by a portion of 
the members, and the differences between the pastor and a 
section of his charge at length became serious, and even- 
tuated in a division of the church, the Rev. Her, with a 
portion of tlie members, withdrawing and forming a new 
society. This occurred on the 18th of August, 18C9. 

For nearly two years the new church held services, some- 
times in private dwellings and sometimes in the public 
school buildings, without a regular organization. In the 
mean time Rev. Her accepted a call from another charge, 
and the little flock in Lansing made application to the strict 
and true confessional of the German Evangelical Lutheran 
Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other States to send them a 
minister. The Synod thereupon appointed Rev. H. Ram- 
low, a graduate of Concordia College of Fort Wayne, Ind., 
and also of Concordia Lutheran Seminary of St. Louis, 
Mo., to the charge. 

On the 10th of September, 1871, the congregation or- 
ganized as the " Trinity German Evangelical Lutheran 
Congregation, U. A. C.,t of Lansing." A board of trustees, 
consisting of the following gentlemen, was elected : F. 
Y'^eiter, J. Klotz, J. Keller. J. C. Schneider was elected 
secretary of the board. The present officers of the church 
are F. Yeiter, H. Rabe, and J. C. Schneider. In Decem- 
ber, 1872, Rev. Ramlow accepted a call to a church in 
Illinois, and was succeeded by Rev. J. M. M. Moll, who 
took charge of the congregation Feb. 2, 1873, and served 
his people faithfully for more than four years. In August, 



■-■' From minutes furnished by Rev. J. Bundenthal. 
f Unaltered Augsburg Confession. 



1877, he accepted a call to the State of New York, and 
Rev. J. Bundenthal, the present pastor, succeeded him, 
and was installed on the 30lh of September, 1877. J 

At the present time the congregation numbers 127 souls 
and seventy-three communicants, of whom twenty-five are 
entitled to vote in church matters. The average number 
of scholars attending the congregational school and cate- 
chetical exercises is twenty-three. The ladies' society has 
thirty four members. Since 1871 the congregation has 
been a portion of the above-mentioned synod, and has, 
through its delegates, a voice and vote in all its delibera- 
tions. 

The ground on which the church and parsonage stand 
was purchased from the State Nov. 2, 1871. Tiie church 
building was erected in the same year, and dedicated Jan. 
7, 1872. The parsonage was erected in 1873. The total 
cost of the property has been about $1800, upon which 
there remains an indebtedness of $500, which will un- 
doubtedly be paid in due time under the administration of 
the present worthy and energetic pastor. 

SPIRITUALISM.? 

Like most other forms of religious belief, the doctrines 
of modern Spiritualism were very unpopular in the days of 
their infancy, and there was no exception to the rule in 
Lansing. From the earliest knowledge of its peculiar teach- 
ings down to the year 18G6, little was understood concern- 
ing it in Lansing outside the circles of its immediate friends 
and adherents. 

In the year last named an organization bearing the name 
of the " Society of Spiritualists of Lansing" was estab- 
lished, with at first a small membership, but which in a little 
time increased to about one hundred active workers. 

The first president of this society was Mrs. S. D. Coryell, 
and among prominent pioneers in the cause were Martin 
Ryan and wife, Mrs. M. Havens, Mrs. S. Steadman, F. D. 
Carnahan, W. II. Cornell and wife, C. Packard and wife. 

Public meetings were regularly held for a time in old 
Capitol Hall, and Giles B. Stebbins, Mo.ses Hull, Mrs. L. 
A. Pearsali, and Dr. Barnard were among those who offi- 
ciated as speakers, the last named being employed for a time 
regularly. 

A children's lyceum was also organized under the super- 
vision of Capt. Bailey, Mrs. S. D. Coryell being guardian, 
and Mi.ss Carrie Stedman secretary. The objects, as stated 
in the constitution, were " The promotion of truth, justice, 
fraternal love, purity, beauty, music, art, health, science, 
philosophy, and .spirituality." 

The children were formed into classes under such names 
as " Fountain Group," " Stream Group," " River Group," 
" Star Group," etc. The attendance was numerous, and 
the school was ably conducted by experienced teachers of 
" Progressive Philosophy." 

The society flourished during a period of .ibout three 

X Mr. Bundenthal has in his library ])crha|)s the oldest Bible and 
olher theological works in Ingham County. The Bible is one hun- 
dred and ninety-four years old, and other books date back from one 
hundred and fifty to two hundred and si.\ty-fivo years. They are all 
printed in Gcruian. 

^ Information furnished by Mr. A. E. Nugent. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



179 



years, and many additions were made to its ranks ; but at 
lenj;th, owinj^ mostly to the removal of some of its promi- 
nent supporters, and the necessarily lieavy expense incurred 
in mana;;in^ its affairs, the public meetings were discontin- 
ued, and the society ceased to exist as an organized body. 
Fiom 1870 to the spring of 1880, the cause languished or 
remained entirely dormant. At the latter date a call was 
circulated for a meeting to be held at the residence of Dr. 
A. W. Kdson, which convened on the Gth of May. The 
meeting was called to order by A. E. Nugent, who stated 
its objects briefly, and after a careful review of the situation 
it was decided to effect an organization, which was accord- 
ingly accomplished, and the following oflBcers were chosen : 
President, A. K. Nugent; Vice-President, Dr. A. W. 
Edson ; Secretary, Mrs. Lucy E. Buck ; Treasurer, Mrs. 
G. Merrells. A board of directors was also chosen, con- 
sisting of S. P. Buck, J. Smallwood, and Mrs. Esther S. 
Nugent. 

The organization was designated as the " First Society of 
Spiritualists and Libcralists," and its object.s, as set forth in 
its declaration of principles, arc the " Advancement of 
Spiritual Philosophy and the Promotion of Free Thought." 
Private meetings only were for a time held every Sunday, 
at which ordinary business was transacted, and interesting 
topics discussed for the " good of the cause." 

The first public meeting of the new organization was held 
in Mead's Hall, on Sunday, Aug. 1, 18S0, and proved a 
very successful one, a numerous and appreciative audience 
being present. The speakers were Rev. Charles A. Andrus, 
of Flushing, Genesee Co., Mich., and Dr. Henry Slade, the 
noted medium, with Miss Agnes L. Shade, niece of the 
latter, as vocalist. 

The society has thus far prospered, receiving additions 
to its numbers, and holding interesting and instructive 
meetings. 

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.* 

This institution was organized under a law of the Lcgis- 
ture approved March 27, 1SG7. Articles of association 
were signed April 13, 1877. The original members were, 
Louis De Lamatcr, President ; Byron G. Coryell, Secre- 
tary; Luther A. Ingersoll, Corresponding Secretary; H. P. 
Bartlett, Vice-President; George A. Hasty, Treasurer; 
A. C. Nichols, George A. Morrison, Eugene S. Thompson, 
M. S. Collier, D. K. Fuller, A. T. Davis, E. E. Burdick, 
and Theodore A. liildreth. 

Since the organization until the present time (July, 
1880), meetings have been held in Bartlett's Commercial 
College rooms ; but steps are being taken to fit up rooms 
in the old Capitol, which will be occupied by the associa- 
tion and Mr. Bartlett's college together. 

In October, 1878, the State convention of these associa- 
tions was held in Lansing, and under its influence con- 
siderable accessions were made to the membership, which, 
at the present time, in active working condition, numbers 
about fifty. 

During the winter of 1878-79 a series of revival meet- 
ings were held in the churches of North Lansing under the 

• From information furnished by Will A. Wilcox. 



management of the State secretary of the as.sociation, which 
•resulted in something like a hundred conversions, many of 
whom united with the churches. 

Regular meetings are held for business quarterly, and 
meetings of the board of directors every month. Bible 
readings are conducted every Wednesday evening. For a 
considerable time meetings were Iield at two of the churches 
in Delta township, Eaton Co. These have been discon- 
tinued, but regular semimonthly meetings are now held at 
the Grove school-house, in Watortown, Clinton Co. The 
present officers arc H. P. Bartlelt, President; B. G. 
Coryell, Vice-President; A. T. Davis, Treasurer; Will A. 
Wilcox, Recording Secretary ; George A. Hasty, Corre- 
sponding Secretary. 

UNION SUNDAY-SCHOOL. 

A Sunday-school is maintained in the city by the union 
of a large number of the Protestant Church organizations. 
The following statistics we find in a report made at the last 
union Sunday-school convention, held at the Central Meth- 
odist E^pi-scopal church on Sunday, July 11, 1880. The 
report covers the quarter ending June 30, 1880 : 





T- 
















■it 


. 




1 


i 


? 


•- 


Schools. 


it 
"it 






ill 


u 


a o 


§1 


il 




Is 


11 




F 


1° 


1" 


1 






r 


!?. " 




< 


■< 






Cenfi-nl Methodist 


E|)l8- 
















«■!«! 


' a-i 


297 


330 


2G 


1112 


218 


27 


$41.38 


Fiiiit I'reabjteiian.... 


27 


145 


172 


24 


84 


1U8 


1(1 


CI.84 


PlyiiuMitti, Congregiitioiml.i 30 


2U8 


328 


20 


132 


158 


1.'-. 


32.61 


Friiiiklin Street, Preaby-i 






. 










1 22 


150 


172 


19 101 


120 


fp 


2.139 


Fir^t Sletlioilist Episc 


opal...i 21 


167 


188 


18 ! 01 


109 


3fl 


1416 


























''A 


34 41!4 
22t 34 






Few-Will Ikiptist 


: 14 


39 


S:) 


12 


8 


9.03 




1 9 


62 


Gl 


6 


29 36 


... 










Totals 


186 


1407 


1593 


160^ 


774 »30<i 


120 


S219.90 



The Catholics and Lutlierans support separate schools, 
including both parochial and Sabbath-schools. 

CEMETEllIES. 

Under an act of the State Legislature, approved April 
3, 1848, granting lands to religious societies, .schools, and 
for burial-places, the State donated to the township of Lan- 
sing blocks No. 217 and 248 of the original town-plat of 
the " Town of Michigan," being located in the northeast 
corner of section IG, for cemetery purposes. There were 
probably a few interments, but for some good and sufficient 
reason it was concluded to purchase other grounds, and 
these blocks accordingly reverted to the State and were sold 
for building purposes. 

On the first day of December, 1851, James and Horatio 
Seymour, and their wives, executed a warranty deed of 
twenty acres, situated in the northwest corner of section 
15, to the township of Lansing, for the sum of four hun- 
dred dollars ($400).t 

f Thorc hns been considerable discussion ns to whether this ground 
was deeded expressly for burial purposes, and would revert to the 



180 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



In 1859, Lansing village was erected into a city, and the 
cemetery was included within its limits. On the 27th of 
September, 1867, the township authorities, by virtue of 
authority conferred upon them by the legal voters, deeded 
the cemetery to the city for the sum of one dollar, and the 
ground was used for burial purposes until the growth of tlie 
city and the unfavorable location made it necessary to pro- 
cure larger and more suitable grounds elsewhere. 

MOUNT HOPE CEiMETERY. 

On the Cth of May, 1873, after a careful examination 
of several localities, the city purchased of John G. Miller 
the east half of the northeast quarter of section 27, town 
4 north, range 2 west, containing eighty acres, with a good 
brick dwelling, a frame barn, and orchard, for the sum of 
S8000, equivalent to 8100 per acre. 

The tract was immediately laid out in sections and lots, 
and the remains of those interred in the old ground have 
been gradually transferred to the new locality, until nearly 
all are removed, and the remainder soon will be. Owners 
of lots in the old cemetery are allowed to make an exchange 
of lots, being allowed the amounts paid in the old ground, 
which applies in payment of lots in the new. The fir.st 
sale of lots in the new cemetery, according to the record 
in the city clerk's office, was made on the 18th of June, 
1874. The farm-house on the premises is occupied by the 
sexton. 

The entire tract of eighty .^crcs has been laid out into 
sections and lots, and about one-third of the area at the 
north end has been occupied and improved. The ground 
is admirably adapted to burial purposes, being composed of 
a light sandy soil, well elevated above the valley of Syca- 
more Creek, which skirts it on the west, and sufficiently 
diversified by hills and valleys to admit of picturesque 
arrangement; some of the more prominent elevations 
reaching an altitude of sixty feet above the creek. A thick 
growth of forest-trees covers the abrupt slope or bluff along 
the creek, and the remainder is clear of timber. The city 
has expended considerable sums in grading and graveling 
avenues and walks, and in planting a variety of evergreen 
and deciduou.s trees, the annual outlay being in the neigh- 
borhood of S2500. The tract rises gradually from the 
north into considerable hills in the central portions, and 
then slopes by a gentle descent towards the south, the ex- 
treme southern end being somewhat low and unfit for burial 
purposes. The area available for such purposes is probably 
seventy acres. 

Two remarkable natural features contribute to the beauty 
of the tract. In the extreme northwest corner, adjoining 
the highway, Sycamore Creek describes a compound curve 
which incloses two curious peninsulas. These can be trans- 
ferred by a small outlay into a novel feature, and one that 



original owDers in case of sale for other purposes; but an examina- 
tion of the deed shows that there was no stipulation in the matter, 
and the citj can dispose of it as may be deemed best. 



would add greatly to the attractions of the place. It is the 
intention to improve and beautify this portion of the 
grounds as fast as the finances will permit. An exchange 
has already been made along the original western boundary, 
making the creek fur a considerable distance the line, and 
bringing its curious windings within the limits of the 
cemetery. 

The other remarkable feature is the beautiful natural 
basin in the northern part, which is a depression in tiie 
surface exactly like a tin basin, being of an oval form, about 
250 by 200 feet in diameter, and sunk below the common 
level from ten to fifteen feet. It is perfectly dry, and has 
been finely smoothed over, its sloping bank covered with 
sod, and three gravel walks constructed from the rim of 
the basin in a graceful curving form to the level bottom 
below, which is grassed over and planted with clusters of 
evergreens. Water never stands in the grounds, and a 
grave left open through a heavy rain remains perfectly dry. 
There are three quite expensive family vaults and a large 
number of fine monuments already constructed and erected, 
and the northern portion begins to assume the appearance 
of a great rural cemetery. Among the conspicuous monu- 
ments are the one dedicated to the soldiers who fell in the 
Rebellion ; that of the Barnard family, of fine, light-colored 
granite ; the Turner monument, of Scotch and American 
granite ; and the beautiful and unique monument erected 
by the Glaister family over the remains of their son. Mr. 
Glaister, Sr., was the master-builder of the new Capitol, 
and has executed from Ohio sandstone a remarkably beau- 
tiful and appropriate memorial. 

The soldiers' monument stands on one of the highest 
elevations in the cemetery, overlooking nearly the whole 
grounds. It is constructed of Ohio sandstone, in the form 
of a plain obelisk resting upon a. square base, and is alto- 
gether about twenty feet in height. The design is plain 
and exceedingly appropriate. On the faces of the plinth 
are cut in relief the coats-of-arms of the United States 
and the State of Michigan, a stack of muskets with laurel 
wreath, and the simple legend, " Our Fallen Heroes." 

The ground on which this monument stands is owned 
by the " Order of the Stars and Stripes," and the monu- 
ment was erected chiefly by the " Ladies' Monument Asso- 
ciation of Lansing." 

The State Reform School for Boys, the Masonic and 
Odd-Fellows' orders, the Methodist Episcopal Church, the 
German Working-Men's Society, the Order of the Stars 
and Stripes, and perhaps other organizations have selected 
large plats, which are being improved and adorned by them 
with great good taste, and will eventually form attractive 
features of this city of the dead. 

The cemetery is under the management of a board of 
three trustees, appointed by the Common Council of 
Lansing, one being appointed annually after the first year. 
The present board (1880) consists of James Johns, chair- 
man, William L. Reed, and John S. Tooker ; Charles D. 
Cowles, clerk. 



CITY OF LANSING. 



181 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

HON. JAMES TIRNER. 

Hon. James Turner was born at Cazcnovia, N. Y., 
April 1, 1820, and was a lineal descendant of Humphrey 
Turner, who emigrated from Dcvon.shire, England, and 
settled in Plymouth, Mass., in 1628. His father, Fran- 
cis S. Turner, and his mother, Deborah Morton, were 
married at Middlebury, Vt., in 1799. His grandfather, 
Jonathan Turner, married Bridget Arthur in the year 
1772. His great-grandfather, Paine Turner, was married 
at New London, Conn., Nov. 3, 1745, to Eleanor Haines. 
Samuel Humphrey Turner, of the seventh generation, now 
owns and occupies the old farm in Scituate, Mass., where 
his ancestor, Humphrey Turner, lived and died, the farm 
never having passed out of the family. 

Mr. Turner's early educational advantages were quite 
limited ; but, having a great love for books and an ardent 
desire to obtain such an education as would fit him for the 
active duties of business life, he improved every opportu- 
nity that came in his way. In 1840 he removed to Leoni, 
Mich., where he became clerk in a store. He afterwards 
traveled through the country with a wagon, selling goods 
and purchasing produce. In 1841 he removed to JIason 
and engaged in the mercantile business, in which he con- 
tinued until 1847. When the capital of the State was 
located at Lansing, he removed to that place and erected 
the first frame house in the north part of the city. For 
some time he carried on the mercantile trade, and then en- 
gaged iu the construction of the Lansing and Howell plank- 
road, of which company he was treasurer and manager. 
The building of this road was of vast importance to this 
section of the State. Mr. Turner carried it through 
against many obstacles, securing a large amount of foreign 
capital to complete the work. In 1860, upon the election 
of John Owen as State treasurer, Mr. Turner was appointed 
deputy State treasurer, the duties of the office being under 
his exclusive supervision for six years. In 1864 he origi- 
nated the project of a railroad from Jackson to Lansing, 
which was subsef(uently known as the Jackson, Lansing 
and Saginaw Railroad, and devoted the greater portion of 
his time to the successful prosecution of the work. He 
was treasurer and land commissioner of the company from 
its organization until his death. Mr. Turner was also in- 
terested in the construction of a railroad from Ionia to Lan- 
sing, of which company he was treasurer, superintendent, 
and a member of the first board of directors. For a num- 
ber of years he was agent of Eastern holders of Michigan 
lands, by whom be was intrusted with large sums of money 
for investment. During a period of several years he was 
agent for the Society of Shakers in the investment of money. 
In 1866 he was elected a member of the State Senate from 
the district embracing Ingham and Clinton Counties. Ho 
was prominently identified with the railroad legislation of 
that session, and was a member of the finance couimittee 
and chairman of the committee on the Asylum for the In- 
sane. Mr. Turner was greatly interested in the educational 
interests of Lansing, having been one of the founders of 
ttie first Union school in the city, and also of the Michigan 



Female College. Upon the organization of the board of 
education in 1851 he was elected member, and held the 
position during life. His business ability, unimpeachable 
honor, and integrity gave him a financial power in carrying 
forward great public works which few men in the State 
possessed. He was a warm friend of the temperance cause 
and an earnest Christian. He was an active member and 
supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for nine- 
teen years was superintendent of the Sabbath -school. In 
politics he was identified with the Republican party from 
its organization. He married, Oct. 1, 1843, Miss Marian 
Monroe, daughter of Jesse Monroe, of Eagle, Clinton Co., 
JMich. Ten children were born to them. Mr. Turner 
died at his home in Lansing, Oct. 10, 1869. The board of 
directors of the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad 
passed a series of resolutions expressive of their regret at 
his death, among which was the following : "As one of the 
originators and managers of the public improvements placed 
under the charge of this board of directors, this company 
and the communities benefited by the construction of the 
Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad owe the deceased 
a debt of lasting gratitude for his early, earnest, unyield- 
ing, and well-directed efforts in behalf of this enterprise; 
for his persevering industry and sterling integrity; for the 
wisdom of his counsels and the vigor of his execution." 
Mr. Turner was a man of commanding personal appear- 
ance, being six feet four inches in height and well propor- 
tioned, weighing two hundred and forty- five pounds. He 
possessed great strength and remarkable powers of endur- 
ance, lie was kind-hearted and benevolent to a fault, and 
a real friend and helper to the poor. 



HON. ORLANDO M. BARNES.* 

Hon. Orlando M. Barnes, of Lansing, was born at Cato, 
N. Y., Nov. 21, 1824, and is the son of John and Anna 
Barnes. He is a descendant in a direct line from John 
Barnes, one of the early Pilgrim Fathers who landed at 
Plymouth Rock, and in many of his characteristics recalls 
those of his good old Puritan ancestry. In June, 1837, 
the parents of Mr. Barnes removed with their family to 
Michigan, and settled in Aurelius, Ingham Co. After 
having acquired the usual elementary education in the 
schools of that day, Mr. Barnes entered the University of 
Michigan, and graduated with honor in the class of 1850. 
On leaving college he chose the law for his profession, and, 
after devoting one year to preparatory studies, was ad- 
mitted to the bar and located himself at Mason, the county- 
seat of Ingham County. Here his strict attention to the 
duties of his profession, his eminent ability, and profound 
knowledge of the law soon secured him a large practice. 
In the spring of 1852, on the death of the prosecuting at- 
torney, Mr. Barnes was appointed to fill the vacancy. On 
the expiration of the term, in the ensuing autumn, he was 
elected to that office, and in 1854 was honored by a re-elec- 
tion. In 1871 he withdrew from the active practice of his 
profession, iu order to devote his entire attention to the in- 



Froiu Eminent Men of Mirlii 



182 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



terests of the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad 
Company. He has been secretary of the company since 
its organization, and has served it in the legal capacity of 
counselor and general attorney with marked ability, and to 
the entire satisfaction of the corporation. Since 1872 he 
lias been land commissioner. In this position, which re- 
quires the management of the vast tracts of laud granted to 
the company, and to which labor and responsibility com- 
mensurate with its importance are attached, his performance 
of duty has been above criticism. In political circles Mr. 
Barnes' talents have secured honorable recognition. In 
1862 he was elected to the State Legislature, where he 
served one term, and in April, 1877, he was called to the 
office of mayor of the city of Lansing. He is president of 
a national bank in Lansing, and is held in the highest esti- 
mation by his fellow-citizens of all classes. Personally, Mr. 
Barnes is of fine appearance and commanding presence. 
There are few subjects of interest of which he has not 
made himself master. During the years 1872-73 he trav- 
eled in Europe, gaining information as well as enjoyment. 
His conversational powers are of a superior order, and in his 
hours of relaxation from the cares of business he is a most 
genial and interesting companion. Mr. Barnes is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity, and has held various official posi- 
tions in that body. He is a lloyal Arch Mason, and also a 
Knight Templar. He recognizes his Puritan ancestry in 
professing the doctrines of tlie Presbyterian Church, of 
which he is a member. Mr. Barnes married at Albion, 
Mich., June 26, 1852, Amanda W. Fleming, daughter of 
the late John Fleminjr. 



GEORGE E. RANNEY, M.D., 

SURGEON OF MICHIGAN SECOND CAVALRY. 

Biography treats of the individual ; it is not history. 
History treats of men in the mass; it is not biography. 
Still, the two are '' intimately and all but inextricably in- 
tertwined." " Twin sisters they are, looking on each other 
with the kindliest smile; both feeding the lamps of knowl- 
edge, but pouring their pure oil from different vessels." 

Very forcibly are we reminded of this remark of Bayne's 
in the present sketch. Up to a certain point it is biography, 
pure and simple; then it becomes biography and history 
in about equal proportions ; then once more it returns to 
biography and history disappears, still leaving behind it, 
like the rivers of California, golden sands too precious to 
remain ungathered. 

The good State of Michigan lias received the best of 
compliments for the excellence of its soldiers in the great 
war for the Union from that grand old patriot, Gen. George 
H. Thomas. We once heard a dying Massachusetts officer 
say that she " was equally good in infantry, cavalry, artillery, 
and the corps of engineers." But high as the compliment 
was, it does not give her the full meed of praise that she 
deserves. The green sash had its honors as well as the 
red ; the yellow flag its mission as well as the Stars and 
Stripes: there were times when the knife of the surgeon 
was as indispensable and required as much fortitude in 



its proper use as the sword. The writer of this sketch 
well remembers a day, after the greatest of all our battles, 
as the wounded lay in thousands and the surgeons were 
few, when he would willingly have given up all other kinds 
of knowledge save one, — -to know how to make a proper use 
of a box of surgical instruments. With the modesty of 
true science the results of their labor have been recorded, 
but too often we are without record as to the danger and 
cost at which those results were acliieved. Only, then, has 
biography found its true use when it possesses the power 
of transfusing character into the reader, and where it 
widens into history, causing our homage to the nation to 
transcend our homage to the man. We honor the physi- 
cian who has bravely maintained his post during a pesti- 
lence, if he lives, as a hero ; if he dies, we lament him as 
a martyr, and erect an enduring monument to his fame. 
Why not similar honor be given to the hero-surgeons of 
the war ? and among others, to our modest friend and 
worthy fellow-citizen, Surgeon Ranney, of the Michigan 
Second Cavalry ? 

In modern sketches of biography we notice that increas- 
ing attention is given to the question of ancestry. As in 
animals, so in man, there is a general law of heredity that 
as.serts itself too plainly to be denied. The time was when 
Coleridge remarked that " the history of a man for the 
nine months preceding his birth would probably be far 
more interesting and contain events of greater moment than 
all the threescore and ten years that follow it." It was 
ridiculed as a speculation far more curious than useful. 
But it is so no longer. The received opinion now is "that 
character is the result of innumerable influences from with- 
out and from within, which act unceasingly through life. 
Who shall estimate the effect of these latent forces enfolded 
in the spirit of a new-born child, — forces that may date 
back centuries, and find their origin in the life and thought 
and deeds of remote ancestors, — forces the germs of which, 
enveloped in the awful mystery of life, have been trans- 
mitted silently from generation to generation and never 
perish ? All-cherishing Nature, provident and unforget- 
ting, gathers up all these fragments that nothing may be 
lost, but that all may ultimately re-appear in new combina- 
tions. Each new life is thus the heir of all the ages, the 
po.ssessor of qualities which only the events of life can un- 
fold."* Especially in the life of a physician, to give some 
particulars concerning his parentage is not so much a matter 
of laudable pride as of scientific information. Many things 
that will hereafter appear in this sketch are thus readily 
accounted for that would not be understood otherwise. 

George E. Ranney was born June 13, 1839, in Ba- 
tavia, N. Y., the county-town of Genesee, and almost equi- 
distant from Buffalo and Rochester. His father, grandfather, 
and great-grandfather were born in Ashfield, Mass. His 
father's name was Joel Ranney ; that of the old patriarch, 
who came to New England from Scotland in 1C20, Thomas 
Ranney. Many of his descendants have been men of in- 
fluence and position, and not a few of the family are still 
found in their original county of Franklin. It is something 



"•'' Geu. Garfield's Oration on the Life and Character of Gen. George 
H. Thomas, p. 5. 




-^ht 



a /r ?'Zjrt^ 



I 



CITY OF LANSING. 



183 



to come from a stock that has staying quahties and does 
not run out ; it is something more to inherit the pcrj'er- 
vlJiitn iiigenium Scolorum; and in tiiis respect, as in so 
many others, a good man leaveth an inlieritance to his cliil- 
drcn and his cliildren's children to the remotest generation. 

Tiie mother of Dr. Ranney was Elizabeth P. Champlain, 
the daughter of Francis Champlain, who died at the early 
age of thirty-two, from injuries received in the war of 1812. 
He was the direct lineal descendant of Samuel Champlain, 
the celebrated French naval officer, who, in 1G09, discov- 
ered the lake that still bears his name, founded Quebec 
in 1608, and to whose courage and enterprise France was 
indebted for the establishment of her colony of Canada. 
Mrs. Kanney still lives with her son in a liappy and peace- 
ful old age, and with a keen relish and recollection of events 
public and private in the " long, long ago." As often hap- 
pens, the son " favors' his mother, and to a practiced eye the 
French lineaments in his countenance are obvious. In the 
early days of our history the Scotch and French frequently 
united in marriage, each having a common Celtic origin. 

Jlr. Joel Ranney received an excellent education, and 
for some years turned it to good account as an intelligent 
iarmer and dealer in stock. Then came the crash of 1837, 
a debased currency, stagnation in business, and bankruptcy 
all over the land. The long-continued " hard times" had 
at least one good effect, — it compelled multitudes to " go 
West ;" and but for this enforced hegira from the East, 
Michigan would not have been the mighty commonwealth 
she now is. 

Mr. Ranney, with his wife and four children, removed 
to Kent Co., Mich., and after their full share of malarial 
illness and other inevitable hardships of pioneer life, he so- I 
cured a good home and eighty acres of land about three , 
miles southwest of Grand Rapids. Then came calamity 
indeed. Long before the farm had been cleared or ren- 
dered productive, the good husband and father died, and 
George, now a lad of twelve, had to form the brave pur- 
pose of fighting the battle of life alone. The offer of work 
for wages on a farm, with the privilege of attending win- 
ter school, was at once accepted, and from that time for- 
ward he went through the young American's regular cur- 
riculum of farming, driving team, clerking, and railroading. 
At the early age of seventeen he found himself at Stafford, 
N. Y., as freight- and ticket-agent of the Buffalo, Corning 
and New York Railroad. In his endeavor to keep order 
at his station there were some who despised his youth, 
and occasionally got the worst of it. One of them, the 
son of a director, complained to his father, and the di- 
rector insisted that George should be dismissed. Nothing 
daunted, however, he appealed to the superintendent and 
asked him to inquire of the citizens as to the merits of 
the case. The result of this inquiry was that George was 
indeed removed from his position, but only to another and 
a better one in the superintendents own office. Such an 
incident is as creditable to the young defender of his rights 
as it is mean and contemptible on the part of the cowardly 
aggressors. The victory was something, but the good 
opinion of the superintendent, that " George was capable of 
occupying a much better position," was a good deal more. 
It gave him a new impulse in bis attention to duty, and 



very soon he was promoted to Wayland, — excepting two, the 
most important station on the road. His determined cool- 
ness and pluck, and his ability to overcome opposition and to 
avail himself of opportunities of advancement, were marked 
characteristics of our young railroad-agent, of which we 
shall see numerous illustrations in his further career. In 
an ebbing tide let us cast anchor and hold on ; the tide will 
soon turn again. Only a dead fish floats with the stream. 

Meanwhile, underlying all other things in young Ran- 
ney 's mind was an intense desire for knowledge. Hence 
his sacrifices to attend " winter school ;" hence his exemplary 
diligence at Stafford Academy, under " Parson Radley ;" at 
Rushford Academy, under Professor Saylles ; at Cary Col- 
legiate Seminary, under Dr. Eastman. Hence his enthu- 
siastic attachment to some of his fellow-students, especially 
to Thaddeus C. Pound, afterwards of Wiseon.sin, whose 
subsequent success in political life fully justified the ad- 
miration of his friend. This attachment was one of the 
kind that those only understand who have had the privi- 
lege of enjoying it. " The union of two minds,'' says the 
greatest reflective thinker of all time, " from that sympathy 
which is the result of unity of aim in the acquisition of 
truth, is the highest to which they can aspire." Like that 
of comrades in war, the attachment of classmates is prover- 
bial. This is the true Platonic love : what so often goes 
under the name is but a base and unworthy counterfeit. 

In addition to the desire for knowledge, young Ranney 
had also a very definite ideal before his mind of the kind 
of man he would like to be. Ot' all the men with whom 
he had come into more immediate contjct, none had more 
deeply enlisted his youthful admiration than a certain " be- 
loved physician," in whom the "code of ethics" was most 
happily excinplilicd. Would his coming ever be watched 
for with so much anxiety ? — the door be opened with as 
much reverence for his opinion in matters of life and death ? 
Would he ever have it in his power to confer similar bene- 
fits on the sick and suffering? Tlie way did not seem to 
be ca.sy, but there was a way, and he found it. The grim 
lions that so often seem to be in the path of sloth and 
cowardice are found by the brave and industrious to be 
chained on cither side. They are not in the path itself. 

Our biography now widens into history. In 1858 
young Ranney came to Charlotte, Mich., and, after spend- 
ing some time in a drugstore, began the study of medicine 
under Dr. Joseph P. Hall. In 1860-61 he attended his 
first term of medical lectures in the University of Michi- 
gan. But those were times in which men were studying 
the condition of their country more than anything else. 

" Ob, sad and alow tho weeks went by ! Each held bis anxiuus 
breath, 
Lilte one wbu waits, in helpless fear, some sorrow great as death ! 
Oh, scarcely was there faith in God, nor any trust in man, 
While fa»t along the Suuthern sl<y the blighting shadow ran ! 
It veiled the stars one after one, it hushed the jiatriot's song, 
And stole from man the sacred sense that partelb right and wrong! 

" Then a red flash, — the lightning across the darkness broke. 

And with a voice that shook the land the guns of Sumter spoke! 
AVake I sods of heroes, wake! the age of heroes dawns again ! 
Truth takes in her band her ancient sword, and calls her loyal men ! 
Lo ! brightly o'er the breaking day shines Freedom's holy star ! 
Peace cannot cure the sickly time, — all hail the healer, war !" 



184 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



" War a hcalor" seems strange doctrine to many who do 
not distinguish between war and mere bloodshed, but not to 
such philosophers as De Quincey, or to such poets as Words- 
worth. There are times when the body politic requires 
the sword, just as the body physical requires the knife. 
War in a good cause is not the greatest evil which a nation 
can suffer. IF slavery will not give way to freedom, nor 
freedom to slavery, the sword is the only umpire that can 
settle the controversy. 

In September, 18G1, young Ranney enlisted as a private 
under Capt. H. A. Shaw, and assisted him in recruiting a 
company for the Second Michigan Cavalry. His knowl- 
edge of medicine soon made him its third hospital steward. 
The radical change of habits in a thousand men recruited 
from their homes imposed arduous duties upon the sur- 
geons, and in the summer of 18G2 the hospital steward was 
temporarily assigned the duties of an assistant surgeon at 
New Madrid, Mo. By overwork and exposure he was 
there taken ill, and the disease being severe and long pro- 
tracted, he was mustered out of the service. During his 
convalescence he attended another term at the Michigan 
University, and graduated in March, 1SG3. But it was 
not his lot to lose time in waiting for patients. Letters 
from liis regiment to Governor Blair, recommending Dr. 
Ranney as their unanimous choice for second assistant sur- 
geon, at once .secured him the appointment, and on the 
13th of June he joined his old regiment at Triune, Tenn. 

Those who know what cavalry service is, as compared 
with that of infantry, how desperate are the raids, and iiow 
frequent the skirmishing, can well believe that Surgeon 
Ranney 's position required no little fortitude and self-pos- 
session. Take a few examples : On the first day's advance 
from Triune there was a fight at Rover, in which a soldier 
belonging to another brigade was severely wounded in the 
arm. His own surgeon confessing his utter inability to 
operate on account of his trembling nerves, the medical 
director himself was obliged to operate, and took Dr. Ran- 
ney to assist him. The trembling surgeon was not alarmed 
without cause. The scene was exciting in the extreme. 
Bullets whizzing thick and fa.st; squadrons dashing liere and 
there; everything uncertain as to the result of the conflict; 
the wounded man just on the ground where he fell, and no 
time to take him anywhere else, — these, it must be confessed, 
were not very desirable conditions for a capital operation. 
But the two surgeons, solely intent on their work, made the 
amputation as required. From that day on, through the 
entire campaign. Surgeon Ranney found a true friend and 
a kindred spirit in Medical Director Greer. Knowing that 
tiie post of honor was the post of danger, the director took 
the full measure of his calm and resolute assistant, and 
thenceforward lost no opportunity to ^give him better 
position. 

Take another example: In the Atlanta campaign, during 
the hundred consecutive days in which the Federal forces 
were under fire, the First Missouri Cavalry, under Col. Le 
Grange, sufiered very severe loss, and the colonel himself 
was taken prisoner. A soldier of the brigade having lost 
his leg, it was, of course, the duty of his own surgeon to 
operate, but when everything was ready he confessed that 
he could not operate under Ji re. At his request Dr. Ran- 



ney made the amputation, and being seen by many of the 
combatants, it thus gained him a reputation for nerve and 
.self possession that he never afterwards forfeited. Soldiers 
love and admire courage, not only in other ofliccrs, but in 
chaplains and surgeons. 

Take a third example : A Wisconsin brigade suffered 
severely in killed, wounded, and prisoners, one of the pris- 
oners being the colonel him,self Their own ambulances not \ 
being accessible, those of Dr. Ranney's brigade were ordered < 
up. Alarmed by the near approach of the enemy, the 
brigade-major and his assistants fled to tiie rear, reporting 
their own hairbreadth escape and the certain capture of 
Surgeon Ranney and his assistant. Greatly to their cha- 
grin, however, there came an order from Dr. Ranney for 
more ambulances. They arrived promptly, and with them 
an order from Director Oreer for Dr. Ranney to assume the 
duties of brigade surgeon. The promotion was a rapid one, 
but it was well deserved, and the doctor held the position 
with increasing honor during the remainder of the very 
active and trying campaign that culminated in the capture 
of Atlanta. 

But it was at the memorable battle of Chickamauga where 
Dr. Ranney was in the greatest peril. One day in Sep- 
tember, 18G3, a telegram came to the War Office at Wash- 
ington, — " The army is in total rout 1" By noon came 
another telegram, — " Gen. Thomas still holds the centre !" 
Never were President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton in 
more complete bewilderment. Unfortunately for Dr. 
Ranney, his place on this trying day was not the centre 
with Gen. Thomas. The right wing, struck heavily in the 
flank, was sent flying in disorder towards Chattanooga. 
The cavalry covered the retreat, first massing at Crawfish 
Springs, and then retreating about half a mile and massing 
again. While still near the springs the enemy were threat- 
ening and firing at long range. A detachment under Gen. 
Rucker dashed up to get the position and strength of the 
Federals, fired at them, and retreated. Dr. Ranney thus 
far during the retreat had been in the immediate rear of 
his regiment, but meeting a wounded man making his way 
towards the hospital and quite exhausted from loss of blood, 
he dismounted and applied dressings to stop the bleeding. 
In the mean time the cavalry had started, leaving Dr. 
Ranney a short distance in the rear ; he hastened to over- 
take them. Just at that moment, however. Gen. Rucker's 
command charged the Federal cavalry from the flank and 
rear, and the rebel cavalry having got in between the sur- 
geon and his brigade, he found himself in a very difficult 
position. Making his way to a road about three miles 
distant, and which ran parallel with the road to Chatta- 
nooga, he reached it in advance of the Confederates, but 
in the rear of Gen. Sheridan, who was covering the retreat 
on the same road near the base of the ridge. 

Riding rapidly along, joyous and confident of his escape, 
he came to a diagonal road crossing the two others. But 
the clatter of horses' feet, the rebel yell, and the command 
to halt from a company of Texas rangers charging down 
upon him not twenty rods off, showed him at once that his 
hopes were disappointed. Quickly turning his horse, he 
tried to reach an undergrowth of oak, which might par- 
tially obstruct the rangers' view. Those at the head of 



CITY OF LANSING. 



185 



the column having fired three shots at him, to avoid any 
more he jumped from his horse without checiving his speed, 
lioping the animal would continue its coui-se on the road. 
Much to his surprise and alarm, the horse stopped and en- 
deavored to follow him into the bushes. Three of the 
rangers halted to take him and his horse, but not daring to 
stop long enough they got the horse only. 

Tlie firing of the rangers at Dr. Uannoy having been no- 
ticed by some rebel cavalry in the rear, they formed a line 
across an open field iu the immediate vicinity of the woods, 
where the doctor w;is hugging the ground as clo.sely as pos- 
sible behind a friendly " rail cut," about half the size of his 
body. Skirmishers came across the field and into the 
woods, and one came over within ten rods of iiis hiding- 
place. Watching for him to raise his gun and take aim 
before he cried for quarter, the doctor concluded to wait 
until the very last moment. Fortunately the skirmisher 
was looking higher and beyond him, and not finding any 
one to shoot at, returned to his horse. From behind his 
slender protection the doctor watched the horse's legs until 
he was glad to see those at the end of the column. 

It was now evening, and the sun was just going out of 
sight. One thing was certain, the rebels had fairly cut 
him off from liis own army. He had had a hard day of it. 
Hearing the firing at the front, just as he had sat down to 
breakfast, he snatched a hard-tack, and after the whole weary 
day of work this was all he had to eat. Tired and hungry 
and cold, he at last found a dead man's blanket soaked 
with blood, and wrapping himself up in it laid down in 
a fence-corner and slept until morning. What could he 
do ? Between him and his own army was that of the 
rebels. On his right were some twenty miles of barren and 
inhospitable mouriUiins. He did the only thing possible in 
the circumstances, and reported himself to Surgeon llawley 
(now of Peoria, III.), who was then in charge of the well- 
filled hospital at Crawfish Spring, and where he was imme- 
diately assigned to duty. 

Soon Gen. Bragg's adjutant-general, and others belonging 
to his staff, including Dr. Fluellin, his medical director, 
visited the place to parole the wounded soldiers and some 
surgeons who had been taken prisoners. The surgeons 
were asked to sign the same parole as the soldiers. Some 
did so without hesitation. When Dr. Kanney's turn came 
to sign, he said that according to the cartel existing between 
the Federal and Confederate governments the surgeons, as 
non-combatants, could not legally be made prisoners of war. 
Heiilso said that if the Federal government were holding 
Confederate surgeons who were captured in tbe legitimate 
discharge of their duties he was willing to be held as a 
hostage until the wrong was redressed, but he would not 
sign the parole. The controversy grew hotter and hotter, 
until the adjutant-general told the doctor he must either 
sign the parole or be put under guard. 

" Put me under guard, then," said the plucky surgeon. 
"I will look to my own government to see that justice is 
done in the case." 

Fortunately, at this critical juncture Dr. Fluellin sub- 
mitted a paper, which is still in Dr. Ilanney's possession, 
and reads as follows : 

" We, surgeons and assistant surgeons of the United 
24 



States Government, captured at the battle of Chickamauga, 
on Sept. 20, 18G3, do solemnly swear that we will not bear 
arms against, or give any information detrimental to, the 
Confederate States Government, nor in any way or manner 
assist the United States Government until we leave, or are 
exchanged for such Confederate surgeons as have been cap- 
tured in the legitimate discharge of their duties and held 
by the United States Government. And as we are only 
paroled to attend the Federal wounded, we will report to the 
commandant of the post at Atlanta, Ga., as soon as our 
services can be dispensed with." 

When a man's head is in the lion's mouth it requires 
some grit to object to the terms on which the king of beasts 
may see fit to let the head out again ; but this is just what 
John Knox did when a slave on board the galley, and 
what Dr. Ilanney did when a prisoner at Crawfish Springs. 
In the end, all were satisfied with the paper except the 
adjutant-general, who had to pocket the affront from the 
sturdy " Yank" as best he could. The subsequent experi- 
ence of the doctor for forty-four days iu the Libby prison 
is, unfortunately, too familiar to need detail. One thing, 
however, at Libby was quite characteristic. Having picked 
up a work on medical jurisprudence, he read it with more 
interest than one would expect iu such unfavorable circum- 
stances. 

Karly in July, 1864, the portion of the Second Regiment 
then in the field was ordered to return to Franklin, near 
Nashville, and there join the other part of the regiment, 
which had been absent on veteran leave. Arrived at Frank- 
lin, the post hospital was put in charge of Dr. Ilanney, and 
shortly after he received veteran leave of absence for thirty 
days. 

Returning to his old friends at Charlotte, he employed 
his last eleven days in recruiting men to fill the quota for 
the towns of Eaton and Carmel. The first two days he 
enlisted twenty .seven, and before the expiration of his fur- 
lough the whole quota of fifty-one. These recruits, equally 
to the surprise and delight of his old regiment, now reduced 
to a minimum, he nwrched into their camp, thus securing 
for some twenty officers the rank to which their commis- 
sions entitled them. The Second Regiment soon had an 
opportunity of showing their newly-acquired strength by 
repelling a raid of the rebel cavalry under Gen. Wheeler, 
and driving him beyond the Tennessee. Almost immedi- 
ately tlxe raid was repeated under Gen. Forrest, and in the 
engagement at Puhiski, lasting a whole day, the Federals 
suffered the heaviest loss, but l\te Confederates abandoned 
tbe field. 

While at Pulaski, Dr. Ranncy was called from the field 
to operate for the First Brigade. The church u.scd as a 
hospital being full to overflowing, he was ordered to estab- 
lish another hospital, aud furnished with :issistants for that 
purpose. Being the only medical officer with his regiment, 
he was relieved from tlio hospital and allowed to accompany 
his command when it moved from Pulaski. Forrest was 
driven across the Tennessee, but only to be .succeeded by 
Hood and his entire array, now reinforced by the army of 
Dick Taylor. After some severe skirmishes with the 
Second Cavalry and other regiments who were acting as 
pickets to prevent Hood crossing the river, his overwhelm- 



186 



HISTORY OP INGHAM COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 



ing numbers soon enabled him to accomplish his design 
with much loss to the Federals. 

A more intensely interesting moment than this was 
scarcely known during the war, — Sherman cutting loose 
from his base and starting southward from Atlanta on his 
great march to the sea ; the sagacious Thomas keeping his 
own counsels and organizing a new army out of everything 
on which he could lay his hand ; Gen. Grant leaving 
Richmond for Washington on his way westward to find 
what it all meant ; and Hood with characteristic audacity 
determined " to carry the war into Africa." In vain the 
Union cavalry coutested the ground inch by inch, felling 
trees, and fighting behind barricades on every hill that 
would give them advantage ; the columns of the enemy 
were too heavy. Schofield fell back from Pulaski to Co- 
lumbia, and after fighting all day and marching twenty-five 
miles at night got into position early October 30th, at 
Franklin. Never were the rebels in better spirits. Hood 
had delayed his attack until all his forces could be brought 
up, some 55,000 men. Opposed to him, under Schofield, 
were only 20,000. "Break those lines," shouted the im- 
petuous Hood, " and there is nothing more to withstand you 
this side of the Ohio River. On to Nashville, and you will 
have nothing to do this winter but eat and drink and sit by 
the fire and swap jack-knives." 

The Second Michigan Cavalry, occupying the extreme 
left and actively engaged from early morning, were driven 
by noon across the little Harpeth. While crossing, the 
rebel infantry rushed forward, flaunting their flag, and 
shouting triumphantly, "You are our prisoners!" But 
their exultation was altogether premature. Skillfully avail- 
ing himself of a little bend in the river and of an adjacent 
woods, Gen. Croxtou had placed there a regiment in ara- 
bu.sh. Opening upon the enemy a galling and enfilading 
fire upon his flank, the Second Cavalry lost no time in 
improving their opportunity to the utmost, and so, to the 
great chagrin of the rebels, made good their escape to the 
other side. 

The ambulances were thus thrown into a very hazardous 
position on the flats between the two rivers, and an orderly 
was dispatched by Gen. Croxton to Dr. Ilanney, telling him 
that his command would soon f;»ll back, and he must look out 
for the consequences. But the order not being peremptory, 
the doctor continued to gather up the wounded men in the 
train now slowly moving to the rear and near the centre, 
which was in the village of Franklin. A second time the 
orderly galloped up, with positive orders to move on at 
once if ho did not expect to be captured. But the order 
was more easily given than obeyed. Fort Granger, which 
the Second Cavalry had helped to build, and which they 
had called after their old colonel, now opened their bat- 
teries on the enemy's line. The Confederate artillery re- 
turned the fire with equal spirit. While thus between 
the fires the Federal centre gave way, and the enemy per- 
ceiving their advantage rushed in like a torrent, carrying 
the hill, taking eight of our guns, and planting the rebel 
flag on our breastworks. But again their rejoicing was not 
to last. Col. Opdyke, in one of the most splendid counter- 
assaults of the campaign, retook our guns and captured ten 
rebel flags and three hundred prisoners into the bargain. 



It was now night, and the train of ambulances was still 
in very critical circumstances. Our own cavalry had gal- 
loped through fields and woods, miles away to the left and 
rear, to guard our flanks. The soldiers about the fort were 
beginning to start camp-fires, when suddenly Dr. Ranney 
heard the command, " Put out those fires !" and in the 
stentorian voice recognized that of Col. Streight, whose 
ac((uaintancc he had made a few months before in Libby 
prison. At once making himself known to the colonel, he 
asked for furtlier orders. " Move on to Nashville," was 
the reply ; " fur unless you and your ambulances occupy 
the field alone, there is no other way for you. I am now 
in command of the rear-guard, and shall soon move there 
myself." Just in time to get in advance of the rearguard, 
Dr. Ranney had the satisfliction of bringing every ambulance 
and every soldier safe within the defenses of Nashville. 
That was a proud day in the history of the young surgeon, 
which none of his friends, either id the army or out of it, 
are willing should be forgotten. 

But the work of the ambulance and its various attend- 
ants is not yet done. By December 9th, Hood had estab- 
lished his lines south of Nashville. The season is against 
him, for it is a week of severe cold. Numbers are no 
longer in his favor, for the Fabian policy of Thoma.s had 
been successful. The "besieged" (?) were more than the 
besiegers, and in all respects in much better shape. To 
"sit by the fire at Nashville," they must jiass through 
another fire much worse than that of Franklin. Thomas 
orders an advance. The first day's work gives him six- 
teen guns and twelve hundred prisoners; the second day's 
work gives him in all four thousand four hundred and 
sixty-two prisoners, two hundred and eighty-seven oflicers, 
and fifty-three gun.s. 

One of these prisoners. Gen. E, W. Rucker, in command 
of a division of rebel cavalry, was known by the Federal 
cavalry as " the man on the gray horse," who often dashed 
up to the Federal lines to get them into a position to ex- 
change shots. While fighting hand to hand with a Union 
captain, his left arm was shattered just below the shoulder 
by a ball. As the first Federal surgeon to see him. Dr. 
Ranney courteously off'ered the general's staff' surgeon his 
assistance, and the professional courtesy was returned by a 
request to perform the operation himself The next morn- 
ing he sent him in a comfortable conveyance to Nashville. 
The last time Dr. Ranney saw " the man on the gray horse" 
previously was just before the charge at Chickamauga, 
which resulted in his own capture. 

After Hood's defeat by Gen. Thomas a hot pursuit was 
made by the cavalry, and consequently many Confederate 
wounded fell into the hands of the Federal surgeons for 
treatment. Hood got over the Tennessee with a remnant 
of his army and the loss of his last gun. The Union 
cavalry, having reached the Tennessee, wintered at Flor- 
ence and Waterloo. Meanwhile, Dr. Ranney had been 
commissioned as a full surgeon, and the hospital depait- 
ments of his corps being organized into divisions, he was 
put in charge of the First Division Hospital Department, 
and appointed its chief operator. 

Tennessee once more repossessed, now for Alabama ! 
While Gen. Canby was operating from the south, the move- 



CITY OF LANSING. 



187 



ment at the north was led by Gen. James H. Wilson, de- 
tached by Gen. Grant from the Ariuy of the Potomac, and 
sent West with his veterans for this particular purpose. His 
command consisted of about fifteen thousand men, and was 
known as the Cavalry Corps of the Military Division of the 
Mississippi. His objective point was Seluia, where, after a 
long and fatiguing march, a dcci.sive battle was fought, re- 
sulting in the capture of many prisoners and a large amount 
of army-stores. Wilson pursued the enemy to Montgomery, 
which surrendered under a flag of truce, and thou pu.shed 
on to Columbus, and Macon, Ga. 

It may be well imagined that this was an exceedingly 
active campaign, and that the number of sick and wounded 
requiring surgical aid was very great. At Macon the hos- 
pital departments of the three divisions constituting the 
corps were consolidated. Dr. Ranney was ordered to receipt 
for all medical stores to the surgeons in charge of the other 
divisions, and to establish a corps hospital in the building 
formerly used by the State of Georgia as an a.syluni for the 
deaf, dumb, and blind. About three hundred patients 
were gathered here from various places on the line of 
march, and some ninety soldiers who had been under the 
care and treatment of the rebels. The case of the latter 
was pitiable in the extreme. p]ither through meagre facili- 
ties, or actual neglect of rebel surgeons, their wounds had 
been .suflcred to become gangrenous ; arteries had sloughed 
and required ligation. In some cases amputation had to 
be resorted to to save life, but in the end not one of that 
number died. 

Macon being only twenty miles from Andersonville, when 
the rebel armies surrendered the prisoners at this murder- 
ous and ever-accursed place were of course released. The 
poor starved and emaciated prisoners who were unable to 
join tJieir own commands or bear transportation home were 
provided for in the corps hospital. The horrors of that 
well-known stockade or " prison-pen" will be remembered 
long after those of the " Old Sugar-House," in the days of 
the Revolution, are forgotten. It was just as much cross- 
ing the death-line to go into Andersonville prison as to go 
out of it. So indignant was Dr. Ranney at the enormous 
outrage here perpetrated on civilization and humanity that 
he complained of Capt. Wirtz for his brutality, and had him 
arrested and placed under guard. In this connection it 
may be as well to remember that when the war was ended 
Capt. Wirtz was the only rebel that was legally hung, and 
most richly did he merit it. The only regret is that those 
in higher office who shared in his unparalleled crime did 
not have a similar share in his well-deserved punishment. 

Nor was this the only instance in which Dr. llanney 
resented the abuse of office. When he found those of our 
own army who were deliberately taking advantage of their 
position for private and mercenary purposes, at the expense 
of the public good, he did not hesitate over his own name 
to notify Governor Blair and other authorities at home, 
and secure efficient measures for the remedy of such abuses. 
Tros Tyiiusvc nilii nullo discrimiiie agetur. Rebel or 
" Yank," it was all one to him ; where corruption was, it 
must be cauterized and it:s progress arrested. 

During the month of July, 18G5, the Second Michigan 
Cavalry was mustered out of service, but the ability of 



Dr. Ranney as a surgeon was now too well known to leave 
him without employment. Gen. Croxton, of Gen. Ed Mc- 
Cook's division, under whom he had served in the Chatta- 
nooga campaign, offered him a commi.ssion as surgeon of 
the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Colored Infantrj', which 
he accepted, and with which he remained until it was 
mustered out, in January, 18U6. During the latter part 
of his service he was at Augusta, and, his duties with his 
reginiont being light, he attended a course of lectures in 
the Georgia Medical College. 

And now, having "gone through the war," as Lcc ha.s 
it in his farewell to Lis disbanded army, April 9, 1865, 
our history once more returns to biography. 

In February, ISGG, Dr. llanney established himself as 
physician and surgeon in Lansing, Mich. Here he has 
built up a solid and steadily-increasing practice, and now 
holds an enviable position in his profession, not only in 
the capital city, but in all the adjacent country. In ISUG 
he a.ssisted in the organization of the Michigan State Med- 
ical Society, of which he was then elected, and of which he 
has ever since continued to be, the recording secretary. In 
1873 he served ;is president of the Michigan Central Med- 
ical Society. In the same year he was elected correspond- 
ing member of the Old Wayne County Medical Society. 
In 1S72 he was chairman of the Lansing board of health. 
lie has been resident surgeon at Lansing to the Lake 
Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad Company, and the 
Chicago and Lake Huron and the Chicago and Northeast- 
ern Railroads. He is a member of the American Jledical 
Association, and has often been a delegate to that body 
from the Michigan Slate Medical Societ}', and served as 
the committee on necrology for Michigan in 1879-80. 
Nor have his labors been confined merely to the practical 
duties of his profession. To its periodical literature he has 
contributed papers upon " Bandaging for the Relief of In- 
flamed MamuiK ;" " Lipera ;" '■ Bad Water a Cause of Ty- 
phoid Fever;" "Progress of Medical Science, with Hints 
upon Vulgar Errors impeding it," etc. 

As a physician he is unusually (juick and skillful in his 
diagnosis of disease ; simple, judicious, and conservative in 
his treatment ; very gentlemanly and conciliatory in his 
contact with his patients; and just that kind of physician 
who, when once known, is most valued, and loved alike 
by rich and poor. The men of all others for whom ho 
seems to entertain a most vehement dislike are the various 
quacks and pretenders to medical knowledge, whom a wise 
and stringent Legislature ought long since to have driven 
from a State as intelligent as that of Michigan. 

In politics, though by education and choice a Republican, 
he is not of the noisy kind, or at all inclined to make him- 
self conspicuous on the stump. In religion he has equally 
decided opinions as in medicine. He believes that its ten- 
dencies and results ought always to characterize the medical 
man, who at every step in his career, in the ver}' ti.ssues 
and organs of the human frame, should not fail to see sub- 
lime and beautiful evidence of the wisdom, power, and good- 
ness of the great Creator. Its true demonstration he thinks 
is quite as often in the life as in the elaborate argument. 

It would naturally be expected that a man who had gone 
through 30 varied and trying an experience would endeavor 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



to secure for himself a happy home. In September, 1869, 
Dr. Raniiey was united in marriage to Isabella E. Sparrow, 
(laughter of Bartholomew Sparrow, late of Enniscorthy, 
Ireland, a woman of great tenderness of disposition, and 
admirably adapted by her many virtues to dignify and adorn 
domestic life. They have one son, a bright boy of seven 
years, who, when he is older, may learn much from this 
sketch of his father's life how to regulate and make a true 
success of his own. 

Many — oh, how many! — were our unreturning brave 
who died on the battle-field, who perished by the wayside, 
who wasted away their inestimable lives in rebel hospitals and 
prison-pens through starvation and neglect. The evil which 
of all others has threatened the body politic of late has 
been poverty of blood. It will take more than one genera- 



tion to make good the loss. Y^et one thing is ever to be 
remembered : but for such surgeons as Dr. Ranney, who 
jeopardized their lives in the high places of the field, our 
loss would have been incalculably greater. They have re- 
turned, indeed, many of our Boys in Blue, without a leg 
or without an arm, but, thank God ! they have at least 
brought back their undying love for the Union, and enough 
of their glorious spirit has been left to save us from a civil 
war far worse than rebellion, and thus give us " the grandest 
prospect of a national development which has ever opened 
upon the human race." We close, then, our sketch in the 
same spirit in which we commenced it, — Honor to the 

GREEN SASH AS WELL AS TO THE RED. 



George Doffield. 



Lansing, Mich., Oct. 22, 1880. 




^y^^^ ^ ^^^-t-ll^^- 




HENRY CORTRITE. 

Henry Cortrite was born in the town of Phelps, county 
of Ontario, State of New York, in the year 1838. At the 
age of sixteen, with his mother and a younger brother and 
sister, he removed to the Peninsular State and settled in 
Genesee County. As Henry was the elder of the three 
children the responsibility rested upon him to earn a living 
for his mother and the two younger children. With a 
willing hand and a pair of strong arms Henry performed 
this duty, and in a most satisfactory manner to his mother. 
In 1858 they removed to Plymouth, Wayne Co., where 
Henry made the acquaintance of Miss Annie E. Moreland, 
his present companion. Eight years later he was married 
and commenced business for himself at Plymouth, Mich., in 
the manufacture of fanuing-mills. Being well adapted to 
this business he made it a success. In 1875 he removed 



to the capital city, where ho now resides, carrying on the 
same business. The family consists of Mr. Cortrite, wife, 
and twelve-year-old daughter, Nettie. 



EDWIN BEMENT. 



Among the truly representative men who contributed to 
make Lansing what it is was Edwin Bement, the founder 
of one of the most important industries in Central Mich- 
igan. He was of New England origin, born in Westfield, 
Mass., Aug. 26, 1811, and was the oldest of four children. 

Jan. 1, 1820, his parents left the old home, with their 
children and household effects, in a lumber-wagon, for the 
then remote frontier of Northern Ohio, and after a month's 
journey arrived at Randolph, Portage Co., where they set- 



LANSING TOWNSHIP. 



189 



tied. Id this vicinity Edwin Bement spent his boyhood, 
serving an apprenticeship as a millwright. In 1837, at 
the age of twenty-six, he removed to Fremont, where he 
and his brother Or.son erected a grist-uiill and an oil-mill. 
Two years later Mr. Bement married Miss M. Louisa 
Roberts, and in 1842 they removed to what is now Fostoria, 
Ohio, where he and his brother built the first grist-mill in 
that vicinity, and also purchased a small foundry. Here Mr. 
Bement resided some twenty-six years, six years of which he 
was engaged in the stove and hardware trade. In 1869 he 
sold his business in Fostoria and removed to Lansing, erect- 
ing a foundry for the manufacture of agricultural implements, 
etc. In this enterprise he associated with himself his three 
sons, Arthur, Willis, and Clarence. This business under- 
taking has been eminently successful, and is to-day one of 
the most important manufacturing establishments in Central 
Michigan. 

Mr. Bement clied March 8, 1880. The sons continue 
the business established by their father, who was a man of 
fixed principles and high moral character. Honesty and 
industry were the essential media of his success. lie had 



a good business education, in his younger days attending 
the best schools in that portion of Ohio where he lived, 
and was a successful school-teaclier for several winters. At 
an early age Mr. Bement united with the Congregational 
Church at Randolph, Ohio, and from that time to the day 
of his death was an active and consistent member. He 
was instrumental in forming the First Presbyterian Church 
in Fostoria, superintending personally the construction of 
the church edifice and contributing largely to meet the ex- 
pense. He was an elder in this church from its organiza- 
tion until coming to Lansing, when he became identified 
with Plymouth Congregational Church as one of its dea- 
cons, and wa-s at one time superintendent of the Sunday- 
school. Mr. Bement was an outspoken and fearless tem- 
perance worker, and exemplified in his person the principles 
he advocated. 

Politicall}', he was an uncompromising Abolitionist. Hav- 
ing in him the inherent love of freedom and a natural hatred 
of oppression, he took strong grounds in favor of emancipa- 
tion, and at a time, too, when public sentiment was largely 
pro- lavery. 



LANSING TOWNSHIP.* 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGUAPnY. 

TuE township of Lansing, which is designated in the 
United States surveys as town 4 north, range 2 west 
of the principal meridian, is situated iu the northwest cor- 
ner of Ingham County. It is bounded on the north by 
Clinton County, on the .south by the township of Delhi, on 
the east by the township of Meridian, both in Ingham 
County, and on the west by the township of Delta, in Eaton 
County. The township-lines were surveyed by Lucius 
Lyon in 1825, and the interior lines by Mu.sgrove Evans in 
1827. 

WATERCOURSES AND LAKES. 

The township is traversed by two principal streams. 
Grand River and Cedar River. The former enters the 
township on the northwest quarter of section 30 ; flows 
northeast through sections 19, 20, and 21 ; thence nearly 
north through section IG to the centre of section 9, where 
it turns northwest and runs thence to near the centre of 
section 5, when it turns sharply to the southwest and flows 
through section 7, leaving the township on the northwest 
quarter. It is naturally a rapid stream, and afibrds a large 
amount of water-power, only a portion of which has been 
utilized. Its average width in the township may be stated 
at 200 feet, though it varies from 100 to 400. 

The Cedar River, one of the principal branches of Grand 
River, enters the township from the cast, on the southeast 

* By Samuel W. Durunt. 



quarter of section 13, and flows in a general southwesterly 
course to the west line of section 23, when it turns towards 
the northwest and unites with the main stream on the 
northeast quarter of .section 21. This is also a rapid-flow- 
ing stream, and has an average width of about 100 feet in 
the township. 

The Sycamore Creek, a considerable mill-stream, enters 
the township from the south in section 35, and flowing in 
a general northern direction through sections 34~and 27, 
unites with Cedar River in the southeastern part of section 
22. A considerable branch of this creek flows through sec- 
tions 32, 33, and 27, and unites with it near the south line 
of section 27, a few rods east of the Jackson, Lansing and 
Saginaw Railway. 

A small stream, the outlet of a little lake on the north- 
east quarter of section 35, enters Sycamore Creek near the 
township-line. Another more considerable creek flows 
northwest through sections 25 and 24, and enters the Cedar 
River on the northeast ([uartcr of section 22. The outlet 
of Jones' Lake, in the northwest part of the township, flows 
iu a devious course through section 5, and unites with Grand 
River near the southwest corner of that section. These are 
all the streams of importance. Several inferior brooks arc 
found in various portions of the township. 

There are two small lakes or ponds within the township. 
Of these the largest is the one known as Jones' Lake, lying 
partly in sections 4 and 5, and covering an area of about 
twenty acres. Its margin is more or less marshy. The 
other is situated in the centre of the northeast quarter of 
section 35, and is much smaller in dimensions. 



190 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



TOPOGRAPHY. 

The township is comparatively level, with its surface 
divided into three principal areas by the two rivers. The 
lands alon<; Grand River are generally high and rolling, and 
the river has banks more or less abrupt. In places there 
are ridges approaching the dignity of hills, but nothing of 
any remarkable elevation. The valley of the Cedar River 
is broad, level, and comparatively low, and subject more or 
less to annual overflow, and there is considerable low-lying 
land along Sycamore Creek. 



The soil is composed mainly of sandy and clayey loam, 
with the latter predominating. The lowlands are in places 
made up of a dark vegetable mould, as may be sSen on por- 
tions of the Reform School lands on section 14, and there 
are some marshy tracts, but probably nearly every acre of 
the township is susceptible of drainage and cultivation. 

Originally the township was heavily timbered with oak, 
elm, maple, beech, ash, sycamore, cherry, and many other 
deciduous forest-trees, and large areas are still covered with 
the primitive forest. Excellent brick clay abounds; marl 
is present in the low basins ; sand and gravel are abundant, 
and possibly peat may exist in some of the marshes. The 
bowlder drift affords stone for ordinary purposes, and in one 
or two localities, perhaps, the sand-rock overlying the coal 
formation comes to the surface or near it. The soil when 
cleared and cultivated is excellent for the growth of the 
cereals, and all the vegetables of the northern temperate 
zone, and fruits of various kinds, including apples, peaches, 
pears, cherries, grapes, and wild fruits, flourish remarkably. 
The season of 1880 is prolific to a wonderful degree in these 
luxuries. 

ORIGINAL LAND-ENTIIIES. 

The following list shows the names of those who origi- 
nally entered the lands from government in what is now the 
town.ship of Lansing. The school section (16) forms a part 
of the city of Lansing, which was laid out by the State 
land commissioner in 1847. 

Section 1.— James C. Allen, Rosalvo F. Griffin, 1837; Joel Ilayford, 
Ephraim W. Bixbj, 1851; Henry Stoel (Stowell), Jacob B. Bennett,""" 
1852; Shepard Bemis, 185i; Stephen W. Downer, 1863. This sec- 
tion is fractional, and contains 629 acres. 

Section 2. — Fractional, containing 630.46 acres. Richard Lewis, 
1836; Benjamin Earle, 1846 ; Isaiah G. Frost, James C. Allen, John 
C. Ball, James Shaw, 1847 ; Edward Thornberry, 1852. 

Section 3. — Fractional, 630.24 acres. Nathan H. Delano, Henry 
Whipple, George Lewis, all in 1836. 

Section 4.— Fractional, 017.36 acres. William H. Townsend, 1835; 
William R. Watson, Verdine Ellsworth, Alexander Hutcbiiis, all in 
1836; John G. Snider, C. 0. Jones, 1837. 

Section 5. — Fractional, 592.42 acres. William H. Townsend, Isaac 
N. Hedden, 1835; Horace H. Comstock, John R. Jewett, Samuel G. 
Bliss, 1836; George Smith, Rosanna Bacon, 1837. 

Section 6.— Fractional, 666.38 acres. Catharine N. Forbes, Thomas 
Stevens, David Frink, 1835; Gerardus Clark, .Samuel Marks, 1837. 

Section 7. — Fractional, 644.61 acres. David Mcech, 1835-36; Rich- 
mond Whitemarsh, James Seymour, 1836. 

Section 8.— Fractional, 632.88 acres. William H. Townsend, IS35; 
Frederick Bushnell, Richmond Whitemarsh, James Seymour, all in 
1836. Partly in city of Lansing. 

Section 9.— Fractional, 600.09 acres. William H. Townsend, 1835 ; 
Frederick Bushnell, 1836. In city of Lansing. 



Section 10. — Now in city of Lansing; full, 610 acres. Horace H. 
Comstock, Leland Green, Robert G. L. Pcyster, James Seymour, all 
in 1836. 

Section II.— Full, 640 acres. Mortimer B. Martin, Richard Lewis, 
1836; Miles N. Stanley, William Huglo, 1837 ; John C. Hall, George 
T. Clark, 1847. 

Section 12.— -Full, 640 acres. Adam L. Roof, Robert Tuan, Ileze- 
kiah Smith, Daniel Nichols6n, 1847 ; Simeou Dearin, 1848; Sherman 
Bemis, 1853. 

Section 13.— Fractional, 620.28 acres. Horace H. Comstock, George 
W. Wright, John F. Lawrence, all in 1836. 

Section 14. — Fractional, 631.85 acres, Horace H. Comstock, George 
M. Mills, Mortimer B. Martin, Henry Olmsted, 1836; Gerardus Clark, 
1837. 

Section 15. — Full, 640 acres (in city of Lansing). Oliver Johnson, 
Thomas Lawrence, James Seymour, 1S36; E. J. Penniman, 1837. 

Section 10. — Fractional, 607.04 acres. Laid out by the State as a 
part of the town of Michigan, now city of Lansing. 

Section 17. — Full, 640 acres. Frederick Bushnell, James Seymour, 
1836. East half in city of Lansing. 

Section 18. — Fractional, 670.08 acres. Frederick Bushnell, James 
Seymour, 1836. 

Section 19. — Fractional, 646.68 acres. Frederick Bushnell, James 
Seymour, Horatio J. Lawrence, 1836. 

Section 20.— Fractional, 607.65 acres. William H. Townsend, 1835. 
East half in city of Lansing. 

Section 21. — In city of Lansing. Fractional, 591.96 acres. Wil- 
liam H. Townsend, 1835; Jerry Ford and William Ford, 1836. 

Section 22.— In city of L.ani-ing. Fractional, 619.36 acres. 
Horace H. Comstock, II. Morgan and J. Alien, Thomas Lawrence, 
all in 1836. 

Section 23.— Fractional, 616.66 acres. A. A. AVilliains and T. A. 
H. Edwards, Mortimer E. Martin, 1836; Hampton Rich, 1847. 

,?«(;oi. 24.— Full, 640 acres. John F. Lawrence, 1836; John R. 
Jewett, Frederick Hall, 1847; Aaron M. Hewes, 1848. 

Section 25. — Full, 640 acres. Norman Carrier, Frederick Hall, 
Donald Mclntyre, 1847; Samuel Mosher, 1855. 

Section 26.— Full, 640 acres. Julius Chamberlain, Jesse Crowell, 
B. F. Hinman, 1837; Hampton Rich, Benjamin Harter, heirs of 
Calvin Wheaton, 1847. 

Section 27. — Full, 640 acres. H. Morgan and J. Allen, James 
Crane, Lewis Rayner, Alanson Sumner, 1836 ; Alfred A. Williams, 
1837. 

Section 28.— Full, 640 acres. Oliver Johnson, James Crane, Lewis 
Rayner, Alanson Sumner, 1836. 

Section 29. — Full, 640 acres. Oliver Johnson, Joseph W. Brown, 
1836; Elihu Elwood, 1844 and 1846; Hampton Rich, 1847. 

Section 30. — Fractional, 667.81 acres. Horatio J. Lawrence, Joseph 
W. Brown, 1836; Jacob F. Cooley, 1837; Warren Parsons, 1839. 

Section 31. — Fractional, 674.76 acres. Daniel Buck, Jacob Van 
Doren, Abram Van Doren, 1837 ; Hampton Rich, Julia M. Williams, 
1847. 

Section 32.— Full, 040 .acres. Hezekiah Ferguson, 1837. 

Section 33.— Full, 640 acres. Warren M. Olmsted, 1836; Joseph 
E. North, 1837-38; Stephen F. De.'iter, 1847. 

Section 34.— Full, 640 acres. George B. Warren, 1836. 

Section 35.— Full, 640 acres. Albert Anderson, 1836; Gerardus 
Clark, 1837; Louisa Buck, Marvin Cole, Champlin Havens, 1847; 
E. H. Whitney, 1853; Samuel S. Coryell, Sylvanus Ludden, 1854. 

Section 36.— Full, 640 acres. John R. Jewett, Cassias Smith, 
Donald Mclntyre, 1847; Jacob Stahlmaker, Freeborn Green, 1851. 

EARLY SETTLEME N. 
THE NORTH FAMILY. 
Among the very earliest settlors in Lansing township 
were the Norths, who were of English origin. Roger 
North, the progenitor of the family in America, was born 
in England in 1704. He settled in Pennsylvania probably as 
early as 1750. Thomas North, the father of Joseph E. 
North, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania in 1757. He mar- 
ried Naomi Davis, who belonged to a prominent ftimily of 
Philadelphia, — one of the family having been sherifi' of 



LANSING TOWNSHIP. 



191 



I'liiladelpliia County about the time of the Revolution. 
She was acquainted with Washington and Lafayette, and 
claimed to have taught the latter the English language. 
Joseph E. North, Sr., was born in the Juniata Valley, Sept. 
16, 1791. His father, Thomas North, subsequent to the 
Revolution, purchased a considerable tract of land in the. 



twelve children, — nine sons and three daughters ; two of 
these, a son and a daughter, died while young, in New 
York ; the remainder all settled in Michigan. 

The 6rst of the family to settle in this State was Joseph 
E. North, Jr., the eldest son, who, in September, 1836, 
located land in the township of Ingham before it was or- 




LANsixG Township— TOWN i nuktii, range a west. 



Pliit Bhowing the looiui. 



; actual settlers in the township in August, IS16. Madt 
showing the wagon roads then laid out or in use. 



by Ja 



hiuil-iicrcnt. Also 



township of Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y., it being a part 
of the military lands set apart for the soldiers of the Revo- 
lution. Tliilher the family removed from Pennsylvania, 
and from thence Joseph E. North and his sons came to 
Michi"an. He married Christiana Teeter, who belonged to 
a respectable and well-to-do Pennsylvania family, which 
was probably of German origin, Deo. 18, 1813. He served 
in the army during the war of 1812-15, and was taken 
prisoner on the Canadian frontier, and kept in close confine- 
ment at Quebec until the close of the war. When captured 
he was in the act of carrying a wounded comrade (Bruce 
Packard) from the field. Mr. North was the father of 



ganized. In the spring of 1837 he exchanged this land for 
section 32, in Lansing township, before that township was 
organized, also. This entire section was entered from gov- 
ernment early in 1837 by Ilezekiah Ferguson.* In Sep- 
tember of the same year his next brother, Henry II. North, 
now of Delhi township, came to Lansing. Joseph E. was 
then at work for Judge Danforth, of Mason. The next 
day after Henry's arrival, the two brothers started to visit 



* On the record at Mason this name is written Forgisnn, which 
may be correct, though good authority gives it ns written in tbc te.it. 
Ferguson paid as " boot" a gold watvb to equalize the trade. 



192 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the land of Joseph E., in Lansing township. He had 
already erected a temporary shanty for shelter, and they 
reached this about four P.M. Near by Henry found an 
abundance of leeks growing wild, and they looked so " per- 
fectly lovely" to the hungry boy that he pulled a quantity 
of them, and, roasting them, ate heartily of them for sup- 
per ; but, like the soldier who ate too ma.ny persimmons in 
the army, he was awakened by a deathly feeling in the night. 
A heavy thunder-storm was raging and the rain fell in 
torrents. It was a bad night for him, and he has never 
eaten leeks since. Being a stranger to a forest region he 
very naturally stood in wholesome fear of wild beasts, which 
certainly then abounded in Michigan. The storm quenched 
the fire, and he was very apprehensive of an attack from 
some fierce denizen of the surrounding forest, whose mourn- 
ful cries he could hear coming ominously on the night wind. 
He finally awoke his brother and told him his fears, and 
was laughed at for being alaruiid by the hooting of an owl. 
Henry was quieted, but was not sorry when daylight ap- 
peared. He had no appetite for breakfast, however, on 
account of his leek supper; but his brother told him he 
would not mind such little things after he had been in 
the county two or three years. Henry did not like the 
culinary duties of camp life, and declared that if he came 
to Michigan to reside he should bring a wife with him. 

Joseph E. North, Jr., married Miss Emily F. Rolfe, the 
second daughter of Benjamin Rolfe, on the 1st of July, 
1838.* This marriage is the second one recorded in the 
county, that of William Coddington and Miss Harriet 
Wheaton, married by Orrin Gregory, justice of the peace, 
on the 6th of May in the same year, being the first. In 
the early part of September, 1838, Joseph K. North, Jr., 
settled on section 32 in Lansing, and resided there until his 
death, in 1851.f He never lost his residence in Ingham 
County from the time of his settlement in 1836. He 
probably built the first frame dwelling erected in the town- 
ship of Lansing. 

Subsequent to his first visit to Michigan, in 1837, Henry 
H. North returned to New York, where on the 16th of 
December, 1838, he married Almira Buck, in Tompkins 
County. Joseph E. North, Sr., according to the records, 
entered land in Lansing township on section 33, in 1837 
and 1838. According to the recollection of his son Jo.shua, 
he visited Michigan in the fall before his settlement and 
purchased the land ; and according to the recollection of 
his son Henry H., he left Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y., 
on the 20th of May, 1839, and reached his land in Lan- 
sing, Mich., on the 2d day of June following. Joshua, the 
third son, and Thomas, the fifth, came to Lansing in the 
fall of 1838, and for a time lived with and assisted Joseph 
E., Jr., in clearing up his land. When their father came, 
in 1839, they became inmates of his family. The old gen- 
tleman remained on his farm in Lansing until his death. 



* Mr. North was married hy Peter LiuJerman, justice of the 
peace. 

f Mrs. McKibbin, formerly Mrs. North, remerabers some of the 
early preachers, Rev. Henry Lester being about the first. Another, 
Rev. Levanway, seems to have been an impostor, for he purchased a 
horse by the aid of Mr. North and others, soon after which he disap- 
peared and was not hoard of afterwards. 



Two of the brothers, Henry H. and Joshua, now reside 
in Delhi township, and Jesse D. lives in the city of Lan- 
sing, but owns the old farm in the south part of the town- 
ship. The Norths settled in an excellent country, and the 
condition of their lands and improvements shows that they 
are thriving farmers. 

NAMING THE TOWNSHIP. 
The following account of the way Lansing township re- 
ceived its name is given by Henry H. North : 

"In December, 1841, Roswell Everett, Zaimon S. Holmes, and 
myself met at the house of my father, by appointment, and framed 
two petitions to the Legislature tor the organization of two townships. 
But one name was suggested for the first, — that of Lansing, my father 
saying he wanted it named after our old town of Lansing, in New 
York. For the second two names were proposed, — Delhi, by Roswell 
Everett, and Genoa, by myself, not knowing that there was a Genoa 
in Livingston County at that time." 

THE COOLEY FAMILY. 

Jacob Frederick Cooley was born in Germany, Feb. 
23, 1807. He came of a good family, but with true Ger- 
man thrift and forethought learned the trade of a tailor in 
his native country. He lived in one of the German capi- 
tals, possibly Stutgard, until he came to America. He 
settled in the State of New York. His wife was Lucy 
Barnes, who was born in Hartford, Conn., April 1, 1804. 
At the time of her marriage her parents were living in 
Oneida County. She was a woman of the real live Yankee 
stock, and well fitted for pioneer life, as subsequent events 
proved. 

The young couple removed to Leslie, Ingham Co., Mich., 
arriving there on the 6th of May, 1836. They erected a 
temporary shanty in the wilderness, six miles from any 
settlers, but being soon after attacked with sickness, which 
almost every settler was subject to, they became homesick. 
Wild beasts and snakes troubled them, and one day, leaving 
their two children in their cabin, they went out to examine 
their land and got lost in the woods ; but their faithful dog 
found them, and they followed him home. The dog was 
afterwards killed by wolves. 

Mr. Cooley was a stranger to everything connected with 
woodcraft or farm labor, and the prospect of making a com- 
fortable home in the new country seemed anything but 
pleasing. Becoming at length .sick and disgusted, he re- 
turned with his family to New York in 1837. But there 
was something enticing in the West after all, and in Novem- 
ber of the same year, leaving his family, ho returned to 
Michigan. At Jacksonburg he made the acquaintance of 
Jerry and William Ford, or, at least, one of them. The.se 
men had, in April, 1836, laid out a village on section 21, 
in Lansing township, which they named " Biddle City." 
Learning that Mr. Cooley was looking for a place to settle, 
and also that he was a tailor and his wife a weaver, the 
Fords persuaded him that at or near their new town was 
the place to settle ; that it was sure to be a great city, and 
that the trades of himself and wife would soon make them 
comfortable, if not absolutely rich. To this enticing story 
Mr. Cooley lent a willing ear, and came down to view the 
country. The nearest government land to " Biddle City" 
which he could find was on section 30, in the southwest 



LANSING TOWNSHIP. 



193 



part of the township, lyiiig'on Grand River, and about two 
miles southwest of the new city. It proved to be an ex- 
cellent piece of land, and the section now includes some of 
the best farms in the township. 

One of the Fords came alonj^ with Cooley, but only re- 
mained a short time, and then departed and left him alone 
in the wilderness. Mr. Cooley knew absolutely nothing of 
the labor neces.sary to hew out a liome in the woods. lie 
had never handled an axe in his life, and in cutting down a 
tree be hacked on all sides of it, and when be thought it 
about nearly to fall, ran out of its reach. lie did not even 
know bow to plant his vegetables after be had managed to 
prepare a small plat of ground, but planted potatoes, corn, 
beans, and cabbage promiscuously in the same hill. 

In building his first cabin be managed it by felling a 
tree, letting the butt rest upon the stump, and then cover- 
ing the trunk with brush and sods. He did not know 
where the lines of his land wore, and employed a Mr. Scott, 
of De Witt, in Clinton County, to point them out for bim, 
paying bim, according to his son's account, fifty dollars for 
his services. A 'second time be lost his lines, and bad to 
pay Mr. Scott once more to establish them for him. His 
land was the southwest fractional quarter of section 30, 
town 4 north, range 2 west. He purchased deer-skins from 
the Indians and made himself a full border suit, including 
a coon-skin cap. His son, J. F. Cooley, Jr., remembers 
this suit as a great curiosity. Soon after completing his 
shanty, be followed the river to Jaeksonburg, where he 
purcha.sed supplies for winter, and then, procuring lumber, 
built a boat to transport them down to bis future home. 
This was in December, 1837. 

On bis way down the river, not being a .skilled boatman, 
he came to grief in the swift water, opposite where now 
stands the village of Dimondale, where night overtook bim. 
His craft struck a bowlder, and either broke up or stove a 
hole, so that his provisions got into the stream and his 
flour and salt were nearly spoile<l. He, however, waded 
around among the ice and slippery stones and saved a 
portion. Having no moans of making a fire, he ran up 
and down on the bank of the river to keep from freezing. 
At length the barking of a dog attracted his attention, and 
following the sound be came to a wigwam, where lie found 
an Indian and bis squaw, who took him in, rubbed his half- 
frozen limbs, and made bim as comfortable as circumstances 
permitted. For food they set before bim the best they had, 
— boiled or roasted hedgehog and muskrat. On the follow- 
ing morning he paid the Indian two dollars to carry him 
down to his shanty. The Indian soon after abandoned his 
camping-place, and built his wigwam near Mr. Cooley's. 

The inexperienced settler now began to clear a spot of 
ground and build a better cabin of logs. Here be re- 
mained until the spring of 1838, when he wrote his wife 
to join him with the remainder of the family. Mrs. Cooley 
accordingly bade good-by to her parents, and, taking her 
two boys, Jacob F., Jr., and Lansing J., came to Detroit, 
where she arrived in safety, though it was in the midst of 
the Canadian " Patriot war." At Detroit she hired a team- 
ster to take her to Jackson, but the .sbcrifF followed bim for 
some misdemeanor, and ho fled to the woods, leaving Mrs. 
Cooley with the team, which .she drove to Jackson, where 



it was taken from her. Nothing daunted by the terrors of 
the road, she started with her bo3-s on foot for Eaton 
Rapids. After walking several miles .she met a man who 
told her if she would take a certain trail which he pointed 
out she would save considerable distance ; but the patli was 
so okscure that after a little time she lost it in the woods. 
Placing her children on a log, she bade them stay right 
there until she returned, and then proceeded to find her 
way out. At length she heard a cock crow, and the sound 
guided her to a settler's cabin occupied by one Ulake.slec, 
who went with her to find her children, which they suc- 
ceeded in doing after a long search. Mr. Rlakaslec then 
took bis team and carried Mrs. Cooley and her children 
to Eaton Rapids, where she stopped with a Mr. Spicer, 
who procured an Indian to notify lier husband of her 
arrival. He soon appeared, and building a boat took bis 
family down the river. Night overtook them, and they 
were obliged to encamp on the bank until the morning, 
when they proceeded on their way, and before noon on the 
l.'itb day of June, 1838, reached the site of their future 
home. 

They had no team or domestic animals of any kind, and 
Mrs. Cooley assisted her hu.sband to clear a small piece of 
land, which they sowed with wheat, and planted a few vege- 
tables. They kept a record of time by marking it every day 
on a board or log with charcoal. Their first " Independ- 
ence" day — July 4, 1838 — was celebrated on a flat rock 
near the river, where Mrs. Cooley sang .songs, to the delight 
of the Indians, while her boys played with their dusky 
friends under the trees along the river-bank. 

About the middle of July the entire family were taken 
sick, and were nearly helpless for several da3-s. A family 
named Skinner bad settled up the river in the township of 
AVindsor, Eaton Co., and Mr. Cooley got an Indian to go 
and notify them of their troubles. 3Ir. Skinner came and 
took them to bis bouse, where they remained for several 
weeks, and this experience exhausted all the ready money 
they po.sse.s.sed. Recovering from their sickn&ss, they re- 
turned to their home in the fall and found their crops all 
safe, their old Indian friend having Uiken care of them 
during their absence. They exchanged the products of 
their land with the Indians for fish and venison, and thus 
opened the famous " dicker" trade of the early days. 

In the following winter the family were all again taken 
sick and lost the day of the month, but a traveler happen- 
ing along in January set them right again. At length all 
their provisions were consumed and they were forced to live 
upon the charity of their early Indian friend, who man- 
aged to procure sufficient food to keep them from starving. 
At one time Mr. Cooley was so low that they all expected 
he would die, and he finally told bis wife to lay bis body in 
a bark trough, cover it with dirt, and take her children out 
of the woods. But he at length recovered. 

In the spring of 1839, Mr. Cooley went to Jackson and 
worked at his trade, leaving bis wife alone with her chil- 
dren. For fourteen months she never saw a white woman. 
Wild beasts were plenty and exceedingly troublesome. At 
one time a gang of wolves followed Mr. Cooley, as be wa.s 
bringing home some meat for his family, for a long dis- 
tance, but he finally reached home in safety. At another 



194 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



time, when out blackberrying, he was chased by a bear and 
escaped with the loss of his hat. Occasionally the family 
would suffer the fire to go out, and then some one would 
have to travel perhaps ten miles to procure a supply. 
Some of the Indians were at times insolent, but they wore 
generally friendly. Their insolence never availed them 
anything, for Mr. Cooley was resolute and defended his 
rights. 

After they began to raise corn he rigged a novel contri- 
vance, though a common one in those days, to pound it. It 
consisted of a mortar made by burning a hollow in a stump, 
and rigging a spring-pole, to which was attached a wooden 
pestle ; and this answered a very good purpose. 

On the 6th of January, 1840, Mrs. Cooley gave birth to 
a .son, which is said to have been the first male child born 
in the township. He was named Nathan L. Cooley. A 
friendly squaw performed the offices of physician and mid- 
wife, and was the only woman present. 

In the fall of 1838 they heard of neighbors down the 
river and to the southeast of them. These were Coe G. 
Jones, on section 5, and Joseph E. North, Jr., on section 
32. The Norths made them a visit. The Fourth of July, 
1839, was celebrated at the house of Joseph E. North, Jr. 
His father had recently moved into the settlement, and the 
three families celebrated together. 

Their first threshing was done on the ground, and the 
first wheat-grist was taken to Eaton Rapids by Mr. Cooley, 
who was gone three days. The children could hardly wait 
for the first loaf of bread to bake, but when ready for the 
table they divided it with the dusky Indian children, who 
enjoyed it as well as they. The earliest mills near them 
were at Eaton Rapids and IngersoU's, now Delta. When 
they patronized the mill at IngersoU's they took the grist 
down the river in a log canoe or " dugout," and then went 
across the country, through the woods, and hauled the canoe 
and ground grist back along the narrow path, through mud 
and water, with an ox-team. The canoe was not a first- 
class land-carriage, but they managed to haul it by fasten- 
ing a log-chain around its nose, though it required great 
skill and constant attention to prevent the curious vehicle 
from often overturning in the rough pathway. Sometimes 
in the winter when they wanted to cross the river with 
their oxen and the ice was not strong enough to bear them, 
Mr. Cooley would cut a channel across and swim them 
over. 

When at length they had become the possessors of an 
ox-team, a cow, a pig, and a few sheep they congratulated 
themselves upon their improved circumstances ; but their 
joy was short lived, for a great black bear carried off the 
pig, and the lean and hungry wolves made short work with 
the sheep. 

The hardships and privations of the early settlers of 
Michigan, save only in one re.spect, that of Indian wars 
and difficulties, were certainly as formidable and discourag- 
ing as were ever encountered by the people of any State in 
the Union. The country was largely made up of dense 
and heavy forests, interspersed with swamps, marshes, and 
lakes ; the earliest roads were more horrible than can be 
conceived of by the present generation ; and then there was 
the almost interminable labor of cutting down the timber 



and clearing it away before anything could be grown for 
the support of man or beast. In the midst of their labors 
the deadly malaria fell upon them, and they froze and 
burned alternately for months and years with the ague and 
fever. When the first scanty crops were raised, and there 
was a small surplus, it took weeks sometimes to carry it to 
an uncertain market, and the cost of transportation ate up 
all the proceeds. Wild beasts, dangerous reptiles, and per- , 
secuting insects were plenty as snow-flakes in a January I 
storm, and it was literally a struggle between life and death, j 
with the chances in favor of the latter alternative. j 

In many instances the earliest comers lived for several 1 
years without store or school or church accommodations, I 
and the wonder is that men and women did not degenerate 
into fierce barbarians and abandon all hope of civilization 
amid the depressing circumstances which hemmed them in 
on every side. Nothing but an indomitable will, and a 
most sanguine looking forward to a better day in the future, 
an undying faith in the power of human intellect over the 
forces of nature, ever kept hope alive in the hearts of the 
pioneers of Michigan, and enabled them'to work out the 
mighty problem of reclaiming a most forbidding wilderness 
and building up a free and pro.sperous commonwealth. 
There were a few comparatively sunny places among the 
" oak-open inu.s" and beautiful miniature prairies of the 
southern and western portions of the peninsula, but they 
were only exceptions. By far the greater portion of the 
State has been won from a state of nature only through 
almost unparalleled hardships and the most unflinching 
perseverance. 

Within a year or two Mr. Cooley built a second and im- 
proved log house. The first one stood near the northwest 
corner of his quarter section, and a considerable distance 
from the river near a copious spring, which latter item no 
doubt had considerable weight in determining the selection 
of his land. The first dwelling was built by the labor of 
himself and wife, and was a rude afiiiir. The only windows 
were small holes left in the logs, covered with greased paper. 
The roof was constructed of troughs, the first course laid 
with the convex side down, and the second inverted and 
lapping over the edges of the others. This plan, provided 
the troughs were sound, made a very comfortable covering, 
impervious to water so long as the material did not warp 
or crack. 

The second house stood about fifteen rods west of the 
first, nearer the river. When it was all ready to be put up it 
took all the able-bodied men in five townships to raise it. 
It had a roof made of heavy stakes, pinned upon the trans- 
verse timbers with three-quarter-inch ash pins. The im- 
proved building boasted of a better chimney and sash win- 
dows, which latter Mr. Cooley whittled out with a pocket- 
knife. 

Mr. Cooley was probably the first settler in Lansing town- 
ship, having arrived, as we have seen, in the autumn of 
1837.* There is some uncertainty regarding the arrival of 
the first family, but the probabilities point to Mr. Cooley's 
family, who reached their destination on the 15th day of 

» Joseph E. North, Jr., built a shanty on section 32 in the sjiring 
or summer of 1S37. See account of the North family. 



LANSING TOWNSIIIP. 



195 



June, 1838. The deed for his land was dated in 1837, and 
sijined by Martin Van Buren. 

Mr. Cooley died on liis farm June 9, 1805. at the age of 
fifty-eight years, two montiis, and sixteen days, at a period 
when lie siiould iiavo been in the prime of his pliysicai 
powers. No doubt the liardships of a pioneer life had much 
to do with his comparatively early demise. He left a wife 
and five cliildren, — three sons and two daughters, — to each 
of whom he gave a farm, and saw them settled around him. 
Mrs. Cooley died Feb. 21, 1870. 

THE JOXES FAMILY. 
Of the family of Coe G. Jone.s, which competes with 
those of Jlr. Cooley and Joseph E. North, Jr., for the 
honor of the first .settlement in Lansing town.ship, we have 
been able to learn comparatively little. Ambrose Jones, 
the father of C. G. Jones, came from Allegany Co., N. Y., 
and settled in Delta township, Eaton Co., in 1845, where 
he died the following j'ear. According to Mrs. Garret L. 
Dingnian, a sister of Coe G. Jones, the latter settled on 
his land, the north half of the northwest quarter of section 
4, containing 62.77 acres, in the spring or summer of 1838. 
His land was entered from government in 1837. Perhaps 
the principal rea.son for his choice of this locality wiis the 
presence of a small lake, since known as " Jones' Lake," 
which laid partly upon his purcha.se. Mrs. Dingman claims 
that when her brother settled there were no neighbors nearer 
than IngcrsoH's, in Eaton County, and De Witt, in Clinton 
County ; but even if Mr. Cooley 's family arrived after Mr. 
Jones, there is no doubt but Mr. Cooley him.self was then 
living in the township. 5Ir. Jacob V. Cooley, now living 
on section 30, thinks that Jones did not come in before 
1839. Ambrose Jones had ten children. One of the daugh- 
ters, Eliza, who afterwards married Alonzo Baker, of Delta, 
came with her brother Coe G. She and her husband are 
both deceased. When C. G. Jones raised his first log 
dwelling, his help came from Delta (IngersoH's) and De 
Witt. Mr. Jones died upon his farm Jan. 16, 1862. 
His sister Eleanor married Garret L. Dingman in 1851. 
She came with her father to Delta in 1845. Mr. Dingman 
settled on section 4, Lansing township, in 1851. 

GILKKY. 

The Gilkey family was from the neighborhood of Bur- 
lington, Vt. There were four brothers, Justus, Samuel, 
William, and Sample, and all, excepting William, came to 
Michigan. The three first named removed from Vermont 
to Hydeville, N. Y., from whence they migrated to Michi- 
gan. William settled in Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., where 
he died. Samuel settled in Flint, Gene.see Co., Mich., and 
Sample removed to Illinois, where he still resides. 

Justus came from Hydeville, N. Y., to Lan.sing township 
probably about 1839 or 1840, and purchased land on sec- 
tion 5, in the northwest corner of the township. He was 
not an original owner, but bought from other parties. He 
remained here until about 1849, when he sold and went to 
Ohio, and a few months later removed to California, where 
he is now living. He w;ts one of the inspectors of election 
at the first town-meeting held in Lansing, in April, 1842, 
and was also one of the first justices elected at the same 



meeting, one of the assessors, and an overseer of highways. 
He filled the office of justice of the peace probably as long 
as he remained in the township, as his name appears attached 
(as justice) to the acknowledgment of the original plats of 
the town of Michigan, made on the 2d of June, 1847. He 
seems to have been (|uite a popular man, for the record 
shows that he was unanimously elected to several offices. 
He raised a large family of boys. According to Mrs. G. 
L. Dingman's recollection he sold to a man by the name of 
Barker, but Mr. 0. H. Gilkey, of whom we have received 
much of this information, thinks he sold to a widow, whose 
name he does not remember. 

The following were resident taxpayers in the township 
of Lansing in 1844: Benjamin Earl, Archibald Billings, 
Nathan Delano, Henry Lester, Coe G. Jones, Justus Gilkey, 
Melvin Gilkey, John Shear, J. F. Cooley, Joseph Demerest, 
J. M. Packard, Levi Buck, Daniel II. Barnes, Elihu Ell- 
wood, Joseph E. North, Jr., Joseph E. North, Sr., Thomas 

North. 

CIVIL ORGANIZATION. 

The act authorizing the organization of the township 
was passed Feb. 16, 1812. The name was suggested by 
Joseph E. North, Sr., after the town.ship of Lansing, on 
the shore of Cayuga Lake, in Tompkins Co., N. Y.* 

The first town-meeting was held on the 4th day of April 
in the same year, at the " Shanty" near the Cedar River 
Bridge, in pursuance of the provisions of the act of the 
Legislature. Joseph E. North, Sr., was chosen Moderator, 
James Shear, Clerk, and Justus Gilkey, Abram Shear, 
James Harrington, and Thomas North, Inspectors of 
Election. 

AVe quote from the record ; 

** Voted, thftt there be two additional assessors. 
" Voted, that we have two constables in this town. 
" Voted, that there be two hundred dollars raised for highways and 
bridges, to bo laid out in the several districts according to the assess- 
ments. 

" Voted, that there be one hundrcil and fifty dollars raised to defray 
town expenses. 

" Voted, that there be t*T0 dollars town bounty for wolf-scalps, 

" Voted, that hogs be free commoners. 

*' Voted, that all orderly cattle be free commoners. 

"Joseph E. NonTii, Moderator. 
"J.viiES IIarrixgto."!, 
"Abram Shear, 
"Justus Gilkev, 
"Thomas North, 

" Iimpcctort of the Board. 
" I certify that the above is a true record. 

" Thomas Xorth, 

" Tuicii Clerk." 

The officers elected were one supervisor, one town clerk, 
one treasurer, four justices of the peace, two assessors, three 
commissioners of highways, three in.spectors of schools, 
two overseers of the poor, three overseers of highways, and 
two constables, — in all twenty-two. The total number of 



* The township was formed from Alaiedon, which then comprise(J 
the four northwest townships of the county. The territory of Lan- 
sing township also formed a part of the original township of Aurelius, 
which included the west half of the county, and was erected on the 
llth of March. 1S37. The township of Alaiedon wna formed from 
AurcIiuB, March 15, 183S. The county was attached first to Washte- 
naw and afterwards to Jaekson County. 



190 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



votes polled was eleven, or exactly one-half as many as 
there were offices to fill. It is presumed that, although 
the law required all these oflBcers to be elected, the most of 
them found very little to do. The weight of responsi- 
bility and hard labor must have fallen largely upon the 
shoulders of the highway commissioners and overseers. 
The inspectors cf schools and overseers of the poor proba- 
bly performed no very onerous duties for at least twelve 
months, and the duties of justices and constables were 
undoubtedly light. 

The following-named per.sons were duly elected at this 
meeting to fill the various offices : Supervisor, Joseph E. 
North, Sr. ; Town Clerk, Thomas North; Treasurer,* 
Abram Shear jf Justices, Joseph E. North, Sr., Justus 
Gilkey, James Harrington, Thomas North ; Assessors, 
Joseph E. North, Jr., Justus Gilkey; Commissioners of 
Highways, Joseph E. North Jr., James Shear,t Nathan 
Delano ; Inspectors of Schools, Thomas North, James 
Shear, James Harrington ; Constables, Daniel R. Barnes, 
Coe G. Jones ; Overseers of the Poor, Justus Gilkey, Joseph 
E. North, Sr. ; Overseers of Highways, First District, 
Henry Lester; Second District, Justus Gilkey; Third 
District, Joseph E. North. 

The supervisor, town clerk, treasurer, all of the justices 
except Harrington, who received nine votes, Justus Gilkey, 
for assessor, and Daniel Barnes, for constable, were unani- 
mously elected, having received eleven votes each ; the 
others were elected by from six to ten votes each. The 
offices were well distributed, and none of the candidates had 
just cause of complaint, for every voter was elected to office, 
and several of them filled three ofiices apiece. 

The following list gives the names of those who were 
elected to fill the offices of supervisor, town clerk, treasurer, 
and justice of the peace, from 1843 to 1880. It is made 
up from the original record : 

1843.— Supervisor, Joseph E. North ;t Town Clerk, Justus Gilkey, 
Treasurer, Joseph E. North ;{ Justices, Levi Buck, Benja- 
min Earl, Abram Shear. 

18J4.— Supervisor, John W. Burchard;^ Clerk, Elihu Elwooil; 
Treasurer, Benjamin Earl; Justices, Alonzo Baker,]] Justus 
Gilkey.ll 

1845.— Supervisor, Isaac C. Page;f Clerk, Elihu Elwood; Treasurer, 
Silas Freeman ; Justice, Joab Page. 

184C.— Supervisor, Joab Page; Clerk, Elihu Elwood; Treasurer, 
George D. Pease; Justice, Joseph E. North, Jr. 

1847. — Supervisor, Joab Page; Clerk, Isaac C. Page; Treasurer, 
George D. Pease; Justice, Russell P. Everett. 



» It appears from the record that Mr. Shear failed to attend to the 
duties of his office, which was declared vacant by the town board, and 
Joseph E. North, Jr., was appointed in his place on the 12th of No- 
vember, 1842. 

t This name is written Shear on the record, yiu have been told 
the correct name was Shearer. 

J In giving the name of Joseph E. Norlh, it is not always specified 
whether it w.as father or son, but the honors were about evenly di- 
vided between them. 

^ Mr. Burohard was drowned at the lower town soon after, and 
Joseph E. North, Jr., was elected in his place at a special election 
April 27th. 

II Baker did not qualify, and Gilkey was elected at a special elec- 
tion, April 27th. 

% Isaac C. Page removed from the town, and at a special election 
held Sept. 10, 1845, Joab Page was elected in his stead. 



1848. — Supervisor, Lawson S. Warner; Clerk, William W. Upton; 

Treasurer, Charles T. Allen; Justice, Alanson Ward. 
1849.— Supervisor, Lawson S. Warner; Clerk, Henry Gibbs; Treas- 
urer, Charles T. Allen ; Justices, Joseph C. Bailey (full term), 
George I. Parsons (to fill vacancy), Joseph E. North, Sr. (to 
fill vacancy). 
1850.- Supervisor, David E. Corbin ; ™ Clerk, James A. Bascom ; 
Treasurer, Miles H. Pritchard ; Ju.-tices, Joseph E. North, 
Sr. (full terra), J. Palmer Thompson (two years). 
1851. — Supervisor, William II. Chapman; Clerk, James A. Bascom; 
Treasurer, Eliphalet S. Tooker;"|"| Justices, Reuben C. Mad- 
den (full term), Orange Butler (to fill vacancy). 
1S52. — Supervisor, George I. I'arsons ; Clerk, James A. Bascom; 
Treasurer, Jonathan P. Thompson ;f| Justice, Alanson Ward. 
1853. — Supervisor, Charles A. Hedges ;JJ Clerk, James A. Bascom; 

Treasurer, James W. Holmes; Justice, Orange Butler. 
1854. — Supervisor, Charles W.Butler; Clerk, Abram M.Crawford; 

Treasurer, Louis D. Preston ; Justice, Joseph E. North. 
1855. — Supervisor, Joseph C. Bailey; Clerk, James J.Jeffries; Treas- 
urer, Louis D. Preston ; Justice, Daniel L. Case. 
1S5C. — Supervisor, Joseph C. Bailey; Clerk, Ilollin C. Dart; Treas- 
urer, Louis D. Preston; Justice, Alanson Ward. 
1857.— Supervisor, Allen R. Burr; Clerk, AVilIiam Fisher; Treasurer, 

John R. Price; Justice, Champlin Havens. 
1858. — Supervisor, Franklin La Rue; Clerk, Stephen P. Mead; 
Treasurer, Benjamin Van Akin ; Justice, Joseph E. North. 
1859. nil— Supervisor, Ransom Everett; Clerk, Sylvester G. Seofield; 
Treasurer, Eber Crandali ; Justices, Thomas Treat, William 
Leo, William A. Dryer. 
1860.— Supervisor, William A. Dryer; Clerk, Sylvester G. Seofield; 
Treasurer, Eber Crandali; Justices, Stephen B. Du Bois, 
Oramel D. Skinner. 
1S61. — Supervisor, William A. Dryer; Clerk, L. S. Ford; Treasurer, 

Cyrus Everett; Justice, Milo Smith. 
1862.— Sujiervisor, William A. Dryer ; Clerk, S. G. Seofield ; Treas- 
urer, Cyrus P. Everett; Justices, Ransom Everett, Lucian 
Merrill. 
1863.— Supervisor, William A. Dryer; Clerk, S. G. Seofield; Treas- 
erer, Chauncey Murphy ; Justices, 0. D. Skinner, Lucian 
Merrill. 
1864.- Supervisor, William A. Dryer; Clerk, R. Everett; Treas- 
urer, Chauncey Murphy ; Justices, D. D. Hall, William 
Johnson. 
1865. — Supervisor, William A. Dryer; Clerk, Ransom Everett; 
Treasurer, A. K. Truman; Justices, William Johnson, 
Abraham Wheeler. 
1866. — Supervisor, William A. Drypr; Clerk, Josiah AV. Dawes; 

Treasurer, A. K. Truman ; Justice, J. F. Lansing. 
1867. — Supervisor, Chauncey Murphy; Clerk, Clement L. Harrison; 
Treasurer, Henry C. Everett; Justices, Oramel D. Skinner, 
Almon Harrison. 
1S6S. — Supervisor, Chauncey Murphy; Clerk, C. L. Harrison ; Treas- 
urer, Henry C. Everett; Justices, Abraham Wheeler, Dan- 
iel D. Hall. 
1869. — Supervisor, William A. Dryer; Clerk, Ransom Everett; 
Treasurer, Daniel D. Hall ; Justices, William W. Minturn, 
George S. Williams. 
1870.— Supervisor, William A. Dryer; Clerk, William W. Minturn ; 
Treasurer, Daniel D.Hall; Justices, Adam Foster, Nelson 
Tenney. 



** Mr. Corbin died, and the town board on the 19th of August ap- 
poiutod L.awson S. Warner to fill the vacancy. Mr. Warner resigned, 
and on the 14th of September Joseph C. Bailey was appointed. 

ft Mr. Tooker was incapacitated by sickness, and Champlin Havens 
was appointed on the 12th of June. He declined, and J. P. Thomp- 
son was appointed for the remainder of the year. 

JJ Resigned, and Orange Butler was elected at a special election, 
Nov. 2, 1852. 

^^ Mr. Hedges died in office. 

Ijll The city of Lansing was chartered and se] aratcd from the town- 
ship by act of Feb. 15, 1859. By the same act the township was au- 
thorized to hold its town-meetings in thecity, and to appoint a resident 
of the city as deputy township clerk. 



LANSING TOWNSHIP. 



197 



1871. — Supervisor, Jnmes M. Shearer; Clerk, Colonel D. Johnson; 
Treasurer, Chauncey Murphy; Justices, William P. Scum- 
mon, (ieorge C. Fuller. 

1872. — Supervisor, J. M. Shearer; Clerk, Horace Munroo; Treas- 
urer, James Tobias; Justices, Warren U. lloskins, Joseph 
W. Collins. 

1873. — Supervisor, James M, Shearer; Clerk, Sanford M. Wait; 
Treasurer, James Tobias; Justice, Joseph W. Collins. 

1874. — Supervisor, J. M. Shearer ; Clerk. John Uolbrook ; Treasurer, 
James Tobias; Justice, Adam Foster. 

1S75 Supervisor, S. Horace Pre^ton ; Clerk, John Ilolbrook ; Treas- 
urer, Myron tireen ; Justice, William P. Scnmmon. 

1876.— Supervisor, S. Horace Preston; Clerk, William H. Foster; 
Treasurer, Myron Green ; Justice, Morgan B. Hungerford. 

1877.— Supervisor, J. M. Shearer; Clerk, 0. H. P. Brailey; Treas- 
urer, Myron IJrcen; Justice, John J. Hooper. 

1878. — Supervisor, J. M. Shearer; Clerk, Georgo W. Parks; Treas- 
urer, Myron Green; Justice, Nathan L. Cooley. 

1879. — Supervisor, S. Horace Preston: Clerk, Eugene S. Thompson; 
Treasurer, Jacob G. Baumgrass; Justices, Georgo L. Wil- 
liams, Jauies Tobias. 

1880.— Supervisor, S. U. Preston; Clerk, Georgo W. Parks; Treas- 
urer, Jacob 0. Baumgrass: Justice, T. H. Howard. 

SELECTIONS FROM THE RECORDS. 

On the 15th of May, 1842, the board of supervisors 
met to adjust the accounts of the old town.sliip of Alaiedon, 
wliich had been subdivided into four town.ship.'i on the 16th 
of February preceding. Tiie old township had rai.sed S250 
for roads and bridges, which was divided among the differ- 
ent townships carved from it by the following resolution : 

" Uesolreil, That the division of the $250 raised for roads and 
bridges shall be as follows, and that the treasurer of the town of 
Alaiedon shall give the treasurer of the different towns an order on 
the county treasurer for their proportion according to the following 
division, and take their receipts for the same : 

Alaiedon $68.96 

Delhi 4;!.77 

Lansing 74.70 

Meridian 62.56" 

" Itex.lced, That we sell the ballot-boxes. 

" Sold the same to the township of Delhi for two dollars twenty- 
seven cents ($2.27)." 

" llefotced, That the town of Alaiedon pay six dollars for the town 
books." 

'* liefofved, That the division of the funds in the hands of the over- 
seers of the poor shall be as follows: Alaiedon, $12.46; Delhi, $8.05; 
Lansing, $14.03; Meridian, $11.51." 

" lUnolred, That the treasurer of the town of Alaiedon shall give 
to the treasurers of the towns of Delhi, Lansing, and Meridian an 
order on the treasurer of tiie county to the amount of their respective 
road taxes for 1841."* 

The first meeting of the board of auditors for Lansing 
was held on the 18th of June, 1842, and bills against the 
town to the amount of sixty-one dollars and fifty cents were 
allowed, and orders drawn for the same. The board con- 
sisted of Joseph E. North, Justus Gilkey, James Harring- 
ton, and Thomas North. 

In October of the same year the board audited bills to 
the amount of twenty-three dollars and thirty-two cents. 
The total amounts audited against the town for the year 
1842 were $142.15. 

The total taxes levied in the township for all purposes 
for the year 1842 were as follows : 



* Copied from the supervisors* proceedings by Thomas North, town 
clerk of Lansing. 



Slate tax $69.66 

County ta.\ 143.43 

Town expenses 150.01) 

Koadsand bridges 2IMI.0O 

Proportion of expenses of old town of Alaiedon for 1841 50.88 

Uejected tax for 1838 20.18 

Tax for 1838, charged biiek on land 29.34 

Delinquent highway tax, 1842 : 

District No. 1 $34.69 

" 2 23.85 

" " 3 72.7(1 131.24 

Total $800.73 

On the 29th of March, 1843, there was a balance in the 
hands of the town treasurer of two dollars and ninety 
cents. 

In 1843 the road di.striets were increased from three to 
four, and Nathan Delano, Coe G. Jones, Joseph E. North, 
and Lansing Barnes were elected overseers by " uplifted 
hands" in open town-meeting. f The town raised $250 
for roads and bridges, and $150 for ordinary expenses. 

The annual town-meeting for 1843 was held at the house 
of Justus Gilkey, who lived on section 5. 

" Henvheil, That all hogs over six months old bo free commoners, 
and all orderly cattle be free commoners." 

The total number of votes polled at the election in 
April, 1843, seems to have been sixteen. The names of 
the inspectors of election for 1843 were Joseph E. North, 
Nathan Delano, James M. Packard, and Henry Lester, 
the last being the first resident Christian minister. He 
was a Protestant Methodist. 

The names of the persons drawn as grand jurors for 
1843 were James M. Packard, Elihu Elwood; as petit 
jurors, Benjamin Earl, Levi Buck. 

"June 10, 1843, Justus Gilkey's car-mark recorded, — half-penny 
under side of the right ear," 

At the general State election, held Nov. 6 and 7, 1843, 
John S. Barry received fourteen votes for Governor, and 
Ziua Pitcher three. 

The vote on the constitution of 1838 was sixteen in 
favor of the proposed amendments and one against. 

The total tax ibr all purposes levied in 1843 was 
$747.47. 

At the annual town-meeting, held at the school-house in 
District No. 1, there were fourteen votes polled, of which, 
for supervisor, John W. Burchard received thirteen and 
John Moffitt one. 

Mr. Burchard was drowned at the lower town soon after 
his election, and a special town-meeting was held on the 
27th of April for electing another man in his stead, and 
also to elect a justice of the peace in place of Alonzo Baker, 
who neglected to qualify. Joseph E. North, Jr., was 
elected supervisor, and Justus Gilkey justice of the peace. 

At a meeting of the township board held Sept. 7, 1844, 
it was 

" Ilenolvcd, That the election (general) shall be held on Monday, the 
4th of November, at the Burchard house, on section 9, the 'poles' to 
be open at nine o'clock a.m.; and the second day of election shall bo 
held on the 5th of November, at the red school-house in District No. 1 
in said town, at which the said election is to close." 



t The township had probably been subdivided into three rood dis- 
tricts while yet a part of Alaiedon. 



198 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



At the annual town-meeting for 1845 the whole number 
of votes cast was twenty-three. Joab Paj;;e was unani- 
mously elected justice of the peace. Coe G. Jones, who had 
been elected overseer of highways in District No. 2, resigned 
on the 12th of April, and Justus Gilkey was appointed in 
his place. At the November election in 1845, the whole 
number of votes polled for Governor was sixteen, — eleven 
for Alpheus Felch and five for Stephen Vickery.* 

The annual town-meeting for 1S4C was held at the house 
of Joab Page, and there were fifteen votes cast. At the 
general election in November of that year there were sev- 
enteen votes polled. 

At the annual town-meeting for 1847, held at Page's 
house, the voters had increased to thirty, and within a few 
months the influx of new-comers had transformed the little 
settlement in the woods to a busy village, or rather to three 
villages, for there was one village situated along Main Street 
in the south part of the plat, another had sprung up around 
the saw-mill at the lower town, and a third began to appear 
in the clearing around the site of the new State-IIouse.f 

The location of the capital attracted men from all parts 
of the State, and new names became so plenty that they 
soon overshadowed the earlier ones. At a meeting of the 
town board held June 29, 1847, we find Levi Hunt apply- 
ing for a " license to keep a public-house in the township 
of Lansing and village of Michigan, with the privilege of 
selling ardent spirits," which was denied by the board. 

Peter I. Weller and William Sweet also applied for licen.se 
to open groceries and victualing houses, but these also were 
denied. The board magnanimously " voted to exonerate 
the petitioners from paying the township board for this 
session ;" which, considering it was called^ solely to hear 
their petitions, was certainly a handsome thing to do. The 
board was composed of Joab Page, Justus Gilkey, and Isaac 
C. Page. 

On the 7th of July following there was another meeting 
of the board; the following is a record of the proceedings: 

" Levi Hunt applied for a license to licep a ])ubIic-hoiise and retail 
ardent spirits in the village of Michigan and town of Lansing. Not 
granted, for the reason that the board could not be satisfied from tes- 
timony before them that Mr. Hunt sustained a yood moral char- 
(ictei: 

" P. J. Weller and son applied for a license to keep a victualing 
house and grocery, and retail ardent spirits in the town of Lansing 
and village of Michigan. Not granted. 

"Voted that the town board would not grant a license to any gro- 
cery the present year for the retailing of ardent spirits, for the reason 
that we do not think that the puhUc (jood will be promoted ihertbii. 

*' William Sweet applied for a license to keep a public-house in the 
house he now occupies in the village of Michigan and town of Lan- 
sing and retail ardent spirits. Not granted, for the reason that we 
ha\e no evidence that he sustains a good moral character. 

" Levi Hunt applied for a license to keep a tavern without the 
privilege of selling ardent spirits, in the building he now occupies on 
Main Street, in the village of Michigan and town of Lansing, on lot 
16, block 174. Granted. 

"Voted that Mr. Hunt should pay two dollars license money." 

The house occupied by Mr. Hunt is still standing, we 
believe, on the northwest corner of Main and Iliver Streets. 
It was known as the " Michigan House." 



~ The population of the township in 1845 was eighty-eight souls. 
f Until within a few years these were designated respectively as 
' Upper," " Middle," and " Lower" town. 



At a meeting heldSept. 16, 1847, " Henry Jipson and W. W. Uptonj: 
applied for a license to keep a tavern in the village of Michigan in 
the building they now occupy near the Capitol. Granted for the 
remainder of the year. Ordered that the above applicant shall pay 
five dollars for said license." 

This last-mentioned hotel was the old " Lansing House," 
which stood opposite the present house of that name. 

Evidently the location was considered better than the 
one on Main Street, for the license was held at a very 
high figure, equivalent to about twenty dollars per year. 

At the November election in 1847 there were 193 votes 
polled for Governor, of which Epaphroditus Ransom, of 
Kalamazoo, received 109 and James Edmunds 80. 

*' At a meeting of the township board held Nov. 27, 1847, present 
Joab Page, Justus Gilkey, and I. F. Page, the following business was 
transacted : 

" Daniel Clapsaddle applied-for a license to keep a tavern in the 
town of Michigan, in the building he now occupies, being on lot No. 
4 and block No. 231, on Section Twenty-one in said township, for the 
remainder of the present year, or license year. 

" Said petition was granted. 

"Ordered that said applicant should pay four dollars for said per- 
mit.^ 

" P. I. Kinney applied for a license to keep a grocery in the town 
of Michigan, in the building he now occupies, situated on block No, 
sis, on section nine in said township. 

" Said petition was granted. || 

*' Ordered that applicant should pay two dollars for said license." 

At a meeting of the township board held on the 17th of 
December, 1847, Milo H. Turner was granted license to 
keep a tavern on block 13 in the lower town, for which he 
was charged five dollars. The total current expenses of 
the township for the year ending April 5, 1848, were 
$189.46. 

The annual town-meeting held April 3. 1848, showed a 
great increase of population, there being 247 votes cast for 
town ofiicers. At this election a. new man was nominated 
for supervisor, — Whitney Jones, — but though he made a 
good run, receiving 110 votes, he was beaten by Lawson 
S. Warner, who received 120. This meeting was convened 
at the Capitol, but adjourned from there to the " new log 
house of Dr. Goucher, a little north of the Capitol." 

At that time the township was divided into six road 
districts. Smith Tooker was elected poundmaster. The 
town voted to raise $250 for township purposes. A bounty 
of two dollars and fifty cents was authorized for each wolf- 
scalp taken within the town. 

At a meeting of the township board, April 29, 1848, 
the following was passed: 

*' Jiesulred, That license as retailers of ardent spirits and tavern- 
keepers be allowed them for the sums set opposite their names re- 
spectively, — viz.: Sylvester Thompson, $7.75 J William Sweet, 6.75 ; 
William T. Gilkey, $6.25; Ford & Gould, S6. 50; E. Firtch, S6.25 ; 
Levi Hunt, $7.25; Peter J. Weller & Son, $7.75; Henry Jipson, 
$7.75. 

" On motion of Joab Page, Esq., liesolvcd, That each person receiv- 
ing Iifccufie be required to pay 50 cts. for the use of the township 
board." 

On the 10th of June, 1848, license was granted to Daniel 



J Mr. Upton is now in the Treasury Department at Washington. 
^ The house kept by Daniel Clapsaddle was called the " National 
House," and stood on the east side of the river. 

j] Mr. Kinney probably kept the "Seymour House," at the lower 



LANSIiNG TOWNSHIP. 



190 



JIcGilvre}' and a man named Berry to " keep tavern," at 
seven dollars and fifty cents eafh, and a fee to the town 
clerk of thirty cents. 

On the 14th of Au-just, in the same year, license was 
granted to Henry H. Bloss to retail ardent spirits on lot 1, 
block -27, for the remainder of the year at five dollars. 
T. B. Faxon was also licensed as a retailer and common 
victualer on lot 8, block 114, for the sum of eight dollars. 
The moral scruples of the board seem to have been at 
length set aside. 

It would appear that the rivers were greatly obstructed 
by drift-wood, for we find in 1849 an account of six dol- 
lars and fifty cents, presented by John Thomas, " for work 
done o'j flood- wood above Cedar bridge and Grand River 
bridge." 

Liberal allowances were made for schools, and the taxes 
raised from year to year were quite large, as the following 
statement of C. T. Allen, township treasurer, will exhibit : 

Amount of State and county ta.x levied in 

IS48 $1,387.42 

,\uiount of highway ta.xcd voted 260.00 

Amount of town contingent voted 2.'i0.00 

Amount of school nnd library ta.x voted 112.64 

Amount levied in Fractional District No. 2 1H.12 

Amount levied in District No. 2 ItO.OO 

Amount levied in District No. 4 lOOU.UO 

Amount of tax of 1S47 reassessed and highway 

ta.x levied by commissioner highways 527.76 

Four per cent, for collection 146.23 

Amount of primary school funds received from 

county treasurer, 1848 26.69 

Amouut received from cemetery lots 8.12 

$3810.98 

At the annual town-meeting, April 2, 1849, the question 
of license was acted upon, when sixty-one voted iu favor, 
and sixty-six against it. The total vote at this meeting 
was 251, but on the license question only 127 votes were 
cast. In this year there appear to have been twelve road 
districts in the townsiiip. 

A " board of health" was established, a buryiog-ground 
purchased and laid out, and tlie board of health was di- 
rected to appoint a suitable person to take charge of the 
same, under its direction. 

"On motion, it wa£ resolved that fifty cents on the scholar be raided 
by ta.\ on the Township at large for each child in the Township be- 
tween the age-s of four and eighteen years." 

On the 28th of August, 1850, the circus and museum 
of E. F. and J. Mabie visited Lansing. The license paid 
was ten dollars, and this was probably the first circus that 
ever vLsited the place. 

Under the new law of 1850 every dealer in ardent spirits 
was obliged to give bonds in S2U00, with two sureties. 

The total taxes levied in the township for the year 1851 
were as follows : 

State, county, and township tax $2621.46 

Delinquent highway tax 405.20 

School Ux 3345.14 

$6271.80 

The following item appears of record under date of Nov. 
29,1851: 

"On motion, The Board agreed lo forbid, in writing, under their 
hands, all Tavern-Keepers, Common Victualers, and retailers of 
Spirituons or intoxicating liquors, of this Township, soiling any spir- 



ituous or intoxicating liquors to Joseph Moon and William Batch for 
the ppace of one year. 

(Signed) " Wm. II. Chapmav, 

'• A. Warp, 

*'J. Pai.mkh TiiOMrsox, 
".Iamks A. Bascom, 

" Towmhlp Itonrdr 

In 1852 the road districts were increased to thirteen. 

At the Presidential election of Nov. 2, 1852, the whole 
number of votes polled was 239. Of these the electoral 
ticket headed by John iS. Barry received 153. The voting 
was remarkably uniform, and there were few scratched 
tickets. 

The people of tlie township, whenever an expression was 
given, seoni to have been opposed to the manufacture and 
sale of intoxicating liquors. At an election held on the 
20th day of June, 1853, on the question of prohibiting the 
manufacture of intoxicating liquors, the number of votes 
in favor of .such prohibition was 183; against it, 48. 

From the record : 

"At a meeting of the Township Board, held on the 22d day of 
October, a.d. 1863. Present, Charles W. Hedges, Supervisor; Joseph 
E. North, Justice; James A. Bascom, Clerk. The object of said 
meeting being stated, — viz.. Appointing some suitable person to sell 
intoxicating liquors for Medicinal and Mechanical purposes, in said 
Township; whereupon the Board organized, and on motion of Joseph 
E. North proceeded, by written ballot, to the election of a person, 
Abram M. Crawford receiving all the votes was declared aj)pointed. 

"The Board adopted the following rules and regulations: 

"1st. That a duplicate of the Bills bought by said Crawford (of 
liquors) should bo presented to the Township Clerk, and Died in his 
office. 

"2d. That 50 per cent, might be added from the original cost on 
his sales." 

The sureties for Mr. Crawford were Charles W. Butler, 
George W. Peck, and J. C. Bailey. 

In 1853 or 1854 the number of road districts was in- 
creased to fourteen. 

It would appear that the town was visited by the small- 
pox in the winter of 1853-54, for we find bills presented 
by physicians, nurses, and other parties, on account of the 
disease, amounting to an aggregate of more than 8450. 

The following, taken from the records, reminds one of 
the quaint old records of the Connecticut Valley : 

" Come into the enclosure of Frank Foster on or about the 10. day 
of Nov., One Read Cow about seven years oald, one Broken Horn. 
"J. J. Jkkfkks, Dcpli/. CIcrl:. 
"Dec. 31st, 1855." 

At the annual town-meeting, held at the Lansing House, 
April 2, 1855, there was a considerable increase in the 
voters, there being 339 votes polled, or 103 in excess of 
the number cast in 1854. The road districts were in- 
creased at this meeting to fifteen. J. J. JeflTres, notwith- 
standing liis peculiar chirography, was elected town clerk 
by a hand.some majority. 

The amount of tax levied for 1855 was §10,000.98, of 
which the school tax for the four districts was §4574.50, 
and of this last item S3223 was levied in District No. 4. 

The number of voters had increased in the spring of 
1856 to 523, and the town was evidently growing very 
rapidly, not only in the village, but in the township as well. 
The road districts were increased this year to twenty. The 



200 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



license for shows was fixed at ten dollars for circus and 
caravans, and at five dollars for all others. 

At the November election of 185G the number of votes 
polled was 605, of which Kin.sley S. Bingham, for Governor, 
received 327, and Alpheus Felch, 278. 

At a meeting of the township board, held March 26, 
1857, the sum of fifty dollars was appropriated for the 
purpose of pursuing and arresting two desperadoes who 
seem to Lave escaped from tlie hands of the officers of 
the law. As near as can be made out from the some- 
what obscure wording of the record their names were 
Henry Bessy and Frank Button. 

At the annual town-meeting in April, 1857, SIOOO was 
voted for the purpose of building a bridge in the upper 
town, " at or within twenty rods of the old site."* 

The township taxation for 1857 was as follows: 

Township ta.\ proper $2767.55 

School tax 3507.25 

Kaised by highway commissioners 688.17 

Total $6962. 'J7 

The number of road districts was increased to twenty-five. 

At the last annual town-meeting held before the city of 
Lansing was chartered, on the 5th of April, 1858, the 
whole number of votes cast was G49. 

The vote for supervisor stood : for Franklin La Rue, 
333 ; John G. Darling, 305. 

The erection of the city took away all but about 100 
votes from the township, and these were scattered on all 
sides of the city. 

When the village was erected into a city it contained at 
least 000 voters, which would indicate a population of nearly 
3000, though the proportion of voters may have been very 
large. Perhaps no town in the State ever possessed so 
large a village population without a village organization. 

For several years after the city was set off' from the 
township the annual elections and town-meetings were held 
in the city at various places, wherever most convenient. 
The fir.st meeting held in the township outside the city 
limits, according to the township record, was in the sprin" 
of 1865, but the place is not specified. In 1866 the meet- 
ing was held at the dwelling of Adam Foster, near the 
west line of section 14. The November election in the 
same year was held at the house of " Mr. Johnson," prob- 
ably William Johnson, on the same section. 

The first mention of a " town-house" is in connection 
with the annual town-meeting in April, 1870, since which 
the township seems to have possessed a building of its own. 

The building now used for town-meetings and other 
township purposes, and known as the " town-house," was 
erected in the summer of 1870 on land leased of Adam 
Foster, on the west line of section 14, at a cost of $300. 
The land was leased in 1870 for ten years, and the lease 
was renewed in 1880 for ten additional years. 

At a township-meeting held in the city of Lansing, Feb. 
25, 1864, it was 



■' This was undoubtedly to replace the one built by Messrs. Bush 
&. Thomas, which had been destroyed or carried away. It was on 
Main Street, over Grand River. 



Resolved, That the township of Lansing will subscribe $3300 of the 
stock of the Lansing and Jackson Railroad Company. 

Messrs. Wm. A. Dryer, 0. D. Skinner, and Wm. John- 
son were appointed a committee, and empowered to sub- 
scribe the stock for the township. 

At the time of the draft, Jan. 5, 1864, John Nugent 
was appointed an agent to procure volunteers to fill the 
quota of the township, and $1900 were paid in bounties. 
The total tax of the township for that year was about 
$4800. In 1867 the tax amounted to 17800. During 
the war the number of voters in the township varied from 
seventy to eighty-five. It has since gradually increased, 
and the present number of voters is something more than 
200. 

For several years previous to 1879 there had been con- 
siderable effort made by the people living in the southwest 
part of Lansing and the southeast part of Delta townships 
to have a new bridge erected over Grand River, on section 
30 of Lansing township. There was a warm discussion 
between the various interests of the different sections of the 
township, but an arrangement was finally entered into with 
Delta township to divide the cost between the two, and a 
bridge was built in the summer of 1879. The contract 
was let to Mr. Smith Tooker, of North Lansing, on the 
23d of June, and the bridge was completed and opened on 
the 31st of August following. It is a substantial frame 
structure, and cost $900. Among tho.se chiefly instru- 
mental in procuring it were Jacob F. Cooley and George 
W. Parks.! 

There are two considerable bridges over Sycamore Creek. 
The one near the cemetery was built by the city and town- 
ship jointly in 1878, and cost $450, or $530 including the 
approaches. There is one traffic bridge over Cedar River 
outside the city limits, on section 13. 

MANUFACTURES. 
BRICK. 

The manufacture of brick was begun on the farm of 
Thomas Foster, on section 14, as early as 1860, by P. Con- 
nerty, who carried on the business only about one year, 
when John E. Wood succeeded him for another year, and 
then removed to North Lansing. Subsequently, in com- 
pany with Benjamin Buck, he made brick near where 
John Jordan is now located. In 1871, Mr. Wood removed 
his business to the farm of William Foster, where he has 
since continued. The brick for the new Lansing House 
were made by Mr. Wood on Wm. Foster's place. 

After Wood left the land of Thomas Foster, the latter 
hired a man from the East, named Bessy, to superintend 
the work of making brick for a year, which were mo.stly 
used in the construction of a new dwelling for Mr. Foster. 

James Russell and George Smith carried on the business 
one year, about 1875, when Russell sold to Mr. Welch, 
and he and Smith have continued the business to the pres- 
ent time. They are employing ten or twelve hands, and 
making from 800,000 to 1,000,000 brick per annum. Mr. 

f This is the only bridge over Grand River in the township outside 
the city. Within the limits of the township and city, and including 
railway bridges, there are seventeen bridges over the three i)rincipal 
streams, seven within the city being of iron. 



LANSING TOWNSHIP. 



201 



Wood, on Mr. Foster's land, is making about 2,000,000 
per annum, and employs twenty-five hands. The two firms 
burn altogether about 3,000,000 annually, and consume 
about 1200 cords of wood. The amount of capital in- 
vested in the two yards is probably about §6000. Mr. 
Wood has in use two of the Swoard brick-machines, and 
Smith & Welch use one of a different manufacture. 

The clay at these j'ards is similar to that found on sec- 
tion 22, except that it is claimed to be more even and pure 
in (|uality, and as good as has been found in the State. 
The upper stratum is about three feet in thickness, and 
burns red in the kiln, while the lower stratum, which is ten 
to twenty feet in thickness, burns nearly white, and the 
deeper it is taken out the whiter it is. About one-fourth 
of the brick produced are red, and the remaining three- 
fourths white. The market is in Lansing and the country 
around generally ; but the demand is small in Lansing the 
present year, and large quantities are being shipped to 
Battle Creek and other points. The brick for the exten- 
sion of the Bcment Agricultural Works were made partly 
in these yards and partly by Jordan. In the excavations 
made bj' taking out the clay on Wm. Foster's land water 
stands some four or five feet in depth, and fish are taken 
in considerable numbers, though it is not ea.sy to discover 
liow they get there unless they come through a small tile- 
drain. 

The clay in this neighborhood is practically inexhaustible, 
but the necessary sand is not so plentiful, though it can 
be procured near by. Water is found in abundance. 
Steam-power for grinding and moulding is used in both 
yards. 

DRAIX-TILE AND BRICK. 

The Lansing Tile-Works, which are situated on the 
southeast quarter of section II, on the old turnpike road 
from North Lansing to Howell and Detroit, were first put 
in operation by James Hall and Robert Barker in the .spring 
of 1872. In 1873, Barker purchased Hull's interest, and 
has since conducted the enterprise in his own name. The 
land is leased of Albert Anthony. 

Both brick and tile were manufactured until 1878, since 
which time only tile have been made. The business is 
principally confined to the manufacture of drain-tile for farm 
purposes, and of this all descriptions are made. One pecu- 
liarity of this clay is that glazed tile cannot be made from 
it, there being something in the chemical condition which 
prevents. The clay is the same iis that used in the brick- 
yards of Messrs. Jordan, Wood, and llussell & Welch. 
Both red and white tile are made. 

A '-Tiffany" combined tile- and brick-machine is in use, 
which is capable of turning out daily about 10,000 pieces 
of two-inch tile, 8000 pieces of larger size, or 12,0U0 
brick. The bed of clay at this point is forty feet in thick- 
ness, and below this, in a bod of gravel, is abundance of 
water. 

Mr. Barker has about 85000 invested, and gives em- 
ployment to about ten bands, though he has employed, 
when making brick, as many as twenty. The product of 
his kilns is about 300,000 pieces per annum, equivalent 
to fifteen kilns of 20,000 each. A steam-engine of fifteen 
horse-power is employed. About 350 cords of wood are 
26 



consumed annually. The tile are marketed mostly in 
Michigan. 

CHEESE. FACTOUY. 

A cheese-factory was built on the Harrison farm, on sec- 
tion 24, and kept in operation for two or three years, about 
1870-72 ; but the business not proving profitable was 

abandoned. 

CHARCOAL. 

In the spring of 1880, Messrs. Smith & Brainerd, of 
the city of Flint, iMicli., leased a piece of land of James 
M. Turner, situated at the Chicago junction of the Grand 
Trunk and Chicago and Detroit, Lansing and Northern 
Railways, on the southwest quarter of .section No. 2-1, in 
Lansing township, and erected eleven patent kilns for the 
manufacture of charcoal. They are of brick, in the form 
of ovens, banded with iron, and having a capacity of fifty 
cords each. The intention is to build another, and run the 
twelve until the timber in the neighborhood is exhausted. 
James M. Turner at present furnishes the wood, of which 
all varieties are used. The capacity of the twelve kilns 
will be 6000 cords annually, which at forty bushels to the 
cord will make an aggregate of 2-10,()OO bushels of coal, 
which is shipped over the two lines of railway crossing at 
the kilns to Detroit, Chicago, and other points. 

These are the only manufacturing enterprises carried on 
in the township. 

SCHOOLS. 

Previous to 1845 the township appears to have been in- 
cluded in one district, or at least there had been no sub- 
division made. From information derived from the North 
family it appears that there was a log school-house erected 
on the land of Joseph E. North, Sr., on section 33, as early 
as 1842 or 1843, and this was a few years later superseded 
by a frame building erected within a half-mile of the first 
mentioned. Among the early teachers, as remembered by 
Mrs. Alexander McKibbin, formerly Mrs. Joseph E. North, 
Jr., were Hannah Jane Young, Adelia Weller, Mary Lob- 
dell, Sarah and Caroline Rice, and Sabina and Caroline 
Leo. 

A frame school building was erected on section 5, near 
the De Witt road and not far from the Grand River road, 
as early as 1844. It was near the house of Justus Gilkey. 
Among the first teachers was Mary Ann Shear, daughter 
of John Shear, who lived on the west side of section 6, 
near the county-line. 

On the 3d day of May, 1845, School District No. 2 was 
formed by the board of school inspectors, composed of 
Elihu Elwood, Justus Gilkey, and Isaac C. Page. It in- 
eluded the north half of the township, leaving the south 
half in District No. 1. On the 10th of February, 1846, 
No. 2 was reduced to sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, t), and the north 
half of sections 17 and 18.* On the 4th of JLiy, 1846, 
a new district, called Fractional District No. 1, of De Witt 
and Lansing, was formed, including in Lansing township 

• Joseph E. North, Sr., ia credited with the honor of having pre- 
sented the first petition for the formation of fractional school Ui.'tricts. 
Living as he did on the township-lino, in the midst of a sellloment 
which covered portions of both Lansing and Delhi township.", the 
thought very naturally suggested itself to have districts formed to 
suit the circumstances. 



202 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the west half of section 1, sections 2, 3, 10, and 11, and 
the north half of sections 14 and 15. In De Witt, Clinton 
Co., it included sections 34 and 35, and the south half 
of sections 26 and 27. At the same time District No. 2 
was made Fractional District No. 2, of De Witt and Lan- 
sing, and considerable additions were made to it in De Witt. 
Fractional District No. 1 was to draw books from the De 
Witt library for 1847, and from the Lansing library for 
1848, and to alternate thereafter. Fractional District No. 2 
was to draw from the De Witt library every fourth year, 
commencing with 1847. 

On the 1st day of May, 1847, a new district was formed, 
and called District No. 2, of Lansing. It was made to in- 
clude sections 8, 9, the south half of 10, sections 14, 15, 
16, and the north half of 21 and 22. District No. 1 was 
always in the south part of the township. At a meeting 
of the inspectors, held May 1, 1847, it was ordered that 
District No. 1 should embrace sections 19, 20, the south 
half of 21, and sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33. 

On the 18th of May, in the same year. District No. 3 
was formed, to include the south half of sections 15, 16, 
and 17, and sections 20, 21, and 22. 

On the 3d of March, 1848, District No. 4 was formed, 
embracing all that part of section No. 10 lying on the west 
side of Grand River. 

On the 28th of the same month District No. 5 was 
formed from the west part of No. 2, comprising all the 
parts of sections 8 and 9 lying west and south of Grand 
River. These were the earliest districts. 

In May, 1846, Mary Jane Welch was licensed to teach 
in District No. 1, and on the 30th of December, iu the 
same year, Melinda Wells was granted a certificate to teach 
in the same district for one year. 

The city of Lansing forms a single .school district, which 
is entirely independent of the township schools. The 
present number of whole districts in the township is five, 
and they are numbered 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8, and the fractional 
ones also number five, named and numbered as follows : 

Fractional District No. 1, Lansing and De Witt; Frac- 
tional District No. 1, Lansing, De Witt, and Delta; Frac- 
tional District No. 1, Lansing and Delta; Fractional 
District No. 1, Lansing, Meridian, Alaiedon, and Delhi; 
Fractional District No. 2, Lansing and Delta. 

According to the last school report the total number of 
children in the township (outside the city) between the ages 
of five and twenty years is 387. The amount of money 
distributed to the difierent districts from the State primary 
school fund, and from fines for the year 1879, was 
$197.40, of which amount $181.89 was from the primary 
fund. 

The total value of school property for 1879-80 was...S4950.nO 

Number of school-buildingB, all frame U 

Total taxes for school purposes $1050.14 

Total resources 18J!I.04 

AVages paid to male teachers 581.55 

Wages paid to female teachers 711.85 

There are no villages, post-offices, churches, or railway 
stations in the township outside the city except the Chicago 
junction, at the crossing of the Grand Trunk and Detroit, 
Lansing and Northern Railways, where there has been a 
station since 1877. A new station-house was built the 



present year (1880), and there are one dwelling and the 
charcoal works of Messrs. Smith & Brainerd. All trains 
stop at this station. 

Thanks for services rendered are tendered to G. W. 
Parks, town clerk ; Mrs. Alexander McKibben, J. F. 
Cooley, G. L. Dingman and wife, Benjamin B. Baker, 
Adam and William Foster, and others. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



WILLIAM ALLEf^ DRYER. 

William Allen Dryer was the .sou of Allen Dryer, who 
emigrated from Stockbridge Mass., and settled at Cazenovia, 
N. Y., at an early day, raised a family of thirteen chil- 
dren, who grew to be men and women. He was a leading. 





WILLIAM ALLEN DRYER. 

man in that part of the country, and held some important 
office the greater part of the time he resided there. He 
died Sept. 10, 1842. 

William Allen Dryer was born at Cazenovia, N. Y., 
March 9, 1813. When sixteen years of age he was ap- 
prenticed to learn the carriage-making business, which he 
followed until he was twenty-four years of age. Oct. 21, 
1834, he was married to Betsy II. Newell, of Madison 
Co., N. Y. October, 1836, he moved with his wife and 
one child to White Oak, Ingham Co., and settled on eighty 
acres of land he had previously located. That fall he built 
a log house, and the following winter a small clearing was 
made. To procure the necessaries of life he was obliged to 
seek employment in the older-settled portions of the State ; 
and to show the extremities to which the early pioneers 
were driven, we state that Mr. Dryer walked twenty-five 
miles and worked for Henry Warner, of Dexter, seven and 



CITY OF MASOx\. 



203 



a half days in harvest for a hundred pounds of flour, which 
it took hini two days to <;et home. Mr. Dryer stru-rgled 
along for nine years, when he moved to I'inckney and en- 
gaged in the carriage business for three years, and removed 
to Lansing in the fall of 1848. lie built the first wagon in 
Lansing, and was agent for Smith, Turner & Seymour, who 
built the Howell and Lansing plank-road. After the com- 
pletion of the road, Mr. Dryer engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, which he continued until 18JG, when he purchased 
one hundred and twenty -five acres near the city of Lansing. 
This was heavily timbered. Mr. Dryer has had it put under 
a good state of cultivation and erected a fine brick residence. 
Mrs. Dryer died in March, 18G1, leaving seven children 
(two having died) : Mary, wife of Joseph K. Warner ; 
Newell, a physician at Bath, Clinton Co. ; Klbridge, a 
farmer in Lansing; Esther, wife of George W. Christopher; 
Adelaide died August, 1880; William F. lives in Lansing; 
and Betsy at home. 



Mr. Dryer was formerly a Free-Soil Democrat, but upon 
the pjLSsage of the fugitive-slave law united with the Ilo- 
publiean party. He ha.s held several offices of trust and 
honor; assi.sted to organize the township of White Oak ; 
was its first town clerk, and held the office of supervisor 
fi)r several years; was elected county commissioner, and 
held the office until it was abolished ; has been supcrvi.-ior 
of Lansing for several years; has taken a deep interest in 
educational matters, and given his children ail good advan- 
tages, several of them having been successful teachers. 

Mr. Dryer was again married, in August, 18G1, to Mrs. 
Sarah Brilton. He united with the Methodist Church 
when a young man, and has since been an active and con- 
sistent member, and for more than thirty years has held 
office in the church. His wives were also members of that 
church. And now, after years of toil and hardship, he is 
rewarded by the possession of a fine property and the 
respect of all. 



CITY OF MASON. 



The city of Mason, the seat of justice for the county of 
Ingham, occupies a position near the centre thereof, in the 
township of Vevay, out of which it takes four sections, — • 
viz., 4, 5, 8, and 9. The small stream known as Sycamore 
Creek flows through the city from south to north, and in 
days gone by the limited power which it furnished was 
utilized, but for the better health of the citizens the dam 
was removed and the mill-pond drained. Bordering the 
creek on the east is a high gravel ridge, or moritine, which 
is mentioned elsewhere. From it is obtained a plentiful 
supply of gravel, for use upon the streets of the city. 
Many excellent improvements are noted within the limits 
of this city, and its business buildings rank with those in 
much larger places in point of architecture and size. Enter- 
prise is nearly everywhere manifest, and the aim of the 
citizens appears to be to place their home in the front rank 
among the lesser cities of Michigan. Constant improve- 
ments are being made, which require liberal outlays of the 
wealth which in forty yeai-s has here accumulated. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settler at JIason, or in what is now the town- 
ship of Vevay, was Lewis Lacey, who came here in Feb- 
ruary or March, 183G, to build a saw-mill for Noble & Co., 
of Monroe, and to chop twenty acres on section 8. Upon 
the completion of the saw-mill, Kphraim B. Danforth, a 
member of the firm above named, .settled at the place and 
a.ssumed charge of their interests. He located in 18;57. 
The firm owned seven-eighths of the land in the old village 
plat of Mason. In 1838 they erected the first grist-mill in 
the county, the saw-mill having also been the first institu- 
tion of the kind in the county. 



• Compiled by Pliny A. Durant. 



Mr. Danforth was elected one of the first a.ssociate 
judges for Ingham County in 1838, and was re-elected in 
1842. He was twice elected to the State Senate, and in 
1848 was appointed by the Governor and Senate a commis- 
sioner to lay out and construct a State road from the village 
of 3Iason to Lansing. In 1850 he was a delegate to the 
convention which framed the present constitution of the 
State. While a member of the Senate he, together with 
Hon. Joseph II. Kilbournc, of the House, worked with un- 
tiring zeal to secure the location of the State capital at Lan- 
sing, and, as is well known, their labors were crowned with 
success. 

In 1850, Mr. Danforth sold his interest in the village of 
Mason and removed to Lansing, where he died, Aug. 17, 
1853. He was engaged in the milling business in the 
latter city, and during his residence in the county was one 
of its most useful and prominent citizens. 

Chauncey A. Osborn, a native of Attica, N. Y., settled 
at Mason, Sept. 18, 1838. He purchased lots the same 
fall and built a hou.se, the location of the latter being on 
lot G, block 14, and the sale being made by E. B. Dan- 
forth. Mr. Osborn's wife, who was a native of Madi-son 
Co., N. Y., died at Ma.son in 1872. One son, Andrew, 
died in Sierra Valley, Cal. 

Marcus Whitney, from Naples, Ontario Co., N. Y., set- 
tled in the township of Rives, Jackson Co., Mich., July 14, 
1835. The nearest mill was then at Ann Arbor, and he 
speaks of having purchased flour in Detroit, during the 
first years of his residence in the State, paying for the same 
as high as twenty-five dollars per barrel. Mr. Whitney 
removed to Ingham County in JIarch, 1870, and is now 
residing at Ma.<ion. 

Daniel L. Case was born at Three Rivers, in the province 
of Upper Canada (now Ontario), in 1811, his parents 



204 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



being New England people, who had emigrated to Canada 
a few yeais previous to the war of 1812, and who returned 
to the United States upon the breaking out of the war. 
lu October, 1829, Mr. Ca.sc came to the Territory of Mich- 
igan, and in July, 1843, settled at Mason. 

Oliver GriiBn, who died in August, 1874, in the nine- 
tieth year of his age, was a native of Tewksbury, Mass. 
He learned the trade of a shoemaker in the city of Boston, 
and afterwards started in business in Washington Co., 
N. Y. In 183G he removed to Michigan and settled at 
Napoleon, Jackson Co., and in 1840 came to Mason.* 

The following obituary notice of a former prominent 
citizen of Mason, and an early settler in the county, is 
preserved in the records of the Pioneer Society : 



"Amos E. Steele was born at Queensbury, Warren Co., N. Y., June 
28, 1806. He was married to Ro.xana Cranson at Lockporf, N. Y., 
May 1, 1834. They emigrated to Michigan and settled in the town- 
ship of Onondaga, Ingham Co., in the month of August, 1836, and 
■were among the pioneers of the then new county of Ingham. At a 
special election, held in 1838, Mr. Steele was elected associate judge 
of the Circuit Court for Ingham County. At the general election in 
December, 1839, he was elected as representative in the State Legis- 
lature from the representative district composed of the counties of 
Ingham and Livingston. In 1840 he was appointed United States 
marshal to take the census that year in Ingham County. At a special 
election for that purpose, held on the 10th of February, 1846, he was 
elected to the office of judge of Probate, to fill a vacancy in that 
office caused by the death of Hon. Henry Fiske. In April, 1844, he 
removed to Mason, where he continued to reside until his death. 
During his life of more than forty years in Ingham County he was 
frequently called upon to fill various offices of responsibility and trust 
in his township and village, and held the office of justice of the peace 
twenty-seven years. He was widely known and universally respected. 
His official duties were discharged with fidelity. He was a kind and 
good neighbor, a devoted husbyud and father, and as a companion 
and friend always courteous and genial. During the last eight years 
of ills life be was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
maintained a consistent Christian life. He gave liberally for the sup- 
port of the gospel and the various claims of charity and benevolence. 

" His family consisted of seven children, four sons and three daugh- 
ters. His youngest son and the three daughters were spared to bless 
and assist him in his declining years. His first born died in his 
youth, at his home in Mason. His next two sons sacrificed their lives 
for the preservation of the Union in the late war of the Rebellion. 
Col. A. E. Steele fell at the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, and 
Capt. Henry V. Steele in one of the battles of the Wilderness, May 
24, 1864. These were the saddest events of his life; but, being a 
man of strong force of character, he was enabled to bear the severe 
loss with fortitude and becoming resignation. 

" lie died at his residence on the morning of the 15th of March, 
1878. The funeral service was performed by Rev. William Reilly, 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, assisted by Rev. G. W. Barlow, 
of the Presbyterian Church, amid a large circle of sympathizing and 
mourning friends." 

William H. Clark, a native of Elba, Genesee Co., N. Y., 
came to Michigan in November, 1835, with his father, 
Abijah L. Clark, the family settling at Rollin, Lenawee 
Co., and removing to Bunker Hill township, Ingham Co., 
in March, 1843. Abijah L. Clark is now deceased. His 
son William commenced learning the printer's trade at 
Mason, in 1845, in the office of the Ingham Herald. He 
worked several winters at Lansing, and in 1855 went to 
Illinois, in which State he published a paper until the 
breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted. He served 



R. F. GrilBn, his son, says winter of 1841-42. 



three years in the army and was twice wounded. In De- 
cember, 1864, he returned to Mason. 

One of the most prominent citizens of Mason, during its 
entire history, has been Dr. Minos McRobert, now residing 
in the place. He came here — a young man — in June, 1837, 
and continued the practice of medicine, which he had begun 
in the East. He was formerly a resident of Clinton Co., 
N. Y. Upon his arrival in Mason he built an office, which 
was soon recognized as headquarters for nearly all business 
pertaining to the village or the county. It was used as the 
county register's office, and from the multiplicity of other 
uses was almost a court-house. Dr. McRobert has else- 
where been mentioned as the second physician who settled 
in Ingham County. He early engaged in other business, 
and since he made Mason his home has devoted his energy 
and capital towards the furtherance of its interests. 

George W. Shafer, from Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y., 
came when unmarried to Michigan, in June, 1839, and set- 
tled at Mason. He brought a stock of goods with him, 
and for two years was engaged in mercantile business. He 
placed his goods in a small building which had previously 
been used as a grocery by Zaccheus Barnes, now of Mason. 
Mr. Shafer's store was the first of importance in the place. 

When Mr. Shafer came the frame of a hotel was up, on 
the southeast corner of Ash and B Streets, opposite the 
court-house square. He purchased it the same year (1 839), 
finished it during the fall and winter, and became its land- 
lord as soon as it was completed. It was known as the 
" Mason Jlxchange," and was the first regular hotel in the 
place. It was a two-story building, and was kept by Mr. 
Shafer about ten years; he built an addition to it in 1847. 
The second proprietor of the house was Isaac Horton. II. 
J. Donnelly was one of its later proprietors. The building 
was finally moved to the ea.stern part of the city, where 
some one set fire to it and burned it down. 

The first man who entertained travelers in the place was 
James Blain, whose log house was an approach to a hos- 
telry. It stood in the middle of the road, about at the 
southwest corner of what is now R. F. Griffin's place, and 
was a resort for land-lookers and immigrants generally on 
their way to other localities. It was torn down in the fall 
of 1842. James Blain and his son David afterwards built 
and kept as a tavern'the house subsequently owned by Amos 
E. Steele, and now occupied as a dwelling by the widow of 
the latter. James Blain exchanged his property in Mason 
for the farm of Mr. Steele, in the township of Onondaga, 
to which he removed ; he and his wife are both now 
deceased. 

George W. Shafer was married in 1842 to a sister of 
Wright Horton, the latter having also married a sister of 
Mr. Shafer. The Hortons had come to the place in the 
fall of 1838, and settled on a farm in what is now the 
northern portion of the city. Mrs. Shafer thinks that 
there were then three frame buildings in Mason, — viz., Dr. 
McRobert's office, which was afterwards used as the county 
treasurer's office, and the dwellings of E. B. Danforth and 
Nathaniel Blain, — the latter then occupied by Hiram Con- 
verse. Mr. Blain, who was a brother of James Blain, re- 
moved subsequently to Jefferson village, in the township 
of Alaiedon. Wriiiht Horton, whose wife died here, lived 




i-2^^^>^-.''> ,- 




sins MINUS McROliKRT. 



MINOS McROBKRT, M.D 



MINOS McROBERT, M.D. 



Dr. McRobert may witli justice be regarded not 
onlv as a pioniKir in tlie settlement of tlie flourisiiin<i' 
cit)' of Mason, but as tlie advance-guard in that 
profession of which he lias for a long series of years 
been tlie able representative in the county. Mis 
birth occurred in Springfield, Vt., Feb. 4, 1804, and 
four years later tiie family removed to Clinton Co., 
N. Y., where he resided until iiis twenty-fifth year. 
Having been attracted by the prospective advantages 
offered to settlers in the West, he, in ] 837, departed 
for Micliigan and located at Ma.son. He was, in 
1841, married to Miss Nancy, daugiiter (if William 



Abbott, of the township of Ingiiam, whose birtii 
occurred in Wlieelock, Caledonia Co., Vt., in 
1813, and wiiose family emigrated to Michigan in 
1839. 

Dr. McRobert was the second pliysician in the 
county, and e.vtensively engaged in practice at a 
period w-hen long and tedious rides and arduous 
labor were required in his vocation. Since 1850 lie 
has relinquished his professional duties for active 
business employments. He is prominently identified 
with the growth of Mason, and with its present 
commercial interests. 



CITY OF MASON. 



205 



<in his farm about thirty years, and is now residing in 
Kansas. Several of his cliildrcn al.so died here. 

Rosalvo F. Griffin, of Ma.son, came to the village Oct. 
2, 1842, with his father, Oliver Griffin, from Washing- 
ton Co., N. Y. The latter had been here the previous 
winter. His death occurred in September, 1836. When 
the family arrived the vicinity of Mason was still covered 
witli tlie heavy timber which abounded so plentifully iu all 
this region, and the village then, although six years old, 
bad all the characteristics of a pioneer settlement. 

Perry Henderson, a native of the town of Tully, Onon- 
daga Co., N. Y., came to Jlichigan with his wife and three 
cliildren in 1844, and stopped during one summer in Oak- 
land County. In the fall he removed to Ingham County, 
and settled in the township of Leroy. In 1854, having 
been elected sheriff of the county, he removed to Mason, 
where he has since resided, and where he is at present en- 
gaged in the hardware trade. 

Peter Linderuian and William H. Ilorton, who are men- 
tioned at length in the history of Vevay township as having 
settled respectively in 1836 and 1837, were both within 
what are now the city limits, having resided on farms north 
of the then village. 

John Ilayncr, from Cayuga Co., N. Y. (a native of Or- 
ange County), visited Michigan about 1837-38, and pur- 
chased a large amount of land iu Ingham County. In the 
spring of 1840, accompanied by his wife, two sous, and a 
daughter, he settled at Mason, where several of his children 
are now living. Mr. Ilayncr engaged at once in farming 
and speculated in land to a considerable extent. At his 
death, which occurred in the month of May, 1879, he left 
a large amount of property. Six of his children are living 
in the State. 

The following is a list of the resident taxpayers in the 
village of Mason in 1844, as shown by the asses.«ment roll 
for that year : George W. Shafer, William Tweedy, Oliver 
Griffin, John Raynor, Hiram Converse, Issachar Hammond, 
Hiram H. Smith, James H. Wells, Kaney & Wells, John 
Coatsworth, John S. Griffin, E. B. Danforth, Oliver S. 
Osborn, John W. Phelps, Jason B. Packard, Cliaunccy A. 
Osborn, James Turner, James Turner & Co., Daniel L. 
Case, Amos E. Steele, Hiram H. Smith. 

PLATS AND ADDITIONS. 

The original plat of Mason, by Charles Noble, was ac- 
knowledged Feb. 6, 1838, and recorded June 23, 1838. 
The only clew given by the plat to its location is the state- 
ment thereon that " Mason is situated on sections Nos. 8 
and 9 of town 2 north, of range No. 1 west." The origi- 
nal town was laid out in thirty-one blocks, the western 
boundary being near tlie east side of Sycamore Creek. 

The " Consolidated Plat of the Village of Mason," in- 
cluding the old plat, Pease & Smith's, McKobert ct Sack- 
rider's, Holt & Steele's, Barnes', Condon's, and Price's 
additions, was conveyed by Louis D. Preston, and acknowl- 
edged Dec. 26, 1866. Smith & Pease's addition had been 
laid out April 20, 1865 ; Congdon's addition, by 11. D.and 
Kichard Congdon, June 4, 1866 ; Steele & Holt's addition, 
Sept. 21, 1866. 

Additions have since been made as follows : Griffin's ad- 



dition, by R. F. Griffin and others, acknowledged Dec. 7, 
1869; Pratt's addition, by Horatio Pratt and others, Aug. 
12, 1871 ; Bush's addition, by Alex. Bush and others, 
Nov. 10, 1873; Darling & Barnctt's addition, by Nathan 
Darling and William S. Barnett, May 2, 1873. 

MASON POST-OFFICE. 
A post-office was established at 3Iason in the summer of 
1838, with E. B. Danforth as postmaster. An office had 
previously (probably in the same year) been established at 
Leslie, and Mr. Danforth employed William II. Ilorton to 
carry the mail from the latter place to Mason, making the 
trip once a week. Mr. Ilorton performed that labor for 
six months, carrying it at first in a handkerchief, and after- 
wards in an old coffee-sack, following the trail between the 
two places. He received one dollar and twenty-four cents 
for each trip, making the return journey the same day. 
In six months the mail_ had increased in amount to half a 
bushel, and it was then necessary to use a conveyance. 
The postmasters have been, since Mr. Danforth, William 
Hammond, John W. Phelps, Peter Linderman, D. B. Iler- 
rington, Frank Sigfried, and F. T. Albright, the latter 
having held the office since 1867. It is possible that Hi- 
ram Converse was also an early postmaster here, and that 
the foregoing list may not mention all in their order ; but 
it is from the best recollection of those who should know. 

VILLAGE AND CITY INCORPORATION, Etc. 

The village of Ma.son was incorporated by act of the 
Legislature, March 9, 1865, including tlie southwest fjuar- 
tcr of the southwest quarter of section 4; the south half of 
the southeast quarter of section 5 ; the east half of the 
southeast quarter of section 8 ; the northea.st quarter of 
section S ; the northwest quarter of section 9, and the west 
lialf of the southwest quarter of section 9. The charter 
was amended Feb. 27, 1867, and March 25, 1871. 

The first village election was held March 27, 1865, — John 
Dun.sback and Perry Henderson, Inspectors, and Henry 
Linderman, Clerk. Thirty-six votes were ca.st, and the 
following officers were elected : President, Minos McRobcrt ; 
Tru.stees (two years), John Dunsback, Orlando M. Barnes ; 
Trustees (one year), Peter Lowe, Philetus 11. Peck ; Clerk, 
Rosevelt H. Davis, M.D. ; Assessor, Perry Henderson ; 
Treasurer, Jesse Beach ; Marshal, Jo.seph L. Huntington. 

The officers of the village, from 1866 to 1875, inclusive, 
were as follows : 

ISGC— I'rcsiilcnt, Peter Lowe; Trustees (two years), P. R. Peck, II. 
L. Henderson; Clerk, G. M. Huntington; Assessor, Wlllinm 
II. Van Vranken ; Treasurer, Jcsso Beach ; Marshal, Cbauu- 
cey A. Osborn. 

18G7. — President, George M. Huntington; Clerk, Charles S. Lowo; 
Trustees (two years), Ilurntio Pratt, George D. Poase; 
Assessor, John Rogers; Treasurer, John H. Saycrs; Mar- 
shal, Levi C. Parker. 

1808. — President, Amos E. Steele; Clerk, Henry L. Henderson; 
Trustees (two years), R. F. Griffin, I. B. Woodhouse; Asses- 
sor, Peter Lowe ; Treasurer, Henry L. Henderson ; Marshal, 
William H. Clark. 

1SC9. — President, Joseph L. Huntington; Clerk, Kendall Kiltredge; 
Trustees (two years), H. L. Henderson, William F. Near; 
Assessor, John L. Ishorwood; Treasurer, Archibald 0. Mills- 
paagh; Marshal, George G. Whipple. 



206 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1S70. — President, John A.Barnes; Clerk, George W. Bristol ; Trus- 
tees (two years), John E. Spencer,® Collins D. Huntington ; 
Assessor, Lucian Reed ; Treasurer, Andrew D. Kingsbury ; 
Marshal, George W. Saekrider. 

1871.— President, Minos McRoljert; Clerk, William H. Francis; 
Trustees (two years), P. R. Peck, A. Bush, G. D. Pease; 
(one year), Horatio Pratt; Assessor, George A. Saekrider; 
Treasurer, Benjamin Leek ; Marshal, Josiah J. Tyler. 

1872.— President, Ma.son D. Chattcrton ; Clerk, William H. Card; 
Trustees (two years), E. A. Barnes, H. L. Henderson, C. H. 
Saekrider; Assessor, John A. Barnes; Treasurer, Samuel 
W. Hammond; Marshal, Washington S. Sherman. 

1873.— President, Samuel J. P. Smead ; Clerk, John C. Squiers ; Trus- 
tees (two years), John H. Sayers, Lewis C. Webb, Henry H. 
Parker ; Assessor Daniel J. Darrow ; Treasurer, S. W. Ham- 
mond; Marshal, Daniel L. Cady. 

1874.— President, Rosalvo F. Griffin; Clerk, John C. Squiers; Trus- 
tees (two years). William Spears, Li>rfn W. Lincoln, Ira I. 
Barber; Assessor, David W. Ualstead; Treasurer, Edwin 
Tcrwilliger; Marshal, Ellzey Flora. 

1875.— President, William Woodhouse; Clerk, N. K. Van Vranken ; 
Trustees (two years), Daniel Campbell, William W. Merritt, 
William M. Van Vranken; Trustee (one year), Andrew J. 
Bartlett; Treasurer, Samuel P. Stroud; Marshal, Andrew 
Farren; Street Commissioner, Philip Nice; Assessor, Wm. 
W. Root; Constable, Chauncey A. Osborn. 

In 1875 the city of Mason was incorporated with two 
wards, including sections 4, 5, 8, and 9, in the township of 
Vevay. The first city election was held April 5, 1875, 
when the following officers were chosen : 

1875.— Mayor, Rosalvo F. Griffin ; Marshal, Charles G. Huntington; 
Clerk, N. R. Van Vranken . Treasurer and Collector, Wm. 
W. Merritt; Street Commissioner, Philip Nice; School In- 
spectors, D. J. Darrow, H. H. Tcrwilliger, 0. F. Burnham; 
Justices of the Peace, Peter Lowe, S. W. Hammond, Harry 
0. Call, AV. A. Teel; Aldermen at Large, Charles E. Eaton, 
Nelson A. Dunning. First Ward Officers r Supervisor, John 
U. Sayers ; Aldermen, Loreii W. Lincoln (twoyears), Henry 
M. Williams (one year) ; Constable, Francis M. Lyon. 
Second Ward Officers : Supervisor, Amos E. Steele ; Alder- 
men, Daniel Campbell (two yeiirs) ; Jesse Beech (one year) ; 
Constable, Alanson K. Potter. 

1876. — Mayor, Daniel J. D.irrow; Marshal, William Gutchess; Clerk, 
N. R. Van Vranken ; Treasurer and Collector, William W. 
Merritt; Street Commissioner, Dighton Wait; Justice of the 
Peace, Whitfield A. Teel ; School Inspector, William W. 
Campbell ; Alderman at Large, ThaJdeus Den.smore. First 
Ward: Supervisor, John H. Sayers; Alderman (two years), 
Martin W. Tanner ; Constable, S. D. Neeley. Second 
Ward: Supervisor, Henry L. Henderson; Alderman (two 
years), Jesse Beech ; Constable, Alanson K. Potter. 

1877.— Mayor, William Woodhouse; Marshal, Harry 0. Call; Clerk, 
Selah H. Worden; Treasurer and Collector, Langdon B. 
Rice; Street Commissioner, Philip Nice; Justice of the 
Peace, Milton Ryan ; School Inspector, Theron Van Os- 
trand ; Alderman at Large, Benjamin F. Rix. First Ward : 
Supervisor, John H. Sayers ; Alderman (two years), Spen- 
cer H. Beecher; Constable, F. M. Lyon. Second Ward, 
Supervisor, Seth A. Paddock; Alderman (twoyears), Aaron 
V. Peck; Constable, Andrew Farren. 

1878.— Mayor, Eli.is G. Hunt; Marshal, John T. Mosher; Clerk, Wil- 
liam H. Van Vranken ; Treasurer and Collector, Lansing E. 
Lincoln ; Street Commissioner, Philander Christian ; Justice 
of the Peace, John W. Day ; School Inspector, Verner J. 
Tefft; Alderman at Large, Asa I. Barber. First Ward: 
Supervisor, Nelson A. Dunning ; Alderman (two years), 
George W. Shafer; Constable, Solon D. Neeley. Second 



* Spencer removed from the village in 1871, and Lucian Reed was 
appointed to fill vacancy, but did not qualify, and H. L. Henderson 
was appointed. 



Ward: Supervisor, S. A. Paddock; Alderman (two years), 
A. J. Bartlett; Constable, L. J. Smith. 

1879.— Mayor, John H. Sayers ; Marshal, Harry 0. Call ; Clerk, Wil- 
liam W. Van Vranken; Treasurer and Collector, Philetus 
R. Peck; Street Commissioner, Philip Nice; Justice of the 
Peace, Samuel W. Hammond; School Inspector, Alexander 
McLain ; Alderman at Large, Edwin C. Russell. First 
Ward; Supervisor, N. A. Dunning; Alderman (two years), 
Micajah Vaughn ; Constable, Marcus D. True. Second 
Ward: Supervisor, George G. Mead; Alderman (two years), 
Aaron V. Peck ; Alderman, to fill vacancy, H. J. Wilson ; 
Constable, John Flora. 

1880.— Mayor, John II. Sayers; Marshal, Harry 0. Call ; Clerk, Jo- 
seph P. Presley ; Treasurer and Collector, Augustus A. How- 
ard; Street Commissioner, John A. Barnes; Justice of the 
Peace, John W. Royston ; Alderman at Large, Andrew W, 
Mehan. First AVard : Supervisor, N. A. Dunning; Alder- 
man (two years), Harper Reed ; Constable, Seneca R. Curry. 
Second Ward: Supervisor, Lewis C. Webb; Alderman (two 
years), Smith Williams; Constable, John Flora. Appointed 
Officers: City Attorney, V. J. Tefft; City Surveyor, A. P. 
Drake; City Engineer Fire Department, W. W. Root; City 
Fire Wardens, William Rayner, First Ward : John A. Barnes, 
Second Ward ; Health Officer, W. W. Root ; Cemetery Trustee, 
John C. Squiers; Poundm.aster, J. A. Monroe; Assessors 
J. C. Squiers, First Ward ; E. Tcrwilliger, Second Ward ; 
School Inspector, James L, Fuller. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

An ordinance providing for organizing a fire department 
was passed by the village council, July 2U, 1867, and a 
hook-and-ladder company was organized, and wagons and 
buckets procured. The ordinance was repealed March 21, 
1870, after which the company was disbanded, and the 
implements and appurtenances were ordered into the care 
of the marshal, to be used in case of fire. The city is now 
without a regular department. 

MINERAL WELL. 

Having secured the consent of the county, the village 
caused an artesian well to be sunk in the court-house yard, 
near the west entrance, in 1870-71. This well, which is 
676 feet deep, was bored by James A. Stevens, and cost 
81200. From it flows a constant stream, which is con- 
ducted (^the waste) into Sycamore Creek through a tile- 
drain laid in the summer of 1880. The waters from this 
well are strongly impregnated with iron and other mineral 
substances, and are beneficial in numerous disorders of the 
human system. 

HOTELS. 

The first hotels in the place have been mentioned else- 
where. The present frame " American Hotel," owned and 
conducted by F. P. Moody since 1869, was originally built 
for a private dwelling, and about 1854-55 was converted 
into a hotel by John S. Griffin, who, if living, is now in 
California. Numerous others were proprietors of the house 
afterwards, and before Mr. Moody took charge. The latter, 
formerly from Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., lived in Leslie 
about nine years before removing to Mason. 

The " Clark House," also a frame building, was erected 
by William H. Clark in 1876. He had previously been 
engaged for some years in the livery business, and built his 
present barn in 1868. Mr. Clark, who was formerly from 
Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., came to Bunker Hill town- 
ship, Ingham Co., with his parents in 1843, having pre- 







f:.1 






^^M.'^-'^l 



s;^;-;'S.^; 



^- :>^.^^ 






.,^<i 



.c^=i*: 



^ 



CITY OF MASON. 



207 



viously lived a short time iu Lenawee County. His father, 
Abijah L. Claik, is now deceased; his uiother and others 
of the family yet reside in Bunker Hill. 

The " Donnelly House," a larirc brick buildinj;, three 
stories in height, was commenced in 18G9 by H. J. Don- 
nelly, and finished Feb. 22, 1870. Mr. Donnelly has since 
continued as its proprietor. He came to Mason in 1861, 
and for three years kept the " American House." He was 
afterwards constable and deputy sheriif, and for some time 
landlord of the old "Mason House," oiij^inally known as 
the " Mason Exchange." The latter house was the one in 
which he was last domiciled before building the one he now 
owns. The " Donnelly" is the principal, as it is the largest, 
hotel in the city, and enjoys a good patronage. 

NEWSPAPERS. 
The following items are from a printed article which ap- 
pears in the records of the Ingham County Pioneer Society : 

"The first paper published in Mason, or in the county, wns tlio 
htgham Tcleyrnph (neutral), by M. A. Chihls. The first number 
appeared in April, 1842. At that day it was useless to attempt to 
keep up the publication of newspapers in the new cuunties of the 
Stite unless they had the advantage of publishing the tax-Hsls. At 
the election in this county in 1842, Jason B. Packard, Esq., then late 
of Jackson, was elected county treasurer. There was a delinquent 
tax-list to be published iu January following, which Mr. Packard ab- 
solutely refused to publish in the Tefer/rdjth, but made arrange- 
ments with G. W. Raney and K. S. Cheney, of Jackson, to establish a 
Democratic paper in Mason, and publish the tax-list; consequently 
Mr. Childs moved his establishment to Do Witt, Clinton Co. 

" In due time the Jackson firm sent material tu Mason and cuiii- 
menced the publication of a paper. The tax-list was put in form at 
Jackson and brought to Mason, and a boy did all the work of the 
establishment. After about ten months this lad committed an act 
which rendered him odious to the community, and he returned to 
Jackson. Then appeared one James U. Wells to do the work on said 
paper. About the same time the name of Mr. Cheney was withdrawn 
as one of the proprietors, and probably ihe name of Mr. Wells ap- 
peared as editor and publisher. The last number of the sheet up- 
puarcd just before the election in 1844. 

" At the session of the Legislature in 1844 the control of publishing 
the tax-lists was given to cuunty treiisurcrs, each in his own county. 

" At the election in 1844, that able man aud staunch Whig, the lute 
George Matthews, Esq., uuiversally esteemed for his noble traits of 
character and many good deeds, was elected treasurer of this county. 
The election of Mr. Matthews, it was believed, offered a good oppor- 
tunity for the establishment of a Whig paper in the county. J. U. 
Child and H. P. Stillman purchased of Mr. Kancy the printing 
materiol in Mason, and in December, 1844, commenced the publi- 
cation of the liujhfim /Jertild. In January following they entered 
into a contract with the county treasurer to do the tax advertising of 
the county. At that time the inSuence of the DemocnUic press of 
the State was all-powerful. In several counties Whig treasurers bad 
been elected, and some of the 'spoils' were liable to go to the enemy. 
So the Democratic Legislature, on or about the 21st of March, 1845, 
passed an act restoring to the auditor-general the entire control of 
the tax advertising. 

"Storey* A Cheney, of the Jackson Patvioty immediately packed 
printing materials for publishing a paper, and started the same for 

Katon County, under the charge of , now of Lansing. 

They found the field already occupied by a party from Marshall. 
Then 'twas right-about-face. They made up from the columns of the 
I'airiift forms for a newspaper, christened it The Inyhfun Democrat, 
nud took said forms to the village of Leslie and the office of lion. 
Jlenry Fiske, then judge of Probate of this county, and formerly 
president of the wildcat bank of Kensington, and there with a 
bruflh printed off a few copies of the Democrat. Judge Fiske made 



» Wilbur F. Storey, now of the Chicago Tii 



affidavit that the paper was printed in Ingham County, and with that 
affidavit and a copy of said paper, they posted ofT to Detroit and 
placed them in the hands of the auditor-general, and that officer, on 
the 1st day of April, designated the Ingham Democrat to do the tax 
advertising of this county for that year. 

''Almost the first intimation the people of Mason had that another 
paper was about to bo published in the county was a rumor that a 
jaded span of horses with a wagon freighted with printing materials 
was coming towards town, through the mud and mire, on the old 
Columbia road. After being dragged through the swamps and sloughs 
of Katon County and part of those of Ingham in search of a tax-list, 
the material found a resting-place in the village of Mason. 

" For several weeks no one appeared to take charge of the Ingham 
Democrat. Some time in May, Mr. Child, of the Herald, entered into 
articles of agreement with Storey A Cheney to publish the Democrat 
in their name until the conclusion of the advertising, and to purchase 
the establishment. About one-third of the purchase price was paid 
down. Whatever amount was realized from publishing (he list was 
to be placed to the credit of Mr. Cheney. After the li.-t was placed 
in form, ready for publication. Storey k Cheney rcplcvined and re- 
moved the uiaterials. Again appeared the obnoxious youth before 
referred to as employed by another Jackson firm to print their paper 
in Mason, and who had suddenly disappeared from the village. 

**These proceedings created a good deal of ill feeling and excite- 
ment. But a few days passed, when one night most of the materials 
were removed from the Democrat office, no one knew whither. After 
a series of years some of them were found secreted in several places 
about town. The proprietors of the Democrat sent on other material 
and concluded the advertising. Soon after Mr. Stillman withdrew 
from the Uera/d, and, with the assistance of Judge Danforth and Dr. 
Mcllobert, purchased the Democrat office and continued the publica- 
tion of the i>aper until October, 1847. The names of E. B. Danforth 
and Minos McKobert appeared as proprietors. 

" Mr. Child cohlinucd the publication of the JltraUl for a year or 
more afier the withdrawal of Mr. Stillman." 

That the Iitgham Denwcvdt was emphatically a county 
paper is shown hy its advorti.scraents, whicli came from all 
parts of the county. A copy of the paper, dated Dec. 28, 
1846, being number 31 of volume 2, has been consulted, 
and among the advertisements it was found to contain were 
the following : 

" Amos E. Steele, Notary Public for Ingham County. Office at the 
Western Hotel, Mason, Mich., where he will at all times be ready to 
attend to conveyancing, taking acknowledgments of deeds, and all 
other business in his line." 

" N. Dow Tunnicliff, Attorney and Counselor at Law; office in the 
Register's office, north side of the Public Square, Mason, Mich." 

" Edward Crafts, Indian Botanic Physician and Surgeon ; oftico at 
his residence, one mile south of the village of Mason. All calls in his 
profession promptly attended to." 

Others were those of Silas Beebe, merchant, at Stock- 
bridge ; Joseph Woodhouse and V. If. Powell, notaries 
public, at Leslie; Amaziah Winchell, notary public, town 
of Ingham ; Stockbridge House, by 0. Williams, at Stock- 
bridge; Mason Branch, master in chancery and justice of 
the peace, at Stockbridge ; John C. Obear, tailor, at 
Mason ; Minos McKobert and John W. Phelps, physicians 
and surgeons, at Mason ; II. D. Post k, Co., dealers in 
shingles, at Mason, etc. Several estrays were advertised, 
and Abijah L. Clark, of Bunker Hill, offered for sale a 
pair of horses and a harness. A. E. Steele, at tlie Western 
Hotel, wanted 100 pounds of live geese feathers. Alfred 
II. Keyes, of Wheatfield, gave notice that he had given 
his son, Harrison M. Keyes, his time, and Myron Abbott, 
of Ingham, warned all persons against harboring or trusting 
his wife, Mary, on his account, she having left his "bed 
and board without any just cause or provocation." W. 



208 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Horton, of Mason, advertised a stock of groceries for sale 
cheap. J. P. Cowles had a fiirra to let at the village of 
Jefferson, in the township of Alaiedon. Two shooting- 
matches were advertised for New Year's day (Jan. 1, 
1847), one by C. W. Shafer and 0. Converse, and the 
other by N. Dow Tuunioliff. 

The coldest day from December 20th to 28th, as shown 
by a " weather-table," was Monday, the 21st, when at six 
o'clock in the morning the mercury stood 8° above zero. 
The warmest was the Sunday following, when it rose to 50° 
above at the same hour, 57° at noon, and fell to 44° at six 
in the evening. 

Notice was given that the Ingham County IMusical As- 
sociation would meet at the court-house in Blason on the 
second Tuesday in January, and the annual meeting of the 
Lyceum was to be held on the first Saturday in January, 
whence it will be seen that a taste for musical and literary 
culture was thus early developed. 

The marriage of Jerome E. Branch and Miss Livena 
Wood, of Stockbridge, on the 23d instant, was noticed. A 
portion of the President's annual message was given, which 
treated largely of the Mexican war. By the arrival of the 
" Cambria" at Boston, news " fifteen days later from Eu- 
rope" was received. The usual amount of advertising for 
patent medicines appeared, and the virtues of " Beekman's 
Pulmonic Syrup and Vegetable Essential Pills," and " Wis- 
tar's Balsam of Wild Cherry," were lauded in column puifs, 
all of which the publisiiers were doubtless glad to print. 

The terms of the paper were : " One dollar and fifty 
cents per annum, in advance ; twenty-five cents will be 
added to this amount if not paid within six months, and 
fifty cents if not paid during the year. All kinds of pro- 
duce will be received in payment at the highest price, and 
town and county orders taken at par." The advertising 
rates compared favorably with those of the present. In 
size the paper was twenty by twenty-eight inches, being a 
five-column folio. 

This paper finally passed out of existence, and it was a 
considerable number of years before another Democratic 
paper was started in Mason. At length, however, on the 
2d of June, 1876, the present Ingham County Democrat 
was established by J. V. Johnson, now of the Charlotte 
Leader. It was published by him until Oct. 1, 1877, 
when it was purchased by I). P. Whitmore, the present 
proprietor. The paper was started as a sis-column quarto, 
but was reduced to a five-column quarto, which is its pres- 
ent size. Its circulation, Sept. 1, 1880, was 1224. 

The Ingham County Ncivs was established in 1858 by 
D. B. Ilerrington, and in size was about a seven-column 
folio, afterwards increased to an eight-column folio, and now 
a six-column quarto. Mr. Herrington was its proprietor 
until about IStitj, and was succeeded by K. Kittredge, now 
of the Eaton Rapids Journal. In 1875, Mr. Kittredge 
sold to W. F. Cornell, who conducted it about one year, 
and sold out to Otis, Fuller & Co. Mr. Fuller became sole 
proprietor in 1877, and built up the paper to its present 
excellent condition. In tiie summer of 1880 it was sold 
to V. J. Teflt, the present proprietor. It is Republican in 
politics, and has a circulation of about 1700. 

K. Kittredge, former publisher of the News, at one 



time published a literary magazine. D. B. Herrington 
issued from his oflBce at different times the Western Odd- 
Fellow and the Baptist Tidings. The place has at present 
but the two papers, the News and the Democrat, both of 
which are ably conducted and very creditable sheets. 



Coatsworth, Smith & Co. conducted an exchange bus- 
iness in Mason for a year or more previous to 18G6, the 
firm being composed of Mr. Coatsworth, now of Holland, 
Ottawa Co. ; H. II. Smith, of Jackson ; and Dr. Minos 
McRobert, of Mason. H. L. Henderson came to the village 
in 1857, from Syracuse, N. Y., and in 18GG founded the 
private bank of H. L. Henderson & Co., and erected the 
present building occupied by the First National Bank, 
which is an outgrowth of the private institution. 

The First National Bank* was organized Sept. 5, 1870, 
when stock amounting to $80,000 was subscribed, the 
stockholders numbering twenty-nine. Among the heaviest 
were Henry L. Henderson, Minos McRobert, Charles H. 
Sackrider, Charles E. Eaton, O. M. Barnes, H. T. Allen, 
A. Walker, and II. B. Hawley. Articles of association 
were adopted Oct. 29, 1870. The first board of directors 

■■• The following, regarding the founders of this banlc, is from an 
article on the business interests of Mason, ]>ublished in the liiytiaiu 
Cvuntji Newt in 1875 : 

MINOS McROBERT, 
the oldest resident of this city, and the man who has invested the 
most capital in the place, was born in Vermont, but at an early age 
his parents removed to Clinton Co., N. Y. From that place he came 
to Michigan in 1837, when scarcely a settlement had been made. For 
the first four years he practiced medicine here, but at the end of that 
time removed to a farm which he owned, situated near Grand Iliver, 
eight miles west of Mason. He returned to Mason, however, in 1843, 
and since that time has continued to be a resident in this city. In 
1847, in company with John Coatsworth, he bought the stock of dry- 
goods owned by Smith A Case, and engaged in the mercantile pursuit 
for about six years. Again from 1867 to 1870 he was a member of 
the firm of Sackrider k McRobert in the sale of dry-goods. He was 
an active physician until 1847, when he sold his instruments and re- 
tired from the practice of his profession. He has assisted with capi- 
tal in the ere;^tion of many buildings in the city, among which may 
be mentioned the Coatsworth store, the Phoenix mills, Stanton's plan- 
ing-milt, the stave-mill, and the handsome brick building occupied 
by the First National Bank. He was the first president of the village, 
and was afterwards elected to the same office. Besides this he has 
held many other positions of dignity and importance. Dr. McRobert 
has been very successful as a business man, amassing a large fortune 
and surrounding his home with many luxuries. He has an extensive 
acquaintance throughout the State, and his geniality, coupled with 
his dignity, has won the warm friendship of all who know him, 

H. L. HENDEESON, 
cashier of the First National Bank, was born in Sully, Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., and first came to this State in the fall of 1857. Previously 
ho had read law in the otfice of Judge Burwell, in Butfalo, and upon 
his arrival in Mason at once opened a law ofiice in a room over Coats- 
worth's store. Six months afterwards he transferred his place of 
business to the court-house, where he established himself in tlie otSce 
of Judge Pinckney. He remained in this place until Nov. 1, 1866, 
when he engaged in the banking-house of H. L. Henderson & Co. 
Since its establishment, in 1871, Mr. Henderson has been cashier of 
the First National Bank, and in that cap.acity has given the best of 
satisfaction to all. Mr. Henderson is a gentleman possessing a great 
deal of culture and general information. His career in Mason has 
been one of which he has no reason to feel ashamed, and which has 
won for him the approbation and respect of all with whom he has 
come into contact. 



CITY OF MASON. 



209 



consisted of Minos McRobert, Orlando M. Barnes, John 
B. Daliin, Arnold Walker, Joliii Dunsback, Charles H. 
Darrow, Charles II. Sackrider. The first officers elected 
were: Minos McKobcrt, President; Orlando M. Barnes, 
Vice-President; Henry L. Henderson, Casliier. In 1S72 
the capital stock was increased to §100,000. The present 
officers are : President, Minos M c Robert ; Vice-President, 
O. .^I. Barnes; Cashier, H. L. Henderson; Directors, M. 
JlcUobcrt, 0. M. Barnes, H. P. Henderson, C. H. Sack- 
rider, C. H. Darrow, II. L. Hendonson, John M. Drcs.sor. 

A private bank was established in 186!) by Lowe, Near 
& Co., and in Autrust, 1871, the firm became Lowe, Smead 
& Co. A tasty bank buildi?ig has been erected, and a gen- 
eral banking business is transacted. Peter Lowe, the senior 
member of this firm, is one of the oldest residents of the 
county, as will be seen by reference to the history of the 
township of Stockbridge, in which he first settled. He 
has been a resident of Mason since 184!!, and always a 
prominent citizen. 

JIANUFACTUKES. 

I'lioeiiic Mill. — Perry Henderson, who came to Mason 
in 1854, afterwards purchased the old grist-mill, which stood 
on the opposite side of the road from the present structure, 
and was originally operated by water-power. The dam 
cau.sed so much adjacent territory to bo flooded, and so 
much sickness was consequent, that it was finally removed 
and a steam-engine put in the mill. About a year after 
Mr. Henderson purchased the mill, it was destroyed by fire, 
together with 1500 bushels of wheat. This mill had been 
built by Noble, Skinner & Page, the first grist-mill in the 
place having been a primitive affiiir, consisting of one run 
of stone set up in one corner of the old Danforth saw-mill 
in 1840. After the old mill was destroyed, Mr. Hender- 
son, in 1858, built the present " Phoenix IMill." It is now 
the property of George (i. Mead, and contains three runs 
of stone. Two only were at first put in. Steam-power 
is used. The mill machinery, which was purchased in 
Buffalo, was brought to Detroit by boat, and from there to 
Mason by teams. 

The Mason City Mills were moved here in the fall of 
18G9, from De Witt, Clinton Co., by Near & Wade. The 
building, which is frame, contains two runs of stone, the 
machinery being operated by steam-power. The capital 
invested is about SSOOO. Three hands are employed by 
the present proprietor, O. Crane. This mill has pa.s.sed 
through many different hands. Feed and flour are manu- 
factured, the mill having a capacity of about 300 bushels 
daily. 

A Stone- Boat Fdclori/, for making Gregg's patent stone 
boats, was built in 1879, by William Gregg & Co. About 
§2500 capital is invested in the business, and six men are 
given employment, the factory still belonging to the same 
firm. 

S. A. Paddock tf- Co., architects and builders, manufac- 
turers of sash, doors, blinds, and building material, arc the 
proprietors of a business which was established in 1872, 
by Jcssup, Stanton & Co., who built the planing-mill. In 
1870 the present firm was organized, and has enlarged the 
buildings and largely increased the business. The estab- 
27 



lishmont had previously changed hands several times. 
About 812,000 of capital are invested, and the annual 
business reaches from SIO.OOO to 820,000. From five to 
fifteen persons are employed. This firm has erected nearly 
all the brick business buildings in Ma.son, aside from its 
work elsewhere. The shops arc located in the north part 
of the city, near the railroad. 

The Stave- Factory of A. J. Bailey & Co. was built in 
1872, and at present gives employment to ten or fifteen 
men and boys. About 810,000 are invested in the busi- 
ness, the capital being principally furnished by Dr. Mc- 
Robert, of Mason. The business amounts to 820,000 or 
825,000 annually. The firm has it.s headquarters at 
Leslie, where it has also a large establishment of the same 
kind. 

A Patent Gear- and Carriage- Factory was started in the 
place in 1872 by B. F. Rix & Co., and is now the prop- 
erty of Griffin & Rogers, who have owned it since 1878. 
The capital invested, including that in the buildings, etc., 
is about 815,000. Fifteen to twenty hands are emidoyed. 
The factory is built of brick. The bent gear which is 
manufactured is for u.se in platform-wagons, and was pat- 
ented by B. F. Rix, for whom it is named. The estab- 
lishment finds sale for its products in nearly every State 
in the L'niou. R. F. Griffin, one of the proprietors, is 
mentioned elsewhere as one of the early settlors of the 
place. 

Clieese Factory. — This institution, although not within 
the corporate limits of the city, is properly one of its enter- 
prises. A frame building was erected in 1871 by a stock 
company, of which R. F. Griffin was President, Frank 
White, Treasurer, and Horatio Pratt, Secretary. The 
building, etc., cost 83200, although but 82500 w:is ever 
paid in, the balance coming out of the earnings of the fac- 
tory. Tiie company was broken up in two or three years 
after its organization, and most of the stock was purchased 
by Jlr. White, who is the present owner and manager. 
The business for the firet two or three years was good, the 
daily receipts of milk reaching from 4300 to 5000 pounds. 
There has since been a large falling off. This industry, if 
rightly handled, might bo made to return large profits. 
Factories in certain regions of the West — notably in Xorlli- 
eastern Illinois — receive as high as 35,000 pounds of milk 
daily during a part of the season, and make the business 
a decidedly profitable one. 

Robe- Factory. — An establishment for the manufacture 
of buffalo- and other robes was opened in 1876 by Mar- 
shall, Huntington & Co., and continued until April 13, 
1880, when C. D. Huntington, one of the firm, sold his 
interest. The present firm is Marshall, Runisey & Co., 
who manufacture buflido-robes principally. The hides are 
procured in Montana Territory, formerly coming from Kan- 
sas and Colorado. As many as 5000 have been prepared 
for market in a season. From twenty to twenty-five men 
arc employed, the capital invested being about 812,000. 
A frame building for the use of the company is located in 
the .southern part of the city. 

Sato-Mill. — A steam .saw-mill was built in the south 
part of the corporation, in the fall of 1S65, by J. L. & 0. 
D. Huntington, which was burned April 1, 1871^ A 



210 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, iMlCUlGAN. 



second one was erected by the same parties on nearly the 
same ground, and, on the 27lh of May, 1876, it shared 
the fate of its predecessor. Joseph L. Huntington's death 
had occurred in 1874, and the second mill, when burned, 
was the property of C. D. Huntington and Kiley P. Dun- 
ham. After this fire Mr. Huntington sold liis interest to 
AIouzo Ellsworth, one of the present owners. Ellsworth 
& Dunham built a third mill, which was also burned, and 
the present one, owned by Ellsworth & Co., is the fourth one 
on the site. This firm commenced business May 1, 1879, 
Mr. Herrington purchasing the interest of Mr. Dunham. 
Six men are employed, and about 300,000 feet of hard- 
wood lumber are manufactured annually. Steam-power is 
used exclusively. 

Foundry and Machine- Shop. — About 1850 a small 
foundry was established in Mason by Turner & Coats- 
worth, and in February, 185G, it was purchased by Jesse 
Beech, who has been its proprietor most of the time since, 
having had several partners. He is at present the sole 
owner, and, aside from general work, — agricultural tools, 
repairs, etc., — is manufacturing the Cowdery wind-mill. 
Four or five men is the average number employed. The 
capital invested is about $5000. This is the only institu- 
tion of the kind ever put in operation in the place. Mr. 
Beech was from Monroe Co., N. Y. 

Carriage-, Wagon-, and Blacksmtlh-Shoj). — L. F. Clark, 
proprietor of the principal establishment of this kind in 
Mason, employs six or eight men, and transacts an annual 
business of about $10,000. The capital invested is about 
$5000. General blacksmithing and repairing are done, aside 
from the regular manufactures. This is the oldest shop of 
the kind in the place, and has been run, by dift'ereut parties, 
for nearly thirty years. 

Olin Ch-uck-Mamifacturing Company. — Charles J. 
Olin, of Mason, an experienced watchmaker and jeweler, is 
the patentee of a self-centring combination chuck, for the 
use of those belonging to his class of workmen. It does 
away entirely with wax, which had been the latest improve- 
ment in the line, and is destined to revolutionize the whole 
business of chuck-manufacturing. It was patented in 
July, 1880, and a company with the above caption has 
been formed for its manufacture at Mason, consisting of 
the patentee, C. J. Olin, Wells W. Hendricks, of Leslie, 
and Collins D. Huntington, of Mason, the latter being 
treasurer. Automatic machinery, made at Hartford, 
Conn., will be used, and four or more workmen given em- 
ployment, besides a number of salesmen. The machinery 
al(U)e will cost $3000. Until the spring of 1881 the com- 
pany will rent, but in tlie season named a building for their 
express use will be erected. 

" Boul- and Shoe-Makers. — The first representative of this branch of 
industry who put in an appearance in Mason was a queer genius, 
named Barney Moon. In 1840 he toolc up his quarters in a little 
wooden building, fourteen by eighteen feet, which stood just east of 
Mr. Day's store. Ho is described by those who knew him as rough, 
uncouth, dirty, and heathenish. When talking, his sentences teemed 
with idiomatic blasphemy. He cooked, ate, slept, swore, got drunk, 
made boots and shoes, and tanned deer-skins in that one small shop, 
and his ability to mingle and make synchronous these several occupa- 
tions was sometimes wonderful to behold. He remained in Mason 
but a short time. The last seen of him was when Chauucey Osborne 
found him, one bitter cold night, lying across the track, in a state of 



beastly intoxication, on the road between Williamston and Howell. 
By tills time he has doubtle.es gone in search of his fathers. 

" In the fall of 1841, 0. Uriffin came to Mason with forty dollars' worth 
of leather, for which he had run in debt, and began work as a shoe- 
maker. At the first. Judge Danforth and H. H. Smith used to go 
close to his shop and pee|) in to see whether he was civilized or not, 
but they did not dare to enter, fearing he was another Barney Moon. 
But his good qualities must soon have become apparent, for by the 
first day of January, 1842, by borrowing throe dollars of John Ray- 
ner, he succeeded in doubling his money. In the ftdlowiug year, R. 
F. Griffin, son of 0. (JriSin, came to Mason and assisted his father in 
his work. After them, Griffin & Son continued in the business four- 
teen years. In 1850 came J. L. Huntington and sons, and again, in 
1858, G. W. Polar."» 

SOCIETIES AND OKDERS. 

Mason Lodge, Ko. 70, F. ami A. M., was organized 
Jan. 31, 1854, with seven members, as follows, (hose in 
italics being now deceased : 

William Woodhouse, 0. M. Barnes, James W. I'hefps, 
Joseph L. llantinijton, James J. Jeffeis, Jesse Searl, 
Peter Lowe. 

The officers of the old lodge were William Woodhouse, 
W. M. ; 0. 51. Barnes, S. W. ; J. W. Phelps, J. W. ; J. 
L. Huntington, Treas. ; Peter Lowe, Sec. Collins D. 
Huntington was the first person initiated into the lodge. 
Mason Lodge is the mother of four others, members from 
this having formed lodges at Leslie, Williamston, Dans- 
ville, and Stockbridge. Its present membership is 120, 
and its officers are J. H. Sayers, W. M. ; Henry McNeil, 
S. W. ; W. B. Huntley, J. W. ; S. P. Stroud, Treas. ; J. 
P. Smith, Sec. ; Frank Stroud, S. D. ; M. D. True, J. D. ; 
Edwin Terwilliger, Tiler. 

Lujliam Chapter, No. 51, R. A. M., was organized June 
18, 1807, with John H. Sayers, H. P. ; C. H. Darrow, K. ; 
and Alanson Allen, Scribe. The original members were 
F. S. Fitch, J. H. Sayers, Alan.son Allen, M. Mcllobort, 
N. Lewis, 0. M. Barnes, George M. Huntington, A. L. 
Nichols, C. D. Huntington, Perry Henderson, J. L. Hunt- 
ington, C. H. Darrow, C. II. Sackrider, H. L. Henderson, 
and N. A. Dunning. The chapter acted under dispensa- 
tion until January, 1808, when it received a charter and 
the number 51. Under the charter the first principal offi- 
cers were J. H. Sayers, II. P. ; C. H. Darrow, K. ; Alan- 
son Allen, Scribe ; M. Mcllobert, Treas. ; C. II. Sackrider, 
Sec. The present membership is fifty, and the officers are 
Daniel Campbell, High Priest; Jolm H. Sayers, King; 
George M. Huntington, Scribe; L. C. Webb, Captain of 
the Host ; II. L. Henderson, Principal Sojourner ; C. G. 
Huntington, lloyal Arch Captain; C. II. Darrow, Treas.; 
A. B. Bose, Sec. ; C. U. Marshall, Master 3d Veil ; George 
A. Miner, I\Iaster 2d Veil; C. D. Huntington, Master 1st 
Veil ; E. Terwilliger, Sentinel. 

Vevay Lodge, No. 93, /. 0. 0. F., was instituted Dec. 
14, 18G5, with about eighteen members. Its first Noble 
Grand was J. Shelt. The meiubcrship of the lodge, Sept. 0, 
1880, was forty-nine, and the officers were : J. Beech, Noble 
Grand; A. Ellsworth, Vice-Grand; S. Edwards, Sec.; 
C. M. llhodes. Per. Sec. ; E. A. Barnes, Treas. 

Mason Encampment No. 05, L 0. 0. F., was instituted 
in 1875, with about sixteen members, and Jesse Beech as 



From article in InrjUam Counly News, 1875. 



CITY OF MASON. 



211 



Chief Patriarch. The encampment is not at present in a 
flourishiug condition, and has done but little work duriiis the 
year 1880. It has about twenty-five members, and the 
followinp; officers : E. A. Barnes, Chief Patriarch ; D. E. E. 
Hall, High Priest; J. C. Cannon, Senior Warden; C. M. 
Rhode.s, Junior Warden; II. Whiteley, Scribe; Jesse 
Beech, Treas. 

Arcadian Lodge, Ko. 661, Knights of Honor, has been 
organized several years, and has a present membei-sliip of 
about thirty-five, with tlie following officers : A. B. Ilaynes, 
Dictator; C. W. Van Slyke, Past Dictator; W. M. Cline, 
Vice-Dictator ; G. M. Wood, Assistant-Dictator ; James 
E. Coy, Treas. and Financial Reporter ; George Earl, 
Guardian ; Joseph Presley, Guide ; Chaplain (position 
vacant). 

MASON LIGHT GUARDS. 

A meeting for the purpose of organizing a military com- 
pany was held at the court-house in Mason, May 13, 1876, 
when the following resolution, offered by John C. Squiers, 
was unanimou.sly adopted : 

" lieantvettt Tliat we hereby organize ourselves into an Independent 
Military Company, to be mustered into the ?tate service as soon as 
the Governor will ac-ept the same." 

The names signed to the roll numbered forty-eight, and 
the organization was perfected the same evening. May 
20th the following civil officers were elected : John II. 
Sayers, President ; Lewis C. Webb, Treas. ; John C. 
Squiers, Sec. The military officers, elected the same 
evening, were the following: Alonzo Cheney, Captain ; An- 
drew J. Bartlett, First Lieutenant ; Lewis A. Ilolden, 
Second Lieutenant ; Charles A. Perry, First Sergeant ; 
Andrew Farrcn, Second Sergeant ; James A. Templer, 
Third Sergeant ; Solon D. Neeley, Fourth Sergeant ; 
George Story, Fifth Sergeant; Theodore Stratton, First 
Corporal ; Andrew Mehan, Second Corporal ; George De 
Pew, Third Corporal ; Jacob P. Faurat, Fourth Corporal ; 
Frank Gardner, Fifth Corporal ; Julius Crittenden, Sixth 
Corporal ; William Shaw, Seventh Corporal ; Joel E. Ris, 
Eighth Corporal. 

The company was disbanded as an independent company 
Jan. 20, 1877, but on the 8th of May, in the same year, 
pursuant to an act of the Legislature authorizing the raising 
of a company in the jilace, it was reorganized, and enlisted 
in the State service May 15, 1877. Alonzo Cheney was 
elected Captain ; J. C. Squiers, First Lieutenant ; and L. 
A. Holdcn, Second Lieutenant. The company received the 
letter " K," and was assigned to the First Regiment, Mich- 
igan State Troops, of which organization it is now a part. 
It is fully equipped, and armed with the State weapon, the 
Sharps military rifle. The armory for some time has been 
in the hall over M. W. Tanner's store, but will be trans- 
ferred to the new opera-house upon iLs completion. The 
present membership is seventy-eight, and the officers are : 
Alonzo Cheney, Captain ; A. W. Mehan, First Lieutenant ; 
M. J. Christian, Second Lieutenant ; Sergeants, 1st to 5th, 
respectively, Charles A. Perry, II. McNeil, F. Stanton, F. 
S. Stroud, C. Shafer ; Quartermaster Sergeant, J. C. 
Squiers ; Corporals, 1st to 8th, rw-pectively. Jay Morrill, 
George Swiggett, Frank Gardner, C. Stroud, James Morey, 
E. P. Rowe, H. Whiteley, Frank Heacock. 



The company is well drilled, and is one of the largest in 
the State service. Several of its members saw actual service 
during the war of the Rebellion. 

H.VNl). 

The present Mason City Band was organized in 1878, 
and in 187!) was incorporated under the State law. The 
instruments, of the style known as " helicon," are those in 
use at the organization, and number fifteen. The band is 
very neatly uniformed, in military style. For a considerable 
number of years a band had existed in Mason, but none so 
complete in its workings as the present one. The officers 
of the association are : James Van Camp, President; Charles 
Sanderson, Vice-President; Albert Rose, Secretary; A. 
5Iehan, Treasurer ; E. F. Meech, Leader. 

OPEli.V-IIUUSE. 
A fine brick opera-house is being erected the present 
season (fall of 1880) by the Messrs. Rayner, and when 
completed will add one more to the already large number 
of fine structures in the place. Its location is central, and 
the public spirit of it.s builders will cause, in its erection, 
another thrill of pleasure in the hearts of the itihabitiints 
of the place. Its cost will be about $10,000. 



The first school-house in Mason was built in the spring 
of 1837, and Miss Lucy taught the first .school that sum- 
mer, for which she received one dollar per week, her pupils 
numbering eight. Mrs. George W. Shafer recollects that 
when she and her brother, Wright Horton, came here in 
the fall of 1838, a frame school-house was standing, painted 
white, and the school was taught the foUowmg winter by 
Mary Ann Rolfe, afterwards the wife of Zaccheus Barnes. 
This house stood originally opposite the hou.se now occupied 
by Mrs. A. E. Steele, but has been removed and is now 
used as a dwelling by Mr. Vandercook. 

In 1864-65 the matter of choosing a site and building 
a new school-house was discussed in the district (No. 1 
of Vevay), and the sum of §600 was voted to purclijise a 
site for a new building. This money was afterwards, Octo- 
ber, 1865, voted to be used in building an addition to the 
old school-house, and was thus expended. The building 
then in use was a frame structure, which is now standing 
northeast of the jail. Through the energy of C. D. Hunt- 
ington and two others, a project for building a new and 
larger school-house was finally put to a vote and passed in 
the affirmative, the Union school being organized at about 
the same time. Sept. 21, 1868, it was voted to raise 
§15,000 for the purpose of building, the proposition hcitig 
carried by a vote of fifty-three to seventeen. The site 
chosen included the north half of lota 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, 
in block 23, with the alley adjoining said lots, and one 
rod in width off the south end of lots 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, 
and the west half of lot 1 in the same block (23), also 
lot " A" and that part of " A" Street south of the south 
line of Oak Street, and all of lot " E" except the south four 
rods. The contract for building was let to John E. Spencer 
and D. D. Iloag, and the house was erected in 1860-70. 
It is three stories high, constructed of brick, and is an im- 



212 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



posing edifice. The old school-house was sold to Dr. 
McKobert for $300. The several departments in the 
school are : First and Second Primary ; First and Second 
Intermediate ; Grammar and High School. The present 
school board consists of the following persons : J. C. Can- 
non, Moderator; Milton Ilyan, Director; George W. Bristol, 
Assessor; Thcron Van O.strand, H. L. Henderson, N. A. 
Dunning. 

From the school in.spector's report for the year ending 
Sept. 1, 1879, are taken the following items: 

Number school-children in district 5.^.i 

" attending during year 427 

** days .'school taught UUi 

" seatiugs in school-house 400 

Value of school property $20,000 

Number teachers employed (one male, seven fe- 
males) S 

Wages paid same (male, JIOOO; females, $24 10)..,. $.1410.00 

E.xpenditures for year 4902.7.5 

Amount on hand Sept. 1, !87'.l 155.S3 

KKLIGIOUS. 

Metlwdist Episcopal Church. — Methodism in Mason 
dates back to the fall of 1839,* when a regular appoint- 
ment was taken up and the first Methodist sermon was 
preached by a Brother Jackson, in the old school-house. 
The village then consisted of but five families (so says the 
record), and was the extreme west of what was known as 
the " Dexter Mission." A small class was organized in 
1 843-44, either by Rev. W. E. Bigelow or Rev. D. Thomas. 
The members numbered eight, and R. Scarrett was ap- 
pointed leader. In 1853 it was reorganized, with seven 
members. From 1839 to 1853 the following ministers 
officiated (perhaps not in the order here given) : Revs. 

Jackson, I. Bennett, E. D. Young, W. E. Bigelow, 

D. Thomas, T. Wakelin, W. Fox, S. Bessey, I. Douelson, 

J. S. Smart, A. Allen, Glass, D. Curtis, S. Calkins. 

Beginning with 1853, the following wore the pastors to 
1867: 1853, E. R. Hascall and E. Brockway ; 1854, T. 
Lyon and J. W. Kellogg; 1855, E. Klump ; 1856-57, A. 
L. Crittenden; 1858-59, Nathan Mount; 18G0, H. P. 
Barker ; 1861-62, 0. F. Chase ; 1863, H. C. Peck ; 1864 
-65, I. N. Tomes; 1866, F. Glass ; 1867, L. M. Edmonds. 

A parsonage was built in 1845, during the pastorate of 
Rev. T. Wakelin. It stood on Oak Street, near the present 
site of the church. It was sold in 1864 to Nancy Mc- 
Robert, and a new parsonage built on the same street near 
East Street. In 1865 a barn was built at the parsonage. 

The old " Ingham Circuit" had its headquarters at 
Mason from 1845 to 1855, when Mason Circuit was 
formed. Ingham Circuit included Mason, Leslie, Okemos, 
Dansville, and perhaps Unadilla. Mason Circuit, as estab- 
lished, included Mason, Leslie, and Okemos. In Septem- 
ber, 1857, Okemos Circuit was formed, and in September, 
1867, Leslie Circuit was set ofi', with a class of forty mem- 
bers, B. Mills being the first pastor of the latter, and preach- 
ing once in two weeks. This left two appointments in 
Mason Circuit, — viz.. Mason and Dubois' Class in Alaiedon, 
which latter was organized about 1840, and was afterwards 
connected with Dansville. The Methodists built their first 



« This date should possibly be 18;i7. The members of this first 
class were Joab Page, Abigail Page, Whitney Smith, Cornelia Smith, 
Orcelia Peafe, Emeline Lowe, Nancy McKobert, Zeruah Osborn. 



house of worship at Mason in 1854-55. It was a wooden 
structure thirty by fifty feet, stood on the .site of the 
present church, fronted south, and cost $2000, over half of 
which sum was raised by Dr. McRobert and Mr. Page. 
This church was struck by lightning and destroyed on the 
evening of July 4, 1865. The corner-stone of the present 
fine brick church was laid with Masonic ceremonies in April, 
1867, by Rev. A. P. Mead, of Jackson. The basement 
was completed and dedicated March 1, 1868, by Rev. M. 
A. Dougherty, assisted by Rev. H. F. Spencer. Much 
credit is due Dr. W. W. Root for pushing this enterprise. 
The present value of the church property, including the 
parsonage, is estimated at $9000. The pastors since Rev. 
Mr. Edmonds have been the following: Revs. William M. 
Coplin, 1869-70; II. Pengeley, 1871-72; William Rice, 
1873; F. B. Bangs, 1874-75; A. A. Knappen, 1876-77; 
W. Rciley, 1878-79; George'D. Lee, September, 1879, to 
April, 1880; 0. D. Watkins, April to September, 1880; 
and the present pastor. Rev. W. Doust, late of Charlotte, 
Eaton Co., appointed to this place in September, 1880. 

The membership of the church in the last-named month 
was 216. The Sunday-school has an attendance of 125, 
with Charles Van Slyke as superintendent. A class was 
organized in the Webb neighborhood, in Aurelius, in 1873 
(?), by Rev. William Rice, and has about forty-five mem- 
bers. It has built a frame church during the present sea.son 
(1880), and is in charge of the pastor at Mason. 

Baptist Church. — The Baptist Church at Mason was 
organized in 1839, with the following members, six in num- 
ber, — viz., Wright Horton and Eliza Ann, his wife; Miss 
Yost, afterwards Mrs. Charles Gray; Mrs. Dunn and her 
son Samuel, and Mrs. G. W. Shafer. Of these the latter 
is the only one now living. The church was organized by 
Elder David Hendee, of Jackson County, a pioneer minis- 
ter and a prominent organizer. The first meetings were 
held in the old school-house. Among the early pastors were 
Revs. E. K. Grout, of Leslie ; Rumery, Hiram Ful- 
ler (who stayed eight years), another man named Hendee, 
who died and was buried here; Wilder, Putnam, Robert- 
son, P. P. Farnam (now of St. Louis, Gratiot Co.), De 
Land, L. E. Spafford, and the present pastor, Rev. Daniel 
Baldwin. Meetings were held for some time in the Meth- 
odist church, which was really built for a Union edifice, but 
was dedicated by the Methodists. Before that church was 
burned the place of meeting was changed to the court- 
house, and in 1865 the present frame Baptist church was 
built, being dedicated in November of that year. Its origi- 
nal cost was about $2000, which has since been greatly in- 
creased by outlays for needed repairs. The church is now 
free from debt, and has a membership of about 200. The 
Sunday-school has an attendance of 150 ; L. A. Snell, su- 
perintendent. 

Frcshyteriati Church. — From the manual of this church 
for 1873 are taken the following historical items: 

" The Presbyterian Church was organized Jan. 15, 1859, 
by a committee from Marshall Presbytery, and consisted of 
seven persons, — viz., Hurani Bristol, Nancy Bristol, Allen 
Rowe, Elizabeth Rowe, Sally Ann Rowe, Mary F. A. Rhea, 
and Amanda Barnes. For several months Rev. Henry 
Root, of Bunker Hill, ministered to the church. The 



ALAIEDON. 



213 



lueuibership increased to eleven. Feb. 12, 1860, Rev. 
Hosea Kiltred^e bciraii lii.s labors as minister of tliis churcli. 
He resigned Jan. 15, 18G7. At this time the menibcrsliip 
had increased to fort3'-six. The pulpit was vacant until 
July 7, 1868, when Rev. George Barlow entered upon his 
duties. During the fall and winter a house of worship was 
built." 

Mr. Barlow closed his labors here in the fall of 1879, 
and w;is succeeded on the 1st of December, in the same 
year, by the present pastor. Rev. Evert Vander Hart. The 
membership of this church, Sept. 7, 1880, was about 225. 
The Sunday-school has an average attendance of about 
175; its superintendent is S. H. Beecher. Before its 
house of worship was built (1868) this church held its 
meetings in the court-house. 



CEMETERY. 

The old part of the present cemetery, containing about 
one and a half acres, was leased by the board of health of 
the township of Vcvay, Sept. 19, 1844, from Charles Noble, 
John B. and Samuel Skinner, and K. B. Danforth, for the 
term of 300 years. This part is nearly filled with graves. 
The cemetery, as a whole, now contains about thirteen 
acres, several additions having been made to the original. 
It was platted by I. B. Woodhouse, and is laid out in a 
very tasteful manner. The sexton is S. P. Stroud, who 
came to Mason in 1855. The cemetery belongs to the city, 
having been purchased from the township of Vevay, and is 
managed by a board of trustees, consisting of George M. 
Huntington, I. B. Woodhouse, and S. A. Paddock. 



ALAIEDON. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGK.iPIlY, TOrOGRAPHY, ETC. 

TuE township of Alaiedon, including congressional town 
No. 3 north, in range 1 west, lies near the centre of Ing- 
ham County, and is bounded north by Meridian, east by 
Wheatfield, south by Vevay, and west by Delhi. The 
eastern boundary of the township was surveyed in 1824 by 
Joseph Wauipler, the north and west boundaries in 1825 
by Lucius Lyon, and the south boundary in 1825 by John 
Mullett. In 1827 the town was subdivided by Musgrove 
Evans. 

The principal streams in the township arc Mud and Syca- 
more Creeks, the former entering on section 34 and the 
latter on section 32, and the two uniting on section 19. 
The name " Sycamore Creek" is retained by the stream 
thus formed, which finally enters the Cedar River in the 
.southeast part of the city of Lansing. Dobie Lake, on sec- 
tions 10 and 11, is a sheet of water covering, according to 
the map, about thirty-five acres, and draining northeast. 
Ilerrou Creek takes its rise in the northwest part of the 
town and flows northerly. A large portion of the town- 
ship is level or gently undulating, while in some localities 
the surface becomes more broken. It is generally well 
improved. 

LAND ENTKIE.S. 

The following is a list of land entries in town 3 north, 
range 1 west, now Alaiedon, as shown in the tract-book on 
file at the office of the county register : 

Section 1. — James Crane, July 11, 1836; Ira R. Grosvenor, Oct. 1, 
18:i6; Nathaniel Bullock, Nov. 1, 1836; Daniel Graves, Deo. 10, 
1836. 

Section 2.— James Wheolor, Sept. 22, 1836; W. H. Church and H. 
AV. Dimond, Nov. 1, 1836; Owen Kolley, Juno 2,3, 1839; Daniel 
Stillman, Riley Stillman, March 9, 1814 ; Lewis R. Perkins, Nov. 
14, 1844. 

* By Pliny A. Durant. 



Secliim 3.— William C. Lccke, April 22, 1837; Marshall Smoad, 

April 25, 1837; Daniel Crandall, Juno 7, 1838; Daniel Stillraan, 

April 17, 1839, April 11, 1840, Feb. 24, 1845; 0. B. Stillman, 

Oct. 7, 1848. 
Secii'oii 4.— Warren Fay, Samuel Starr, Marshall Smead, April 25, 

1337; Oliver E. Hasting.-, May 4, 1837. 
Section 5. — P. Robinson and J. S. Ilolden, Jan. 14, 1837; Samuel 

Hopkins, Dec. 13, 1836; Horatio G. Proctor, 1847; Horace H. 

Proctor, Scth JI. Root, no dates. 
Section 6.— Samuel Hopkins, Nov. I, 1836 ; David Felton, 1S47 ; Joel 

Smith, Aug. 12, 1848; William Filkins, William S. Card, no dates. 
Section 7.— Daniel Cook, Sej.t. 27, 1836; Furman G. Rose, Francis 

Foster, Benjamin B. Kerchcval, Dec. 10, 1830 ; Silas V. Herring, 

Jan. 16, 1837. 
Section 8.— Abner Bartlett, Dec. 10, 1836; Thomas Addison, Ansel 

Ford, Jr., Maria Irwin, Lucius Warner, Dec. 12, 1836; E. Crit- 
tenden, F. Foster, Deo. 13, 1836. 
Section 9.— Seth M. Root, Nov. 2, 1836 ; Josiah Sabin, Dec. 12, 1830 ; 

Marshall Smead, April 2.5, 1837. 
Section 10.— William Raihbun, Nov. 2, 1836; William C. Lceke, April 

22 and July 15, 1837; Daniel Crandall, June 7, 1838; Hiram 

Reynolds, Nov. 15, 183S; Alexander Dobic, Feb. 9, 1849. 
Section 11.— W. Manchester and U. B. Dearth, Nov. 1, 1836. 
Section 12.— Ira R. Grosvenor, Oct. 1, 1836; J. J. Wolf, J. Winthrop, 

and Thomas Vernon, Nov. 1, 1836; W. Manchester and II. B. 

Dearth, Nov. 1, 1836; Daniel Graves, Dec. 10, 1836. 
Section 13. — Andrew J. Cooper, Jan. 25, 1 837; Isaac Beers, Feb. 15, 

1837; William Busenback, June 27, 1839; John Asseltino, no 

date. 
Sectitm 14.— Daniel Graves, Doc. 10, 1836; Isaac L. Finch, Jan. 25, 

1837. 
Section 15.— Cornherry Tillow, Nov. 2, 1836; Mary McFall, April 29, 

1837; Nathan Davidson, Jan. 15, 1838. 
Scclim, 16.— School land. 
Section 17. — Nathan Blain, Lester Babcock, Luther Babcock, Lucius 

Warren, no dates, 
^ccdoii 18.— Daniel Goodwin, Feb. 19, 1836; D. M. Hard and D. 

Peck, Sept. 21, 1836; Ansel Ford, Jr., Dec. 12 and 13, 1830. 
Section 19.— Hard and Peck, Sept. 21, 1836; Joel B. Strickland, Dec. 

10, 1836; 0. L. Lewis, Jan. 16, 1837. 
Section 20.— Joel Moore, Henry Shafcr, July 24, 1836; John Slolp, 

Dec. 12, 1836; John Strickland, Doc. 10, 1836. 
Section 21. — Amasa B. Gibson, Sept. 21, 1830; James McFctridgc, 

Tobias Uoldcn, Nov. 2, 1836; William A. Ketcham, Nov. 10, 

1837; Horace Havcnj, June 7, 1838; Richard Rayner, June 6, 

18,39. 



214 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Section 22.— Ainasii 15. Gibson, Sept. 21, 1836; Tobias llolden, Nov. 

2, ISSr.; Abncr Bartlclt, Doc. 10, 1836; AVilliam liusrnback, Juno 

27, 1839; Martin Thomas, Aug. 21, 1839. 
Seclioii 23.— Isaac Beers, Feb. 15, 1837. 
Section 24.— Matthew C. Dubois, Nov. 1, 1830; .Snniucl li. Douglass, 

Oct. 21, 1840. 
Section 25. — Martin Dubois, John Dubois, Nov. I, 1836; John Ray- 

ner, Juno 6, 1839; Lewis Kent, Aug. 31, 1841; Elisha h. Taylor, 

no date. 
Section 26.— Sylvanus P. Jcrinain, Feb. 28, 1836; D. Cnlcman ami 

George B. (Jooper, Feb. 11, 1836. 
Section 27.— Peter Linderm;in, Hannah Sabin, Dec. 12, 1836; Silas 

C. Herring, Jan. 16, 1837; Henry Hunt, July 10, 1837; John 

Eayncr, July 15, 18.38. 
^eed'oii 28 —Egbert W. Pattison, John Vf. Woodruff, Adam A. Over- 
acker, July 14, 1836; Hannah Sabin, Dec. 10, 1836. 
Section 29. — Josiah Sabin, entire section, July 14, 1836. 
i'ccfi'oii 30.— James Phillips, William Birge, Silas J. Doty, Nov. 1, 

1836; Silas C. Herring, J.in. 16, 18:i7; John II. Cliild, May IS, 

1837. 
Section 31.— Clark Donncr. John L. Edmunds, Jr., James Phillips, 

Nov. 1, 1836; Ann Ford. Jan. 21, 1837. 
Section 32.— Jesse Cole, Sept. 21, 1836; Harri.son W. Smith, John 1,. 

Edwards, Jr., Nov. 1, 1836: Silas C. Herring, J:n\. 16, 1S37. 
Section 33.— Henry Shafcr, Peler Lindcrman. Josiah Sabin, July 14, 

183B. 
Section 34,— William 0. Conner, July 14, 1S36; Silas C. Herring, 

Jan. 16, 1837. 
Section 35.— John Dubois, Nov. 1, 1836; John Kaynpr, May 28, 1839; 

Garrett Dubois, June 23, 1839 ; David Finch, April 10, 1841. 
Section 36.— Milton B.Adams, May 4, 1836; Jolin Dubois, Nov. 1, 

1836; John Kayner, Richard Rayner, May 28, 1839; John Ray- 

ner, June 6, 1839 ; William Busenback, Juno 27, 1839. 

A large portion of tlie lands in this township became the 
propertj' of speculators, or men who did not become actual 
residents. The land was sold by them to others at a slight 
advance upon cost, and the purchaser generally found it 
necessary to make all the improvements himself, as the 
"second hands" from which he had bought had been to no 
trouble in that direction. The " speculator" was a being 
not at all fancied by the settlers, yet he managed to enter 
very much of the laud included in the township, and to 
dispose of most of it at a gain. 

EARLY SKTTLEMENT. 
The first log house erected in the township of Alaiedon 
was built by Egbert W. Pattison, in the spring or summer 
of 183G, he having in that year purchased land on section 
28. lie did not settle upon the place, however, until the 
month of May, 1837, and had been then preceded by sev- 
eral families. The first actual settler in the township — 
or in the territory comprising the four townships of Alaie- 
don, Delhi, Lansing, and Meridian — was James Phillips, 
who located on the west half of the southeast quarter of 
section 30 in December, 1836. Joel B. Strickland settled 
on the northeast quarter of section 17 in March, 1837, and 
p]li Chandler settled some time during the same spring. In 
September of that year, William Lewis, with his sons 
Jacob and Nichols, and their families, arrived and .settled 
on section 29. William Lewis died in Vevay town.ship in 
September, 18G3. In the fall of 1837, Adam Overacker 
settled on section 28. Samuel Carl settled in the summer 
and William C. Leek in the spring of 1837, the latter on 
section 3. Mr. Leek died June 20, 1852. William 
Childs settled on section 30 in May, 1837, and John 
Strickland on section 20 in the winter of 183S. 



John Hudson, since deceased, located on section 7 in 
1838; Jacob Dubois on section 36, in the spring of 1838; 
and Garret Dubois, afterwards of Bunker Hill township, in 
the same year on section 35. Jacob Dubois also removed 
to Bunker Iliil, and is now deceased. Stephen Dubois, 
also deceased, settled in Alaiedon in 1838, as did Mat- 
thew Dubois. 

Nathaniel Blaiu settled on section 17 in the spring, and 
Horace Haven on section 21 in the winter, of 1838. Other 
settlers in 1838 were P. Phillips and M;ijor Bentley. In 
March, 1839, A. Dobie settled on section 10, and in the 
same year Isaac Finch settled on section 14, and Nathan 
Davison on section 15. 

Conrad Dubois and John Douglass arrived in 1840, and 
during 1841 the following persons became residents of the 
township : Lewis Kent, on section 25 ; Daniel Stillman, in 
February, on section 3, died in March, 1862 ; and William 
Manning. John Asseltine settled in 1842, David Finch in 
1843, and II. Tryon previou^o 1844. 

The first white child born in the township was Mary 
Strickland, daughter of Joel B. Strickland, her birth occur- 
ring July 19, 1837. She became the first wife of Rev. A. 
CIdUgh. The first death Wiis that of Mrs. James Phillips, 
in June, 1837. Elders Breekenridge and Jackson, the 
first ministers who preached in the township, held services 
in 1837. William Lewis was the first postmaster, ap- 
pointed in 1839. 

Lemuel Pierce, a native of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., set- 
tled in Alaiedon township in 1840 with his parents, John 
and Mary Pierce, who are both deceased. 

i]phraim Longyear, a native of Shandaken, Ulster Co., 
N. Y., and now a prominent citizen of Lansing, wrote as 
follows in 1874 : 

** I came into Michigan with mj father.* His name was Peter 
Longyear, and he was killed by the fall of a tree at Alaiedon, aged 
sixty-one years. . . , When we came into this county it was very new 
and bad but few inhabitants. I taught school the first years in sev- 
eral parts of the county, — viz., at Mason, four miles south of Mason, 
at Ingham, and at UnadiUa. When the capital was located, in 1847, 
I came to Lansing and taught the first school at the middle town. 
Lan.=ing has been my home ever since. Have practiced law several 
years ; am now a banker." 

Capt. Joseph P. Cowles, a native of New Hartford, 
Litchfield Co., Conn., and later a resident of Chenango 
Co., N. Y., and Chardon, Ohio, in 1843 moved with his 
family from the latter place to Michigan, crossing the State- 
line September 28th, and coming to Alaiedon, where he set- 
tled and remained until the capital was located at Lansing, 
when he removed to that place. Capt. Cowles was a 
brother-in-law of George Howe, having married a sister of 
the latter for his first wife, who is since deceased. He was 
married afterwards to the widow of Charles Meech, who 
died in the army. 

The so-called " Old World" is rich in ruins. Magnifi- 
cent cities have risen, flourished, and fallen, and in the 
march of time have been forgotten save in tradition. 
America, too, has her wonders, her relics of a bygone age, 
her mighty ruins and crumbled and deserted cities, and all 
are on a grand scale, as projected by the ancients. More 



■ The family scltled in Alaiedon township in the spring of 1843. 



'^m" m^ 





RODOLPIIUS TRYON. 



MRS. ROUOLPHUS TRYON. 



KODOLPHUS TRYON. 



Rodolplius Tiyoii, one of tlie pioneers of the town 
of Alaiedon, was born in Deerfield, Mass., Oct. 20, 
1809. William Tryoii, grandfather of the subject of 
this narrative, was a soldier in the war of the Revolu- 
tion; he served with distinction throughout that im- 
portant struggle, and after the war settled in Massa- 
chusetts, where Zebina, father of Rodolplius, was born 
in 1785. He was bred to the life of a farmer, and 
married Miss Emily Hodges. Tiiey reared a family 
of five children, three sons and two daughters. He 
died in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1830. 

After the death of his father, Rodolphus obtained 
employment in various capacities, and in 1835 married 
Miss Lavina Dei'by; she was born in Ticonderoga, 
N. Y., in 1810. In September, 1836, he started 
from Williamsville, Erie Co., N. Y'^., with twelve 
dollars, invested in oils and essences, with which to 
pay his expenses to Michigan. He first stopped in 
the town of Lima, where he worked at various jobs 
and accumulated a sum sufficient to purchase fifty 
acres of government land in the town of Sylvan, 
Washtenaw Co. He returned to his home, walking 
the entire distance, and in the spring of the follow- 
ing year came on with his family, which consisted 
of his wife and brother, and settled in the town of 
Lima, Washtenaw Co., where he remained eighteen 
months, when he settled upon his purchase in the 
town of Sylvan. In 1839 the Michigan Central 
Railroad was being built through that part of the 
Stiite, and Mr. Tryon took several contracts, taking 
his pay in State warrants. These warrants were 
worth only forly-five cents on the dollar, and their 
depreciation seriously embarrassed him, so much so 



that on his removal to Alaiedon, in 1844, he was nine 
hundred dollars in debt; a sura largely in excess of 
the cash valuati(jn of his entire property. His situa- 
tion was discouraging, but it was not in his nature to 
give up, and his success is evidence of what can be 
accomplished by energy and perseverance. The first 
few years were replete witli toil, privation, and mis- 
fortune; but aided and sustained by his devoted wife, 
to whom he attributes much of his success, he made 
a home for his family, paid his creditors in full, and 
to-day is possessed of a well-won competency. Mrs. 
Tryon is a lady of more than an ordinary amount of 
resolution and stamina, which may jjcrhaps be attrib- 
uted in part to her New England origin. Her father, 
Oliver Cromwell Derby, was a native of New Hamp- 
shire, where he was born in 1768. Her mother, 
Lovina Stockwell, was born in Massachusetts in 
1770. Mr. and Mrs. Tryon have reared a family of 
six children, only two of whom are living, Mrs. 
Cooper and Mrs. Harris. One son, Rodolphus P., lost 
his life in the defense of his country. He died in 
hospital from wounds received at the battle of Fair 
Oaks. 

In his religious convictions Mr. Tryon is a Method- 
ist, and for many years has been a class-leader. He 
never desired political preferment, but has held many 
positions of trust. For eleven years he has been 
magistrate of the town, and has occupied other posi- 
tions of responsibility. Socially he is genial and 
courteous, and his hospitality is proverbial. Pos- 
sessed of many of the virtues and but few of the fail- 
ings of mankind, he has endeared himself to the peo- 
ple in such a way that he will long be remembered. 




^ 





MRS. WiM. P. RIJBBINS. 



WM. P. ROBBINS. 



WM. P. ROBBINS. 



William P. liobbin.s was bom in Stillwater, Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., July 6, 1817. His mother, whose 
maiden name was Pattison, was born in the historic 
town of Stillwater. His father, Stephen Robbiiis, 
was a native of Connecticut, and died when William 
was but six years of age. Little is known of the 
early history of the family. His maternal grand- 
father, Thomas Pattison, was an officer in the Revo- 
lutionary army, and served with distinction. At 
the close of the war he settled in Saratoga County, 
where he married a cultured lady, a descendant of 
Lord Ashton. 

Ste2>hen Robbins was a farmer, industrious and 
frugal, and of unblemished reputation. He died in 
1823, leaving a wife and four children in destitute 
circumstances. After his death the mother and her 
children lived with her mother and brother until 
the brother's death, which occurred when William 
was fourteen years of age ; but notwithstanding his 
youth he assumed the management of his uncle's 
farm, which he conducted until 1839, vvhen Mrs. 
Robbins, with a brother and sister, came to Michigan, 
and settled in Delhi township, Ingham Co., where she 
taught the first three terms of school in that township. 

William was at this time a young man of twenty- 
two, possessed of a strong pair of hands, a robust 
constitution, determined will, and an unlimited 
amount of energy. He purchased eighty acres of new 
land, which is a portion of his present farm, and was 
obliged to run in debt for a large jiortion of the 
purchase-money, relying wholly upon his axe and 
his arms as a means of liquidation. In July, 1842, 
he was married to Miss Lydia, daughter of Gad 
Wells and Abigail Thayer. They were Massachu- 



setts people and settled in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 
1812, where Mrs. Robbins was born in July, 1819. 
They came to Michigan in 1843, and settled in Delhi 
townshijj, Ingham Co. After their marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. Robbins entered upon the development of 
their own home with a great deal of zeal, and suc- 
cess crowned their efforts ; by degrees field after field 
was added to the " little hole in the wilderness," 
until they were in a measure rewarded for the trials 
and privations of their pioneer life. Mr. Robbins 
is of a retiring disposition, and shrinks from rather 
than courts prominence in any capacity. He has, 
however, occupied several important positions, the 
duties of which he has discharged with credit to 
himself and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow- 
townsmen. He has represented Alaiedon upon the 
board of supervisors, and has also been a member of 
the county board of superintendents of the poor. The 
life of Mr. Robbins has been devoted principally to the 
cares of his family and the development of his farm, 
and his ambition has not been to attain special promi- 
nence in any way, but to provide a competency for 
himself and family, and to perfect a valuable record 
as a citizen, and among the old settlers of Alaiedon 
no one is more highly esteemed for integrity and 
neighborly kindness than he. Mr. and Mrs. Rob- 
bins have reared a family of three daughters, — Mrs. 
John Raynor, Mrs. William H. Raynor, and Lillian 
E. We should be recreant to our duty did we not 
sjjeak of Mrs. Robbins, whose portrait is presented on 
this page. To her industry, economy, and sage counsel 
Mr. Robbins attributes much of his success. She is 
all that can be expressed in the terms wife, mother, 
and iriend. 



ALAIEDON. 



215 



modern cities and villages have had a shorter existence and 
a quicker decay, as witness numerous mining and frontier 
towns, whose growth was remarkable and decline rapid. 
Ingham County, with perhaps a spirit of emulation in this 
respect, furnished one or two instances of a similar nature ; 
and in Alaiedon township was laid out a city, appearing 
finely on ■paper and having a glorious (hoped-for) future 
before it. This was the village of Jefferson, which was 
platted on .section 29. The entire section was purchased 
by Josiah Sabin, July 14, 1836, and about 18:^7-38 the 
northwest (|uarter was purchased by George Howe, from 
Manchester, Washtenaw Co., Mich. A company wa.s formed 
of about four persons from the same neighborhood, and the 
village was laid out in 1838. The plat was never recorded 
in Ingham County, and probably nowhere else. Among 
the settlers were two Childs families, two Lewises, and one 
Phillips. Thirteen log dwellings were erected previous to 
1840, also a log school-house. Mr. Howe built a saw- 
mill on the creek, and carried the water to it in a ditch 
ninety rods long. 

In 1842, Capt. J. P. Cowles purchased land on section 
29, including part of tlie village plat, which covered about 
forty acres. 

When Capt. Cowles bought the property thirteen log 
dwellings were standing upon the plat, besides the school- 
house and saw-mill ; the latter was operated some time 
by the captain, who sold the property in 1849. He 
had removed to Lansing in 1847. A double log house 
and a frame barn had been built on the place by George 
Howe. 

In 1844, Capt. Cowles was assessed with the west half 
of the northwest quarter, the southeast quarter of the south- 
west quarter, and the southwest quarter of the southeast 
quarter of section 29, together with twenty-five acres on the 
north half of the same section, above the saw mill, between 
the opposite banks of JIud Creek, the twenty-five acres 
being the water privilege only. 

J It was at first expected that a respectable village would 
grow up, but business refu.sed to seek the locality, and the 
people who had bought lots, to which they had no title, 
lost confidence in the future prospects of the place, became 
di.s.satisfied, and most of them moved away. William and 
John Childs, and perhaps some others, settled in the neigh- 
borhood. 

The saw-mill at the village was built by Nichols Lewis 
and George Howe after the village was platted, and they 
owned undivided interests in the property. The village 
plat Wits laid on both sides of the road extending north and 
south, and finally a division was made, Lewis taking the 
portion on the east side of the road, and Howe that on the 
west side, the latter taking also the saw-mill property, 
which was on the east side. Capt. Cowles purchased Howe's 
interest, including the saw-mill. Mr. Lewis sold his prop- 
erty at the village to A. M. Hobart, of the State of New 
York. 

Jacob Lewis and sons came from Oneida Co., N. Y., in 
1835, and for two years lived near Manchester, in the town- 
ship of Sharon, Washtenaw Co., Mich. In September, 
1837, they moved to Jefferson village. In 18G2 the family 
of Nichols Lewis removed from Alaiedon to Vevay, and 



the only one of his family now in Alaiedon is his son, Orrin 
J. Lewis, formerly of Meridian, who occupies the old 
county farm. Another son, William N. Lewis, is a resi- 
dent of De Witt, Clinton Co. A daughter, Margaret, is 
now Mrs. Collins D. Huntington, of Mason, where her 
mother and another brother, F. M. Lewis, are also living. 
Nichols Lewis is deceased, as is also his father, Jacob 
Lewis. 

Daniel A. Ilewcs, now of the township of Ingham, was 
an early arrival in the same locality, coming, possibly, before 
Captain Cowles. 

Silas Beebe, who settled in Stockbridge in June, 1838, 
made a trip through the county in February previous, and 
in his diary of the journey thus speaks of Jefferson : 

*' Fel). 2-4tli. — Left after breakfast for Ingham Centre* Wo soon 
struck into timbered lands, and saw less of swamps and marshes. 
Roads were less traveled, but, guided by marked trees, we found our 
way to the Centre, — called 'Jefferson City.' The first blow towards 
this place was struck last September. It has now some ten or fifteen 
acres cut down ready to clear, five or 8i.\ log bouses ]>copled, a school- 
house and school. We went on foot about a mile and found two huts, 
a little clearing, and a family going in. But here was the end of a 
beaten road, and of all road, except an Indian trail. Wo had de- 
signed to have continued our journey to Do Witt, in Clinton County, 
only fourteen miles from this place, but were obliged to forego the 
journey for want of a road. At JelTerson, which will undoubtedly bo 
a place of some importance some day, being the centre of tlic county 
and nearly of the State, wo had great otTers made us if we would 
locate there. But things looked too new and prospccUs of gain too 
far off to suit our views; we gave it the go-by for the present. On 
the 25th we left for home, taking, from necessity, the way we came in, 
there being no other way out of the 'city.' 

" Three and a half miles south of this is a rival place of about equal 
claims, called Mason. A saw-mill (frozen uji), a few houses, and sur- 
rounding forest arc all it can boast of."' 

At the time of Mr. Beebe's visit, therefore, it .seems 
that " Jefferson City" was a place of greater pretensions 
tlian Mason. It has been hinted by some that liad the 
former place been in the hands of more energetic men its 
future would have been vastly different from that which is 
known. Mason, the '' rival place of about equal claims," 
was at once puslicd to the front, and maintained its su- 
premacy over all other villages in the county, except Lan- 
sing, which was backed by the State, and had its future 
a.ssured as soon as the place had been platted. 

Williuni P. llubbins, lioin Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
came to Ingham County in 18.39, and purchased the farm 
he now owns and occupies, on section 28. The previous 
owner was Adam Overacker, elsewhere mentioned, who had 
chopped five acres on the place and built a log hou.se. He 
removed from here to Jackson County, and, if living, is 
now in California. Mr. Robbins, who was unmarried, began 
improving his place immediately, and boarded with Egbert 
W. Pattison, the first settler in the town.ship, who lived on 
a farm diagonally opposite. Mr. Pattison died in 1879, 
and none of his family now live in the neighborhood. Eli 
Chandler, a shoemaker by trade, was living, when Mr. 
Robbins arrived, on two acres of land lie had purchased, 
including the site of the present school-house in District 
No. 2, where he worked at " cobbling" in his hou.se. He 
is now living at Mason at an advanced age. 



* Hud stayed over-night in Stockbridge township. 



21G 



HISTORY OP INGHAM COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



July 6, 1842, Mr. Robbiiis was married, in the town- 
ship of Delhi, to Miss Lydia M. Wells, sister to Mrs. 
George Phillips. She had coine to that township, with her 
brother-iu-law's family, in 1839 or 1840, and taught the 
first school in the township at his liouse. She was also 
an early teacher in Alaiedou. 

Following is a list of the resident taxpayers in the town- 
ship of Alaiedon in 1844: 

Andrew J. Cooper, Daniel W. Morse, Isaac S. Finch, John Asseltine, 
Daniel Sparks, William Manning, Seth Kent, John Douglass, 
Lewis Kent, Uodolphus Tryon, Peter Longj'ear, Stevens B. Du- 
bois, Jacob C. Dubois, Jacob Dubois, Martin Dubois, Garrett 
Dubois, Eli L. Morse, Solomon Finch, David Finch, Israel Chap- 
man, John Strickland, George W.Strickland, Joel B.Strickland, 
Samuel Car!, Nathaniel Blain, Daniel Stillman, Alexander Dobie, 
AVilliam Hammond, Levi Prangley, Jacob Lewis, Joseph Miller, 
Daniel A. Hewes, William Lewis, Nichols Lewis, Peter Vanden- 
bnrg, Joseph P. Cowles, Francis Main, William H. Childs, AVilliam 
P. Robbins, Nathan Davidson, Jacob A. Smith, Egbert W. Pat- 
tisoD, Erastus M. Hoyt, Eli Smith, William C. Leek, Samuel L. 
Rathbun, Isaac C. Morse, Major M. Bentley, John Hudson, Eli 
Chandler, Elias S. Phillips, John Pierce, John W. Squicrs, L. C. 
Tryon, John P. Strickland, Horace Havens, William Pierce, 
Mary Childs. 

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION, Etc. 

By an act approved March 15, 1838, the four townships 
comprising the northeast quarter of the county of Ingham 
were set off and organized into a separate township by the 
name of Alaiedon, and the first township-meeting was di- 
rected to be held at the school -house at the village of Jef- 
ferson. From the territory thus set off have since been 
organized the townships of Delhi, Lansing, and Meridian, 
leaving Alaiedon to include town 3 north, in range 1 west. 

The early records of Alaiedon are missing, and it is im- 
possible to give an accurate account of the first elections 
held in the township. It is stated that at the first town- 
ship-meeting the following oflScers were elected, — viz. : Su- 
pervisor, William Lewis; Township Clerk, Jacob Lewis; 
Treasurer, James Phillips; Commissioners of Highways, 
Nichols Lewis, Joel B. Strickland, Adam Overacker ; Jus- 
tices of the Peace, William C. Leek, Jacob Lewis. 

At this meeting fifteen votes were cast. The next record 
found shows that Edwin D. Tryon, who was elected super- 
visor in 1843, died before the expiration of his term, and 
Daniel W. Morse was appointed, Jan. 1, 1844, to fill the 
vacancy, and elected to the position in April following. 
W. H. Child was town clerk in 1843. In 1844, William 
Hammond was elected, but resigned, and Peter Longyear 
Was appointed. In these years Nathaniel Blain, formerly 
of Mason, was treasurer. 

No other record from which definite information could 
be obtained was found until 18G7, since when the following 
have been the principal officers of the township : 

SUPERVISORS. 
1807, Joseph Scuddcr ; ISfiS, Orlando B. Stillman; 1S69, Joseph 
Scudder; 1870, Charles Goodwin; 1871, 0. B. Stillman; 1872, 
Charles Goodwin; 187:!, 0. B. Stillman: lS74-7y, Ernst Dell. 



TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1807, William G.Lamb; 1S6S, Daviil C. Kelley ; 1809, William G. 
Lamb; 1870, Henry J. Haight ; 1871-74, Harrison M.Taylor; 
I87.i, Henry J. Haight; 1870-77, H. M. Taylor; 187S-7i), John 
Keclcr. 

TREASURERS. 

1807, William F. Kennedy; 1868-70, Ernst Dell ; 1871-74, Jesse M. 
Tyler; 1875, Leonard Osborn ; 1876, Calvin Preston; 1877-78, 
Jeduthun B. Blake; 1879, John S. Doyle. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1867, J. Q. Thompson, Nelson Leyland ; 1868, J. B. Blake, D. C. 
Kelley; 1869, Nichols Taylor; 1870, Perry Stevens; 1871, D. 

C. Kelley, John Spears; 1872, J. B. Blake, J. Darling; 1873, | 
Tobias Hulden ; 1874, Nelson Leyland ; 1875, Isaac Drew ; 1876, | 

D. M. Strickland, D. C. Kelley; 1877, A. J. Parker; 1878, N. ; 
Leyland, T. Holden ; 1879, M. T. Layeock. 

1880.— Supervisor, Henry J. Haight; Township Clerk, Elliott J. 
Mooro; Treasurer, Ezra Blake; Justice of the Peace, Jedu- 
thun B. Blake ; School Inspector, Nathaniel Mitchell ; Super- 
intendent of Schools, Charles S. Guile; Commissioner of 
Highways, John Himmelberger ; Drain Commissioner, 
Jesse M. Tyler; Constables, G. P. Lindsay, William E. 
Manning, John Stevens, Frank Drew. ; 

SCHOOLS. 

School was first taught in the township at Jeflerson vil- 
lage, by Mary Ann Rolfe, in a log school-house which was 
built in the summer of 1837, Mi.ss Rolfe teaching a sum- 
mer term in that year. Miss Lydia M. Wells, of Delhi, 
now Mrs. William P. Robbins, of Alaiedou, taught in 
the same district (No. 1) four months in the summer of 
1840. 

In District No. 2 a sm;ill log shanty was built, for use as 
a school-house, in 1839, and Miss Harriet Child — now 
Mrs. Wright, of Mason — taught in it for sis weeks. The 
building was destroyed by fire iii the winter of 1839-40, 
and the district now contains a neat and substantial brick 
school-house, built within a few years. 

Oct. 3, 1839, District No. 1 reported twenty-six pupils. 
Seven months' school had been held in the district in that 
year. In 1841 the several districts reported as follows: 

No. 1. — Twenty pupils; six months' school. 

No. 2. — Six pupils ; throe months' school. 

No. 3. — Twenty-one pupils. 

No. 4. — Twenty-five pupils; four months' school. 

No. 7. — Twelve pupils; three months' school. 

From the report of the township school inspectors for the 
year ending Sept. 1, 1879, the following items are taken : 

Number of districts in township (whole, 8 ; frac- 
tional, 1) 9 

** children of school age in township.. 446 

** " in attendance for year 429 

" school-bouses (brick, 1 ; frame, 8}... 9 

" seatings in same 515 

Value of school property $4330.00 

Number of teachers employed (males, 9; fe- 
males, 14) 23 

Wages paid same (males, §824.25; females, 

$4!i:i.50) SI 317.75 

Total expenditures for year 3349.97 



ALAIEDON. 



217 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 





MR. 0. B. STILLMAN. 



MRS. 0. B. STILLMAN. 



ORLANDO B. STILLJIAN. 

Orlando B. Stillinan was born in the town of Groton, 
Tompkin.s Co., N. Y., March 6, 1825. The flimily are of 
English extraction, and emigrated in an early day from 
Westmoreland County to Cortland, N. Y., where David 
Stillman, father of Orlando B., was born in the year 1800. 
lie was a brickmaker by occupation, and in 1827 re- 
moved from Groton to Cattaraugus County, where he re- 
mained until 18152, when he sold his property and went to 
Oberlin, Ohio, at that time a little hamlet. Here he estab- 
lished a brick-yard, which he operated for some lime. He 
also bought a farm and remained in Oberlin nine years, 
when he disposed of his farm and removed with his family 
to Alaiedon, whore he purchased one hundred and forty- 
five acres of government land on section 3, where his son, 
Orlando B., now resides, and where he lived until his death, 
which occurred in 18G7, in the forty-second year of his age. 

He was married, in 1824, to Mi.ss Eunice Call, who was 
born in Coleraine, Mass. They reared a family of eight 
children, the subject of this narrative being the eldest. 
The elder Stillman was a man of much force of character, 
and possessed of more than au ordinary amount of energy 
and perseverance. He took au active part in all matters of 
public interest, assisted in the organization of the town, and 
was elected its first highway commissioner, an office of con- 



siderable importance in those days. He was a man of 
strong religious convictions, and a prominent member of 
the Congregational Church. He carried the precepts of 
his faith into liis every-day life, and was a man of marked 
social qualities, genial and courteous. He was fond of 
hunting. His wife was a fine type of the pioneer woman ; 
thrifty, economical, and industrious, her household was 
never neglected, and her children were reared to habits of 
industry. She died in Alaiedon in 1862. Orlando re- 
ceived such educational advantages as were afforded by the 
log school-house of the early days. Like his father he 
has taken a leading part in all matters of public import. 
In 1855 he was elected supervisor, and has since filled the 
position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of 
his fellow-townsmen for six terms. In 1852, Mr. Stillman 
was married to Miss Minerva J. Freeman, a lady who was 
highly esteemed. She died in 1873, and iu 1874 he was 
married to Mrs. William F. Bowdish, who was born in 
Norristown, N. Y., in 1834. When she was two years of 
age the family removed to Ohio, and, iu 1844, to Ingham 
County. As a farmer and a citizen Mr. Stillman occupies 
a deservedly high position. He has witnessed the transi- 
tion of a thin settlement into a busy and prosperous county, 
and in his own person typifies many of the agencies that 
have wrought these changes. 



218 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





ALEXANDER DOBIE. 



MRS. ALEXANDER DOBIE. 



ALEXANDER DOBIE. 
Alexander Dobie was born in Dumfries-shire, Scotland, 
May 30, 1817. He was the son of William and Mary 
Cotter Dobie, who roared an old-fashioned family of ten 
children. The elder Dobie was a wood-worker, a sober, 
industrious man of excellent principles, and a consistent 
member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1820 the family 
came to America, and settled in St. John's, New Bruns- 
wick, where the elder Dobie followed his trade for fifteen 
years. In 1835 he emigrated with his family to Canada, 
and settled in the county of Middle.sex, where he purchased 
a farm. Alexander lived in this place two years, when 
he removed to Michigan. He first settled in Lenawee 
County, where he followed his trade, that of a carpenter 
and joiner, until 1839, when he came to Alaiedon, where 
he purchased of William Leek the west half of the south- 
east quarter of section 10, the price being one hundred and 
fifty dollars. He was in indigent circumstances, and for 
several years was obliged to support his family by day labor. 



By industry, however, and close economy, aided in his ef- 
forts by bis faithful wife, he soon relieved himself from 
debt, and commenced making additions to his first purchase. 
He now owns one of the best and most productive farms 
in the township, a view of which may be seen elsewhere in 
this volume. In 1838, Mr. Dobie was married to ]Miss 
INIaria Willey, of Adrian, who was born in New Hamp- 
shire, in 1812. She died in 1847, and in 1848 he was 
again married, to Miss Eliza McCurdy, of Meridian. In 
1863 he was once more left a widower, and in 1864 mar- 
ried Justina Williams, of Meridian. In his religious and 
political affiliations he is a Presbyterian and a Democrat. 
Mr. Dobie is a man of more than ordinary energy and 
ability, and among the early settlers of the town no one 
has been more successful, and perhaps no one has done 
more in the development of the town than he. His name 
wherever known is a synonym for honesty and integrity. 
All in all he is a gentleman whose identification with any 
community is always productive of good. 



AUBELIUS. 



NATUHAL FEATURES. 
(JEOGRAPIIY, TOPOGRAPHY, Etc. 

AcRELius towiisliip lies on the western border of the 
county of Ingham, and is bounded nortii by Delhi, ea.st by 
Vcvay, south by Onondaga, and west by Eaton Rapids 
township, in Eaton County. The township-lines were sur- 
veyed in 1825 by John JluUett, and the subdivisions by 
Capt. Hervey Parke in 182(J. 

The township has a varied surface. In the north and 
south are considerable level areas, while the centre is more 
broken, and abounds in extensive marshes. Willow Creek 
ri.ses in a small lake on section 28, and flows north and 
west into (jraud lliver. Another small stream, rising in 
the southeast corner of the town, flows north and east, and 
enters Sycamore Creek at Mason. In places along Willow 
Creek is found a very fair quality of sandstone. Grand 
River flows across the northeast corner of the township, 
cutting off a small strip on sections (5 and 7. 

In the southeast part of the township is a small village 
known as Aurelius Centre, which is the only clustered set- 
tlement in town. The improvements generally throughout 
the township are good, in places excellent, and are evidence 
that in point of agricultural resources this town is among 
the first in the county. 

LAND ENTRIES. 
The tract-book lor Ingham County shows the following 
land entries in town 2 north, range 2 west, now Aurelius : 

Smlion I.— William IS. D. Wilson, Nov. 1, IS;',0; John Crawford, Nov. 
8, 18.10 ; Dudley Miller, Jan. 21, 1837 ; Benjamin F. Smith, April 

28, 183" ; Samuel Ward, April 29, 1837 ; James S. Rumsey, May 
8, 1837. 

Stclinn 2.— B. Tibbits and W. Graham, J. H. Thompson, J. D. Thomp- 
son, Nov. 1, 1836; Charles Osgood, Dec. 12, 1836 j Nathan Slil- 
8on, Dudley Miller, Jan. 21, 1837; John llollcy, April 17, 1837; 
Daniel L. Case, 1817. 

Section 3. — Sylvester Harris, Nov. 1, 1836 ; I^etvis Davidson, Jan. 16, 
1837 ; Benjamin Ilorton, April 13, 1837 ; Isaac N. Smead, May 
1, 1837; Joseph Roe, Aug. 10, 1837. 

,'^,./.oii 4.— Phineas Bartlett, Daniel Cook, Sept. 26, 1846; Reuben 
H. Bullen, Joseph Bullcn, Nov. I, 1836; De Wilt C. Ilallock, 
April 13, 1837; James Bond, April 2'J, 1837; Samuel Webster, 
May 8, 1837 ; Joseph Bullen, June 26, 1837. 

Seclion 0.— Charles C. Noble, .Sept. 21, 1836 ; Roswtll Bclding, Sept. 
26, 1836; James Bond, April 29, 1837; Samuel Webster, May 
8, 1837. 

Section 6.— Nathaniel Silsbec, Oct. 12, 1835; Orrin J. Field, April 

29, 1837; Joel Phelps, 1847 ; Abel Pnrkhurst, no dale. 
Section 7.— Charles Noble, Jan. 28, 1836; Charles C. Noble, Sept. 21, 

1836 ; M. Harrington, Mary A. Koycs, Sept. 20, 1836. 
^teflon 8.— Charles C. Noble, Kmily Harrington, John Hollcy, Thomas 

H. Oilman, Polly Niles, Jane R. Moon, no dates. 
Section 9.— George B. Webb, April 5, 1837 ; John D. Reeve?, April 

13, 1837; Amos M. Webb, Nov. 23, 1837; Hannah Dunn, Jan. 

12, 1842 ; James Webb, Dec. 23, 1842; Enos Morse, Dee. S, ISlii ; 



• By Pliny A. Durant. 



Ezckiel B. Niles, April 5, 1847; Joel Phelps, April 7, 1847; 
Phebe Whitney, 1847 ; Enos Morse, no date. 
Section 10.— Benjamin Ilorton, April 13, 1837; John Wright, Nov. 

22, 1S41, and March 16, 1847. 

Section 11.— J. D. Thompson, Nov. 1, 18.36; Nathan Stilson, John 

Smith, Jan. 21, 1837; John Bohannon, William Whipple, E. F. 

Kennedy, no dates. 
Section 12.— Luther M. Collins, James Weeks, Sept. 26, 1836 ; Erastus 

Lcasure, Nov. I, 1830; .Minos McRobert, Jan. 10, 1838; Henry 

Kennedy, Jan. 15, 1841 ; William Sidds, no date; Iluram Bristol, 

July 21, 1848. 
.ifecfioii 13.— Eliza Whitlbrd, April 29, 1840 ; Daniel Wilson, July 9, 

1840; John Wheeler, Oct. 19, 1840; Abel Avery, 1847. 
Section 14.— C. and N. Burr, April 3, 1837 ; Thomas Dunlap, July 

7, 1839; John Cook, Oct. 15, 1839 ; John Elmore, no dale. 
Section 15.— John S. Bennett, Josiah Hammond, July 29, 1837; John 

Elmore, no date. 
Seclion 10.— J. Collins, M. M. Collins, no dates. 
Section 17.— Wright Spencer, Pliny Harrington, .Sept. 20, 1830 : Henry 

S. Holoomb, Jan. 10, 1837; Charles Davis, Spencer 11. Ludlow, 

Jan. 24, 1837. 
Section 18.— David Sutphin, June 0, 1836; M. Harrington, Sept. 26, 

IS.se ; Edward Dudley, Oct. 1 and Nov. 1, 1830 ; Isaac N.Swaine, 

William A. Anderson, Jan. 10, 1837. 
Section 19.— Lewis Allen, May 3,1830; Hiram Jennings, May 18, 

18.36; George C. Bcckwith, April 3, 1837; John Bunker, June 

23, 1837. 

&'c(ioii 20.— Lewis Allen, May 3, 1830; Eli E. White, May 13, 1836; 
Samuel Bailey, Sept. 27, 1838; Samuel W. Bond, April 9, 1840; 
Jacob Stewart, March 26, 1847. 

Section 21.— David Potter, Nov. 2, 1836; Horace Bailey, Sept. 27, 
1838; Samuel Harris, Oct. 22, 1838; William Smith, no d;.te. 

Section 22.— James Weeks, William Isham, Sept. 26, 1836; Darius 
Oaks, Jan. II, 1837; Stephen Kirby, April 17, 1837; John S. 
Bennett, July 29, 1837. 

Section 23.— John Barnes, James Weeks, Sept. 26, 1836 ; C. and N. 
Burr, Jan. 24 and April 3, 1837; William Potter, May 14, 1839. 

Section 24.— C. and N. Burr, Jan. 24, 1837 ; Willard Huntoon, Dec. 
11, 1843. 

Section 25.— Arad Joy, June 0, 1830; John Cronnovcr, Sept. 21, 1836; 
William L. P. Ilazclton, Juno 18, 1839; Orrin Robinson, L. A. 
Heath, no dales. 

Section 26.— John Barnes, Sept. 26, 1836; William Crolhcrs, Sept. 
30, 1836. 

Section 27.— Isaac F. Strickland, Sept. 21, 1830; Neliion 11. Wing, 
Sept. 27, 1836; Jonathan Hunt, Aug. 28, 1840; David Potter, 
J. E. Hunt, 1847; D. C. Stewart, May 24, 1848. 

Section 28.— Aaron D. D. Olmsted, April 27, 1830; Lewis Allen, 
May 3, 1836. 

Section 29.— Elijah Wilcox, April 27, 1836; Caleb Chappell, May 7, 
1836; Eli E. White, May 13, 1836; Sanford D. Morse, Dec. 12, 
1836; Stephen Cogswell, Dec. 1.3, 1836; JohicI Toles, April 
5, 1837. 

Seclion 30.— Stephen Allen, May 3, 1836; Calvin Burr, Caleb Chap- 
pell, May 7, 1830; Amasa Lord, June 6, 1830. 

Section 31. — John Montgomery, Dec. 17, 1835; George Scovcll, May 
10, 1836; Roswell R. Ma.\son, .May 13, 1836; Milton P. Burch, 
June 7, 1836; Stephen P. .Morehouse, Nov. 1, 1836. 

Section 32.— Elijah Wilcox, April 27, 1836; Roswell R. Maxson, 
May 13, 1836; Sanford D. Morse, Dec. 12, 1830; Erastus Ran- 
ney, Jan. 2, 1837; Dyer Foote, Jan. 24, 1837; Robert C. Hay- 
ward, April 21, 1837. 

Section 33.— Aaron D. D. Olmsted, April 27, 1836: Robert C. Hay- 
ward, April 22, 1837; Edwin Bond, Oct. 13, 1846. 

Seclion 34. — Bradley Freeman, Sept. 21, 1830; Jeremiah Loucks, 

219 



220 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Sept. 26, 1836; Darius Oaks, Juno H, 18:59; David Hendee, 

July 17, 18.39; Valorous Mcelior, April 9, ISJO; Jaclison Claf- 

lan, William Claflan, Fob. 27, 1849. 
Suction 35. — Joshua F. Freeman, Sept. 21, 1836; Jeremiah Loucks, 

Nathan Kuss, Sept. 26, 1S36. 
Section 36. — Thomas Flanncgan, Arad Joy, June C, 1836; Ransom 

Hazleton, Parley Robinson, Luther Mills, Sept. 21, 1S36. 

KAELY SETTLEMENT. 
The first actuiil settler in tlii.s township — or tlie first 
permanent settler — was probably Iveuben R. BuUeii,* from 
Wayne Co., N. Y., who came to Michigan, with his wife, 
in November, 183G, and stopped at Mason. In January, 
1837, having built a house in Aurelius, on the farm where 
his son, James T. Bulleu, now resides, he moved into it. 
Ue had purchased the laud from government when he first 
came (November, lS3Gj. A man named Wilson had 
moved to the town.ship before Mr. Bullen had his house 
ready for occupation, and located east of the latter's place, 
on the farm now owned by IMrs. Hascall. He intended 
to become a permanent resident of the town, but a severe 
felon on his finger caused him to return, in the spring of 
1837, to Ann Arbor, from which place he had come. Mr. 
Bullen is yet living in town, as are four of his sons, — • 
Richard J., James T., Joseph, and John. The farm 
originally located by Mr. Bullen is on section 4. 

Lewis Butler settled east of Mr. Bullen early in 1837, 
and lived in the township until the fall of the same year, 
when he removed to the village of Jefl'erson, in Alaiedon 
township. He sold his place to James Turner, and after 
a time it became the property of Abram Wilson. James 
and Richard Turner and Mr. Wilson were early settlers. 

John and Ezekicl Niles were also among the early ar- 
rivals, John first stopping on the Butler place mentioned 
above. The ftimilics of the Messrs. Niles are all gone from 
the township. S((uire Moon arrived considerably later, 
settling in the neighborhood about 1850. John Wright, 
from near Syracuse, Onondaga Co., N. Y., settled in Aure- 
lius in 1841, and is still a resident of the township. 
Michael Blatteson, still living in town, was an early settler, 
as was John Cook, whose sous — Matthew and Thomas — 
are now nuiubered among its citizens. 

The Indians were accustomed to come in considerable 
numbers to Aurelius to pick huckleberries in a marsh in the 
northeast part of the town. The berries were sold in Mason 
or traded for flour, with which they made " pudding" and 
considered themselves living in the greatest of style. They 
had also numerous places for making maple sugar, aud it is 
related that in the manufacture of the latter article they 
were not excessively neat, although occasionally very good 
sugar was brought in by them. It is even said that they 
would cook their meat in the sap, and then skim it and boil 
it down and sell it as though nothing were wrong ! The 
Indian sugar made in portions of the State at much more 
recent date is probably a fair sample of that manufactured 
in " auld lang syne," and its quality is certainly not of the 
first-class. 

George B. Webb, from Syracuse, Onondaga Co., N. Y., 



* It is possible that Elijjih AVilco.i had settled on section 29 before 
Mr. Bullen arrived, as he purchased his land in April, ISSIj. None of 
the family are now left ia the township. 



came to Ingham County in the fall of 1836, and in Feb- 
ruary or March, 1837, settled on section 9 in Aurelius, 
where he now resides. He built his cabin — twelve by 
fourteen feet — against three trees, which fortunately stood 
in the right position, setting a post for the fourth corner. 
The load of household goods was tipped over and somewhat 
damaged when being brought to the place. When Mr. 
Webb first came into the county (via Dexter) he cut his 
road for twelve miles. In 1837 he sowed a small piece of 
wheat at the west line of Aurelius, about where the village 
of Columbia was platted, and in the same year raised oats 
in what is now the central part of the city of Mason, which 
place when he first saw it was of little importance. Mr. 
Webb was accompanied to bis new home by his wife and 
one son, John H. Webb, the latter now living on section 
4. He was but three years of age when brought to the 
township. George Webb's father, William Webb, settled 
on section 9 about 1841, and died finally in the township 
of Delhi. Mrs. George Webb died in 1847. Their sons, 
John H. and William M., both reside near the old home. 

Abner Potter, from the State of New York, settled in 
Ingham township with his family in 1839. His son, Allen 
Potter, now living on section 9 in Aurelius, has been a resi- 
dent of the latter township over twenty years, the farm 
occupied by him being that formerly owned by William 
Webb, Sr. Mr. Potter's parents are both deceased. 

About 1836-37 the proprietors of the village plat of 
Mason laid out a town on Grand River at the count3'-line 
in Aurelius township, and gave it the name of Columbia. 
A saw-mill was built at nearly the same time with the one 
at Mason, aud was operated for a time, but had little custom 
and was finally abandoned. Another was afterwards erected 
by a man named Norton, and a blacksmith-shop was also 
built. This was all the village ever amounted to, notwith- 
.standing its patriotic name and the hopes of its projectors, 
The village plat was not eveu recorded, at least in Ingham 
County. 

The first settler in the southeast part of the township 
was John Barnes, from Cayuga Co., N. Y., who purchased 
land in September, 1836, on sections 23 and 26, and settled 
with his family in June, 1837, half a mile east of what is 
now Aurelius Centre. He was among the most prominent 
citizens in the township, and his sons, Orlando M., Zaccheus, 
and John A., have also become worthy and respected citi- 
zens. 0. M. Barnes is well known throughout the State, 
and is now one of the most eminent lawyers of the country, 
and numbered among its wealthiest men. John Barnes is 
now deceased. Orlando M. resides in Lansing, and Zac- 
cheus and John A. at Mason. 

Robert G. Hayward, with his brother, Franklin Hay- 
ward, and the former's three sons, Robert, Abner, aud 
Henry, moved to Aurelius in May, 1837, from Monroe 
Co., Mich., the family having come from Providence, R. I., 
in May, 1830. Arriving in Aurelius they settled on Mont- 
gomery Plains, in the southwest part of the town. Robert 
G. Hayward died in 1866, but his brother, Franklin Hay- 
ward, still resides in the township. Henry H.iyward is 
deceased, and Abner lives at Mount Clemens, where he is 
engaged in the practice of medicine, which he began before 
leaving Aurelius. Robert Hayward removed to Aurelius 




i r-^fe?^ 






t'^iMM^/^^ .•_ 










AURELIUS. 



221 



/' 



Centre in 1856, where he now resides, and where for a 
few years he was enjja^ed in the hoot and shoe business. 

Following is a list of resident taxpayers in the township 
of Aurelius in 1 84+ : 

John Barnes, J. G. Bump, I>. A. Ilcutli, Uansoiii Ilazklon, D. 11. 
Wightiunn, B. B. Robinson, L. Pratt, 0. C. Kobinson, ,1. Wil- 
loughby, William Potter, John Ciiok, JI. Matteson, J. Miitteson, 
William Isliam, A. Waggoner, Z. Barnes, J. F. Kreeman, J. Rob- 
inson, B. Ilazloton, Jr., K S. Howe. J. K. Hunt, L. Mile3, Wil- 
liam I,. P. Hazlolon, H. II. Freeman, J. JI. llendee, S. Boml, D. 
Oaks, J. S. Covert, Henry Kennedy, P. Whitford. iM. Vnughan, 
William Witter, .John Wright, Joseph Bullen, Dunn A Holly, 
William Webb, George B. Webb, AVinslow Tumor, J. Snyder, 
John Niles, A. Wilson, William Webb, Jr.. R. U. liullen. K. Ron- 
ney, R. (i. Hay ward. F. Hay ward, J. CStedman, John M. Freneb, 

D. Southworth. John Montgomery, Joseph L. Huntington, A. B. 
Anicsbury. John Bunker, John Bunker, Jr., M. McRobcrt, R. B. 
Ames, ]). M. Irons, T. Strong, William Arthur, George Wilco.\, 

E. Wilcox, L. H. Fowler, Jonathan Fowler. 

From the records of the Ingham County Pioneer Society 
arc taken the following items : 

Joseph Wilson, born in Yoik.shire, England, came to 
Michigan, May 20, 1857, and in October, 1840, settled in 
the township of Aurelius. His wife, who accompanied hiiu, 
was a native of llutland Co., Vt. 

John M. French, born in Essex Co., N. J., in 1798, 
settled on section 31, in the township of Aurelius, April 29, 
1838. During the first ten years of their residence in the 
rounty Jlr. and Jlrs. French lost three of their children. 

Joseph L. Huntington, whose death occurred at Mason, 
March 19, 1874, was born at Ilinesburg, Vt., Nov. 16, 
1800. His father, Deacon Jonathan Huntington, died at 
St. Albans, Vt., in 1856, aged .seventy-eight years. Mr. 
Huntington, who was a tanner by trade, removed to Lud- 
lowville, Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1832, and in the spring 
of 1838 " he removed to Aurelius, Ingham Co., and en- 
gaged in the business of a tanner, in connection with 
that of shoemaking, which he followed for about five years, 
wlien he entered upon the business of clearing up and im- 
proving a new farm in the same town. In 1846 he was 
elected to the office of sheriff of this county, and, being 
reelected in 1848, he removed to Mason, and became the 
keeper of the first jail built in the county."* 

After the location of the capital at Lansing, Mr. Hunt- 
ington was appointed one of three coramLssioucrs to ap- 
praise and fi.\ the minimum prices of the lots on section 
16, where the city of Lansing had been platted. After re- 
moving to Mason, Mr. Huntington was identified with its 
business interests for twenty-five years, and was a prominent 
citizen of the county for thirty-six years. His wife died at 
Ma.son in 1862, and he afterwards (1863j married Miss 
Caroline lloycc, who died in 1870. Several of his children 
are at present residing in Mason. George M. Huntington 
is the present judge of the Circuit Court ; Charles G. Hunt- 
ington is engaged in mercantile business ; and Collins D. 
Huntington has been for years engaged in various manufac- 
turing enterprises. 

Alfred Parker, a native of Wyoming Co., N. Y., located 
at Leoni, Jackson Co., Mich., in May, 1837, and the same 

* Mr. Huntington's son, Collins D. Uuntington, now of Mason, 
slept in the jail for throe weeks, in Dceombcr, 1848, and kept a fire 
to dry tho walls, in order that tho family might sooner move in. 



year purchased land near the site of Lansing. In May, 
1847, he removed to Ingham County, and settled in the 
township of Aurelius. Some time in the same year his 
wife made a trip through the woods with an ox-team, via 
Lansing, to a place in Clinton County, thirty-five miles 
away. Mr. Parker says : " My first labor in this State was 
holding a plow drawn by seven j'okes of oxen, and camping 
in the woods nights and building smudges to keep off mos- 
quitos. Hunted deer and wild turkeys; also turned out and 
searched for the lost boy. Ami Fillcy, in 1837, in tho town 
of Leoni, Jackson Co." 

AUKKLIUS CKXTUK. 

The first settler at this place was Enoch Howe, now of 
Lan.sing, who lived on the corners which have long bore his 
name. The locality of " Howe's Corners" is better known 
to many than " Aurelius Centre," notwithstanding the same 
place bears both nam&s. Mr. Howe was the first postmaster 
at the place, tho post-office being known as Aurelius. Wil- 
liam Abrams also held the position for some time. The 
present incumbent is B. W. Stark, who came to the place 
in 1860. 

In 1856 a dwelling was built at the Centre by Robert 
Hayward, and was afterwards converted into a store ; it is 
now occupied by B. W. Stark. A second building was 
erected for the purpose of a store in 1870 by R. and F. 
Hayward, and is now owned by the latter. Robert Hay- 
ward erected the greater portion of the buildings at the 
place. In 1857-58, the large frame hotel now owned by 
Nelson Isham was built by William Abrams. 

The Centre now contains two stores, three bliicksmith- 
shops, a wagon-shop, a hotel, a millinery-shop, and two phy- 
sicians, Drs. G. W. Swartwout and Thomas W. Stitts, the 
latter formerly of Chicago, having come here from Detroit, 
in 1878. 

Aurelius Lodge, No. 274, /. 0. 0. F., was in.stituted 
Feb. 8, 1876. Dr. G. W. Swartwout was the first Noble 
Grand. The lodge-rooms are situated over F. Hayward's 
store. The present membership of the lodge (Septem- 
ber, 1880) is about forty, and tho officers are : William Gil- 
more, Noble Grand ; Vt. Dolbce, Vice-Grand ; Cohan King, 
Rec. Sec. ; Henry Rahn, Per. Sec. ; Theodore Stratton, 
Tretus. 

TOWxNSUIl' OUGANIZATION. 

By an act of the Legislature of Michigan, approved 
March II, 18;^7, the west half of the county of Ingham 
was set off and organized as a separate township by the 
name of Aurelius, and the first town-meeting was ordered 
to be held at the house of Elijah Woodworth, who lived 
in what is now the township of Leslie. From the territory 
originally included in Aurelius have since been organized 
the town.shipsof Onondaga, Leslie, Vevay, Delhi, Alaiedon, 
Lansing, and Meridian, and Aurelius now includes only 
township 2 north, in range 2 west, — a single congres- 
sional township in place of eight, of which it was at first 
composed. The first township-meeting was held in the 
early part of April, 1837, and the following account of it 
is taken from the township records : 



222 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



" At a meeting of the electors of the town of Aurelius, at the house 
of Elijah Woodworth, Ezekicl T. Critchett was chosen Moderator, 
Amos E. Steele, Clerk, pro. tern., and I'eter Cranson, Benjamin Davis, 
and Sidney 0. Rufsell, Inspectors of Election. 

"There were given for Benjamin Davis, as Supervisor, 24 votes; 
and there were 2G votes given for Ezokiel T. Critchett, as Township 
Clerk ; 24 votes for Peter Cranson, 23 votes for Henry Meeker, 24 
votes for Peter Linderman, and 24 votes for James Royston, as Jus- 
tices of the Peace; and 24 votes for A. E. Steele, 24 votes for Ben- 
jamin Rolfe, 20 votes for James Royston, and 10 votes were given for 
Josephus Tuttle, as Assessors; and 23 votes for S. 0. Russell, 23 for 
Orris Cranson, and 23 fur Hiram Austin, as Commissioners of High- 
ways; and twelve votes were given for A. E. Steele, 12 for Nathan 
Rolfe, and 12 for James Royston, as Inspectors of Common Schools; 
and 20 votes were given for Benjamin Meeker, 19 for Peter Cranson, 
and 20 for Peter Linderman, as Directors of the Poor; and Jcduthuu 
Fry was elected as Collector; and Jeduthun Fry, Jacob Armstrong, 
and Pliny Rolfe were elected Constables. 

" Unsolved, That the Justicesof the Peace be empowered to appoint 
Road Masters, and that the said Road Masters be Fence-Viewers. 

" Hesolvcd, Seven dollars and fifty cents be the bounty per head for 
the killing of wolves by actual settlers in the town of Aurelius. 

"Resolved, That the next annual town-meeting be held at the 
bouse of Sidney 0. Russell. 

"E. T. CuiTCHErT, Miidernliir. 
"A. E. Steele, Clerk." 

At a special meeting, held April 24, 1837, Jacob Arm- 
strong was chosen collector, and Stephen Kirby and Henry 
A. Hawley constables. At another special meeting, held 
Aug. 19, 1837 (convened at the house of E. B. Danforth, 
and adjourned to that of James Blain), Jacob Lewis was 
elected constable. In 1838 it was 

" Resolced, That five dollars shall be paid for each sehilp of the 
wool/ that is caught and h'ded in this town." 

In 1840 it was voted to appropriate 6150 towards building 
a bridge over Grand River, at the county-line, at or near 
Columbia, provided a like amount should be raised for the 
purpose in the town or county of Eaton. The bridge was 
built, and cost the township of Aurelius $145.25. The 
following have been the principal officers of the township 
since 1838 : 

SUPERVISORS. 

1838-40, John Barnes; 1841, John M. French; 1842, Minos Me- 
Robert; 1843, Jonathan Snyder; 1844, Zacoheus Barnes; lS4.'j 
-46, John M. French; 1847-48, Reuben R. Bullcn; 1849, David 
Potter; 1850, Charles Jennings; 1851, Orlando M. Barnes; 1852, 
Charles Jennings ; 1853-54, John M. French ; 1855, Barney Davis ; 
1856, Reuben R. Bullen ; 1S57-60, Barney G. Davis; 1861, J. 
G. Bump; 1802, Barney G. Davis; 1863, Enos Blanchard; 1864, 
Barney G. Davis; 1865, Charles Jennings; 1866, Alfred J. Hol- 
ley; 1867, Charles Jennings; 1868, Alfred J. HoUey ; 1869, ^Yilson 
Davis; 1870, Micajah Vaughn; 1871, Barney G.Davis; 1872, 
Richard J. Bullcn; 1873, Wilson Davis; 1874-75, Richard J. 
Bullen; 1876, Wilson Davis; 1877-79, Richard J. Bullcn. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1838, Zacchcus Barnes ;« 1839-40, Joseph L. Huntington; 1841, 
Joshua G. Bump; 1842, Joseph L. Huntington; 1843, Zac- 
chcus Barnes; 1844, L. H. Fowler; 1845, Reuben R. Bullen; 
1846-47, Zaccheus Barnes; 1848, Charles Jennings; 1849-50, 
Horace Uobart; 1851, Reuben R. Bullen; 1852, Horace llobart; 
1853-54, Charles Jennings; 1855, Josiah Fowler, Jr.; 1856-57, 
George W. Parks ; 1858, John A. Barnes; 1859, George H. Wag- 
goner; 1860-62, Charles M. Jennings ;t 1863, Ransom Sabin, 
Jr.; 1804, Byron H. Stark; 1865-66, Seth M. Pease; 1867-68, 



* Removed from town, and S. D. Morse appointed. 

t Charles Jennings appointed to fill vacancy in March, 1S63. 



George H. Waggoner; 1869, Dudley N. Bateman; 1870, Charles 
C. Carr; 1871, Benjamin H. Rolfe ; 1872, David J. Potter ; 1873, 
Robert S. Covert; 1874-77, Jackson P. Bond; 1878, George W. 
Swartwout; 1879, Harrison B. Rolfe. 

TREASURERS. 

1839, Benjamin Hazelton ; 1840, John M. French; 1841, Darius 
Oaks; 1842, John M. Freflch ; 1843, John Barnes; 1844, Jona- 
than Snyder; 1845-46, Joseph L. Huntington; 1847, William 
Isham ; 1848-54, Joshua F. Freeman; 1855, Zaccheus Barnes; 
1856, Micajah Vaughn; 1857-60, John Wright; 1861, Andrew 
S. Fowler; 1862, Enos Blanchard; 1863, Andrew S. Fowler; 
1864, E. W. Brown ; 1865, Alfred J. Holley ; 1866, Stephen Gil- 
lett; 1S67, Darius Pratt; 1868, William J. Makley ; 1869-70, 
Charles B. Fowler; 1871-7.3, George W.Wilson; 1874, Reuben 
Nelson ; 1875, William Fanson ; 1876-78, Silas W. Wright; 1879, 
AVilliam Mix. 

JU.'^TICES OF THE PEACE. 

1838. John Barnes, Robert G. Hayward, Sanford D. Morse; 1839, 
Benjamin Hazelton, William Hogle; 1840, R. R. Bullen, J. G. 
Bump, Joseph L. Huntington; 1841, John Barnes; 1842, Ran- 
som Hazelton; 1813, Linus H. Fowler: 1844, Minos McRobert; 
1845, J. S. Covert, AV. Turner; 1816, A.AVaggoner; 1847, Linus 
H. Fowler; 1848, Winslow Turner; 1849, James S. Covert, R. 
R. Bullen; 1850, Gardner Gates, Willi.am Webb; 1851, L. H. 
Fowler, Asa S. Robinson, Alexander Coles; 1852, John Wright, 
R. G. Hayward, J. F. Freeman ; 1853, L. A. Heath, Asahel Bald- 
win; 1854, David Potter; 1855, Robert Hayward; 1856, Enos 
Blanchard; 1857, Alfred Parke; 1858, James White, Alfred J. 
Holley; 1859, John A. Barnes; 1860, Alfred J. Holley; 1861, 
Charles Jennings ; 1862, James White; 1863, B. E. Sawtell, J. 
A. Barnes ; 1864, Joseph P. Jewett ; 1865, William Miller ; 1866, 
AValter Colton ; 1867, Alfred M. Parks; 1868, Micajah Vaughn, 
Josiah Hedden, Charles Jennings; 1869, John J. Slaughter; 
1870, Jacob Baker, Alfred Parker; 1871, A. W. Mclntyrc, Jacob 
Baker ; 1872, Alonzo Cheney ; 1873, Alfred Parker, Jay W. Free- 
man ; 1874, Jacob Baker; 1875, David H. Waite ; 1876, Alonzo 
Cheney; 1877, L. A. Fowler, John T. Holley; 1878, John H. 
Webb; 1879, L. Hawkins. 
I S8II.— Supervisor, Richard J. Bullen; Township Clerk, Loncll H. 
Saunders ; Treasurer, William H. Mix ; Justice of the Peace, 
Ji>hn r. Holley ; Superintendent of Schools, Charles S. Wil- 
son; School Inspector, William M. Webb; Commissioner of 
Highways, Charles S. Merrylees ; Drain Cominissiotier, Rob- 
ert S. Covert; Constables, Austin J. Doolitrle, Judson P. 
Converse, Leonard Polhemus, Edgar J. Rorabeck. 

SCHOOLS. 
The first meeting of the board of township school in- 
spectors was held May 21, 1837, at the house of PI T. 
Critchett, but no business was transacted, and they ad- 
journed to meet August 12th, at the house of William 
Page. The meeting was held at the place and on the day 
given, when the south half of what is now Leslie township 
was organized as District No. 1 ; the north half of the same 
town as District No. 2 ; that portion of what is now Onon- 
daga township lying east of Grand River as District No. 
3 ; that portion of the same township west of Grand lliver 
as District No. 4 ; the south half of what are now Vevay 
and Aurelius as District No. 5 ; and the uorth half of the 
same township as District No. C. Nov. 6, 1837, the south- 
west portion of what is now Aluiedon was organized as 
District No. 7 ; on the same day District No. 8 Was formed, 
including sections 3,4, 5,8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17, in what 
is now the township of Vevay. Various other changes 
were made as the population increased and the township 
was divided. In 1843 the various districts in Aurelius 
contained pupils as follows: No. 1, 73; No. 3, 17; No. 



Co 
CD 



3 



"^)i."-f:e 



■ m >7 ■ 




TUT IS;?^— — ^' 



AURELIUS. 



223 



4, 22 ; fractional No. 6, 20. A new school-house was 
built in that year in No. 1, at a cost of SIOO. In No. 1, 
seven and a half months of school wore taught by John 
E. Smith, at ten dollars a month, and four and a half 
months by Julia A. Smith at a dollar per week. In No. 
3, Jane Austin taught for a dollar a week, and in Frac- 
tional District No. C, Daniel Palmer t^iught four and a 
half months at thirteen dollars a month, and Klizibcth 
Noyes four months at a dollar and a quarter per week. 
Other teachers were employed in the years named, in the 
various districts, as follows: 18 13, Luther B. lluntoon ; 
1844, Martha Smith (certificate given June 22, 1844, for 
one J'ear), Zaccheus Barnes, Maria S. Howland ; 1845, 
Matilda L. Montgomery, Hannah Miller, Susan Miller; 
184(!, Lucretia Cochran, Hannah Converse, Mary Ann 
Rolfe, Mary Hill, James C. Butts. 

The first school in the township was taught in the south- 
west corner thereof, in the summer or winter of 1837, in a 
small log building which stood in the extreme corner of 
town at the county-line. The name of the teacher is not 
now recollected. When the family of Joseph L. Hunting- 
ton arrived in the township, iu the spring of 1838, they 
occupied this building until they could prepare a dwelling 
on their own place, a mile north. 

In the north part of town a log school-house was built 
on the farm of George B. Webb in 1844, and a summer 
term of school was taught in that year by Martha Smith. 
That was the first in the neighborhood. Among those who 
sent children were Ileuben R. Bullen, George B. Webb, 
John and Ezekicl Nilcs, John Wright, and others. 

From the report of the township school inspectors, for the 
year ending Sept. 1, 1879, the following items are taken : 

Number of districts in township (whole, 6; 

fractional, 4) 10 

" children of school age in township. 510 

" ** in attendance during year 46fi 

" school-houses (brick, 1 ; frame 8)... 9 

" seatings in same 506 

Value of school property $-1800 

Number of teachers employed (males, 7; 

females, 20) 27 

Wages paid same (males, $625 ', females, 

S6S2.9II) $1257.90 

Total expenditures for year 2281.70 

RELIGIOU.S. 

Bnplisl Church, Aureliits Centre. — From the records of 
this church is taken the following account of its organiza- • 
tion : 

"AunF.i.iiis, May T, 1847. 

" At a regular notified meeting of baptized per.son8, for the pur- 
pose of forming a church, proceeded to business, 

" 1st. Vtited, That Elder (Jrout serve as moderator. 

■■ Ud. Voted, That E. Smith serve as clerk, pfo tent. 

" ;id. Reavlccfl, That we form ourselves into a society known as the 
First Baptist Conference of Aurelius. 

"J. BAnxKS, William IsnAM, M. A. BAitxE.s, 

"J. U. ilE.VDEK, S. Bond, D. IIowk, 

"C. J. KoLKK, M lis. C. Rolfe, C. Peek, 

" E. S. HowK, E. J. UowK. 

" 6th. Voted, That J. Barnes serve the Conference as Deacon. 

"6th. Voted, That C. J. Uolfe serve as clerk of the Conference. 

" 7th. Uenohcd, That the Conference have covenant-meetings in four 
weeks from the above date, at one o'clock p.m., and at the expiration 
of each four weeks thereafter. 

" 8th. Reauhed, That we adopt, as the summary of our faith and 
practice, the articles recommended by the Baptist State Convention. 



" 9th. Retolvcd, That all members received hereafter into this Con- 
ference shall be by the unanimous vote of the Conference. 

" 10th. /lc«o!red. That we obicrvo the institution of the Lord's 
Supper each Sunday following our covenant-meetings. 

" 1 1th. Jlcsolced, That the Conference authorize the clerk, in bo- 
half of the Conference, to give Elder Grout a recommend, setting 
forth his ministerial character and labors in this vicinity. 

" 12th. Adjourned four weeks ; one o'clock i-.M." 

Meetings were first held in the school-house. Elders D. 

Hcndee and Freeman preached at different times. A 

reorganization was effected Jan. 12, 1849, by Elder D. 
Hendee, with twelve members, and on the 30th of the 
same month, at a council convened at the Barnes school- 
house for the purpose, the church was regularly recognized. 
Elder Hendee continued as pastor until early in 1850. 
Elder B. Hill was secured in April, 1850, and remained 
until April, 1853. The Baptist Churches of Aurelius and 
Onondaga united May 20, 1854, under the name of the 
" Aurelius and Onondaga Church," with a membership, as 
consolidated, of thirty-two. Rev S. P. Town was then 
pastor. He was followed by Elder E. K. Grout, who wiis 
in charge from 1855 to early in 1859, and iu April of the 
latter year Elder George Bridge was secured as pastor, his 
services continuing until February, 18G1. Elder H. B. 
Shepherd became pastor iu 1862, and resigiied April 18, 
18U3. In the fall of the same year Elder Samuel P. Town 
was engaged, and was dismissed by letter May 14, 18C4. 
Elder J. B. Allyn was pastor from Sept. 15, 18G7, until 
January, 1869, and Elder John Gunderman from August, 
18(J9, to August, 1870. Succeeding the latter was Elder 
A. McLearn, from October, 1870, to April 14, 1872. 
Elder H. B. Fuller came in the latter part of 1872, and 
remained until May, 1874. Elder M. J. Dunbar had 
charge from Aug. 29, 1874, to Aug. 4, 1877, when he re- 
signed. Elder W. W. Smith was called to the pastorate 
Nov. 20, 1877, and coutinued until May, 1879, when he 
resigned, but remained until November of that year. He 
is now pastor of the Baptist Church at Kinneyville (Win- 
field), in Onondaga township, and preaches also to the 
Coiigrcgationalists at Onondaga. The present pastor of the 
church at Aurelius is Elder J. R. Monroe, who came in 
December, 1879. The membership of the church, Sept. 
14, 1880, was 204, and the Sunday-school has an attend- 
ance of about 100, with William Fanson as superintendent. 
About 1870 the name of the church was changed to the 
"' First Baptist Church of Aurelius." The frame house of 
Worship owned by the society was built in 18GG-G7, and 
dedicated Oct. 3, 18G7, by Elder Portman. 

In the Bullen and Webb neighborhood, in the north part 
of town, the first meetings were held by Rev. Mr. Finch, 
who lived at the Dubois settlement in Alaiedon. He was 
accustomed to come in every morning from his home on 
foot, preach once or twice and return the same day, saying 
he must " get home to attend to the chores." He preached 
in the log house of William Webb, Sr., soon after 1841, 
and was a Methodist. The Bapti.sts have also held meet- 
ings in the neighborhood for many years, and as early as 
1850-55, Elders Heridec and Fuller, from Mason, preached 
in the locality. During the present season (1880) a neat 
frame Union church has been erected on the southeast cor- 
ner of section 4, by the Methodists and Baptists, at a cost 



224 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of about S1800, and the two denominations alternate in 
holding meetings, the pastors coming from Jlason. 

Meeting-houses have also been erected on the west side 
of town, one on section 19 and another on section 31, and 
meetings are now held in them principally by the Meth- 
odists. The church on section 31 is maintained by people 
of various religious beliefs, and meetings have been held 
in the neigliborhood for a considerable number of years 
by pastors of different denominations. Both buildings are 
frame, and the societies or clas.ses are small. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



REUBEN R. BULLEN. 

This venerable pioneer was born in the town of Charl- 
lon, Worcester Co., Mass., Sept. 14, 1S06. His father, 
also named Reuben, was a native of Pomfret, Conn. He 
married Tamison Leavens and reared a family of four chil- 
dren, Reuben being the eldest son. In 1824 the elder 




K. R. BULLEN. 

Bullen removed with his family to Wayne Co., N. Y., 
where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1845, 
in the sixty-eighth year of his age. He was a successful 
farmer and a valuable citizen, and, identified himself promi- 
nently with Wayne County. Reuben remained at home 
until he attained his twentieth year. He received such an 
education as was afforded by the district schools of that 
day, and in 1828 went to Wilkesbarro, Pa. At this time 
the Pennsylvania Canal was being built, and he obtained a 
situation as foreman. In 1835 he married Miss Elizabeth 
Vandenburg, of Pittston, Pa., and the following year 
(183G) started for Michigan. He arrived in Detroit in 
October. From Detroit he went to Ann Arbor, where he 
left his family, and from thence to Aurelius, where he lo- 
cated eighty-three acres of government land on section 4. 



He returned to Ann Arbor, and in the following year (1837) 
made a permanent settlement upon his land. The town at 
this time was a wilderness ; two families only had preceded 
him, and in what is now Mason, then called Ingham 
Centre, there were two log houses. The pioneer life of 
Mr. Bullen was one of hardship and many privations, but 
a robust constitution and a resolute will overcame all ob- 
stacles. Those living at this day have but a faint concep- 
tion of what the pioneers had to contend with, without 
roads, mills, or bridges, and for supplies were frequently 
obliged to go to Ann Arbor, a portion of the distance 
through an almost unbroken forest, with roads that would 
now be considered impassable. The following incident is 
related to show the difference between going to mill in 
1836 and in 1880. The first grist taken to mill by Mr. 
Bullen was thrashed over a barrel, the bundles being bound 
small for the purpose, and, as there were no conveniences 
for winnowing the wheat, it was taken in the chaff by a 
bark canoe to Eaton Rapids, where there was a fanning- 
mill. It was then ground, placed in the boat, which was poled 
up the river to Columbia, from which place Mr. Bullen 
carried it on his back to his home, a distance of some five 
miles, through the woods. In the organization of the town 
in 1838, Mr. Bullen took a prominent part. He was a 
member of the first town board, and has since occupied 
many positions of trust and responsibility. He has repre- 
sented Aurelius upon the board of supervisors for a number 
of terms, and for many years was justice of the peace. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Bullen were born eight children, — George, 
Richard J., James T., Phebe A., Susan, Joseph, John E., 
and Samuel. Of the above, five are now living. Richard 
J. and James T. reside in Aurelius, the latter upon the 
old homestead. Both are prominently identified with the 
best interests of the town, and are successful, enterprising 
farmers. Richard J. is the most extensive farmer in the 
town, and for six successive terms has filled the ofiice of 
supervisor, — a fact which in itself is evidence of integrity 
and ability. He married Jliss Sarah Markham, of Delhi, 
a lady of much culture and refinement. The elder Bullen 
is now in his seventy-fourth year, and still retains much of 
his former vigor and energy. He can look back upon his 
life with satisfaction, feeling he has been rewarded for the 
hardships of early days. 



JOHN M. FRENCH. 



This venerable pioneer, whose name and history are so 
intimately connected with tlie city of Lansing and the 
township of Aurelius, where he was one of the first set- 
tlers, was born in New Brunswick, N. J., July 11, 1798. 
His father, Robert French, was a native of New Jersey, 
and followed the avocation of a carpenter. He was a 
steady, industrious man, of good principles. He married 
Mrs. Rachel Bend, and reared a family of three children, 
John M. being the eldest. In 1806 the family removed 
to Cayuga Co., N. Y., where the elder French purchased a 
farm, on which he resided until his death. At the age of 
eighteen John left home to acquire a trade. He apprenticed 
himself to a tanner and currier, and completed his inden- 



AURELIUS. 



225 




.-^' 




JOUN SI. FRENCH. 



MILS. JOllX M. FRENCH. 



turcs about tlie time he was twenty-one 3-ears of age. He 
then worked as a journeyn)an in various towns, and in 1820 
entered the employ of one Tilhnan. The following year 
they formed a copartnersliip and commenced business in 
Canandaigua. From Canandaigua he went to Seneca Falls, 
where, having dissolved partnership with Mr. Tillman, he 
took charge of his business. After several changes of loca- 
tion he went to Ludlowvillc, Tompkins Co., N. Y., where 
he made the acquaintance of Jo.«oi)h L. Huntington, and 
between the two a warm fiiendsliip sprang up, which con- 
tinued unbroken for over forty years. In 1838 the two 
resolved to come '\A'est. BIr. Fiench had dispo.sed of his 
property for lands in the towns of Aurelius and Onondaga. 
They arrived in April, 1838, and Mr. Frencli immediately 
commenced to prepare for the coming of his family, which 
he had left behind. He built a log house, cleared and 
sowed thirty acres to wheat, and in the autumn of that year 
returned for his family. The following .spring he made a 
permanent .settlement. He resided in Aurelius until his 
removal to Lansing in 18G6, where he has since resided. 
Mr. French lias been prominently identified with Aurelius 
and its development. He served tlie town as its supervisor 
for a number of terms, and al.so officiated in various minor 
positions. In 1842 he was elected to the representative 
branch of the Legislature. In 1823, Mr. French married 
Miss Sarah Herrington, of Canandaigua, N. Y. She was 
born in 1804, near Albany, N. Y., and came to Michigan 
in 1839. She has shared with her husband the privations 
of the early days, and has been his faithful friend and 
companion for over fifty-seven years. Her portrait, so full 
of character, is presented on this page. The life of Mr. 
French has been comparatively uneventful. His early days 
were full of trials and toil, but his life has been a succes.s. 
He has acquired a competency and perfected a valuable 
record as a citizen. Although he has always shrunk from 
prominence and has led a quiet home-life, still, throughout 
29 



the length and breadth of Ingham County, he is known 
as one of its founders, and his name is associated with the 
best men that the county has produced. 



GEORGK H. WEBB. 



The family of Mr. Webb is of Hrilii^h extraction, his 
parents having been William and Mary Butler Webb, who 




QEOROE n. WEnn. 



followed fanning pursuits, and numbered in their family 
circle eight children, — five sons and three daughters. Their 



226 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



son, George B., was born in Somersetshire, England, ten 
miles from the city of Bristol, in April, 1803, and remained 
under the parental roof until his eighteenth year, when, the 
life of a sailor presenting superior attractions, he abandoned 
the farm and made several voyages. In 1830 his wander- 
ings brought him to the shores of America, when, after a 
brief rest in New York City, he departed for Syracuse and 
entered the service of a Mr. Brock way as a butcher. In 
1834 he was united in marriage with Miss Maria Cutely, 
of Syracuse, and, in the following December, came to Ma- 
son, and was employed to assist in the construction of the 
first saw-mill in that place. He then proceeded to the 
labor of chopping, and felled many of the monarchs of the 
forest which stood where is now the business centre of 
the township. In 1837 he purchased of government eighty 
acres where he now resides, and erected a shanty of bark, 
three of the posts having been maple-trees. Okemos, chief 



of the wandering tribe of Indians which inhabited the 
country, had pitched his camp directly opposite. The fam- 
ily were kindly received by the Indians and found them 
u.seful in many ways. Mr. Webb was afflicted in June, 
1848, by the loss of his wife, and in the same year mar- 
ried IMiss Lucy Harty. By the first marriage Mr. Webb 
bad four children, — John H., William M., Lucy, and 
Martha, while one son, Lewis, a child of the present wife, 
is engaged in mercantile pursuits in Mason. All the re- 
maining children, with the exception of Martha, now Mrs. 
Jacob Nichols, reside in Aurelius. 

Mr. Webb has by industry and good judgment acquired 
a competence since first he began life as a pioneer, and he 
is regarded by all who know him as a man of commanding 
influence in the township, while his genial character and 
his many virtues have surrounded him with a circle of 
sincere friends. 



BUNKER HILL. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGR.^PHY, Etc. 

The township of Bunker Hill lies on the southern border 
of Ingham County, and is bounded west, north, and east, 
respectively, by the townships of Leslie, Ingham, and Stock- 
bridge, and south by Henrietta, Jackson Co. The town- 
ship-lines were surveyed by Joseph Wampler in 1824, and 
the subdivisions by the same in 1826. 

Bunker Hill township is so unfortunate as to contain a 
very large area of swamp and marsh, but these are being 
gradually drained by county ditches, of which there are in 
the township not less than fifteen miles. The marshes ex- 
tend in a general uorth-and-south direction, and appear to 
be the abode of all the serpents and reptiles which in the 
iabled days of old were driven by St. Patrick from the 
" Emerald Isle." The improvements, however, in some 
portions of town are excellent, and the soil, where cultivated, 
is very productive. The surface of the township is, as 
would be inferred, diversified, being level in places and con- 
siderably rolling in others. 

Pitchburg and Bunker Hill are hamlets in the southeast 
and central parts of town, both containing post-ofliccs; the 
first named is the more important place. 

LAND ENTRIES. 

The following is a ILst of the entries of land in town 1 
north, range 1 east, now Bunker Hill, with names, sections, 
and dates of entry. 

Section 1.— Silas Holt, Sept. 17, 18.35; Peter Pcrrin, Westliiko Haigbt, 
May 25, 1836; Henry Wood, Jan. 17, 18.36; Lucius M. Page, 
July 1, 1836; Levi anJ Stephen S. Rugg, July 11, 1836. 

Section 2.— Marshal Turner, Nov. 28, 1836; Matthew Daley, Deo. 29, 
1836; Moses A. McNaughton, July 1, 1857. 

* By Pliny A. Duraut. 



Seclion 3.— Thomas L. Spafford, May 23, 1836; John D. Reeves, 

Nov. 17, 1836; Daniel Lebar, June 25, 1848. 
Section 4.— Benjamin F. Burnelt, Sept. 20, 1836; Elisha P. Pickens, 

Nov. 29, 1S36; Daniel II. Mills, Jan. 31, 1837; Sarah Burnett, 

April 16, 1837; Henry Dcigan. April 9, 1847. 
Section 5.— Thomas J. Litchfield, June Ifi, 1836; Roswell Lamb, 

Ebenezer Whittemore, June 28, 1836; Emetine Cravell, Oct. 31, 

1836; Benjamin B. Kercheval, Feb. 13, 1837. 
Section 6.— David H. Richardson, Sept. 20, 1836 ; Elisha D. Hall, 

Sept. 21, 1836; Roswell Durand, Dec. 9,1836; Warren Dunn- 
ing, March 21, 1837. 
Section 7. — Daniel Peck, entire section, June 6, 1836. 
Section 8.— Joseph Sternberg, May 16, 1836 ; William Peabody, May 

28, 1836. 
Section 9.— Thomas S. Spafford, May 23, 1836; William Peabody, 

May 28, 1836. 
Section 10.— Reuben Robie, March 21, 1837; Charles Stickney, Oct. 

1, 1838; Peter Hall, Oct. 15, 1838; John O'Brien, Patrick Markey, 

May 18, 1839; John O'Brien, June 17, 1839; James Dancer, July 

1, 1839; James Markey, Jr., Oct. 30, 1845; James Markey, 

March 20, 1849. 
Section 11.— Uzziel Taylor, May 23, 1830; Matthew Daley, Dec. 29, 

1836. 
Section 12.— Matthew Daley, Dec. 9, 1836; Elihu Newbury, no date. 
Section 13.— Timothy Brown, July 14, 1836; Charles T. Day, Jan. 

13, 1837; Warren Dunning, Feb. 8, 1837; George F. Shepard, 

April 24, 1837. 
Section 14.— Uzziel Taylor, May 23, 1836; Benjamin B. Vancourt, 

May 29, 1836. 
Section 15.— Uzziel Taylor, May 23, 1836; Reuben Robie, March 21, 

1837; Horace Chesley, April 24, 1837; Benjamin B. Vancourt, 

May 29, 1838; Enoch Bouton, Oct. 2, 1838; John D. Camp, 

Oct. 2.3, 1838, and Oct. 23, 1848. 
Section 16.— Norman Felt, W. Dewey and D. Felt, 0. Markey, E. H. 

Angcll, Kimball and Jones, T. Chamberlain, J. Philo, C. Smallcy, 

no dates. 
Section 17. — William Peabody, entire section, no date. 
Section 18.— Joseph Steinberg, May 16, 1836; Reuben Raze, July 7, 

1836. 
Hection 19.— Hosea Reeve, March 29, 1837 ; Daniel Shannon, Aug. 22, 

1838; Lydia W. Moore, May 1, 1840. 
Section 20.— Parley J. Moore, May 23, 1836, and July 15, 1847 ; Ho- 
sea Reeve, March 20, 1837; John B. Moore, July 13, 1838; Ezra 

Culver, May 1, 1848. 



BUNKER HILL. 



227 



SecHon 21.— llcnry Ilarvcy, May «. IS.'JO; Uiziel Taylor, May 23, 

IS.'ifi; William Peaboay, May 28, 1836. 
.S',c/iV,;i 22.— Ilcnry Uiirvey, May B, 1836; George Field, Jan. 28, 

1839. 
'Ill 23. — Lucius Lord, June 9, 1836; Arislarchus Champion, June 

18, 1836; Enoch Bouton, Oct. 2, 1838; Benjamin B. Vancourt, 
Dec. 20, 1838. 

Section 24. — John G. Sovcrhill, Juno 10, 1836 ; .■Vri,«tarchus Champion, 

June 18, 1836; Charles F. Day, Jan. 13, 1837: John Farmer, 

Jan. 17, 1837; Mrs. A. Gillespie, April 15, 1837; Abel Cutter, 

Nov. 17, 1837. 
Stclioii 25.— Edwin Lewis, May 19, 1836; Job Earl, Juno 4, 1830; 

John a. Soverbill, June 10, 1836; John R. Bowdish, Feb. 24, 

1837; ITannab Liltlc, Feb. 27, 1837. 
Section 26.— Edwin Lewis, May 19, 1836; Ilenrielta High, June 9, 

1836; Aristarchus Champion, June 18, 1S36; George Rider, May 

15, 1837 ; John B. McCrary, Nov. 19. 1847. 
Section 27. — Ira A. Blossom and Elijah U. Efncr, Aug. 27, 1835; 

Henry Harvey, -May 6, 1S36; Leander Aldrich, May 21, I83C; 

William Pcabody, May 28, 1836. 
Section 28.— Blossom and Efncr, Aug. 27, 1835 ; Henry Uarvcy, May 6, 

1836; William Pcabody, May 28, 1836. 
Section 29.— Jonathan Shearer, May 6, 1836; John Odell, May 9, 

1836; Jonathan Shearer, May 13, 1S36; Charic? Wisner, Dec. 

13, 1836. 
Seeti-n 30.— Stoddard Culver, May 23, 1836: Thomas L. Spafford, 

May 26, 1836; George Field. Jan. 28, IS.ig. 
- /..ii 31.— Charles Whitney, May 23, IS36 ; Milton B. Adams, June 

2, 1836. 
Section 32. — Aaron Browcr, April 6. 1836; James Ganson, April 25, 

1836; Thomas Frilts, May 9, 1836. 
.<^i-<-(/oii 33.— Luther Branch, June 19, 1835; Blossom and Efncr, Aug. 

27, 1835; Aaron Brower, April 6, 1836; John Davidson, June 13, 

1836; Noah Clark, June 27, 1836; James Vickery, Jan. 7, 1843; 

Edward Belknap, Feb. 14, 1843. 
Section 34.— Elins Thompson, Aug. 27, 1835; Blossom and Efncr, Sept. 

2, 1835; Martin Allen, Oct. 27, 1835; Henry Harvey, May 6, 

1836 ; Moses S. Barber, May 21, 1836. 
Section 35. — Eiias Thomjison, Aug. 27, 1835; Solomon Par-sons, May 

19, 1836; Obed Cravath, Jan. 5 and 19, 1837. 

■ "n 30.— Moses D. Wylic, Solomon Parsons, May 19, 1836; 
Robert Johnson, Job Earl, June 14, IS36. 

E.\RLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settler in what is now the township of Bunker 
Hill was David Fuller, a Baptist deacon, who located in 
the west part in 1837 or 1838. His son Henry, who came 
with him, was married in 1841 to Miss Lovina Whitte- 
more, and his was one of the earliest marriages in the town, 
occurring in January. 

The second settler was probably a man named Bunker, 
who located in the northwest portion, and for whom the 
township is said to have been named. His daughter, Mary 
Bunker, was the first white child born in the town, but the 
date of her birth is not given. 

Henry Wood, in the northeast corner of town, was the 
third settler. It is thought that but four persons — males 
— are now living in the township who were here in 1840— 
41, and these are David Dean, George Archer, William 
Vicary, and Charles Earl (son of Job Earl). Of the pio- 
neer mothers, Mrs. William B. Dean is perhaps the only 
one left. 

William B. Dean, a native of Orange Co., N. Y., moved 
to Michigan from Genesee Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1830, 
with his family, and settled at Plymouth, Wayne Co. In 
1841 he removed to Bunker Hill, arriving on the 6th of 
January, and settled on the place now owned by his son, 
David Dean. He was accompanied to the township by his 



wife, four sons, and two daughters, and he, at the time of 
his settlement, made the twentieth voter in the township. 
The land on which he located had been purchased from 
government by George Rider, but no improvements made 
until Mr. Dean settled. He died in 1864, and his widow 
is now residing on the old place with her son, David Dean. 

Calvin P. Eaton, from Monroe Co., N. Y., settled in tlie 
township of Bunker Hill, on .section 8, with his family, 
about November, 1842. The family consisted of himself 
and wife and six children, of whom none are now left in 
the township. One son, Edwin G. Eaton, is now in busi- 
ness at Leslie. Their neighbors, when they settled in 
Bunker Hill, were David Fuller, on an adjoining farm, 
Charles Warren, Ashcr Robinson, the Whittcmores, Otis 
Janes, Lewis Case, in this town, and James Harkne-ss and 
William W. Dewey, near by, in Leslie town.ship. The.se 
all resided in one school district. 

Burtus Hoyt settled in the northeast part of town pre- 
vious to 1842, and a few years afterwards sold his farm to 
Timothy Birney and removed to Jackson, where three of 
his sons are now living, one or two of them in the employ 
of the Michigan Central Railway Company. 

Abijah Lee Clark, from the north line of the Irulian 
reservation in Genesee Co., N. Y'^., removed to Michigan in 
1835, with his wife and three children, and settled in the 
" Bean Creek Country," in the township of Rollin, Len;i- 
wee Co., where they lived until March, 1813. In that 
month they removed to Ingham County, and settled in the 
township of Bunker Hill, where Mr. Clark's widow now 
resides on the farm first settled. It had been procured of 
John Evans in trade, and was first occupied and improved 
by Ebenezer Whittemore, who lived upon it several years. 
Evans had never occupied it, and the improvements which 
had been made when Clark came were of little account. 
Neighbors were already quite plentiful, the nearest being 
Ira Whittemore, who lived on an adjoining farm. David 
Fuller and Calvin P. Eaton were a mile or two away. 
Mrs. Henry Fuller is the only survivor of the community 
as it existed upon the arrival of 5Ir. Clark and his family. 
The latter experienced their greatest hardships while living 
in Lenawee County, the township of Rollin containing but 
very few families when they arrived there. Mr. Clark's 
son, John Lee Clark, now living in Bunker Hill, w;is the 
second white child born in the township of Rollin, his birth 
occurring Aug. 4, 1837. 

Henry B. Hawlc}', from the State of New York, was an 
early settler in the township of Henrietta, Jackson Co., 
Mich., and in 1850 became a resident of Bunker Hill, lo- 
cating in the southwest part of the town, on a farm which 
was first improved by Aaron Brower, one of the earliest 
settlers. William Vicary, another pioneer, locateil in the 
same neighborhood. In 1870, Mr. Hawley removed to the 
village of Leslie, where he at present resides. He is among 
the prominent citizens of the county, and has held numerous 
positions of trust, as will appear by reference to the list of 
township officers. 

Joab Earl was one of the first settlers in the southeast 
part of town, and John Ewing and John O'Brien were 
early in the same locality. Lucius Lord settled early a 
mile north of Fitchburg. 



228 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



In the north and east portions of the township have set- 
tled large numbers of natives of the land of the shamrock. 
The first of the nationality who came was James Markey, 
who arrived with a large family in the neighborhood of 
1840, and settled near the Centre. He was a prominent 
citizen, and several of his sons were afterwards chosen to 
various township offices. James Biruey and numerous 
others followed, and at present the Irish voters in the town- 
ship number about seventy, almost a controlling power in 
its political affaii-s. They have erected a fine frame Catholic 
church northeast of the centre of town, and its communi- 
cants number 200 or more. This was the third religious 
organization iu the township. 

FITCHBUKG. 

Ferris S. Fitch, from Livingston Co., N. T., settled on 
the place he now owns in June, 1S4S, when the nearest 
neighbor was even then a mile distant. The locality was about 
midway between the stage-routes from Dexter to Lansing, 
and from Jackson (via Mason) to Lansing. Mr. Fitch was 
the first settler at what is now called Fitchburg. His 
brother, Selah B. Fitch, who was formerly a resident of 
Stockbridge, moved to the Corners in the fall of 1848, and 
three or four years afterwards built a steam saw-mill at that 
place. He is now decea.sed. About the time the mill was 
built the father of the Messrs. Fitch, Hubbard Fitch, with 
his youngest son, Dorastus, located at the place where the 
latter is now living. Hubbard Fitch is deceased. 

In 1848 the only post-office in the township — and it 
was the first — was in the western part, in charge of a man 
named Tattle; it was called Bunker Hill. Afterwards an 
office was established in the northwest part of town, called 
Felt, with Dormau Felt as postmaster ; he had settled in 
1847. About 1S55 an office was established at Fitchburg, 
with Hubbard Fitch as postmaster, and for some time the 
township contained three post-offices, the name of Bunker 
Hill post-office having been changed to Bunker Hill Centre. 
Felt post-office has been discontinued, and those at present 
in existence are Fitchburg and Bunker Hill. J. S. Sweezey 
is postmaster at the latter place, having held the position 
since February, 1879. 

After the office was established at Fitchburg, it was not 
until a recent date that a mail-route was established through 
the place. Mail was brought from the nearest offices, — 
Stockbridge, Leslie, etc. Selah B. Fitch succeeded his 
father as postmitfter, the nest incumbent being William 
Dowden, who had come to the place and established a store. 
He removed and was succeeded by John P. Hawley, from 
Henrietta, Jackson Co., who bought Dowden out. The 
next, and present, incumbent was Henry Stowell, who has 
held the office several years. 

Fitchburg has at present three stores, two blacksmith- 
shops, a wagon-shop, a shoe-shop, and. a Methodist church. 

BU^^KER UILL, 

near the centre of the township, contains a small store, a 
post-office, a blacksmith-shop, and the town-hall. John 
De Camp, an early settler at the Centre, was long the post- 
master. His father is living in Webster, Washtenaw Co., 
at an advanced age. 



TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION, LIST OF OFFICERS, 
Etc. 

An act of the Legislature of Michigan, approved March 
21, 1839, provided that town 1 north, of range 1 east, 
should be organized into a separate township by the name 
of Bunker Hill, and that the first township-meeting should 
be held at the house of David Fuller. From the township 
records is taken the following account of the first town- 
meeting: 

*' 1S39. — At the annual meeting held on the first Monday of April, 
in the township of Bunker Hill, the following officers were elected, 
— viz., For supervisor, David Fuller: for township clerk, Uzziel C.Tay- 
lor j for township treasurer, David Fuller ; fornssessors, Henry Wood, 
Tristram Smith, George Taylor ; for collector, Harvey Taylor : for 
school inspectors, Heury Wood, Tristram Smith, George Taylor ; for 
directors of the poor, Ebenezer Whittemore, Burtus Hoyt ; for com- 
missioners of highways, Ebenezer Whittemore, Job Earl, Tristram 
Smith j for justices, Henry Wood, Tristram Smith, George Taylor; 
for constable, Burtus Hoyt; for overseers of highways, Henry Wood, 
Uzziel C. Taylor, Tristram Smith. 

" Vi'Icil, Five dollars bounty on all wolves killed in the town by an 
actual resident of the town." 

The following is a list of the princip;\l officers of the 
township from 1840 to 1879, inclusive: j 

SUPERVISORS. 

1S40-12, llcnry Wood: 1S43, Lewis Case; 1S44-I5. Henry Wood; 
1S46, Charles Wood; 1S47, Henry Wood; 184S, John B. Mc- 
Crecry ; 1S49, Henry Wood : ISoO, PhiUtus R. Peck ; 1851, Jona- 
than Wood; 1S52, Ferris S. Fitch; lSoS-54, Henry B. Hawley; - 
IS5J-o6, Philetus R. Peck ; 1857-60, Henry B. Hawley: 1861, 
George W. M. Shearer : 1862-63, Ferris S. Fitch : 1864-65, Uenry 
B. Hawley : 1866, Garret DuBois;» 1867-70, James Birney: 1871- 
72, John De Camp: 1873-74, James Birney; 1875-78, William 
H. Howlett; 1873, Isaac JIaggoon. 

TOW^■SHIP CLERKS. 

1840, Uzziel C. Taylor: 1841, Harvey T.iylor:t 1842-45, Charles 
Wood; 1846, Lewis R. Perkins: 1847-49, Charles Wood; 1850, 
John B. McCreery; 1851, Charles Wood: 1852-53, Charles B. 
Dean; 1854-55, Charles Wood; 1856, Henry B. Hawley; 1857- 
5S, Joseph Dutcher; 1859-60, John De Camp; 1861-62, James 
Markey; 1863, William Dowden; 1864-65, John De Camp; 
IS66, James Kelly: 1867-70. Peter M. Etchells; 1871, John W. 
Whallon: 1S72, James M. Birney: 1873-74, Peter M. Etchells; 
1875-76, Charles De Camp; 1877, Peter Jl. Etchells: 1878-79, 
Charles F. De Camp. 

TREASURERS. 

1840-42, Otis Janes; 1843, David Fuller; 1844-45, Abram A.Wilcox; 
1846-49, Jonathan Wood; 1850, Abram A. Wilcox; 1851, John- 
son Post; 1852, Hiram Hodges; 1853, Philip Tinker: 1854, 
Henry 0. Hodges; 1855, Jonathan Wood; 1856-57, James 
JIarkey, Jr.; 1858-59, Alonio B.Kimball; 1860-61, John Bir- 
ney; 1862-63, Dorastus Fitch: 1864, George W. Cros.^;}; 1865, 
Nathaniel Earl: 1S66, John Gee, Jr.; 1867, Harry Cross; 1868- 
70, John De Camp ; 1871, Aaron J. Rayner; 1872-74, Charles F. 
De Camp : 1875-77, James M. Birney ; 1878-79, John W. 
Whallon. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1840, John Ewing, Parley Moore, Uzziel C. Taylor; 1841, record miss- 
ing ; 1842, Parley P. Moore; 1843, Henry Wood, Calvin P. 
Eaton ; 1844, Jonathan Wood ; 1845, Abijuh L. Clark ; 1846. Par- 
ley P. Moore; 1847, A. A. Wilcox, Aaron Brower; 1848, ATilliam 
Smith; 1849, Jonathan Wood, F. S. Fitch; 1850, James M. 

^ Resigned, and F. S. Fitch appointed. 

■f Removed from county, and David U. Fuller appointed. 

% Removed from the township, and Nathaniel Earl appointed. 



BUNKER HILL. 



229 



Shearer, Alba Blake; IS51, GufUvus A. Holt, Kira Culver; 1S52, 
Henry B. Ilawlcy, James Birney, John B. McCreery, Dorinan 
Felt; 18i3, James llandall, James Birnoy ; 1SJ4, John B. Mc- 
Creery; 1855, Jamen Birney; 1856, Henry B. Hawlcy; 1857> 
James Rundoll ; 1858, J. B. McCreery, James Markcy, Jr.; 
1858, Daniel F. Muscott ; ISfiO, Henry B. Hawlcy; 18B1, Thomas 
C. Etchells; 1862, John B. .McCreery; 1863, James Markcy, 
James Birney ; 1864, Henry B. Hawlcy ; 1S65, James Birney, 
John C. Chase, John De Camp ; 1866, John C. Cha^e ; 1867, Dan- 
iel C. Potter; 1868, Luke I'errino, Lot A. Brower, John 1'. Haw- 
lcy; IfC'J, James Birney; 1870, James M. Whallon, John Do 
Camp, Bernard Winters; 1871, Lot A. Brower; 1872, Bernard 
Winters; 1873, George Bailey; 1874, E. H. Angell, John Do 
Camp: 1875, James Birney, P. M. Elebclls; 1876, Isaac Mag- 
goon; 1877, Peter M. Etchells ; 1878, William Johnston; 1879, 
James Birney. 
1880.— Supervisor, William H. Howlett; Township Clerk, Henry P. 
Whipple; Treasurer, James M. Birney ; Justice of the Peace, 
Isaac Maggoon ; Superintendent of Schools, Isaac Maggoon ; 
.School Inspector, Edwin Grow; Commissioner of Highways, 
Lewis Morse ; Drain Commissioner, Patrick McCary ; Con- 
stables, George McEndcr, Daniel Do Camp, John G. Knight, 
.Abraham Nichols. 

Tlic following is a list of the resident taxpayers in the 
township of Bunker Hill in 1844, according to the asse.s.<t- 
luent roll for that year : 

Henry Wood, Silas Holt, Abram A. Wilcox, Burtus Hoyt, Abijah L. 
Clark, .Ahra AVhittcniore, Ebenezer Whiltemore, Charles Quiglcy, 
Dennis Hartey, David Fuller, Calvin I*. Eaton, Lewis Case, Luther 
Smith, I'atrick Markey, Jnraes Markey, Thomas Markey, Orson 
0. Janes, Charles Warren, Sylvester Osborn, Bezaleel A. Hodge, 
Bezalcel Archer, Parley P. Moore, Charles Wood, Lucius Lord, 
John Fletcher, John Ewing, Job Earl, William B. Dean, Lyman 
Culver, Aaron Brower, Ira E. Parker, James Vicary, William 
Vicary, Philander Peak. 

Among the early roads laid out in the township were the 
following, all in 1839: Fuller road, May 30th and 31st; 
^\'hittcu^ore road, same dates; Taylor road, May 31st; 
lloyt road and Love road, June 1st ; Wood road, May 15th ; 
Vicary road, June 3d ; Town-Line road, between Bunker 
Hill and Stockbridge, July 18th and 19th. The State 
road, leading from the wast line of Ingham County to the 
Grand Iliver turnpike, near the village of Pinckney, Livings- 
ton Co., was laid out through Bunker Hill township in 
January, 1840. All these early roads were- surveyed by 
Anson Jackson, county surveyor, who laid out roads also 
in Katon County, as the records show. 

•SCUOOLS. 

April 23, 1840, sections 25, 36, east half of 35, east 
half of 20, southeast quarter of 23, and south half of 
24, of Bunker Hill township, were attached to Fractional 
District No. 4, of Stockbridge. District No. 1, of Bunker 
Hill, was formed May 7, 1840, and included the west half 
of section 9, sections 17 and 18, west half of 4, sections 
5, 6, 7, 8, of Bunker Hill, and 1 and 12, of Leslie. 

In the summer of 1841, Sarah Dean, daughter of Wil- 
liam B. Dean, taught in District No. 1, being one of the 
earliest in the district. In the fall or winter of 1840 the 
.same school was taught by Miss Luvina Whitteraore, who, 
in January. 1841, became the wife of Henry Fuller. Miss 
Elizabeth Jane Clark was granted a certiBcate, May 16, 
1844, to teach in the same district. The school-house used 
was a small log building, with scats ranged around three 
sides of the interior, next to the walls. Jacob Voung, who 



lived in Henrietta, Jackson Co., taught here in the winter 
of 1842-43. 

The following items are from the report of the township 
school inspectors for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879: 

Numberof districts in township (whole, 4 ; fractional, 3) 7 

" school-children in township 409 

** in utiendanee for year 341 

" school-houses ^ brick, 2; frame, 5) 7 

" sealings in same 374 

Value of school property $3350 

Number of teachers employed (males, 4 ; females, 9) 13 

Wages of same (males, .^337. 50; females, $808) $1145.50 

Total exi>enditure8 for year 1772.44 

KELIGIOUS. 

. The first religious organization in the township was a 
Baptist society, which was formed early at the house of 
David Fuller, who was appointed a deacon in the church. 
A Congregational Church was next organized, at Dean's 
Corners, followed by the Catholic Church, in the north part 
of town, which latter is the only one of the three now in 
existence. Jlethodist Kpiscoj)al and Protestant .Methodist 
Churches were next in order; the latter declined, and from 
it was Bnally organized a United Brethren Church, which 
has, during the present season (1880j, erected a church at 
the south line of the township. A Methodist Episcopal 
chiss was organized in the neighborhood of lS.')0-5."), with 
a small membership, but all were earnest workers. The 
present brick church at Fitcliburg owned by this society 
was built in 1871. The church has a fair nicmbcrsliip. 
Its pastor is Rev. Mr. Bradley, who took charge in the fall 
of 1879. 

There is also a Jlethodist class at the Centre, at which 
place the Advcntists also hold meetings. The Methodists 
and United Brethren have the only cliuich buildings in 
the township. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



GARRETT DUBOIS. 

The parents of G. DuBois, Jacob and Sarah DuBois, 
were natives of Ulster Co., N. Y., where they resided in 
1810, when they removed to Delaware Co., N. Y., rearing a 
family of twelve children, of whom nine lived to mature age. 
In 1837 two sons, Martin and Jacob, emigrated to Alaie- 
don township, Ingham Co., Mich. Garrett DuBois was 
the sixth of this family, born at Marble, Ulster Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 8, 1800, being but four years of age when the family 
removed to Delaware County. January, 1832, he married 
Lucy Chapman, also of Delaware, born Jan. 18, 1807. 
The year following they removed to Wayne Co., Pa., 
where he was employed until 1839 by Mrs. DuBois' 
father in his exten.sive milling interests, when, hearing 
glowing accounts of Michigan from his brothers already 
located there, he concluded to join them. Making the 
necessary arrangements, they .set out with a horsc-teain and 
wagon, performing the journey of seven hundred miles in 
nineteen days. On his arrival he located six lots on sec- 
tion 35. Here they resided, improving about ninety acres, 



230 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 








(i/UlHKT DUltdlS. 

until 1855, when tliey removed to a farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres in Bunker Hill township, on section 8, which he 
liad purchased in 1852. At the date of his purchase in 
Bunker Hill, not a stick of timber had been cut; but 
liaving means at his command he cleared a large tract and 
put it into wheat, the proceeds of which were laid out in 
improvements. For a number of years Mr. DuBois de- 
voted a considerable portion of his time to putting his 
farm and buildings in condition suitable to his taste, and 
has at the present time one of the finest farms and ap- 
purtenances in the township. 



MKS. GAiatET l^UBOIS. 

Aside from farm interests, Mr. DuBois has some mon- 
eyed interests, — the results of a life's labor guided by 
sound, practical judgment and ripe experience. He has 
served his townsmen as supervisor three consecutive terms 
while a resident of Alaiedon, but of late years has refu.sed, 
preferring the quiet of private life to the vexation of public 
affairs. 

Mrs. DuBois has faithfully performed her allotted por- 
tion in the drama of life, and is honored by her children 
and held in high esteem by a large circle of friends. Mr. 
and Mrs. DuBois are the parents of seven children. 





A. L. CLAKK. 



Jilts. I'llEltE A. (LARK. 



A. L. CLARK. 

Tlie history of the Clark family dates l)ack to the pioneer 
times of Genesee Co.. N. V., their location being known at 
the present time as the Clark settlement. Samuel Clark 



was among the early settlers in that region. His wife, 
Polly (Lee) Clark, was a sister of the father of Robert E. 
Lee, of Confederate notoriety. Abijah Lee Clark, a son, 
was born Oct. 22, 1808. His father enlisted in the war of 



DELHI. 



231 



1812, and died. Abijah was early put to live with a family 
known as Friends or Quakers. At fourteen years of age 
he be^an work by the month, and at twenty-two had saved 
a sufficient sum to make a payment upon a farm of eighty 
acres, whieii he purchased. April 7, 1830, he married 
Phebe A., a daughter of George and Sally (Cleveland) 
Drijrgs. She was born May 29, 1810, in Madison Co., 
N. Y. The young wife was soon installed in the new home, 
and work went forward with a will for six years, when he 
was obliged to sell out to meet obligations incurred to ac- 
commodate others, saving but a small amount from a com- 
fortable property. 

Mr. Clark came to Lenawee Co., Mich., and located one 
hundred and twenty acres, to wliich he removed in Septem- 
ber, 1837. A rude log cabin was .soon provided. Their 
worldly effects consisted of a scanty supply of household 
goods, two pigs, and one dollar and fifty cents. Mr. Clark 
cleared and put into wheat one acre, and sought work 
among the new-comers, but failed to find those able to hire. 
Winter coming on, he was obliged to return as far East as 
the river Raisin, where resided a Quaker family known to 
him in the East. Obtaining employment, they remained a 
year, then returned to their home in the wilderness. Suc- 
cess attended tliem in the eight years following. They 
made many improvements. Mr. Clark then sold, taking as 
part pay twenty acres on section 5, — Bunker Hill, — to 



which he removed his family, and began again the labors 
of subduing the wilderness. With the means thus ob- 
tained, and their family grown to an age they could render 
some assistance, the work was less difficult than when they 
first came to the West. 

At the breaking out of the war two sons-in-law entered 
the service, their wives returning home. Two sons had 
previously gone to do battle. Yet death came not upon 
the field, but at their home. Mr. Clark, after a short 
illness, passed away, Nov. 26, 1803, sincerely lamented by 
his bereaved family and many friends. 

Mr. Clark was a man of whom it was often said that his 
word was as good as a written bond. Mr. and Mrs. Clark 
were the parents of five children, — William H., born Feb. 
26, 1833, proprietor Clark House, Mason ; Mrs. Sally 
Marshall, April 13, 1835, residing in Gratiot County ; 
Holland, born March 22, 1837, died at two years of age; 
J. Lee, born Aug. 4, 1838, proprietor homestead ; Mrs. 
Ada A. Cooper, born Jan. 19, 1843, residing at Grass 
Lake. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clark united with the Free-Will Baptist 
Church in 1835, and have always led a consistent Chris- 
tian life. Mr. Clark, at the advanced age of seventy, in 
comparative good health, resides at the old homestead, .sur- 
rounded by a large circle of old appreciative friends, in the 
peaceful contemplation of a long life well spent. 



DELHI; 



GK(X;R.\PUICAL, Etc. 

This township is situated in the western part of Ingham 
County, and is bounded by the township of Lan.sing on the 
north, by Aurelius on the south, by Alaiedon on the ea.st, 
and by Windsor, in Eaton County, on the west. 

Grand River traverses sections 30 and 31 in the south- 
west part, and Sycamore Creek passes through sections 12, 
11, and 2 in the northeastern part. Along these streams 
there is some lowland. 

On the southeast quarter of section 16 is Mud Lake, 
which originally covered about thirty acres, but is now 
reduced to much smaller dimensions by an extensive deep- 
ening of its outlet, which flows south one mile, then east 
about two and a half miles, then north a mile, and then 
southeast and east a mile and a half, to its junction with 
Sycamore Creek, in the township of Alaiedon. A small 
brook flows from its head, on section 15, through 10, 3, 
and 2, and unites with Sycamore Creek, on section 2. 

The township may be generally considered as having a 
level surface, with sections of gently rolling lands inter- 
spersed with marshes which were at an early day extensive 
and comparatively valueless, but wliich, under a system of 
thorough drainage now being adopted, are gradually be- 

* Compiled by Samuel W. Durant. 



coming valuable. These marshes and swamps, once largely 
covered with a thrifty growth of American larch, or tama- 
rack, covered extensive areas on sections 16, 18, 19, 20,21, 
27, 28, and 29. The timber, with the exception of the 
tamarack, was altogether of hard varieties, the only other 
exception, so far as now known, being one solitary, natural 
growing, grand old white pine on the southeast quarter of 
section 23, on land owned by William Cook. It is still a 
vigorous tree, about 100 feet high, and unless prostrated 
by storms, or cut down by some vandal hand, will .stand 
for many years a solitary specimen of its numerous con- 
geners in the North. All other pines in the township have 
been transplanted. 

A most remarkable feature of the topography of the town- 
ship is the well-known '* IIog"s Back" ridge which trav- 
erses sections 2, 11, 14, 23, 24, 25, and a cbrner of 36. It 
has a somewhat tortuous course, and is broken in places by 
the valley of the Sycamore Creek, and in some places has 
lateral spurs or minor ridges, as on the farm of William 
Cook, on section 23. On the farm of Matthew King it 
describes alnicst a semicircle, and its .sides are in places very 
abrupt. The highest elevation of this ridge in Delhi 
township is probably a short distance southeast of the 
dwelling of John Thorburn, Esq., on section 25. It is 
variously composed of clay, sand, and gravel, the two last- 



232 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



named ingredients predominating. Its origin undoubtedly 
dates from the glacial epoch and the Champlain period, 
when the vast masses of ice which covered the northern 
half of the North American couduent east of the Rocky 
Mountains were slowly melting away under an increasing 
temperature. That it belongs to the glacial or drift period 
is abundantly proven by the presence of bowlders and 
pebbles belonging to the Laurentian and Huronian rocks 
of the North, and by various forms of fossils, principally 
corals, found in the gravel of its composiuon. It has 
probably been greatly modified by the action of the ele- 
ments since the retreat of the great glacier to the North, 
and very likely much reduced in altitude. It is a curious 
and interesting feature of Ingham County. Along its 
slopes, and on its tops, whicii sometimes rises from sixt}' 
to eighty feet above the general level, are grown tiie finest 
fruits of this latitude — apples, pears, peaches, grapes, etc. — 
in remarkable profusion. 

There are many excellent and finely-improved farms in 
this township, which ranks among the best in the county in 
productiveness. 

The Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railway crosses the 
northeast portion of the township, with a station at Holt, 
on section 14 ; and the Lake Shore and Michigan South- 
ern touches the northwest corner on section 6. 

Immense quantities of timber of various kinds, princi- 
pally oak, whitewood, and black-walnut, have been cut and 
marketed from tbe primeval forests of this township, and 
there are still large bodies remaining. Trees of seven feet 
diameter have been found, and the timber in its original 
state was generally very heavy. The labor required to 
clear and improve these lands has been almost inconceiv- 
able, and the person who rides along the excellent roads 
and notes the improvements of the present day can realize 
but faintly the trials and hardships of the pioneers who 
first braved the perils of the wilderness. 

Tiie township was surveyed in its exterior lines, the 
south boundary by John Jlullet, in 1825 ; the east and 
west boundaries by Lucius Lyon, in 1825; and the sub- 
division lines by Musgrove Evans, in 1827. 

The following list shows the original land entries, with 
section and names of owners : 

ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES. 

Section 1.— Gerardus Cliirk, June IG, 1837; Lemuel R. Smith, Cor- 
nelius Elvert, 1847. 

Seclioii 2.— John J. Van Vlcck, Nov. 1, 1336. 

Section 3. — Walter B. Thompson, Samuel Bayless, Nov. 1, 1836; Ed- 
win T. Ma-xson, June 3, 1837; Joseph E. North, Nov. 11, 1838. 

Section 4.— Levi S. Case, May 1, 1837; Jacob Vaughn, May 9, 1837; 
Selim T. Maxson, June 3, 1837; Alfred Parker, June 3, 1837; 
Uenry H. North, June 21, 1839; Henry H. North, July 6,1841; 
Russell Everett, Dec. 6, 1843; A. H. Hilliard, no date. 

Section 5.— Levi S. Case, May 1, 1837; Harris Adams, July 6, 1839; 
David A. Muller, April i), 1847; Jonas P. Abby, Nelson Hil- 
liard, Albert Abby, Samuel A. Carrier, Dwight S. Price, uo date. 

Section 6.— Samuel Hongcr, July 15, 1839: R. P. Abby, 1847; Fred- 
erick Hall, 1847; P. W. Griffith, no date. 

Section 7. — Leonard Murphy, Juno 1, 1844; Daniel T. Clark, George 
Chappel, George L. Gavett, Henry S. Crane, 1847. 

Section 8. — Julius A. Austin, June 30, 1837; Theodore P. Gavett, 
John Crane, Abram N. Scudder, Jonas P. Abby, all in 1847; 
Julius P. Moon, .May 19, 1848; Jonas P. Abby, July 29, 1848. 

Section 9.— Frederick R. Luther, May 4, 1S37; E. J. Penniman, May 



12, 1837; Julius A. Austin, June 30, 1837; John Crane, no 
date; C. H. North, November, 1848. 
Section 10.— James Bayless, Nov. 1, 1836; L. W. Morrison, Nov. 3, 
1836 ; F. R. Luther, May 4, 1837 ; Pitt W. Hyde, June 30, 1837 ; 
Alexander B. Morton, July 11, 1840. 
Section 11.— Gerardus Clark, Jan. 16, 1837. 
Section 12.— Gerardus Clark, Jan. 16, 1837. 

Section 13.— Samuel Murray, Isaac B. Towner, Russoll Abel, Feb. 8, 
1837; Jacob Vaughn, May 8, 1837 ; Jacob E. Van Dorn, Dec. .3, 
1838 ; John Ferguson, Jan. 23, 1841 ; Thomas J. Brown, Oct. 26, 
1842; Josiah Heddin, James J. Brown, Fanny W. Pitcher, 1847. 
Section 14.— Edmund Welch, Nov. 16, 1837; David Townley, Nov. 1, 
1838; Zeriah Castle, Nov. 15, 1838; William Long, Sept. 12, 
1839: Matthew King, Dec. 20, 1840; Gad Wells, Dec. 18, 1843; 

John Ferguson, Feb. 27, 1847; Almon D. Aldrich, Feb. 28, 1847; 

Alexander Clark, Feb. 3, 1848. 
Section 15.— Faris Reynolds, Nov. 15,1838; Perry W. Bates, Nov. 
19, 1838; Hiram Tobias, Nov. 16, 1839; Anson D. Morton, July 

11, 1840 ; Nicholas Waggoner, March 13, 1847 ; Caleb Thompson, 

Frederick Hall, Emil A. Philips, 1847 ; F. R. Luther, James M. 

Spear, July 25, 1848. 
Section 16. — School land. 
Section 17. — George Daniels, Thomas Chapman, Elias 11. Mosher, 

Marshall Griffith, Leiand Brown, 1847 ; Clinton Gillett, Oct. 5, 

1848: Albert Abby, L. Brown, 1848. 
Section 18.— Charles Westeott, 1847; Thomas Tre.at, April 24, 1848. 
Section 19. — Ebenezer J. Penniman, May 12, 1837 ; Benjamin F. Gro- 

venburg, May 19, 1842; Jerome Grovenburg, Aug. 1, 1842; John 

McKeough, May 2, 1847; Champlin Havens, 1847; William 

Miller, Oct. 2, 1848. 
Section 20.— Ira Butterfield, June 7, 1838; George Daniels, Daniel F. 

Clark, Henry Grovenburg, B. F. Grovenburg, 1847; Champion 

Haines, June 29 and Nov. 7, 1848. 
Section 21. — Perry Rooker, May 23, 1844; Thomas R. Mosher, Jona- 
than R. Mosher, Feb. 5, 1847; Daniel Johnson, July 8, 1849; 

Asa Hart, 1849. 
Section 22.— D.arius Abbott, May 23, 1839; Richard Riiyucr, June 6, 

1839; Caleb Thomp=,on, Sept. 12,1839; Alonzo Douglass, Nov. 

11, 1839; Alexander B. Morton, July 11, 1840; Henry Fishell, 

Nov. 10, 1848; Caleb Thompson, no date. 
Section 23.— George Phillips, Philander Morton, Dec. 13, 1838; John 

and Richard Rayner, June 6, 1839 ; William Cook, Sept. 18, 1843 ; 

Matthew King, June 30, 1848 ; John Thornton, Aug. 19, 1848. 
Section 24.— Eli Chandler, Leonard Noble, Feb. 8, 1837 (southeast 

quarter); Joseph E. North, Jr., May 8, 1837; John Pierce, Jan. 

16, 1841 ; Harriet Stanton, Jan. 23, 1841, Dec. .3, 1842 ; William 

Pierce, March 25, 1843; Don A. Watson, 1847; Matthew King, 

June 20, 1848 ; John Thornton, Aug. 19, 1848; Matthew Birdsall, 

Aug. 30, 1848; John Thorburn, Sept. 1, 1848. 
Section 25.— John L. Edmunds, Jr., Nov. 1,1836; Charles Dotten, 

Deo. 14, 1836 ; Charles W.Reeves, April 13, 1837; John Rayner, 

July 14, 1838, and June 6, 1839; Ulsi Corbit, June 6, 1839. 
Section 26.— Howell Reeves, April 15, 1837; Alonzo Douglas, Jan. 2, 

1844; Isaac M. Douglas, Jan. 2, 1844; Caleb Thompson, Sejit. 

15, 1854. 
Section 27.— Cyrus Clark, May 8, 1837; Orlando Holly, 1847; Or- 
lando Oliver, 1847. 
Section 28.— Levi D. Howard, no date. 
Section 29. — Joseph Hayton, June 29, 1837 ; Champlin Havens, June 

29, 1848; H. W. Grovenburg and S. Richardson, 1848. 
Section 30.— William Page, April 26 and 27 and May 2.S, 1836 ; Rob- 
ert McClelland, Sept. 29 and Oct. 1,1836; Nathan Davidson, 

Jan. 15, 1838. 
Section 31.— William Page, April 27, 1836; R. McClelland, Oct. 1, 

1836. 
Section 32.— Spencer Markham, March 16, 1837, and April 26, 1837; 

Joseph Hayton, June 29, 1837; Andrew J. Townsend, Jan. 5, 

1838; S. Richardson, no date. 
Section 33.— John T. Perkins, Christopher Perkins, Nov. 1, 1836; 

Vernon Carr, May 8, 1837; John Norris, Joseph Wilson, May 

22, 1837; Champlin Havens, John Temple, no date. 
Section 34.— 0. C. Crittenden, Jr., John Dunn, Dec. 15, 1836; Ben. 

jamin Horton, April 13, 1837; Cyrus Clark, May 8, 1837. 
Section 35. — Lucius Warren, Dec. 13, 1836 ; Howell Reeves, April 13, 

1837. 





MRS. HE.NHY H. NOUTIl. 



IIK.NKV U. NOHTU. 



IIF.NRY 11. NUUTIl. 



Auioug the truly representative men, few it' any liave 
been more intimately as.sociated with the material develop- 
ment of Delhi than Henry II. North ; he ha.s witnessed the 
transition of an unbroken forest into a fertile and hij^hly pro- 
ductive region. Mr. North is of English origin, his great- 
grandfather, Iloger North, having emigrated to America 
before the Kevolution, and settled at or near Philadelphia. 
The family lived for many years on the Schuylkill, from 
which Joseph North, the father of the subject of this 
sketch, emigrated to the then remote frontier of Tompkins 
Co., N. Y., and settled at Lansing, in that county, where 
Henry Harrison North was born Jan. 18, 1816. He was 
raised on a farm but worked with his father, who was a 
mason by trade. December 16, 1838, he married Miss 
Almira Buck, daughter of Daniel Buck, who was an early 
settler at Kast Lausing, Tompkins Co., N. Y. He raised a 
family of twelve children who lived to be men and women. 
In 1837, Mr. North came to Michigan to visit his brother, 
who came to Ingham County in 1836. Being favorably im- 
l pressed with the country, he returned to Tompkins County 
for his wife, when it was decided that the North family 
I should emigrate to Michigan. Joseph North, the father 
' was a man of considerable means and had a large family. 
I He, with his ten children, came to Ingham County, taking 
1 up a large tract of land, mostly in the town of Lansing. 
( Henry H. North .selecting the land where he now lives 
' iKiik possession of it early in June, 1839. While the land 



was rich and fertile, it was covered with a heavy growth of 
timber which rei|uired years of labor and great persever- 
ance to remove. At the time Mr. North, Sr., settled in 
Lansing there were but one or two settlers in the township. 
Frederick R. Luther had built a cabin, but was not near 
enough to Mr. North to be called a neighbor. The North 
settlement was one of the most important in the early 
days of the county. Mr. North being a man of energy and 
sufficient means to live until crops could be raised, his 
forest home soon began to put on the appearance of civili- 
zation. The log house has long since given place to a sub- 
stantial brick residence, which Mr. North laid up with his 
own hands; the broad and well-cultivated fields show no 
trace of the monster trees which formerly darkened the 
skies and oifered such stern resistance to the pioneer ; the 
roads, which have been laid out and cut through a track- 
less forest .since Mr. North came there, are lined with fine 
farms and residences. 

Mr. North assisted in the organization of the town, and 
was its first supervisor. In school affairs he has taken an 
active part. He hiis been the father of nine children, 
seven of whom are now living, all having received a good 
education. 

Politically Mr. North has been a Republican since the 
organization of the party. Three of his sons were in the 
Union army during the war of the Rebellion. Elmer D. 
Wits with Sherman on his " March to the Sea." 



DKLHI. 



233 



S.<l!un 36.— Moses C. Baker, Nov. 1, 1836; Harry W. Rose. Thomas 
Johnson, George Tabor, Di'C. 14, 1S36; HowcU Uceves, April 
13, 1S37. 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

The earliest settlement in the town.ship is cliiimed by 
two parties, — Frederick R. Luther and John Norris. Lu- 
ther entered land on section 9, May 4, 1837, and Norris 
on the 22d of tlie same month on section 33. It is stated 
by Henry H. North that Luther settled, with his family, 
in January, 1838, and in the same year came in John 
Norris, William Wood, Joseph Wilson, and Philander 
Morton. The latter settled on section 23 (some accounts 
s;iy in 1839), and subsequently moved away. He has 
.since died. 

George Phillips settled also on section 23 in 1839, and 
afterwards kept a hotel and the post-office at his place, 
which was at the Centre. He was a brother in-law of A. 
D. Aldrich. 

Alonzo Douglass settled on section 22 in 1840. 

David Wait also probably came in 1838. Darius Ab- 
bott settled in 1843, and John L. Davis and Z. L. Holmes 
were carl}- settlers. The Thorburns came later, about 
1848. 

The North family were early settlers in the county, their 
first permanent settlement being on section 32, in Lansing 
township. 

Joshua North, the third son of Joseph E. North, Sr., 
one of the earliest settlers in Delhi, came to Michigan in 
]SIay, 1838, at the solicitation of his oldest brother, Joseph 
K. North, Jr., wlio had exchanged land in Ingham town- 
ship with Hi'zekiah Fergn.son, who had entered section 32, 
in Lansing township. The brothers worked clearing land 
on the Lansing property until the fall of the .same yean 
(1838), when Joshua returned to the State of New York, 
stopping for a few weeks with an uncle who lived in Ohio. 
Jo.seph E. North, Sr., visited Michigan in October, 1838, 
and entered a large tract of land, he and his son, Joseph 
E., Jr., having altogether 1280 acres.* While Jo.shua 
was absent in New York State his father wrote him to 
borrow a hundred dollars and come back to Michigan, 
which he did in November, 1839, bringing a lumber 
wagon, a few tools, and some dried fruit. The goods were 
shipped by canal to Buffalo, and thence by the steamer 
"Michigan" to Detroit. This steamer was blown ashore 
at Huffalo in the great storm of 1844. From Detroit they 
shi|iped their goods by the Central Railway to Ypsilanti, 
then the terminus of the road, and from that point to 
Ingham County by ox-team, which Joseph E. North, Jr., 
brought from Lansing to meet them. 

When Joseph E. North, Sr., removed with his family to 
Miciiigan, in 1839, he brought a yoke of oxen, purchased 
in Ohio, and a horse and buggy. At Detroit he hired four 
two-hoise teams to transport his goods to Ingham County. 
Joshua met him at Mason upon his arrival there. Henry 
II. North, the second son, had visited Michigan in 1837, 
and returned to the State of New York in 1838, where, in 
December of that year, he married Miss Almira Buck in 

* According to the trnct-book at Mason, Joseph H. North, Sr., bud 
al50 entered lund on section 33 in 1837, but whether he visited the 
State in that year is not certain. 
30 



Tompkins County, and in the spring of 1839 came again 
to Michigan with his father, and settled permanently in the 
township of Delhi, south of his father's farm.'f" He and 
Joshua married si.stors. Henry has had nine children, 
seven of whom are still living. Several of his sons served 
in the Union army during the Rebellion. 

Joshua returned again to New York State in the fall of 
1840, and on the 23d of January, 1841, married Miss 
Louisa Buck, of Lansing, Tompkins Co. In May, 1841, 
in company with his wife's eldest brother, Levi Buck, and 
Monroe Packard, he returned once more to Michigan and 
settled permanently, in 1841, where he now resides on sec- 
tion 4, Delhi township. On his arrival with his wife and 
goods at Ann Arbor he found his father there with an ox- 
team and a load of wheat which he had brought to market. 
From thence Henry's family and goods made the trip to 
Lansing in the old gentleman's ox-wagon. 

Judge Huntington's father and John French had accom- 
panied Joshua North on his second trip to Michigan, in 
1839. The judge was then a little boy. French was also 
accompanied by his family. Both French and Huntington 
settled near Eaton Rapids. Mr. Huntington was a shoe- 
maker by trade. Daniel Buck, another brother of Mrs. 
North, settled in Lan.sing in 1847, where he is still in the 
furniture business. 

Henry II. and Joshua North lived for a short time in 
the same house in the summer of 1841 until the latter 
could complete a log hou.se. A part of the land now 
owned by Jo.shua was a part of the purchase of his father 
in 1838. The old gentleman, according to the record, pur- 
chased land on section 33, Lansing township, in 1837 and 
1838, and on section 3, Delhi township, in November, 
1838. Henry H. North purchased on section 4, Delhi, in 
1839 and 1841. Joshua has five children, two sons and 
three daughters; a son and daughter, both married, are 
now living in Bloomington, 111. 

Joseph E. North, Sr., surveyed the pr&sent road between 
Lansing and Ma.son as early as 1842; and he also built the 
first bridge over the Cedar River, on Cedar Street, at Lan- 
sing, about the same time. These transactions may have 
been a year or two earlier. 

Joshua North tells an incident of his early life in Michi- 
gan, which illu.strates the wonderful development of the 
county from a wilderness condition in which it was found 
by the settlers of forty years ago. It Wiis on the occasion 
of the birth of the first child in the township, a daughter 
of Henry H. North. The family re(|uiring a little addi- 
tional help at that time, Joshua went on horseback atid 
procured the services of a young woman living in the 
vicinity, and was taking her home behind him on the hor.sc 
in the night, through a blind road which had been partly 
bushed out. He lost the path and looked for it in vain. 
The candle in the old-fashioned tin lantern which he car- 
ried threatened to become extinguished, and as a last rcr 
sort he dismounted and made a fire in the slivered butt of 
a fallen tree, and leaving the young woman there .searched 
again for the road, but not finding it concluded to make 



t There is some discrepancy in the recollection of the members of 
the North family which we cannot reconcile, but the records seem to 
corroborate that of Henry II. North substantially. — Ed. 



lU 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the best of the situation and stay by the fire until daylight. 
It wa.s quite cool and the young people huddled close to 
the fire, while jumping and frisking about in the thick 
woods the gray wolves made anything but pleasant music 
to their ears. Tlie girl was sure they were something dan- 
gerous, but young North, knowing the terror they would 
inspire if she was fully aware of their character, insisted 
they were only owls, and partially quieted her fears. He 
knew well enough they would not attack them by their 
bright fire, for all wild animals have a mortal dread of this 
element; and so they sat and listened and watched until 
the day-dawn sent the unwelcome visitors to their haunts 
in the depths of the forest, and then went on their way. 
Mr. North also relates how he and Benjamin Leek, a son of 
Esquire Leek, of Alaicdon, went through the woods to wit- 
ness the marriage at Pino Lake, in Meridian, in May, 1839, 
of Henry Jipson and a Miss Davidson. Usquire Leek per- 
formed the ceremony. The two young men went via Oke- 
mos, when, in attempting to cross the Cedar River on a 
raft of poles and hickory bark, they were precipitated into 
the swift waters up to their middle, and had to walk four 
miles farther to the place of rendezvous. 

Matthew King, another early settler, was born in Lan- 
arkshire, Scotland, in 1816. He came to America in 1838, 
and at first stopped for a short time in Long Lsland, where 
he worked for a farmer near Jamaica until he could get 
money enough to go farther, having exhausted all his means 
in getting to New York. In the same year he came to 
Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., where he remained until 
fall, when he went to Ann Arbor. When first landed in 
this country he had never seen either corn or buckwheat 
growing in the field, and they were great curio.sities to him. 
He thought corn in the ear was the most beautiful grain 
he had ever seen. 

On his departure from Plymouth he forgot his money, 
and, not liking to beg, went without his supper and break- 
fast. He found work at Ann Arbor getting out railroad 
ties, which he and an Englishman took a job of doing. 
Here he worked until winter, when he was attacked by 
another thing new to him — the Michigan ague. In Janu- 
ary, 1839, he hired to a Mr. Virgil Booth, at Lodi, Wash- 
tenaw Co., where he remained a little more than two years, 
when he was again taken sick. In 1841 he visited relations 
living in Canada, and remained nearly a year. In the spring 
of 1842 he came to the township of Delhi. He had pur- 
chased the southeast quarter of section 14, in December, 
1840, at the Ionia land-office, previous to his visit to Canada. 
The winter of 1842^3 he passed, in company with bis 
brother James, — who afterwards went to Minnesota and 
was killed on a steamer about 1855, — in a cavern which he 
dug in the side of the " hog-back," near where the depot at 
Holt Station now is. He built a chimney to it and made 
it quite comfortable. In the fall of 1843, Mr. King erected 
a log dwelling near where his present residence stands. He 
was then a single man, and Wm. Cook, also a Scotchman, 
who had married his sister, lived in his house about a year 
and he boarded with them. 

He married Flora Hudson, a daughter of John Hudson, 
of New York, in 1846. 

He built several additions to this lotr house, and about 



1865 erected his present substantial and commodious resi- 
dence. It is con.'tructed of lime and sand, or gravel, the 
latter of which is plentiful in the ridge spoken of, on the 
top of which the dwelling stands. The ridge was formerly 
very narrow on the top and very precipitous ; but Mr. 
King plowed and leveled it down some twelve or fifteen 
feet, and made a plateau on which to build his house. He 
did all the work on his dwelling with his own hands, except 
the carpenter- work. There is a similar dwelling in the 
west part of the township, built by a man named Treat. 

Around his house on all sides Mr. King has covered the 
ridge with a variety of shade and ornamental trees, inclu- 
ding maple, cedar, pine, locust, etc., and has also a splendid 
apple orchard on the slope east of his house, and a fine col- 
lection of pear- and peach-trees, and a long arbor, covered 
the present season with luscious grapes. His fruit is so 
abundant that it is worth very little except for his own 
family use. He has also a large barn built in the slope of 
the hill-side, and altogether a most comfortable and pictur- 
esque group of buildings and improvements. 

The ridge, or " hog-back," in (juestion is a remarkable 
locality for the production of fruit. Wherever orchards 
and vineyards have been planted on its top or sloping escarp- 
ments the yield of fruit is something wonderful, and the 
same bountiful crops of apples, pears, peaches, grapes, etc., 
described on the premises of Mr. King, may be seen in 
equal perfection on the farm of John Thorburn, Esq., 
farther south, and in many other localities along its course 
through the township and county. 

Caleb Thompson, born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., settled in 
Lenawee Co , Mich., in 1836. He entered the east half of 
the northwest quarter of section 22, Sept. 12, 1839, and 
settled on it in 1842. Smith Thompson, his brother, was 
in the township for a few years at a later date. Mr. Thomp- 
son has been a prominent citizen of the township for many 
years. 

Darius Abbott settled in the spring of 1843 on the west 
half of the northwest quarter of section 22, adjoining Mr. 
Thompson. 

William B. Watson, from Chenango Co., N. Y., pur- 
chased on section 13 in Delhi, and located there in 1845. 
He changed to his present location on section 23 in 1865. 
In 1847 he married a daughter of P. W. Welch. 

Price W. Welch also settled on section 13 in the same 
year with Mr. Watson, and brought iiis family in 1846. 
He died at the Corners in Slay, 1862, after having been for 
many years a prominent and respected citizen. 

As an interesting reminiscence of early days in Delhi, it 
may be stated that on the night of the 3d of May, 1837, 
Henry A. Hawley, now a resident of Vevay township, who, 
with his brother Calvin, was hunting land, slept on the west 
slope of the " hog-back," a few rods south of where the 
road running east from Delhi Corners cuts through the 
ridge. The night was so cold that ice formed as thick as 
window-glass. There were no inhabitants then in the 
township. 

Harvey Lamoreaux, one of the early settlers, is of French 
extraction, and was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1819. He 
removed to Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1835, and from thence 
to his present location on section 10, Delhi township, in 



DELHI. 



235 



November, 1845. He had purchased his land in 1844, 
and did some elioppina; upon it the same year, but did not 
move liis family until 1845. His land was heavily tim- 
bered wlien he first settled, but he has cleared it off, and 
now has an excellent farm with good buildings and other 
improvements. 

Among the first ministers who vi-sitcd and preached in 
the township was Rev. Mr. Bennett, of the Methodist 
Church. 

The following is a list of the resident taxpayers in the 
township of Delhi in 1844 : 

RoswcU Everett, Russell P. Everett, Z. L. Ilolines, Ransom Everett, 
J. B. Luther, F. R. Luther, John Chapman, IJe.\ter l>hillii,s. 
Perry Rooker, Joshua North, Henry H. North, John North, Selh 
North, David Wait, Othniel Roberts, Henry Grovonburgh, Je- 
rome Grovenburgh, B. F. Grovenburgh, .John McKeogh, Thomas 
J. Brown, PlattCaso, D. H. Stanton, Ansel Priest, J. R.Tromlcy, 
Elias Ralph, Amasa Fuller, Matthew King, George Phillips, Wil- 
liam Long, Philander Morton, Lewis Parrish, John Ferguson, 
William Cook, Josiah Heddcn, Lorenzo Davis, John Davis, Miles 
Morion, A. D. Morton, Hiram Tobias, Lewis Burch, Darius Ab- 
bott, Caleb Thompson, Alexander Morton, Alonzo Douglass, 
Samuel Dunn, John Dunn, John Norris, Joseph AVilson, Chester 
Hawley. 

The records of the Pioneer Society of Ingham County 
furnish the following facts : 

Koswell Everett, from Monroe Co., N. Y., settled at 
Plymouth, Wayne Co., .Mich., in May, 1834, and in Feb- 
ruary, 1841, moved to Delhi, Ingham Co., with his family. 
He and his wife are both now deceased. William E. 
Everett, who furnished these items to the society, was but 
a year old when his parents came to Michigan. 

Josiah Hedden, a native of Lansing, Tompkins Co., 
N. Y., left that State, with his wife and one child, Sept. 
20, 1843, came to Michigan, and settled on section 13, in 
the township of Delhi. After cutting an opening and 
building a log house, Mr. Hedden found the locality in 
which he had settled was thickly infested with the black 
rattlesnakes, or " massasaugas," and he speaks of having 
killed as many as twelve in one day on his place. In 
1866, when the " saugers" were probably exterminated, 
Mr. Ileddeu sold his farm and removed to the township of 
Aurelius. His wife, when a small child, was rafted down 
to Olean, N. Y., with the rest of her father's family, and 
from there they floated down to the Ohio River, and finally 
landed in Virginia. Her father soon after died, and her 
mother moved back with the family to Tompkins Co., 
N. Y. 

William Long, a native of Lower Canada, emigrated to 
Michigan in November, 1837, and settled at Adrian, Lcti- 
awee Co., Feb. 18, 1842. He located on section 14, in 
the township of Delhi, Ingham Co., where he yet resides. 

Almond D. Aldrich was born in Connecticut in 1815, 
and three years later accompanied his parents to Chenango 
Co., N. Y. He was married in 1837, and in 1844 moved 
to Michigan with his family and settled in the township of 
Delhi, Ingham Co., where he continued to reside until his 
death, April 11, 1878. " His worldly effects after arriving 
here were a horse-team and thirty dollars in cash. This 
small amount of ca.sh he lost the first time he went into the 
woods to work, but found it after a while. Every cent 
they ever had was made by their own straightforward in- 



dustry. . . . His religion was the best and highest of 
morality. No one did or ever could doubt his .sincere hon- 
esty. A better neighbor never lived. . . . His principal 
farm resources were in grain raising. It was A. D. Aldrich 
who introduced in this section the celebrated Poland hog. 
No one ever went to his house for a good sociable visit who 
failed to get it. He took much comfort in hunting coons 
and foxes. Even in his old age he was always ready with 
the youngsters for a game of ball." 

Mr. Aldrich lost his life in consequence of a terrible ac- 
cident, a heavy log having rolled against and upon him 
and broken his spine. He lived fifty-nine hours after the 
occurrence, and died on the date given. 

The first dwelling erected by Mr. Aldrich was a single- 
roof shanty, which he occupied for a few years, and then 
built a good split-log house. The fine brick dwelling on 
the place was erected in 1866. Since his death a son has 
died, and his widow also died in September, 1880. The 
big brick house is now untenanted, but a son lives in a 
frame house on the opposite side of the road. He was a 
brother of II. J. Aldrich, a resident at the Corners. 

The Aldrich farm coutaiii.s 260 acres, and is one of tlie 
finest in the township. 

FIRST .MARRIAGE. 

The first marriage in the township was that of Ilus.sell 
P. Everett and Eliza A., daughter of Joseph E. North, 
Sr. The first death was that of the wife of William Wood 
in the summer of 1839. 

The first marriage celebrated in the township, according 
to the bride's recollection, was that of William P. Robbins, 
of Alaiedon, and Lydia M. Wells, of Delhi, July 6, 1842. 
Russell Everett and Eliza Ann North were married .several 
months later. 

CIVIL ORG.VNIZATION. 

The township of Delhi was organized from Alaiedon as a 
congressional township on the 16th of February, 1842, by 
act of the State Legislature. 

The name " Delhi" is credited to Roswell Everett, who 
Is said to have in.serted it in the petition for a new town- 
ship sent to the Legislature. Whether he took it from the 
ancient Hindoo city of that name, or from some more 
modern town, is uncertain. 

The first town-meeting was held in a log school-house at 
Delhi Centre, April 4, 1842, which organized by appoint- 
ing David Wait chairman, and Roswell Everett, Caleb 
Thomp.son, D. H. Stanton, and Henry II. North inspectors 
of election. The whole number of votes polled was twenty- 
two. The following is a complete list of officers chosen: 

Supervisor. — Henry H. North (IG votes); H. H. North 
(3 votes); David Wait (1 vote); A. Dougla.ss (1 vote); 
George Phillips (1 vote). Town Clerk. — Caleb Thompson 
(20 votes) ; John Pierce (1 vote) ; Hiram Tobias (1 vote). 
Treasurer. — Roswell Everett (20 votes); R. Everett (1 
vote) ; D. A. Morton (1 vote). Assessors. — Roswell 
Everett, Caleb Thompson. Justices. — Roswell Everett 
(three years) ; Samuel Dunn (four years) ; Alonzo Doug- 
lass (one year) ; Daniel H. Stanton (two years). Commis- 
sioners of Highways. — John Ferguson, Hiram Tobias, 



236 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, iMICHIGAN. 



John North. School Inspectors. — David Wait, John Fer- 
guson, Caleb Thompson. Directors of the Poor. — John 
Davis, Hiram Tobias. Constables. — Hiram Tobias, Perry 
Hooker. 

The following gives the names of the principal township 
officers since 1842 : 

1843.— Supervisor, Roswell Everett; Town Clerk, John Ferguson; 
Treasurer, Alonzo Douglass ; Justices, Alexander B. Morton, 
Henrj 11. North. 
1S44.— Supervisor, Russell P. Everett; Town Clerk, Caleb Thomp- 
son ; Treasurer, Josiah Hedden ; Justices, Henry H. North, 
Thomas J. Brown. ^ 

1845.— Supervisor, Russell P. Everett; Town Clerk, Caleb Thompson ; 
Treasurer, Joshua North ; Justices, Hiram Tobias, Thomas 
J. Brown. 
184 6.— Supervisor, Russell P. Evcrelt; Town Clerk, Darius Abbott; 

Treasurer, David Wait; Justice, Joseph Wilson. 
1847.— Supervisor, David Wait; Clerk, Caleb Thompson; Treasurer, 

Frederick R. Luther; Justice, Josiah Hedden. 
1848.- Supervisor, David Wait; Clerk, Thomas R. Mosher; Treasurer, 

Caleb Thompson ; Justice, Henry H. North. 
1849. — Supervisor, Roswell Everett; Clerk, Thomas J. Brown ; Treas- 
urer, Caleb Thompson ; Justices, Champlin Havens, Theo- 
dore P. Gavett. 
1850.— Supervisor, Caleb Thompson ; Clerk, Denison H. Hilliard; 
Treasurer, Frederick R. Luther; Justice, Thomas R. Mosher. 
7351.- Supervisor, Caleb Thompson; Clerk, D. H. Hilliard ; Treas- 
urer, Seth North; Justices, Simeon Corbit, Philip J. Price. 
1852.— Supervi,«or, David Wait; Clerk, D. H. Hilliard; Treasurer, 

JonathanR. Mosher; Justice, John Staples. 
1853.— Supervisor, D. H. Hilliard; Clerk, Caleb Thompson; Treas- 
urer, Jonathan R. Mosher ; Justices, Henry H. North, Wil- 
liam B Watson. 
1854. — Supervisor, John Ferguson; Clerk, Caleb Thompson; Treas- 
urer, Seth North ; Justice, Thomns J. Brown. 
1856.— Supervisor, D. H. Hilliard; Clerk, Caleb Thompson; Treas- 
urer, Thomas R. Mosher; Justice, David Spear. 
1856.— Supervisor, John Ferguson; Clerk, D. H. Hilliard; Treasurer, 

David Wait; Justices, Philip J. Price, Caleb Thompson. 
1857.— Supervisor, Denison H. Hilliard; Clerk, Caleb Thompson: 
Treasurer, John Ferguson; Justices, John Ferguson, Asa 
Smith. 
1868. — Supervisor, Caleb Thompson; Clerk, John Ferguson; Treas- 
urer, Amos H. Hilliard;* Justices, Wm. P. Phillips, D. H. 
Hilliard. 
1869.— Supervisor, Philip J. Price; Clerk, Caleb Thompson;! Treas- 
urer, D. H. Hilliard; Justice, John Ferguson. 
I860. — Supervisor, John Ferguson; Clerk, Casper Lott; Treasurer, 
Joseph G.Hunt; Justices, Andrew J. Townsend, John D. 
C)ary. 
1861. — Supervisor, John Ferguson; Clerk, William Cook; Treasurer, 

Joseph G. Hunt; Justice, D. H. Hilliard. 
1862.— Supervisor, Philip J. Price ;t Clerk, John Ferguson; Treas- 
urer, Henry J. Aldrioh; Justice, John Thorburu. 
1863. — Supervisor, John Ferguson; Clerk, Caleb Thompson; Treas- 
urer, Henry J. Aldrich; Justice, John Thompson. 
1864. — Supervisor, David Wait; Clerk, John Thompson; Treasurer, 

Dwight S. Price; Justice, John Buck. 
1865. — Supervisor, John Ferguson; Clerk, John Thompson; Treas- 
urer, Henry Lott; Justices, D. H. Hilliard, Wm. Cook. 
1866.— Supervisor, John Thompson; Clerk, William B. Watson; 

Treasurer, Henry Lott; Justice, John Thorburn. 
1867. — Supervisor, John Thompson; Clerk, William B. Watson; 
Treasurer, Dwight S. Price; Justice, John Ferguson. 



« AmosH. Hilliard died in the winter of 1858-59, and D. H. Hilliard 
was appointed in his place for the unexpired term, Feb. 21, 1859. 

t Caleb Thompson resigned the office of township clerk June 11, 
1859, and John Ferguson was appointed on the same day to fill the 
vacancy. 

X Mr. Price died while in office, and on the 19th of March, ISG.'i, D. 
H. Hilliard was appointed supervisor in his stead. 



1S68. — Supervisor, Dwight S. Price; Clerk, John Thompson; Treas- 
urer, Henry J. Aldrich; Justice, Nelson Hilliard. 

1869.— Supervisor, John Ferguson ; Clerk, Philip J. Price ; Treasurer, 
Henry J. Aldrich; Justice, Charles L. Smith. 

1870.— Supervisor, John Ferguson ; Clerk, William B. Watson ; Treas- 
urer, John Thompson; Justice, Dwight S. Price. 

j871._Su]iervisor, Dwight S. Price; Clerk, William B. Watson; 
Treasurer, John Thompson ; Justices, John Ferguson, Philip 
J. Price. 

1872. — Supervisor, John Ferguson ; Clerk, AVilliam B. Watson ; Treas- 
urer, Nelson Hilliard; Justice, C. Newton Smith. 

1873. — Supervisor, John Ferguson; Clerk, William B. Watson; 
Treasurer, Henry Lott; Justices, Nathaniel W. Hill, Jesse 
B. Conklin. 

1874. — Supervisor, John Ferguson ; Clerk, Caleb Thompson ; Treas- 
urer, Henry Lott; Justice, Jesse B. Conklin. 

1875.- Supervisor, AVilliam B. Watson; Clerk, Minor E. Park; 
Treasurer, Henry Lott; Justices, L. R. Chaddock, John 
Thompson. 

1876.— Supervisor, William B. Watson; Clerk, Minor E. Park; 
Treasurer, Henry Lott; Justice, James M. Abels. 

1877. — Supervisor, John Thompson; Clerk, Amos T. Gunn ; Treas- 
urer, Henry Lott; Justice, Nelson Hilliard. 

1878.- Supervisor, William B. Watson; Clerk, Amos T. Gunn ; Treas- 
urer, H. J. Bond; Justice, George Mallory. 

1879.— Supervisor, L. R. Chaddock; Clerk, A. B. Pulver; Treasurer, 
Henry Lott ; Justice, Dwight S. Price. 

1880.— Supervisor, Lyman W. Baker; Clerk, Minor E. Park ; Treas- 
urer, Henry Lott; Justices, Nelson Hilliard. John Thomp- 
son; Superintendent of Schools, Joel S. Whcelock; School 
Inspector, Alonzo Thompson ; Highway Commissioner, Ad- 
dison Stone; Drain Commissioner, Edmund W.Mooers; Con- 
stables, Miles T. Brown, John D. Thorburn, Eugene Wilcox. 

EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORD. 

At a meeting of the supervisors and directors of the poor 
for the four townships formerly constituting the township 
of AlaiedoD, May 11, 1842, the public moneys belonging 
to said old town of Alaiedon were divided as follow.s : 

Alaiedon $68.96 

Delhi 43.77 

Lansing 74.70 

Meridian 62.56 

S249.99 
The ballot-boxes of the old township were sold to the 
township of Delhi for §2.27. 

For the old town books Alaiedon was to pay $6, and 
also, in consideration for delinquent tax bonds, and some 
Michigan money (wildcat), turned over for its use, was to 
settle up all outstanding road matters contracted during 
the years 1840 and 1841. 

The division of funds in hands of the overseer of the 
poor was made as follows : 

To Alaiedon township $12.46 

To Delhi " 8.05 

To Lansing " 14.03 

To Meridian " 11.51 

$16.05 
After these distributions had been made there was found 
to be a surplus of $4.t.54 remaining on hand. The total 
amount to be rai.sed for the year 1842 was $244.09, from 
which deducting the amount on hand, left SI 98.55 to be 
raised by tax or otherwise, which amount was apportioned 
among the several townships as follows : Alaiedon, $58.40; 
Delhi, $35.64 ; Lansing, $56.88 ; Meridian, $47.63. 

The amount of State, town, and county taxes for 1842 
according to the assessment for the old town of Alaiedon 
was apportioned among the four townships as follows : 





JlisKI'll Wll,; 



MRS. JOSEPH WILSON. 



JOSEPH WILSON. 



Joseph Wilson was born in Yorksliire, England, 
^[ay 30, 1801, and is flic sole survivor of ten ciiil- 
dren of John Wilson. 

Jo.seph Wilson left the paternal home when lie 
was thirteen years of age, and since that time has 
depended entirely upon his own resources, working 
at such employment as came in his way. At the age 
of thirty-i>ne years he came to America. Arriving 
at New York, his first employment was on Staten 
Island, from which he went to Herkimer County. 
He remained two years, and went to Richmond, 
Ontario Co., X. Y., where he was married, Oct. 5, 
1840, to Maria Skinner, who came from Midtlletown, 
Yt., where she was born June 3, 1806. Soon after 
they wei"e married Mr. Wilson and his wife came to 
Ingham County, and settled on the land where he 
now lives (October, 1880). This land (one hundred 
and twenty acres), lie had purchased from the gov- 
ernment some two years previously. When Mr. 
Wilson moved to Ingham County there were but 
few settlers in his vicinity ; all new beginners, and 
a.s poor as himself. Joining with his neighbor they 
purchased a pair of oxen together. He soon built 
a log house, and made ;i small clearing, but was 



obliged to W'ork out by the day to procure the ne- 
cessaries of life. From this small beginning he has 
made steady improvements, adding other lands until 
he now has two hundred and fifty acres, one-half 
of which is in a good state of cultivation. The log 
house has long since given place to a comfortable 
frame house with j)leasant sin-roundings. 

And now this pioneer couple, after an industrious 
life of nearly fourscore years, are in possession of all 
their faculties, good health, and an ample conipe- 
ten(!y. 

They have been the parents of four children, two 
of whom are now living. George married Adeline 
Vroraan, and is a farmer in the town of Aurelius; 
Harvey married Susan Bullen, and occupies the old 
homestead with his parents. 

Mr. Wilson united with the Methodist Church in 
England, and has since been a consistent member. 
Mrs. Wilson joined the Baptist Church when a young 
woman, and has never changed her religious views. 

Mr. Wilson has lived a quiet and retired life ; is a 
man of strong common sense and high moral princi- 
ples, and industry and economy have been the cardi- 
nal principles of his life. 



DELHI. 



237 



Delhi $3n8.7.t 

AlaUd.m 4Sn.41 

Lansing 528.56 

Mcridiun 441.10 

$1"64.SI 

The first accounts audited by the town board of Delhi, 

Oct. 7, 1842, were as follows: 

llirnm Tobias $.S.50 

Anson Jnclisou* 6.50 

John Xorlh 1.50 

Caleb Thompson 4.63 

Kosncll Everett 3.00 

H. II. North 2.49 

Pavi.I Wait 75 

J..hn Ferguson 10.50 

J..fe|.h llu.lson 50 

D. II. ,>;tanlon 1.00 

Alon/.o Douglass 1.00 

Samuel Dunn 1.00 

$41.:i7 

The town clerk was directed to draw orders for the same. 

The first jurors drawn in tlie township of Delhi was in 

1843, and the followin;; is a correct list of their names from 
the record: Roswell Everett, Hiram Tobias, Alexander B. 
Morton, Darius Abbott, John Fcr^iuson, Henry H. North, 
Joseph Wilson, I. li. Trembly, David Wait, Alonzo Doug- 
lass, John Davis, Frederick \\. Luther, Thomas J. Brown, 
John Norris. 

The petit and jirand jurors so drawn first appear in 

1844, and the following list shows their names: 

Grand Jurors. — John North, William Long, Z. L. 
Holmes. 

Petit Jurors. — Ransom Everett, Philander Morton, 
Amasa Fuller. 

TAVERN LICENSES. 

The following are the earliest licenses Lssucd, as shown 
by the township record : 

*• Know all men hy these presents, that we, the undersigned, the 
township board of the township of Delhi, do grant unto John Fer- 
guson, hi.'* heirs and assigns, license to keep an inn, and to retail wine 
and spirituous and fermented liquors, in the house now occupied by 
the said John Ferguson, on the east half of the northwest quarter of 
section No. 23, in the township of Delhi, County of Ingham, State 
of Michigan, until the first Monday of April, A.n. 1S49. 
"David \V.\iT, n 

"IIenrv H. North, I 

,, ,, „ > ToiciHliip Hoard. 

" IIiKAM Tobias, | ' 

"Thomas R. Mosher, J 

"Delhi, April 29, 184S." 

" Know all men by these presents, that we, the undersigned, the 
township board of the township of Delhi, do grant unto Price W. 
Welch, his * beura' and assigns, 'licence' to keep an inn, and to 
retail wine, spirituous, and fermented liquors, in the bouse now occu- 
pied by the said Price W. Welch, on the southeast quarter of south- 
west quarter of section No. ' forttten,' in the Township of Delhi, 
County of Ingham, and State of Michigan, until the first Monday of 
April next. 

"DAVin Wait, \ 

" He.nry H. North, I TomisUp Boaril. 

"Thomas R. Mosiier, J 

" By Thomas R. Mosher, 

" T. CUrk: 
" Dated Delhi, Jan. 6, 1.S49." 

"Received of J. Ferguson, April 30, 1848, $7.00 for license. 

$7.00." 
" Received 6f P. W. Welch, Januory I8th, 1849, $2.50 for license. 

$2.50." 
" Know all gen by these presents, that ' wee,' the undersigned, the 

* County surveyor. 



Township lioiird of the town of Delhi, unto Price W. AVelch, his 
* hears' and Assigns, ' Licence* to keep an inn, and to retail wine, 
spirituous, and fermented Liquors, in the house now occupied by the 
said Price W. \Velch, on the southeast quarter of southwest quarter 
of section 14, in the town of Delhi, County of Ingham, and State of 
Michigan, said Licence to expire on the first .Monday of April, A.n. 
1850. 

" David Wait, -> 

" IIenrv II. North, l 7"«»(( aw/iiy/ lionrd." 

"Thomas K. Mosher, J 

Hotel business must have been good in those days, or 
the landlords content with minor transactions, if two " inns" 
could be supported in a small hamlet at the same time. 

Li 1854 the township board allowed P. W. Welch five 
dollars for the use of his house " for holding town-meetings 
and for other town business." 

SMALLPOX. 

In July and Augu.st, 1852, this dreaded di.sea.^e visited 
Delhi and carried oft' a number of persons. Among those 
infected were Samuel Ferguson, Sally Morton, John Mor- 
ton, Caroline Morion, the wife and minor children of A. 
B. Morton, Jeannette and llachcl Anderson, children of 
David Anderson ; Salem and Angeline Lamoreaux, chil- 
dren of Harvey Lamoreaux ; Malinda Fishel, wife of Henry 
Fisihel ; Lewis C. Bureh, Mrs. Bureh, and Danforth Burch. 

The board of health for the townsliip took possession of 
the dwelling of Lewis C. Burch and made use of it for hos- 
jiital purposes for about a month ; and also employed the 
following persons to take care of the patients, — viz., Dr. L. 
11. (Jliaddock, physician, and Alonzo Douglass, Mrs. Burch. 
and Jeaunette Anderson, as nurses. For their .services they 
were paid the following sums : 

L. R. Chaddock WO.Ofl 

Alonzo Douglass 43.88 

L. C. liurch (for house rent) 30.00 

Mrs. L. C. Uurch 15.00 

Jeannette Anderson 12.00 

William Ferguson, as messenger 4.00 

Total $134.88 

These sums were charged to several individuals as fol- 
lows : 

Alexander I!. Morton $37.50 

Samuel Ferguson 13.28 

L. 0. liureh 35.52 

Harvey Lamoreaux 24.50 

David Anderson 16.71 

Henry Fishel 7.37 

$134.88 
WAR HOUNTIES. 

On the 16th of September, 1864, the electors of the 
township voted by forty-two against one to raise 82100 to 
pay volunteers at the rate of SI 00 each who should enlist 
from the township in the United States army. 

On the 6th of October, 18G5, the township board resolved 
to raise the following amounts for the ensuing year: 

For vcternn soldiers' fund $500 

To pay a bounty of $160 to volunteers 1325 

To pay a bounty of $100 to volunteers 3900 

For contingent expenses 300 

Total for 1866 $6025 

On the 16th of September, 1864, the following orders 
were issued to volunteers for the army by authority of the 
township board. Whether the names are all those of sol- 
diers is not stated : 



238 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Peter Smith, SlOOj George Slater, SI 00; Eli W. Chandler, $100; 
Thomas C. Smith, SlOO ; George W. Brown, SlOO ; Frank Blatter, 
SlOO; S. S. Swazy, S222.45; Henry Chaddock, $150 ; John Doo- 
little, $55; Judson Cory, $150 ; Samuel Willoughby, $150 ; Wil- 
liam Willoughby, $150 ; D. T. Rowler, $150; H. E. North, S150; 
Albert Fishel, $150; Franklin Fuller, $100; ATilliam C. Beal, 
$100; Nathan L. Cooley, $100 ; Joel Dunn, $100; Frank Stone, 
SlOO ; Addison Stone, $100; David Dawson, $100; Joseph Bush, 
SlOO; Leonard Murphy, $S8 ; Benjamin Rutta, $150; Timothy 
L. Hilliard, $100; James Gordon, $70; John Hunt, $105; James 
Tower, $150; Conrad Helwig, $150 : Robert Fultnn, $150 ; John 
Surrato, $150; John Doolittlc, $150; George Fishel, $100. 

No explanation of the .sums other than SlOO and $150 
is given, but the peoj/ie of the township iu;iy understand 
the matter. 

RAILWAY SUBSCRIPTION. 

On the 6th of November, 1SG6, the electors of the 
township voted by a large majority to subscribe the sum of 
$2500 to the stock of the Jaek.son, Lansing and Saginaw 
Railroad Company, provided said company erected a passen- 
ger and freight depot of specified dimensions at the cross- 
ing of the highway leading northeast from Delhi Centre. 

At the town-meeting in the spring of 1868 a resolution 
to sell this stock to O. M. Barnes, of Lansing, for twenty- 
live cents on the dollar, was voted down. 

At a meeting of the township board, held Oct. 10, 1868, 
it was resolved to raise the sum of S2450 for the following 
purposes : 

For the payment of railroad bonds $1250.00 

Fur interest on same 109. ST 

Balance due on railroad bunds of 1867 250.00 

For highways, 1 868 435.00 

Other indebtedness 87.00 

Other contingent expenses .318.63 

$2450.00 

The bonds were issued and negotiated with private par- 
ties, and the town took $2500 in the stock of the railway 
company, which was held for a number of years. When 
there appeared a prospect that the road would be sold on 
first mortgage, the township by vote authorized the .sale of 
the stock at the best offer which could be obtained, and 
they were disposed of to Hon. 0. M. Barnes for about 
thirty cents on the dollar. The bonds of the township 
were paid in full, with the specified interest. 

The proceeding was sharply criticised by many, but it 
was probably the best possible disposition that could then 
have been made, for, had the road been sold, the town 
would have realized very little. The purchase of these 
bonds by individuals interested in the road possibly pre- 
vented its sale upon the mortgage. 

EARLY ROADS.* 

The first road in the early records of the old township 
of Alaiodon was established July 3, 1839. It was known 
as the State road, from Little Rapids, on the Grand River, 
to Mason, in the township of Vevay, and is described as 
follows : 

" Beginning on the east bank of Grand River, 20 rods west of the 
east line of section 20, town 4 north, range 2 west, running south ^ 

* The earliest road in the records, though recorded after a number 
of others, appears to have been the Luther road, in the northeast 
part of the township. Laid in May, 1838, by Anson Jackson, sur- 



west, 2 miles, 161 rods, 14 links, t') town-line, 20 rods west of the 
ciirners of section? 32 and 33 ; thence easterly on s.aid town-line 178 
rods, 23 links; thence south 30° 6' east, 316 rods, 12 links in town 3 
north, of range 2 west, to east line of section 4; thence southerly on 
said line 30 rods to corners of sections 3, 4, y, and 10; thence east- 
erly on section-line 160 rods to north quarter-post of section 10 ; 
thence south 13° 6' east, 279 rods ; thence south 9° 30' west, 32 rods ; 
thence south 23° 30' east, 58 rods, to corner of sections 10, 11, 14, 
and 15 ; thence southerly on section-lines 3 miles, 316 rods; thence 
south 11° west to town-line. Whole distance through townships 3 and 
4, U miles, 253 rods, 3 links. 

" F. R. Luther, 

"Joshua North, 

" II. Converse, 

" Commietioiiere ujjpoiiiled by the State. 

".\laiedon, .Inly 3, 1S39." 

The surveyor's name is not given, but it was probably 
Au.son Jaek.son. 

Kurrls Road. — On the 6th of July, 1839, the commis- 
sioners of Alaiedon and Aurelius established the above- 
named road on the town-line between the two towns men- 
tioned, and running on the north line of sections 3 and 4 
in what is now Aurelius, and sections 33 and 3-1 in Delhi 
township, 2 miles and 2 links, intersecting the State road 
near the corners of sections 2 and 3 iu Aurelius and 34 
and 35 in Delhi. 

Everett Ruad.—IXns was laid Dec. 29, 1840. Begin- 
ning 40 rods west of the corners of sections 3, 4, 9, and 
10, and running thence west on section-line 280 rods to 
the corners of sections 4, 5, 8, and 9. A. Jackson, sur- 
veyor. 

Morton Road. — Laid Oct. 7, 1839. Commencing at 
the corners of sections 14, 15, 22, and 23, and running 
east 204 rods ; thence north, 48° east, 26 rods ; thence 
south, 57° east, to the north line of section 24 ; thence 
east on section-line 284 rods, 20 links; thence north 76|° 
east, 6 rods and 4 links to town-line. This is the road 
which now runs east from Delhi Centre. 

Town-Line Road. — On the east line of section 1. 

Tobias Road. — Running west 1 mile from corners of sec- 
tions 14, 15, 22, 23. Laid Dec. 30, 1840. 

The Ferynson Road. — On section 13. Laid June 4, 
1841. 

Town-Line Road. — On section 6. Laid June 4, 1841. 

The following field notes regarding highways are under 
date of June 9, 1843 : 

"Beginning at the northeast corner of section No. 19, in township 
No. 3 north, of range 2 west, thence south on the east line of sections 
Nos. 19, 30, and 31, to the township-line." 

This was known as the " Grovenburgh road." 
At a meeting of the commissioners of liighways, held on 
the 3d of November, 1843, it was resolved that the follow- 
ing field notes should be the centre of a public highway 
four rods wide, — viz. : 

" Beginning at the southeast corner of section No. 19, in township 
No. 3 north, of range No. 2 west ; thence on the south line of said 
section, 82 chains and 66 links, to the southwest corner of the sec- 
tion, where it intersects the county-line." 

Surveyed Nov. 3, 1843, by Thomas J. Brown, Deputy 
County Surveyor. This was known as the " McKeough 
road." 

Cool- /?ou(Z.— Under date of Nov. 25, 1843, is the fol- 
lowinir : 



DELHI. 



239 



" BpgiDning nt the quarter-post in Iho west line of section No. 24, 
in township No. 3 north, of riinge2 west; thence north 15' west on said 
section-line, seven chains ; thence north 37° 5' east, five chains ; thcnco 
north lfi° 55' west, ten chains; thence north 4.3° 55' west three chains 
and thirty-eight links; thcnee north 15' west, on the section-line, 
twelve chains si.xty-two links, to the northwest corner of said section 
24 ; thence on the west line of section 13 four chains and fifty links, 
where it intersects the centre of the highway run by true meridian, 
3° 5' east." 

Surveyed bj- Tlu.inas J. Brown, Nov. 4, 1843. 

The commiii.'iioners of higliwa)-s at that time were D. H. 
Stanton and Hiram Tobias. 

On the 20th of March, 1844, a road was laid from the 
wc.<t quarter- post of section 29, to the centre of the section, 
and was called the " Blodgett road." 

The Spriiiff Brook Jimid was originally laid out March 
20, 1844, through the centre of sections No. 8 and 17. 

The Pari.ih lioiid was laid out on ihe 14th day of 
March, 1844, on the north line of sections 35 and 36. 

The Buich Road was laid out March 21, 1844, on the 
west line of section 22. 

The Town-Line Jioad was laid out Nov. 10, 1845, on the 
south line of section 32, by the commi.ssioncrs of highways 
for the townships of Delhi and Aurelius. B. Dunn, Seth 
North, Ansel Priest, Commissioners for Delhi ; John 
Wright, Alexander Waggoner, Conimissioners for Aure- 
lius. 

The earliest subdivision of the townships into road dis- 
tricts appears by the record to have been in 1843, when 
there were eight. In 1848 there were twelve, in 1860 
twenty-two, and in 1880 thirty-.seven, road districts, or 
more than one to each section in the township. 

UOTELS. 

The first building used for a tavein at the Centre was 
erected by Price W. Welch, probably in 1848 ; at any 
rale, we find by the township record that he was licensed 
on the 6th of January, 1849, to keep an inn and sell 
liquors from that date to the 1st of April following, and 
this must have been in the old tavern stand, as it is de- 
scribed as being on the southeast quarter of the southwest 
(|uarter of section 14. 

The first license to keep a hotel and sell liquors was 
granted to John Ferguson on the 29th of April, 1848; 
and, according to the record, his house was located on the 
east half of the northwest quarter of section 23, which 
would be on the south side of the cast-and-west road pass- 
ing through the Centre, and west of the quarter-section 
line, which passed a little east of the school-house. Fer- 
guson afterwards erected and kept a tavern at the " Five 
Corners," where he was subsequently burned out. 

Among the landlords who have kept the regular hotel at 
the Centre may be mentioned Jo.seph Ilutit, William Wil- 
loughby, Frank North, John Decker, and John Fergu.son. 
The present landlord is David Laycock. 

George Phillips, the first settler at the Centre, opened 
the first place for the accommodation of the public in his 
dwelling on the northeast quarter of section 22, some time 
in the spring of 1847, but the place was not considered a 
regular hotel. He also iiad the post-oflBce in his house 
when first established at the Centre. 



POST-OFFICE. 

The first post-office in the township was kept in the 
dwelling of George Phillips, the first settler at the Centre, 
in 1839. The office was established, as near as can be as- 
certained, about 1848. How long Mr. Phillips, who was 
a farmer, kept the office, is not known, but Price AV. 
Welch, who opened a hotel in 1848, seems to have suc- 
ceeded Mr. Phillips after a short time. Caleb Thompson 
succeeded Welch in 1858, and held until 1861. Mr. 
Thompson was then in trade, and the office was kept in his 
store. 

Samuel HofTtuan, who also was a merchant, succeeded 
him in 1861, and had the office in his place of business, but 
he seems to have held it only a short titne, and was fol- 
lowed by S. S. Gidney, who officiated for a brief period 
about 1863, and was followed by Mr. HofTtuan. After 
him came Lyman W. Baker, and he was succeeded by the 
present incumbent, James Wigman, in March, 1878. The 
office was known as Delhi Centre until about 1859, when 
it was named HoLT, in compliment to Postmaster-General 
Holt. 

The first mails were few and far between, but now the 
office is in daily communication with the outside world by 
mail, telegraph, and telephone. 

MEKCIIANTS. 

There was never any village plat laid out at the Centre, 
all the lots being sold and described by metes and bounds, 
but it has been the location of nearly all the business in- 
terests of the town. The first mercantile establishment 
was opened by llubeit Stnith about 1857. In 1859, 
Messrs. Mosher & Thompson bought him out, and con- 
tinued until 1862, when Mosher sold his farm and re- 
moved to East Saginaw, selling his interest in the store to 
Mr. Thompson, who continued the business until 1864. 
lie and Mosher had al.so carried on the boot and shoe 
business together. Mosher sold the shoe business to Samuel 
F. HofTuian, and Thompson took the dry goods. During 
their contitiuancc together JMr. Thompson was deputy post- 
master for Hoffman. Thompson sold his interest to Hoff- 
man in 1864. HofTman and Watson were also together in 
trade for a while. Hoffman .sold to Watson. Messrs. 
Elmer & Baker were also iti business together for a time. 
Several others were probably in trade at different periods. 
U. T. Watrous was rutitiing a mercantile establishment at 
the old corner in September, 1880, but was on the poitit of 
disposing of the business to a new party. The new frame 
store was erected by Elmer & Baker. 

The first merchants who kept where the post-office build- 
ing now stands were Messrs. Hoffman & Watson. Others 
have been Henry Lott, and Lott & Wigman, who were 
burnt out in the spring of 1879. Mr. James Wigman 
erected the new brick store in 1879. He had also been 
previously burnt out on the opposite side of the street. 
He built the brick store after being burnt out the second 

time. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The manufacturing establishments of a f;irming commu- 
nity must necessarily be neither many nor extensive ; never- 
theless, they are of sufficient importance to demand notice 



240 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



in Delhi township, and we give what information lias been 
obtained concerning them. 

Steam Saw-3Iills. — The first steam saw-mill in the town- 
ship was built by Messrs. Lee & Cory, a firm from Ohio, 
in 1856. They operated it for a while, and it then changed 
hands a number of times until about 1864, when Mr. J. M. 
Abels purchased it and kept in operation for about three 
years, and sold to John M. Keller, who operated it for 
several years, and sold to John Krotz, his brother-in-law, 
who is still the owner. It is an "upright" mill, and is 
propelled by a thirty horse-power steam-engine. 

J. M. Abels erected the mill he now owns in the village 
of Holt in 1870. It is fitted with circular saws, and con- 
structed to do a heavy business. A shingle-mill was added 
about 1871. Previous to the erection of this mill, Mr. 
Abels operated a portable mill on the ground for a siiort 
time. 

The new mill did an extensive business for a number of 
years, until the visible supply of timber began to diminish 
and the introduction of pine lumber and shingles lessened 
the demand to a con.siderable extent for hard-wood lumber, 
and particularly shingles. 

In the busiest times employment was furnished to five 
first-class hands, and lumber to the amount of 1,500,000 
feet was manufactured in a single season, working about 
eight to nine months. The amount produced has some- 
what diminished with the diminishing demand, and the 
present year — 1880 to 1881 — the number of feet will be 
about 700,000. The mill has always had a capacity exceed- 
ing the demand. It is run by a sixty horse-power steam- 
engine. 

Mr. Abels was formerly in the same business with Mr. 
Christopher Haag at Windsor, P]aton Co., Mich. He sold 
out to his partner and removed to Delhi, as before stated, 
in 1864. He was formerly from Weedsport, Cayuga Co., 
N. Y., from which place ho removed to Potterville, Eaton 
Co., Mich., in 1857. 

Christopher Haag removed the machinery of the Wiiid- 
.sor Mill to section 5, Delhi township, where he erected a 
new mill in 1864, and has since continued the business. 
His mill is fitted up with upright saws and run by steam. 
He does a smaller business than Mr. Abels, but runs nearly 
continuously the year round. 

Carriage- and Wagon- SItops. — -Addison Stone has 
been in the carriage business at the " Five Corners" for 
tea or twelve years. For some years he carried on quite 
an extensive business, but for a number of years past has 
been principally engaged in farming. 

Augustus Julleer opene(ia shop at the Centre in April, 
1878, and is doing most of the business in the carriage 
line. He manufactures carriages and wagons, wheelbar- 
rows, etc., and does general repairing work. 

The present blacksmith at the Centre is John West. 
The first blacksmith at the Centre was probably Nelson 
Hilliard, who began at the Corners. He now has a shop on 
section 10. 

Foundry and Ri'pair- Shops. — An establishment of this 
kind w;is put in operation on section 24, about half a mile 
southeast from Holt Station, by Edwin Shaw in the spring of 
1875. Israel Wood became interested in the fall of 18/9. 



The business includes the manufacture of land-rollers, 
plovrs, drags, cultivators, and general repairing. Power is 
furnished by a steam-engine. The firm is now Shaw & 
Wood. The location is not favorable for prosperous busi- 
ness, and the intention is to eventually remove to a better 
business point. 

Brick. — Me.ssrs. Henry Lott and M. T. Brown opened 
a brickyard on the southwest quarter of section 13, and 
have manufactured brick during the two seasons of 1879 
and 1880. 

There are also three cider-mills in the township. E. W. 
Mooers has quite an extensive establishment run by steam 
on the southeast quarter of section 9. At the Centre are ! 
two shoemakers, Charles Goldwood and Adam Finkbin- ) 
der, and one harness-maker, Lewis Rupert. } 

VILLAGES. 

The two clusters of buildings known as the Centre (or 
Holt) and Five Corners contain three churches, one 
hotel, two general stores, one post-ofiBce, three physicians 
(one a mile west), two wagon-shops, a fine school building, 
a steam saw-mill, a harness-shop, two blacksmiths, and about 
thirty-two dwellings, among the most conspicuous of the 
latter being those of Dr. Chaddock and H. J. Aldrich, the 
latter of brick. 

A village called "Delhi" was laid out originally at the 
railroad station known as Holt by Matthew King, who 
was proprietor of the land ; but failing to place his plat on 
record, after selling a number of lots, he joined the several 
owners and perfected the legal title by recording the plat 
and proprietors' names. The names of these, as they appear 
on the record at the register's office in Mason, are Minor 
E. Park, Matthew King, J. M. Abels, Stephen Cronkite, 
and George Mauk, and the date of platting July 24, 1877. 
Within the limits of this plat, which probably covers some 
sixty acres, there are the passenger station, a grain elevator 
and freight depot combined, the steam-mill of J. M. Abels, 
and about a dozen dwellings. A telephone connects the 
station with Holt post-oSice, and there is an express and 
telegraph oSice also. 

CEMETERIES. 

There are two cemeteries in the township, one on the 
southwest quarter of section 3, containing an acre, pur- 
chased of Jftshua North about 1842, which cost the town- 
ship fifteen dollars, and one at the Five Corners, on section 
14, probably purchased about 1853, and containing also 
about an acre. In that year the sum of $100 was ex- 
pended in surveying and platting the last-mentioned one. 
Both are situated upon sandy or gravelly knolls, and are in 
good condition. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Leverett R. Chaddock was born in Alexander, Gen- 
esee Co., N. Y., Aug. 7, 1824. His early education was 
obtained at the seminaries of Alexander and Bethany, in 
Genesee County. In 1845 he removed to Lapeer Co., 
Mich., and subsequently to Ionia County. He read medi- 
cine with Dr. Cornell, of Ionia, and attended medical 
colleges at Cleveland and Chicago. In 1850 he settled in 
Delhi, where he has since practiced his profession and won 



DELHI. 



241 



a good reputation as a professional gentleman and citizen. 
He belongs to the regular school. 

Dii. William Matthaei, a graduate of Ann Arbor, 
and a student of medical schools in Germany, removed to 
Delhi from Lansing, where he had been in practice, about 
18G8, and has since practiced there. He resides about one 
mile and a half west from the Centre, and is a member of 
the homccopathic school. 

Dk. Joel S. Wheelock was born in Lockport, Niagara 
Co., N. Y. He was educated at the Michigan University, 
where he graduated June 27, 1S78. He also attended the 
college at Battle Creek, Mich., and resided in that city and 
in Midland County for a number of years previous to at- 
tending the university. 

He located and commenced practice in Delhi (at the 
Centre) in the fall of 1878, and from small beginnings has 
built up i|uite an extensive and lucrative practice, and has 
won a fine reputation. He is a disciple of Hahnemann. 

SKCULAR ORDEKS. 
DiUii Grange, Patrons of Hnshaiidri/, Ko. 322, was 
organized in March, 1874. The charter bears date at 
Washington, D. C, July 8, 1874. The charter members 
numbered about thirty, and the paying membership is now 
about forty-five. The grange meets in a hall over the 
store of Wyman & Bond. The Worthy Masters have been 
John Fergu.son, Dan H. Rice, Benjamin Ohliuger, William 
Cook, and George D. Green. 

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS. 

A lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars 
was organized in March, 1879, with nineteen members. 
The cliarter bears date March 3, 1879. The Worthy 
Chiefs have been V. D. Green, M. T. Brown, John West, 
0. D. Wright, H. J. Bond. The present membership is 
about sixty- five. 

^•1 Red Ribbon Club was organized in 1877, and the 
membership has been as high as 200. The present presi- 
dent is M. W. Hill. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first record touching school districts in the township 
bears date March 2, 1843, at which time the boundaries of 
school district No. 1 are described as follows : Sections Nos. 
15, 22, west half of 23, and 14. 

Though this is the first action, it appears farther along 
in the record that District No. 2 was organized as a school 
district on the fith of December, 1842, and was composed 
of sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. The .school inspec- 
tors were then David Wait and Caleb Thompson. 

District No. 3 is described, under date of March 2, 1843, 
as being comprised of sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 24, 25, and 
the east half of 14, 23, 26. 

At a meeting of the inspectors, held May 6, 1843, 
Thomas J. Brown was appointed " to visit and examine 
the several schools that may be taught in the Township, and 
to give such advise to both teachers and scholars as he may 
think propper." 

Fractional District No. 4, of Delhi and Alaiedon, was 
formed March 22, 1844, to include sections 25 and 3G in 
31 



Delhi, and sections 30, 31, and part of 32, and the west 
half of the southeast quarter of section 29 in Alaiedon. 

District No. 5 was formed April 23, 1853. 

Among the early school inspectors were Thomas J. Brovf n, 
Israel 11. Trembly, David Wait, R. P. Everett, Don A. 
Watson, H. H. North, James Joles, Manning Curry, L. • 
R. Chaddock, and John D. Cory. All previous to 18G0. 

In the list of early teachers examined and licensed we 
find the following: 

Elizabeth Everett, licensed to teach in District No. 2, 
Sept. 28, 1843; Thomas J. Brown, in District No. l,same 
date ; Randolph Strickland, examined and granted cer- 
tificate to teach in District No. 1, Dec. 21, 1844; F. M. 
Cowlcs, Dec. G, 1845 ; Rebecca Wells, May 2, 184G ; John 
Ferguson, Deo. 5, 184G; Orpha Matteson, May 3, 1847; 
Eunice C. Hilliard, May 25, 1847; Don A. Watson, Nov. 
11, 1847; Louisa G. Joslyn, Dec. 22, 1847; David W. 
Sanford, George McEwen, Dec. 11, 1848; Mary Jane 
Ferguson, April 24, 1849 ; Adelia Monroe, May 15, 1819 ; 
Mary Jane Amesbury, July 4, 1849; Elihu Elwood, Nov. 
3, 1849 ; Charles S. Davis, Dec. 15, 1849 ; Betsy J. How- 
ard, April 13, 1850. 

LIBRARY. 

Provision was made for a library on the 1st of February, 
1845, at which time the inspectors drew up a long and ex- 
ceedingly judicious list of books which were to be pur- 
cha.sed, comprising about fifty choice volumes. 

Amount of primary school money divided among the 
several districts in 1850 : 

CliiMrcu. Ainnunt. 

Diatriot No. 1 G7 $28.23 

" 2 -I.i I8.Il 

" " 5 22 9.2G 

" " 8 IS 7.58 

SC3.I8 
The amount divided among the several districts in 185C 
was as below : 

District No. 1 S5.3..13 

" " 2 29.68 

" ;! 15.37 

" 4 15.U0 

" " 5 9.5+ 

" " 6 II. B« 

" S 18.55 

$151.23 
Amount divided in 1859: 

District No. 1 $105.54 

" 2 fi:i.62 

" 3 48.87 

" " 4 42.39 

" 5 44.29 

" " B 411.00 

Fraclional District No. 1 _ 10.25 

" " 8 :. 40.00 

$394.90 

For 18G7 it was as follows: 

District No. 1 $50.40 

" " 2 28.,35 

" " 3 20.25 

" " 4 14.40 

" 5 14.85 

" " « 17.10 

Fractional District No. 1 17.55 



The fines money for the same year amounted to S9.57. 



242 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



The total amount distributed for 187-1 was $234.50, and of 
fines money S20.70 ; total, $255.20. 

EARLY SCHOOLS. 

The first school in the township was taught in the cabin 
of George Phillips, in 1840, by hi.s sister-in-law. Miss Lydia 
M. Wells, now Mrs. William P. Ilobbius, of Alaiedon. Siie 
also taught the first two terms in the log school-house at the 
Centre. Thomas North was among the early teachers, and 
taught in District No. 2 as early (his brothers think) as 
1841. There was probably a school in District No. 1 as 
early as 1840. The first .school' taught in No. 2 was in a 
shanty on the farm of Koswell Everett, by Miss Buck. 

The first school building at the Centre was of logs, on the 
ground near where now stands the present fine brick build- 
ing, and according to the best information was erected as 
early as 1840. It served a very good purpose until about 
1852, when a larger frame building was erected where the 
log one stood. This did duty until 1875, when the present 
building was erected at a cost, exclusive of furniture, of 
about $1800. The furniture cost $500. The old building 
was moved a few rods to give place to the new one, and is 
still standing. The new one has a fine cupola and bell. It 
is divided into two large rooms, and has accommodations 
for 100 scholars. The present school is divided into two 
departments, primary and intermediate, and employs two 
teachers. It is the largest school in the township. The 
next largest is the Maple Grove School Ho. 5, fractional 
with Windsor township, in Eaton County. 

The number of school districts in 1880 is eleven, of 
which seven are whole districts and four fractional. 

Number of school building.? (brick, 2; wooil, S) 10 

Value of school propertj' Se.WO.OII 

Total e.Nponses for year 23o7.'JI 

Total number of Bchool-chihlrun between the ages of live and 

twenty years 481 

CHURCHES. 

Firnt Freshyteriati. — This church was organized April 
5, 1865, principally through the instrumentality of Kev. 
Alfred Bryant, llev. Horace Kittredge was also a valuable 
assistant in the enterprise. The original members were as 
follows : James Thorburn, Sr. (since dead), William Som- 
merville, Mrs. Jane Souimerville (since dead), Mrs. Mary 
Heddcn, Susan Thomp.son, Mrs. Harriet Stanton, Mrs. 
Fanny Harkness, Church Wilber, Mrs. Hannah Wilber, 
James Thorburn, Jr., Marion Thorburn, Casper Lott, Cath- 
erine Lott, Mrs. Maria L. Mallory (since dead). Miss Alice 
M. Mallory, now Mrs. Pixley ; Miss Hattie Stanton, now 
Mrs. Bristol; Mrs. Arrenallunn, now Widow Strickland; 
William Irwin; Mrs. Lane Thorburn, now JMrs. G. W. 
Mallory. Mr. G. W. Mallory joined at a later date. 

The first minister was l{ev. Alfred Bryant, as stated 
supply, who remained three years, when he removed to 
North Lansing, llev. Ilosea Kittredge succeeded as stated 
supply May 9, 18G9, and continued until April, 1871. 
Following him in September, 1872, came Rev. J. E. Weed, 
who ofiiciated until April, 1877. Kev. J. E. Buchcr, 
from New York, then preached for about four months in 
the summer of 1877, and was followed by Rev. Alfred 
Bryant a second time, who tilled the desk from the fall of 



1877 to June, 1880, when he retired on account of ad- 
vancing age and ill health, removing to Lansing, where he 
has a home. At present (September, 1880) the society is 
without a settled pastor. 

The church edifice at the Centre was erected in 1800, at 
a cost of about $2000, of which sum $500 was contributed 
by the general church erection board. It was dedicated 
Oct. 3, 1869. It has a tower and bell. The bell weighs i 
500 pounds, and was purchaised in Cincinnati, Ohio, at a | 
cost of $150. The church is also furnished with a cabinet I 
organ, which cost about $200. 

The present membership is about eighty. A Sabbath- 
school was organized near the time the church was com- 
pleted. It was at first a mi.s.sion school of the Methodists 
and Presbyterians, but has been a Presbyterian school since 
about 1870. It has an average attendance of some 100 
scholars, with five officers and eleven teachers. 

The present ruling elders are Casper Lott and G. W. 
Mallory. The bo.-trd of trustees is composed of Casper 
Lott, James Thorburn, William Cook, W. H. Churchill, L. 
W. Baker, and William Long; Clerk, G. W. Mallory. 

Methodist Episcopal. — There were a few Methodists 
living in Delhi at an early date, probably at the first settle- 
ment of the township; and Rev. Bennett* preached occa- 
sionally in the dwellings of the settlers or in the early 
school buildings. Among the early ones were Mrs. Isabella 
Abbott, Mrs. George Phillips (the latter since dead). Mrs. 
Dr. Chaddock, Mrs. Alonzo Douglass (since dead), and 
possibly others. 

William Mayer, a native of England, who settled in Ohio 
in 1850, and removed to Delhi in 1854, and J^lbert Mo- 
Ewen, from Ohio, were early members. About 1854, Mr. 
McEwen organized a class. At first meetings were held in 
the old school building at the Corners, and at a later date 
in the German Methodist church at the " Five Corners," 
the Germans and others using the building alternately. 
This arrangement continued for about five years. 

The individuals of this society assisted in the building 
of the German church. The new Methodist Episcopal 
church at the Centre was erected in 1876, at a cost of 
about $1500. It is furnished with a bell and cabinet 
organ. Among the earlier preachers were Revs. Clump, 
Kellogg, Dodge, and Crittenden. The first who preached 
in the new edifice was Rev. Jason Cadwell, and following 
him came Rev. B. W. Smith. 

The ministers who have officiated at Delhi have for a 
number of years resided at Okemos, in Meridian township, 
where there is an older society. 

The Delhi society formerly belonged to the Mason Cir- 
cuit. The present circuit comprises Okemos, Delhi, Alaie- 
don, and perhaps other points. 

The present membership of the Delhi society is about 
sixty, divided into three classes A Sabbath-school, with 
about fifty scholars and five teachers, is sustained. 

German Methodist Episcopal. — This church was organ- 
ized in 1873, and in the same year a building for public 
worship was erected at what is known as the " Five Cor- 
ners," — half a mile from the Centre, or Holt post-office, — 
at a cost of $2000. The parsonage at the Corners is val- 
ued at $800. 




Wm.CQOK, DELH I , MlCHOiAN. 



ii 



DELHI. 



243 



The pastors of this society, who reside here, have been 
Ilevs. G. A. lleuter, G. 11. Fiedler, A. Maj-er, aud the 
present incumbent, Daniel Volz. 

The orij;inal members were A. Ilelmker, local preacher ; 
A. Wiegman, J. Schroitzgaobel, G. Diehl, L. Diehl, G. 
Roth, Ernest Diehl, G. Ahrend. The conuresiation of the 
church at present numbers 118 full members and 10 pro- 
bationers. 

The church sustains a flourishinj' Sabbath-school, with 



70 scholars, and 20 officers and teachers, and has a very 
good library of 150 volumes. The pastor of this church 
also holds services at Okemos, where there is a small society 
of German Methodists. 

Obligations arc tendered to Joshua North, Caleb Thomp- 
son, Matthew King, Minor E. Park, J. M. Abels, Dr. L. 
K. Chaddock, G. W. Mallory, William Mayer, Rev. D. 
Volz, and others, who rendered valuable assistance in com- 
piling the history of Delhi. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 





WILLIAM COOK. 



WILLIAM COOK 



was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Feb. 20, 1818. His 
father, John Cook, was a cooper, and William worked with 
him until he was fifteen years of age, when he left home 
and worked as a farm-hand for .several years, contributing 
to the support of his father's family. 

May 28, 1841, he married Jeannctte, daughter of William 
King, of the parish of Lcsmahagow, Scotland, where .she 
was born Nov. 28, 1824. In July, 1843, William Cook and 
his wife came to America and settled in Delhi, having just 
sufficient money to purchase forty acres of land from the 
government. He worked at such employment as offered 
for a year or more, when he built a log hou.se, into which 
they moved in January, 1845. His land was situated in a 
dense forest of heavy timber. With little or no means, the 
improvements were made with the greatest difficulty. Dur- 
ing the first two years some ten acres of land cleared was 
all that could be done ; and so on, year by year, the im- 
provements have been made, and other lands added, until 
the original forty acres have expanded to a fine farm of 
three hundred and twenty acres. The small clearing has 
grown to broad and well-cultivated fields; the log house 
has long since been superseded by a commodious brick rcs- 



MUS. WILLIAM COOK. 

idence. While the farm has been enlarged, the family 
have kept pace ; nine children have been born, six of whom 
are now living, five sons and one daughter, and all of whom 
have received liberal educations. 

Two of the sons, William G. and James D., are lawyers, 
and settled at Texarkana, Ark. ; John B., M. J., and Geo. 
W. remain at the old homestead ; the daughter, Sarah Ann, 
married John C. Gunn, a farmer in Delhi. Mr. Cook, 
wishing to be relieved from the cares of so large a farm, 
has built a residence near the former one, where the 
pioneer couple are handsomely situated, to enjoy their 
ample competency, leaving the care of the farm to the 
sons. 

Mr. Cook's habits of industry, early formed, have never 
deserted him. Being public-spirited and enterprising and 
decidedly in favor of educating the masses, he is a valuable 
man in the community, and has aided largely in estab- 
lishing and improving the schools of the district. 

Mr. aud Mrs. Cook were members of the Presbyterian 
Church in Scotland ; they affiliated with that organiza- 
tion in the United States, and contribute liberally to its 
support. 

Politically, Mr. Cook is a Democrat, and has held several 
offices of trust and honor in the town. 



244 



HISTOKY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





MRS. JOHN THORBURN. 

JOHN THORBURN. 

John Thoiburn was born in tlie parish of Lesmahagow, 
Lanarkshire, Scothind, March 29, 1824. At the age of 
twenty-three he had .served four years as an apprentice to 
the blacksmith's trade, and worked six years as a journey- 
man. He emigrated to America in 1848, in company with 
his younger brother, Robert, his father and mother fol- 
lowing the next year. He worked a short time at his trade 
in Pittsburgh, Pa., but came to Michigan the same year 
and located one hundred and twenty acres of land in Delhi, 
which is a part of the farm he now owns. He chopped 
five or six acres of woodland and built a log house, which 
his father occupied the next spring. He then worked four 
years in Ypsilanti, Mich., and from there went to Lansing 



JOHN TUORBUBN. 

in 1852 and commenced blacksmithing in North Lan- 
sing. 

Two years later he married Miss Hannah J. Olds, who 
was born in Prattsburg, N. Y., in 1829, and came to 
Michigan in 1832. He worked five years and did a suc- 
cessful business ; but his health failing he moved to his 
present home in Delhi, and turned his attention to the 
management of the farm and to stock-raising. He has 
now over eight hundred acres of land in a high state of 
cultivation, with good buildings and fences, and a large 
part of it tile-drained. He owns a very fine herd of short- 
horn cattle, and sheep and swine of the most improved 
breeds. He has three sons, — James B., who is superin- 
tending the farm ; William Warren, who is also a farmer; 
and Robert Clark, who is at home with his parents. 



INGHAM. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, Etc. 

The township of Ingham occupies a position immediately 
southeast of the centre of the county of the same name, 
and is bounded north by Wheatfield, east by White Oak, 
south by Bunker Hill, and west by Vevay. The west line 
of the township is the principal meridian of the State, and 
the tier of sections lying next it are fractional, being less 
than half-size, caused by the variation of the surveys on 
the east side of the meridian. Both the township-lines 
and the subdivisions were surveyed by Joseph Wampler, 
the former in 1824, and the latter in 182G. 

Ingham township is watered by Deer and Doan Creeks, 
both of which flow in a northerly direction into the Cedar 



River. Deer Creek takes its rise in the township, as does 
also one branch of Doan Creek. The surface of the town 
is much diversified, liill, dale, and plain, with occasional 
swamps, being found. In some portions it resembles the 
more level portions of New England, and the fine beech 
and maple woods can nowhere be surpassed. In the southern 
portion are two small lakes, which drain south into Bunker 
Hill. Dansville is a thriving village of 440 inhabitants, 
situated at the centre of the township. " Meadville" is a 
locality in the southeast part of town. 

LAND ENTRIES. 
The tract book at the office of the county register shows 
the following entries of land in town 2 north, range 1 east, 
(now Ingham) : 



INGHAM. 



245 



StclioH 1. — Caleb Carr, Ma; 26, 183G; Jeremiah NcirtOD, Juno 0, 
1836; Simoon Oaks, June 6, 1836; William Keid, Jr., July 8, 
1836; William E. Hurton, Aug. 6, 1838; Samuel Mulholland, Sam- 
uel Mulhoiland, Jr., and William Mulholland, Nov. 26, 1836. 
Secliun 2.— Caleb Carr, June 3, 1836; Oswell Willard, July II, 1836; 

Caleb Carr, Sept. 21, 1S3C. 
Seclioit 3.— Ilussell Winohell, Cornelius R. Fof tor, Juno 8, 1836 ; Elijah 
S. M. Steves, Seth P. Benson, Juno 20, 1336; Aretus Dunn, 
March 13, 1837. 

Secliou 4. — Benjamin Worden, June 15, 1836; Seth P. Benson, Juno 
25, 1836; Lyman Belts, Nov. 14, 1836; Isaac F. Dunn, Feb. 25, 
1837. 

Secllon 5. — Lansing B. Mizncr and Richard Clark, July 7, 1836; 
Josiah Snow, Aug. 4, 1836; Kbenezer Learned, Oct. 27, 1836; 
Daniel U. Mills, Stephen Mills, Jan. 13, 1837; Benjamin B. 
Kercbeval, Feb. 3, 1837; Isaac F. Dunn, March 13, 1837. 

iVcdmi 6.— Charles Thayer, Feb. 5, 1836; Sylvanus P. Jermain, April 
7, 1836; Jacob 31. lloward, June 4, 1S36. 

&-t(ioH 7.— Cbarlos 11. and William T. Carroll, June 22, 1836; John 
B. Banter, June 23, 1836. 

Stclion 8.— Miznerand Robinson, July 7, 1836; Benjamin F. Burnett, 
Sept. 21, 1836; Solh Spencer, Sept. 23, 1836; Phebe L. Branson, 
Oct. 31, 1836; Benjamin B. Kerchoval, Nov. 20, 1836; William 
Bothwcll, March 13, 1837. 

Secliun 9.— George W. Wait, Juno 10, 1836; Oliver Ranney, June 11, 
IS36; Randolph W. Whipple, June 25, 1836; Isaac F.Dunn, 
Feb. 25, 1837; John A. Torrey, Feb. 7, 1S44. 

Section 10. — James Bond, Elijah S. M. Steves, Henry Harmon, Seth 
P. Benson, B. B. Kercbeval, no dates. 

Section 11. — Horace Warner, April 21, 1S36, Lucius Wilson, Susan 
T. Leach, .May 18,1836; Samuel Ward, May I'J, 1836; Jesse 
Dewey, May 28, 1836; John Whiting, Nov. 3U, 1836; Eliphas 
F. Daggell, Jan. Ill, 1S3U. 

,SVc(i«)i 12.— Joel Duun, March 23, 1836; Erastus Hickley, May 23, 
1836; Cargill Wheeler, Kirtland Wheeler, May 24, 1836; Wil- 
liam Carr, May 26, 1836; Horace W. Brown, June 30,1836; 
James H. Wood, July 15, 1836; David S. Kates, Aug. 5, 1836. 

Section 13.— Joshua Doan, Amaziah Winchell, March S, 1S3B; Marcus 
Beers, March 23, 1836; Jabez W. Brown, April 5, 1836; William 
Parks, April 8, 1830; Hettley and Kercbeval, May 31, 1836. 

Section 14. — Asa Crosman, Samuel Crusman, May 28,1836; Heuly 
and Kercbeval, May 31, 1836. 

Section 15. — Isaac Phillips, April 9, 1836; Asa Crosman, Samuel 
Crosman, Rachel P. Hitchcock, May 28, 1836. 

Section 16. — J. W. Post, J. M. Edwards, no dates. 

Section 17. — Robert F. Palmer, June 6, 1836; Benjamin F. Burnett, 
Sept. 21, 1836; Seth Spencer, Sept. 23, 1836; Joseph E. Beebe, 
Jan. 10, 1856. 

Section 18.— Thomas Clough, entire section, Feb. 20, 1837. 

Section 10. — Joseph S. Wilson, entire section, May 31, 1836. 

Section 20. — Eljsha R. Searl, Joseph C. Wilson, Daniel Lattiner, May 
31, 1836. 

Section 21.— Joseph S. Hendco, Juno 28 and Nov. 15, 1836; Halo 
Judkins, Dec. 13, 1836. 

Section 22.— Isaac Phillips, April 9, 1836; Josejib E. North, Jr., May 

20, 1836; Daniel Sheldon (1st and 2d), May 28, 1836; Orson Sey- 
mour, Dec. 16, 1836. 

Section 23. — Marvin Oeer, May 30, 1836 ; Healy and Kerchoval, May 
31, 1836; Benjamin P. Avery, June 1, 1836; Stephen V. R. Bo- 
gort, Aug. 4, 1836; David S. Skates, Aug. 5, 1836. 

Section 24.— John D. Doan, Jan. 20, 1836; JeUediah Bennett, March 
8,1836; Lydia Wilson, May 18, 1836; Erastus lliuckley. May 
23, 1836; Zeuas Atwood, May 26, 1836; Marvin Oeer, May 30, 
1836; William A. Bronson, Juno 27, 1836; David S. Skates, Aug. 
15, 1836. 

,Vfr/i"«.i 25.— Erastus Blanchard, March 10, 1836; John U. Bennett, 
April 13, 1836; Gedra Phillijis, May 14, 1836; John Dakin, .May 

21, 1836; Caleb Carr, Juno 3, 1836; Bowen Hicks, June 14, 1836; 
Thomas Hunter, July j, 1836; Jacob Dakin, Nov. 14, 1836; B. 
B. Ktrchcval, Feb. 4, 1837. 

Section 20.— Joseph E. North, April 23, 1836; John Dakin, May 21, 
1836; Samuel B. Wessols, Juno 7, 1836; Stephen V. R. Bogort, 
Aug. 4, 1836. 

Section 27.— J. E. North, Jr., April 2.3, 1836; Diiniol Peck, June 6, 
1836 ; Liudsley Ward, Mark A. Squier, Juno 7, 1836. 



Section 28.— Hiram K. Smith, Juno 6, 1836; Don Carlos Smith, Oct. 

29, 1836; Oliver M. Smith, Jr., Aug. 2, 1837. 
Section 29. — Solomon A. Clark, Daniel Peck, June 6, 1836; Benjamin 

F. Burnett, Sept. 20 and 21, 18.30; Peter Hartman, Sept. 23, 

1836; Abner Potter, Nov. 4, 1836; Ezekiel Wilson, March 28, 

18.37. 
Section 30.— Benjamin F. Burnett, Sept. 20, 1836; Ezekicl Wilson, 

March 18, 1837. 
Section 31.— Albert Ilosnier, June 22, 1836; Reuben Robio, March 

21, 1837. 
Section 32.— Thomas Smith, June 20, 1836; Peter Hartman, Sept. 

23, 1836; John Burnett, Mary W. Fisk, April 24, 1837; Joseph 

E. Beebe, Jan. 10, 1S56. 
Section 33.— Don Carlos Smith, Oct. 29, 1836: Joseph L. Hendco, 

Nov. 15, 1836; Amos Crosman, Juno 8, 1837. 
Section 34.— John D. Reeves, Nov. 17, 1836 ; Henry Smith, Nov. 18, 

1836; Blois llurd, July 10, 1837; Jacob Countryman, Sept. II, 

1849; Charles Arnold, Nov. 29, I8ii0. 
&c(i<,ii 35.— Joshua North, May 24, 1836; John D. Reeves, Nov. 17, 

1836; William C. Hani.-, March 5, 1838; Jacob Countryman, 

Oct. 27, 1847. 
Section X6.—S\\as Holt, Sept. 17, 1835; Governour Kimble, March 

19,1836; John II. Bennett, April 13, 1836; Zephauiah Hicks, 

June 14, 1836; Stephen V. R. Bogert, Aug. 4, 1836; John D. 

Roeves, Nov. 17, 1830. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Aniaziali Winchell, a native of Plattsburgli, Essex Co., 
N. Y., wrote a.s follows in 1875 : 

" My first remembrance is the burning of the barracks and arsenal 
at Platt.<burgh. Soon after my father moved to Ticondcroga, and in 
1816 to Shoreham, Addison Co., Vt. In August, 18.33, I was married 
to Rhnda Arvilla Abbott ond camo to Michigan; landed at Detroit, 
Sept. 8, 1833; settled in the town of Lima, M'ashtenaw Co.; resided 
there until November, 1835, then moved to Pinckney, Livingston Co. 
Located my present home in Ingham County in 1836, it being the 
southe.ist quarter of section 13, town 2 north, of range 1 east. I 
have five children, — three sons and two daughters, — all living. I have 
never had over nine months' schooling. The first pair of shoes I had 
was in the winter of 1824. I was one of ten children in my father's 
family, — four boys and si.t girls. My first hat cost me one bushel of 
wheat, which I picked up or gleaned after the reapers. I have voted 
at every election and town-meeting, except one, since I have resided 
in the State. I was orderly sergeant in the Wiii^htenaw regiment dur- 
ing tile Toledo war ; have been sheriff of Ingham County four years ; 
superintendent of the county poor five years; member of the Legisla- 
ture one year, and held several of the town offices. Am now (1875) 
drain commissioner for Ingham County. I was the first barber in 
Ingham County that cut hair after the fashion of the country." 

Thomas Clough came from the State of New York in 
183U, and settled at Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich., on 
the 14th of July in that year. December '2d, following, a 
son, Albert B. Clough, was born. Mr. Clough removed 
with his family to Ingham County, and settled in the town- 
ship of Ingham, March 20, 1842. The family then con- 
sisted of himself, his wife, and three children. They lived 
in a log house, with a clay hearth and .stick chimney, and 
boars, wolves, and other wild animals were daily and nightly 
visitors. Mr. Clough died Aug. 2i>, 1878. 

Marcus Beers, a native of Darby, New Haven Co., Conn., 
settled at Ann Arbor, Mich., in September, 1833. About 
the last of May, 183G, he settled on section 13, in the town- 
ship of Ingham, Ingham Co. He writes: "I hired two 
teams to move to my new home, and got to our cabin the 
third day about noon, all right and in good spirits. When 
I moved in Ingham there were but three families in the 
four townships, and our first organized town contained what 
are now Ingham, Whcatfield, White Oak, and Lcroy." 



246 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Mr. Beers' wife, Mrs. Lucinda Beers, who was a native 
of Dryden, Tompkins Co., N. Y., died in 1879. 

Abner Potter, from the State of New York, settled in 
this town with his family in 1839. He is now deceased. 
Several of his sons are residents of the county, — Allen, 
living in Aurelius, Edmund in Leslie, and Elijah in Bunker 
Hill. Daniel, who also lived in the latter town, died Sept. 
2(5, 1880. William, who settled in Gratiot County, is also 
deceased. The family came to Ingliam County in very des- 
titute circumstances, but its members who are living are 
now all independent. 

Reuben Torrey, who was born Jan. 7, 1789, in Guilford, 
Windham Co., Vt., settled in Lenawee Co., Mich., May 23, 
1837, and removed to and became a resident of Ingham 
township, Jan. 15, 1841. He died Oct. 31, 1875, at his 
residence in Ingham, in the eighty-seventh year of his age ; 
his wife's death occurred Dec. 29, 1861, when she was 
seventy-eight years old. 

Martin A. Sweet, a native of Slippery Rock, IMercer 
(now Lawrence) Co , Pa., came to this township and set- 
tled in May, 1844 ; removed afterwards to Mason. 

Andrew Hunt, a native of Naples, Ontario Co., N. Y., 
settled in Ingham township in Blay, 184G, and says the 
first time he went to Mason he found but one mud-hole, and 
that extended the entire distance from Henry A. Hawley's 
to the village. 

John Potter, from Saratoga Co., N. Y., settled in the 
county in the fall of 1837, his parents having located in 
the township of Ingham, on section 29, where his father 
died in 1842, and his mother about 1850. Mr. Potter re- 
moved to the township of Alaiedon about 1853. 

Bowen Hicks, a native of Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., 
emigrated to Michigan in the spring of 1836, and settled 
in the town of Sharon, Washtenaw Co., where he lived 
until 1840, when he removed to Ingham County, and set- 
tled in the township of Ingham on eighty acres of land he 
had purchased in the summer of 1836. Mr. Hicks died 
April 1, 1876, aged nearly sixty-nine years. 

Jabez W. Brown, who was born at Norfolk, England, 
came to America in 1827, and in 1836 became one of the 
first settlers in the township of Ingham, Ingham Co., 
Mich. His death occurred April 22, 1838, of heart dis- 
ease, while visiting a sick brother in Oakland County. 

Joshua Doan and his son, John D. Doan, in company 
with Amaziah Winohell and Jedediah Bennett, came to 
what is now the township of Ingham in the winter of 
1835-36, and purchased land on sections 13 and 24. Mr. 
Winchell employed a man to assist him, and early in the 
season of 1836 built on his place the first shanty erected 
in the town.ship, remaining in it for several weeks, while 
the two chopped perhaps ten acres. Bennett also built a 
shanty at nearly the same time. He removed, after ten or 
twelve years, to Kalamazoo County, or some other locality 
in the western part of the State. The first of the men 
named to bring his family to the township was Joshua 
Doan, who came from Franklin Co., N. Y., about 1831, 
and settled at Dexter, Washtenaw Co., Mich., whence they 
came to Ingham in March, 1836. Snow lay quite deep 
on the ground, and Mrs. Doan was at the time suffering 
with the ague. Her illness necessitated a stop for rest and 



recuperation while on the way from Dexter. Mrs. Doan 
was the first white woman who came into the wilderness 
of Ingham to locate. Her death was caused by an acci- 
dent about 1860-62; Mr. Doan died about 1848. A 
small shanty was built for the accommodation of the fiimily 
after their arrival in the township, and on the place was 
cut some of the first timber felled by settlers in town. 
The old farm is now occupied by Mr. Doan's son, Joshua 
Doan, Jr. 

Alonzo Doan, another son of the above, was a young , 
man when his parents moved to this county. He visited 
them here in 1837, and about 1841 returned to Franklin 
Co., N. Y., where he remained ten years. During that time 
he was married, and in 1851 came back with his family to 
Michigan, and settled in the township of Wheatfield, where 
he at present resides. His brother, John D. Doan, is now 
a resident of Dexter. 

Benjamin Avery, from the town of Palmyra, Wayne Co., 
N. Y., settled with his family in Ingham about 1836-37, 
immediately south of Dansville, and is now living in the 
village, at the age of nearly eighty years. His son, Syl- 
vester Avery, is one of the firm of Doan & Avery, fruit- 
dryers, at Dansville. 

In the southeast part of town is a locality known as 
" Meadville," which at one time was filled with the hope of 
some day becoming a metropolis. A man named Mead, 
from Milan (Unadilla), Livingston Co., built and conducted 
a hotel for several years, but finally, as his schemes were 
realized to be hopeless, he left the place, and it now con- 
tains only a small store. 

Marvin Geer, from Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., settled in 
1837, on section 24, near his present location, and the town- 
ship has been his home most of the time since. His wife, 
a son, and a daughter accompanied him here. At that time 
there were living in the neighborhood, with their families, 
Marcus Beers, Shubaol Waldo, Caleb Carr, and a man 
named Davidson ; Waldo and Davidson are now deceased. 
Davidson lived on the farm now owned by Henry Walker. 

Hubbard Dakin, from Allegany Co., N. Y., came to this 
county and settled at Dansville about 1843-44. Daniel 
Lebar, from the same locality, settled in the township in 
1849. His son, Charles Lebar, is now a resident of the 
township of Bunker Hill. 

Kphraim Walker, from Broome Co., N. Y.,came to Ing- 
liam Co., in April, 1842, and settled on a farm north of 
Dansville. He at present resides in the village, and at the 
age of seventy-eight years appears as young as many men 
of fifty. 

Zeuas Atwood came with his family from Cayuga Co., 
N. Y., in October, 1836, and settled on the west half of the 
northeast quarter of section 24, in Ingham, having pur- 
chased the land the previous spring. The family consisted 
of Mr. Atwood and his wife, four sons, and two daughters, 
two other daughters having remained in New York. Mr. 
Atwood died in October, 1850. His son, Marcus M. 
Atwood, who has practiced law for thirty years in the 
township, is now living at Dansville, where he located in 
September, 1858. 

Elias J. Smith, Esq., now of Dansville, came to Michi- 
gan with his parents, in 1829, from Genesee Co., N. Y.,and 



INGHAM. 



247 



settled in Washtenaw County. In 1836 lie purchased land 
in Stix'kbridge, Ingliaiu Co., to which town he removed in 
1848. Has lived in Dansville since November, 1862. 

Henry L. Strong, from Senate, Cayuga Co., N. Y., settled 
on a farm at what is now Dansville, in May, 1842, with his 
wife, who is a daughter of Samuel Crosman, at which time 
there were but four log houses on the site of the village, 
and possibly only three of them were occupied. 

The following resident taxpayers appear on the a-ssess- 
ment-roll for the township of Ingham in 1844 : 

Williiiin RciJ, Jr., William I'arks, Isnao Asseltino, Gaylord H. Ilatcb, 
Perry Crippcn, Paul Otis, Caleb Carr, Hiram Flclcbcr, Jobn 
Ilutcbinson, Josiah Camp, James Tilus, Jr., Joseph T. Ornndell, 
Ilamplun D. Granger, Komanzo J. Munn, Gardner Fletcber, 
Stephen Curtis, Ephraini Walker, EliasS. Clark, Aaron SI. Fiteh, 
Jonathan Garrison. Julius Riinney, Cornelius N. licvins, Henry 
Assolline, Randolph W. AVhipplo, Allen H. Whipple, lionjamin 
E. Crandell, Samuel 15. Garrison, Eli A. Pittit, Lyman llobert, 
Benjamin F. Sawyer, Benjamin P. Avery, Ebenezcr H. Crosa- 
man, Robert Chappell. William Carr, William V. Corwin, James 
Uufl'man, Samuel Skadan, Aiuaziab Winebell, Jabez W. lirown, 
Joshua Doan, Andrew J. Townsend, Marcus Beers, Jesse P. 
Smith, Henry L. Strong. Thomas Clough, Ainasa Clough, John 
Swan, Thomas Field, Esek Field, Hiram N. Gray, John M. 
Torrcy, Reuben Torrey, Henry Hunt, John M. Ball, Jonah T. 
Kent, Joseph L. Hendee, llarri.son H. Dakin, John Bullen, Htze- 
kiah Ferguson, Edward Eaton, George Drake, Zenus .\twood, 
Shubacl Waldo, Marvin Gcer, Jedcdiab Bennett, John Dcnsmore, 
Jr., Bowcn Hicks, Jacob Dakin, John Dakin, John B. Lobdell, 
.Samuel B. Wcssels, Crandall M. Howard, John C. Haynes, Judson 
Dakin, John Dcnsmore, Henry Dcnsmore, Hiram Smith, Winanee 
Davis, Abram Diamond, John I'otter, Timothy Root, William 
Root, Hinman Hurd, Joseph Hannec, Joseph L. Hendco, William 
Isham, John D. Reeve, Marshall Z. Hicks. 

TOWNSHIP ORGAXIZATION, Etc. 

The original town of Ingham, as organized by act of 
the Legislature approved March 11, 1837, included the 
present townships of Ingham, White Oak, Wheatficld, 
and Leroy, the latter three having been since set off and 
organized as separate townships. The act organizing Ing- 
ham provided that the first township-meeting should be 
held at the house of Caleb Carr, and from the township 
record is taken the following account of said meeting : 

"THE FIRST ANNUAL TOWN-MEETING HELD IN THE 
TOWN OF INGHAM, A.D. IS.'iS: 

"At the annual town-meeting, held at the house of Caleb Carr, for 
the purpose of electing town officers, on the 2d day of April, A.n. 
1838, the following number of persons received the following number 
of votes set opposite their several names: For supervisor, Henry Lee, 
53; for town clerk, U. Ferguson, 23; Marcus Beers, 30; for justice 
of the peace, Cyrus Post, 6U ; Caleb Carr, 37 ; Henry Lee, 35 ; James 
Huffman, 31; Amaziah Winchell, 21; David Gorsline, 24; U. H. 
Smith, 20; for constable and collector, John Clements, 24; Jonathan 
Thomas, 23 ; for assessors, Ephraim Mecch, 44 ; James Ratbbun, 36 ; 
Andrew Stevens, 47; J. L. llcndec, 28; John Dakin, 32; William 
Carr, 20; William A. Dryer, 20; for school inspectors, John Clem- 
ents, 47; Lucius Wilson, 30; William Post, 29; U.H.Smith, 17 j 
Caleb Carr, 17 ; for highway commissioners, Daniel Countryman, 61 ; 
Lucius Wilson, 6'J ; John Clements, 32; Uriel Smith, 2'J; for direc- 
tors of the poor, Zenas Atwood, 46; James Rathbun, 27; Jacob 
Dakin, 17 ; for constables, E. H. Jubb, 4(!; Thomas Stevens, 47 ; for 
town treasurer, J. B. Lobdell, 15." 

At a special meeting, held June 6, 1838, John Clciuents, 
Lucius Wilson, and William A. Dryer were elected school 
inspectors. At the regular election iu 1839, Caleb Carr 
was elected supervisor; William A. Dryer, town clerk; 



Hezekiah Ferguson, treasurer ; and Cyrus Post, justice of 
the peace. In March, 1839, the town.ship was divided, 
and, at a special election, Hezekiah Ferguson and Jacob 
Olds were elected justices of the peace, and George Q. 
Watkins town clerk. May 1, 1844, a license was granted 
to John B. Lobdell to keep a public-house on the ea.st half 
of the southeast quarter of section 2G, and he was author- 
ized to " keep and entertain travelers ; to retail rum, brandy, 
gin, and other spirituous liquors; also, ale, cider, beer, and 
other fermented liquors, and to have and to use all the 
privileges granted by the laws of the State of Michigan 
to keepers of public- bouses." 

Following is a list of the principal officers of the town- 
ship since 1840 : 

SUPERVISORS. 

1840, Hezekiah Ferguson; 1841-45, Samuel Skadan; 1846-47, Ran- 
dolph W. Whipple; 1848, Daniel A. Uewcs; 1849-50, John S. 
Crossman; 1851-53, Samuel Grossman; 1854-55, R. W. Whip- 
ple; 1856-57, Samuel Skadan; 1858, Marcus M. Atwood; 1859, 
Samuel Skadan; 1860-61, Thaddeus Dcnsmore; 1862, Daniel L. 
Crossman; 18G3, John B. Dakin; 1864-71, Samuel Skadan; 1872, 
Lemuel Woodhouse; 1873-79, Samuel Skadan. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1840-42, Hezekiah Ferguson; 1843, Marvin Gcer; 1844, Hezekiah 
Ferguson: 1845, William Carr; 1846, Hale W. Granger; 1847- 
48, John S. Crossman; 1849, Marcus M. Atwood; 1850, Samuel 
Crossman; 1851-52, Benjamin F. Robinson; 1853, James M. 
Royce; 1854-55, Ambrose P. Hicks; 1856, Daniel T. Weston; 
1857, A. P. Hicks; 1858, Daniel T. Weston; 1859, Daniel L. 
Crossman; 1860, Marshall Uawcroft; 1861, Daniel L. Crossman; 
1862-63, Marshall Uawcroft; 1864, Daniel T. Weston; 1865-66, 
D. L. Crossman; 1 867, Thaddeus Dcnsmore; 1868, Elias J. Smith; 
1869, Theodore Huffman; 1870, Joseph Keene; 1871, Marshall 
Uawcroft; IS72, J. Edgar St. John; 1873, Joseph Keene;" 1874, 
Henry J. Wilco.Vit 1^75, William G. Hawcroft; 1876-79, Levi 
Gcer. 

TREASURERS. 

1840, Hezekiah Ferguson; 1841, William Parks; 1842, William Carr ; 
1843, Amaziah Winchell; 184-1-45, John B. Lobdell; 1846, Ama- 
ziah Winchell; 1847, Christopher Avery; 1848, William Carr; 
1849, Ambrose P. Hicks; 1850, Marcus Beers; 1851, Uampton 
D. Granger; 1852, Abrom Diamond ; 1853, John B. Dakin ; 1854, 
Cornelius N, Bevens; 1855, John Dcnsmore; 1856, Daniel Jes- 
sop; 1857, Robert Chappell; 1858, Ephraim Uilliard ; IS59, 
Henry L. Strong; 1860, Aaron Parks ; 1861, Jonath,an Thomas ; 
1862, Nelson A. Whipple; 186.3, David D. Fox ; 1864, Isaac H. 
Briggs; 1865, George Ilickox; 1866, Alfred B. Coy; 1867, Lem- 
uel K. Strong; 1868, Joseph Keene; 1869, Cyrus W. Dean; 1870- 
71, Zebina Ransom; 1872, Simon P. Hcndrick ; 1873, Marshall 
Hawcrort;t 1874-75, Joseph Keene; 1876, Omer R. Whiting; 
1877, Lemuel K. Strong; 1878-79, Joseph Keene. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1840, Hezekiah Waldo, Marcus Beers; 1841, Winanee Davis; 1842, 
Caleb Carr; 1843, Randolph W. Whipple; 1844, Bowcn Hicks; 
1845, John A. Torrcy ; 1846, William Carr; 1847, John Hutchin- 
son, S. Crossman; 1848, William Tompkins; 1849, Daniel A. 
Hcwes: 1850, Lonson Hill; 1851, John Hutchinson; 1852, M. M. 
Atwood, Jacob Rowe ; 1853, William Tanner; 1854, John M. 
Ball; 1855, Simon P. Hundrick; 1856, M. M. Atwood, Jacob 
Rowe, Andrew Hunt; 1857, Jacob Rowe, James A. Heald ; 1858, 
John B. Dakin; 1859, Loron S. Miller. Ira Hatch; 1860, Marcus 
M. Atwood; 1861, Daniel T. Weston; IS62, Randolph W. Whip- 
ple; 1863, Charles B. Dean, Elias J. Smith; 1864. Marcus M. 
Atwood; 180.5, Daniel T.Weston; 1866, Elias J. Sinilli : 1*1.7. 

* Resigned, and E. J. Smith appointed, 
t Removed, and E. J. Smith appointed. 

* Resigned, and Joseph Keeno appointed. 



248 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Henry L. Strong; 1S68, Marcus M. Atwooct ; 1869, Ezra C. 

Walker; 1870, Elias J. Smith; 1871, A. P. Hicks, James M. 

Royce; 1872, M. M. Atwood, 0. R. Whiting; 1873, David D. 

Fox; 1S74, Loren S. Miller; 1875, Daniel T. Weston; 1876, 

James M. Royce; 1877, David D. Fox, August Hahn; 1878, 

David A. llewes ; 1879, 0. R. Whiting. 
1880. — Supervisor, Samuel Skadan ; I'ownahip Clerk, Levi Geor; 
Treasurer, Lemuel K. Strong ; Justice of the Peace, Romi- 
ner Holt; Superintendent of Schools, Daniel E. Watts; 
School Inspector, Joseph W. lirewer; Commissioner of 
Highways, D. A. Hewes ; Drain Commissioner, C. M. Wil- 
liams; Constables, Alanson D. Beardsley, George W. Glynn, 
Darwin S. Howes, Charles E. Ball. 

SCHOOLS. 

No satisfactory account of the earlier schools in the 
township has been obtained, from the fact that those 
who were depended upon to furnish items were absent 
from the township when the writer was at work in it. 
It is probable, however, that but a short time elapsed 
after the township was settled before schools were organ- 
ized, for the pioneers liad considerable families of children. 
At Dansville a district was organized iu the spring of 1846, 
and a log school-house was built. The boards used in 
making the floors and teacher's desk were drawn with oxen 
from Caleb Carr's saw-mill, in Whealfield, by Lonson Hill, 
and four days from the time work was commenced on the 
building Mr. Hill's oldest daughter, Catherine E. Hill, then 
only thirteen years of age, began teaching in it, and was 
employed in that capacity for two years. The log school- 
house was used for four or five years, and then gave place 
to a frame building. About 1808-70 the present two- 
story brick Union school-building was erected, at a cost of 
$7000. 

From the report of the township school inspectors, for 
the year ending Sept. 1, 1879, are taken the following 
items : 

Number of districts (whole, 5; fractional 3) 8 

" children of school age in township 450 

" " in attendance for year 355 

" school-houses (brick, 3; frame, 5) 8 

" seatings in same 540 

Value of school property $11,440 

Number of teachers employed (males, 0; females, 17) 22 

Wages of same (males, S13G0 ; females, $1541) $2901.00 

Total expenditures for the year 4072.54 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

In 1846 there were no church buildings in the town. A 
Baptist Church had been organized very early, but had 
been disbanded on account of some trouble. A Baptist 
Council was organized in June, 1842, and in the following 
winter it was recognized as a church. Elder John W. Coe 
was the first pastor, and the original membership was about 
twenty. The pastors since have been (perhaps not in the 

order given) : Elders ■ Babcock, Elijah K. Grout, who 

came on horseback and preached once in four weeks; A. B. 
Kinne, H. B. Fuller, A. B. Kinne, a second time ; Ezra 
Rumcry, L. Bath, Henry Tibbitts, J. L. Smith, J. C. 
Lemon, Charles Purrett, C. B. Abbott, Alexander Mc- 
Learn, James R. Monroe, I. W. Lamb, William A. Kings- 
bury, and the pre.sent pastor, J. C. Lemon, filling the pulpit 
of this church the second time. The I'rame house of wor- 
ship now in u.se was built about 1860. The membership 
of the church, Sept. 18, 1880, was ninety-sis, and the 



Sunday-school had then an average attendance of sixty ; 
H. L. Strong is superintendent of the latter. 

A Methodist Church has also existed for a number of 
years at Dansville, but repeated efforts to obtain facts re- 
garding its history have not availed. 

Tlie Protestant Methodist Church at Dansville has been 
organized more than thirty years, but the precise date of its 
formation is not recollected. Elder Kilpatrick was its pastor 
as early as 1850, when meetings were held in the school- 
house. The society is at present (September, 1880) build- 
ing a neat and commodious brick church, on the site of the 
old frame school-house, to cost about $3000. The organ- 
ization has not been continuous from the start. Its present 
pastor is Rev. E. S. Clark. 

VILLAGE OF DANSVILLE. 

Samuel Crossman (name originally .spelled Crosman), from 
Cayuga Co., N. Y., purchased 400 acres of land on sections 
14 and 15, in the town of Ingham, in May, 1830, and his 
son, John S. Crossman, settled on section 15 in September, 
1840, and cleared forty acres. He taught school in the 
winter of 1839-40. He lived on the laud until February, 
1843, and during the years 1 843-44 was in Jackson County. 
In the fall of 1845 he returned to Dansville, where he re- 
mained until November, 1852, when he went to California. 
His wife died at Dansville in June of that year. In 
1854 he was married again, in the State of New York. 
He resided in California and Nevada for twenty-three years, 
finally settling in Williamston, Ingham Co., Mich., where 
he is now living, as are also two of his brothers. All are 
prominent business men. 

Samuel Crossman settled at Dansville with his family in 
November, 1845, and remained ten years, finally removing 
to Ann Arbor, where he now resides, aged eighty-four 
years. In May, 1842, when Henry L. Strong came to the 
vicinity, the only persons living at Dansville were John S. 
Crossman, Samuel Skadan, William B. Everts, and possibly 
Dennis Robinson, although the latter moved away about 
that time. Their houses were built of logs, the only frame 
structure at the place being John S. Crossman's barn. 

Lonson Hill, from Ontario Co., N. Y., came to Michigan 
in May, 1840, and located at Dansville, which has since 
been his home. At the time he came Samuel Crossman 
had the frame of u new house up and inclosed, but the 
building was not yet completed. This was the first frame 
house in the place. 

Simon P. Hendrick, from Mumfordville, Monroe Co., 
N. Y., came to Michigan in 1839 or 1840, and located, 
with his parents, in Hamburg, Livingston Co. In 1851 
he removed to Dansville, which is now his home. 

The first business establishment in the place was a small 
store, with a general stock, opened by Samuel Crossman 
about 1847. 

HOTELS. 

The first hotel in the village was the present " Union 
Hotel," which was commenced in the fall of 1856 by 
David D. Fox, and completed in 1857. Mr. Fox kept it 
for several years, and sold to a Mr. Harris. The present 
proprietors of the house are the Owen Brothers. Messrs. 
Coy and Andrews conducted it at different limes. 



INGHAM. 



249 



The "National Hotel" was built in 1860-61 by Hen- 
drick & WifTf^ins, and is now the property of William 
Telford, who has owned it several years. 

POST-OFFICE. 
In 1846 a post-office called In";;ham was kept in the 
southeast part of the township by John B. Lobdell, who 
was postmaster several years. The office was subse(|uently 
moved to Haynes' Corners, one and a half miles south of 
Dansville, and Henry Dcnsmore was postmaster. It was 
finally moved to Dansville, and the name changed to cor- 
respond. Dr. Daniel T. Weston was the first postmaster at 
the village, about 1855. The pre.«ent incumbent is L. K. 

Strong. 

VILLAGE PLATS. 

The original plat of the village of Dansville was laid out 
May 26, 1857, by Samuel Grossman and Kphraim Ililliard 
on part of the southeast quarter of section 15 and the 
northeast quarter of section 22. " Grossman's complete 
plat," acknowledged Oct. 26, 1866, is on sections 15 and 
22, and embraces the original plat, D. L. Grossman's ad- 
dition, and Dakin & Otis' addition. 

INCORPORATION, Etc. 

The village of Dansville was incorporated, by act of the 
Legislature, March 9, 1867, and the charter was amended 
in 1869. The first charter election was held Monday, May 
6, 1867 ; the following officers were chosen : President, Dan- 
iel L. Grossman ; Kecorder, Marshall Hawcroft (resigned, and 
Z. Ran.som appointed) ; Treasurer, Lemuel K. Strong; Trus- 
tees, Henry L. Strong, Martin V. Jes.sop, Joseph Keene. 

From 1868 to 1880, inclusive, the officers of the village 
have been the following : 

1868.— President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, D. L. Crossman ; 

Treasurer, Joseph Keene; Trustees, DunUl T. We-ston, 

Henry L. Strong, Tlinddeus Dcnsmore. 
1869. — President, Marcus M. Atwood; Kecorder, D. L. Crossman; 

Treasurer, Cyrus W. Dean ; Trustees, Henry L. Strong, 

Thaddeus Densmorc, Daniel T. Weston. 
1870.— President, Marcus ^I. Atwood; Recorder, Joseph Keene; 

Treasurer, Zebina Ransom ; Trustees, Daniel L. Crossman, 

Henry L. Strong, James M. Royce. 
1871. — President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, D.aniel L. Crossman 

(resigned, and L. Woodhouse appointed); Treasurer, Zebina 

Ransom; Trustees, Henry L. Strong, Philo Otis, Martin \'. 

Jessop. 
1872. — President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, Lemuel Woodhouse; 

Treasurer, no record; Trustees, M. V. Jessop, H. L. Strong, 

W. H. Heald. 
1873. — President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, Lemuel Woodhouse; 

Treasurer, Marshall Hawcroft; Trustees, M. V. Jessop, H. 

L. Strong, E. Rice. - 
1874. — President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, Lemuel Woodhouse; 

Treasurer, Joseph Keene; Trustees, Henry L. Strong, M. V. 

Jessop, H. U. Field. 
1875. — President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, Martin V. Jessop; 

Treasurer, Joseph Keene; Trustees, Henry L. Strong, Egbert 

Rice, Martin S. Atwood. 
1876. — President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, Charles L. Randall; 

Treasurer, Morris A. Carpenter; Trustees, Henry L. Strong, 

Martin S. Atwood, Henry H. Field. 
1877. — President, Marcus M. Atwood; Recorder, Charles L. Randall; 

Treasurer, Lemuel K. Strong; Trustees, H. L. Strong, 

Mcrritt Chappcll, David I). Fox. 
1878.— President, Marcus M. Atwood ; Recorder, Charles L. Randall ; 

Treasurer, Joseph Keene; Trustees, Morris A. Carpenter, 

David D. Fo.\, Henry L. Strong. 

32 



1879.— President, Charles L. Randall; Recorder, Levi Geer ; Treas- 
urer, Joseph Keene; Trustees, Daniel K. Jessop, Morris A. 
Carpenter, Honry H. Field. 

1880.— President, Charles L. Randall; Recorder, Levi Geer; Trcas- 
urcr, Daniel A. Hcwes ; Trustees, Morris A. Carpenter, Henry 
H. Field, Daniel R. Jessop. 

MANUFACTURES. 

A Steam saw-mill was built about 1864 by Martin V. and 
Daniel 11. Je-ssop, and some time later a planing, match- 
ing, and moulding department was added. The establish- 
ment is now owned by Daniel 11. and George Jessop. 
When the mill and shops are running with full force from 
three to five persons arc given employment therein. 

Ephraim and Elisha Ililliard erected a steam gri.st-mill 
about 1855, which is now the property of a man named 
Hershey, living in the State of New York. It contains 
three runs of stone, and does only custom work. A twenty 
horse-power steam-engine is in use, and two men are cm- 
ployed. The capital invested is about 83000. 

A. M. Hall is the present proi)rietor of a carriage-fiictory 
in the village, having purchased it in the spring of 1879, 
and succeeded W. W. Heald. Four to six men are em- 
ployed, and the annual business amounts to S5000 or S6000. 
This is the only manufactory of carriages in the place, 
other shops making repairs alone, which branch of the 
business Mr. Hall is also engaged in. He has resided in the 
county since 1860, when he came to the township of White 
Oak with his father, G. M. Hall. The latter, a native of 
Vermont, had resided fourteen years in Jackson Gounty 
before moving to Ingham. 

In 1877, Mes.srs. Doan & Avery built a fruit-drying 
establishment on the Alden plan, and are the present pro- 
prietors. For two years the business has not been very 
brisk, but during the present year (1880) it has greatly 
revived, and a large amount of fruit will be dried during 
the season, which la.sts about two months. The daily 
capacity is about 250 pounds of dried apples. Several 
persons are given employment. 

SOCIETIES. 

Dansville Lodge, No. 160, F. and A. M., has been organ- 
ized nearly twenty years. Its first Master wiis Marcus M. 
Atwood, who held the position four 3'ears. The present mem- 
bership is about seventy-five, and the officers are Joseph 
Keene, Worshipful Master ; L. C. Ghase, Senior Warden ; 
W. H. Daniels, Junior Warden; A. M. Hall, See.; Samuel 
Skadan, Trcas. 

Dansville Lodge, No. 102, /. O. 0. F., was instituted 
Sept. 21, 1866, with eight or nine charter members. The 
first Noble Grand was Gharles B. Dean. The present mem- 
bership is about fifty, and the officers are D. V. Miller, 
Noble Grand; Fred L. Miller, Vice-Grand; Elias J. Smith, 
Ilec. and Per. Sec. ; Lemuel K. Strong, Treas. 

RAND. 
A cornet band was organized at Dansville, Wednesday 
night, Sept. 15, 1880, with thirteen pieces, under the 
auspices of the village corporation. Some of its members 
belonged to a band which formerly existed in the place, but 
most of the players are novices. New instruments have 
been purchased. The teacher and leader is J. W. Loranger. 



L E B O Y.* 



NATURAL FEATURES. 

The township of" Leroy is designated by the United 
States survey as township No. 3 north, of range No. 2 
east, tlie exterior lines having been run by Joseph Wampler 
in 1824, and the subdivision lines the year following by 
the same party. It is bounded on the north by the town- 
ship of Locke, south by White Oak, east by Livingston 
County, and west by the township of Wheatfield. It was 
first settled in 1837, and was not rapid in its advancement. 
For years no village had sprung up within its limits, though 
a post-office was early established on section 6, known as 
Phelpstown, and later familiarly spoken of as " Podunk." 
With the advent of the Detroit, Lansing and Lake Mich- 
igan Railroad in 1871, which passes tiirough the north 
portion of the township, the village of Webberville, on 
section 11, was first projected, and has since grown to be a 
prosperous place. 

The surface of Leroy is generally even and free from 
abrupt elevations and sudden declivities. Some portions 
are gently rolling, and afford a pleasing variety to the land- 
scape, though hills of any considerable altitude are not 
found. The soil of the township is a composition of clay, 
loam, sand, gravel, and muck. Clay is found principally 
in the south, while sand abounds quite generally, though 
more perceptible in the northeast and northwest portions, 
as also in the west. Gravel is also more abundant in the 
west and northwest. Considerable swampy land is seen^ 
sections 13, 24, 25, 35, and 36 being partially covered by 
marshes, while sections 11 and 12 also contain a mode- 
rate quantity of lowland. This is, however, being rapidly 
drained and improved. The land is watered by the Cedar 
River, which enters on section 1, and nearly follows the 
northern boundary-line, passing out at section 4 ; by the 
Dietz Creek, which rises in a marsh in White Oak, and 
flowing north, then west, empties into Doan Creek ; by 
the Kalamink Creek, which finds its source in a swamp on 
section 26, and flowing north pours its waters into the 
Cedar; and by the Doan Creek, which rises in Wheatfield, 
and following a northeasterly course joins the Dietz Creek 
on section 8, and discharges into Cedar River, in Locke 
township. Most woods, excepting pine and hemlock, flour- 
ish in Leroy, among which are the maple, ash, black-walnut, 
basswood, beech, and elm. The tamarack is the companion 
of the marshes here as elsewhere. 

Fruit abounds and attains unusual size and excellence. 
Apples during the present season are especially abundant 
and of a very superior quality. The yield of grain is 
quite equal to the average of townships throughout the 
county, the land being well adapted to the raising of 
wheat and corn. 



■ Compiled by E. O. Wagner. 



LAND ENTItlE.S. 
The lands of township No. 3 north, of range No. 2 cast, 
were entered by the following parties : 

Scctimi 1.— Matthew C. Patterson, .July 12, 1S3I1 ; James T. Beach, 

April 2, 18.36. 
Sevllo,, 2.— Charles Bailee, April 2, 1S.36. 
Section 3.— William Thompson, April 12, 18.'i6; Ira Ward, June 24, 

1S3G; Henry W. Delevan, Sept. 23, 1S36. 
Sectioti 4.— Ebenezer Jessup, Jr., May 31 and June 4, 1836; George 

Morell, June 7, 1836; Joshua Rayner, July 11, 1836. 
,SVc^/«,i 5.— Henry Whiting, May 21,1833, and May 31,1336; Eben- 
ezer Jessup. Jr., May 31, 1836; Alonzo Bennett, June 21, 1836. 
Seeliun 6.— John M. Berrien, Jan. 28, 1836; Ebenezer Jessup, Jr., 

May 30, 1836; George Morell, June 7, 1836; Rufus L. Carroll, 

May 13, 1837. 
SecHim 7.— David Tobias, July 12, 1836; Eliza Chapin, July"l6, 1836; 

Jared AVilson and Albert Lester, July 16, 1836. 
Seclion 8.— Peter Westfall, June 28 and July 19, 1836; Volney Brown, 

July 19, 1836; Jared Wilson and Albert Lester, July 16, 1836; 

Hiram Dana, Aug. 4, 1836; Beaufort A. Parsell, Sept. 22, 1836; 

Edward H. Learned, Oct. 27, 1836. 
Seclion 9. — E. Jessup, Jr., May 30, 1836; Healy and Kercheval, May 

31, 1836; Peler Westfall, June 24, 1836; Hiram Dana, Aug. 4, 

1836; William Bradner, Dec. 12, 1836; David B.Wilcox, June, 

1836. 
Serlion 10.— Ebenezer Jessup, Jr., M.ay 30, 1836: Henry A. Leonard, 

June 27, I83C; Henry W. Delcvan, Sej.t. 23, 1836; William 

Bradner. 
Section 11.— Ebenezer Jessup, Jr., May 30, 1836 ; Henry W. Delevan, 

Sept. 23, 1836. 
Section 12.— E. Jessup, Jr., May 31, 1836; Malthew C. Patterson, 

July 12, 1836; Norman Speller, Sept. 21, 1836; Miles P. Samp- 
son, Oct. 25, 1836. 
Section 13.— Flavins J. B. Crane, July 13, 1836; Minard Farley, 

Sept. 21, 1836; Miles P. Sampson, Oct. 25, 1836; D. A. McFar- 

lan, Nov. IS, 1837. 
Section 14.— Flavius J. B. Crane, July 13, 1836; Henry W. Delevan, 

Sept. 23, 1836. 
Section 15.— Flavius J. B. Crane, July 12, 1836; Flavius J. B. Crane, 

Sept. 20, 1836; Hiram Bradner, Deo. 12, 1836; Horace A. Noyes, 

Deo. 12, 1836; John L. Johnson, Dec. 12, 1836; Pardon Brow- 

nell, Dec. 12, 1836. 
Seclion 16. — School section. 
Section 17.— Peter Westfall, July 9, 1836; Isaac Coleman, July 9, 

1836; Harry Meeoh, July 9, 1836; James Grant, July 16, 1836. 
Section 18.— Ephraim Meech, July 9, 1836; Henry Meech, July 9, 

1836; Henry Meech, July 9, 1836; Thomas P. Sawyer, Aug. 2, 

1836 ; Peter Judd, Aug. 2, 1836. 
Section 19.— Benjamin Morelund, July 9, 1836; James Wadsworth, 

July 16, 1836. 
Seclion 20.— Thomas Mann, July 25, 1836, Peter Westfall, July 9, 

1836; John S;iyers, July 9, 1836; David Meech, July 9, 1836; 

Samuel M. Spencer, July 16, 1836. 
.^ecli'oii 21.— William Van Leavan, July 9, 1836 ; Eliza Chapin, July 

16, 1836; Henry Home, Aug. 3, 1836; Miles P.Sampson, Oct. 

25, 1836. 
Seclion 22.— F. J. B. Crane, July 12, 1836; Henry M. Moon, Aug. 6, 

1836; M. P. Sampson, Oct. 25, 1836; Hiram Bradner and Eldred 

Hubbard, Deo. 12, 1836; Cephas Hoyt, Dec. 13, 1836; William 

Brewer, Dec. 14, 1836. 
Section 23.— Jane Place, Nov. 28, 18:'.5 ; Charles Pl.ace, Dec. 4, 1835; 

F. J. B. Crane, July 12, 1836; F. J. B. Crane, Sept. 20, 1836. 
Section 24.— Moses AV. Thompson, Sept. 20, 1836; Aaron Ballard, 



250 



LEROY. 



251 



Sept. 20, IS36; Lemuel Druacll, Jr., Sept. 21, 18.16; Timothy 

Lyon, March 1, 1830 ; David A. McFarlan, March 18, 1836. 
S.iilon 25.— William Farley, Sept. 24, IS:')6 ; Peter Ilarlman, Sept. 

23, lS3fi; Pardon Barnard, Sept. 24, 1836; Akxander Grant, 

April 24, 1836. 
Section 26. — Selh Spencer, Sept. 23. 1836; Henry W. Dolevon, Sept. 

23,1836; Miles P. Sampson, Oct. 2;'), 1836; Epaphrodilus Graves, 

Sept. 21,1836. 
S,i-i!on 27. — Samuel M. Spencer, July 16, 1846; James Grant, July 

16, 1846; Thomas P.Sawyer, Aug. 2, 1846: Henry Howe, Aug. 
3, 1846. 

S-rtion 28.— Augustus Waters, July 5, 1836; James Quaile, July 6, 
1836: James Grunt, July 16, 1836; Wilson and Lester, July 16, 
1836. 

S.rtinn 29.— Charles II. Hunt, Juno 30, 1836; Joseph Gale, July 2, 
1836; Horton Frost, July 2, 1S36; Michael Smith, July 2, 1836. 

Section 30. — James HufTman, June 13, 1836 ; Benjamin Glimpse, July 
9,1830; CorneliusGlimpse, July 9, 1836; Richard Putman, July 
15, 1836; Alexander Patterson, Oct. 31, 1836 ; D. A. McFarlan, 
March 18, 1837. 

StclioH 31. — Jason Beckley. Jr., June 15,1830; John Hester, June 

17, 1836 ; John B. Hartford, July 16, 1836; B. B. Kerchcv.al, Oct. 
29, 1836. 

5«cfioi. 32.— Daniel Miller, Juno 17, 1836; Jacob Helsel, Jane 17, 

1836; Joseph Gale, July 2, 1836; Sylvester Milliman, July 2, 

1836; Peter Wcstfall, July 9, 1836. 
Siciwn .-iJ.— Jacob Helsel, June J6, 1836; Ira Davenport, June 30, 

1836; James Wadsworth, July 16, IS36; John and James Mul- 

holland, Oct. 28, 1836. 
Sectiou 34.— Benjamin Iluger, Aug. ,i, 1836; David F. Has?, Sept. 

21, 1836; Henry Mecch, June 22, 1836. 
SrHion 35.— Seth Spencer, Sept. 23, 1830; H. W. Delcvan, Sept. 2.3, 

1836. 
<.,(,oii 36.— Peter Hartman, Sept. 23, 1830; II. W. Delcvan, Sept. 

2.3, 1830; James Hughes, Nov. 14, 1830. 

RESIDENT TAXPAYERS FOR THE YEAR 1844. 

Acres. 

Uriah Smith, sccliou 23 IIU 

Nathan Jones, section 23 50 

Alva Jones, section 23 40 

Hurley Bement, section 24 80 

Luther Brown, se<*tion 24 80 

II. M. Wood, section 23 2U0 

Al<)nzn Hooker, seciion 15 8u 

Joshua Baker, section 22 80 

Kduiund Alchin, sections 32, 33 240 

Daniel C. Wilco.v, section 5 107 

Oren Dana, sections 8, 9 170 

Peler Dietz, sections, 8, 9, 17 320 

Alva .Smith, sections 3, 17 320 

Daniel Tobia.-!, seciion 7 78 

B. K. Gecr, section 20 .'0 

L. S. Bouse, section IS 27 

George Kouse, section 18 27 

Thomas Medbcrry, section 18 119 

John Murray, sections 0,7 H)0 

Kphrnim Mcech, section 18 151 

James De Forest, section 7 50 

Henry Mcech, sections 17, 18 160 

Isaac Coleman, sections 17, 28 240 

Henry Lee, sections 20, 21 160 

Richard Putman, section 30 46 

James Kosecrancc. section 20 160 

Thoma.s Horton, section 29 80 

.M. Bennett, section 29 80 

.lacob Countryman 

John O'Brien 

Calvin Wilson, section 24 SO 

Hiram K\\, section 8 80 

EARLY SETTITemENTS. 

The earliest settlers in the township of Leroy were Mr. 
and Mrs. Ephraim Meech, who left Brutus, Cayuga Co., 
N. Y., in 1832, for Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mieh., where 
tlicy remained one year, and then purchased a farm in Green 
Oak, Livingston Co., in the oak-openings. Here they re- 
mained until 183G, whei> land was purchased on section 
18, in Leroy township, upon which they removed in Jan- 



uary, 1837. The snow at this time was eighteen inche-s 
deep, and for a distance of eight miles through the wilder- 
ness the travelers were obliged to cut and break their way. 
The cold was intense, and in crossing a creek the ice broke, 
and the stockinsrs of Mrs. Mecch were completely frozen to 
her feet. The first greeting she received the morning after 
her arrival was from two Indians, who asked for whisky. 
The only other inh:ibitants were wild beasts. Bears were 
frequent visitors, and made great havoc among the swine. 
One was shot, just after he had carried away a fine hog, 
which yielded five gallons of bear's oiH Wolves were 
constant disturbers of the peace, and would frequently sur- 
round the hou.se and begin their dismal bowlings as even- 
ing approached, which they steadily maintained until 
morning dawned. Mrs. Meech would spread a blanket on 
the boards which served as a floor for the loft of their 
dwelling, and lie down for the night, in constant fear lest 
the marauders .should break through the window. 

She welcomed with great joy the presence of the next 
settler, for she had not seen the face of a white woman for 
eight months. Mr. Mcech raised the first crop of corn 
grown in the township. lie used frequently to carry 
grain to the mill for neighbors, which would generally re- 
quire a week to go and return, the time having been much 
lengthened by the bad roads and swollen streams which had 
to be forded. 

Many instances of wolf trapping and boarliuiiling might 
be mentioned in which Mr. Meech took an active part, the 
bounty on the former offered by the State having mate- 
rially aided the settlers in their early struggles. Mr. Meech 
died on the land he entered, in 1876. His wife survives, 
and resides on the homestead, where slie entertains her 
friends with many interesting tales of pioneer life. 

The earliest birth in the township occurred at the house 
of Kphraim Meech, that of Nancy Tobias, daughter of an 
early .settler, and who afterwards became Mrs. Gorton, of 
Leroy. 

James Kosecrancc, the second settler in the township, 
arrived in the .spring of 1838, and located upon ICO acres, 
on section 20, which was wholly uncleared. He erected a 
shanty and began at once the work of underbrushing, the 
men of the family being their own hou.sekeepers. An ex- 
tensive tract was improved in course of time, which is now 
occupied by the sons of Mr. Rosecrance. 

Oren Dana, the first township clerk of Leroy, came 
from Le Roy, Genesee Co., at nearly the same time, and 
occupied land previously entered upon section 9, embracing 
160 acres. He cleared this tract, and remained upon it 
until his death, in 1879. His .son, H. J. Dana, now occut 
pies the estate. 

The next in point of arrival was Henry Lee, or " Squire 
Lee," as he Wiis more generally termed, who had many 
years before emigrated from Saratoga Co., N. Y., to Illinois, 
and from there came in 1838 to Leroy, where he purchased 
160 acres on .sections 20 and 21, of Peter Wcstfall, who 
entered it in 1836. 

With him came his wife and seven children, but two 
of whom now reside in the township. The family re- 
mained in Wayne County while a log shanty was being 
built, to which they then removed, cutting the woods 



21)2 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



before them as they advanced. Five weeks were con- 
sumed in making the journey from Illinois to Wayne 
County. James llosecrance and Ephraim Meech were 
already located, the former having been the nearest 
neighbor. 

Mr. Lee was formerly a merchant, and having been un- 
fortunate in trade came to Michigan to find a home, and, 
if possible, recover his lost fortune. 

Many hardships were endured, and the outlook was at 
times discouraging. A journey of forty miles to Owos.so 
was frequently made for milling purposes, and the oxen 
were shod at a cost of twenty-five miles of travel. Often 
on these journeys Mr. Lee had no boots, and his feet were 
clothed in rags sewed on tightly. Mrs. Lee was the happy 
possessor of a bonnet — the only one in the township — 
which was loaned over the whole neighborhood, and did 
duty for many years. It was a most accommodating bon- 
net, and would array itself in sober apparel with black 
streamers and assume an aspect of deep dejection on funeral 
occasions, while the various hues of the rainbow were not a 
circumstance to its bright colors at wedding festivities. 

The first marriage was performed at the house of Squire 
Lee (his daughter, Rebecca Jane, having been united to 
Cyrenus Kinter), to which all the neighbors were invited. 

The earliest religious services were also held here. Rev. 
Hiram T. Fero having been the ofiiciating clergyman.* 
Among other early preachers were Rev. Alfred B. Kinne 
and Elder Bcntley. 

The earliest physician who practiced in the township was 
Dr. Whitcomb, of Wheatfield. Dr. McRobert, of Mason, 
was also summoned in cases requiring additional skill. 

The first death that occurred was that of a Mrs. Carmer, 
who settled on section 28, and died in her own log house in 
1839. Mrs. Meech kindly nursed her during her illness. 
A clergyman from Dexter preached the funeral sermon, 
only six settlers having been present. 

Daniel Tobias came from Superior, Washtenaw Co., in 
1839, and settled on section 7, where he had eighty acres, 
which he cleared, first having erected a log house and 
domiciled his family. He was among the most active and 
energetic of the early pioneers, and died in 1860. 

Peter Judd entered laud on section 18 in 1830, upon 
which Harry Judd settled two years later. He built the 
accustomed shanty and began labor, but not having been 
satisfied with his progress, vacated the land the following 
year, when it was purchased by Daniel Wilcox. It em- 
braced forty acres, and was inclosed. Mr. Wilcox improved 
and converted the land into a productive farm, subsequently 
selling to Thomas Medberry. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox both 
resided in the township until their deaths. 

Levi and George Rou.se came in 1839, and settled on 
section 18. They ibund the land awaiting the axe of 
the chopper, and, after erecting temporary habitations, 
devoted themselves to the work of improvement. Both of 
these early settlers have since departed, but their wives still 
survive. 



■"- Mrs. Meech recalls Elders Minnus and Brcckenridge ns having 
preached at her log houss in 1839, who may have been earlier Ihan 
those already mentioned. 



Edmund Alchin, in point of settlement, antedates many 
of the pioneers. He recalls 1837 as the year of his ad- 
vent, though his presence at that early date is not recol- 
lected by other early settlers. It is possible that Mr. Alchin 
may have been so remote from others as not to render them 
conscious of his presence. If he is correct he would cer- | 
tainly rank as the second settler. His location was upon 
section 33, where he cleared fifty acres for parties in New 
Y'ork, receiving for it $5 per acre and what he could raise, 
and having six years in which to perform the work. His • 
father, later, purchased in White Oak, when his son re- J 
turned. In 1847 he located upon section 23, on 120 
acres which had been partially cleared, occupying a dilapi- 
dated log school-house until a log dwelling was erected. 

Mr. Alchin now has a spacious residence upon his land, 
which is cleared and well improved. James Alchin came 
with his brother and settled upon the same section, but at 
a later date removed to Shiawassee County. 

Richard Putman came from Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 
1836, to Wayne Co., Mich., and in 1839 settled upon land 
in Leroy, where he had in 1836 entered a fractional forty 
acres on section 30. He moved upon this with ox-teams, 
and soon after began chopping and erected a log abode, to 
which his family repaired. A few settlers were already in 
the township, but deer, bear, and wolves were the more 
numerous inhabitants. The latter were especially annoy- 
ing. On one occasion they congregated in great numbers 
around his cabin, and made the air dismal with their howls 
during the whole night. The following day they departed 
and were never seen or heard of more, their visit having 
apparently been one of farewell. Mr. Putman resided on 
the place until his death, in 1856. Three daughters and a 
son arc now residents of Leroy, the latter having 280 acres 
on section 8. 

Uriah Smith, formerly of New York, came from White 
Oak in 1839, and purchased 160 acres on .section 23, but 
later sold fifty of it. He cleared the land and rendered it 
highly productive, remaining upon it until his death, in 
1878. His son resides upon the same section. 

Isaac Coleman, formerly of New York State, settled upon 
.section 18 in 1840, where he had eighty acres. He im- 
proved this land and erected a house of spacious propor- 
tions, in which he was the landlord of the first and most 
popular country tavern. At his house the township-meet- 
ings and the Fourth-of-July celebrations were held. The 
latter were eventful occasions in the little community. 
Daniel Tobias played the flute, Mr. Coleman beat the drum, 
and Squire Lee was president of the day. Horace Wilson, 
of Williamston, was usually the speaker. A bounteous 
repast followed, at which every one present was abundantly 
fed. 

Henry Rix removed from Locke in 1842, though a 
former resident of New Hampshire, and located on section 
8 upon eighty acres, twenty of which had been previously 
chopped. Many of the early settlers had already made 
clearings. Mr. Rix found much labor awaiting him, but 
succeeded in improving his farm and making it valuable 
land, upon which he still resides. 

Peter Dietz came from Washtenaw Co., Mich., in 1843, 
and purchased of Peter Westfall 320 acres of unimproved 



LEROV. 



25S 



land on sections 9 and 10, upon which he erected a log 
house and cleared ten acres the first year. Ilirani Dana 
was his nearest neighbor. Mr. Dielz effected a considerable 
iiuprovenient upon the farm, after which David Putman 
became the owner. 

Oliver Geer came early, and for some time assisted 
Henry Leo. In 1844 he located upon section 20, where 
he owned eighty acres, which. was by him converted into 
a fruitful farm. He remained in the township, where his 
death occurred in 1860, and his son now occupies the 
estate. 

Newton Muscott, a former resident of Madison Co., N. Y., 
settled upon section 19 in 1844, where he owned a large 
tract of land. This was all unimproved, with the exception 
of a small clearing, upon which he erected a house of 
limited dimensions, and resided until his death, which oc- 
curred in 18G9. 

Levi C. Dean came the same year (1844) and found a 
home upon eighty acres on section 25. He still owns the 
land, and resides in Wcbberville. 

Albert Gunsally removed from Wayne Co., Mich., in 
184G, and .settled on section 22, where he remained three 
years and cleared a farm of thirty acres. He then removed 
to Van Buren Co., Mich., where he tarried a brief time, 
and finally returned again to the township, where he settled 
upon his present farm of eighty acres on .section 25. Thirty 
acres were cleared, to which he speedily added thirty more. 
He is an industrious and successful farmer. 

Robert Cole and Nathaniel I'amment each eamc in 1852, 
the former having located upon forty acres on section 25, 
and the latter upon ninety-six acres on section 24. Mr. 
I'amment settled in White Oak ten years before, but 
having preferred the land in Leroy, changed his location. 
He is .still a resident of the township, on the land he 
purchased, as is also Mr. Cole. 

D. Knapp arrived in 1853, and purcha-sed on section 
16. This was uncleared. After erecting a log house he 
devoted himself to chopping, having been assisted by a 
neighbor, for whom Mrs. Knapp made a suit of clothes 
in return. He has since improved this land, and made 
it among the most productive farms in the township. 

Alfred F. Ilorton, who has for years been actively iden- 
tified with the public interests of the township, came from 
Lake Co., Ohio, in 1854, and settled upon section 16. 
While erecting a shanty of logs he remained with Daniel 
Knapp. The 160 acres he purchased were untouched, 
with the exception of a small tract that had been slashed, 
and no roads were open in the immediate vicinity. He 
cleared and planted four acres in corn for fodder, and 
hired sixteen acres chopped. Indians were numerous, a 
band being encamped on the creek near by. In 1875, 
Mr. Horton erected his present spacious residence, one of 
the finest in the township. 

Daniel Herrick, a former resident of Washtenaw County, 
in 1854 settled upon 100 acres on section 24. A log 
house and a small clearing were found on his arrival. He 
has greatly improved the land, and in 1870 erected a com- 
fortable dwelling, in which he now resides. 

Among other early settlers who assisted in rendering 
the township lands valuable by their labor were Harley 



Bemcnt, on section 24; Joshua Baker, on section 22; H. 
M. Wood, on section 23; Thomas Medberry, on section 
18; M. Bennett, on section 20 ; Calvin Wilson, on section 
24 ; James de Forest, on section 7 ; John Murray, on sec- 
tions 6 and 7 ; Alva Jones and Nathan Jones, on section 
23 ; Alonzo Hooker, on section 15 , and Luther Brown, on 
section 24. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The township of Leroy was organized March 10, 1840, 
as an independent township, having formerly been a por- 
tion of the township of Brutus, now Wheatfield. 

CIVIL LIST. 

The first meeting for the purpose of electing officers 
after township No. 3 north, of range 2 east, had become an 
independent township, known as Leroy, was held on the 
16th day of June, 1840, at the house of Isaac Coleman. 
The ballots having been cast and counted, the following 
officers were declared elected : Supervisor, Levi Rowley ; 
Township Clerk, Oren Dana ; Treasurer, Isaac Coleman ; 
Justices of the Peace, Oren Dana, Daniel Tobias, Kphraini 
Meech ; Assessors, Daniel C. Wilcox, Daniel Tobias ; High- 
way Commissioners, Dancl C. Wilcox, Isaac Coleman, W. 
Davis ; School Inspectors, Ephraim Meech, Henry Lee, 
Levi Rowley ; Directors of Poor, Oren Dana, Henry Lee; 
Collector, D. C. Wilcox ; Constables, Daniel C. Wilcox, 
Levi Rowley. 

The following is a list of township officers to the year 
1880: 

1841. — SuporviFOr, Ephraim Mccch ; Town.«hip Clerk, Oren Dann ; 
Treasurer, K. S. Carroll; .Justice of the Peace, Uriah Smith. 

1842. — Supervisor, Oren Danaj Town.ship Clerk, Daniel Tobias; Treas- 
urer, D. C. Wilco.\ ; Ju.stice of the Peace, Isaac Coleman. 

184.''». — Supervisor, Oren Dana; Township Clerk, James Uosecrance ; 
Treasurer, Isaac Coleman; .Justice of the Peace, John W. 
Turner. 

1844.— Supervisor, Ephraim Meech; Township Clerk, Daniel Tobias; 
Treasurer, Isaac Colcm^in ; Justice of the Peace, Henry Lee. 

1845. — Supervisor, Ephraim Meech; Township Clerk, Dauiel Tobias; 
Treasurer, Isajvc Coleman; .lustice of the Pence, Uriah 
Smith. 

1S4B. — Supervisor, Thomas Medberry ; Township Clerk, Newton N. 
Muscott; Treasurer, Ephraim Meech; .lustice of the Peace, 
DiinicI Tobias. 

1847. — Supervisor, Peter Dietz ; Township Clerk, Perry Henderson; 
Treasurer, Henry Dietz; .Justice of the Peace, Oren Dana. 

1848.— Supervisor, Ephraim Meech ; Township Clerk, Daniel Tobias ; 
Tre:isurer, Newton N. Muscott; Justice of the Peace, Isaac 
CulcDian. 

1S49.— Supervisor, Newton N. Muscott; Township Clerk, Perry Hen- 
derson ; Treasurer, Charles Meeeh ; Justice of the Peace, 
Uriah Smith. 

1860. — Supervisor, Perry Henderson; Township Clerk, Henry Lee; 
Treasurer, Henry Diet?,; Justice of the Peace, Peter Dietz. 

1851. — Supervisor, Perry Henderson; Township Clerk, Charles Meeeh ; 
Treasurer, E. Meech; Justice of the Peace, M. W. Quackcn- 
busb. 

1852. — Supervisor, Perry Henderson ; Township Clerk, Henry Dietz; 
Treasurer, Thomas Medberry ; Justice of the Peace, William 
Brown. 

1853. — Supervisor, N. N. Muscott; Township Clerk, Henry Dietz; 
Treasurer, Uriah Smith; Justice of the Peace, Ephraim 
Meeeh. 

1854. — Supervisor, E. Meeeh; Township Clerk, Henry Dietz; Treas- 
urer, William Hopkins; Justice of the Peace, Daniel Free- 
man. 

1855. — Supervisor, George W. McCollom; Township Clerk, Henry 



254 



HISTORY OF I.VGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Dieti: Treasurer, William Vorce; Jastice of the Peace, 

William P. Hazard. 
ISo6. — Saperrisor, George W. McCollom; Township Clerk, Henry 

Dieti: Treasurer, William Torce: Justice of the Peace, P. 

P. Alger. 
ISoT.— Supervisor, L. D. Lighthall: Township Clerk, Hiram Rix ; 

Treasurer, M. Bennett : Justice of the Peace, William Brown. 
ISoS- — Supervisor. L. D. Lighthall : Township Clerk, John Rnhv ; 

Treasurer, L. C. Dean; Justice of the Peace, William P. 

Hopkins. 
lSo9.— Supervisor W. D. Horton; Township Clerk, Henry Dietz; 

Treasurer, Ira Miller ; Justice of the Peace, Thomas Horton. 
1S60. — Supervisor, X. X. Muscott; Township Clerk, Hiram Bis,: 

Treasurer. H. 0. Monroe; Justice of the Peace, Oren Dana. 
1S61. — Supervisor. X. X. Muscott; Township Clerk, Henry Lee; 

Treasurer, Madisou Bennett: Justice of the Peace, William 

Brown. 
1S62. — Supervisor, William D. Horton ; Township Clerk, Henry 

Dietz : Treasurer, Madison Bennett ; Justice of the Peace, 

P. P. Alger. 
1S63. — Supervisor, Cornelius Dietz; Township Clerk, Henry Dietz; 

Treasurer, J. K. Kirkland ; Justice of the Peace, James 

Huston. 
1S6-1. — Supervisor, Cornelius Dietz; Township Clerk, Henry Dietz; 

Treasurer, J. K. Kirkland; Justice of the Peace, Oren 

Dana. 
1S65. — Supervisor, Alfred B. Einne; Township Clerk, Henry Dietz: 

Treasurer, James J. Dana; Justice of the Peace, Uriah 

Smith. 
1S66. — Supervisor, Henry Dietz ; Township Clerk, P. P. Alger : Treas- 
urer, James J. Dana: Justice of the Peace, S. B. Bement. 
1S67. — Supervisor, J. K. Kirkland: Township Clerk, Albert F. Hor- 
ton : Treasurer, Alexander Dockstader: Jastice of the Peace, 

George H. Galusha. 
1S6S. — Supervisor, J. K. Kirkland; Township Clerk, Albert F. Hor- 
ton ; Treasurer, Alexander Dockstader ; Jastice of the Peace, 

Oren Dana. 
IS69. — Supervisor, Sidney A. Murray ; Township Clerk, A. F. Horton ; 

Treasurer, Alexander Dockstader; Justice of the Peace, 

Hiram Rix. 
1S70. — Supervisor, A. F. Horton ; Township Clerk, Hiram Rix, Jr. : 

Treasurer, David Putman ; Justice of the Peace, George M. 

Smith. 
1S7I. — Supervisor. A. F. Hurton; Township Clerk, Hiram Rix, Jr.: 

Treasurer, David Putman ; Justice of the Peace, Ralph P. 

HaU. 
IS72. — Supervisor, J. W. Gifford ; Township Clerk, Perry Ostrander: 

Treasurer, William Woodbum ; Justice of the Peace, John 

S. Huston. 
1S73. — Supervisor, A. F. Horton; Township Clerk, Perry Ostrander; 

Treasurer, William Woodbum; Justice of the Peace, G. H. 

Galusha. 
1S74.— Supervisor, A. F. Horton: Township Clerk, Charles E. Pad- 
dock ; Treasurer, Abram Decker; Justice of the Peace, 

Chester Cabotu 
!S7o. — Supervisor, S. A. Murray: Township Clerk, H, S. Hatch; 

Treasurer, J. 0. GiSbrd ; Jastice of the Peace, John W. 

Gicbrd. 
1S76. — Supervisor, S. A. Murray: Township Clerk, Henry S. Hatch; 

Treasurer, C. W. Chapman ; Justice of the Peace, Hiram 

Rix. 
1S77. — Supervisor, A. F. Horton ; Township Clerk, Lafayette Gordon ; 

Treasurer, Charles W. Chapman ; Justice of the Peace, 

George H. Galusha. 
1S7S. — Supervisor, A. F. Horton: Township Clerk, Lafayette Gor- 
' don : Treasurer, William H. Marshy Justice of the Peace, 

Perry Ostrander. 
1S79. — Supervisor, Sidney A. Murray; Township Clerk, Franklin S. 

Horton ; Treasurer, Rufus J. Xeal ; Justice of the Peace, 

Ira Merrill. 
ISSO. — Supervisor, John S. Huston: Township Clerk, Franklin S. 

Horton : Treasurer. Rufus J. Xeal ; Justice of the Peace, 

George M. Smith ; Highway Commissioner, Joseph E. 

Wilcox ; Superiutendent of Schools, Marcus B. Sweet ; 

School Inspector. Henry M. Silsby ; Drain Commissiooer, 



Morris M. Smith; Constables, Rufus J. Hammond, Isaac 
Adams, Frank Cole, John Frazier. 

EARLY HIGHWAYS. 

The following highway, designated as the " Meech road," 
is copied from the records as having been the earliest re- 
corded: 

** We, the undersigned commissioners of highways of the town 
of Ingham, county of Ingham, do certify that we have on this 4th 
day of September, 1S3S, laid out and established a road in town 3 
north, of range 2 east, of which the following is the survey : 

"Beginning on the town-line at the comers of sections 13 and 19, 
running east on section-line 565 rods, 9 links, to th6 comers of sec- 
tions 16, 17,20,21: thence south on section-line 960 rods to the 
town-Hue at the comers of sections 32, 33; thence east on town-line 
160 rods to the south quarter-post of section 33. Whole distance, 
five miles, eighty-five rods, seven links. 

" A. Jacksox, 

*• Coitntif Surveifor. 
"John- Clements, 
" Luars Wilsos, 
" Ct/wmi»*ioRer8 of Higkteayt." 

The following highway, known as the " Dana road," was 
laid out and established on the 27th of September, 1838, 
by John Clements and Lucius Wilson, commissioners : 
'•Commencing at section corners of sections 16 and 17, 
in town 3 north, of range 2 east ; thence north on said 
line to section comers of sections i and 5 on the town-line 
between towns 3 and -i north, of range 2 east." 

The above highways were surveyed before Leroy became 
an independent township, and other roads speedily followed 
as the population increased. These, however, were not 
well cleared or improved until some years later, and the 
axe was at an early date the inevitable companion of the 
settler on his journey. 

EARLY SCHOOLS. 

The first school building in the township was located on 
section 19 on the township-line very soon after the advent 
of the earliest settlers. It was taught by Mrs. Ephraim 
Meech, more familiarly known as Nancy Mcech, wife of 
the earliest settler. Children came a distance of three 
miles, many of whom had no shoes, and rags sewed about 
their feet as a protection against the cold were the only 
substitute. Thej" brought a dinner of johnny-cake with 
them, which would often freeze in the school-room, so cold 
was it. 

The second teacher was a young man named Hazard, 
from Dexter, who was not successful in his discipline, and 
abandoned the field, which was resumed by Mrs. Meech, 
who finished the term. 

Jane Hazard taught next, and was followed by Miss 
Loantha Spaulding. now Mrs. Sweet. 

As the population increased, the patrons of this school 
were confined to the immediate neighborhood, and other 
school-houses were built for the convenience of settlers. 

The school territory of the township is now divided into 
six whole and three fractional districts, over whom the 
following board of directors are appointed : A. F. Horton, 
J. Kirkland, Alexander Darrow, Garrison Starkweather, 
William Tobias, George M. Smith, C. W. Chapman, C. P. 
Smith, James Dunn. 



LKROY. 



255 



The school property of Leroy is valued at S4U75, which 
includes one log and cifiht frame school-houses. Duriu^ 
the past year 428 scholars received instruction, 23 of whom 
were non-residents. They were under the immediate care 
of 4 male and 14 female teachers, who received an aggre- 
gate amount of 81455.80 in salaries. The total resources 
of the township for educational purposes are 82935.14, of 
which 8237.07 is derived from the primary school fund. 

■\VEBHEKVILLE. 

Silas Alger at an early date purchased land on sections 
5 and G, where he located a saw-mill.* Circumstances 
influenced him to remove to section 10, where he again 
built a saw-mill, which he conducted for some years, and 
then removed to Salt Lake. On the death of Mr. Alger, 
Mr. H. I'. Webber, his son-in-law, became administrator of 
the property, and managed the mill, in addition to which 
he opened a store. A post^oflice was located at this point 
by the government, whicl> was known as Webberville. On 
the completion of the railroad an cftort was made to estab- 
lish a village here, but a stronger influence decided its loca- 
tion at tiie point where the present village of Webberville 
now stands, on section 11, where it occupies a portion of 
the southeast and northeast quarters of that section. 

The first plat of the village, which is known as " Mc- 
Pherson's Plat of the Village of Leroy," was surveyed by 
Andrew I). Waddell, and recorded Dec. IS, 1871. It is 
acknowledged by Wm. M. McPherson, Elizabeth M. Mc- 
Pherson, Wm. M. McPherson, Jr., Jennie M. McPherson, 
Alex. McPherson, and Julia C. McPherson. 

An addition known as " Fisher's Addition to Leroy" 
is described as "located on section 11, being in the south- 
east corner of the northeast quarter of said section 11, 
township 3 north, of range 2 east." It was surveyed by 
Louis D. Preston, Dec. 16, 18G1. 

This land was originally entered in 183G by Ebenezer 
Jessup, Jr., and Henry W. Delevan for purposes of specu- 
lation, and by them sold to the subsequent owners. Wm. 
M. McPherson, having platted the village then known as 
Leroy, erected the first store, which was later burned and 
rebuilt of brick, and is now under the management of F. 
E. Lansing. Lots were disposed of and a hotel built by 
John Wilson, after which a building used both as dwelling 
and store was erected by George Markell. J. K. Dart 
built an extensive saw-mill, which was followed the siime 
year by the erection of the flouring-mill and three stores. 
Th« railroad having been completed in 1871, the depot was 
soon after located at the hamlet, with Mr. Munson as station 
agent, and a strong impulse was thus given to the village. 
It has since continued to progress. New and commodious 
buildings have been erected, and an increasing business has 
promoted its vigorous and healthy growth. There arc now 
three stores kept by Frank E. Lansing, Lowe Bros., and 
J. 0. Hitchins; one hardware store, owned by John Har- 
ris; two harness-shops, belonging to Chauncey Dolph and 
Cooper; a drug-store, kept by Dr. G. W. Laogford, 



•This mill, atnhat is now known as " Podunk,"wa8 erected about 
1851, for the purpose of cutting lumber for the plank-road then build- 
ing between Uowell and Lansing. 



who is also postmaster ; two grocery-stores, Frank Fellows 
and W. M Younglove respectively being proprietors; two 
shoe-shops, owned by Thomas Donnelly and Samuel ('raig ; 
two markets, two blacksmith-sliops, and a flourishing hotel, 
of which John Kelly is landlord. 

The health of Webberville is guarded by two physi- 
cians, Drs. 11. 1$. Smith and G. W. Laiiglord. Chaun- 
cey P. Newkirk is the sole representative of the legal fra- 
ternity. 

The school building of the district was formerly located 
three-quarters of a mile west, but a new and commodious 
structure was erected in the village in 187(i, which is occu- 
pied as a graded school. Marcus P. Sweet and Miss Lane 
are the instructors. 

J. H. DAUT'S STEAM SAW-MILL AND STAVE- AND 
I5A11HEL-MANUFACTOI5Y. 

This enterprise was established in 1872 b}' its present 
owner, who erected the mills for the purpo>c of utilizing 
the hard- wood of the vicinity. It is provided with an en- 
gine of seventy horse-power, which gives the mill a capacity 
of 20,000 feet per day, or 6,000,000 feet per year, which 
is principally shipped to Detroit. In addition, 30,000 bar- 
rels per year are manufactured, for which a ready market 
is found in Chicago, f 

CHARCOAL-PITS. 

The Detroit Furnace Company erected during the present 
year extensive charcoal-pits, for the manufacture of that com- 
modity, adjacent to the village. Fifty cords of wood per 
day are transformed into forty-five bushels of charcoal. 
This is shipped to Detroit and consumed in the company's 
extensive furnaces. 

Egbert Kecler is the proprietor of a flouring-mill, which 
is managed by William Burch. It is conveniently located 
and devoted principally to custom work. 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
BAPTIST. 

The earliest services in connection with the Baptist de- 
nomination in the township were held at the hou.se of Henry 
Lee, and were conducted by Elder H. T. Fero, the pioneer 
preacher of the neighborhood. He at a later date organ- 
ized a church, to which he personally ministered for some 
years, after which he was succeeded by Elder Colby, who 
became the stated preacher, services having been held at 
the houses of Mr. Lee and Edmund Alchin, and in a log 
school-house on section 23. Kev. Alfred Kinnc and his 
son, Alfred B. Kinne, were later clergymen who preached 
at regular periods. 

A season of decline was then experienced, and for years 
services were abandoned or held at long intervals. A revival 
occurred with the ministry of Elder Hill, and under the 
ministrations of Ilev. J. W. Henry a church edifice was 
erected at a cost of 81250 ; the building committee were 
Messrs. Lloyd, Alchin, Beasan, Pammcnt, and William 



-f- The Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railroad is now laying a 
side track lo this place, wliicli will fucililatc its exlensivo shipping 
busittcu. 



256 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Taylor, the latter of whom was awarded the contract for 
constructiou. The church was begun in 1879 and dedi- 
cated July 17, 1880, with impressive ceremonies. It is 
located at Webberville. The present trustees ;irc James 
Monroe, Nathaniel Pammeiit, and Edmund Alchin. Rev. 
J. W. Henry is the pastor. A Union Sabbath-school, under 
the auspices of the Bapti.^t and Methodist Episcopal denom- 
inations, is held each Sabbath, with Daniel Kingsbury as 
superintendent. 

A class of the Methodist Episcopal Church holds its 
meetings in the school-house at Webberville. They are 
increasing in strength and numbers at a rate sufficient to 
warrant the erection of a church editice at an early day. 
The minister sent to Webberville by the Conference of 
1880 is Rev. L. H. Houghton. 

C0NGREG.4TI0NAL. 

A society under the auspices of the Congregational 
Church, and known as the " Congregational Church of 
Leroy," was organized April 14, 1880, with the following 
members: Mrs. David Putnian, Mrs. Theodore Dietz, Mrs. 

Oren Corey, Mrs. Wolcott, Mrs. Chester Barber, Mrs. 

Moore, Miss Barber, Mr. Oren Corey, Mr. Nor- 
man Bement. 

The church was organized under the ministry of Rev. 
Casimir B. Ludwig, of Willianiston, who is the present 
pastor. Services are held in the Lee school building, and 
a flourishing Sabbath-scliool has been organized with about 
sixty scholars and a well-selected library of 200 volumes. 
The society is sufficiently prosperous to warrant the erec- 
tion of an edifice in 1881. 

BURIAL-PLACES. 

The earliest burial-place in use among the inhabitants of 
the township of Leroy was known as the Meech Cemetery. 
Though quite generally used by the early settlers in the 
latter township, it was located in Wheatfield, adjacent to 
section 18. Mr. Meech assisted in its clearing, and other- 
wise contributed to its improvement, though no especial 
reason existed for calling it after his name. Mrs. Carmer, 
the settler whose death occurred in 1839, was interred in 
this lot, her remains having been removed from the farm of 
Mr. Meech. It has since been improved and beautified, 
while many graceful tablets and monuments have added to 
iis attractions. The remains of Mr. Ephraim Meech also 
slumber here. 

A lot on section 23, known as the Alchin Cemetery, has 
been in use for many years as a burial-place, the first in- 
terments having been those of Nathan Jones and the 
children of Daniel Freeman, whose deaths occurred many 
years since. 

In 1873 the township purchased of Edmund Alchin one 
acre of ground embracing the^above spot for the sum of 
fifty dollars ; it was neatly inclosed, and is now used as 
a township burial-place. It is under the supervision of a 
board of trustees embracing Edmund Alchin, William 
Askell, George Fear. 

A lot was more recently purchased on section 10 of H. 
P. Webber, which has been inclosed and devoted to pur- 
poses of burial. It is known as the Webber Cemetery, 



and is intended for the use more especially of residents of 
the northeast portion of the township. 

SOCIETIES AND ORDERS. 

Belle Oak Lodge, No. 178, 7. 0. 0. 7:— The lodge 
of Odd-Fellows now established at Webberville was insti- 
tuted at Belle Oak, Jan. C, 1872, and was removed to its 
present location in response to a universal desire of its 
members, the majority of whom resided in Leroy. Its 
charter members were B. W. Brown, A. N. Colburn, 
Hiram R. Carnes, George Fisher, Jr., George F. Casteline, 
Thomas A. Lowrie, William Casteline. Its first officers 
were George Fisher, Jr., N. G. ; Benjamin W. Brown, V. 
G. ; Thomas A. Lowrie, Sec. ; H. R. Carnes, Treas. Its 
present officers are Ira Merrill, N. G. ; William P. Mead, 
V. G.; G. H. Galusha, Sec; W. R. Dunlap, Treas.; 
Charles E. Jones, Per. Sec. A spacious and well-appointed 
hall is the place of its regular meetings. 

Edsoii Lodge, No. 1461, Knights of Honor. — This 
lodge received its charter Oct. 9, 1879, its first officers 
having been J. L. Lloyd, Dictator; William Taylor, Vice- 
Dictator ; L. B. Smith, Treas. ; G. H. Galusha, Fin. Sec. ; 
R. J. Hammond, Rec. Sec. Its present officers are C. W. 
Chapman, Dictator; R. B. Smith, Vice-Dictator; L. B. 
Smith, Treas. ; D. D. Kingsbury, Rec. Sec. ; Albert Angel, 
Fin. Sec. 

Cedar Lodge, No. 25, Daughters of Rehekah, is an 
organization of considerable numbers and strength. Its 
charter was granted Feb. 22, 1879. 

Leroy Lodge, No. 84, Independent Order of Good 
Templars, received its charter Nov. 20, 1878, and was at 
one time flourishing, but has since declined. 

A flourishing grange exists in Leroy, with a constantly- 
increasing membership. A commodious hall has been 
erected, in which their meetings are regularly held. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 



ALBERT T. HORTON. 

Among the many biographies that we append to the 
history of this county and its townships, no subject is more 
worthy than the one whose name heads this sketch. He is 
in the truest sense self-made. Coming to the State in an 
early" day when to exist required a struggle, his only 
capital energy, willingness, and strength, he has indeed 
achieved success, and is to-day enjoying the reward of an 
industrious, well-spent life. 

He was born in Lake Co., Ohio, July 21, 1828, thesecond 
in a family of four children. His father, Franklin S. Horton, 
was a native of Connecticut, and a blacksmith by trade. 
His mother was Betsy (Tucker) Horton, a native of the 
same State, where they were married, and started for Ohio 
the next day on their wedding-tour with a team and covered 
wagon in company with his brother and others, who had 
located land on the Western Reserve, locating in Lake 
County, where he followed farming combined with the 




Residence OF A LB EFT r. NORTON, Leroy Tp. Ingham Co. Michigan. 



LEllOY. 



257 



njanufacture of bay-forks, scythes, and carriage-springs, 
up to the time of his death. The mother is still living 
ill the old homestead. After tlie death of her husband, 
she rented her farm and kept her family together, teach- 
ing them by her example industry, economy, and sociability. 
Of them and the success of her precepts, she never had 
cause to complain, as they have all become prosperous and 
respected citizens. Albert, atthe age of fourteen, in com- 
pany with his younger brother, took the farm under his 
supervision, remaining at home until he was twenty-four, 
when he hired out by the month to a man who had pre- 
viously worked for him. June 25, 1852, he married Miss 
Maria L. Bennett, who was born in Ohio Nov. 13, 1832, 
and the fifth representative of a family of eight, all living. 
Her parents were both Vermontcrs, passing the early part 
of their married life there, afterwards removing to Ohio, 
where they followed farming until the death of the father, 
the mother surviving him three years. 

Mr. Horton continued working by the month until the 
spring of 1853, when he removed to Michigan, living in 
Lansing through the summer. In the fall they bought 
their present home of one hundred and sixty acres on sec- 



tion 16, to which have since been added eighty acres. On 
their arrival they lived with a neighbor, Knapp, until they 
could build a comfortable though not spacious log hou.se, 
moving in in March when it was only chinked on two sides. 
On their way to their new home their household goods 
were capsized in a small stream while crossing, deluging 
everything, more particularly their straw-beds, which they 
had to spread and dry, straw being more scarce then than 
now and no more to be had. Mr. and Mrs. Horton were 
the parents of eleven children, of whom eight are living. 
The eldest son and daughter are married and settled near 
home. 

Politically, Mr. Horton was formerly a Republican, lat- 
terly a Democrat ; luis been supervisor of his township for 
six years, clerk three years. He takes an active interest in 
schools, having been director twelve years, and knowing 
from past experience the necessities for an education ; for, 
though possessing a large amount of practical knowledge, 
his advantages for education were limited, like those of 
many of the early pioneers and settlers of the Western 
States. 

In religion his views are liberal. 



■?^. 





I'AVID GOUSLINE. 



SlHS. DAVID GOR.SLI.NE. 



DAVID GOUSLINE. 

This gentleman has nearly reached his fourscore years, 
which have not been vouchsafed him alone by reason of 
strength, but because a strong eon.stitution protected by a 
temperate use of the good things of life, an even tempera- 
ment, and a husbanding of his resources has enabled him 
to endure the hardships of pioneer experiences and the ex- 
hausting exposures and trials of a frontier life. 

He was born in New Town, Long Island, May 3, 1802. 
His father, also a native of the same place, was killed in 
the battle of Queenstown, in the war of 1812. His mother, 
whose maiden name was Elizabeth Wood, was a native of 
New York, and one of a family of eleven children. After 
33 



the death of his father, David, being then only ten years 
of age, took his first lesson in farming in Sullivan Co., 
N. Y., living there with his grandparents, and pursuing dil- 
igently this avocation until he was sixteen years of age, when 
he embarked for himself, receiving for his services three 
dollars and a half per month at the outset. In 1824 he 
married Miss Clari.ssa Worden, a native of Sullivan County, 
where she was born Dec. 5, 1803. Her parents wore both 
natives of Orange Co., N. Y., and the parents of eleven 
children, Clarissa being the seventh. Iler father died there 
in 1H28, and her mother in Ohio, in 1871. After their 
marriage David labored by the day or worked land on 
shares as the opportunity alTorded in Sullivan and after- 



258 



HISTOKY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



wards in Niagara County, until 1836, when, with his wife 
and six children, he turned from all the scenes of his child- 
hood and early years, and friends and relatives, journeyed 
through the lakes to Detroit, and thence by his own con- 
veyance to Wheatfield township, where he located one 
hundred and twenty acres on sections 34 and 35, he being 
the only white man in four townships. In 1837 they re- 
ceived their first neighbor in William Dripwn, who lived in 
the house with them. Their first home was a house twelve 
by sixteen feet. Poles covered with shakes were substi- 
tuted for doors. These he made by lamp-light, and all 
carpenter-, mason-, and other work was done by himself. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Gorsline were born ten children, of whom 
six are living: Elizabeth, born Nov. 7, 1824; Catharine, 
born April 24, 182G; Parden E., born Feb. 24, 1829; 



Kichard A., born March 8, 1831 ; David, born Feb. 24, 
1833; Edwin, born Dec. 29, 1840. 

In 1872 they left their old home, which contained two 
hundred and forty acres, and which they had transformed 
from a wilderness to blossoming fields by thirty-six years of 
hard labor and privation, and moved to Williamston. In 
1873 he sold his farm, and the year following moved to 
Leroy township, where they now live in the enjoyment of 
ease and comfort. 

In politics Mr. Gorsline is a Democrat ; has held all the 
various town ofiices, including that of supervisor, which he 
held six years, and has proven himself worthy of the con- 
fidence reposed in him. Mrs. Gorsline is a worthy member 
of the Baptist Church, Mr. Gorsline being liberal in his 
religious views. 



LESLIE. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOORAPllY, TOPOGRAPHY, Etc. 

The township of Leslie occupies a position on the south- 
ern border of the county of Ingham, and is bounded west 
by Onondaga, north by Vevay, east by Bunker Hill, and 
south by Jackson County. The eastern and southern 
boundaries were surveyed by Joseph Wampler, in 1824 ; 
the northern and western boundaries by John Mullett, in 
1824-25 ; and the township was subdivided by Hervey 
Parke, in 1826. 

The surface of the township is level or gently rolling, 
and its soil is capable of yielding largely of the various pro- 
ductions of the region. The principal stream is Huntoon 
Creek, — named for an early settler, — which flows in a general 
southerly course nearly across the centre of the township. 
Its principal sources are in Mud Lake, on sections 3 and 
10, and Huntoon Lake, on sections 13 and 14. There is 
light power on the stream, which was formerly utilized at 
Leslie village, but the dam was torn away and the mill-pond 
drained for the promotion of the health of the inhabitants. 
The power had been used to drive a saw-mill. 

An outlet by rail is furnished by the Saginaw division 
of the Michigan Central Railway, which unites at Rives 
Junction, in Jackson County, five miles south of Leslie, 
with the Grand River Valley road, or Grand Rapids divis- 
ion. The village of Leslie is situated in the southern part 
of the township, and North Leslie is a hamlet lying north- 
west from the Centre. 

PREOCCUPATION. 
The occupants of the territory included in the township 
of Leslie, when it was first settled by white people, were of 
the copper- colored race generally known as Indians. Evi- 

» By Pliny A. Durant. 



dences, however, exist pointing to the occupation — long 
previous — by a people superior in many respects to the 
Indians, notably in the art of defen.se against the attacks of 
hostile forces. 

Sidney 0. Russell, of Leslie, while hunting on a certain 
occasion, in the winter, discovered an embankment on what 
is now the J. W. Wilcox place, near North Leslie, and 
when the snow had gone ho examined it closely. It was 
rectangular in form, with entrances at the northern and 
southern ends, and when discovered by Mr. Russell was 
about eighteen inches high. Upon it were growing trees 
which were equal in size to those standing in the surround- 
ing forest, which were very large. In the immediate vicinity 
of Leslie were discovered other curiosities in the form of 
small mounds and pits. About half a mile west of the vil- 
lage was a tract of fifteen or twenty acres, from which were 
plowed up large numbers of human bones, many of which 
were left exposed. A piece of hardened copper was also 
found in one locality, and among the bones which were un- 
earthed was a skull, which was so large that not a hat 
could be found in Leslie large enough to fit it ; a thigh- 
bone which was found to be three inches longer than the 
thigh of the tallest man in the place, and he was very tall. 
The Indians had no knowledge of these bones, nor of the 
works which abounded in the vicinity ; and it can only be 
concluded that they were relics of that mysterious people 
whom archajologists call the " prehistoric race." Rev. W. 
W. Crane, an early minister of this region, who lived in 
Eaton County, was an enthusiast in the study of these an- 
ti([uities, and familiar with all treatises upon the subject, 
yet he could only oflFer a theory as to their probable origin 
and the time when this portion of the country was occupied 
by them, for nothing definite could be known of them more 
than the evident fact of their being a warlike race, and con- 
siderably versed in mechanics. 



LESLIE. 



259 



LAND ENTRIES. 
The following is a list of those who entered land in what 
i.a now Leslie township (town 1 north, range 1 west), show- 
ing dates of entry : 

Sccllmi 1.— Dorman Felt, May 25, 1837; Francis Curtis, Juno 7, 

1S3S; Aslicr Robinson, Nov. 1, 18.39; Xathanic] Scarl, 1847; 

Stephen Vcrrill, William Potter, no date; Augustus Finney, 

1857. 
Stction 2.— William W. Dewey, July 23, 1836; Stephen Kirby, 

David Lockwood, April 17, 1S37; Joshua Odell, May 11, 1837; 

Isaac Kirby, May 13, 1837; Dorman Felt, Sept. 20, 1848. 
Seci!on 3. — Tohn Sample, Sept. 13, 1848. 
Seclinn 4.— Milton B. Adams, May 4, 1836 ; R. Kirby, July 23, 1836 ; 

William Doty, Nov. I, 1830. 
Section 5.— William Page, entire section, July 23, 1846. 
Seclimi 6.— Henry Finn, Dec. 12, 1836; Runyan Churchward, May 

23, 1837; Ira 11. Cule, May 24, 1837; William Jones, Juno 14, 

1837; Stephen Edivards, Jan. 15, 1845: Lucretia Davis, no date. 
Section 7.— Nathaniel B. Kingsland, John Jonc.«, William Page, July 

23, 1836 : Ira Hare, Sept. 23, 1836: Noah Phelps, May 23, 1837 ; 

William G. Van Cleef, April 1, 1839; Thomas Dunlap, July 17, 

1839. 
Section 8. — James Royston, May 18, 1836; Benjamin Tultle, James 

McCrary, July 14,1836; Thomas Squiers, Bethel S. Farr, July 

23, 1836; William W. Andrews, Oct. 2'.l, 1838. 
Section 9— Milton B. Adams, May 4, 1836; James Armstrong, July 

14, 1836; Jacob Loomis, April 4, 1837. 
Section 10.— Kestecome Kirby, July 23. 1836. 
Section 11.— Benjamin Tuttle, July 14, 1836; S. W. Reed and Elijah 

Hunt, June 19, 1837; William C. Longyear, July 15, 1837. 
Section 12.— William W. Dewey, July 15 and 23, 1836; Dorman Felt, 

May 25, 1837. 
Section 13. — .John Penson, June 9, 1837; Hiram and Thomas God- 
frey, Dec. 26, 1837; Thomas Godfrey, Sept. 20, 1838; S.amuel 

II. Kimball, Dec, 21, 183S; John Whiting, March 12, 1842; 

Henry 0. Hodges, no date. 
Section 14.— John Davy, Jr., May 23, 1836 ; Prentice J. Miner, July 

23, 1836. 
Srrtlon 15. — Benjamin Damolb, April 27, 1836; Milton B.Adams, 

May 4,1836; Abram Kirby, July 23,1836; William G. Harmon, 

no date. 
Section 16.— P. U. Davis, William Doty, Walter H. Cheney, Henry 

Dennis, Amasa Hall, X. B. Backus, M. N. Armstrong, F. Shaver, 

no dates. 
Section 17.— James Royston, .May 18, 1836; Benjamin Tultle, Klijah 

Woodworth, July 14, 1836. 
Section 18.— James Royston, May IS, 1836; N. B. Kingsland, no 

date; Daniel Cook, Sept. 20, 1836. 
Section 19.— George W. Tower, May 12, 1836; .lohn C. Hempsted, 

May 13, 1836; David Darrah, May 14, 1830 ; Sidney 0. Kusscll, 

May 18, 1830; Daniel Cook, Sept. 26, 1836; William 0. Long- 
year, July 15, 1S37. 
Section 20.— David Darrah, May 14, 1836; Sidney 0. Russell, May 

18, 1836; Benjamin Davis, May 20, 1S36; Joshua F. Freeman, 

David F. Dwight, Zadock Washburn, July 23, 1836. 
Section 21.— Amos Wortman, March 11,1836; Ezekiel T. Critchett, 

March IS, 1836; .John N. and D. F. Dwight, March 21, 1836; 

Milton B. Adams, May 4, 1836; Amos Wortnmn, July 23, 1836. 
Section 22.— J. N. and D. F. Dwight, March 21, 1830; Charles Tupper, 

April 28, 1836; Milton H. Adams, May 4, 1836; Thomas and 

Dennis McMahon, Jfay 2.3, 1836; Rcsteoome Kirby, July 23, 

1836. 
Section 23.— Jacob F. Cooley, May 16, 1836; William W. Dewey, 

July 0, 1830; Prentice J. Miner, July 2.3, 1836; Enoch Scovell, 

May 7, 1840; Jacob Straight, May 12, 1841. 
Srctlon, 24, 25, 20, 27.— John Western, March 30, 1836. 
Srrilon 28.— Denzil P. Rice, Feb. 23, 1836; Henry Meeker, Feb. 23, 

1836; Jacob Loomis, John C. Burnell, April IS, 1836; Hiram 

Lane, April 28, 1830; Milton B. Adams, May 4, 1836. 
Section 29.— D. P. Rice, Feb. 23, 1836; John C. Burnell, April 18, 

1836; Sidney 0. Russell, May 18, 1836: George II. Freeman, 

May 20 and 23, 1836; Joshua F. Freeman, May 23, 1836; Zadoek 

Washburn, July 23, 1836; Gilbert H. Valentine, Nov. I, 1836. 



Section 30. — James McCray, April 26, 1836; Joseph Compton, April 
20 and July 23, 1836; Ingham County, June 2, 1837. 

Section 31. — Daniel Perry, Jasper S. Wolcott, Joseph Perry, .Tan. 21, 
1S30; Jcduthan Waldo, .March 3, 1830; John Eaman, May 6, 
1830; Ira Nash, July 13, 1836. 

Section 32.— William W. Harwood, Nov. 3, 1835 ; Sylvanus P. Jor- 
main, Feb. 23, 1836 ; Theodore Clark, Jr., Feb. II, 1836 ; Austin 
Church and Frederick Clark, Feb. II, 1S36; Austin Church, 
March 25, 1830; Thomas Godfrey, Nov. 17, 1S3S. 

Section 33.— William W. Harwood, Nov. 30, 1835; John Western, 
March 30, 1836. 

Section .34.— Jeremiah Marvin, Feb. 2, 1836; John Western, March 
30, 1836. 

Section, 35 and 36.— .John Western, March 30, 1836. 

From the foregoing it will be seen that the first entries 
in the township were made bj' William W. Harwood, Nov. 
3, 1835, at which date he pureha.sed the southeast quarter 
of section 32. On the 30th of the same month he pur- 
chased the west half of the southwest quarter of section 
33, the balance of the section being taken by John West- 
ern, a heavy purchaser. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The records of the County Pioneer Society contain the 
following items of interest regarding some of the settlers of 
the township of Leslie: Jacob Armstrong, a native of 
Charlestown, Montgomery Co., N. Y., removed to Michi- 
gan in the fall of 1837, arriving at Detroit September 3d. 
Mr. Armstrong relates his experience as follows : " I hired 
a man and team to transport my goods; arrived at the 
Freeman bridge, on Grand River, the 9th of September. 
Found the river imp;»ssable on account of heavy rains. The 
cau.seway, some thirty rods long between the bridge and the 
north bank, was afloat. I left my goods on the south side, 
and my wife and I crossed on the floating logs, jumping 
from one log to another, and came to Leslie that night, five 
miles, on foot. Next morning I started with an ox-team for 
my goods, the river still imp;i.s.sable for a team. By the help 
of three hired men we loaded in a wagon what we could 
draw, and drew it across on plank laid on the floating cause- 
way, and by taking two sets of plank we could shift them 
every length of tlie wagon, and by working faithfully all 
day, part of the time up to our waist in water, we got them 
over, and arrived at our home in Leslie some time after 
dark." 

The Freeman bridge mentioned by Mr. Arm.strong is 
well remembered by the pioneers, a.s it was at the place 
where many of them crossed the river when on their way 
into Ligham County with their families. 

Elijah Woodworth,* a native of Mayfield, Montgomery 
Co., N. Y., and afterwards a resident of Cayuga County, and 
a soldier of the war of 1812, removed to Michigan from 
Aurelius, Cayuga Co., in the fall of 1835. His route lay 
through Canada, and the journey occupied twenty-one days 
of time. During the winter the family remained in Jack- 
son County, with Mr. Woodworth's cousin, George Wood- 
worth. In March, 183G, Elijah Woodworth cut his road 
part way through to Leslie, and finally arrived in the latter 
township. He crossed Grand River on a raft. He says : 
" My nearest neighbors north were at De Witt, Clinton Co.; 

♦ Mr, AVoodworth was the first settler in Leslie township, and is 
now residing in Wbeatfield. 



260 



HISTOKY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



south, four miles, and oast and west none but natives that I 
knew of. During the summer new-comer.s in pursuit of 
homes found my habitation. Each had liis name booked 
as he came to the door, and his turn of choice of land fol- 
lowed his registry. Amos Wortman, Jasper Wolcott, and 
myself became their guides in the wilderness. Our pro- 
visions were transported some distance and were very dear. 
I assisted D. F. Dwight to build the first saw-mill in Ing- 
ham County, a water-mill at Leslie, in 1836. The mail was 
brought from Jacksonville. We had no sawed timbers 
about our mill. Our land was located at Kalamazoo in the 
order the applications were made. 

" Henry Meeker located his land and mill site, and left the 
same year. When we went out to look land we had to camp 
in the woods over-night or stay at some Indian lodging. 
During 1836 among the new settlers were James Royston, 
S. 0. Russell, and E. T. Critchett, of Seneca Falls, N. Y. 
Plenty of wild animals then roamed our forests, such as 
bear, wolves, deer ; cats, rats, and mice we had none." 

During 1836, before a bridge was built over Grand 
River, it was crossed by incomers on a log raft. Some time 
in that year, Mr. Oaks was treed by wolves near the river, 
on his return from Jackson, and remained all night on his 
perch, badly frightened. Wolves were quite troublesome 
until the settlers began trapping them for the bounty of 
seven dollars per head, and their numbers were soon greatly 
lessened. Bears were also plenty, and it is related that 
David Ackley killed one with his rifle, one Sunday morn- 
ing, that was seven feet two inches in length. He and his 
wife were out taking a walk, and she at first mistook the 
animal for an Indian pony. 

The first law-suit in the town of Aurelius was between 
E. T. Critchett, plaintiff, and Elijah VVoodworth, defendant. 
The first death in Leslie is thought to have been that of 
a daughter of Stephen Kirby. From 1838 to 1840 the 
settlers were all sick with bilious fever and the ague, and 
they were so badly shaken up that many became disheart- 
ened and returned to their former homes. 

Thales W. Huntoon, a native of Claremont, Cheshire 
Co., N. H., settled in Leslie, Nov. 12, 1840. His parents 
also came to the township, where they both died. His 
father's name was Isaac F. Huntoon. When T. W. Hun- 
toon first came to the township the village of Leslie con- 
tained but few houses, while he expected to find a thriving 
town. On arriving there and inquiring the distance to 
the village of Leslie, he was greatly surprised to find that 
he was then in the midst of it. 

Benjamin Davis, from Jefierson Co., N. Y., removed to 
Michigan in October, 1836, and remained in Wayne County 
until Jan. 1, 1837, when he settled with his family in the 
township of Leslie, Ingham Co., where he lived for thirty 
years, and died at the age of seventy. His son, Richard 
H. Davis, was but ten years old when the family came to 
Michigan. The wife of R. H. Davis came to Ingham 
County in 1841 with her parents, Asa and Orvilla Dubois, 
who settled in the township of Vcvay. 

Sidney 0. Russell, a native of East Bloomfield, N. Y., 
settled in Leslie in June, 1836, having been preceded but 
one day by Ezekiel T. Critchett. 

Wheaton Sanders, who was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., 



in 1811, came to Leslie in 1839, and settled on a farm to 
which no road had been cut out, and on which he died, 
April 22, 1879. He and his wife experienced all the 
hardships of a pioneer life. 

The foregoing items concerning the pioneers mentioned 
are from the Pioneer Society's records ; what follows has 
been gathered " in the field," among the pioneers. 

Amos Wortman, who is now re-siding immediately north 
of the village of Leslie, on the farm he first located, came 
to Michigan in September, 1835, from Genesee Co., N. Y., 
and was then unmarried. He remained in Jackson until 
the spring of 1836, when he came to what is now Leslie, 
purchased government land, and commenced improving it. 
He boarded for two years with Elijah Woodworth, who 
lived at the site of the village, and who built the first 
house in the place. When Mr. Wortman was looking for 
land he was accompanied by Jasper Wolcott, a young man 
from his own neighborhood in New York. They stopped 
a portion of the time, when night fell, with Oliver Booth, 
the first settler in the township of Onondaga, who had a 
section of land where Onondaga village now is. Mr. 
Wortman assisted Elijah Woodworth in building his shanty 
at Leslie ; it stood about sixty rods cast of what is now 
the main street, and Mr. Woodworth says it was, beyond 
dispute, the first one on the .site of the village. 

Mr. Wortman assisted many in looking out their land, 
as also did Mr. Woodworth and Mr. Wolcott. Mr. Wort- 
man was married in October, 1838, and settled upon his 
place the following spring, having cleared a small tract and 
sowed about fifteen acres of wheat. The first wheat sowed 
in the township was put in by S. 0. Russell and James 
Royston, who settled in the summer of 1836. Mr. Wort- 
man helped cut the first road in the town.ship of Leslie, 
and also helped to cut tracks through the woods in other 
townships while on " land-hunting" trips. Those roads 
were scarcely better than cow-paths. 

Sidney 0. Russell, previously mentioned, visited this 
region in 1835, and looked it over with the view of some 
time settling. In May, 1836, he purchased land in what 
is now the township of Leslie, and in the following month 
of June he brought in his family and settled with them on 
a farm, upon which he resided until 1842, when he removed 
to the village and entered the mercantile business, in which 
he has since continued. James Royston, Mr. Russell's 
brother-in-law, came to the township with the latter and 
settled in the same locality, and at present occupies the 
farm he then located. 

Mr. Russell's wife is a daughter of Mrs. Abby Haynes, 
who, after the death of her husband, removed to Michigan 
from the town of Marcellus, Onondaga Co., N. Y., with five 
children, and settled in the township of White Oak, lug- 
ham Co. This was in 1838 ; one year later they removed 
to Onondaga township. Mrs. Russell was the eldest child. 
Mrs. Haynes, who was a resolute, energetic woman, died in 
1871. When the family started from New York they had 
a team of horses, but while passing through Canada one of 
the horses was traded for a yoke of oxen, ahead of which 
the other horse was hitched, and slow progress was made 
over the extremely bad Canadian roads. From Detroit to 
Ann Arbor the journey occupied two days' time, and the 



LESLIE. 



261 



wagon contained four persons for its load only. Mr. Rus- 
sell, who had come two years before, Wius four days mukinjr 
the same distance. 

M. V. Armstrong, now in the undertaking business at 
Leslie, came to the township in 1845, and purchiuscd the 
first forty acres of land taken on section 16, upon which he 
resided a short time. His wife became ill and homesick, 
and they shortly returned to IJatavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., 
where she died. He came again to Leslie and purchased 
forty additional acres of land, returned to New York and 
was married again, and finally made a permanent settlement 
here in 1850. 

Mr. Armstrong's brotlier, Jacob, in company with Nel- 
son B. Backus, settled in the township in 1836, at Leslie, 
or " Teaspoon Corners." He sold eighty acres of the land 
he had purchased to Mr. Backus, who became a prom- 
inent citizen in the township, as did also Jlr. Armstrong. 
These men were the first settlers at North Leslie. Mr. 
Armstrong, who first purchased on section 1), has resided 
for several years at Oakley, Saginaw Co., Mich. M. V. 
Armstrong held the position of commissioner of highways 
in Leslie about twenty-five years. 

Mahlon Covert, from Covert, Seneca Co., N. Y., purchased 
land in the township of Vevay, in June, 1S37, and came 
with his family to the township of Leslie in October fol- 
lowing, intending to proceed at once to his place in Vevay. 
There was so much water on the way, liowever, that it 
would have been almost impossible to get through, and Mr. 
Covert finally traded his Vevay land to John lloyston, for 
land the latter had purchased in Leslie, and settled upon it 
and still occupies it. Mrs. Covert's brother, Ira Chandler, 
came with them. A son of John lloyston now occupies a 
portion of the old. farm in Vevay. Mr. Covert's son, Ansel 
R. L. Covert, wa.s elected county clerk in 1856, and re- 
moved to Mason, where he lived four years, and in 1861 
settled in the village of Leslie, where he at present resides. 

Calvin Edwards, from Cayuga Co., N. Y., came to the 
township of Leslie in 1837 or 1838, with his wife and six 
children, and located in the same neighborhood with Mahlon 
Covert. He died in the township. His son, Ogden Ed- 
wards, resides in Leslie village, and he and his brother 
Oliver are the only ones of the family now 'living in the 
township. Ogden and Stephen Edwards chopped the first 
tree felled on their father's place, upon which no improve- 
ments had been made, although it was purchased from 
second hands. 

Wheaton Sanders, who accompanied Mr. Edwards to the 
township, was from the .same neighborhood in New York.* 
He is now deceased, but his family occupies the old farm. 
His brother, Gilbert Sanders, had settled in the same local- 
ity a year previous to the arrival of Wheaton Sanders, and 
is now living at Albion, Calhoun Co. 

Arnold Walker, from Seneca Co., N. Y., came to Leslie 
in 1844, and has since resided in the county, in which he 
has been and is a prominent and influential citizen. He at 
present occupies the position of president of the First Na- 
tional Bank of Leslie. He was for some time previous to 
the Rebellion an officer in the militia of the county, and was 



* Elsewhere sUtcd that iMr. Sanileru came in 1839. 



captain of the " Curtenius Guards," of Mason. That com- 
pany was named in honor of Col. F. W. Curtenius, of Kal- 
amazoo. The mililia of the Suite had been allowed to 
become of little importance, but finally tlic State Military 
Board raised three thou.sand dollars, a portion of which was 
appropriated towards prizes for the best-drilled and best- 
appearing companies in the State. In 1857, Col. Curte- 
nius inspected three companies at Ma.son, — the " Curtenius 
Guards," and two companies from Lansing, the " Wil- 
liams Grays" and a German organization. The prize was 
awarded to the Mason company, and consisted of one hun- 
dred and fifty dollars in money and a brass field-piece. Its 
officers were each raised one grade in rank, except Capt. 
Walker, who was promoted to the position of lieutenant- 
colonel of the regiment (Forty-sixth Michigan). The 
company armed itself with Minie rifles, and became well 
known for its efficiency and appearance. W^hcn the war 
broke out the services of the company were tendered as a 
body to the Governor, and the organization was accepted 
and assigned to the Seventh Michigan Infantry and sent to 
the front. Capt. Walker was not at the time a member of 
the company, but was solicited to accept the position of 
captain. He declined in favor of Capt. McKcrnan, but 
offered to go in any other capacity, — even as a private in 
the ranks. The position of major of the regiment was 
tendered him, and would have been accepted but that Mon- 
roe County was without representation among the line 
officers of the regiment, and Mr. Walker was promised a 
good position in the near future if he did not take the 
major's commission. The result was he had no chance to 
go to the front, though always ready. The " Curtenius 
Guards" covered themselves with glory while in the field. 

Nelson Norton, from Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, came with his 
wife and one child to Ingham County in June, 1838, and 
settled on section 33 in Leslie, having purchased land of 
John Western, of Jackson. Mr. Norton himself made the 
first improvements upon it. Western being only a speculator, 
owning several sections in this township. In January, 
1875, Mr. Norton removed to the village where he now 
resides. 

llev. Elijah K. Grout, a native of Fairfax, Vt., settled 
in Leslie in October, 1S38, with his wife and three chil- 
dren, — the latter all young. He pureha.scd forty acres inside 
of the present village corporation, a portion of the tract 
now being owned by Arnold AValker. This land he after- 
wards sold. In the spring of 1839, Mr. Grout assisted in 
the organization of a Baptish Church at Leslie, and was 
himself ordained to the ministry in 1841. He served in 
the ministerial field of labor for nearly thirty-seven years 
in various localities, having resided at JLirine City, St. 
Clair Co., from 1847 to 1854, and died at Leslie, Feb. 9, 
1878. His loss was sincerely mourned by all who knew 
him. He was a fine type of the pioneer minister, and knew 
no man as an enemy. His widow is residing in the village, 
and several of his children live here and at Bay City. 

Mrs. Grout is a sister of Henry and Dr. Valorous .^Iceker, 
and daughter of Benjamin Meeker, who were among the 
first settlers in tlie township of Leslie. Henry Meeker 
purchased land on section 28 in February, 1836. Henry 
Meeker, in comi)ai)y with his father, Benjamin .Meeker, and 



262 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Denziel P. Rice, carae at nearly the same time with Elijah 
Woodworth, and soon sent for the family of the elder 
Meeker, who came the same year (183C). Dr. Valorous 
Meeker arrived in 1837, and was the first physician who 
settled in Ingham County. Benjamin Meeker and wife 
both died in this township. Henry returned to Cortland 
Co., N. Y., but afterwards removed still farther West, and 
is now living near Mijford, Dickinson Co., Iowa. The 
Meckers, in many respects, were among the most prominent 
citizens of Leslie township. 

Henry Fiske came to Leslie about 1837, and settled on 
the site of the village. The first township-meeting con- 
vened at his house in April of the following year. His 
log dwelling stood near the present site of the Allen House. 

Miss Messinger, who came with him, or at nearly the 

same time, was an early teacher in the Leslie schools. She 
became the wife of a man named Hill, also an early settler, 
and they removed from the locality. Both are now de- 
ceased. 

James Blackmore, the present postmaster at Leslie, emi- 
grated from Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y., to Henrietta, 
Jackson Co., Mich., in 1848, and in 1855 came to Leslie 
and taught school. He removed here in 1858, and engaged 
in mercantile business in June, 1859. 

The resident taxpayers of the township of Leslie in 
1844 are included in the following list : 

Asher Eobinson, Moses Curtis, George Higdon, John Barry, Williiim 
Doty, Clark A. Harlow, S. G. Sanders, Calvin Edwards, William 
Page, John Tuttle, William Page, Jr., Enoch Hare, Thomas 
Closson, A. C. Harlow, Wheaton Sanders, William Jones, Homer 
S. King, Jacob Armstrong, Nelson B. Backus, Amos Wortmau, 
Abr.am Housel, James Harkncss, William W. Dewey, Chauneey 
Smith, Isaac F. Huntoon, Sally Miles, Seneca M. Hale, Joshua 
Whitney, Anthony Ingalls, Washington Scovel, Ephraim Wort- 
man, Truman Wilbur, Whitman Albro, Peter Ward, Mahlon 
Covert, James Royston, John R. Dunsha, Solomon Woodworth, 
Sidney 0. Russell, Stephen Weeks, Benjamin Davis, Elizabeth 
Gardner (administratii.x), Samuel T. Rice, Critchet & Dwight, 
Thomas J. Blake, E. K. Grout, Daniel Ackley, Henry Meeker, 

Valorous Meeker, E. L. Freeman, Henry Fiske, . Barlow, J. 

R. Cowden, Elijah Woodworth. Silas Kirby, Enoch Scovel, George 
Huntoon, Barna Filkius, Jacob Straight, Calvin Straight, Widow 

Mitchell, Hiram Hodges, John Housel, William Huntoon, 

Sabens, Roxalana Dewey, John R. Hale, Thomas Peach, Joel 
Scovel, Denzil P Rice, Isaac Dcmick, Alba Blake, Blake & Rus- 
sell, Clark Graves, Joseph AVoodhouse, Jared Reynolds, Hiram 
Austin, Flavel J. Butler, Meeker & Powell, Josiah Rice, Henry 
Hazolton, Sarah Loomis, V. H. Powell, Henry Medbury, George 
Freeman, James McCray, Simeon Polar, Thomas A. Anis, Daniel 
Jefford, Patrick Brown, Frederick S. Clark, AVilliam Barden, Jr., 
Jotham Morse, William Barden, Nelson Norton, Theodore Clark, 
Stillman P. Bice, D. A W. Wright, Jonas Nims, Benjamin Norton, 
Lester Miner, Harlow Norton, Daniel D. Marston, Lyman G. 
Miner, W. D. Landfair, Joseph Godfrey. 

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.— LIST OF OFFICERS. 
Township No. 1 north, in range No. 1 west, formerly a 
part of Aurelius, was set off and organized into a separate, 
township by the name of Leslie, Dec. 30, 1837; and the 
first township-meeting was ordered to be held at the house 
of Henry Fiske. The following account of said meeting 
is from the town.ship records : 

"Agreeable to an act of llie I.egit^laturo of Michigan, organizing 
the township of Leslie, jiasscd Jlarch, ls:;s, and ap])oinling the first 
township-meeting to bo held at the house of Henry Fiske, in said 



town, — agrce.ible to the above act, the legal voters of said town of 
Leslie met on the first Monday in April, a.d. 1838, at the house of 
Henry Fiske, and organized by choosing Henry Fiske, Moderator; 
Jacob Loomis and Franklin Elmer, Clerks; James Royston and 
Vavasor H. Powell, Inspectors, — all of which sworn according to 
law. 

'' Jiesuheit, That this meeting adjourn to the school-house. 

" After the votes were duly canvassed, it appeared that the follow- 
ing-named persons were elected for town officers ; Benjamin Davis, 
Supervisor; Franklin Elmer, Township Clerk; Sidney 0. Russell, 
Mahlon Covert, and Denzil P. Rice, Commissioners of Highways ; 
William W. Dewey, James Royston, and Franklin Elmer, Assessors ; 
Henry Meeker, James Royston, Vavasor H. Powell, and Jacob 
Loomis, Justices of the Peace; Thomas Squiers, Collector; Clark 
Graves, F. J. Butler, and Thomas Squiers, Constables; Henry Fiske, 
Valorous Meeker, and Vavasor H. Powell, School Inspectors; Ben- 
jamin Davis and Benjamin Meeker, Overseers of the Poor. 

"I do hereby certify that the above-named persons were duly 
elected to the offices set opposite their njimes. 

"Henry Fiske, Modemtor. 

" Rcnolved {by the members of said meeting), That a committee of 
five persons be appointed to locate a site and purchase what they 
think lit for a burying-ground, — clear and improve the same as they 
think fit, — all at the e.\pense of the town. 

" Hf^aolred, That Henry Fiske, Henry Meeker, Ephraim Wortman, 
James Royston, and Jacob Loomis be said committee. 

** RfHfilved, further, That said committee appoint a sexton. 

" Viited, That hogs be free commoners. 

" Voted, That pathmasters be fence-viewers. 

" Voted, That a bounty of ten dollars be paid to any person, white 
or Indian, that will kill a wolf in this town ; the white man to be a 
resident of this town. 

** Votid, That the next annual township-meeting be held at this 
place. 

*' Votid, That this meeting do now adjourn. 

(Signed) , "Henry FisKE, .Vot/crritor. 
"Franklin Elmer, Clerk." 

The following pathmasters were chosen for Districts 1, 
2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively: Clark Graves, Clark Gardner, 
Sidney 0. Russell, Jacob Armstrong, William W. Dewey. 

The records lor the years 1839 and 1840 are missing. 
The following is a list of the principal officers of the town- 
ship from 1841 to 1879, with a few exceptions where the 
records are also missing; 

SUPERVISORS. 

1811, Jacob Loomis; 1S42-4.3, Benjamin Davis; 1844, Lester Miner; 
1845, no record ; 1S46-4S, Lester Miner; 1849, Benjamin Davis; 
1850-51, Mahlon Covert; 1852, Ira A.Reynolds; 185:i, Lester 
Miner; 1854, Sidney 0. Russell; 1855, Austin A. Kirby; 1856, 
Pliny W. Rolfe; 1857. Austin A. Kirby; 1858-65, records miss- 
ing; 1866-68, John D. Woodworth; 1869, Sidney 0. Russell; 
1870, AVilliam B. Knapp; 1871. J. D. Woodworth; 1872-75, 
James Blackmore; 1876, J. D. Woodworth; 1877, James Black- 
more; 1878, Caleb Angevine; 1879, James Blackmore. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1841, Samuel F.Rice; 1842, Franklin Elmer; 1843-44, Joseph Wood- 
house; 1845, no record; 1846, Lemuel Woodhouse; 1847. Alba 
Blake; 1848, Lemuel Woodhouse; 1849-53, Samuel T. Rice; 
1S54, James L. Torrey ; 1855, Samuel T. Rice; 1856, Hiram 
Go<lfrey ; 1857, Lemuel Woodhouse ; 1858-65, records missing; 
1866, John W. Burchard : 1867-68, John R. VanVelsor; I8Gfl 
-72, Edwin G. Eaton; 1873, William H. Rice; 1874, Valorous 
H. Grout; 1875-76, Frank L. Prindle ; 1877, Edwin G.Eaton; 
1878, J. M. Gibbs; 1879, F. C. Woodworth. 

TREASURERS. 

1841, Lewis Reynolds; 1842, Calvin Edwards; 184.3-44, Samuel G. 
Sanders; 1S45, no record; 1846, Nelson B. Barnes; 1847, Fla- 
vel J. Butler; 1848-49, Ogden Edwards; 1850, Thom.as Austin ; 



LESLIE. 



263 



1S5I,0. H. Parrish; 1S52, N. B. Backus ; 1853, Ogdcn Edwards; 
1854, George Phinney ; 1855, Clark Graves; 1856, Jniiios L. 
Torrcy ; 1857-65, record missing; 1866-67, Leonard C. Rico; 
1868, G. B. Loomis; 1869-70, Clarkson Flansburgh ; 1871-72, 
George J. Phelps; 1873-74, Edwin Ward; 1875, Hiram Austin; 
1876, Allen C. Manly; 1877, William H. Rice; 1878, George J. 
Phelps; 1879, Levi L. Forbes. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 
1S41, William H. Dewey, James Royston ; 1842,Alba Blake, W. San- 
ders, Lester Miner; 1843, Lester Miner; 184-1, James Ilarkness; 
1845, no record; 1846, Alba liliikc; 1847, Lester Miner; 1848, 
Jame8 Hart; 1849, John Ilousel Wbcaton Sanders, Rensselaer 
Polar; 1850, L. Woodbouse, J. Armstrong; 1851, Nelson Nor- 
ton; 1852, Jacob Armstrong, James Harkncss ; 1853, James 
Uarkness, Hiram Godfrey; 1854, Hiram Godfrey; 1855, John 
R. Dunsha; 1856, William Burr, J. Armstrong ; 1857-65, record 
missing; 1860, Luther L. Stone, William C. Tompkins, James 
M. Gould; 1867, S. 0. Russell, J. Armstrong; 1868, Waldo May, 
Jr.. Horace Ilayne.^ Abrnm J. Bailey ; 1809, Edmund L. Cooper; 
1870, William H. Burns; 1871, Henry B. Hawlcy ; 1872, William 
E. Whitney, Cornelius Calltins, Uavid D. May; 1873, S. 0. Rus- 
sell, W. E. Whitney; 1874, William E. Whitney; 1875, Henry 
B. Hawlcy; 1876, George J. Jack.son ; 1877, Cornelius Calkins; 
1878, George W. May; 1879, L. G. Wester, J. J. Tuttle. 

Officers for 1880: Supervisor, James Blackmore; Township Clerk, 
F. C. Woodworlh ; Treasurer, Levi L. Forbes ; Justice of the Pence, 
George J. Jackson : Superintendent of Schools, C. Green ; School In- 
spector, A. R. L. Covert; Commissioner of Highways, M. V. Arm- 
strong; Drain Commissioner, Enoch Haines; Constables, James A. 
Peacock, Albert A. Lumbard, John Collins, Lewis B. Sanders. 

SCHOOLS. 

At a iiieetiiij^ of the school inspectors of the old townsliip 
of Aurelius, held Aug. 12, 1837, at the house of William 
Page, the south half of town 1 north, range 1 west (now 
Leslie), was set off and organized as School District No. 1, 
and the first district meeting therein was directed to be held 
at the house of Henry Fiske. The north half of the same 
township was organized as District No. 2 at the same date, 
and the first district meeting ordered to be held at the house 
of William Page. Nathan Rolfu and James Royston were 
the .school inspectors for the township at that time. Dis- 
trict No. 1 was altered Oct. 8, 1838, so as to contain sections 
20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 32, and 33, and December 22d, 
same year, District No. 2 was reorganized so as to include 
sections 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 29, and the northwest fjuarter 
and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 20. 
Other changes were made in yeare immediately following. 

July 4, 1842, the money received from the county treas- 
urer for school purpo.ses was $31.08, divided among the 
several districts as follows : 

No. 1, with 8i.\ty-fivo pupils $20.84 

No. 2, with eighteen pupils 5.76 

No. 1 fractional, seven pupils (Leslie and Rives) 2.24 

No. 2 fractional, seven pupils (Leslie an. I Bunker Hill) 2.24 

Total $31.08 

The first school-house in the township was built at what 
is now Leslie village, in the fall of 1837, and is now used 
as a dwelling by S. 0. Russell. It is a frame building. 
The name of the first teacher is not now recollected. The 
second, in the summer of 1837, was Mrs. V. Butler, sister 
to Mrs. K. K. Grout, who had come to the township that 
year with her husband, Flavel J. Butler, at the same time 
with Dr. Valorous Meeker. Miss Messinger taught, prob- 
ably, next after Mrs. Butler. In 1843, Elizabeth Bugbee 



taught in District No. 1, and Elizabeth S. Godfrey in No. 
4, the latter district having been formed in 1842, in the 
southwest part of the township. Other early teachers in 
the townsliip were : 

1843.— Loryettc Smith, John Smith, Stephen Weeks. 

1844.— Sarah Whitman, Salina Whitman, Ada Whittcmore, W. R. 
Harrison, Lois Reynolds, Jane Robinson, Luther B. Hun- 
toon, Phcbe Holmes, F. Joshua Whitney, JnncClark. 

1845.— Hannah Miller, Lucy Deivey, Eira Shearman, Betsy Hurd. 

1846. — Mercy Atwood, Joshua Whitney, George Phelps. 

1847. — Bradley F. Freeman, Sarah Miller, Siinih Lamb, Laura A. 
Rice, Richard U. Davis, Elizabeth A. Miller, Sarah J. 
Rrakeman. 

1S4S.— Harriet E. Samlers, Ansel Covert, Martha A. Rolfe, Mrs. Mary 
J. Housel, Miranda Spaulding, Daniel H. Blake, Elieha 
Smith, J. U. Freeman, Louisa A. Sprague, Susan Miller. 

1849. — Sally Edwards, Sarah L. Searl, Margamino Dubois, Amos Hall, 
George F. Rice, Loisa Bert.* 

In 1843 the books in use in District No. 1 were Web- 
ster's Speller, Testament, Ilale's History, Smith's and 
Adams' Arithmetic, Olney's Geography, Kirkham's Gram- 
mar ; in No. 2, the English Reader, Spelling, Geography, 
and Arithmetic. A school-house was built that year in No. 
3, partly by sub.scription, partly by tax on property. 

The first building in District No. 1 was used for a time, 
and gave place to the brick structure which is now used as 
a chapel by the First Congregational Church. Sept. 9, 
1871, this district was organized ;is a " Union" district, and 
it was voted to raise $1500 by tax to apply on a new school- 
building. The contract for building the house, which is a 
fine structure of brick, was awarded to Woodhouse & Rice 
for something over §10,000, and it was erected in 1SG7-C8. 
About five years later a wing was added, on the south side, 
at an expense of about §3000. The entire cost of the 
building, including furniture, etc., was 815,000. The old 
brick edifice had been in u.se fifteen or twenty years before 
the new one was built. The school has six departments, in 
which the teachers for the school year of 1880-81 are : 
Principal, Henry C. Rankin ; Grammar Department, Miss 
Delia Ilutchings; First Intermediate, Mi.ss D. Godfrey; 
Second Intermediate, Miss Maggie Angevinc; First Pri- 
mary, Mrs. Elsie Hall ; Second Primary, Mi.ss May Rice. 

The school census of the district in the first week of 
September, 1880, was 370, and the fall term opened with 
an attendance of about 300. Mr. Rankin, the principal of 
the school, is a teacher of much experience. lie was en- 
gaged four years at Ca.ssopolis, and comes this year to Les- 
lie for the first time. His predecessor, C. A. Cook, held 
the reigns of government in this school for eight years, and 
is now at Dexter, Washtenaw Co. 

From the report of the school inspectors for the year end- 
ing Sept. 1, 1879, are taken the following items: 

Number of districts in township (whole, 8; frac- 
tional, 1) 9 

" of school-children in township 804 

*' in attendance for year 624 

" of school-bouses (brick, 1 ; frame, 8) 9 

'* of whole scatings in same 750 

Value of school properly $14,750 

Number of teachers (mule, 9; female, 17) 26 

Wages of same (males, $1497.50; females, $1415).... $2912.50 

Total expenditures for year 5183.43 



• Dr. J. B. Hull, now of the city of Lansing, was also an early 
teacher in Leslie. 



264 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



KELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, Leslie. — The first Meth- 
odist .sermon preached in Leslie was delivered by Rev. E. H. 
Pilcher, probably in a private liouse, when the population 
of the place was exceedingly small. Leslie Circuit was or- 
ganized from Mason Circuit, in 1 868, and its pastors since 
that time have been Revs. B. S. Mills, one year ; A. A. 
Rolfe, three years; H. D. Jordan, one year; J. Gulick, 
three years ; N. L. Brockway, two years ; and the present 
pastor, Rev. William J. Swift, two years, or since Septem- 
ber 15, 1878. The present membership of the church is 
181, including probationers (Sept. 10, 1880). The Sun- 
day-school has an average attendance of about seventy-five, 
with Dr. A. C. Manly as superintendent. The present 
brick church is the only one ever owned by the society, and 
was built in 1869. Meetings had previously been held in 
the Baptist church and a public hall. Other appointments 
on the circuit are at the Phelps school-house in Bunker 
Ilill, with about thirty in attendance at the Sunday-school ; 
and at the Baird school-house in Rives township, Jackson 
Co., where no class has yet been formed, but probably soon 
will be. A class which held meetings for some time in the 
Housel neighborhood, in Leslie township, has been recently 
closed. 

The United Brethren have a circuit including North 
Leslie, the Housel neighborhood, Scovill's Corners, and the 
Clark school-house in Leslie, and Fitchburg, in Bunker 
Hill, and during the summer of 1880 they erected a 
church at the latter place, which is the only one on the 
circuit. 

First Baptist Church, Leslie. — The records of this 
church contain the following account of its organization : 

"Leslie, April 12, 1839. 

"A number of baptized believers met in the school-house in the 
village of Leslie for the purpose of orgauiziog themselves into a society 
to be denominated and known by the name of the First BapiitI Church 
in Lenlie. After prayer, Elder David lleudeo was chosen moderator, 
and E. K. Grout clerk pro tern. 

" A list of articles of Faith and Practice and Covenant were pre- 
sented and unanimously adopted as the sentiments of the church. 
The following brethren and sisters are associated together and pre- 
sented the letters to the clerk : Mablon Covert, Sally Covert, Lewis 
Reynolds, Laura Reynolds, Martha J. Ives, Mariah Hazelton, Harriet 
Rarden, and Elijah K. Grout. 

" Rr. M. Covert was appointed deacon, and E. K. Grout clerk of the 
church. 

" Voled, Rrother E. K. Grout give an expression of his views of a 
call to the gospel ministry. 

" Voted, That Brother Grout be licensed to improve his gift in giv- 
ing exposition of Scripture from time to time, as the Spirit may divert 
his mind. 

" Voted, Th.at we try to maintain our church meetings once in four 
weeks, at one o'clock f.M. 

" Closed by prayer. 

" Elder D. Hendee, Moderator. 

" E. K. GnouT, Cleric pro tern. 

Of the persons above named who were the constituent 
members of this church the only ones now living are Mahlon 
Covert and wife. 

Calvin Straight and wife united with the church May 
11, 1839, and on the same date it was voted to apply for 
admission to the River Raisin Baptist Association, and voted 
also to give Mr. Grout a license to preach. The church 



was admitted to the association named in the latter part of 
May, or early in June, 1839. Mr. Grout was ordained as 
a minister Feb. 16, 1841, and became the pastor of the 
church. At an association meeting held at Napoleon, Sept. 
10, 1842, Mr. Grout presented resolutions denouncing 
slavery, and providing for work against it in the church, 
also against intemperance in the church. In the spring of 
1847, Elder Grout was given a letter of dismissal and rec- 
ommendation, and removed to St. Clair County, in which 
he resided ten years. June 15, 1847, a call was voted to 
Elder F. Freeman, and it was sent and accepted. March 
24, 1849, it was voted to call Elder David Hendee to serve 
the church at Leslie one-fourth of his time. He became 
the pastor, and labored with the church until April 20, 
1851. His successor was J]lder H. B. Fuller, of Bunker 
Hill, who was secured in May, 1852, and remained until 
the spring of 1861, when Elder Grout again commenced 
preaching here one-fourth of the time ; he continued until 
Oct. 20, 1866, when he resigned, and was immediately 
succeeded by Rev. Mr. Vroman as supply. Elders E. 

Rumsey and Parmenter also held services. In August, 

1867, Elder John Dunham was secured tis supply for one 

year. Elders Putnam, William H. Cox, Hamlin, 

and John B. Kemp preached in 1868, and the latter was 
secured as pastor on the 1st of November in that year. He 
resigned Jan. 1, 1870. on account of ill health, and ser- 
vices were then rendered by Elders Rice, Gunn, and Fuller. 
Elder W. C. Gunn became the pastor, and commenced his 
work May 1, 1870, continuing until March 26, 1871. 
Elder H. B. Fuller .supplied the pulpit a short time, and in 
June, 1871, Elder W. C. Archer received and accepted a 
call, but resigned August 20th following. Rev. U. Gregory 
commenced his labors as pastor of this church Sept. 24, 
1871, and was installed November 5th following. He was 
given leave of absence Aug. 4, 1872, to complete his theo- 
logical course at Rochester, N. Y., and Elder H. M. Gal- 
lup became pastor in September, 1872, remaining until 
Oct. 6, 1877, when he resigned. On the 21st of the 
same month Elder H. L. Bower became the pastor, and 
closed his labors in September, 1879. The present pastor, 
Elder John Heritage, has been in charge since October, 
1879. 

In 1856 it was voted to make an effort to build a meet- 
ing-house, and a frame structure was commenced, which 
was not completed for several years. It is the one now in 
use. In 1871 a parsonage was built, at a cost of about 
$2000. The present membership of the church is about 
130, and the Sabbath-.school, of which C. E. Pickett is 
superintendent, has an average attendance of about 90. 

Free- Will Baptist Church, Leslie. — This church was 
organized about 1873, with some thirty-five members. The 
first pastor was Rev. William Gray, to whom the credit of 
organizing the church is principally due. He served as 
pastor three years, and was succeeded by Rev. J. S. Man- 
ning, who continued in charge one year. The third pastor 
was Rev. Milo Coldron, who stayed a year, and the fourth 
was Rev. J. F. Boiler, also staying a year. The present 
pastor. Rev. F. R. Randall, is the fifth in charge, and is 
now serving his second year. He resides in Burlington, 
Calhoun Co. A frame chapel was built in the summer of 



LESLIE. 



265 



1874, costinj; a little over $1000. The present member- 
ship of the church is about seventy, and the average attend- 
ance at the Sundiiy-school about forty. The Sunday-school 
is held every Sunday, while church moetiniK are held but 
once in two weeks. Richard Huntoon is the superintendent 
of the Sunday-.school. The chapel erected by this society 
is a very tasty structure, situated near the site of the old 
school-house. 

First Congregational Church of Leslie. — A Congre- 
gational Church was organized in the village of Leslie 
with eight members, Feb. 12, 1843, by llev. Marcus Har- 
rison, pastor of the church in Jackson. The members 
were Benjamin Bingham and wife, Kendrick Leach and 
wife, Henry Fiske and wife, William Huntoon, and Eliza- 
beth Bugbee. Meetings were held once a month, Mr. Har- 
rison coming for three months and Rev. Thomas E. Era- 
merson for 6ve months, and at the end of the eight months 
the organization was dissolved. In the summer of 1861, 
Rev. Edwin W. Shaw, a member of the Southern Michi- 
gan Association, visited Leslie, and became interested in 
the vicinity as a suitable place for organizing a Congrega- 
tional Church. He moved herewith his family in October, 
1861, and labored until April, 18G.'). On the 9th of the 
last-named month — " the day on which the rebel Gen. Lee 
surrendered to the loyal Gen. Grant," says the record — the 
following persons were constituted the First Congregational 
Church of Leslie : Mrs. Elizabetli Barlow, Mrs. Sarah Tufts, 
Mrs. Mary H. Wheaton, Rev. Edwin W. Shaw, William F. 
Huntoon, Mrs. Claris.sa Huntoon, Mrs. Amanda B. Shaw, 
Mrs. Phcbe I'crrine, Mrs. Mary Woodworth, Nelson B. 
Slocum, Edward M. Craig, Mrs. Agnes Slocum. Rev. 
Thomas Jones, of Olivet, and Rev. Marshall Tingley, of 
Sioux City, Iowa, assisted at the organization. William 
F. Huntoon was cho.sen deacon and E. W. Shaw church 
clerk. The organization was effected in the school-house 
at Leslie. Rev. Edwin W. Shaw continued services as 
minister. In October, 1868, the old brick school-house 
was purchased by the society, and converted into a chapel. 
It was dedicated Jan. 3, 1869, by Rev. W, 15. Williams, 
of Charlotte, and is still in use. Mr. Sliaw resigned the 
pastorate Feb. 14, 18G'.I, and was succeeded by Rev. J. W. 
Allen, who began his labors March 7, 1869, and resigned 
April 1, 1875. Rev. William Mulder became pastor in 
the same month, and continued until the .spring of 1878. 
The next pastor. Rev. John Visscher, came the same sea- 
son, and remained one year. Rev. A. E. Ross took charge 
in August, 1879, and remained less than a year. The 
church at present (September, 1880) is without a pastor. 
Its membership is sevcniy-five ; the Sunday-school is super- 
intended by W. McMath, and has an average attendance 
of eighty-five. In Juno, 1869, a parsonage was purchased 
for the use of pastors of the church, and a permanent or- 
ganization was effected in August of the same ye;ir. The 
church is now in a very good condition. 

VILLAGE OF LESLIK. 

The first settlement at the village of Leslie, as well as in 
the township, has been mentioned as having been made by 
Elijah Woodworth, in 1836, and his log house was the first 
one erected where now stands a prosperous village. 
34 



In the summer of 1836 a saw-mill was built on Hun- 
toon Creek by Woodworth, Dwight & Co., about twenty 
rods east of what is now Bailey's stave-factory. David F. 
Dwight, of that firm, was formerly from Boston, and had 
come when small to Detroit with his father, who there en- 
gaged in business, afterwards removing to Jackson. The 
Dwights (J. N. and D. F.) purchiiscd lands in Leslie, in- 
cluding the mill-site. David F. Dwight, who is now living 
in Boston, owns property at Leslie, Jackson, Detroit, Chi- 
cago, and other places. The old mill-dam at Leslie was 
finally torn away and the mill-pond drained, for the promo- 
tion of health in the locality. 

A post-office was established at Leslie as early as the 
fore part of 1838, and Henry Fiske was the first post- 
master. Numerous others have since held the office. 
Hiram Godfrey was postmaster in 1856; Sidney 0. Rus- 
sell held it afterwards for several years, and was succeeded 
by James Blackmore, the present incumbent, who was ap- 
pointed March 10, 1865. 

The first goods brought to Leslie for .sale belonged to 
Alba Blake, who came here from Vermont, and placed 
them in a small slab shanty. The first regular store in the 
village was built about 1839—10, by V. H. Powell, of Ann 
Arbor. S. 0. Russell, as elsewhere stated, has been in the 
mercantile business in the place since 1842. 

VILL.'VGE PLAT AND ADDITIONS. 
Although many lots were sold and a considerable village 
grew up, no record of a surveyed plat is found until Nov. 
12, 1866, when D. F. Dwight, A. T. Ingalls, Levi F. 
Slaght, James F. Allen, Haywood T. Allen, and forty 
others, caused a plat to be surveyed by Louis D. Preston, 
on part of the south half of .section 21 and the north half of 
section 28, to which was given the name of the village of 
Leslie. Additions have since been made as follows : Rus- 
sell Godfrey's addition, Aug. 6, 1868; J. F. Shaw's sub- 
division, Nov. 12, 1868; Hahn's addition, by P. R. Ilalin 
and A. J. Blake, March 25, 1871 ; Doty and Kimball's 
addition, by William Doty and A. B. Kimball, Oct. 4, 
1871 ; Armstrong's addition, by W. J. P. Armstrong and 
others, July 22, 1872; Eli B. Sherman's addition, July 
25, 1872; Walker, Rust, and Grout's addition, by Arnold 
Walker, Amasa Rust, and Gardner K. Grout, June 30, 
1873; Coon's addition, by James S. Coon and others, 
Aug. 10,1875; Woodworth and Dwight's addition, by J. D. 
Woodworth and D. F. Dwight, Jan. 29, 1876. 

VILLAGE INCORPORATION, Etc. 
The village of Leslie was incorporated by act of the Legis- 
lature approved March 30, 1869, the territory included 
being the south half of section 21, the north half of .section 
28, and a lot in the northea.st quarter of the southwest 
quarter of section 28. The charter was amended April 
15, 1871, April 18, 1873, and March 14, 1877. The 
first election for village officers was held Monday, April 12, 
1869, when eighty-nine votes were east, and the following 
persons elected to the positions named : President, John D. 
Woodworth ; Recorder, Edwin G. Eaton ; Treasurer, Wil- 
liam Spears ; Trustees, John R. Van Velsor, Alonzo B. 
Kimball, John R. Burdick. On the nineteenth of the 



266 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



sauie month the council appointed Henry M. Pitts mar. 

shal, and Ogden Edwards street commissioner. The fol- 
lowing have been the officers of the village from 1870 to 

the present : 

1870. — President, Haywood T. Allen; Treasurer, Hiram Austin; Re- 
corder, Edwin ti. Eaton; Trustees, William Spears, Michael 
J. Graham, A. K. L. Covert. 

1871.— President, Henry B. Hawley; Recorder, Edwin G. Eaton; 
Treasurer, Leonard H. Rice ; Trustees, William Page, Edward 
Oldman, Henry P. Fry. 

1872. — President, James Blackmore; Recorder, Lewis D. Eckler (re- 
signed, and C. Calkins appointed); Treasurer, L. C. Rice; 
Trustees, John W. Kincaid, Horace Smith, George Holbrook. 

1873. — President, George B. Loomis ; Recorder, 0. Calkins ; Treas- 
urer, Stephen L. Ward ; Trustees, John D. Woodworth, Al- 
fred Young, Nathan M. Vaughn. 

1874.— President, A. R. L. Covert; Recorder, C. Calkins; Treasurer, 
Stephen L. Ward ; Trustees, Gilbert L. Crumb ; Leonard C. 
Rice, John R. Burdick. 

1875. — President. Alfred Young; Recorder, Frank L. Prindlo ; Treas- 
urer, Allen C. Manly; Trustees, John D. Woodworth, Mar- 
shall E. Rumsey, Abel J. Bailey. 

187C.— No record. 

1877.— President, Claude C. Walker; Recorder, Jay Calkins ; Treas- 
urer, Allen C. Manly; Trustees, Caleb Angevine, James 
Blair, Lewis D. Martin, Stephen B. Flansburgh, James Fry, 
Ogden Edwards, 

1878.— President, Andrew Hahn; Recorder, Garry C. Reynolds; 
Treasurer, George J. Phelps; Trustees, C. Angevine, James 
W. Cook, Horace Smith, William F. Drake, James Fry, 
Edward Oldman. 

1879.— President, Allen C. Manly ; Recorder, W. W. Cook ; Treasurer, 
W. W. Annin; Trustees, J. L. Torry, G. B. Loomis, S. H. 
Pierce, L. D. Martin, G. W. Davis, James Blackmore. 

1880.— President, James W. Bailey ; Recorder, George C. Moody ; 
Treasurer, William W. Annin ; Trustees, William Hutchings, 
Edwin G. Eaton (did not qualify), Louis G. Becker, James 
Blackmore, Ira Winslow, John D. Woodworth. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
In 1870 the village purchased several hand fire-extin- 
guishers, and it was resolved, June 21, 1872, to purchase 
a fire-engine, at an expense not to exceed $1000. It ar- 
rived in the fall of tliat year, and cost $000. In Auuust, 
1872, a lot for the use of the fire department was purchased 
of Reed & Allen, on Carney Street, for $245, and an engine- 
hou.sc built upon it. In November, 1873, it was voted to 
raise $250 to construct two reservoirs for use in case of fire, 
etc. Protection Fire Company, No. 2, was organized June 
7, 1875, with twenty-six members. It was afterwards dis- 
banded, and in the summer of 1880 was reorganized under 
the same name, with thirty members (twenty belongin"- to 
the engine company, and ten to the hose company). The 
officers of the engine company are : Foreman, John L. 
Nichols; First A.ssi.stant Foreman, John Boyle; Second 
Assistant Foreman, E. E. Baker; Secretary, A. A. Lum- 
bard ; Treasurer, Andrew Hahn ; I^ngineer, H. E. Williams ; 
First Assistant Engineer, C. H. Roberts; Steward, James 
Finley. Hose company officers : Foreman, W. W. Cook ; 
Assistant Foreman, B. J. Hahn. 

MINERAL WELLS. 

The excitement over the mineral wells at Eaton Rapids 
and elsewhere caused the citizens of Leslie to experiment 
in the same direction, and the results were gratifying. The 
first well was sunk by S. O. Russell, in 1872 ; and James 
McDaniels, soon after, in the same year, caused one to be 



drilled at the " Eagle Hotel." Six others were sunk at 
nearly the same time. The water is similar to that in the 
Eaton Rapids wells, and is beneficial in a class of diseases 
which are treated successfully with the mineral waters of 
that place. 

HOTELS. 

The first hotel in the village was originally built for a 
dwelling, but in the fall of 1844 it was remodeled and con- 
verted into a hotel by Nathaniel and Horace Smith. It 
was burned in 1852, and the present Hawley House was 
built on the same ground, in that year, by Horace Smith. 
The old building had been known as the Leslie House, and, 
like the present one, was a frame structure. The Hawley 
House is now the property of Henry B. Hawley. The 
Messrs. Smith came to Leslie in 1844, from Orleans Co., 
N. Y. Nathaniel Smith died in January, 1851, and his 
son is now a boot- and shoe-dealer at Leslie. 

The Eagle Hotel was built also in 1852, by Hiram 
Austin, who conducted it for some time. It was also kept 
for a time by Horace Smith. It is now owned and carried 
on by James McDaniels, a very popular landlord, who pur- 
chased it in 1869, and who has since greatly enlarged and 
repaired it. 

The Allen House is a fine brick hotel, east of the main 
street of the village, and was built about 1872 by H. T. 
Allen & Son, a private banking-firm then in Leslie. The 
cost of the house, fitting the grounds, an artificial lake, an 
island, and bath-house, was probably $20,000. The enter- 
prise, although a laudable one, has never proved a source 
of profit, and the Messrs. Allen were unfortunate in their 
investment. The property is now owned by David F. 
Dwight, of Boston, and the Aliens are in Kansas. 

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OP LESLIE 

was established in August, 1864, with a capital of $50,000. 
The original officers were : Arnold Walker, President ; M. 
E. Rumsey, Vice-President ; C. C. Walker, Cashier. The 
officers at present are the same, except that W. W. Peirson 
h;is taken the place of C. C. Walker as cashier, the latter 
having been elected to the position of county clerk. The 
directors are: A. Walker, M. E. Rumsey, John B. Dakin, 
William Haynes, A. R. L. Covert, J. J. Tuttle, E. G. 
Annis. H. T. Allen & Son had previously established a 
private banking-house in the village. 

MANUFACTURES. 
Several manufacturing establishments which have previ- 
ously existed in Leslie are now " among the things that 
were." A large steam grist-mill has been burned in a 
recent year, and other institutions have fallen from promi- 
nence. The principal manufactory now in the place is the 
stave-factory of A. J. Bailey & Son, located in the eastern 
part of the village. It was started by these parties about 
1868, and they have about $25,000 invested at present, 
the annual products amounting to about the same. Their 
pay-roll amounts to $7000 or $8000 annually, an average 
of twenty persons being employed. A coopering establish- 
ment is also owned by the firm at Leslie, and one at Albion, 
Calhoun Co., the latter manufacturing about 1200 bar- 
rels a week and giving employment to fifteen men. About 



LESLIE. 



267 



2,000,000 staves are manufactured annually at their Leslie 
establishment, and they are proprietors also of a similar 
institution at Mason. 

A new grist-mill was erected at the village in the summer 
of 1880 by the Wilcox J3rothers, the lot on which it stands 
and 81 000 in money havinj; been given them by the town. 
The entire cost of the mill is over §10,000, and three, and 
possibly four, runs of stone will be put in. 

NEW.S PAPERS. 
A paper called the Leslie Herald was established at the 
village in May, 1869, by J. W. Allen, and continued 
several years. Its business was finally transferred to that 
of the Leslie Local, which was started in August, 1876, 
by the present proprietor, W. W. Cook. The latter paper 
is a five-column quarto, independent in politics, and its 
circulation in the latter part of August, 1880, was 502. 
It is printed on a " Davis Oscillator Press, No. 2." 



Leslie Loilge, No. 212, F. and A. M., w;is organized 
in the winter of 1865-66, and in January, 1866, received 
a charter from the Grand Lodge, its membership being ten or 
twelve, most of them being members of the lodge at Mason. 
The first Ma.ster, under dispensation, was 0. D. Ford, and 
Dr. J. D. Woodworth was the first Master after the lodge 
was chartered. The membership in September, 1880, was 
about eighty-five, and the following were then the ofiScers 
of the lodge: I. 11. Weatherwax, Worshipful Master; Wil- 
liam H. Rice, Senior Warden ; Horace Haynes, Junior 
Warden ; Ernest Riesdorph, Sec. ; Jan.es Blair, Treas. | 
Elias Crater, Senior Deacon ; Edward Hogan, Junior Dea- 
con ; Edward Aldrich, Tiler. 

Leslie Cliapter, A'o. 100, A'. A. .V., was organized in 
1876 with nine members. Allen C. Manly was High 
Priest, Henry B. Hawlcy, King, and William Haynes, 
Scribe. The present membership is thirty-four, and the 
officers are : E. Oldman, High Priest ; V. H. Grout, King ; 
James Blair, Scribe; James McDanieLs, Sec. ; John Sigler, 
Treas. ; William Hutchings, Captain of the Host ; Allen 
C. Manley, Principal Sojourner; M. E. Rumsey, Royal 
Arch Captain ; Peter Earl, Master 3d Veil ; Horace Haynes, 
Master 2d Veil ; Frank Rossman, Master 1st Veil. 

Leslie Council, Ao. 50, li. and S. M., was also organized 
in 1876, with twelve members, and Edward Oldman, T. I. M. 
The present membership is twenty-seven, and the officers 
are: E. Oldman, Thrice Illustrious Ma.ster; James Blair, 
Deputy Illustrious Master ; William Hutchings, Principal 



■ Conductor of the Work ; A. C. Manly, Captain of the 
Guard; James McDaniels, Sec. ; John Sigler, Treas. ; M. 
E. Rumsey, Conductor of Council. 

Leslie Chapter, No. 6, Order of Eastern Star of Adoptive 
Masonry, was organized Jan. 1, 1870, with fifteen charter 
members. Its principal officers then were : Mrs. M. Wood- 
worth, W. P. ; L. C. Rice, V. P. ; Mrs. Crump, Sec. ; Mrs. 
Piatt, Treas. It has a membership at present of fifty-two, 
and its prominent officers are: M. A. Oldman, W. M. ; W. 
H. Rice, W. P. ; M. A. Vaughn, Sec. ; E. C. Hawley, 

Treas. 

ODD-FELLOWS. 

Foster Lodge, No. 95, /. O. 0. F., was instituted Jan. 
25, 1866, with eight charter members. Pliilo B. Abbey was 
the first presiding officer. The present membership is about 
fifty-two, and the officers are : Silas W. Olds, Noble Grand ; 
M. V. Armstrong, Vice-Grand ; A. A. Lumbard, Rec. Sec. ; 
Samuel Harder, Per. Sec. ; John Craddock, Treas. 

Lighani Encampment, No. 22, /. 0. 0. F, was insti- 
tuted Jan. 3, 1867, with about fourteen members. The 
first Chief Patriarch was Philo B. Abbey. The encamp- 
ment now has a membership of about twenty, but is not in 
the best condition for work, a complaint which seems general 
among several encampments in the vicinity. The organiza- 
tion, however, is kept up, notwithstanding the difficulties. 

Custer Council, Order of Stars and Stripes, was organ- 
ized in March, 1877, with twenty-three members, all men 
who had seen service in the field during the bloody days of 
the Rebellion. The present mcniber.ship is over fifty, and 
the officers are : II. C. Ycrby, Chief Counselor ; Alfred 
Leach, Senior V^ice-Counselor ; Martin L. Acklcy, Junior 
Vice-Counselor ; A. A. Lumbard, llec. Sec. ; John L. Nich- 
ols, Fin. Sec; Henry II. Small, Treas. 

This organization is similar to the Grand Army of the 
Republic. An encampment of " Our Country's Defend- 
ers" was partially organized in Leslie, but the Order of 
Stars and Stripes appears to have better suited the old 
soldiers, and the latter organization is in a flourishing con- 
dition. 

BAND. 

The Leslie Cornet Band was organized in June, 1880, 
with sixteen pieces, and Enoch Dowling as leader. A fine 
uniform and a good outfit have since been purchased, and 
the band is free from debt. Most of its members are " old 
players," and the organization is a creditable one. Its 
music is new and excellent, and the execution thereof is 
worthy of bands of greater note. Mr. Dowling continues 
as leader. 



268 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





MAHLON COVERT. 

MAHLON COVERT. 

The Covert family was orginally from France, where the 
orthography of the name was formerly Couver. They were 
refugees, who, having espoused the Protestant faith, found 
persecution and trial their lot, and fled to the mountains. 
Later they found their way to Holland, where the Dutch 
prefix Van was adopted, which rendered the name Van 
Couver, signifying " from concealment." 

The famous navigator, George Vancouver, was a de- 
scendant of this race, and two members of the family emi- 
grated to the United States, and located in New Jersey, 
where many of the descendants now reside. Among the 
members of this family were Bergen and Anna Housel 
Covert, whose son Mahlon, the subject of this biography, 
was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., to which he removed at an 
early day with his parents, Sept. 26, 1808. They reared a 
family of eight children, of whom Mahlon was the seventh. 

Mr. Covert the elder was a man of religious instincts, of 
high moral character, energetic and industrious, and so 
successful as to have secured a competency. The mother 
was a frugal housewife, and spun and wove to make pro- 
vision for the family needs. Their son Mahlon lived be- 
neath the homestead roof until his twenty-second year, 
having during the time enjoyed such educational advan- 
tages as a common school afforded. He was in 1830 mar- 
ried to Miss Sallic, daughter of Isaac and Mary Childen, 
early settlers, and among its mo.st respected families. 
Mahlon, after his marriage, labored upon the farm for a 
period of seven years, when he decided to emigrate to 
Michigan. In October, 1837, he came with his family 
and located upon land for which he had exchanged a tract 
previously purchased of the government in Vevay township. 
This land was uncleared, and the family of newly-arrived 
settlers endured all the hardships peculiar to pioneer life. 
He has since that time been a prominent citizen of the 
township of Leslie, has filled frequent official positions, and 



MRS. MAHLON COVERT. 

been active in promoting its advancement. Both he and 
his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are at 
present the only survivors of the original band which organ- 
ized the society. He is a Republican in his political pre- 
dilections, though not an active partisan. Mr. and Mrs. 
Covert have four children, — Ansel, Saraantha, Mary Ann, 
and Maynooth, the latter having been born in the old 
homestead. 



JAMES ROYSTON. 

James Royston was born in Somerset Co., N. J., April 
14, 1800. His father, Thomas Royston, also a native of 
New Jersey, was born in 1773, and was the son of James 
Royston, the progenitor of the fiimily in this country. He 
was of English birth and parentage, and came to America 
shortly before the Revolution. He immediately espoused 
the cause of the patriots, and upon the breaking out of 
the war joined the American forces. For this act he was 
disinherited and disowned by his family. After the war 
he joined a colony who proposed to settle in Georgia. They 
were massacred by Indians, and as he was never again 
heard from it is supposed he shared the fate of the others. 
Thomas Royston, son of James, just mentioned, and father 
of the subject of this memoir, was left an orphan at an 
early age, and was reared by a lady by the name of Rachel 
Ove. In 1820 he emigrated to Seneca Co., N. Y., with 
his family, wife and five children, — Robert, James, Rachel, 
William, and Maria. He was a farmer, and purchased a 
new farm in the town of Seneca, where he resided until 
his death, which occurred in 1865. He acquired a com- 
petency, and was highly esteemed. James was a lad of 
twelve years at the time the family emigrated to New York. 
He received a good common-school education, and in 1830 
was married to Miss Phebe, daughter of William Fox, one 










A i>f 



PHEBEG.ROYSTON. 



JAMES ROYSTON. 







-';••'' ►/v/5^,»i'''* 







ROVSTON,/.£S(./cTp, Ingham Co .M/CH 



LOCKE. 



269 



of the early settlers of Seneca, and at one time a prominent 
wholesale merchant in New York City. Shortly after his 
marriage he purcha.seJ a farm in Seneca, on which he re- 
sided until 183G, when he sold and came to Michigan. 
The year previous he had visited Ingham County in com- 
pany with his brother-in-law, S. O. Rus.sell, and had located 
nine hundred and sixty acres of land in the town of Leslie. 
In June, 183G, tlie two families came on and made a per- 
manent settlement, — Mr. Iloyston building his cabin upon 
the farm now owned by his .son Lemuel A. At this time 
there was but one other family within the present limits of 
the town of Leslie, that of Elijah Woodworth. The family 
suffered many privations and hardships, but a detailed his- 
tory cannot be hero given of their pioneer days. Mr. 
Royston was of invincible determination, full of pluck and 
energy, hands inured to habits of industry, and with the 
a.ssistance of his worthy wife ultimate success was assured. 
Mr. Iloyston may be appropriately called one of the founders 
of the town. He aided in its organization, and was elected 
one of its first officers. He has represented the town upon 
the board of supervisors, and for many years wxs justice of 
the peace. As a magistrate he was highly popular, usually 
succeeding in getting the litigants to settle their difTereuces 
without resort to law. He reared a family of six children : 
Thomas, Lemuel A., William, Mary Ann, Sarah, and Cor- 
nelia. Five of the children are living. William was a 
member of the Loomis Battery ; he received a sunstroke 
at the battle of Resaca, which caused his death. Thomas 
died in 1846. Lemuel A. resides on the old homestead. 



OGDEN EDWARDS. 

The birth of Mr. Edwards occurred in Mexico township, 
Oswego Co., N. Y., Aug. 8, 1822. He was the son of 



Calvin Edwards, an early pioneer of that township. The 
family were originally residents of Newark, N. J., from 
whence they removed to Now York State in 1800. Calvin 
Edwards married Mi.ss Phcbe Tuttle, and was the father 
of six children, the third in order of birth having been 
Ogden. The father plied the mason's craft at an early day, 
and in 1837 removed to Michigan with a wife and six 
children, locating in the town.ship of Leslie, where he pur- 
chased one hundred acres of land on section 6. He was 
an energetic man, of great public spirit, and did much, 
until his death, in 18G0, to advance the interests of the 
township of his adoption. Mrs. Edwards, whose birth 
occurred in Newark, N. J., in 1795, was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and survived her husband 
but a brief time. On the arrival of the family in Leslie, 
Ogden Edwards was a lad of seventeen, and devoted his 
time until twenty-one years of age to labor on the farm, 
varied by such opportunities of study as the district school 
afforded. 

In 1843 he purchased a farm of forty acres on section 
18, and in October of the following year married Miss 
Jane Austin, who was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1821, 
and became an emigrant to Michigan with her p.irents in 
1837. After a residence of six years upon their original 
purchase, Mr. Edwards sold and located upon another 
farm of eighty acres. In 1866 he removed to his present 
estate iu Leslie. Mr. Edwards had the misfortune, in 
1878, to lose his wife, — a most estimable lady, possessing 
all the qualities that constitute an exemplary mother and 
Christian woman. To her wise counsel and excellent 
judgment much of his success is attributed. They had 
four children, all of whom are now dead. 

Mr. Edwards, by industry, has gained a competency, 
though dependent at the beginning of his career entirely 
upon the labor of his hands, guided by sound discretion 
and .sterling common sense. 



> I 'iDf I ( I 



LOCKE. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 

The exterior lines of this township were surveyed by 
Joseph Wampler in 1824, and the subdivision lines by 
the same hand two years later. It was designated as 
township No. 4 north, of range No. 2 east. A description 
of its boundaries may be given as follows : North by Shia- 
wa.ssee County, south by the township of Leroy, east by 
Livingston County, and west by Williamstown, it being 
the northeast township of Ingham County. 

The township was formerly embraced in Phelpstown, 
and on becoming an independent organization was given its 
present cogaomen by one of the oldest settlers. No special 



liy K. O. Wagnor. 



significance attaches to the name, which seems to have been 
chosen principally from its euphonious sound.')" 

The surface of the township is generally level, though 
some variations are occasionally found, which impart to 
it a rolling aspect. No precipitous hills appear, and the 
farmer meets with little opposition from stubborn or in- 
accessible soil. 

The ingredients of the soil are clay, gravel, sand, and 
muck. A moderate amount of clay is found in the north, 
with a considerable portion of sand and gravel in the north- 
west. The centre and southern lands abound equally in 



■f It may have boon named for the township of Locke, in Cayuga 
Co., N. V. 



270 



HISTOKY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



sand, gravel, and clay, and there is considerable marshy 
land. On sections 1, 4, 12, and in the centre, extending 
east and west, are extensive swamps. These are being 
drained, and will eventually contribute greatly to the value 
of the lands of Locke. The soil is well adapted to the 
raising of all kinds of grain, wheat and corn being in some 
localities especially prolific. The average crop of wheat 
during the present year was seventeen bushels to the acre. 

The township produces beech, a.sh, maple, basswood, 
hickory, and black-walnut timber in abundance, while tama- 
rack flourishes in the swamps. Black-walnut has been 
much sought after, and is now greatly diminished in 
quantity. Fruit finds both soil and climate congenial, and 
is especially luxuriant in growth the present season. No 
finer specimens of the apple are found in the State than are 
produced in this township. 

Locke has no lakes or large bodies of water. Two 
streams, named respectively Sullivan Creek and Squaw 
Brook, meander through its boundaries. The first rises in 
a marsh on section 12, and flows south into Leroy, while 
the latter also, finding its source in a marsh on section 20, 
pours its waters into Cedar River. The latter stream flows 
through the southwest corner of the township. 

LAND ENTRIES. 

The lands of township No. 4 north, of range No 2 east, 
were entered by the following parties: 

Seclwn ].— Thomas Dudley, Aug. 2, 1S3G ; J. B. and E. T. Stansell, 

Jan. 10, 1837; L. T. and E. Knapp, Jan. 20, 1837 ; Levi Harmon, 

Trowbridge S. Harmon, Nov. 18, 1837; Gaius Fuller, May 16, 

1836. 
Section 2.— David M. Jewett, Dec. 15, 1836 ; Hiram Weeks, John Man- 
ning, Hiram Weeks, J.in. 9, 1837; Israel H. Lovejoy, Dec. 5, 

1S37; Israel H. Lovejoy, Jan. 29, 1838. 
Seclwn 3.— Gaius B. Rich, Aug. 3, 1836; John Myers, Oct. 24, 1836; 

D. M. Jewett, Dec. 15, 1836 ; Richard D. Brown, Jan. 25, 1836. 
Section 4.— Gaius B. Rich, Aug. 3, 1836 ; John Myers, Sept. 20, 1836 ; 

Joseph Cole, Sept. 24, 1836 ; R. D. Brower, Jr., Jan. 25, 1836. 
Secliou 5. — H. and Van R. Hawkins, July 5, 1836 ; R. D. Brower, Jr., 

Jan. 25, 1837 ; Willis Newman, Dec. 9, 1836. 
Section 6. — II. and Van R. Hawkins, July 5, 1836; Lorenzo and 

Daniel Herrick, July 16, 1837. 
Section 7 {Frncliu7ial).—Josefh M. Murphj', June IS, 1836. 
Section 8.— Abraham Demott, Aug. 3, i, 1836 ; Richard D. Brower, Jr., 

Jan. 25, 1837. 
Section 9.— John Myers, Sept. 20, 23, 1836 ; William Harper, Jr., Dec. 

8, 1836. 
Section 10.— John Church and David M. Jewett, Dec. 15, 1836 ; Milan 

Glover and James T. Morton, Jan. 25, 1837 ; Jefferson Pearce, 

May 8, 1837. 
Section 11.— David M. Jewett and Almon Whipple, Dec. 15, 1836. 
Section 12.— Robert Campbell, Thomas Dudley, Aug. 2, 1836; Henry 

Meech, June 23, 1837 ; Abner Davis, Feb. 2, 1839. 
Section 13.— Robert Campbell, Aug. 2, 1836; Moses Roberts, Sept. 21, 

1836 ; Jefferson Pearce, May 8, 1837 ; James Nichols, May 23, 

1842. 
Section 14.— Almon Whipple (no date). 
Section 15.— Alfred E. Campbell, John W. Tunnicliff, John Church, 

John S. Hard, Dec. 15, 1846; Jefferson Pearce, May S, 1837. 
Section 16. — School section. 
Section 17.— Joseph W. Murphy, June 18, 1836; L. B. Worden, Aug. 

2, 1836 ; John Countryman, Aug. 2, 1836 ; Abraham Demott, Aug. 

4, 1836. 
Section 18.— Joseph M. Murphy, June 18, 1836. 
Section 19.— Daniel Foster, June 18, 1836; Elon Farnsworth, June 

27, 1836; Joseph Ward, July 13, 1836; Joseph S. Rogers, Sept. 

24, 1836. 



Section 20.— Joseph Ward, July 13, 1836; Ziba Woods, Aug. 2,1836; 

Pardon Barnard, Aug. 3, 1836; B. B. Kercheval, Feb. 21, 1837. 

Section 21.— Gardner Wheeler, Socrates Smith, Aug. 5, 1836; H. W. 

Delevan, Sept. 23, 1836. 
Section 22.— Moses Roberts, Sept. 21, 1836; H. W. Delevan, Sept. 

23, 1836; M'm. Tunnicliff, Henry S. Orendorff, John W. Tunni- 
cliff, Dec. 15, 1836. 
Section 23.— Moses Roberts, Wm. R. Macao, Sept. 21, 1836; David 

Phelps, Sept. 24, 1836; H. S. Orendorff, May 29, 1837; Lewis 

F. Olds, Jan. 4, 1838. 
Section 24.— Reuben Robie, Aug. 4, 1836 ; Wm. R. Macao, Sept. 21, 

1836; Henry Fralick, Sept. 24, 1836; Rebecca Pitts, April 10, 

1837 ; William F. Wallace, June 11, 1847. 
Section 25.— Reuben Robie, Aug. 4, 1836; M. M. Gillespie, Sept. 24, 

1S36 ; Polly Cargill, John Fuller, Sept. 21, 1836; M. M. Gilles- 
pie, Dec. 6, 1836. 
Section 26.— R. S. Starkweather, Aug. 1, 1836; Sally Hall, William 

Storms, Aug. 2, 1836 ; David Phelps, Sept. 24, 1836; W. L. Board- 
man, Jan. 18, 1842. 
Section 27.— R. G. Starkweather, Aug. 1, 1836; Edward D. Hall, 

Aug. 2, 1836. 
Section 28.- Rufus Starkweather, Joel C. Thornton, J. T. Andrews, 

Robert Campbell, R. Robie, Aug. 1, 1836; Rogers Heath, June 

18. 1839; William Fulton, March 27, 1841. 
Section 29.— Robert Campbell, Aug. 3, 1836; Charles S. Boughton, 

Aug. 3, 1836 ; Isaac W. Fuller, Milo N. Mann, Sept. 21, 1836 ; H. 

AV. Delevan, Sept. 23, 1836 ; Leah M. Fredrick, March 27, 1841. 
Section 30.— J. M. Murphy, June 18, 1836; Robert Campbell, Aug. 2, 

1836; Dewitt C. Olds, Jan. 4, 1838. 
.Section 31.— John M. Berrien, Jan. 28, 1836; E. Jessup, Jr., June 4, 

1836; Noah Madison, Aug. 3, 1836. 
Section 32.— Stiles Perry, March 15, 1834 ; John G. Peterson, May 

16, 1836; E. Jessup, Jr., June 4, 1836; Noah Madison, Aug. 3, 

1836; H. W. Delevan, Sept. 23, 1836; David Phelps, Sept. 24, 

1836. 
Section 33.— E. Jessup, Jr., June 4, 1836 ; John Raynor, July 9, 1836 ; 

Rufus Starkweather, Aug. 1, 1836. 
Section 34.— Cyrus B. Wheeler, Wm. Bosworth, June 16, 1836; Rufus 

Starkweather, Hugh McCreery, Aug. 1, 1836; Samuel Sayers, 

Aug. 2, 1836. 
Section 35.— Matthew C. Patterson, July 12, 1836; William Storms, 

Aug. 2, 1836. 
Section 36.— Charles Butler, April 2, 1836. 

TAX-LIST FOR THE YEAR 1844. 

The following list embraces the resident taxpayers in 
the township of Locke for the year 1844 : 

Acres. 

Joseph Brooks, section 2 60 

Isaac Colburn, " 2 40 

I. H. Lovejoy, " 2 174 

Stephen Scofield, " 3 87 

Widow Atkins " 3 119 

William T. Johnson, section 4 240 

D.J. Tower, " 7 508 

Moses Mclvin, " 10 80 

William M. Barney " 10 80 

Jefferson Pearce, " 10, 13 80 

Albert Avery, " 11 40 

Stephen Avery, " 11 60 

Charles Marsh, " 11 40 

Benj.amin Pettingill " 11 40 

Henry Pettingili " 14 40 

William Carlton " 14 40 

Leonard Cole " 14 80 

Cornelius Cole " 14 60 

John Countryman, " 17 160 

0. P. Worden, " 17 80 

A. T. Ten Eyck, " 21 160 

David Phelps, " 23, 25, 27 240 

Joshua March, " 24 80 

Solomon Pettingill, " 24 160 

W. L. Boardman, " 26 160 

Arnold Payne, " 27, 28, 33 40 

AVilliam Sailer, " 27 80 

N. F. Dunck, " 27 80 

Hiram Starkweather, " 27 80 

J. C. Townsend, " 27, 28 160 

Nicholas Fulton, " 28 40 

Isaac W. Fulton, " 29 80 

Henry Frederick, " 29 40 



LOCKE. 



271 



TAX-LIST FOR \SU.— Continued. 

Acres. 

A. M.OldJ, Section 30 80 

Levi Kowlcv, " 32 80 

Z. anil W. Leary, " 34 160 

Trowbridge Harmon, ** 1 80 

James Uenio " 3 40 

W. \V. Irons, " 10 80 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Land W.1.S purchased in the township of Locke in 1834, 
but no attempt at settlement was raude until 1838. The 
following account of the first settlement in the township is 
from the records of the Pioneer Society : 

" In February, 1838, David Phelps, a resident of Now 
York City, located land on section 2(). Mr. Phelps, with- 
out a road or trail, guided only by the marked trees of the 
surveyor, was enabled to find his land, but many were the 
mi.sgivings he had as he stood alone in that deep forest, 
twenty miles from a post-office, thirty-four miles from a 
mill, and neighbors quite remote ;* but he had a stout heart 
and a strong will, and finally overcame his doubts. Pro- 
curing the assistance of six men from Livingston County, 
soon the ringing of axes and the crash of falling trees 
broke the stillness of the forest, and Mr. Phelps in a few 
days erected the first white man's shelter in the township. 
Several months later, Watson L. Boardman, brother-in-law 
of Mr. Phelps, with his family, occupied the house lately 
erected by Mr. Phelps, he having no family save one son, 
who lived with the Boardman family. The first female set- 
tler was a widow named Pitts, who, with one son, dared to 
face the hardships of pioneer life. With the help of her 
small boy she cleared a patch for corn and potatoes, working 
bare-headed and bare-armed, piling up the black and smok- 
ing brands of the newly-cut fallow. For the first year she 
had hard work to drive the wolf from the door, but the 
wants of her little one nerved her to overcome all ob.stacles." 

The first birth of a white child in the township, Eme- 
line Carlton, occurred in 1839, in the family of William 
Carlton, and four years later one of the family died."}" The 
first marriage was that of Dean Phillips and Harriet Carr, 
in 1839, the ceremony occurring at the house of Caleb 
Carr, on section 32. Mr. Carr was the first postmaster, 
liis office being on the route from Howell to Grand Rapids, 
and the mail was carried over this route once a week, on 
horseback, on the " Grand River trail." 

The first religious services were held at the school-house 
known as the Brown Eagle, by the Chri-stians, most of the 
inhabitants for miles around attending. Many carried 
their rifles along, and left them standing against a tree 
during service, guarded by a dog. These .services were 
conducted by Seneca H. Pettus and Elder Winans. The 
first sermon was preached by a clergyman named George 
Alexander, in a log cabin. Harvey Gralton and Lewis 
Butler were among the early exhortei-s. 

At a general election, held in the township in the fall of 



• Mr. Phelps' son, David B. Phelps, states that when his lather 
settled (which was on the 9lh of April, 1838), he was si.\ miles from 
any other huuse. the only one in that distance being that of iMr. 
Grant, in the township of Conway, Livingston Co. Mr. Phelps was 
from Deep River, Conn., where the son was born. 

t The little one was buried on the farm of Stephen Avery, and the 
funeral sermon was preached by George L. Boardman. 



1840, there was no ballot-box. The inspectors of election 
procured a stand-drawer of David J. Tower, at whose house 
the election was held, pinned a newspaper over the top, and 
deposited the ballots in the drawer by lifting a corner of 
the paper. The next spring (1841) Mr. Tower w:is au- 
thorized by the town board to make a ballot-box. He 
accordingly split .some boards from a basswood log, and with 
axe and plane completed his ballot-box; it had six com- 
partments, and the lid was fastened with a hasp and padlock. 

In the fall of 1840, David Phelps and a man named 
Johnson started with a yoke of oxen and a sled to spend a 
week or two hunting bees and camping out in the woods. 
After some time they returned with three barrels of honey, 
just as it came from the trees. Their own appearance was 
ludicrous in the extreme. Their buckskin breeches were so 
shrunken and .shriveled with dews and rains and from fording 
streams that they scarcely reached below the knee. The 
men were smeared and their clothing saturated with honey ; 
smoke and soot had aided in making up the picture ; their 
boots were bound together with strips of bark, and their 
hats had the appearance of having been through a hard 
siege, and when they came home, following the team with 
its load of honey, they created a sensation, and those who 
saw them are not likely to forget the occasion. 

Orson Chamberlain was a former resident of Genesee 
County, who removed to the township in 1839 and located 
upon section 26, where he purchased 164 acres of Edmund 
H. Hall. Upon this land stood a log house, but no other 
indication of improvement. Mr. Chamberlain began at 
once, after establishing his family in their limited quarters, 
the labor of chopping and clearing. He had at the end 
of the year rendered six acres productive, the larger share 
of which was sown with wheat. Other improvements fol- 
lowed iis time passed, until a well-cultivated farm had super- 
seded the wilderness found on his arrival. In 1870 a sub- 
stantial frame residence took the place of the primitive 
abode formerly occupied, in which the family now resides. 

Leonard Cole arrived the same year, having purcha-sed 
and settled upon land on section 14 which was entirely un- 
improved. He began the clearing of this land, aud even- 
tually rendered it very productive. Neighbors were neither 
numerous nor easily reached at this early day, and the set- 
tlers were obliged to depend upon their own exertions. 
Only on occasions of raisings did the community appear 
in full force to offer assistance, more frequently lured by 
the social pleasures of the occasion and the good cheer 
which inevitably accompanied such a gathering. Mr. Cole 
occupied the farm until his death, when his sons, the present 
occupants, inherited the land. His widow survived until 
the year 1878. 

David J. Tower .settled in the township soon after the 
advent of Mr. Cole, and was one of the inspectors of elec- 
tion at the first township-meeting held in Locke. He was 
a public-spirited citizen, and did much to advance the in- 
terests of the community. 

On one occasion the settlers at an early day were totally 
destitute of flour. Mr. Tower took SI 00 and purchased 
the neces.sary article, which he distributed among the in- 
habitants, allowing them to work out their indebtedness on 
the public highways. 



272 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTS, MICHIGAN. 



Among the eavly pioneers who manifested much enter- 
prise on their arrival was Stephen Avery, wlio removed 
from Ontario, Canada, in 1837, and settled in Livingston 
County. In 1840 he sought a home in the present town- 
ship of Loeke, — then Phelpstown, — and located on section 
17, where he purchased 120 acres of unimproved land. 
The log house he huilt is still standing, though Mr. Avery 
survived his advent but a short time, having died in Sep- 
tember, 1844. Two sons and a daughter are still residents 
of the township. 

Nicholas F. Dunckel was born in the beautiful Mohawk 
Valley, in New York State, and removed to Canada, where 
he resided for nine years. In 1834 he emigrated to Wayne 
County, and in 1842 removed to Locke. He here purchased 
of Rufus Starkweather IfiO acres on section 27, which he 
found unimproved, and upon which he immediately began 
the erection of a log house. After removing his family 
here, Mr. Dunckel turned his attention to the clearing of 
a portion of the land, which, as early as practicable, was 
sown with wheat. He was assisted in his labors by his 
sons, four of whom accompanied him to the township. 
Plymouth, Wayne Co., afforded a point for marketing, 
while Brighton was the milling centre. The nearest saw- 
mill was at Williamston. Indians were still numerous, but 
not hostile. They were constant and untiring beggars, and 
rapacious in their appetite for bread, pork, and other articles 
of the settlers' cuisine. No school aiforded advantages on 
Mr. Dunckel's ariival, though one was opened soon after. 
Mr. Dunckel survived until 1872, and died at the house 
of his son George, on section 28. Another son, Oliver G., 
resides at Belle Oak. 

Levi Kowley removed from Saratoga Co., N. Y., to Al- 
bion, Mich., where he remained a brief time and removed to 
Leroy, and in 1842 became a resident of the township of 
Locke, where he located upon section 32, on a farm embra- 
cing eighty acres, for which he effected an exchange of prop- 
erty with Henry Rix, the former owner. It had been par- 
tially improved by Caleb Carr. Mr. Rowley continued these 
improvements, and remained upon the place until his death, 
in 1870, when it came into the possession of his son. Levi 
Rowley was one of the most active and public spirited of 
the early pioneers, and did much to promote the growth of 
the township. 

Henry Rix, the previous occupant of this farm, was a 
resident of New Jersey. His stay was brief, Leroy town- 
ship having soon after offered superior attractions. 

Walter Leary, a gentleman of English extraction, re- 
moved from Ann Arbor to the township, and settled upon 
eighty acres on section 34, which had been entered by R. 
G Starkweather, and purchased from him by Mr. Leaiy. 
He improved the land and remained upon it until his death. 

Arnold Payne removed at the same period from the 
county of Livingston, and settled upon eighty acres pur- 
chased also of Starkweather, which was unimproved on his 
advent in Locke. He erected a log house and a frame 
barn, and remained ten years, during which time sixty 
acres bore witness to his labor in its improved condition. 
He later sold to James Sullivan, and removed to Maple 
Rapids, where he died. He had in his family circle eight 
sons, all of whom departed with him. 



Dr. H. A. Atkins removed from his former home at 
Elba, N. Y., to the township in 1842, and settled upon the 
northwest quarter of section 3, where he became the earliest 
resident practitioner in the township. He left for a brief 
period, but retained his land, and on his return resumed his 
practice. He is now a resident of Belle Oak, where, in 
addition to his professional labors, he devotes much time to 
the study of ornithology and the pursuits of literature. 
He is a man of wide research, and takes much interest in 
the compilation of facts regarding the early history of the 
county. 

James McCreary, a former resident of Herkimer Co., 
N. Y., located, in 1844, upon eighty acns which he en- 
tered in 1839. The township, at the time of his purchase, 
was almost unpopulated, but on his arrival he found many 
neighbors, among whom were Messrs. Leary, Rowley, and 
Payne, the former of whom offered him a home during the 
first two years of his residence. With the assistance of 
Mr. Dunckel he erected a frame house, to which his father 
and mother removed. The first year ten acres were cleared, 
and steady improvement was made after that time. 

Dr. Randall, of Livingston County, was among the 
earliest physicians, and Dr. Leasia, of Williamston, was fre- 
quently called. Mr. McCreary continued to improve his 
land, and succeeded in making it one of the ipost valuable 
farms in Locke. 

Israel Lovejoy came from New York State in 1843, 
having entered land in December, 1837, and again in 
January, 1838, on section 2. On this section he settled 
and remained nearly twenty years, when he chose a resi- 
dence elsewhere. 

Trowbridge Harmon removed from Clyde, N. Y., at the 
same time, and selected eighty acres on section 1, which 
he improved. He was a bachelor on his arrival, but sub- 
sequently married. The land was entirely cleared by him- 
self. He experienced many deprivations, but overcame all 
obstacles, and was able to add to his possessions until he 
now has 180 acres, mostly improved. 

Hiram Lovejoy, another pioneer from the Empire State, 
settled, in 1845, upon eighty acres on section 3. This 
land, all uncleared on his arrival, he rendered productive 
by hard labor, and converted into a valuable estate, upon 
which he continued improvements until his life was sud- 
denly ended by a stroke of lightning, in 1874. His sons 
now occupy the farm. 

F. B. Shellnian, a pioneer from Tioga Co., N. Y., was 
among the earliest settlers in the northeast portion of the 
township, having purchased of Archelaus Green 100 acres 
on section 2. He built a shanty of primitive construction, 
and devoted much of his time at first to labor for others. 
His progress in clearing and making improvements was 
therefore slow. Very few settlers had located immediately 
near. He recalls Isaac Colburn as the nearest. There 
were no schools in the vicinity, and a tedious journey was 
necessary to obtain supplies. Mr. Shellman has since 
improved his land, built a commodious residence, and ren- 
dered his estate valuable. 

William Shellman came also from the same county and 
State and located on section 2, where he remained until 
his death, in 1862. 



LOCKE. 



27S 



Dexter Fuller, formerly of New York State, settled upon 
eighty acres on section 1, where he had secured tlie im- 
provement of five acres and the planting of an orchard before 
his arrival. He still resides upon the land. 

Kichard Castleline, a pioneer of Pennsylvania extraction, 
also located on section 2, in 1845, where he erected a log 
house and began the battle of life in the woods. Here he 
remained laboring upon his land until his death, in 18G9. 

W. T. Wallace came from Steuben Co., N. Y., in 184G, 
and in June of that year settled upon eighty acres on sec- 
tion 2 1, to which he later added forty acres. This wa.s 
entirely unim])rovcd, with the exception of a small tract 
that had been previously underbrushed. He remained with 
David Phelps the first 3'ear, and on his marriage removed 
to a shanty built upon his land. Messrs. Phelps, Board- 
man, and Brown were near neighbors. Mr. Wallace has 
greatly improved his land, upon which he still resides. 

James Sullivan, a pioneer of 1847, from Ohio, and 
foiinerly of Orleans Co., N. Y., purchased and settled upon 
ItiO acres on section 315, formerly owned by Arnold Payne. 
Twenty-five acres had been chopped and a log house already 
built upon it, though much labor remained 3'et to be done. 
Mr. Sullivan did much to increase the productiveness of 
the land, and in 1S(5G erected a new and substantial resi- 
dence, his present home. Three sons live near him in the 
township. 

Ira D. Perry settled in 1845, on section 10, which was 
cleared and improved by him. His son now occupies the 
place, Mr. Perry having died during the present year. 
Lewis Butler settled in 1848, on section 34, which he pur- 
chased of Lsaac Leary. He subsequently removed to In- 
diana, and now resides in Wiiliamston. 

John Grimes was a pioneer from Broome County, who 
settled upon eighty acres on section 31, which was un- 
cleared when he became owner of it. He first under- 
brushed the road adjoining his farm and then erected a 
shanty, in which he lived while clearing a portion of the 
land. Mr. Grimes made rapid progress and added to his 
possessions until he now has 650 acres. Deer were so 
abundant on his arrival that a herd of twenty-two were 
seen feeding with the cattle. They afforded an abundance 
of fresh meat to the settlers, but were in a few years ex- 
terminated. 

Robert Fi-sher, formerly of Wayne Co., N. Y., settled in 
1850, upon the northeast quarter of section 24, which wxs, 
with the exception of five acres, uncleared. He built a 
shanty and began the labor of improving. Rapid pro- 
gress was made, and a well-cultivated farm, upon which he 
now resides, has superseded the former wilderness. 

Among other early settlers in the township of Locke 
may be mentioned Truman Spencer, who came from Wayne 
County in 1855, and located upon section 13, where he 
built a saw-mill; D. Burton, who located on section 15; 
Dyer Cole, of Lockport, N. Y., who settled on section 27, 
and later on section 16, where he improved a farm and still 
resides ; William T. Johnson, on section 4 ; Jefferson 
Pearce, who had land on sections 10 and 13; Benjamin 
and Henry Pettengill, on sections 11 and 14, res^pectivcly ; 
A. T. Ten Eyck, on section 21 ; Stephen Seofield, on sec- 
tion 3 ; J. C. Townsend, on sections 27 and 28 ; A. M. 



Olds, on section 30 ; W. W. Irons, on section 10 ; and 

Nicholas Fulton, on section 28. 

OHGANIZ.VTIOX. 

The township of Locke was formerly, together with the 
present township of Williamstown, embraced in the town- 
ship of Phelpstown. By an act of the State Legislature, 
piissed Feb. 16, 1842, it was erected as an independent 
township, and its present name bestowed. 

CIVIL LIST. 

At the first annual meeting of the township of Locke, 
held at the house of John C. Townsend, in 1842, David 
Phelps was chosen moderator, A. M. Olds clerk, and 
David J. Tower, Stephen Avery, and Isaac W. Ilutton 
inspectors of election. The ballots having been cast 
in accordance with the law, the following officers were 
declared elected : Supervisor, David Phelps ; Township 
Clerk, A. M. Olds; Justices of the Peace, D. C. Olds, D. 
J. Tower, Stephen Avery, David Phelps ; Assessors, Ste- 
phen Avery, D. J. Tower; Highway Commissioners, Ben- 
jamin Barney, Ira Colburn ; Treasurer, A. T. Ten Eyck ; 
School Inspectors, Stephen Avery, E. B. Hull ; Constables, 
Joseph Brock, J. C. Townsend. 

The following list includes the super\'isors, township 
clerks, treasurers, and justices of the peace from 1843 
until the present time: 

1843:— Supervisor, David Plielps; Townshi|i Clerk, A. T. Ten Eyck; 
Treasurer, D. J. Tower ; Justice of the Peace, Levi Rowley. 

1844.— Supervisor, David Phel|)s ; Tovvnsliip Clerk, Jefferson Pearce; 
Treasurer, A. T. Ten Eyck ; Justice of tlio Peace, Josiah 
Nicliols. 

1845. — Supervisor, Jefferson Pearce; Township Clerk, Albert M. 
Olds; Treasurer, Albert Avery; Justice of ihe Peace, David 
Phelps. 

1846.— Suiicrvisor, D. J. Tower : Township Clerk, A. M. Olds ; Treas- 
urer, Levi Kowley ; Justice of the Peace, Trowbridge Har- 
mon. 

1847.— Supervisor, D. J. Tower; Township Clerk, David Phelps; 
Treasurer, Levi Rowley ; Justice of the Peace, J. C. Wat- 
kins. 

1848. — Supervisor, D. J. Tower; Township Clerk, Levi Rowley; 
Treasurer, David Phelps; Justice of the Peace, J. C. Wat- 
kins. 

1849.- Supervisor, E. Ilitchcock ; Township Clerk, A. M. Olds; 
Treasurer, Levi Rowley ; Justice of the Peace, David 
Phelps. 

1850.— Supervisor, J. W. Fulton; Township Clerk, A. M. Olds; 
Treasurer, Levi Rowley; Justice of the Peace, X. W. 
Capin. 

1851. — Supervisor, J. II. Lovcjoy ; Township Clerk, A. M. Olds; 
Treasurer, Levi Rowley ; Justice of the Peace, . 

1852. — Supervisor, J. II. Lovejoy; Township Clerk, David Phelps; 
Treasurer, Levi Rowley; .Justice of the Peace, J. C. Wat- 
kins. 

1S53. — Supervisor, Levi Rowley ; Township Clerk, George Shellman ; 
Treasurer, W. T. Wallace; Justice of the Peace, S. ScoHcld. 

1854.— Supervisor, Robert Fisher; Township Clerk, G. W. Shellman ; 
Treasurer, W. T. Wallace ; Justice of the Peace, I. N. 
Pickard. 

1865. — Supervisor, Levi Rowley; Township Clerk, Lyman Hill; 

Treasurer, ; Justice of the Peace, G. W. Sholl- 

man. 

1856. — Supervisor, Levi Rowley; Township Clerk, Lyman Hill; 
Treasurer, William T. AVallacc; .lustice of the Peace, 
James W. Waldo. 

1857. — Supervisor, Truman Spencer; Toivnship Clerk, A. M. Olds: 
Treasurer, W. T. Wallace ; Justice of the Peace, Dyer Cole. 



274 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1858. — Supervisor, Truman Spencer; Township Clerk, A. M. Olds; 

Treasurer, 0. 11. Jones; Justice of the Peace, J. C. Wat- 
kins. 
1S5!).— Supervisor, Trumnn Spencer; Township Clerk, Levi Kowley; 

Treasurer, 0. H. Jones; Justice of the Peace, Robt. Fisher. 
1860. — Supervisor, Truman Spencer; Township Clerk, lliram A. 

Mixtcr; Treasurer, Orville M. Jones; Justice of the Peace, 

Lyman Uill. 
I SO I. —Supervisor, J. C. Watkins ; Township Clerk, A. JI. Olds; 

Treasurer, 0. H. Jones; Justice of the Peace, Levi Rowley. 
18G2. — Supervisor, Levi Rowley; Township Clerk, George Fisher; 

Treasurer, George Dunckel; Justice of the Peace, 0. L. 

Brown. 
18t)."i. — Supervisor, Levi Rowley: Township Clerk, George Fisher; 

Treasurer, William T. Wallace; Justice of the Peace, George 

W. Shellman. 
1864.— Supervisor, T. Spencer; Township Clerk, Albert N. Olds; 

Treasurer, William T. Wallace; Justice of the Peace, Thomas 

T. Brown. 
1865. — Supervisor, Trumnn Spencer; Township Clerk, A. M. Olds; 

Treasurer, George Dunckel; Justice of the Peace, Daniel 

H. Truman. 
1S66,— Supervisor, J. C. Martin; Township Clerk, Oliver S. Smith; 

Treasurer, George Dunckel ; Justice of the Peace, O. G. 

Dunckel. 
1867.— Supervisor, J. C. Martin; Township Ck-rk, D. B. Phelps; 

Treasurer, P. Pettengill ; Ju.stice of the Peace, George C. 

Wood. 
1868.— Supervisor, D. B. Philps: Township Clerk, R. G. C. Knight; 

Treasurer, George L)unekel ; Justice of the Peace, John D. 

Bullock. 
1869.— Supervisor, D. B. Phelps; Township Clerk, R. G. C. Knight; 

Treasurer, George Dunckel ; Justice of the Peace, Daniel IL 

Truman. 
1870. — Supervisor, D. B. Pheljis ; Township Clerk, George C. Wood; 

Treasurer, Oliver S. Smith; Justice of the Peace, 0. G. 

Dunckel. 
1871.- Supervisor, 0. S. Smith; Township Clerk, George C. Wood; 

Treasurer, R. G. C. Knight ; Justice of the Peace, K. J. 

Lovejoy. 
1872.- Supervisor, Oliver S. Smith ; Township Clerk, Charles E. 

Spencer; Treasurer, R. G. C. Knight; Just ce of the Peace, 

Jetferson Pearce. 
1873.— Supervisor, W. T. Wallace; Township Clerk, George D.Sjien- 

cer; Treasurer, George Harper; Justice of the Peace. Moses 

Hill. 
1874.— Supervisor, W. T. W.allace; Township Clerk, William T. Tan- 
ner; Treasurer, George Harper; Justice of the Peace, Hu- 
bert F. Miller. 
1875.— Supervisor, W. T. Wallace ; Townshiji Clerk, Nicholas Cra- 

han ; Treasurer, George Harper ; Justice of the Peace, Wil- 
bur Chamberlain. 
1876.— Supervisor, R. G. C. Knight; Township Clerk, Daniel L. 

Boardman; Treasurer, 0. S. Smith; Justice of the Peace, 

0. G. Dunckel. 
1877.— Supervisor, R. G. C. Knight; Township Clerk, Daniel L. 
Boardman; Treasurer, 0. S. Smith ; Justice of tlie Peace, 

Judson Dowd. 
JS78.— Supervisor, W. T. Wallace ; Township Clerk, D. L. Boardman ; 

Treasurer, George Harper; Justice of the Peace, H. F. 

Miller. 
1879.— Supervisor, W. T. Wall.ace; Township Clerk, E. Willinms; 
Treasurer, George Harper; Justice of the Peace, H. J. 

Lovejoy. 
1S80.— Supervisor, R. G. C. Knight; Township Clerk, Asa W. Spen- 
cer; Treasurer, George Dunckel; Justice of the Peace, Levi 

Parker: Superintendent of Schools, 0. S. Smith : School In- 
spector, Frank E. Liverance; Highway Commisioner, Frank 

Price; Drain Commissioner, Gerritt A. Tuttle; Constables, 
David Dunckel, Marcine Dunckel, Charle^' Lovejoy, Henry 

Arnold. 

EARLY HIGHWAYS. 

No definite or satisfactory informatioD l^ obtainable re- 
garding the early highways of the township, and the rec- 



ord.s contain no information of value on the subject. The 
earliest road ran from east to west through the township, 
and was recorded Feb. 1, 1840, by Stephen Avery, Caleb 
Carr, and Watson L. Boardman, then highway commis- 
sioners. It was known as the " Cedar River Trail road," 
having followed the Indian trail, and was .surveyed by 
Anson Jackson, county surveyor, and D. Carroll, deputy. 
A portion of this road was not cleared and underbruslied 
until 1850, and the trail was simply a guide to the sur- 
veyor, who found it impracticable to follow the devious 
paths the Indians pursued. Other roads wore soon opened 
on the east border of the township, surveys having .speedily 
followed the presence of settlers, whose needs were responded 
to by the highway commissioners. 

15ELLE OAK. 

The hamlet of Belle Oak was begun upon land owned 
by James L. Nichols, who entered it May 23, 1842, hav- 
ing paid seventy-five dollars in State scrip for a tract em- 
bracing forty acres. He improved a portion, tlien sold to 
Albert Avery, who occupied it for a period of twelve years. 
The first house in the immediate neighborhood was erected 
by Nichols. Other lands were owned by Oren Lawson and 
Andrew Kirk. Mrs. Pitts, afterwards IMrs. Solomon Pet- 
tengill, was also one of the original proprietors. Truman 
Spencer made his advent in 1855, and, in connection with 
Pitts and Fisher, purchased ten acres of the Pitts estate 
for a mill site. Upon this a saw-mill was erected in 1855, 
which was consumed by fire in 1 867, and rebuilt by Spencer 
& Fisher. The present proprietors are Waterman & 
Hovey. It has a forty horse-power engine, with a capacity 
of 1000 feet per hour of hard lumber. The estate of Oren 
Lawson sold to Truman Spencer, and Andrew Kirk disposed 
of his interest to Clark Pierce, who conveyed to Delos 
A. Smith, by whom the property was divided into lots and 
.sold. 

Sir. Spencer, in 1863, erected a small store, and Rogers 
& Cole, in 1872, built a stave-mill, which was sold the 
following spring to William Goldey, who remained for four 
years a resident of the place, and during that time also 
opened a store. A wagon-shop was started by Robert 
Fisher, who subsequently sold to William 0. Fisher. There 
are at present two blacksmith-shops, kept by Dunckel & 
Castleline, and a store owned by Hovey & Waterman. The 
hamlet boasts two physicians, Drs. Harmon A. Atkins and 
George D. Spencer. There is also a public school, with 
sixty-five scholars, taught by Alta Benjamin. O. G. 
Dunckel is the popular postmaster. 

CHURCHES. 
First Wesleyan Mefhodisf Church. — The First Wesleyan 
Methodist Church was organized under the auspices of Rev. 
Harvey Hodskiss, Jan. 18, 1856, with the following as the 
first ofiicers: Rev. Harvey Hodskiss, pastor; Elijah B. 
Wheeler, class-leader; Simon G. Wright, steward. The 
constituent members of the church were Elijah B. Wheeler, 
Alonzo Hill, Simon G. Wright, Mary Wright, Hannah Hill, 
Nancy A. Sullivan, Martha Truman, H. Hodskiss, Mary 
Leary, Nancy Pratt, Abram Wright. The earliest meetings 
were held at the Rowley school-house, on section 33, and 



LOCKE. 



275 



fur a succession of years it was the scene of most of the 
relipous convocations of tiie organization. In 1880 a 
cliureh edifice was erected at a cost of §1400, which was 
dedicated witli impressive ceremonies Sept. 29, 1880. A 
commodious parsonage was erected tlie year previous. The 
pastors in succession have been : llcvs. 11. Hodsiviss, Ama- 
ziah Curtis, Samuel Boyls, II. Ilodsiii.ss, Abrani Cassidy, 
]?. H. IJrundage, Hiram Johnson, J. C. JIartin, Hiram 
Johnson, Levi McUee, Robert L. Cope, AViiliam Ekins, 
William T. Williams, J. C. Martin, Orin H. Johnson, 
Erving W. Bruce. Since the organization of the church 
the names of IGO members have been placed upon its 
roll. Its present membership is 72. A flourishing Sun- 
day-school exists, with an average attendance of forty, of 
which Gilbert liowlcy is superintendent. Elmer Gear is 
the present class- leader and James Sullivan steward. 

Free Melltodist Chnrcli. — A class of the denomination 
of Free Methodists was organized in 1872 under Rev. 
Golden, who conducted religious services in the various 
school-houses of the town.'^hip. He was followed by Elder 
Mudge, who visited the point during his regular circuit 
duties. Elders Carrier and Witham succeeded, and at the 
present writing, the Conference of the Free Methodist 
Church being in session, the appointment for the succeed- 
ing year has not been announced. Meetings are still held 
at the school-houses, no house of worship having been 
erected. A Sunday-.=chool has been organized, which is 
now under the superintendence of Tompkins Towner. 

Method isf Epixcapiil Chimh. — Ilev. Jo.seph England 
organized a class under the ausi)ices of the Methodi.st 
Episcopal Church about 1872, preaching having occa- 
sionally been held on previous occasions in the school- 
houses of the neighborhood. Elder Edwin Daw, who had 
a short time previously arrived from England, followed, 
and after him Revs. Giberson and Nixon. Serv'ices are 
held at the school-house in ISelle Oak. Peter V. Fi.sher 
is the present class-leader, and a Sabbath-school, under his 
superintendence, holds its regular meetings at the school- 
house, the attendance being governed by circumstances. 

The Advcntists formerly had a very flourishing organi- 
zation ill the township, but it has recently declined. 

BUlilAL-PLACES. 

The cemetery earliest in use in the township was located 
on section 7, and owned by a settler named Baldwin, it 
having been a private enterprise. The firet interments were 
made at a period prior to 1850, and the ground was later 
donated by him to the township, who inclosed it with a 
substantial fence and maintained it as a township burial- 
place. 

The second is known as the South Locke Cemetery, and 
was purchased of D. II. Truman, embracing one acre on the 
northeast (|uarter of section 33. It was inclosed by the 
township authorities and rendered attractive, having been 
adorned with shade-trees and laid out in inviting walks. 
Many beautiful memorial stones are evidence of the tender 
memories which clu.ster round the dead. The earliest burial 
was that of Mrs. Selbridge. 

The Locke Mutual Cemetery Association was organized 
in Marcli, 1859, with Robert Fisher, President; John S. 



Pitts, Clerk ; George Fisher, Treasurer ; and Truman 
Spencer, Sexton. It embraced one acre on section 13, 
to which an addition has recently been made. A substan- 
tial fence, built by Robert Fisher at a cost of eleven dollars 
and a half, incloses it, and the labor and watchful care be- 
stowed upon it by those immediately interested has rendered 
it one of the most inviting spots in the township. 

EARLY SCHOOL STATISTICS. 

At the first meeting of the board of common-school 
inspectors of the town of Phclpstown, held on the 25th of 
April, 1839, Cornelius Cole was cho.sen chairman of the 
board, after which its members proceeded to divide town 4 
north, of range 2 ea.st, into districts as follows: Sections 1, 
2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 comprised the first school 
district. Sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 2(5, 27, 34, 35, and 
3G conipri-sed the second school district. Sections 19, 20, 
21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 comprised the third school 
district. Sections 16, 17, 18, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, and 4 com- 
prised the fourth school district. 

The first public school money of which any record is 
found was distributed in Locke in 1844 in the following 
manner, the total amount having been $25.20 : School 
District >fo. 1, 25 scholars, $9.85; School District No. 2, 
15 scholars, 85.90; School Di.strict No. 3, 13 scholars, 
$5.12; School District No. 4, 11 scholars, 84.3.3. 

The earliest .school was taught in a shanty adjoining the 
residence of Benjamin Pettcngill, but almost immediately 
after a school-house was erected on the northeast corner of 
the northwest (|uarter of section 14, which was familiarly 
known as the " Brown Eagle." It was a one-.story struc- 
ture built of logs, having been covered with bark laid on 
poles. The floor was made of split logs, as were also the 
seats, the desks having been of rough boards. 

The chimney was coiistrueted of sticks plastered with 
clay, which were occasionally found in a blaze from the 
nature of its combustible material. The boys would then 
as.sault it vigorously with snow-balls until the fire was ex- 
tinguished. The teacher who presided in this primitive 
domain was David Bush, who remained for two terms, and 
received nine dollars per month. Messrs. Stephen Avery, 
Leonard Cole, Cornelius Cole, Joshua Marsh, and Benja- 
min Pettcngill, were the earliest patrons of the school, and 
the teacher gave such general satisfaction that his wages for 
the .second term were advanced to eleven dollars per month. 
Tlie boys were generally clothed in the cast-off' clothing of 
their fathers, or in a coarse fabric called " hard times," which 
also formed the rustic garb of the teacher. The girls' ap- 
parel was usually made of sheeting, which had been dyej 
with soft maple-bark and thus rendered brilliant and pictur-: 
esque. 

The teacher, Mr. Bush, occasionally recalls for the 
amusement of his friends the following incident : " On one 
occasion while boarding with the director, who shall be 
nameless, I had retired for the night (the sleeping room, 
kitchen, and parlor having been identical). The lord of 
the manor had returned late from a raising at a neighbor's, 
and being somewhat exhilarated with frequent draughts 
was in a hilarious mood. His wife endeavored to quic^ 
him, but finding her efl'orts unavailing suggested that the 



276 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUiNTY, MICHIGAx\. 



teacher was in the house and had retired. The director, 
out of patience at being thus reproved, exclaimed, ' Who 
is the teacher? Nobody but David Bush. I know him 
and liis fatlier and his mother.' " 

Mr. Bush was followed in his duties by IMiss Rebecca 
Macomber, who was the second instructor in the town- 
ship. 

The school territory of the township is at present divided 
into six whole and two fractional districts, over whom pre- 
side, as a board of directors, the following gentlemen : 0. 
F. Perry, S. P. Suthard, Nicholas Crahan, George Mac- 



omber, O. G. Dunckel, Gardner Rice, R. G. C. Knight, 
J. C. Stoughton. 

Three hundred and seventy-two pupils, of whom twenty- 
four were non-residents, received instruction during the last 
year. They were under the direction of three male and 
fifteen female teachers, who received an aggregate annual 
amount of $1032.81 in salaries. 

The value of school property, including one brick and 
seven frame buildings,. is $4100. The total resources of 
the township for educational purposes are §1018.53, of 
which $189.29 is derived from the primary school fund. 



MERIDIAN. 



GEOGRAPHICAL. 
This township is situated in the northern tier of town- 
ships of Ingham County, next west of the meridian-line, 
from which circumstance it was probably named, and is 
bounded on the north by the Clinton county-line, on the 
south by Alaiedon township, on the east by Williamstown, 
and on the west by Lansing township. It is designated in 
the United States survey as lown 4 north, range 1 west. 
The eastern boundary was run by Joseph Wampler in 

1824, the north, south, and west lines by Lucius Lyon in 

1825, and the subdivision lines by Musgrove Evans in 
1825. 

The principal stream is Cedar River, which enters from 
the east on section 25 and traverses sections 25, 36, 35) 
26, 27, 28, 21, 20, a corner of 17 and 18, its whole course 
through the township probably exceeding eight miles. Its 
average width is from sixty to one hundred feet, and it is 
generally quite rapid. The only improvement of the water- 
power is at Okemos village. 

The next largest stream is the outlet of Pine Lake, 
which traverses sections 3, 10, 15, 16, and corners of 17 
and 20, and discharges into the Cedar River a mile below 
Okemos. A branch of this creek rises on section 13, and 
flowing through sections 14, 23, and 15 unites with the 
main stream on the southwest quarter of 15. This branch 
also drains Mud Lake on the northwest quarter of section 
14. Herron Creek heads on section 8 in Alaiedon town- 
ship, and flowing north through sections 32, 29, and 20 
unites with Cedar River on the northeast quarter of sec- 
tion 20. 

Sloan Creek finds its sources, one branch in Dobie Lake, 
on sections 10 and 11 in Alaiedon, and another on section 
16 in Whcatfield town.sliip, which, uniting on section 35 in 
Meridian, reach the Cedar River iu the northeast quarter of 
the last-mentioned section a mile east of the county farm. 

A small creek rises in springs on the farm of Joseph 
II. Kilbourne, and flows southeast into Cedar River on 
section 25. There is also a small one on section 28, and 

» By Samuel W. Durant. 



another on 21 and 22, which latter discharges into the 
outlet of Pine Lake on section 16. 

Pine Lake is the most considerable body of water in the 
county. It covers portions of sections 2, 3, 10, and 11, 
and has an approximate area of 450 acres, being a little 
over one mile in length north and south, by nearly a mile 
in width east and west. It received its name from the 
fact that there was a considerable body of pine timber on 
its eastern margin when the country was first settled. It 
was about the only tract in the county, there being only 
here and there a scattering tree in other portions. 

This lake is nearly triangular in form, with the narrowest 
portion towards the south. The outlet is at the extreme 
western angle, near the northern end, and flows southwest. 
The lake is generally shallow, though there is considerable 
deep water in places, and it has a large margin of marshy 
lands on the south, with somewhat bolder shores on the 
west, north, and east. The northwest bay about the outlet 
is shallow for a considerable distance from shore. Along 
the north end is a beautiful sandy beach, near which are 
fine picnic grounds fitted up for excursion and boating par- 
ties. Being the only body of water of any importance in 
the region, it is a favorite place of resort. The Chicago and 
Grand Trunk Railroad skirts its southern margin. 

Pine Lake exhibits the natural phenomena found about 
many of the lakes of Michigan, and particularly those of 
Oakland County, which are the presence of ridges of earth 
and sand, and, where bowlders abound, of walls of stone. 
These are the result of the expansion of the ice covering 
under extreme cold in midwinter ; the action maintained 
through ages gradually pushes up ridges along the margin 
of the lake, generally a few rods from the water-line, de- 
pending upon the depth of water near and the slope of tlie 
shore. A small ridge of this kind may be observed a short 
distance southwest of the boat-landing on Pine Lake, and 
probably in other places along the shore. Mud Lake is a 
small body of shallow, muddy water on section 14. f 



t There are small ponds called *' Pickerel Lakes'* on tbe farm of J. 
H. Kilbourne and on section 2.3. 



MERIDIAN. 



277 



There are quite extensive tracts of marsh land along the 
Cedar River and the outlet of Pine Lake, and also on 
sections 14 and 23, in addition to those mentioned around 
the lake. These were originally mostly covered with a 
dense growth of American larch, or tamarack, black ash, 
elm, etc. Many of them arc being drained, and such 
lands will eventually become valuable. Considerable peat 
probably abounds in many of these locations. 



The soils of the township consist of light sandy lands, 
in some parts of clay and clay loam, and black vegetable 
mould in other places. The surface is what may be termed 
undulating, with few elevations of any magnitude, yet suf- 
ficiently above the streams to be easily drained, and fur- 
nishing the best quality of farming lands for the growth 
of the cereals, fruit, and vegetables. The fruit crop of 
1880 is withotit precedent, and thousands of bushels of 
magnificent apples are rotting upon the ground. The crop 
of grapes, peaches, and pears is also abundant for the amount 
of trees and vines in bearing. 

Along the Cedar River is an extensive tract of bottom 
land, mostly heavily timbered, and the banks of the river 
are sometimes low and wet, and at other times high and 
bold. On the whole, the township is an excellent one, and 
contains many finely improved farms. 3Iarl and potters' 
clay are found in considerable quantities. 

Two railways traverse its borders, the Detroit, Lansing 
and Northern, put in operation in 1871, and the Chicago 
and Grand Trunk, of more recent construction. There 
are three stations and three post-offices in the township, 
— one station a mile south of Okemos village, one called 
Meridian, in the soutlieast corner of the township, and 
one called Pine Lake station, on section 11. There are 
post-oflices at Okemos, Meridian, and Pine Lake. The 
post-office at Pine Lake is on section 10, and the station 
on section 11. 

The following list shows the original land entries in the 
township, that of Eri I'rince on section 21, in November, 
18o2, being the first in the county : 

ORIGINAL LAND KNTKIKS. 

.Seclwu 1.— Ilcnry Cleveland, April 3, 1837; Joseph Smitli,* .April 21, 

1837: Stephen Smith, April 21, 1837. 
S<-clioii 2. — Northwest fraction, 108. SO acres, Edward Eno, .Tunc 17, 

1837. 
SeclioH 3.— Obcd .Marshall, W. B. Clymcr, Ansel Ford, Edward Eno, 

Henry Cleveland, Samuel B. Smith, no date; but as early as 

1837. 
fteclion 4.— Henry Cleveland, April, 1837; Jacob S. Thompson, 1847. 
SeclioH 5.— Hiram Wilmarth, April 4, 1837; Cakb Johnson, May 2, 

1842; Philander Thompson, Warren Lawton, 1847; Ezra South- 
well, James E. Miller, no dale. 
Seclioii 6.— Henry Cleveland, April 3, 1837; Peter G. Miller, 1847; 

Alexander Tower, no date. 
Section 7.— Hiram Wilmarth, April, 1837; Moses Johnson, June 13, 

1842; John Wigglesworth, July 2, 1845. 
Secliim 8.— Hiram Wilmarth, April 3, 1837; Henry Cleveland, April, 

1837. 
Scclim, 9.— Henry Cleveland, Leiand Green, April, 1837; Hiram 

Wilmarth, April 4, 1837. 



> This should probably be James Smith. 



.Sccd'o.i 10.— John Rice, Jan. 18, 1837; Henry Cleveland, April 3, 

1S37. 
Seclioti II.— Obcd Marshall, November, lS3fi ; Lym;in Bayard, June, 

1837; Cornelius Cole, Oct. 10, 1837; Cbaunccy Davis, .luly 2a, 

1840. 
Secllon 12. — lolin Storms, Samuel S. .Moe. April 12, lS:i7; John A. 
Tanner, Cornelius Cole, Aug. 12, 1837: James Smith, Stei)hen 
Smith, Merritt Ilarman, William Henry, 1847. 
.S'ecrioii 13.— Dan. Matthews, September, 1837; John Uaynor, Ste- 
phen M. Bnyard, N. B. Landford, Benjamin Gyle, All)ert 1,. 

Bayard, D:\niel E. Bayard, no date: John S:iltuiarsh, March 5, 

1849. 
.Section 14.— Nathan Stilson, Dec. 1.3, 1830; Henry Cleveland, April 

3, 1837. 
SecHon lo.— II. M. and I.. Matthews, Nov. 1, 1836; Jacob K. Kling, 

John L. Kling, Nov. 7, 1S36; Edward Eno, Jan. 17,1837; Rich- 
ard R. Sowie, March 20, 1840; R. Morton, Aug. 10, 1814; San- 
ford Marsh, 1847; Kufus D. SowIe, Othniel II. Blandon, Oct. 

12, 1848. 
Serllnu IC— School land. 
Section 17.— Hiram Owen. M.ay 6, 1830; M. li. M:irtin, May 2B, 1836 ; 

Amos Burden, July 13, 183G ; Henry Cleveland, April 3, 1837; 

William T. Rigby, 1847; Alonzo Proctor, Samuel D. Waters, no 

date. 
Seclivn IS.— Hiram Owen, May 6, 1836; .M. B. Martin, U. G. L. De 

Peyster, May 2G, 183G. 
Scctidu 19.— R. G. L. De Peyster, May 26, 1830; Philolus Birch, May 

2t, 1848. 
Section 20.— .Milo P. Lampson, Oct. 2.3, 1835 ; M. B. .Martin, May 26, 

1836 ; R. G. L. De Peyster, May 26, 1836. 
Section 21.— Eri Prince, Nov. 9, 1832 ; Sanford Marsh, May 13, 1833 ; 

William H. Townsend, Sept. 13, 1835; Alvin Shedd, May 7, 

1830; M. B. Martin, May 26, 1836; James Evans, July 11, 

1836. 
Section 22.— R. G. L. De Peyster, May 26, 1836; John Leach, Jr., 

Jan. 18, 1837; Ansel Ford, Jr., Jan. 21, 1837; Moses Rider, 

Jan. 21, 1837. 
Section 23.— Henry Cleveland, April 15, 1837; Joseph H. Kilbourne, 

Aug. 27, 1841; Emily B. Lamed, March II, 1843; Caroline C. 

Bray, December, 1845; George W. Blandford, Levi Jenkins, no 

date; David A. Miller, April 9, 1847. 
.Section 24.— Asa Rowo, Oct. 20, 1S35; Ilcnry Cleveland, April 3, 

1837; John Mullett, 1847. 
Section 25.— De Garmo Jones, Dec. 7, 1832 ; M. P. Lam|ison, Oct. 20, 

1835; Henry Jlorgan and John Allen, Nov. 4, 1830; Jonas S. 

Scott, no date. 
Section 2i'}. — M. P. Lampson, Oct 20, 1835; II. Morgan and John 

Allen, Nov. 4, 1836; Milton Barney, April 18, 1830; M. B. Mar- 
tin, May 25, 1836; James Crane, July 11, 1836. 
Section 27.— Milton Barney, April 20, 1836. 
Section 28.- William H. Townsend, Sept. 23,1835; John J. DeWolf, 

Nov. 1, 1836; B. B. Kerchoval, Dec. 13, 1836. 
Section 29.— Silas C. Herring, Jan. 16, 1830; Marshall Smead, April 

25, 1837; Washington Perry, July 2, 1841; Norris Morrison, 

Nov. 1, 1848. 
Section 30. — Alfred Miles, Jackson Roberts, Philander Thompson, Ira 

Thompson, Harvey Morehouse, Applelon Ballard, ]irobably in 

1847 ; Peck and Bush, April 24, 1848; Charles P. Bush, July 5, 

1848. 
.S'ccdoii 31.— Charles Daniels, no date; George W. Peek, April 24, 

1848; Charles P. Bush, July 5, 1848; Amos Darras, Aug. 8, 

1848; Frederick Hall, no date. 
Section 32.— Silas C. Herring, Jan. 16, 1837; Samuel Callahan, 1847; 

Benjamin Hudson, no date; Joseph L. Hulse, April 6, 1848; 

Thomas McCunly, April 6, 1848. 
Section 33. — Josiah A. Talbot, Nov. 1, 1836; Marshall Smoad, April 

25, 1837; A. Waldo, June 27, 1839; Washington Perry, July 2, 

1841 ; M. W. Barnes, Oct. 8, 1842. 
Section 34.— James Crane, July 11, 1836; W. 11. and S. D. Bullock, 

Nov. 1, 1836; Byron Dimon, Nov. 1, 1836; Ira Culver, Sept. 26, 

1839. 
Section 35. — II. Morgan and John Allen, March 4, 1836; James 

Crane, July 11, 1830; John C. Waterman, Nov. I, 1836. 
Section 36. — H. Morgan and John Allen, March 4, 1836; James 

Crane, July II, 1836; Ira R. Grosvenor, Oct. 1, 1836. 



278 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



The resident taxpayers in the township of Meridian in 
1841 were the following: 

S. D. Aiverson, Parley Davis, Lo'xnzo D. Jolinson, Isaac Earlc, Ben- 
jamin Earle, Caleb Johnson, Asa 1). Wilmarlh, William B. Ham- 
ilton, George Haskins, John Moore, Martin F. Thomas, Ira Haa- 
kins, Henry Cleveland, F. Davis, Chaunccy Davis, Stephen M. 
Bayard, .Tohn G. Jeffries, George Matthews, Lyman Bayard, 
Daniel Matthews, R. D. Sowle, Runa Morton, 0. Davis, 0. E. 
Sowie, Melzor Turner, ^yilIiam H. Turner, Sanford Marsh, Jamea 
Egbert, Jr., Freeman Bray. Jabesh Gilpin, S. Hall, J. H. Kil- 
bourne, M. W. Barnes, StowcU Mcecli, Willard I5.aS(;om, Jehiel 
Church. 

EARLY SETTLE MENT.S. 

Tlie first settlers in the township were probably two 
brothers by the name of Marshall in 1837 or 1838, on 
the southeast quarter of section 3, on land now owned by 
George Culver. Obed Marshall entered land on this sec- 
tion in 1837, and was presumably one of the brothers. 
They were physicians by profession, and apparently had 
plenty of means, but we have not been able to learn any- 
thing of their antecedents. They cut pine timber on the 
east shore of Pine Lake, rafted it across the lake, and 
erected a log house a few rods south of where the dwelling 
of George Culver now stands. They brought in with thcni 
ten yoke of oxen, and had a number of hands employed. 
They cleared a small area, but whether they raised any crops 
tradition does not inform us. 

About 1839 or 1840 they sold the property to Parley 
Davis, who was from the town of Greene, Chenango Co., 
N. Y., who cleared up a farm, and remained upon it until 
about 1852 or '53, when he sold to Benjamin Guile.* 

Mr. Guile lived on the place until 1855, when he sold to 
George Culver, the present owner. 

George Culver was born in Palmyra, Wayne Co., N. Y., in 
October, 1793, and is consequently at this writing, October, 
1880, eighty-seven years of age; but no one who .sees his 
well-preserved and active form would suspect that he had 
seen " Yon weary sun twice forty times return," and seven 
years to spare. 

Mr. Culver married, in 1824, Mi.ss Olive Smith, of 
Luzerne Co., Pa., who was born in 1804. 

When he settled on the banks of the beautiful lake 
where he now resides, the log house built by the Marshalls 
was still standing. 

Mr. Culver has been twice a pioneer; once in 1825 in 
Farmington, Oakland Co., Mich., and a second time in 
IMeridian, Ingham Co., for the country around Pine Lake 
was almo.st a wilderness twenty-five years ago. The lake 
has a clean shore along his property. 

James Smith, from Ohio, settled on section 1 about 
1839, and died at his home about 1844-45. His three 
sons now own the land entered by him in April, 1837. 

Daniel Matthews settled on section 13 about 1840. He 
and his wife both died in 1 851, and are buried in the Okemos 
cemetery. He was the father of George Matthews, the 
first supervisor of the township, and long a prominent citi- 
zen. George Matthews was a farmer and mechanic, and 
was interested in building the plank-road from Lansing to 



* The authority for the orthography of this name is R. D. Sowle of 
Okemos. 



Detroit. He filled the ofiBoe of county treasurer for four 
years, during which he resided at Mason. 

Robert Russell Sowle was another early settler. The 
Sowle family were Quakers wlio removed from Nantucket, 
Mass., to Nine Partners, Saratoga Co., N. Y., where 
Robert R. was born in 1788. His father was a Quaker 
preacher. The family subsequently removed to Lenox 
township, Madison Co., N. Y., where Robert Daniel Sowle 
was born, June 4, 1815. In 1818 the family removed 
to Oxford, Chenango Co., and from there to Rochester, 
N. Y., from which latter place, in July, 1841, they removed 
to Meridian, Ingham Co , Mich., and settled on the north- 
east quarter of section 15, a mile southwest of Pine Lake. 

Upon the death of the old gentleman, in August, 1841, 
R. D. Sowle purchased the interest of the heirs and kept 
the property until about 1864, when, on account of im- 
paired health, he sold to Freeman Doolittle. He had re- 
moved to Okemo.s in 1863 and entered into the mercantile 
business, where he remained for about two years, when ho 
sold his Okemos property and removed to Detroit about 
1866, where he was gate-keeper on the Detroit and Saline 
I'lank-Road (formerly the Chicago road) and remained 
until 1870, when he returned to Okemos and bought the 
place where he now lives, on the bank of Cedar River. 

Mr. R. D. Sowle married, in 1840, Miss Catherine, 
daughter of Dr. Gilbert Storms, a native of the Mohawk 
Valley, near Canajoharie. 

Myron \V. Barnes was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., in 
1811. About 1835 he removed to Genesee County and 
from thonee to his present residence on the southwest quar- 
ter of section 33, in 1842, arriving October 2d. On the 
8lh of October in the same year he entered at the govern- 
ment land-oiEco forty acres, to which he has since added 
forty acres. His land was densely timbered, and he built 
the first log house between Okemos and the county farm 
the same fall. From the time he arrived until he had his 
house ready for occupation, his family were domiciled in 
the dwelling of Freeman Bray, at Okemos, then called 
Hamilton. Ilis family then consisted of a wife and three 
small children. Mr. Barnes was a cabinet- and chair-maker 
by trade, and had never cut down a primeval forest-tree 
in his life when he sat down upon his land in Michigan. 
When his cabin was ready to " raise" he traveled two days 
to find men enough to help put it up. 

Previous to coming West he had worked at his trade in 
New York and New England. His ancestors were orig- 
inally from Connecticut. 

The county was almost entirely a dense wilderness in 
1842, and wild animals were plenty, particularly deer, bears, 
and wolves. Mr. Barnes said " the bears carried off, first 
and last, more than fifty hogs in the neighborhood." There 
were no roads, and traveling was among the lost arts. In 
front of Mr. Barnes' residence is a fine row of locust-trees, 
which he raised from the seed. He has also a large fruit- 
orchard and good improvements. He remembers his old 
trade, and still keeps a shop for doing his own repairing. 

S. E. Jeffers settled on the northwest quarter of section 
12 in 1844. His father is still living at an advanced age. 

A. D. Wilmarth settled probably about 1840 or 1841 
on section 7, and Alanson Calkins about 1844 on section 8 



MERIDIAN. 



279 



John Mullctt, though not an early actual settler in Merid- 
K ian, was one of the first settlers of Michigan, and deserves 
more than a passing notice. He was originally from Kut- 
huid Co., Vt., from whence he removed to Genesee Co., 
N. Y., and thence to Buffalo, and from the latter place to 
Detroit, Mich., in 1814. He was a noted surveyor, and 
his handiwork is in all portions of the Northwest. Scarcely 
a county in Michigan but he has set his compass along its 
lines, and he also did a great amount of surveying west of 
Lake Michigan. His son, J. II. Jlullett, is also a prac- 
tic;il surveyor, and has done a large amount of work in his 
line in Ingham County. 

Mr. Mullctt, Sr., settled with his .sons, in May, 1855, on 
section 25, and died on his place in 18G1. He was a prom- 
inent and influential member of the Masonic fraternity. 
His sons, J. II. and C. F. Mullett, own large tracts of land 
on sections 24 and 25 in Meridian, and on section 32 in 
Williamstown. 

Alonzo Proctor settled on section 17 in 1847, and A. 
L. Sturgcs, from Genesee Co., N. Y., settled half a mile 
north of where he now lives, in 1841). Removed to his 
present location in 18U5. 

Isaac Cole was an early settler, locating upon section 5 
in 1843. He was one of the early justices of the peace, 
and a prominent citizen. 

John Saltmarsh, I'rom England, settled en section 13 in 
1848, and G. M. Towar located on section G in 1853. 

J. H. Wilson was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1823. 
Removed to Lansing, Mich., in 1854. lie had some prop- 
erty in Lansing which he had purchased in 1853. In 1855 
he removed to Kosciusko Co., Ind., where he had a brother 
living, and remained until 1858, when he returned to Ing- 
ham County and purchased land on section 21, Meridian 
township. There he resided until April, 1867, when he 
removed to his present location in the southeast quarter of 
section 28, where he now owns a farm of ninety-four acres, 
which is cut diagonally by the Detroit, Lansing and North- 
ern Railway. 

S. R. Kent settled in Alaiedon in 1853, and removed to 
Meridian in 1855. His father, Lewis Kent, was from 
Palmyra, Wayne Co., N. Y., and settled in Alaiedon in 
1841. S. R. Kent was from Sodus, Wayne Co., N. Y. 

Albert Case, from Portage Co., Ohio, settled on section 7 
in Williamstown, in 1852. In 1854 he removed to his 
present location on section 12, Meridian township. The 
farm had been unoccupied for a period of eleven years pre- 
vious to his purchase. It was owned by a man from In- 
diana, but he failing to pay the purchase-money, and owing 
Mr. Case, the latter became the owner of the property, and 
has made it what it is to-day, with its various improve- 
ments. It was originally known as the Moe farm. 

One of the largest and finest farms in the township and 
county is owned and occupied by George B. Vaoatta, a na- 
tive of Washtenaw Co., Mich. Mr. Vanatta settled in 
Locke township, Ingham Co., in 1851), and removed to his 
present home on section 13, Meridian township, in 1858. 
His first purchase of what constitutes a part of his present 
farm was from a man named Murphy, and he gradually 
added to it until at one time he owned 800 acres on sec- 
tions 11, 13, 14, and 23. He at present owns 550 acres, 



mostly on sections 13 and 14. The farm is in a high state 
of cultivation, with excellent buildings and improvements. 
His elegant new brick mansion was erected in 1879. There 
are also three tenant-houses on the place. A peculiar fea- 
ture of bis place is the fine double row of forest-trees 
lining the road north and south of his dwelling. All the 
outbuildings were also constructed by the present owner. 

L. II. Stanton, who settled on section 35 about 1805, 
was an old resident of Alaiedon township. 

G. W. and N. Phelps, on sections 34 and 35, were early 
settlers, and N. Cook and Alonzo Osborn, on 30, were also 
among the early ones. 

James Woodworth .settled about 1863. 

CIVIL OR(J.\NIZ.\TI0X. 
The township of Meridian was organized by an act of 
the Legislature approved Feb. 16, 1842. It had formed a 
part of the old township of Alaiedon since March 15, 1838. 
The first township-meeting was appointed at the house of 
George Matthews, where it was probably held in the spring 
of 1842. The old record covering the years 1842-44 
has been destroyed by fire, and we have only the recol- 
lections of early settlers to aid us in furnishing the names 
of the earliest township officers. According to the state- 
ments of Joseph H. Kilbourne, Freeman Bray, M. W. 
Barnes, and others, though somewhat contradictory, we 
make out the following list : 

18-12. — Supervisor, George iMatthews ; Town Clerk, Lyman Biiyard;- 
Treasurer, William Davis; Justices, A. D. Wilmarth, Ly- 
man BayarJ. 

IS4.'5. — Supervisor, Melzor Turner; Clerk, Wakeman B. Lamed; 
Treasurer, M. W. Barnes; Justices, same as bcforcf 

1S44.— Su|>crvisor, George Matthews; Clerk, Lyiuan Bayard; Treas- 
urer, Sauiord JIarsh ; Justices, Lyman Bayard, A. I>. Wil- 
marth, and probably Sanford Marsh. 

1845.t— Supervisor, Joseph 11. Kilbourne ; Town Clerk, Runa Morton ; 
Treasurer, Melzor Turner; Justice, I?aac Carle. 

1846.— Supervisor, Stephen Hall :J Town Clerk, Runa Morton ; Treas- 
urer, Melzor Turner; Ju.-^tice, Alanson Calkins.^ 

1847. — Supervisor, Joseph H. Kilbourne ;|| Clerk, Runa Morion ; 
Treasurer, Melzor Turner; Ju^tice, Lyman Bayard. 

1848. — Supervisor, Alanson Calkins; Clerk, Runa Morton; Treasurer, 
Isaac Carle; Justice, Nathan Alverson. 

184'J. — Supervisor, George Matthews;*' Clerk, Thomas Humjihrey ; 
Treasurer, Chauncey Davis; Justices, Iliram D. Corey,*] 
Joseph L. Ilulse. 

1850. — Supervisor, George JIatthews; Clerk, Thomas Humphrey; 
Treasurer, Chauncey Davis; Justices, Stephen D. Alverson, 
Joseph L. Ilulse. 

1851. — Supervisor, Stephen Rogers; Clerk, Abner E. Richardson; 
Treasurer, Runa Morton : .Justice, Orville Proctor. 

1852. — Supervisor, George Matthews; Clerk, Klijah Richardson; 
Treasurer, Runa Morton; Justice, Willard Bascom. 

1853.— Supervisor, George Matthews ;»» Clerk, Myron W. Barnes; 
Treasurer, Samuel Carle; Justice, Nathaniel Smith. 



» Mr. Bayard started overland for Oalirornia about 1850, but got no 
farther than Salt Lake, where ho died. 

t Isaac Corle may also have been one of the justices. The list for 
the first three years is necessarily imperfect. 

X Forty-three votes cast. 

g There was a tic between J. H. Kilbourne and Stephen Hall, which 
was decided by lot. Also between Alanson Calkins and Myron ^^^ 
Barnes, decided in the same way. 

II A tie between Kilbourne and Sanford Marsh, decided by lot. 

•I Unanimously elected. 

«^ Resigned, and Sanford Marsh appointed May 0, 185:i. 



280 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1S51.— Supervisor, John Mullett ;* Clerk, Myron \V. Barnes; Treas- 
urer, Noah Phelps ; Justice, John 0. Jcfl'crs. 

1855. — .Su|iorvisor, Menzor D. Matthews; Clerk, Cyrus Alsdorf; Treas- 
urer, John II. Mullett; Justices, John Marble, Augustus 
Sturgis. 

1856.— Supervisor, Menzor D. Matthe\v.s; Clerk, Myron W. Barnes; 
Treasurer, John T. Bush ;t Ju.stice, Caleb Thurber. 

1857. — Supervisor, Noah Phelps; Clerk, Mason D. Chnlterton ; Treas- 
urer, Augustus Sturges ; Justice, Americus V. Edgerly, 

1S58. — Supervisor, Augustus L. Sturges; Clerk, Charles H. Darrow; 
Treasurer, Jacob S. Thompson ; Justices, Noah Phelps, 
Sylv.inus Watson. 

1859. — Supervisor, Myron W. Barnes; Clerk, Charles F. Mullett; 
Treasurer, Jacob S. Thompson ; Justice, George W. Piper. 

I860.— Supervisor, Charles H. Darrow; Clerk, Ueorgo W. Piper; 
Treasurer, Jacob S. Thompson ; Justice, James Northrop. 

186 1. ^Supervisor, Charles H. Darrow; Clerk, Willard Bascom ; 
Treasurer, Uussell D. Sowlo; Justice, Philander Thompson. 

1862. — Supervisor, Charles H. D;inuw ;{ Clerk, Mason D. Chalterton ; 
Treasurer, Ezekiel F. Barnes; Justice, Lawrence Meech. 

186:!.— Supervisor, Noah Phelps ; Clerk, Mason D. Chatterton ; Treas- 
urer, Horace C. Bigelow ; Justices, George W. Piper, Morris 
S. Brown. 

ISer.— Supervisor, Charles 11. Darrow : Clerk, Thom-as Humphrey; 
Treasurer, Collins Tliujber; Justices, James Northru]i, Syl- 
vauus Watson. 

1866. — Su)iervisor, Charles II. Darrow; Clerk, Thomas Humphrey; 
Treasurer, Collins Tburber; Justice, Ebenezer AValker. 

1866.— Supervisor, Charles II. Darrow ;J Clerk, Thomas Humphrey; 
Treasurer, Collins Thurber; Justice, Sherman W. Hammond. 

1867. — Supervisor, Augustus L. Sturges; Clerk, Thomas Humphrey; 
Treasurer, Collins Thurber; Justice, Sylvanus Watson. 

1868.— Su]iervisor, James F. Smiley; Clerk, Thomas Humphrey; 
Treasurer, John H. Mullett; Justice, Charles M. Brock. 

1869.- Supervisor, James F. Smiley; Clerk, Thomas Hum))hrey; 
Treasurer, John H. Mullett; Justices, Daniel F. Belts, 
Thomas F. Powers. 

1870. — Supervisor, James Northrup ; Clerk, Russell B. Callahan; 
Treasurer, John H. Mullett; Justice, George Culver. 

1871. — Supervisor, Wesley Emery; Clerk, A. F. Ferguson; Treas- 
urer, John II. Mullett; Justices, Sylvanus Walson, Samuel 
W. HaTumond. 

1872.— Supervisor, Wesley Emery; Clerk, A. F. Ferguson; Treas- 
urer, John II. Mullett; Justices, Amos Orton, Spencer 
Burhans. 

1873. — Supervisor, Amos Orton ; Clerk, Flavius Thompson ; Treasurer, 
James F. Smiley ; Justice, Jeremiah J. Brown. 

1S74.— Supervisor, Abram R. Blakely : Clerk, Murray Orton ; Treas- 
urer, James F. Smiley ;j| Juslices, S. E. Jeffers, Runa Mor- 
ton. 
1875. — Supervisor, Amos Orton ; Clerk, Murray Orton ; Treasurer, 
A. F. Ferguson; Justice, Henry A. Phillips. 

1876. — Supervisor, Amos Orton; Clerk, Aaron Jones; Treasurer, 
George W. Weaver; Justice, John Ferguson. 

1877.— Supervisor, Amos Orton; Clerk, J. J. Brown; Treasurer, 
(Jeorge W. M'eaver; Justice, Joseph H. Kilbourne. 

1878. — Supervisor, Abram R. Blakely; Clerk, Jeremiah J. Brown; 
Treasurer, Jacob D. Greenman; Justices, Amos Orton, 
Russell M. Cadwell. 

1879.- Su)>ervisor, Origin I). Hardy; Clerk, Jeremiah J. Brown; 
Treasurer, Jacob D. Greenman; Justice, Henry A. Phillips. 

1880. — Supervisor, Origin D. Hardy; Clerk, James A. Hamilton; 
Treasurer, Harvey Lapbam ; Justices, Samuel A. Robinson, 
Norman Cook; Commissioner of Highways, Thomas Par- 
ker; Superintendent of Schools, W. F. Hewitt; School In- 
spector, George F. Fuller; Drain Commissioner, Emery 



« Resigned, and Menzor D. Matthews appointed Sept. 9, 1851. 

f Died, and Augustus L. Sturges was appointed in his place Aug. 
18, 1856. 

X Resigned, and Sanford Marsh appointed Nov. 3, 1S62. 

^ Removed from township, and James F. Smiley appointed in his 
place Feb. 12, 1867. 

11 Removed, and Thomas Parker appointed in his place. 



Hardy; Constables, William H. McGivren, Herman Cook, 
James W. Miller, George Northrup. 

ITEMS FROM RECORD. 

The firet accounts, audited in 1S45, were the iollowiiip; : 

John Moore .?1.00 

Sanlord Marsh 2.00 

Asa D. Wilmarth 2.00 

Jehial Church 1.1*0 

James Egbert 4.0(1 

"Stoel" Meech 2.00 

John G. Jeffries 1.12 

George Matthews .75 

Total $13.87 

One hundred and fifty dollars were rai.sed for contingent 
expenses in 1845. 

The whole number of votes cast at the gubernatorial 
election in 1845 was thirty-five, of which eighteen were 
ca.st for Alpheus Felch, and seventeen for Stephen Vickery, 
for Governor. 

The whole number of votes cast in 1850 was C6 ; the 
whole number polled in 1860, at annual meeting, was 221 ; 
at the fall election, 227, of which the Republican electors 
received 127, and the Democratic 100. 

WAR BOUNTIES. 

In January, 1864, the electors of the township voted to 
pay $100 to each volunteer credited to the township, and 
authorized the town authorities to issue bonds to that effect. 
They also voted to reimburse those citizens who had con- 
tributed individually to the raising of funds for volunteers 
and their families. On the 8th of March, 1864, bonds 
were issued in favor of the following persons, or their repre- 
sentatives, who had enlisted : Watts S. Humphrey, Abel 
Buckingham, Stephen R. Tyler, D. N. P. Kelley, Jacob 
C. Hauer, James W. Parks, Emery Hardy, William E. 
Johnson, William Cook, Fayette Meech, Cyrus H. Potter. 
At the town-meeting in April, 1864, the electors voted 
viva voce to pay each volunteer under the President's last 
call for 200,000 men, " who is or may be credited to the 
township of Meridian, §100, payable in two years." 

On the 25th day of April, 1864, the township, by its 
proper authorities, issued a bond for $100 to Francis Logan, 
and on the 10th of May, in the same year, another bond of 
$100 to Joseph C. Wardell. On the 30th of May the 
board issued a like bond to Myron Hopkins, and on the 
11th of June following two for the same amount each to 
A. M. Winslow and James Miller. 

At a special township-meeting held at Union Hall, on 
the 20th of August, 1864, it was resolved that twenty dol- 
lars be assessed on each person enrolled for military duty 
in the township, to be used as a fund to pay volunteers, 
who should enlist and be credited to the township, under 
the President's call for 500,000 men. Bonds for $100 
each were subsequently issued to the following persons : 
Henry B. Casterline, Sept. 8, 1864 ; James A. Hamilton, 
William J. Stevens, S. B. Thatcher, Sept. 9, 18G4; Henry 
Willey, Henry U. Filley, John M. Strayer, Sept. 10, 1864; 
William L. Mosher, Augustus Ay res, Ellis Buckingham, 
James W. Terrill, Christy Quigley, James Disbrow, Ed- 
ward Hogan, Emniett Reeves, William J. Caton, Oct. 25, 
1864; Egbert Johnson, Nov. 25, 1864. 



MERIDIAN. 



281 



On the 7th of Octoher, at a special meeting, it was re- 
solved " that for the purpose of cleariiij^ the town of Me- 
ridian from draft, we, the electors of said township, hereby 
agree to pledge the faith of the township to pay by tax the 
sum of 81200 when legalized by the Legislature of the 
State of Michigan." 

On the 4th of February, 18G5, at a special town-meet- 
ing, the electors authorized the township board to pay all 
volunteers who should enlist in the United States army, 
and be duly credited to the town.ship, 8200, and that the 
board pay all drafted men 81 00. 

KAULY IIU.VDS.* 

Tiie earliest road recorded is the one known as the Stole 
Ruad, leading from the north line of the county to the vil- 
lage of Mason, laid out on the lath and 17th days of June, 
lS;i9. This road followed substantially the present north- 
and-south road, .starting on the north quarter-post of .section 
3, and thence running south through sections 3, 2, 10, 15, 
22, 21 (via Okemos), 28, and 33, to the township-line 
between Meridian and Alaiedon. The last eighty-one rods 
on section 33 was laid in May, 1855. Benjamin C.Ferris 
and Horace Havens, Conimis-sioners. 

On the 5th of October, 1839, the road known as the 
Shiiiwassf'c Riiiul was laid out through sections 1 and 12, 
one mile, two hundred and sixty-four rods, ten links in 
length. It was surveyed by Anson Jackson, County Sur- 
veyor. J. E. North, Jr., and N. Biaiii were the comuii.s- 
sioners. 

The Meridian- Line Road was laid out on the same date 
as the one la.st mentioned, at the northeast corner of the 
town.ship. It was fifty-three rods in length. Same com- 
mi.s.sioners and surveyors. 

The Tuwn- Line Road between Meridian and Alaiedon 
was laid out Dec. 28, 1840. It began at the soutii fjuarter- 
jiost of section 34, and ran thence west one and a half miles 
to the .southwest corner of section 33. The portion east 
from the east line of the township to the southwest corner 
of section 35 was laid July 11, 1843. The remaining por- 
tion on the west was laid out June 10, 1850. 

A portion of the Witlmartk Ruad between sections 7 
and 18 was laid out June 14, 1841, and the remainder 
we.st to the township-line, July 21, ISOti. 

The Barnci/ Ruad, running north and soutli through 
sections 22, 27, and 34, Wius laid Dec. 29, 1841. 

The Meridian- Line Road, one mile and forty chains 
in length, was laid Jan. 3, 1855. 

In 184C there were seven road districts, with the fol- 
lowing overseers: District No. 1, James Egbert; No. 2, 
Willard Bascom ; No. 3, William B. Hamilton ; No. 4, 
Freeman Bray; No. 5, David Freeman ; No. C, Joseph H. 
Kilbourne; No. 7, Ira Ilaskins. 

In 1850 the districts had increased to 13; in 18G0 to 
24; in 1870 to 27; and in 1880 to 35. There .are five 
highway-bridges in Meridian township over Cedar River, 
— on sections 25, 36 (at the northwest corner), 27, 21, 
and between 17 and 18, — and a railway-bridge on section 20. 

The total receipts and disbursements of the township 



36 



• Sec GcncrnI Chn|itcr XTI. 



treasurer for all purpo.ses in 1879-80 were 8C431. Bal- 
ance remaining on hand, §529.30. 

The State Agricultural College farm and most of the 
buildings are located on sections 18 and 19 in this town- 
ship, and the county farm is also within its limits, on the 
northeast quarter of section 34. 



The school records in posisession of the town clerk go back 
no farther than 1849. The earliest formed district in the 
township was the Pine Lake District, which may very pos- 
sibl}' have been formed while the township comprised a part 
of Alaiedon, previous to 1842. The first school in the 
township was taught in the house of Robert R. Sowle, on 
section 15, in 1841-42, by Mrs. George Huckins, then a 
widow, now Mrs. R. Morton. There were no districts 
then organized, and the school was taught a part of the 
time summer and winter. The second school in the town- 
ship was taught in a log shanty adjoining the dwelling of 
George Matthews, on section 15, by Amy Nutt, in 1842. 
Her father kept a log tavern in Livingston Co., Mich., be- 
tween Howell and Fowlervillc. 

The first .school near Okonios village was kept in a cabin 
used for a cooper-shop by Daniel Young about 1844. 

The first regular school building in the town.ship was 
erected about 1844, by George Matthews, on the east half 
of the southwest quarter of section 11. The frame, about 
eighteen by twenty-two feet, was made of oak and tamarack 
and .sided up with whitewood. Thiswxs in Di.strict No. 1. 
Among the early teachers here was Levi Avery. 

The first school-house in District No. 2, which included 
Okemos, ur Hamilton, as it was at first called, was built on 
the ground occupied by the present school building, about 
1846. On this ground the Indians of Okemo.s' band were 
accustomed to bury their corn. The first building was a 
small frame, which was added to from time to time, and 
did service until tiie present building was erected. 

The present fine frame school building was erected in 
1873, at a cost, complete, with furniture, of 83400. It is 
about thirty by fifty feet in dimensions, two stories in height, 
and surmounted by a belfry. The building i.s divided into 
two school-rooms, with about 120 scholars. There are two 
departments, primary and intermediate, with two teachers 
employed, — a male teacher in the upper department, and a 
female in the lower. 

Among the early teachere here were Charles Hollistcr, 
l-iCvi Sowle, Wesley Emery and wife, and Prof. Ingersoll, 
of the State Agricultural College. Anson Hardy, the 
present principal, has served three consecutive years. 

District No. 2 was formed, according to the record, April 
21, 1849, and included sections 20, 21, 22, 23, and 26, the 
cast half of 19, the northexst quarter of 30, and the north 
half of 27, 28, and 29. 

District No. 5 was formed Feb. 25, 1851, in the .south- 
east part of the township, and included sections 23, 24, 25, 
26, 35, and 36. 

There seems to be no record of the erection of Districts 
No. 1,3, and 4. 

Among the early teachers examimd and granted cer- 
tificates were the following: Fanny M. Stillman, April 14, 



HISTORY OP INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1849; M. Proctor, Nov. 6, 1849; Susan Emily JefiFries, 
April 13, 18.50; Miss M. A. Belknap, May 18, 1850; 
Miss Lovina P. Alverson, Miss Harriet E. Alverson, Miss 
Mary J. Doyle, April 12, 1851 ; Miss Lucy Cooper, Miss 
Maria Spencer, Miss Sarah M. Kiehardson, Dec. 4, 1851 ; 
Miss Sarah E. Chattertou, Miss Deborah Kelly, April 10, 
1852 ; Dr. Marvin, Nov. 19, 1852 ; Miss Caroline A. Sickles, 
Dec. 3, 1852 ; Mi.ss E. Richardson, Miss Mary J. Spaul- 
ding, Dec. 24, 1852 ; Miss Caroline C. Kilbourne, April 9, 
1853; Miss Susan Ormsby, May 2, 1853; Miss Catherine 
Doyle, May 7, 1853 ; Mi.ss Jcrusha Doyle, June 11, 1853 ; 
Sidenia Ballard, Christopher Avery, Nov. 5, 1853; Ange- 
line H. Stillman, April 29, 1854 ; Wni. W. Gibson, Louisa 
A. Gibson, Mary A. Gib.son, Nov. 4, 1854; Lewis J. 
Gib.son, April 14, 1855 ; Lucretia Leech, Sept. 5, 1855. 

Among the early inspectors of schools were W. T. Rigby, 
A. W. Bennett, Thomas Humphrey, Merit Harmon, Eli- 
jah Richardson, William N. Lewis, M. W. Barnes, John 
H. Mullett, Seely Bloomer, M. D. Matthews, William AV. 
Gibson, Cyrus Alsdorf, F. A. Jeffers, and M. D. Chat- 
terton. 

There seems to have been the nucleus of a township 
school library in 1849, for on the 14th of April in that 
year the inspectors " labeled the unlabeled library books" 
and agreed to have a table and book-case made for the 
township library, " not to exceed five dollars in cost." 

W. T. Rigby was chosen to visit the schools in that 
year, " two visits each term." 

The present number of districts in the town.ship is seven, 
each furnished with a frame school building. The number 
of children between the ages of five and twenty years is 
393. The value of school property is $5850. Total ex- 
penditures for 1879-80, $2470.13. There are also three 
fractional districts reported in Lansing and Alaiedon. 

CHUKCH OKGANIZATIONS. 
PRESBYTERIAN. 

The first meeting to organize a Presbyterian Church in 
Meridian township was held on the 2d of February, 1804, 
under the management of Rev. C. S. Armstrong, then 
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Lansing, and 
commissioner for the Presbytery of Marshall. Rev. Alfred 
Bryant was moderator of the meeting. Mr. Bryant had 
been preaching occasionally at Okemos to the few scattering 
members of the Presbyterian Church then settled there. 
The society was organized as the Presbyterian Church of 
Okemos. 

On the 9th of March following, at a meeting held at the 
school-house in Okemos, articles of association were adopted 
and the following trustees elected : E. F. Brown, for throe 
years ; Lansing Cline, for two years ; and James P. Smiley, 
for one year. Ezekiel F. Barnes was chairman and Eben- 
ezer Walker secretary of this meeting. 

The earliest meetings were held in the school-house at 
Okemos, and Rev. Alfred Bryant was the first preacher as 
stated supply, residing at Lansing. He continued to serve 
the society until 1870, when Rev. J. ¥,. Weed succeeded 
him and remained as stated sup|)ly for about one year, after 
which period for a considerable time the society was without 
stated services. 



In May, 1876, Rev. B. Franklin came as stated supply 
and ministered to the church until April, 1879, since which 
there has been no regular preaching. The church edifice, 
owned by the society, was erected in 1868 at a cost of about 
$2300. It is furnished with a bell and cabinet organ. 

The original members were Ebenezcr Walker, Frances 
S. Walker, his wife ; Mrs. Betsey Freeman, Mrs. Sylvia 
Melchei' Ezekiel F. Barnes and Olive, his wife ; Lansing 
Cline and Elizabeth, his wife; Mrs. Mina Smiley, Mrs. 
May J. Clark, Mi,ss Mary Barnes, Mrs. Caroline R. Ban- 
croft. At present the society numbers only about ten 
members, and is not in a flourishing condition. A Sabbath- 
school was formerly kept up, but has been discontinued 
.with the decline of the society. 



The first meeting for the purpose of organizing a Baptist 
Churcli was helil Dec. 21, 1867. The original members 
were Charles Hulett, Sarah C. Ilulett, John H. Wilson, 
Joanna A. Wilson, G. C. Young, H. G. Proctor, Harriet 
A. Hulett, all from the Baptist Church at Lansing ; Eliza- 
beth H. Stevens, Sister S. A. Kent, Martha Briggs, Rev. 
O. B. Call and wife, Myra Reynolds. Articles of faith 
were adopted at the same meeting, and George C. Young 
was chosen clerk and Charles llulctt and John H'. AVilson 
deacons. 

The council called to authorize the new organization met 
Jan. 9, 1868. The first trustees were William Cole and 
A. L. Sturges, H. G. Proctor and S. R. Kent. 

Rev. O. B. Call, who was efl[icient in the original organi- 
zation, was the first minister, followed by Rev. G. H. Hic- 
kox. In 1872, Rev. J. M. Dunbar succeeded Mr. Hickox, 

and preached about two years. Rev. ■ Crosby preached 

occasionally for a few months after him. He was located 
at Lansing. Afterwards, Rev. A. H. Parsons officiated for 

about a year, and was followed by Rev. McLaren, 

who remained only a short time. Rev. L. F. Compton 
was also with the church for a short period in 1879. In 
the latter year. Rev. A. H. Parsons again became pa.stor 
of the society, and has continued to the present time. 

The church edifice in Okemos was erected in 1868, at an 
expense of about $2400. In 1870, Mr. G. C. Young pre- 
sented the society with an 800-pound bell, and they have 
also a cabinet organ. 

The present membership is fifteen. A Sabbath-school 
has been maintained from about the date of organization of 
the church. Frank Hewitt is the present superintendent. 

Clerk of Church, Runa Morton ; Trustees, S. R. Kent, 
William Cole, J. K. Hardy. 

METIIODI.'^T EPISCOPAL. 

The traveling preachers of this denomination began to 
visit Okemos probably as early as 1840. The Revs. Jack- 
son and Lapham were the first circuit-riders. The Rev. 
Franklin Blades, known as the " Boy Preacher," Orrin 
Whitmore, Bessy, Glass, and others were among the early 
ministers who visited the place. 

A class was formed about 1840, and among the members 
were Joseph H. Kilbourne and wife, his mother, Mrs. 
Phebc Kilbourne (since deceased), Mrs. Rebecca Bayard, 



mp:ridian. 



283 



Georjio Bayard, Mrs. Maria Malllicws, K. I). Sowlo and 
wifo. 

The Maploton Circuit was established in 1839, which in- 
chidcd amonj^ its stations Jlason, Okemos, Dewitt, Little 
I'rairic, a point near where St. John.s now is. Maple Rapids, 
and perhaps others. Okemos has never been a regular sta- 
tion, but has been supplied by circuit preachers. 

A church edifice was erected at Okemos in 1870 at a 
cost of about 82400. It is plainly finished and has a 
cabinet organ. The present membership is about fifty. 

A Sabbath-school with 134 seliolars on the roll is sus- 
tained. A. L. Sturges is superintendent, and there are 
twelve teachers. 

Among the ministers who have preached here have been 
Reverends Jacob S. Harder, George Sherman, Wm. Mul- 
len, Crittenden, Charles Chick, L. W. Earl, and B. 

\V. Smith. Rev. Wm. Taylor is the present preacher. 

tiKKJIAX METHODISTS. 

There is a small society of Germans at Okemos which 
has been organized since 1873. It is supplied with preach- 
ing by the minister resident at Five Corners, in Delhi 
township, Rev. Daniel Volz. The membership at present 
is twelve, and they support a Sabbath-school with twenty- 
five scholars. 

Lutheran. — A German Lutheran Society was organized 
about 1877. It is supplied from Lan.sing. 

Wcs/et/an Methuilixlu. — A .small society of sixteen mem- 
bers was organized in August, 1880, which holds services in 
the Presbyterian church. Rev. Mr. Bruce, a circuit 
preacher, supplies the pulpit. 

The Wesleyans have also a society of some fifty members 
at Meridian Station, which has been in existence since about 
1877. They are now erecting a frame church, to cost 
probably $1500. Rev. Mr. Bruce has preached here for 
some time and is returned for 1880 and 1881. 

C'KMETKKV. 

The first notice of a cemetery in the record ajipears in 
1845, in October of which year Joseph H. Kilbourne was 
appointed a committee to secure a site for a public burial- 
ground. Nothing seems to have been done, for the mat- 
ter was again discussed in 1846 with no definite result. It 
is probable that the ground was purchased of Freeman 
Bray about 1850, but was not fenced or improved until 
1853, when the township board of health took the matter 
in hand and began improvements by surveying and laying 
it out into faiuily lots and building a fence around it. It 
cotitains about two and a half acres, lying along the high 
river-bank in the northwest quarter of section 21, and is 
well fenced and cared for. There are several fine monu- 
ments in the ground. 

The first burial within its limits was that of Jerome 
Freeman, who died in September, 1851. The first death 
of an adult in the township was that of Russell R. Sowie, 
in August, 1841. His remains were buried in what after- 
wards became the highway, and svere sub.se«|uently exhumed 
and interred in the Okemos cemetery. Among the early 
ones buried here arc George .Matthews and wife, in 1851 ; 
John Mullett and wife, died in 1862 and 1803; Sanford 



Marsh and wife, in 1863 and 1869 ; and others. This is 
the only burial-ground in the town.sliip. 

vil]>a(;e (»f okkmo.'^. 

The first settler at this point, though not strictly within 
the limits of the village, was Sanford Marsh, who entered 
the fraction of the southeast quarter of section 21 lying 
south of the Cedar River, on the 13th of May, 1833. Mr. 
Marsh settled with his family on this tract, building his 
house on the high bank of the river near where the bridge 
now is, in September, 1839. Here he made his home until 
his death, in 1863, his wife ibllowing him to tlie .silent land 
in 1809. They arc both buried in the cemetery a mile 
below the village. Mr. Mar.sh was a prominent and re- 
spected citizen, and one of the earliest justices of the peace 
in the township. 

Following hira came Joseph II. Kilbourne, a native of 
Lower Canada (now Province of Quebec), horn on the St. 
Francis River, near Sherbrooke, in 1809. His parents 
were Americans, his father being a native of Connecticut, 
and his mother of Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y. His 
father, Joseph Kilbourne, was a surveyor by profession, 
and previous to the war of 1812 had taken a contract to 
do a large amount of surveying in Canada. The war broke 
up the business for a time, but it was resumed subsequently. 

When Joseph H. was twenty years of age he removed 
to Holton District, in Upper Canada (now Proviuce of 
Ontario), of which Dundas was then the county-seat, since 
Hamilton. Mr. Kilbourne took quite an active part in the 
" Patriot war" of 1837-38, in which the Canadian people 
undertook to throw off the government of Great Britain. 
Upon the collapse of the patriot cause he was taken pris- 
oner and held for nine days, when he was liberated through 
the friendly assistance of the adjutant-general, with whom 
he was acquainted, who advised him to volunteer in the 
British service to enable him to remain unmolested at least 
for a time. This he did, but left the first opportunity, and 
came to Michigan in February, 1838, and remained in and 
around Detroit until the following June, in the mean time 
becoming acquainted with many sympathizers on the Amer- 
ican side, who, through organizations known as " Hunter 
Lodges," were secretly assi-sting the Canadians. Mr. Kil- 
bourne became a member of this organization, and returned 
to Canada in the summer of 1838 to assist in resuscitating 
the collapsed rebellion, but remained only a week at his 
former home, the plans of the patriots having been divulged 
to the Crown officers. 

In July he again came to Michigan. With him came 
Freeman Bray, — who married his sister, — his mother, and 
his own family. His father had died in Canada in 1815. 
Leaving his family and Mr. Bray's at Northville, Wayne 
Co., Mich., Mr. Kilbourne in September, 1839, visited the 
place now occupied by the village of Okemos, and in Oc- 
tober purchased, in the name of Freeman Bray, the fraction 
of the west half of the southeast quarter of section 21, 
lying north of Cedar River, and conUuning about sixty- 
one acres. Returning to Northville he brought out his 
family in December, and while building his log house, 
which was a large one, the family lived in the house with 
Sanford Marsh's family. 



284 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Freeman Bray was also a native of Canada, born in the 
Upper Province, between Bronti'anU Oakville, on the shore 
of Lake Ontario. In early life he followed the lakes as a 
sailor, and was also a vessel-owner. He married Caroline 
Kilbourne in January, 1839, and, as before stated, came to 
Jliohigan with his brother-in-law in the same year. In 
January, 1840, Mr. Bray and wife, and her mother, Mrs. 
Kilbourne, came to Okemos, and the two families lived for 
a considerable time in the log house which Mr. Kilbourne 
had built. 

The land purchased by 31 r. Kilbourne was owned by a 
gentleman living at Farmington, Oakland Co. Mr. Kil- 
bourne's property in Canada was under ban for about four 
years, but a proclamation of the queen finally released it, 
and he disposed of it, and used the proceeds in building a 
home in Micliigan. He married, in 1833, Jliss Susan 
Hughes, a native of Berks Co., Pa. In the spring of 
1840 a large addition was made to the log house, and the 
two families lived together until about 1843, when Mr. 
Kilbourne removed to his present location on sections 23 
and 26, where he has a fine farm of 177 acres, with good 
improvements and an excellent assortment of fruit. Mr. 
Kilbourne has been a prominent citizen, filling many im- 
portant offices in the gift of the people, among others that 
of member of the Legislature. He was al.so the first post- 
master at Okemas. 

Freeman Bray was proprietor of the village, at first 
known as Hamilton, and has always been prominent as a 
citizen and is one of the best story-tellers of the place. In 
1852 he visited California, and was gone some four years. 
He kept a hotel for several years in the village ; was post- 
master for a considerable period, and removed to his present 
location in 1856. His farm is a good one, and he has fine 
improvements. The form now contains something over 
160 acres, including an eighty-acre lot purchased about 
1855 by his wife while he was'absent in California. 

POST-OFFICE AND POSTM.iSTERS AT OKEMOS. 

A post-office called Sanford was established in the spring 
of 1840. Joseph H. Kilbourne was the first postmaster. 
The new oflice was named Sanford, after Sanford Marsh, 
the first settler in the locality. Mr. Kilbourne held the 
office, which was kept in the log dwelling first erected by 
iiim, for about two years. In 1842, Freeman Bray was 
appointed under President Tyler, and kept the oflice until 
1854, during the administration of Gen. Taylor, or, rather, 
Millard Fillmore. Mr. Bray kept tavern and had the office 
in the same building. In 1852 he went to California, 
having deputized his wife to run the office in his absence. 
She continued to fill the position until 1854, when Eli 
Mor,se was appointed, and held it until April, 1857, when 
he was succeeded by Ebeuezer Walker. The latter held 
it for about sis months only, when he was removed, and 
Caleb Thurber appointed, and held the position about one 
year. Freeman Bray, who had returned from California 
in 1856, was again appointed, and continued until 1861, 
when he was succeeded by Ebenezer Walker, who has been 
continued to the pre.sent time. The office has been kept 
during most of the time where it is at present located. 

The early mails were brought once a week on horseback. 



There were two routes, — one from Detroit viii Howell, and 
one from Dexter on the Central Railway. The post-office 
business, like every other, has increased with the growth of 
the country, until at the present time Okemos is in daily 
communication with the world in all directions. 

The name of the post-office was changed to Okemos, in 
obedience to the general desire of the people, in 1857. 

VILT.AGE PLAT. 

A village was originally laid out and platted by Freeman 
Bray, and named Hamilton, at the suggestion of J. H. 
Kilbourne, not, as some have claimed, from the city of 
Hamilton, in Canada, but from Alexander Hamilton, the 
great American statesman and friend of Washington. 
According to the recollection of Mr. and Mrs. Bray and J. 
H. Kilbourne, this was in the year 1841 ; but the plat was 
not put on record until May 29, 1851. The name was 
changed to Okemos in 1857 by act of the Legislature. 
The original plat was located on the southeast quarter of 
section 21, mostly on the west half of the quarter, and has 
had no additions. 

When Ebenezer Walker settled in Okemos, in 1854, he 
purchased of Freeman Bray the mill and water-power, and 
shortly thereafter the entire village plat remaining unsold. 
The village has grown gradually to its present dimensions, 
and enjoys a considerable trade with the surrounding 
country. It is about one mile from the post-office to Oke- 
mos Station, on the Detroit, Lansing and Northern Rail- 
way. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Freeman Bray built the original dam acro.ss the Cedar 
River at Okemos,* and erected a saw-mill, to which was also 
attached a turning-lathe and cabinet-shop, about 1842. The 
entire establishment was subsequently burned, and Mr. Bray 
always considered it the work of an incendiary. About 
1846 or 1847 the property fell into the hands of M. E. Cro- 
foot, of Pontine, Oakland Co., Mich., who probably sold to 
Augustus Cleveland, who built another saw-mill, and in 
turn sold the property to Ebenezer Walker, as stated far- 
ther on. The fall at this point in the Cedar River is about 
seven feet, and the power is a very good one and not 
seriously affected by floods or ice. 

All the old saw mills are now gone, several having been 
destroyed by fire, and there remains nothing except the 
flour- and grist-mill of Mr. Blair, run by water, and the 
steam-works of Mr. T. F. Davis. 

P]benezer Walker, from Rochester, N. Y., came to Mich- 
igan and .settled at Okemos (then Hamilton) in 1854. He 
purchased the water-power on Cedar River, and an old saw- 
mill of Augustus Cleveland, and built a steam saw- and 
grist-mill together. The saw-mill, run by water, was then 
in operation, and Mr. Walker operated all three of the mills 
until the dam was carried away by flood in 1858, when the 
water saw-mill was discontinued. The grist-mill stood 
where the present mill stands. It was about thirty by sixty 
feet in dimensions, two stories in height, and contained 



* Mr. Kilbourne and Mr. Bray commenced to build the first dam 
over the Cedar Kiver at Okemos, but Mr. Bray taking in a partner by 
tlie name of Orman Coe, he sold his interest to Mr. Bray and removed 
to the farm where he now resides about 184.3. 



MERIDIAN. 



tlircc runs of stone. The saw-mill was built in 1855, and 
till' ^ri.st-niill in IS.'JG; tlioy were close tofjetlior, and one 
L'lijrino furnished power for both. The engine was of thirty 
horse-power. These mills were burned in 1S(>4, and in 
18(!5 Mr. Walker sold the water-power to Amos Orton. 
Mr. Orton rebuilt the dam and f:ri.st-mill about 186(5, and 
his son-inlaw, F. Powers, rebuilt the saw-mill about the 
.«amc time. The long race reaching across the bend in the 
river was dug by Mr. Orton. The grist-mill was operated 
by Orton until about 187!), when it became the property 
of a man named Blair, of the State of New York, who 
Ica.'ied it to the present operator, Charles Bertraw. The 
present mill has three runs of stone. It has always done 
a fair business, but has never been a source of great profit 
111 its owners. During the time in which Mr. Walker 
owned it he did a considerable amount of merchant work, 
but in later years it has been mostly employed in custom 
work. 

Mr. Orton also erected a steam saw-mill, which was 
destroyed by fire and rebuilt. The machinery has lately 
(in 1880) been taken out and set up at Shaftsburg, Shia- 
wassee Co. 

Saw- and I'lantixj-Mill nnil Strum Bending - Works. — ■ 
Theodore F. Davis erected his present (juite extensive estab- 
lishment in lSti(5. It includes a .saw-mill with planer at- 
tached, and bending-works. He cuts lumber and bends by 
steam material for wagons, carriages, sleigh-runners, bob 
sleds, etc., and gives employment ordinarily to five hands. 
The market for manufacturing material is mostly at Detroit, 
though considerable quantities are sold to small shops 
throughout the country. The works are driven by an 
engine of twenty-five horse-power. 

E.4RLY HOTl'XS. 

The first regular hotel-keeper was probably Freeman 
Bray, in his own dwelling, a.s early as 1840 or 1841 ; and 
lie continued to keep a place of accommodation for travelers 
until his removal to his farm in 1856. 

A building was erected for a tavern about 1850, by Wil- 
liam McGivren, on the corner east of the school-house, 
lie kept it for a number of years in connection with his 
dwelling. Following him Russell Blake.slee was for a time 
landlord. lie subsequently moved across the road to where 
the Barnes or Okemos House now is. The first building 
on this ground was erected by Melzor Turner as early as 
1848, and occupied as a dwelling. Blakcslee made an ad- 
dition to it and opened a hotel. E. F. Barnes purcha.sed 
the property during the war, and has kept it as a public- 
house since. He has also made considerable additions to it. 

The Union Hotel was built by Rev. Merritt Harmon, a 
I 'losbyterian minister, about 1852, as a double dwelling, 
in 1856, Caleb Thurber became the owner, and converted 
it into a hotel. Among the landlords who have officiated 
in the building have been Ralph Willings, Otis Falls, 
Anson West, William Shuttleworth, and Benjamin W. 
Cushman, the latter having kept it since 1879. 

Mr. Cushman was an early settler in Clinton County, a 
few miles north of Lansing, and assisted in finding the 
body of John W. Hurchard, the first settler within the 
city limits of Lansing, eleven days after he was drowned, 



in April, 1844, at his dam in North Jiansing. Mr, Cush- 
man has recently made a large addition to his house. 

MKIICHANTS. 

Freeman Bray may, perhaps with justice, be called the 
first '■ trader" in the village, if not the first merchant, for 
he trafficked more or less with the Indians who encamped 
for a number of years at Okemos after the settlers began 
to come in. The principal business was of course the traffic 
in furs and peltry of various kinds, for which he paid in 
such commodities as best suited the sons of the forest, — 
powder, calicoes, lead, trinkets, cutlery, and possibly a little 
" fire-water," which every redskin prized beyond anything 
save powder and ball. The chief, Okemos, was a frequent 
guest of Mr. Bray's, and his people were very friendly to 
the white man, and never stole from him, as Mr. Bray says, 
though they would sometimes bo tempted to take tlie prop- 
erty of others. 

The first regular merchant wa.s probably Kli Jlorse, who 
opened a general store about 1853, and continued until 
Ebenezer Walker bought him out in 1854. Mr. Walker 
has been in trade at the same place since. His son 
George was connected with him for about four years, from 
18G5 to 1869, when he left the business and traveled on 
account of failing health, being much troubled with asthma. 
Traveling seemed to help him for a time, but he finally 
came home in January, 1880, and died at his father's place 
in May following. 

Among those who have pursued the trade of merchant's 
in Okemos have been Collins Thurber and George W. 
Stevens, about 1860 and 1862; Aaron Jones, 1868 to 
1880 ; and the present ones, Ebenezer Walker, John Fer- 
guson & Co., general stocks ; J. J. Brown, drugs, medi- 
cines, and groceries; and A. J. McNeal, groceries, drugs, 
and medicines. 

There is also a harness-shop by George Rogers ; two 
shoemakers, Henry Phillips and John C. Phillips ; one 
millinery store by Mrs, H, A. Phillips; two blacksmithing 
establishments by Huff & Turner and Henry Scovcll ; 
wagon-shops by Mr. Starr, Frederick Thourer, and William 
McGivren. Among the early blacksmiths was Frederick 
Herre. There is also an express agency at the station, 
John Stansel filling the po.sitions of station- and express- 
agent. 

At the Corners, a mile east of the Agricultural College 
buildings on section 18, H, L. Cooke has a blacksmith- and 
carriage-shop. 

PHYSICIANS, 

Du. C. H. Darrow, from Schenectady, N. Y., was one 
of the first practicing physicians in the township, coming as 
early as 1859. Dr. J)arrow w;is elected register of deeds 
in 1867, and removed to Ma.son, where ho has since rasided, 
though not in practice. He is man a of decided ability, and 
built up a large practice while at Okemos, 

Dr. S. W. Ha.mmond was also an early practitioner at 
Okemos, and was in partnership with Dr. Darrow for a con 
.siderable time. He removed to Mason some years since, 
and is still a resident of that city. 

Dr. Ja.mes F. S.mii,ky, formerly from Genesee Co., 
N. Y., came to Michigan and located in Lansing, from 



286 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



whence he removed to Okemos about 18G3. He was asso- 
ciated with Dr. Darrow for a time, and practiced in Oke- 
mos until 1874, when he removed to Marsliall, Calhoun 
Co., Mich. He had a drug-store in connection with his 
practice, and was a prominent citizen, filling a number of 
public offices. 

Dr.. J. B. Park succeeded Dr. Smiley in 1874. He 
was born in Blairstown, Warren Co., N. J., May 6, 18.51. 
He graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, at Phila- 
delphia, in the spring of 1873. In the same year ho came 
to Michigan and located in Lansing, where he remained 
about one year and removed to Okemos, where he has 
since been in practice witli good success. He belongs to 
the regular school. 

John Ferguson, one of tlie early settlers of Delhi town- 
ship, has two sons in the practice of medicine in Okemos. 
Dr. a. F. Ferguson was born in Delhi, Mich., May 31, 
1848. He attended one course of lectures at Ann Arbor 
and one at the Lansing Homoeopathic College, and com- 
menced practice in his native town in 1869, but remained 
only a short time, removing to Okemos in the same year, 
where he has since been in practice. 

His younger brother. Dr. J. W. Ferchison, was born 
in Delhi in 1850, and graduated at the Cleveland Homoeo- 
pathic College and Hospital in 1874, .since which date he 
has been in practice at Okemos. 

SOCIETIKS AND OllDEHS. 

iM..\SONIC. 

Okemos Lwlr/e, No. 252, was organized Jan. 15, 1811'.). 
The charter members, all dimitted from Lansing Lodge, 
No. 6G, were J. F. Smiley, S. Vj. JeflFers, J. H. Winn, J. 
C. Gallup, Almeron Daniels, D. V. Smith, Stephen Smith, 
0. B. Stillman, George Walker, Collins Thurber, John 
Griffin, and B. W. Cushman. The members of Lodge No. 
33, Lansing, living in Meridian t-ownship, have worked 
with the Okemos lodge since its organization. 

The original officers were Dr. James S. Smiley, Master ; 
Senior Warden, S. E. Jefi'ers; Junior Warden, John H. 
Winn. The present officers are S. K. Jeffijrs, Master ; J. 
W. Burton, Senior Warden ; D. V. Smith, Junior Warden. 
The present membership is about thirty-six. The lodge 
occupies a hall over the store of A. J. McNeal. 



A lodge of Odd-Fellows was organized in Okemos, May 
22, 1874, with about twelve charter members. The present 
membership is thirty-three, and the officers are as follows: 
N. G., T. McManamon ; V. G., W. H. Cady ; Sec, Isaiah 
Janes ; Troas., S. N. Hutf. The lodge occupies a rented 
hall in the village. 

PATKO.N'S OF HUSIiANtlRY. 
Cedar Gran<je, A\>. 235, was organized in December, 
1874, with about thirty charter-members, all residents of 
Meridian township. The first officers were : Master, S. E. 
Jeffijrs; Overseer, Joseph H. Kilbourne. The Masters 
.since have been George B. Vanatta and D. V. Smith, 
The present officers are : Master, D. V. Smith ; Overseer, 
A. D. Hatch; Lecturer, Mrs. Sarah Sturges; Steward, 



W. A. Sturges; Assistant Steward, Charles Foster, Jr.; 
Chaplain, Thomas Parker; Treas., Kphraim Hart; Sec, 
Leonard N. Watson ; Gatekeeper, Isaiah Janes. 

Lady Officers. — Ceres, Mrs. George Curtis ; Pomona 
(not procured); Flora, Miss Susan llayner; Lady Assist- 
ant Steward, Mrs. D. V. Smith. The present membership 
is about forty paying members. The grange has an organ 
and choir, which furnish good music for their meetings. 
The chorister is Mr. A. L. Sturges; Organist, Mrs. Clara 
Hewitt; Assistant Organist, Mrs. Ada Whitman. 

MEllIDIAN STATlo:^ AND POST-OFFICE. 

A station was established on the Detroit, Lansing and 
Northern Railway, on section 30, soon after the completion 
of the road in 1871. A telegraph station was added in 
1S79, and the people hope to have an express office soon. 

A post-office called Meridian was also established shortly 
after the railway was opened, probably some time in the 
year 1871, and James F. Carr was appointed postmaster. 
Mr. Carr held the position until April, 1879, when he 
was succeeded by Timothy L. Baldwin, the present in- 
cumbent. 

Mr. Carr, in connection with the post-office, kept a small 
store down to about 1877, \vhen he closed it out. 

Enos Woodworth, formerly from Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
came to Manchester, Washtenaw Co., Mich., in 1842. In 
1801 he removed to section 1, in Alaiedon township, and 
from thence to iMeridian Station in 1876. He opened a 
small store in December, 1877, just over the line, on sec- 
tion 32, in Williamstown, and has continued the business 
since. 

In 1878, A. A. Dwight established the lumber business 
at the station, and also opened a supply store in connection 
with the lumber trade at the saine time, lie has a steam 
saw-mill in Alaiedon township and one in iMeridian on sec- 
tion 25, at the bridge over Cedar River, about one mile 
from the station. The Alaiedon mill is about four miles 
distant. He handles both hard and pine lumber, and has 
enipli)ycd at times from forty to sixty men. In connection 
with his other business Mr. Dwight handles grain, and has 
during the past season of 1880 erected a new grain ware- 
house. 

A steam snw-mill was erected at the station by Uriah 
Moore and Asbury Long about 1871. It has since been 
the property of William Gibson and Morris Brown ; Enos 
Woodworth and Gibson ; Woodworth and Henry Coller ; 
Coller and M. B. Barnes ; Timothy Baldwin and Burlin- 
game, and the present firm, John Barnard and Timothy 
Baldwin, who carry on the sawing business and have re- 
cently added the manufacture of boat oars. They are doing 
a brisk business. 

About 1874 a stave-factory was put in operation by 
Chapman & Mason, who continued it for about eighteen 
months, when they removed it to Fowlerville, in Livingston 
County. 

Samuel Brown has carried on the blaeksmithing business 
at his shop, a quarter of a mile north of the station, for the 
past twenty years. 

Ijconard Osborn is purchasing grain at this point the 
present season. 



MERIDIAN. 



287 



OKKMOS STATION. 
Tliis luis been a regular passenger-station since the open- 
ing of the road in 1871. It is one mile south of the post- 
office at Okenios village, and about six and a half miles east 
by south from the station at Lansing. It is a point of con- 
siderable traffic in grain, stock, and lumber. A gentleman 
by the name of Stewart is doing quite an extensive busi- 
ness in handling grain, having unusual facilities in Detroit 
for the accommodation of the business ; and there are also 
stock-buyers operating at this point. 

PINE r.AKK ST.VTION AND TO.ST-OFFICE. 

This point is on the Chicago and Grand Trunk Railway, 
on the line between sections 10 and 11, the station being 
on section 11, and the post-office on 10. The piist-offiec 
was established about June 1, 1S79. Edward Elliott is 
postmaster. He also keeps a small assortment of patent 
medicines, candies, nuts, groceries, etc. The station was 
I'slalilifilicd in 1878. There is a water-tank and siding. 

The township is well supplied with railway-stations and 
po.st-offices, having three of each, well distributed. 

PINK LAKE PICNIC- AND IM.ICASl' UK-GliUUNl).'-!. 

One of the finest pleasure resorts in this jmrtion of Mich- 
igan is located at the northern extremity of Pine Lake, on 
the northeast (juarter of section '.]. This locality has been 
a favorite resort for pleasure-seekers for many years, the 
lake being the only considerable body of water in this 
region. Thomas Bateman appears to have been the first 
person to furnish boating facilities. 11. W. Surby bought 
land of Batemau and also his interest in the boating busi- 
ness, and erected the first building for the accommodation 
of the public in 1870. In 1871 ho built a hall, which was 
subsequently torn down to give room to the present commo- 
dious one. In 187.5, George W. Northrup became a part- 
ner with Mr. Surby in the enterprise, and the firm put up 
the frame of the " Lake House" and erected a barn. In 
the fall of 187-i Surby sold his interest to Northrup, and 
Origin Hardy became a partner with the latter. Under 
their administration the hotel was completed and the re- 
mainder of the buildings now on the ground were erected. 

Subsequently Northrup sold to the broth.ers Origin and 
Anson Hardy, who have continued to improve the grounds 
:iii(I add attractions to the place. They now own about 
thirty acres of land purchased of various parties, and have 
an unusually attractive resort. They have some twenty- 
five or thirty row- and fail-boats, and intend to put on a 
pleasure steamer in the spring of 1881. A small steamer 
was brought from Lansing and launched on this lake in 
1876. This was afterwards taken to pieces and the engine 
transferred to a new boat built for the Messrs. Hardy. This 
last was sold to parties in Portland, Ionia Co., Mich., in 
June, 1880. The buildings consist of an extensive hotel, 
a dancing-hall, two barns, an ice-hou.se, bath-house, boat- 
houses, etc., with swings and otlier attractive features, all 
situated in a fine grove of oak and hickory timber. The 
place is well patronized through the warm sea-son, as many 
as six thou.satid people having boon on the grounds at one 
lime. Boating and fishing facilities are excellent. 

lleuben K. H.irdy, father of the Hardy brothers, settled 



on section 6, Meridian town.ship, about 18.57. The oM 
people arc dead, but the property remains in the family. 

We are under obligations to the following, among others, 
for information furnished: Ebeuezer Walker, .1. H. Kil- 
bourne. Freeman Bray, II. D. Sowle, Iluna Morton, M. W. 
Barnes, Mrs. James A. Hamilton, B. W. Cushman, Knos 
Woodworth, J. W. Burton, J. H. Wilson, A. D. Hatch A. 
L. Sturges, Drs. J. B. Park pnd A. V. and J. W. Ferguson, 
Mrs. George Culver, C. F. Mullett, and Edward Elliott. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

GKORGE B. VANATTA. 

Few men an; living in the Stat(! of Michigan, as com- 
pared with its population, who are natives, and born as 
early as, or prior to, 1835. Among that few is the subject 
of this sketch, who was born in Northfield township, Wash- 
tenaw (,'o., July 8, 183.5. His parents were Aaron B. and 
Cynthia ( Baugharl) Vanatta, both natives of New Jersey, 
where they were married about 1829, removing to Michi- 
gan in 1832. In traveling from Detroit they were guided 
by a pockct-compa.ss. When George was about fifteen 
months of age his mother died, his father marrying again 
and remaining on the land which he had entered, up to his 
death, which occurred in 1877. By this last marriage he had 
seven children, four of whom are living near Ann Arbor, 
Mich. George remained at home, attending district school, 
with one term at State Norm.al School, and .a.ssisting his 
father, until the age of twenty, when he came to Ingham 
County, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land 
in the townshiji of Locke, and at once commenced improv- 
ing it, soon after marrying Mi.ss Elizabeth, daughter of 
James and Elizabeth Smith, both of whom were natives 
of New York and early .settlers in Washtenaw County, 
where Mrs. Vanatta was born Nov. 12, 1830, Mr. Smith 
having located land in Clinton County soon after removal 
there, where he died in February, 18GG, his wife suiviving 
him only until the following autumn. They were the 
parents of fourteen children, of whom Mrs. Vanatta is the 
ninth. Eight are still living. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Vanatta occuncd April 
13, 185G, and in the fall of 1858 be exchanged his larm 
in Locke township for eighty acres of his present farm on 
section 13, in Meridian township. On this there was 
thirty acres partly improved, and to it they have added, from 
time to time, until now the home farm consists of five 
hundred acres, with three hundred acres inijirovcd. At 
one time it consisted of eight hundred and forty acres. 
He has always been a leading farmer of his township, rais- 
ing all kinds of farm productions, besides dealing largely 
stock, of which he is quite an extensive breeder. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Vanatta have been given eight children, 
— viz., Cynthia A., born April 18, 1857, now Mrs. Elliott, 
of Williamstown township; Carrie J., born Sept. .'10, 1859, 
now Mrs. Baughart, of Ijansing ; llosie E., born Dec. 18, 
ISOl ; George M., born Sejit. 21, 1803; Theron .\ , born 



288 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





GEORtiE B. VANATTA. 



MRS. GEORGE B. VANATTA. 



Jan. 2?,, 18(16 ; Octavia, born April 20, 1870 ; P.ertlia C, 
born March 3, 1872; Fernando E., born Oct. 19, 1878. 

Mr. and Mrs. Vauatta liave been members of the Free- 
Will Baptist Cluircli for the past twenty years. 



Mr. Vanatta, ahliough not an active partisan, lias always 
taken considerable interest in political matters, voting the 
straight Democratic ticket, and being frec(nently the nomi- 
nee for supervisor and minor offices in his township. 






AI.ONZO PROCTOR. 



MRS. ALONZO PROCTOR. 



ALONZO PROCTOR. 

This gentleman with commendable pride traces his origin 
to the Green Mountain State, where in Cambridge, Frank- 
lin* Co., he was born April 13, 1815. He was the fourth 
in a family of nine children, liis parents both being natives 
of Massachusetts. Alonzo remained at home, assisting on 
the farm summers and attending school winters, until he 
was eighteen years of age. He then went to Massachusetts 



' Now in L.a Muillo County. 



and hired by the month, remaining tliero about two years. 
Meanwhile his parents removed to Niagara Co., N. Y., 
where he joined them, but only to stay one year, going 
thence to Illinois, and for some six years kept up this roam- 
ing life, visiting difterent States, finally meeting his parents 
in Michigan, to which they had removed in 183G, locating 
first in Stockbridge township, afterwards selling and buying 
where Alonzo now lives. Here the father died in 1870. 
April 8, 1847, Alonzo married Miss Sarah Gugins, who 
who was also a native of Vermont, where she was born July 




mil ^Jr dz '^ ^'' y^ -^ 



MERIDIAN. 



289 



31, 1830, her mother being a native of the same State, and 
her father of Canada, the family consisting of four chil- 
dren, Sarah being the second. They came to Michigan in 
1830, where the parents both died, the mother in 1844 and 
the father in 1847. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Proctor were born ten children, of 
whom seven are living: Asa M., born Sept. 7, 1844, now 
married, his farm adjoining his father's; Myrta II., born 
Jan. 2, 1858 ; Fred L., born June 28, 1800 ; Jennie M., 
born Oct. 17, 1862; Mira Bell, born April 20, 1866; 
Normal A., born April 24, 18G9 ; and John D., born Sept. 
9, 1872. 

Mr. Proctor luis always followed farming. His first pur- 
chase contained forty acres, which he bought of the gov- 



ernment, and which his son now owns. His farm now 
contains seventy acres. 

In politics he was fornierlj* a Whig; latterly he has been 
a Republican, and he has been chosen by his fellow-towns- 
men to fill different ofiices of trust. 

His farm lies on the Gravel Road, some five miles from 
Lansing. He has tended the toll-gate fourteen years, and 
his father tended it some seven years previous ; in fact, ever 
since the road was built it has been kept by some oue of the 
Proctor family. 

In religious belief Mr. Proctor's views are liberal. 

Mr. Proctor's grandfather on his mother's side, Joseph 
Dane, was a commissioned ofiicer in the Revolutionary army, 
and was present at the battle of Bunker Hill. 




JAMES N. S.M1TH. 



JAMES N. SMITH. 

This gentleman, one of the leading agriculturists of Cen- 
tral Michigan, was born in the town of Hector, Tompkins 
Co., N. Y., April 20, 1830, and was the eldest in the 
family of Jonas and Mary (Gilmore) Smith, which con- 
sisted of six. The elder Smith was a farmer, was born 
in Tompkins County in 1807, and married in February 
of 1829. In 1833 he removed with his family to San- 
dusky Co., Ohio, where he resided until his death. He 
was a man of more than ordinary ability, and was one of 
the prominent citizens of the county. lie held various 
positions of trust and responsibility, notably among the 
number that of sheriff and county commissioner; the 
latter position he filled acceptably for six years. He held 
the office of justice of the peace for eighteen years. He 
was an energetic and successful farmer, and acquired a 
37 



competency. James received a common-school education, 
and remained at home until he was twenty-four years of 
age. He studied civil engineering and surveying, and for 
several years was engaged as a teacher. In 1854 he mar- 
ried Miss Rachel Short. Shortly after his marriage he pur- 
chased a farm, which he carried on in connection with that 
of his father. He took an active interest in political mat- 
ters, and in 1858 was elected county clerk. At the ex- 
piration of his term of office he was re-elected. He dis 
charged his duties with fidelity to the trust reposed in him, 
and with credit to himself 

In 1864, Mr. Smith dispo.scd of his property in Ohio 
and came to Michigan, where he purchased seven hundred 
acres of land, which is a part of his present estate of twelve 
hundred acres, a large portion of which is under a high 
state of cultivation. Since cominfr to Michigan, Mr. Smith 



290 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



has eschewed politics, and has devoted himself to fanning 
and stock-growing. He has a large herd of Galloway cattle, 
of which he is said to be the largest breeder in the United 
States. 

Mr. Smith has devoted much time and study to the 
subject of drainage, and is considered to be standard au- 
thority on anything pertaining thereto. He is county 
drain commi.ssiouer, and in this capacity his services are 
of great value to the farming community. As a farm 
manager he is undoubtedly one of the most proficient 
in this part of the State, and his services are in great 
demand. 

He is one of the organizers and charter members of the 
Central Michigan Agricultural Society, and has probably 



done more to advance its interests than any other member 
of the organization. The society was born under adverse 
circumstances, and has had to contend with many difficul- 
ties and embarrassments, and its success is largely attributa- 
ble to the untiring efforts of its present superintendent, 
James N. Smitli. The exhibition of the Centennial year 
was highly successful, and the officers of the society, — 
business men of the city of Lansing, — knowing that it was 
due largely to the efforts of Mr. Smith, and to show their 
esteem and appreciation of his services, presented him with 
an elegant cane suitably engraved. 

Altogether, Mr. Smith is one of those leading spirits 
whose identification with any community is always produc- 
tive of good. 




Mas. JOHN SALT.MAllSII. 

JOHN SALTMARSH. 
John Saltmarsh was born in London, England, Aug. 
21, 1815, and is one of a good old-fashioned family of fif- 
teen children. His father was a dairyman. John started 
for himself when eighteen years old, although considering 
himself an inmate of the parental home until he was twenty- 
three years of age, when he secured a helpmeet by marrying 
Miss Mary Foster, also of English extraction. This union 
was blessed with two children. Mrs. Saltmarsh had pre- 
sided over her home only five years, when death called her 
to try the realm of the unknown. Mr. Saltmarsh, after 
leading a lonely life for three years, — the loneliness of which 
only those who have experienced it can realize, — married 
his wife's sister. Miss Sarah Foster, and soon after, with 
his family, set sail for America; this was in July, 1848. 
After a tiresome voyage of six weeks he reached the United 
States, and immediately proceeded to Pontiae, Mich., 
where he arrived in tlie following September. Here they 
remained through the winter, and in the following spring 
located on the farm where ho now lives, which contains one 
hundred and sixty acres, on section 13, Meridian township. 
Though owning other lands, he has always made this his 



JOHN S.lLTMAR.Sn. 

home. To his last marriage were born four children, 
one dying in infancy, one in Detroit, and one on his way 
home from the war. The eldest son also served three 
years in the late war, and is now living in Virginia. In 
March, 1857, he was again bereft of his companion, and 
in December, 1859, married Mrs. Esther M. Tyler, — her 
maiden name having been Briggs and her native State Mas- 
sachusetts. Her first husband, by whom she had two chil- 
dren, both of whom grew to manhood, died in 1857. One 
of her sons died in the army, the other in Clinton Co., 
Mich. 

Mr. Saltmarsh was favored by the advantages of good 
schools in his youth, — his time, until he was fourteen years 
of age, being devoted to study in the schools of London. 
In politics he is a Democrat, has held different offices of 
trust, and takes great interest in the advancement of schools ; 
is a strong Calvinist in religious belief, though not a mem- 
ber of any church organization, and takes an active part in 
Sunday-schools. His present wife is indeed a pioneer, hav- 
ing been a resident of this State forty-four years, coming 
in company with her sister when a young miss, first to Ann 
Arbor, thence to what is now known as Williamstown. 



ONONDAGA. 



NATURAL FEATUKES. 
flEOGRAPHy, TOPOGRAPHY, Etc. 

The townsliip of Onondaga lies in the southwest corner 
of tlie count)' of Ingham, and is bounded north by Aure- 
lius, east by Les-lie, south by Jackson County, and west 
by Eaton County. It inchides congressional township 1 
north, in range 2 west of the principal meridian of Michi- 
gan. The south boundary' was snrveyed by Josepli Wauip- 
ler in 1824, the north, cast, and west boundaries by John 
Mullett in 1824—25, and the subdivisions by Hervey Park 
in 1825. 

Grand River enters this township on the south, near the 
south quarter-post of section 33, and after a general north- 
west course pas.ses out near the quarter corner on the west 
side of section 7. It furnishes limited power, which has 
been utilized at Winfield, or " Kinneyville." Willow Creek 
is a tributary of Grand River, which flows westward across 
the northern part of town, and several smaller streams are 
found. On section 22 is a small lake. The Grand River 
Valley Railway extends across the southwest portion of the 
township, having a station at Onondaga. The surface of 
this town is considerably broken, although level tracts ap- 
pear in places. The soil is fertile and the improvements 
good. 

The following is a list of the entries of land in town 1 
north, range 2 west, now Onondaga: 

LAND ENTRIES. 

Section 1. — Ranson Hazclton, John Allen, Sept. 21, 1S3G j .James Lano, 
Nov. 1, 1836; Amos Wortmnn, May 2.>, 1837. 

Section 2. — Simeon Ilurmon, Lyninn Crothers, Sept. 30, 1S3C; Gabriel 
L. Lewis, Jan. 16, 1837; William Lewis, July 19, 1841; Eli T. 
Davis, no date. 

Seciinn 3.— William Cross, Oet. 1, 1836; Gilbert H. Valentine, Nov. 
1, 1836; William Royston, Dec. 12, 1836; De Witt C. Stewart, 
Nov. 18, ISIJ; George Batlley, Henry Trefry, no dates. 

Section 4. — Juliette Hammond, Stephen Losey, Henry Losey, July 
17, 1839; Stephen Losey, Jr., Nov. 12, 1839; iMichael Losey, 
July 2, 1840; Lawrence Ryan, Jr., May 31, 1843; John Sherd, 
Lawrence Ryan, Jr., May 4, 1844 ; Myron Davis, May 27, 1844 ; 
Eliza Folletl, Xov. 22, 184.5 ; W. and S. Town, Aug. 10, 1848. 

Section 5. — Nathaniel S. Glazier, July 28, IS35; Johnson Mont- 
gomery, Nov. .3, 1836; William R. liyxbcc, Dec. 12, 1836 ; John- 
son Montgomery, April 5, 1837; Roswcll R. Maxson, May 22, 
1837; Gabriel HetBeld, Sept. 18, 1837. 

Section 6.— (Entire) Nathaniel S. Glazier, July 28, 1835. 

Section 7.— N. S. Glazier, July 28, 1835; Ruo Pcrrino, Jan. 8, 1836; 
John Cranson, Juno 6, 1836. 

.Section 8.— (Entire) N. S. Glazier, July 28, 1835. 

Section 9.— Calvin Burr, May 7, 1836: Amos Burden, June 8, 1836; 
William Sherd, Jr., Edmund J. Opp, July 5, 1S36. 

Section 10.— Calvin Burr, May 7, 1836 ; Amos Burden, June 6, 1836; 
Byron Hall, Eli Sargent, June 23, 1837. 

Section II.— Bradley Freeman, John Allen, Sept. 21, 1836; Adney 
Hunt, Jan. 29, 1838; Levi T. Davis, 1847. 

Section 12. — Prince Bowman, Dec. 12, 1836; William Royston, June 

• By Pliny A. Durant. 



14, 1837; Huzen Rolf, June 26, 1837; John S. Hondec, June 12, 
1840; James M. Peck, Jan. 30, 1844; John Elmore, Oct. 26, 
1849. 

Section 13.— Prince Bowman, Barney Johnston, Dec. 12, 1836; Ben- 
jamin R. Clark, Jan. 20 and Juno 5, 1837. 

Section 14. — Denton Garrison, Bradley Freeman, July 25, 1836; Ben- 
jamin R. Clark, June 5, 1837. 

Section 15. — Andrew Longycar, Jacob Longyear, July 7, 1836; Nel- 
son Dawson, July II, 1836; Eli Sargent, Juno 23, 1837. 

Section IC. — S. Hunt, E. Harwood, George C. Boyco, William Trevoy, 
no dates. 

Section 17.— (Entire) N. S. Glazier, July 28, 1835. 

Section 18.— N. S. Glazier, July 28, 1835; William Berrien, Juno 6, 
1836; Andrew Houpt, July 23, 1836; Samuel Vance, Jan. 21, 
1837; Edward Town Icy, Jan. 24, 1837. 

Section 19.— N. S. Glazier, July 28, 1835; Peter Cranson, Oct. 23, 
1835; Daniel Coleman, March 14, 1835; Orris Cranson, Juno C 
and Sept. 21, 1835; Elisha Cranson, Dec. 12, 1835. 

Section 20.— Peter Cranson, June 26, 1834; N. S. Glazier, July 28, 
1835; J. N. and D. F. Dwight, March 18, 1836; Orris Cranson, 
May 26, 1836. 

Section 21.— John Taylor, March 28, 1836; Orris Cranson, Peter 
Cranson, June 6, 1S36; Andrew Longyear, July 7, 1836; Russell 
Bronson, Dec. IS, 1839; Hiram Frye, May 25, 1839; Samuel 
Fryc, Juno 28, 1842. 

Section 22.— Marcus Lane, May 28, 1836; Abncr D. Hunt, July 2.5, 
1836. 

Section 23.— Denton Garrison, July 25, 183C ; Josephus Tuttle, July 
12, 1836; Benjamin M.Norton, June 9, 1837; Christopher Long- 
year, July 15, 1837. 

Section 24.— William Pago, Jan. II, 1837; Charlotte Woodworlh, 
June 2, 1837; Elam G. Annis, June 9, 1837; Orange Barlow, 
July 3, 1837; William C. Longycar, July 15, 1837; Marcus .John- 
ston, July 6, 1839; Eli Hopkins, Dee. 19, 1840. 

Section 25.— John Darling, May 18, 1836; Albert Smith, July 18, 
1836; Jeduthan Waldo, March .3, 1836; Orange Phelps, June 3, 
1837 ; Horace Garlick, June 9, 18.37. 

Section 26.— William Page, May 18, 1S36; William Rumsey, July 18, 
1836 ; Leicester Buckley, July 25, 1836 ; Ichabod Uerwood, Sept. 
27, 1836; Benjamin K. Morton, June 9, 1837. 

Section 27.— Jasper S. Wolcott, Dec. 30, 1835; William Curtiss, May 
18, 1836; John Taylor, May 28, 1836 ; Harney Johnston, C. Lyon, 
Dec. 13, 1836; Jeremiah Marvin, Jan. 20, 1837. 

Section 28.— Jasper S. Wolcott and S. Woodworth, Dec. 18, 1835; 
Amos Wortmun, Dec. 30, 1835 ; Jasper S. Wolcott, Jan. 21, 1836 ; 
Jeremiah Marvin, Feb. 2, 1836; Peter Cranson, June 6, 1836. 

.Section 29.— (Entire) Oliver Booth, May 26, 1834. 

Section 30.— John F. Fuller, Oct, 8, 1835; Nehemiah Lovewell, Jan. 
21, 1836; Frederick Abbey, Jan. 22, 1836; John J. Mason, Slay 
1.3, 1836; Peter Cranson, July 8, 1836. 

Section 31.— (Entire) Stephen Warren, Oct. 28, 1835. 

-S'ectiou .32.— Stephen Warren, Oct. 28, 1835; William Berrien, Juno 
6, 1836 ; Oliver C. Hill, June 7, 1836 ; William Sherd, Jr., July 
5, 1836. 
Section 3.3.— N. S. Glazier, July 28, 1835; Charles Butler, Nov. 9, 

1835. 
Section 34.— Charles Butler, Nov. 9, 1835; Lewis Powell, May 14, 
1836 ; Horace Pierce, May 24, 1836; H. G. Rice, July IS, 1836. 
Section 35.— Mary P. lilackman, Feb. II, 1836; L. Powell, W. Lewis, 
and W. Seymour, May 14, 1836; Ira Nash, July 13, 1836 ; Wil- 
liam D. Thompson, Doc. 21, 1838. 
Section 36.— Polly Underwood, Feb. II, 1836; Jeduthan Waldo, 
March 3, 1836 ; Powell, Lewis, and Seymour, May 14, 1836; Ed- 
ward L. Fuller, Juno 6, 1836; Philip Eamons, July 25, 1830; 
James Sansom, Jan. 20, 1837. 

291 



292 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first entry of land in wliat is now Onondaga town- 
ship was made by Oliver Booth, from Gaines, Orleans Co., 
N. Y., May 26, 1834, and included the whole of section 
29. Mr. Booth settled upon it with his family in the fol- 
lowing month of June, and was therefore the first settler in 
the township. He died about a year later, and his was also 
the first death in town. The first marriage was that of his 
daughter, Harriet, to Jeduthan Fry, in February, 1838, 
and their daughter, Hannah Fry, was the first white female 
child born in town, her birth occurring Dec. 25, 1839. 

Jeduthan Fry was originally from Massachusetts, but 
was for a time a resident of Bucks Co., Pa. When nine- 
teen years of age he came to Ingham Countj' and located 
in the township of Onondaga, — this being the 28th day of 
October, 183-1:. The township has since been his home, 
although he was for some time in California. He lived for 
a short tin)e, after his arrival in the township, on the Booth 
place, northwest of what is now Onondaga village, and 
afterwards made his home west of the village until 1876, 
when he moved to his present location on section 21. He 
came to the township originally with Mr. Booth, who had 
returned to New York to settle up his business aff"airs. 

Mr. Fry's brother. Dr. Hiram Frye,* came to Onondaga 
in 1838, reaching the house of the former on the 1st day 
of June. In May, 1839, he settled upon the place he now 
occupies, on section 21, where he has since resided. A few 
years after coming to the township he began the practice of 
medicine, which he continued until about 1877. 

Peter Cranson, from Cayuga Co., N. Y., was the second 
person who purchased land in the township, his entry on 
section 20 being dated June 26, 1834. He had been 
visiting at Jackson the previous year. He was young and 
unmarried, and was accompanied from New York by six 
others, who settled in various parts of Michigan, none of 
them, however, locating in Onondaga. Mr. Cranson settled 
on his land the same year (1834). He had come to the 
township in May and secured help to look land, and pur- 
chased, as stated, in June. He first arrived in town only 
seven days later than Mr. Booth. He is now living in the 
township, half a mile east of his fir.st location. 

Henry Allen, who lived south of the Cranson place, 
settled also in 1834, and was a brother-in-law to Jeduthan 
Fry. His youngest son, William, who was born in June, 
1834, very soon after the family settled, was the first white 
child born in the township. 

Benjamin llossniaii, from Cayuga Co., N. Y., came to 
Michigan in 1834 and located at Jackson. In April, 1836, 
he removed to Onondaga and settled on the farm now owned 
by his widow and heirs. Four children accompanied their 
parents to the township, in which three of the Jons — Carl, 
Wallace, and Nelson — are now living. Mr. Ro.ssman died 
in 1865. 

George French settled in the same neighborhood in 1837, 
and his sons, George, John, James, William, and Alfred, 
are now living in the township. 

Lowing Sherman, formerly from the State of New York, 
and for a time a resident of Lenawee Co., Mich., moved 

* This is tlie orthography of the name as used by the doctor. 



into Onondaga in 1838, and his son, John Sherman, is 
now living at the village of Onondaga. 

In the neighborhood of 1850 a saw-mill — the first in 
the vicinity — -was built by Potter & Lockwood on a small 
stream east of the village of Onondaga. It afterwards be- 
came the property of Nathan Champe, now deceased. The 
mill was finally abandoned, and only the ruins are left. A 
steam saw-mill was afterwards built in the village by George 
French, and others have also been erected, but none are 
now in use, and the labor of bringing logs to the locality is 
too great to make the work a source of profit. 

Lawrence Ryan, from Dansville, Livingston Co., N. Y., 
.settled in Onondaga township in the fall of 1839 with his 
wife and eleven children, of whom the youngest, Milton, 
was but two years old. The family located on section 4. 
Mr. Ryan died at Mason in 1877, and his son, Milton 
Ryan, Esq., is now living at that place, to which he re- 
moved in December, 1874. Two sons, Horatio and Wil- 
liam, are yet living in the township of Onondaga, — the 
latter at Kinneyville. 

The following were resident taxpayers in the township 
of Onondaga in 1844 : 

Orris Cranson, B. Knight, Hiram Cranson, John Tyler, John Cock- 
burn, Charles Festor, Hiram Frye, Samuel Frye, David Lane, M. A. 
Baldwin, Aimer D. Hunt, Elon G. Annis, George Longycar, 0. Sharp, 
Ephraiui P. Ilaynes, William B. Hill, Stephen Losey, Joseph Gale, 
J. W. Toles, Henry Kiper, Michael Losey, John Sherd, H. W. Imus, 
William Lewis, Henry Slaght, John H. Peak, JMonroe Peak, J. H. 
Bostwick, John F. Hendee, Noah E. Hood, Hazen Rolfe, Samuel D. 
Breed, Frankliu Elmore, Elisha Smith, A. Freem.an, William J. Clark, 
Barney Johnston, Marquis Johnston, Eli Hopkins, John Thorp, Jose- 
phus Tuttle, Peter Earll, Abram Henry, Horace Garlick, John R. 
Garlick, Orange Phelps, John Darling. Orange Barlow, AVarren Buck- 
land, C. Lyons, Charles M. Maynard, Merritt Johnston, Peter Cran- 
son, David Potter, and Lucinda Lockwood, administratrix : J. Marvin, 
William H. Fray, J. C. Preston, Lowing Sherman, John Sherman, 
Henry Allen, Simeon Dunn, Garrett Van Riper, George French, Jed- 
uthan Frye, James Blain, Thomas P. Baldwin, Charles Petty, Benja- 
min Rossman, Palmer Rossman, Joseph Abbey, Frederick Abbey, 
Hiram Abbey, M. K. and J. Sibley, Levi P. Earll, Thomas Harwood, 
Chauncey Green, Abby Haynes, Ephraim P. Haynes, Grove Baldwin, 
T. K. Baldwin, George V. N. Hetfield, Richard Ferris, Lawrence Ryan, 
William Losey, Oliver Losey, James Sliter, Rue Perrine, Augustus 
lioughton, Alpheus Houpt, Lawrence Ryan, Jr., Drummond Storts, 
Joseph Pearson, Henry Losey. 

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.— LIST OF OFFICERS, 

Etc. 

By an act of the Legislature approved March 6, 1836, 
town 1 north, in range 2 west, then a part of Aurelius, was 
set ofi" and organized into a separate township by the name 
of Onondaga, and the first township-meeting was directed 
to be held at the house of Barney Johnston. The follow- 
ing account of .said meeting is from the township records : 

"At a meeting of electors of the township of Onondaga, in the 
county of Jacksou (Ingham), and Stiite of Michigan, held at the house 
of Barney Johnston, on the first Monday of April, 1S38, the following 
persons were elected oflBcers of said township, — viz. : 

"Amos E. Steele, Supervisor, by a majority of seventeen votes j 
Josephus Tuttle, Township Clerk, by a majority of sixteen votes; for 
Assessors, Peter Cranson received thirteen votes; Gabriel V. N. Het- 
field and Josephus Tuttle received each fourteen votes; for Road Com- 
missioners, Gabriel V. N. Hetfield received fourteen votes, Jeduthan 
Frye received seven votes, John Darliug nine, and Josephus Tuttle 
four; for School Inspectors, Amos E. Steele received ten votes ; Jose- 
phus Tuttle and Gabriel V. N. Hetfield received ten votes each ; Silas 



ONONDAGA. 



203 



Booth rcccired for Collector fourteen rotes; and for Constables, Silas 
Booth recoivctl thirteen votes, and (iilbert Russtiian, Adna Hunt, and 
Frederick Abbey received each thirteen votes, and Chauncey Day 
received eight votes; and for Justices of the Peace, Josephus Tuttio 
received fourteen votes, Amos E. Steele received fourteen votes, and 
(inbric) V. N. Ifotfield received the like number of fourteen votes, 
and for Directors of the Poor;* Merritt Johnston was elected Path 
Master in road district number five; Amoa E. Steele was elected 
Path Master in road district number six; Henry Allen was elected 
Path Master; and in road district number seven Gabriel V. N, Het- 
ticld was elected Path Master.* 

"And on motion, it was voted that the Path Masters serve as 
Fence Viewers; and on motion, it was voted that any resident of this 
town taking and killing a wolf in said township bo entitled to eight 
dollars us a bounty therefor. 

"Orris Cranson was elected Township Treasurer. 

" It WHS also voted that the next annual township-meeting of this 



township be held at the ho 
" A true copy. 



! of Peter Cranson, in said town. 



'David Lanr, 
*Mbruitt Joiinstox, 
* Peter Cuansos, 
'Amos E. Steele, 
'Josephus Tuttle. 



I In,pc.t 



At a special meeting held April 14, 1838, Peter Cranson 
was elected road commissioner. Sept. 25, 1838, one wolf 
bounty was allowed to Orange Phelps and two to Adna 
Hunt. The following is a list of the principal ofiBcers of 
the township, beginning with 1839: 

SUPERVISORS. 

1839, Josephus Tuttio; IStO, Martin R.Sibley; 18 H-tS, Joseph G.ile ; 
1849-iO, Moselcy A. Baldwin; 1851, Joseph Gale; 1852, Warren 
B. Buckland; 1853-55, Joseph Gale ; 1856-59, Joseph S. Pierson ; 

1860, John French; 1861-62, Garrett Van Riper; 1 86.3-6 1, Joseph 
S. Pierson; 1865-67, John Sherman; 1868, Garrett Van Riper; 
1869, John Brown; 1870, Nelson Everett; 1871, Moseley A. 
Baldwin ; 1872, Nelson Everett; 1873, A. S. Noble; 1874, Milton 
Ryan; 1875-77, Uenry Grain ; 1878-79, Mark Conklin. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1839, John Phelps; 1810, Warren B. liuokland; 1841-12, Josiah C. 
Preston; 1843, Ilorace Garllek ; 1844, W. B. Buckland; 1845-52, 
Perez Ilowland ; 1853, Clinton D. Griffith;! 1S54-55, Joseph S. 
Pierson; 1856, George Phelps; 1857, Uilon Osborn ; 1858, James 
E. Howland; 1859, William 0. Callahan; 1860, G. Hutohings ; 

1861, William Wilkinson; 1862, William Earll ; 1863, James E. 
Howland; 1864, George II. Waggoner ;J 1865, Benjamin E. Saw- 
tell; 1866, William H. Plummer; 1867, William L. Cochran; 
1868, William Ilutchings; 1869-70, William Ryan; 1871, Gar- 
rett Van Riper; 1872, Frank Uoes; 1873, P. P. Grain ; 1874, Al- 
bert Sanford; 1875, Frank Hoes; 1876, James P. Townsond ; 
1877, Frank Uoes; 1878, Fred. D. Woodworth; 18 79, Albert 
Sanford. 

TREASURERS. 

1839, Peter Cranson; 1840, Moseley A. Baldwin ; 1841, Henry Fmy;? 
1842-4.3, Lyman Elderkin ; 1844, M. A. Baldwin; 1845-40, David 
W. Pcrrine; 1847-54, Leonard Gilman; 1855, Uenry Gibbs; 1856, 
W. S. Wilkoson; 1857, Elisha Smith; 1858, Peter I. Elting ; 
1859, James Baker; 1860, Theodore Wisnor; 1861, William Ilutch- 
ings; 1862-63, John W. Jordan; 18B4, Garrett Van Ripor; 1865, 
Gabriel Trefry ; 1866-67, Garrett Van Riper; 1868-70, Abner S. 
Noble; 1871-72, Philip P. Grain ; 1873-75, George U.Waggoner; 
1876, James Stringham ; 1877-78, Lutbor L. Stone; 1879, George 
H. Waggoner. 

• The record seems to bo imperfect here. 

•f Resigned, and Merrick Nichols appointed. 

% Removed from township, and B. E. .Sawtell appointed. 

^ Wm. H. Fray elected at special meeting. May 1, 1841. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1839, Amos E. Steele; 1840, Josephus Tuttle; 1841, Warren B. Buck- 
land; 1842, G. V. N. Hetfield, Hasen Rolfc; 1843, Cyrus Hamp- 
ton, G. V. N. Hetfield, Haicn Rolfc; 1814, Josephus Tuttle, Peter 
Earl; 1845, Warren B. Buckland; 1846, Franklin Elmer; 1847, 
Gabriel V. N. Hetfield; 1848, Perez Howland; 1849, Nathan J. 
Stark; 1850, Warren B. Buckland; 1851, Richard Ferris, Joseph 
Sibley ; 1852, John Matteson ; 1853, Nathan J. Stark ; 1854, Mer- 
rick H. Nichols; 1855, Ruel Perrinc; 1856, M. Camphell ; 1857, 
Isaac Tyler; 1858, Ephraim Potter, Hilon Osborn ; 1859, Rucl 
Pcrrine, Isaac Tyler, W. II. Town ; 1860, Perez. Howland, Horace 
Ilayncs,;; Warren B. Buckland; 1861, Horace M. Buck, Benjamin 
Rossman, Marshall Campbell; 1862, W. B. Buckland, I) C. Grif- 
fith, E. G. Hayncs; 1863, William Ryan; 1864, John Sherman ; 
1805, De Witt C. Griffith; 1866, Gideon Ilutchings, W. B. Buck- 
land; 1867, Aid Garfield, James Baker; 1868, John Brown, Rufus 
Swart, U.S. Willis; 1869, Rufus Swart, E. A. Parker; 1870, Jamea 
Potter; 1871, Uenry S.Willis; 1872, Brutus Hill; 1873,«[ Edwin 
Miller, Thaddeus Slaght, Frank Morris; 1874, B. F. Morris; 
1S75, H. S. Willis, AVm. Longycar, Wm. Ryan, Horace Buck; 
1876, Levi F. Slaght; 1877, Thomas M. Cranson; 1878, Wm. D. 
Longycar; 1879, Richard S. Colby. 

1S80, Supervisor, Poineroy Van Ripor; Township Clerk, Albert San- 
ford ; Treasurer, George H. Waggoner ; Justice of the Peace, Levi 
F. Slaght; Superintendent of Schools, T. Murray Cranson ; School 
luspeitor, David W. Lane; Commissioner of Highways, Wallace 
Rossman ; Drain Commissioner, John W.Jones; Constables, Ward 
Leshier, L. B. Uatt, Edward Morrison, Sctb Jones. 

SCHOOLS. 

Aug. 12, 1837, the township of Onondaga, then a part 
of Aurelius, was divided into two school districts, that por- 
tion ea.st of Grand River being organized as No. 3, and that 
portion west of the river as No. 4, of Aurelius. A log 
scliool-house was built on the brook, near Jeduthan Frye's 
former residence, on section 29, probably in 1837, and a 
short summer term was taught by a lady whose name is 
now forgotten. 

The report of the township school inspectors, for the year 
ending Sept. 1, 1879, contains the following items : 

Number of districts in township (whole, 6, frac- 
tional, 2) 8 

Number of children iri township of school age 382 

Number of children in attendance for year 297 

Number of school-houses, all frame 8 

Number of seatings in same 475 

Value of school property $3600 

Number of teachers employed (males, 4, females, 

12) 16 

Wages paid came (males, $593; females, $850.50) $1449.50 

Total expenditures for year 21CU.72 

KELIGIOUS. 

A BaplisI Church was organized early in the north part 
of town, and for many years held its meetings at Aurelius 
Centre, in connection with a church of the same denomina- 
tion at that place, the same pastors preaching for both. 
Meetings have also been continued for several years at Kin- 
neyville by the Baptists, and in 1879 a frame church was 
built at that place. Kev. W. W. Smith, formerly of Au- 
relius, is the pastor, and holds services also in the Congre- 
gational church at Onondaga. A good Sunday-school is 
maintained, and the church has a respectable membership. 

A Methodist Episcopal Church was built at Kinney- 



II Mr. Haynea resigned in 1862, and Franklin Colo was elected to 
fill vacancy. 

\ At a special election in 187.3, F. Hain and Rufus Swart were 
elected. 



294 



HISTORY OF INGHAiM COU:<TY, MICHIGAN. 



ville about 1869. This church has also a good member- 
ship, and is presided over by Rev. S. Nelson, who preaches 
also to a small class at Onondaga, at which place the Meth- 
odists have, as yet, erected no church building. The 
church at Kinneyville has a flourishing Sunday-school. 

Congregational Church, Onondaga. — -A Methodist class 
was formed at this village quite early and sustained for a 
time, but was finally dissolved, and no regular Christian 
organization existed in the place afterwards until, on the 
13th of May, 18GG, a Sunday-school was organized through 
the exertions of Miss S. Cochrane and others. This had 
at one time an attendance of over seventy. Rev. J. R. 
Stevenson, of Eaton Rapids, preached occasionally a 
Onondaga, and on the 15th of October, 1866, the "First 
Congregational Church of Onondaga" was formed, with 
fourteen members. Mr. Stevenson was its pastor from 

Nov. 1, 1866, to Nov. 1, 1867, and Rev. Shaw, from 

Feb. 1 to May 1, 1868. This organization became extinct, 
but on the 14th of October, 1877, another was perfected 
by Rev. W. B. Williams, of Charlotte, who had aided also 
in forming the previous one. The present frame church 
was dedicated on the 16th of the same month. Rev. J. R. 
Stevenson became the pastor in February, 1878, and re- 
mained two years. The present supply is Rev. W. W. 
Smith, of Winfield. The membership in September, 1880, 
was fourteen, and the Sunday-.school has an average attend- 
ance of fifty-five to sixty, witli Albert Sanford as superin- 
tendent. 

VILLAGE OF ONONDAGA. 

The original plat of the village of Onondaga was laid out 
by John Sherman and others, on a part of the northeast 
fractional quarter of section 29, July 13, 1870. Several 
buildings had been previously erected, but the place dates 
its permanent growth from that time. Grove Baldwin 
laid out an addition on the northeast part of the southeast 
quarter of section 29, July 10, 1874, and other additions 
have been made which are not recorded. 

A post-office was established at the place about 1844, 
with Perez Rowland as postmaster, and the position was 
held by him a number of years. His successor was prob- 
ably Horace Colby, and those since have been John Sher- 
man and the present incumbent, T. N. Stringham. 

The first store of any consequence in the place was es- 
tablished in 1867 by John Sherman, who then opened a 
general stock of goods. 

The first part of the present " Onondaga Hotel" was 
built about 1847-48, by Perez Howland, for a grocery, and 
the post-office was also kept in it. Cyrus Baldwin subse- 
quently purchased and converted it into a hotel. In 
March, 1856, Henry S. Willis came to the place from the 
State of New York, and in January, 1857, he purchased 
the hotel, built a large addition to it, and kept it four years. 
He is now in the grain and produce business at the village, 
and the present proprietor of the hotel is E. Flannigan. 

The Sherman House was built by John Sherman, about 
1856, and has since been owned, though not always kept, by 
him. 

OKDEKS. 

Onondaga Lodge, No. 197, F. and A. M., was first or- 
ganized as Winfield Lodge (same number), and was located 



at Winfield or "Kinneyville." It was organized April 
28, 1866, and worked under dispensation until Jan. 10, 
1867, when a charter was granted, with Gideon H. Hutch- 
ings, W. M. ; Garret Van Riper, S. W. ; and John W. 
Jones, J. W. The members had previously been con- 
nected with the lodge at Eaton Rapids, except one or two 
who came from New York The lodge held its first meet- 
ing at Onondaga, Jan. 19, 1867. The name was changed, 
Jan. 27, 1877, by consent of the Grand Lodge. The 
membership, Sept. 15, 1880, was thirty-seven, and the offi- 
cers were Hiram Godfrey, Worshipful Master ; Rinaldo 
Fuller, Senior Warden ; Daniel P. Wilcox, Junior War- 
den ; Treas., H. B. Elliott ; Sec, Henry S. Willis ; Senior 
Deacon, William Conkliu ; Junior Deacon, A. D. Loomis ; 
Tiler, Charles Dwight. 

Onondaga Lodge, No. 152, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted 
Feb. 21, 1871, with Henry S. Willis as Noble Grand. It 
has a present membership of thirty-five, and its lodge- 
rooms are in the same building with those of the Masons. 
The officers are C. Streeter, Noble Grand ; John Towers, 
Vice-Grand ; P. Van Riper, Treas. ; H. S. Willis, Rec. 
Sec. ; James Ewing, Per. Sec. 

"KINNEYVILLE" 

is a small village on Grand River, two miles below Onon- 
daga, so called from its original proprietor, Stephen Van 
Kinney, who came here from Nova Scotia, purchased a large 
quantity of land, and on the 9th of June, 1819, laid out 
the village on section 17, giving it the name of Nova Sco- 
tia, by which it is recorded. As "Kinneyville," however, 
it is best known, and by that name it is called among those 
acquainted with the place. 

Mr. Van Kinney built a grist-mill and a saw-mill before 
laying out his village, and the former is yet standing. Jo- 
seph S. Peirson was the millwright. The grist mill stands 
on the west side of the river, near the end of the dam, and 
the old saw-mill was on the opposite side. Mr. Van Kin- 
ney finally removed to Jackson, where ho died about 
1875-76. 

Soon after the mill was built, Joseph S. Peirson erected 
a large building, which was used as a dwelling and hotel, 
and is yet standing, but now deserted, and Jlr. Peirson is 
deceased. 

Henry Losey opened a small grocery and liquor-store at 
the place quite early, but the first general store was not es- 
tablished until about 1853, when Griffith & Sprague offered 
for sale a stock of dry goods and general merchandise. 

The grist-mill is now owned by Samuel Stetler, and a 
saw-mill, axe-handle- and shingle- factory, immediately be- 
low, is the property of George Taylor. A side-track was 
built on the railroad, a mile from the village, and consider- 
able quantities of flour are shipped by Mr Stetler. 

A cheese-factory was built about 1870 by a .stock com- 
pany, Hosea Kenyon (now deceased), the cheese-maker, 
being also a stockholder. The stock after a time became 
the property of one or two members of the company, and 
finally pas.sed into the hands of one man. Rinaldo Fuller, 
formerly a druggist at Onondaga village, owned the factory 
for some time, and at length sold it to Lee S. Cobb, the 
present proprietor. 



ONONDAGA. 



295 



The village contained in September, 1880, two stores, 
two churches, a new school-house (built in 1879), a cheese- 
factory, two blacksmith-shops, a wagon-shop, a shoe-shop, a 
gristmill, a cooper-shop, and a handle- and shingle-factory. 
It was doubtless intended by Mr. Van Kinney, when he 
laid the place out, that it should become at no distant day 
a place of much importance, and it,s location, as far as 
natural advantages are concerned, is good ; but when the 
Grand River Valley Hallway was built " Kinneyville" was 
left at one side, and Onondaga received a forward push, of 
which it took advantage. 

The post-ofScc at Kinneyville is called " Winfiold," and 
was established about 18(50-61, with William Earll as 
postmaster. He built the store in whieli the office is now 
kept. James E. Howland was appointed postmaster, April 
25, I8G1, and possibly a man named Parker was his suc- 
cessor. Jonathan D. Lane was appointed Sept. 20, 1870, 
and was succeeded by Rufus Swart, whose appointment was 
dated Feb. 10, 187:5. The latter died in office, and his 
son, Albert E. Swart, the present incumbent, was ap- 
pointed to the position Feb. 27, 1880. 



IHOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

JOHN HARWOOD. 

John Ilarwood was born June 23, 1S30, in Hucking- 
hainsliiro, England. He was the son of Thomas Ilarwood, 
who reared a lamily of twelve children, — nine sons and 
three daughters. John Harwood followed the avocation of a 
baker, and was an active, energetic business man. In May, 
1831, he emigrated with his family to the United States, 
and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y., where he purchased a 
small farm. Here he resided until bis emigration to Mich- 
igan. In 183G he came to Ingham County and located 
one hundred and sixty acres of land in the town of Onon- 
daga, where his sou John now resides. He returned East, 
and in the following August started from Oneida County 
with his family and household effects loaded in a wagon 
drawn by a yoke of oxen and horse. The journey was a 
tedious one, and occupied nearly two months. He built a 
rude log house near the present residence of John Ilar- 
wood. The township was at this time a wilderness ; Jack- 
son had hardly reached the distinction of a hamlet, and the 
nearest mill was at Ann Arbor, a distance of eighty-six 
miles. The family upon their arrival in their new home 
were in a very impecunious condition, and the elder Har- 
wood was obliged toNjbtain employment in various ways to 



support his family. However, he succeeded in making a 
small clearing during the winter and spring, and sowed some 
grain. He also met a serious misfortune in the loss of his 
only cow and oxen. The following year (1839) Jlrs. Har- 
wood died from exposure and consef|uent exhaustion in fight- 
ing fire. In 1841 he married Mrs. Margaret Van Horn, 




JOII.V ll.MlWOOD. 

of Jackson County, whither he removed shortly after his 
marriage, and where he died in 1851. John was a lad of 
seven years when the family removed to Michigan. He 
remained with his father until his decease, when by the 
provisions of the will he succeeded to his estate, upon which 
he has since resided. He married Miss Emma, daughter 
of Joseph and Fanny Stearns Walworth, of Eaton Rapids, 
who were early .settlers in the town of Brookfield. She 
was born in Adrian, Lenawee Co., in 1839. Her grand- 
father was an early settler in the city of Toledo, and it is 
stated that he built the first house within the present limits 
of the city. In 1853, Mr. Ilarwood went to California. 
He suffered many hardships, and during his stay there was 
engaged in mining. After a residence of four years he 
returned to the old home, where he has since resided. Mr. 
Ilarwood has identified himself prominently with Onon- 
daga not only as an early settler, but as a prominent, progres- 
sive farmer. He has greatly improved and enlarged the 
old homestead, and is considered one of the successful agri- 
culturists of the township. 



S T O C K B R I D G E. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
The township of Stockbridge has a just claim to dis- 
tinction in the fact that it is the pioneer township in point 
of settlement in the county of Ingham. No white settler 
had yet appeared within its boundaries when the earliest 
emigrant traversed the oak-openings, then covered with 
snow, with his os-team, drawing upon the sled the frame of 
his primitive abode. Settlers slowly followed in his wake 
until 1836, when a very decided accession was made to the 
population, the lands on the eastern side proving especially 
attractive to land-lookers. The exterior lines of the town- 
ship were surveyed by Joseph Wampler in 1824, and the 
subdivision lines by the same individual in 1826. It 
was designated as township No. 1 north, of range 2 
east. Some years later one of the early pioneers, desiring 
to commemorate the place of his nativity in New England, 
suggested the name of Stockbridge, which was adopted by 
the State Legislature. The township, which lies in the 
extreme southeast part of the county, is bounded on the 
north by White Oak township, south by Jackson County, 
east by the county of Livingston, and west^by Bunker Hill 
township. 

Stockbridge is watered by several lakes of greater or less 
dimensions, and two considerable streams, Turtle Creek and 
Portage Creek. The former rises in Lowe Lake, and flow- 
ing south and southeast pours its waters into the Huron 
River. The latter has its source in a small lake on section 
17 not dignified by a name, meandering to the southeast 
and then to the southwest, and flowing into the Portage 
River. Lowe Lake, on sections 2 and 11, is the most con- 
siderable sheet of water, and affords excellent sport to 
fishermen ; while Rice Lake on section 14, Bear's Lake on 
section 34, Jacob's Lake on section 31, and Mud Lake on 
section 16, are picturescjue bodies of water. 

The surface of Stockbridge may be described as undu- 
lating. Many gentle elevations afl'ord variety to the land- 
scape, though level fields, presenting no obstacles to the 
husbandman, are prevalent. 

The soil shows considerable variety, including clay, sand, 
and gravel, the union of which gives the township high 
rank as a grain-producing territory. The yield of wheat, 
corn, and oats is quite equal to the average throughout the 
county, and the quality of the products is superior. Fruit 
of all kinds exhibits a most luxuriant growth. On every 
side apple-orchards, bearing a most prolific yield of the 
choicest grafted fruit, are found. By their side are seen 
peach-trees bending beneath their burden, and the pear and 
cherry also find here a congenial soil. 

The prevailing woods are hickory, ash, basswood, elm, 
and the healthy growth of oak peculiar to oak-openings. 



« By E. 0. Wiignor. 



296 



In the centre, west, and south, and in a limited portion of 
the east part of the township, marshy land prevails. This 
produces the accustomed growth of tamarack. 

LAND ENTRIES. 
The lands of Stockbridge were originally entered from 
the government by the following individuals : 

SecHun 1.— Cyrus Jackson, June 24, 183.'! ; Samuel Townsend, April 

22, 1835; Samuel Proctor, April 30, 1835. 
Section 2.— R. R. Lowe, Nov. 5, 18.34; Heman Lowe, Jan. 25, 1835; 

David Butcher, June 13, 1835; C. M. Dubois, June 25, 1835; 

Almon Gregory, March 10, 1836. 
SWUoii 3.— R. R. Lowe, Nov. 5, 1834; Heman Lowe, Jan. 21, 1835; 

Hiram Stocking, July 4, 1835; Peter Lowe, March 25, 1836. 
Hcrliun 4. — George and Horace Wheaton, May 17, 1836 ; Warren 

Dunning, Robert S. Willson, J. R. Walan, Nov. 14, 1836; John 

D. Reeves, Nov. 8, 1837. 
Section 5. — William Little, May 17,1836; Simeon Cummins, Sept. 

25, 1836; William P. Garrett, Nov. 17, 1836; Nelson Burhans, 

Jan. 14, 1837; Howell Reeves, March 8, 1837. 
Section 6.— William Little, May 17, 1836; Hugh Ballentine, June 4, 

1836; Levi Adams, June 7, 1836; Joseph A. Holmes, June 28, 

1836 ; John Douglas, July 2S, 1836 ; Charles B. Thompson, Sept. 

21, 1836; Jesse Lowe, Nov. 25, 183G; AVilliam H. Baker, July 
5, 1837. 

Section 7.— C. H. Bryan, June 6, 1836; Myron Gould, June 28,1836; 
Ira Bellows, June 28, 1836; Joseph A. Holmes, June 28, 1836; 
Howell Reeves, March 8, 1837. 

Section 8.— Myron Gould, June 28, 1S3G ; Ira Bcllews, Juno 28, 1836 ; 
L. Higby, July 14, 1836; John Haydock, Aug. 3, 1836. 

,S'ef(ui« 9.— George Wheaton and Horace Wheaton, Nov. 26, 1835; 
Ephraim Wheaton, March 25, 1836; Abraham A. Post, April 20, 
1836; John Haydock, Aug. 3, 1836. 

Section 10.— Ira A. Blossom and E. D. Efner, July 2, 1835; Hiram 
Stocking, July 4, 1835; Chauncey Teachout, Dec. 9, 1835; John 
n. Bacon, June 25, 1836; John McCollum, Aug. 2, 1S36; Electa 
Baldwin, Oct. 23, 1848. 

Section 11.— John Thurston, Dec. 14, 1833; I. A. Blossom and E. D. 
Efner, July 2, 1835; Hiram Stocking, July 4, 1835; Sarah Dun- 
ham, Jan. 9, 1836; Almon Gregory, March 10, 1836; Royal 
Stephens, April 22, 1836. 

Section 12.— John Searls, May 30, 1835; I. A. Blossom and E. D. 
Efner, Aug. 27, 1835; H. S. Sporry, April 22, 1836 ; Hiram Mace, 
April 26,1836; Warren Dunning, Aug. 4 and Nov. 14,1836; 
John Pclten, Dec. 16, 1836. 

Section 13. — Cyrus Jackson, June 13, 1834; Allen Smith, April I, 
1836; James Houghtaling, April 9, 1836; Minor Townsend, April 

22, 1836; Judson Dakin, Feb. 14, 1837. 

Section 14.— Alden Smith, April 1, 1836 ; James Keyes, April 6, 1836 ; 

0. F. Rice, April 9, 1836; Ira Wood, May 16, 1836; Joseph 

Weeks, June 3,1836; S. V. R. Bogert, Aug. 4,1836; Samuel 

Philips, Aug. 5, 1836; E. R. Daggett, Nov. 4, 1836; Ann Reason, 

July 14, 1838. 
Section 15.— Royal Stephens, April 22, 1836; FeMx Williams, May 7, 

1836; Anson Standish, May 9, 1836; German Weeks, June 3, 

1836; Henry S. Lewis, Nov. 4, 1836; A. La Rue, Aug. 20, 1839. 
Section 16.— G. M. Lyon, S. Carter, C. Matthewson, H. Lyon, Jr., 

M. M. Rose, E. Green, Fr.anklin LaRue. 
Section 17.— C. H. Bryan, June 6, 1836; Horatio N. Forbes, July 1, 

1836 ; George Reason, Nov. 5, 1836; Daniel Macomber, June 24, 

1842. 
Section 18.— C. H. Bryan, June 6, 1836; Timothy Brown, July 14, 

1836; Charles F. Day, Jan. 2, 1837. 



STOCKBRIDGE. 



297 



Section 19.— Thomna IlalTcy, Nov. 22, 18.16; Rufus Grossman, Doc. 

16, 1336; J. K. I!ow.li..ih, Feb. 24, 1837; John Farmer, Feb. 28, 

is:'.-; Kcuben Kobe, March 21, IS.!7. 
Section 20.— U. H. Vannesl, June IS, 1830; G. W. Franklin, Juno 

18, 1836; Obadiah Force. Sept. 20, 1836; Caleb Hull, Nov. U, 

1836; Thomas UaflTey, Nov. 17, I8.16, anil Nov. 23, 1836; Xuthnn 

Van Pelt, Dec. 27, 1 336 ; James Dancer, July 6, 1 836. 
Stction 21. — Alonio liakor, May a, 1836; Cornelius Gilloipic, May U, 

1836; James Leek, May 30, 1836; Nathan Van I'cit, Dec. 2(», 

1830; A. S. Williamj, March 25, 1839. 
Section 22.-11. Throckmorton. Oct. 30, 1S35; Isaac Philips, Sept. 9, 

1836; Justus Matthewson, Alay 9, 1836; Lawrence Petrie, .Juno 

2:{, 1836; William Finley, July 7, 1836; Robert Giles. Nov. I, 

1836; Reuben Robie, March 21, 1837; John Chester, Nov. 2J, 

1837. 
Section 23.— Charles Thayer, April 11, 1836; Henry Throckmorlon, 

Oct. 10, 1836; Robert Giles, Nov. 1, 1836; Henry Mullcr, Dec. 

2, 18.36; Jacob Stcffy, July 21, 1837; Webster and Prior, May 21, 

1836; George Miison. Oct. 19, 1838; Elijah Stanton, Nov. 6, 

1838; J. H. Youngs, July 27, 1841. 
Section 21.— Thomas Smith, June 16, 1834; Charles Thayer, April 

11, 1.S35; An.«on Xorris, March 3, 18.16; A. A. Post, April 20, 

1836; B. McMelling, March 8, IS36. 
&c/i<„i 25.— M. W. Tesdell, Feb. 1, 1834; D. D. Bird, July 4, 1834 ; 

Lester Sammis, July 26, 1834; Furman Bird, June 30, 1835, and 

Nov. 12, 1835 ; William Vaughan, Nov. 16, 1836 ; Sewall Austin, 

June 16, 1836; H. J. Phelps, July 5, 1836: B. B. Kercheval, 

Dec. 17, 1836. 
Section 26.— Ira W. Bird, Feb. 15, 1834; Lester Sammis, July 6, 1834 ; 

J. E. Field, Sept. 2, 1835 ; M. A. Field, Nov. 24, 1835 ; O.F.Rice, 

April 9, 1836; Samuel Denton, April 21, 1836; Elijah Smith, 

May 7, 1836; Phineas Prouty, July 14, 1836; Jeremiah Atkins, 

Aug. 4, 1836. 
Section 27.-0. F. Rice, April 9, 1836; Ira Wood, May 7, 1836; C. 

H. Bryan, June 6, 1836; Jeremiah Atkins, June 18, 1836; Law- 
rence Petrie, Jr., June 28, 1S36. 
Section 28.— John McLaren, Dec. 4, 1835; D. Mclntire, April 21, 

1836; Ira Wood, May 10, 1836; Jared Todd, May 31, 1S30; B. 

B. Kercheval, Dec. 17, 1S30. 
,Sec(i-ii 29. — lohn G. Soverhill, June 10,1836; 0. Force. Sept. 20, 

1836; William Dougherty, Nov. 25, 1836; Francis Dougherty, 

Sept. 24, 1838, and Dec. IS, 1838. 
Section 30.— William Smith, June 25, 1836; Simeon Cummings, Sept. 

23, 1836; J. R. Bowdish, Fob. 24, 1837; Hannah Little, Feb. 28, 

1837; John Tanner, Sept. 25, 1838. 
Section 31 James Davis, June IS, 1836; W. H. Cook, June 27, 1836; 

John A. Bacon, July 12, 1830; Daniel Green, Aug. 2, 1836; 

Orange Backus, Oct.3l, 1837; Francis Dougherty, Jan. 22, 1839; 

Rogers Matthews, Feb. 4, 1839. 
Section 32.— John Davis, Feb. 11, 18.36; Simecm Cummings, Sept. 23, 

18.36; J. M.Wood, Feb. 2, 1837; H. B. Webster, Feb. 3, 1837; 

Uriah Coulson, Sept. 18, 1838; Francis Dougherty, Nov. 20, 

1838; Uriah Coulson, July 20, 1839; M. E. Lathrop, Jan. 2, 

1844 ; George Judson, Oct. 9, 184S. 
Section 33.— Elias Smith, Jr., Donald Mclntire, July 8, 1836; John 

Sayre, Dec. 14, 18.36; R. J. Polhemus, Dec. 29, 1836. 
Section 34.— John Sayre, Dec. 14, 1836; A. W. Coddington, Dee. 29, 

1836; H. M. Branch, July 2, 1S50. 
Section 3o.—0. J. Rice, April 9, 1836; Jeremiah Atkins, Aug. 4, 

1836; John Dunn, Aug. 5, 1836; R. J. Polhemus, Dec. 28, 18 36; 

Justus Norris, Jan. 27, 1837 ; Hopkins and Bird, Oct. 4, 1844. 
Section 36.— John Davis, Feb. 2U, 1834; Thomas G. Sill, June 17, 

1834; Stuteley Jipson, Feb. 23, 1831, and .May 4, 1835; William 

Vaughn, March 16,1836; Almira Sill, June 24,1836; B. B. 

Kercheval, Dec. 17, 1836; .Mary Ann Rogers, June 1, 1837. 

The following list embraces the names of resident tax- 
payers in the township of Stockbridge for the year 1844 : 

Joseph Hunt, Saml. C. Proctor, Asa Proctor, Daniel Jackson, Robt. 
Chapel, James Reeves, Hcman Lowe, Hiram Stocking, Oren 
Gregory, Bcnj. Bullock, Wui. Pressley, S. S. Buck, Richd. R. 
Lowe, Peter Lowe, S. H. Stocking, Jerome Whcaton, Henry 
Smalley, H. M. Whcaton, James Bending, A. D. F'elton, Reuben 
Smith, Wm. Douglas, Benj. Green, Elliot Richmond, Mason 

38 



Branch, M. D. ; L. F. liranoli. Earl Web<lcr, (Iforge W. Gibbs, 
Chaunccy Prior, George Munn, Jacob SlclTy, Dual. Smith, Wm. 
Farmer, H. U. Forbes, Wm. Vaughn, John an I Lewis Rice, 
James StclTy, Ruth Pcirie, Olney F. Rice, Ira Wood. E. E. Bcebe, 
Abrahiim Towner, Henry Bellinger. Daniel Jacobs, Wo.illhy Dow- 
ner, John R. Bowdish, Peter Force, Obadiali Force, J. S. Huid, 
Wm. Smilh, John Reason, Orvin Whcaton, Wm. Co Idington, H. 
S. Stevens, Silas Bcebe, Chaunccy Tcachoul, Royal .Stephens, 
Minor Townscnd, John IVIlnn, John Howell, John Soule, Allen 
Whilticr, James Hougbtaling. Silas Bcebe, Jr., D. II. Beers, A. 
11. Standish, Alden Smilh, H. S. Lewis, Jas. C. Pierce, D^inl. 
Macombcr, lieorgc Beaton, Win. A. Havens, Tiuiolhy Pjixon, Asa 
Thompson, Cornelius Gillespie, .lustus Malthcwson, Chas. Mat- 
Ihewson, Aaron B. Malthcwson, Manuel Sicffy, J. P. Smith, 
George Judson, Uriah Coulson, Geo. Reason, Jr., Thomas Gar- 
rity, Oliver LaDue, P. P. Fox, David Rogers, Eliot Richmond, 
H. K. Force, D.ivid Dewey, Hirain Houghtaling, llusscl Hewitt, 
Thos. Macombcr, Wm. Marshall, Thomas Gillman. 

VILLAGE OF STOCKBRIDGE. 
Gil.-'on Morgan, Orton Williams, J. V. Jenkins, Lawrence Petrie, 
John W. Turner, Jerome C. Branch. John Newkirk, Ira Wood, 
E. E. Bcebe, Silas Bcebe, Jr.. Eliot Richmoni. 

EARLY SETTLEMKNT.S. 

As late as 1834 the forests of Infrham County wore 
peopled only by wandering bands of the Pultawattoinic 
and Ottawa Indians. In the spring of that year their do- 
main was first invaded by the white man. John Davis, 
the preceding February, had purchased the cast half of the 
southeast quarter and the southeast quarter of the north- 
east quarter of section 36, in the township of Stockbridge, 
which was soon after settled by his son-in-law, David Rogers, 
the earliest pioneer in the township as well as in the county. * 
Mr. Rogers had located the previous year in Lima, Wa.-ih- 
tonaw Co., and while there was assisted by John Davis and 
James Mitchell in the erection of a frame house, from 
which point it was drawn on sleds to his land in Stock- 
bridge, where it was finished and made habitable the follow- 
ing April. 

Mr. Rogers devoted himself at once to chopping and the 
work of underbrushing, and .soon after had a considerable 
tract cleared and .sown with wheat. His hou.se was the 
resort of emigrants and land-lookers for successive months, 
and was frequently filled beyond its capacity. His death 
occurred March \i2, 1875, at the age of .seventy-seven 
years. Mrs. Rogers survives, and is a resident of the 
village of Stockbridge. 

In June of the same year Thomas G. Sill located on sec- 
tion 36, where he entered land. A son, born to him at the 
close of the year, was the first white child born in the 
towiKship. The population was not further increased until 
1835, when Ilenian Lowe and his family came from Sulli- 
van Co., N. Y., and entered 640 acres of land on sections 
2 and 3, which had been previou.sly selected by his son, 
Richard 11. Lowe. Mr. Lowe and his three sons, Richanl 
R., Jesse, and Peter, all located on section 3, upon which 
they erected a comfortable log house for the senior member 
of the family. The others, in turn, built comfortable 
abodes. Jesse, however, began the erection of a more 
spacious dwelling, and while engaged in its completion, 
in 1837, was drowned in Lowe Lake. Mr. Lowe, with the 



• There is some dilTerence of opinion regarding the first settlement 
of this township, some fixing tbo date in 1833. — En. 



298 



HISTORY OP INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



assistance of liis son Peter, cleared the first year thirty 
acres which was sown with wheat. The crop was carried 
to Dexter and Pinckney for sale or millinj; purposes. 

Unadilla, in Livingston County, at this period boasted 
the only saw-mill in the immediate neighborhood. Indians 
were then numerous and much inclined to sociability with 
the whites. They were civil and peaceable, except when 
fired by liquor, when they became boisterous and often 
troublesome. 

Mr. Heman Lowe died at his home in Stoekbridge, Oct. 
26, 1860. Richard R. still resides on section 3, and Peter 
is prominently identified with the business interests of Mason. 

Conrad JI. Dubois entered, June 13, 1835, ninety acres 
on section 2,* and remained with Mr. Lowe while preparing 
a suitable habitation upon the Jand, to which he afterwards 
removed. 

Abram Towner came from Steuben Co , N. Y., to the 
township in 1836, and located upon eighty acres on section 
28, which he purchased of Ira Wood. On his arrival in 
the State he remained one year at Pinckney, and then re- 
moved to his purchase with teams. He was employed by 
Mr. Wood to assist in clearing, and thus paid for his land. 
He purchased of Mr. 0. F. Rice material with which to 
erect a dwelling, making shingles in exchange for the lumber. 
Cornelius Gillespie, a near neighbor, offered the family shelter 
while building. Mr. and Mrs. Towner are slill residents of 
Stoekbridge village. 

Olncy F. Rice was a former resident of Essex Co., N. Y., 
and in April, 183C, entered land on section 27. He im- 
proved this farm and did much to make it productive, but 
having been a man in advanced years on his arrival, did not 
long survive. Ira B. Wood removed from Ann Arbor and 
on the 7th of May, 1836, entered land on section 27, upon 
which he located. He engaged actively in farming pur- 
suits, and also took a commendable interest in civil affairs. 
He was chosen the first justice of the peace for Stoekbridge, 
and presided with dignity in his primitive court. His 
present residence is Chelsea. 

John Soules, also a native of Steuben Co., N. Y., entered 
in May, 1835, eighty acres on section 12, and subsequently 
added forty, upon which he settled in the following year. 
Oren Gregory was his nearest neighbor. Mr. Soules, after 
building a log house, cleared ten acres, which was sown 
with wheat. Dexter, at a distance of twenty miles, was the 
headquarters for milling purposes, and Unadilla was resorted 
to for lumber. Mr. Soules still survives and with his family 
resides upon the homestead. 

Oren Gregory, on his advent from the Empire State, first 
settled in Jackson County. In 1836 he became a pioneer to 
Stoekbridge and located laud on sections 11 and 12. After 
clearing a sufficient space he erected a shanty, having first 
availed himself of the hospitality of his near neighbor. Mr. 
Gregory was prominent in public life, and was chosen as the 
earliest supervisor of Stoekbridge. He later became an elder 
of the Protestant Methodist Church and engaged in preach- 
ing. His death occurred in Kalamazoo County in 1847. 
Mrs. Gregory resides in Dansville, and a son, Oscar Gregory, 
occupies a portion of the homestead, owning in all 240 acres. 



*" A fractional eighty meandered on Lowe Lalce, 



Earl B. Webster, one of the most prominent of the early 
pioneers, removed from Genesee County in 1836, and located 
upon section 26. He improved the land and made it his 
residence for a series of years, but finally left the township. 
At his house occurred the first marriage in Stoekbridge, 
that of Miss Flora Thompson to Mr. George W. Gibbs, 
David Rogers, an early justice of the peace, performing the 
ceremony. 

Justus Matthewson, a pioneer from Genesee Co., N. Y., 
entered, May 9, 1836, eighty acres on section 22, upon 
which he settled. This was wholly unimproved. Although 
about fourteen families had chosen homes in the township, 
the distance was so remote and travel so diflicult as to make 
frequent intercourse almost impo.ssible. 

Mr. Matthewson pursued the whole journey from his 
former home with horses and wagon, following a portion 
of the way the Indian trail. James Seek had already 
located on section 21 and erected a shanty. With him a 
comfortable shelter was obtained while making improve- 
ments on his own land. Deer and wolves were at this 
time the principal denizens of the forest, the former afford- 
ing an ample supply of fresh meat to the settlers. Mr. 
Matthewson died many years since. The homestead is oc- 
cupied by Fernando Bowdish, while Charles Matthewson, 
a son, resides upon eighty acres on section 16. 

Anson K. Standish came at the same time, and entered 
land on section 15, May 9, 1836. He has since died, and 
the widow and four sons remain residents of the township. 

George Reason, also an emigrant from the Empire State, 
removed from Medina in 1836, and entered in November 
of that year 120 acres on section 17. With him came 
his family, including four sons. James Seek had erected 
a small shanty and covered it with bark, to which they re- 
paired while a hut of more spacious proportions, and built 
of elm-bark, was constructed, which afforded them a home 
for a season. He at first hired five acres broken, for which 
he paid five gold sovereigns. The remainder of the land, 
with the assistance of his sons, was soon subdued and ren- 
dered productive. 

Mr. Reason, who was an Englishman by birth and a 
native of Cambridgeshire, remained a resident of the town- 
ship until his death, in 1872. His son, John Reason, has a 
highly-cultivated farm near the village of Stoekbridge, while 
Frederick, another son, resides on section 22. Religious 
services were at this early date held in the cabins of the 
settlers. Elder Sayres having been the leader of these meet- 
ings and the first preacher in the township. 

Lawrence Petrie, another pioneer of 1836, was orig- 
inally a resident of Madison Co., N. Y., from whence he 
emigrated to Stoekbridge, and settled upon 120 acres on 
section 27 which he entered. He traveled the whole dis- 
tance from his former home with horses, following the 
Indian trail from Dexter to his land. Cornelius Gillespie's 
log shanty received him while preparing a home for his 
fiimily. His death occurred in 1843, when his widow re- 
turned to her native State and survived until her ninety- 
eighth year. 

Jacob Steffy came to Washtenaw County in 1835, and 
later settled upon 150 acres on section 23, in Stoekbridge, 
a portion of which he entered in 1837. He erected a log 



STOCKBRIDGE. 



299 



house on a small clearing, and improved the remainder as 
occasion offered, havinp; much of the time sought employ- 
ment elsewhere to obtain daily supplies for his family. Ira 
Wood, 0. F. Rice, and Lawrence Petrie were his near neigh- 
bors. No roads had yet been opened in the neighborhood. 
Deer and wolves were abundant, and numbers of Indians 
were accustomed to encamp on the borders of Branch 
Lake near him. Mr. Stcffy died in 1858, and his grand- 
son, William C. Nichols, now has possession of the place 
together with additional lands occupied formerly by Mason 
Branch, who arrived in 1840, and became prominently 
identified with the interests of the township. 

Royal Stevens, a Vermonter by birth, became first a res- 
/ ident of New York, and in April, 1 8oG, located in Stock- 
bridge upon land entered by him on section 11. He found 
a welcome to the primitive abode of Oren Gregory while 
building a log house, which was completed at the expira- 
tion of the third day. He began at once the work of 
clearing, at which good progress was made. At the time 
of his death, at the homestead in 1SG7, 300 acres of culti- 
vated land were embraced in his possessions. His son, W. 
M. Stevens, now resides upon the land. 
, S. C. Proctor, another Vermonter, entered, April 30, 
\ 1835, 100 acres on section 1, upon which he became a res- 
ident the following year. Mr. Proctor located a quarter 
section, but di.sposed of the remaining portion to parties in 
search of land. He devoted his time to hard labor in the 
immediate neighborhood on his arrival, finding a home at 
the house of Royal Stevens. Soon after a house was built 
on the land and occupied by his father. A pilgrimage to 
Dexter with ox-teams was necessary for milling purposes. 
Later a mill was built at Pinckney. Mr. Proctor recalls 
many hardships. He split thousands of rails at fifty cents 
f per hundred, and found it exceedingly difficult, a.s did many 
I other settlers, to obtain the necessaries of life. He drove to 
I Detroit to purchase a load of flour, the settlers uniting to 
;^ pay the cost at the rate of twenty dollars per barrel. With 
the advent of settlers and bountiful crops their condition 
improved. Mr. Proctor is still a resident on his original 
purchase. 

S. H. Stocking, formerly of New York State, settled in 
183G on section 3, where he had eighty acres, upon which 
he still resides on a highly-iiuproved farm. 

H. N. Forbes, formerly of Massachusetts, entered land 
in Slockbridge in 1836, and the following year chose a home 
of 160 acres on section 26. On this he built a log house, 
to which he removed and began labor upon the land, E. B. 
Webster and Daniel T. Comfort having been his near neigh- 
bors. At this early date there was no resident physician in 
Stockbridge, and Di-s. Morgan and Field, of Unadilla, min- 
istered to the ills of the little community.* Mr. Forbes 
remained twelve years a tiller of the soil, and then removed 
,^ to the village, where he is now engaged in mercantile pur- 
suit.s. 

William Smith, formerly of W;islitenaw County, re- 
moved to the township and settled on land entered by him 



'- In 1S39, Dr. TunniclilT became a practitiuner, and remained two 
years, having resided in the tamily of Silas Beebe. lie later removed 
to Jackson, bis present residence. 



in June, 1836. His brother, Ceiihas, followed him in 
1840, and purchased forty acnis on the same section, re- 
maining with William while improving it. John R. Bow- 
dish was his nearest neighbor in the township, though many 
settlers had located in Bunker Hill. Cephas Smith is now 
a resident of the village, where he is engaged in the manu- 
facture of furniture. 

Edy Baker, formerly of Steuben County, N. Y., settled 
on section 22, in 1845, and later purchased forty acres on 
section 27. In 185S he was elected sheriff, and soon after 
removed to Stockbridge village, where he now resides. 

William Craig emigrated from Scotland to Connecticut 
in 1832, to Unadilla, Mich., in 1836, and to Stockbridge 
in 1848, where he settled upon 120 acres, on section 26. 
A house of logs, built by John Bird, was still standing, 
and many of the trees had been girdled, but no furrows 
hud been turned by the plowshare, and much pioneer labor 
remained yet to be done. Mr. Craig began his t:isk with 
vigor, and soon transformed the wilderness into productive 
acres. He died in 1875, and the land is now occupied by 
his widow and son. Space does not permit a detailed re- 
cital of the experiences of all the pioneers who helped to 
make it the flourishing township it is. Among others who 
came early and did much to advance its interests were 
Joseph Hunt and Daniel Jackson, who located on section 
1 ; William Douglas and Reuben Smith, who purchased on 
section 6 : Benjamin Bullock, William Pressley, and S. S. 
Buck, who had lands on section 3 ; James Bending and 
A. D, Felton, who located on section 5 ; James Steffy, on 
section 26 ; John and Lewis Rice, on the same section ; 
Orvin Wheaton, William Coddiugton, and II. S. Stevens, 
on section 9 ; Asa Thompson, on section 21 ; Chauncey 
Teachout, on sections 10 and 14; James C. Pierce, on the 
same sections; Uriah Coulson, Oliver LaDue, George Jud- 
son, Thomas Macomber, Russell Hewitt, Thomas Gillinan, 
David Dewey, D. H. Beers, James Iloughtaling, Timothy 
Poxen, Allen Whittier, William A. Havens, Daniel Jacobs, 
Peter Force, and Chauncey Prior. 

ORGANIZATION AND CIVIL LIST. 

The township of Stockbridge was organized as an inde- 
pendent township March 26, 1836, and, as decreed by an 
act of the Slate Legislature, the first meeting of qualified 
electors was held at the house of D. T. Comfort, April 3, 
1837. At this meeting, Orin Gregory was appointed mod- 
erator, and Peter Lowe clerk. The ballots for township 
officers having been cast, the following officers were declared 
duly elected : Supervisor, Orin Gregory ; Township Clerk, 
Peter Lowe ; Justices of the Peace, Ira Wood, David Rogers, 
Royal Stevens, Heman Low; Collector, Eben B. Webster: 
Assessors, Heman Low, Ira Wood, A. D. Felton; Highway 
Commissioners, David Rogers, A. D. Felton, Orin Gregory; 
Commissioners of Common Schools, Alden Smith, I'jlijah 
Smith, Herman Stocking; School Inspectors, OIncy F. 
Rice, Ira Wood, Peter Lowe ; Constables, E. B. Webster, 
Minor Townsend ; Overseers of Poor, OIney F. Rice, E. 
Wheaton. 

The following list embraces the names of the supervisors, 
township clerks, treasurers, and justices of the peace for 
the succeeding years to the prescut date : 



300 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1838. — Supervisor, Orin Gregory ; Township Clerk, Peter Lowe; Jus- 
lice of the Place, Peter Force. 
1839.— Supervisor, J. R. Bowdish ; Township Clerk, Silns Beebe; 

Justice of the Pence, 0. J. llice. 
)S4U.— Supervisor, J. R. Bowdish ; Township Clerk, Silas Beebe, Jr. ; 
Treasurer, Ileman Low; Justices of the Peace, Mason 
Branch, Horatio N. Forbes. 
ISJl.— Supervisor, Peter Lowe; Township Clerk, Silas Beebe, Jr.; 
Treasurer, Asa Proctor; Justice of the Peace, Silas Bccbe, 
Jr. 
1812.— Supervisor, John K. Bowdish ; Township Clerk, Silas Beebe, 
Jr.; Treasurer, Royal Stevens; Justice of the Peace, 
David Rogers. 
18-13.— Supervisor, Joseph Hunt; Township Clerk, Silas Beebe, Jr. ; 
Treasurer, Eleazer Beebe; Justices of the Pe,ice, Ear] 
Webster, Henry Sinalley. 
18J4.— Supervisor, David Rogers; Township Clerk. Gilson Morgan. 
Treasurer, Ira Wood; Justice of the Peace, Mason Branch. 
IS45.— Supervisor, Henry Eillcnger; Township Clerk, Gilson Mor- 
gan; Treasurer, George W. Gilibs; Justice of the Peace, 
Henry Smalley. 
1S46.— Supervisor, Phineas P. Fox: Township Clerk, Gilson Mor- 
gan: Treasurer, George Vi. Gibbs; Justice of the Pe.ace, 
Horalio N. Forbes. 
1S47. — Supervisor, Joseph Hunt; Township Clerk, Silas Beebe; 
Treasurer, Allen Mitteer; Justice of the Peace, Franklin 
La Rue. 
ISIS. — Supervisor, Franklin La Rue; Township Clerk, Jerome C. 
Branch ; Treasurer, George W. Gibbs; Justices of the Peace, 
Mason Branch, Joseph Hunt. 
1S49.— Supervisor, John R. Bowdish; Township Clerk, Jerome 0. 
Branch ; Treasurer, George W. Gibbs; Justices of the Peace, 
Reuben Smith, Joshua Whitney. 
1850.— Supervisor, George W. Gibbs; Township Clerk, Marcus M. 
Atwood; Treasurer, Lucius E.Morgan; Justice of the Peace, 
11. X. Forbes. 
1851.— Supervisor, Franklin La Rue; Township Clerk, John C. 
Phillips; Treasurer, Lucius E. Morgan; Justices of the 
Peace, Joseph Hunt, M. D. L. Branch. 
1852.— Supervisor, Franklin La Rue; Township Clerk, Wm. M:u-tin; 
Treasurer, Allen Mitteer; Justices of the Peace, Mason 
Branch, Elias J. Smith. 
1853.- Supervisor, James Reeves; Township Clerk, Horatio N. 
Forbes; Treasurer, George W. Gibbs; Justice of the Peace, 
John Soules. 
1854.— Supervisor, James Reeves; Township Clerk, Eron B.Web- 
ster; Treasurer, Ira Wood; Justices of the Peace, William 
I. Johnson, David Rogers. 
1855.— Supervisor, M. D. L. Branch ; Township Clerk, Asa W. Howe; 
Treasurer, Gustavus A. Smith; Justice of the Peace, Orton 
Williams. 
1856. — Su]iervisor, James Reeves; Township Clerk, Josiah F. Selden ; 
Treasurer, Phineas P. Fo.v ; Justices of the Peace, Joseph 
B. Wallace, Samuel Halliday. 
1857.— Supervisor, Wm. Craig; Township Clerk, Gilbert E. Corbin; 
Treasurer, Asa Thompson; Justice of the Peace, Lauren- 
tius Cooper. 
1858.- Su|iervisor, Joshua Whitney; Township Clerk, Ira Wood; 
Treasurer, Royal Stevens; Justice of the Peace, James 
Reeves. 
1S59. — Supervisor, Duncan McKenzie; Town.ship Clerk, Ira Wood; 
Treasurer, Joseph D. Rogers; Justice of the Peace, Eiam 
Jlopkins. 
I860.— Supervisor, Edward L. Drake; Township Clerk, Gustavus A. 
Smith; Treasurer, Martin A. Bangs; Justices of the Peace, 
Andrew Richmond, Joseph B. AVallace. 
1S61.— Supervisor, David Rogers; Township Clerk, Ira Wood; Treas- 
urer, George W. Gibbs; Justices of the Peace, Joseph D. 
Rogers, Henry R. Wilcox. 
1862. — Supervisor, David Rogers; Township Clerk, Isaac N. Branch; 
Treasurer, George W. Gil»bs; Justices of the Peace, James 
Reeves, Melville J. Titus. 
1863. — Supervisor, Asa Thompson; Township Clerk, Joseph B. Wal- 
lace; Treasurer, Martin A. Bangs; Justice of the Peace, 
Benjamin Judson. 



1S64. — Supervisor, Asa Thompson; Township Clerk, Emmett L. 
Xiehols; Treasurer, Martin A. Bangs; Justice of the Peace, 

Joseph B. AVallace. 
1865. — Supervisor, Asa Thompson; Township Clerk, Benjamin S. 

Peet; Treasurer, Lucius Bowdish; Justices of the Peace, 

John J. Rogers, Sidney M. Isbell. 
1866.— Supervisor, M. D. L. Branch ; Township Clerk, Benjamin S. 

Peet; Treasurer, Daniel McKenzie; Justices of the Peace, 

Harvey K. Bowdish, Joseph D, Rogers. 
1867. — Supervisor, M. D. L. Branch ; ^Township Clerk, Benjamin S. 

Peet; Treasurer, George W. Gibbs; Justices of the Peace, 

William F. Bowdish, Benjamin Judson. 
ISOS.-Supervisor, William J.Nott; Township Clerk, Wesley Wight; 

Treasurer, George W. Gibbs; Justices of the Peace, John 

A Sly, Benjamin .S. Peet. 
1869.— Supervisor, William J. Nott ; Township Clerk, Hobart P. 

Sweet; Treasurer, Oscar S. Gregory; Justices of the Peace, 

James Reeves, Harvey H. Johnson. 
1870.— Supervisor, AVilliam J. Nott; Township Clerk, A. L. Forbes; 

Treasurer, 0. S. Gregory; Justice of the Peace, Benjamin 

Judson. 
1871.— Supervisor, William J. Nott: Township Clerk, A. L. Fotbes; 

Treasurer, 0. S. Gregory; Justice of the Peace, Horatio N. 

Forbes. 
1872. — Supervisor, Samuel P. Reynolds ; Township Clerk, Benjamin 

S. Peet; Treasurer, Joshua Whitney ; Justice of the Peace, 

AVilliam C. Nichols. 
1873. — Supervisor, S. P. Reynolds; Township Clerk, Benj.amin S. 

Peet; Treasurer, Joshua Whitney; Justice of the Peace, 

James Reeves. 
1874. — Supervisor, John Sperry ; Township Clerk, Benjamin S. Peet; 

Treasurer, (Jeorge AV. Gibbs; Justice of the Peace, Benja- 
min Judson. 
1875. — Supervisor, John Sperry ; Township Clerk, Charles AV. Van 

Slyke ; Treasurer, Albert L. Forbes; Justices of the Peace, 

Henry H. Johnson, Ira C. Willi.ams. 
1876. — Supervisor, Samuel P. Reynolds; Township Clerk, Benjamin 

S. Peet ; Treasurer, George W. Gibbs ; Justice of the Peace, 

William C. Nichols. 
1877. — Supervisor, Harvey H. Johnson; Township Clerk, Benjamin 

S. Peet; Treasurer, Peter Mclnlire; Justice of the Peace, 

William B. Craig. 
1878.— Sui)ervisor, Samuel P. Reynolds; Township Clerk, Benjamin 

S. Peet; Treasurer, Peter Mclnlire; Justices of the Peace, 

William B. Craig, Benjamin Judson. 
1879. — Supervisor, Samuel P. Reynolds; Township Clerk, Benjamin 

S. Peet; Treasurer, David F. Bird; Justice of the Peace, 

Andrew D. Gremes. 
1880.— Supervisor, Samuel P. Reynolds: Township Clerk, Peter Mc- 
lnlire; Treasurer, David F. Bird; Justice of the Peace, 

Benjamin F. Peel ; Highw.ay Commissioner, M. J. Titus; 

Superintendent of Schools, William B. Craig ; School In- 
spector. Oscar S. Gregory ; Drain Commissioner, John E. 

Mapes. 

EARLY HIGHWAY RECORDS. 

At a meeting of the board of highway comtnissioners, 
con.sisting of Messrs. 0. Gregory, A. D. Felton, and David 
Rogers, held May 15, 1838, the township wtts apportioned 
into the following road districts : 

District No. 1 embraced sections 1, 12, 13, and the east 
half of 14, 11, and 21. 

District A^o. 2 embraced sections 3, 4, 9, 10, the north 
half of sections 15 and IG, the northwest quarter of 14, and 
the west half of sections 2 and 11. 

District No. 3 embraced sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and the 
north half of sections 17 and 18. 

District No. 4 embraced sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31, 32, 
and the south half of sections 17 and 18. 

District No. 5 embraced sections 21, 22, 23, 2C, 27, 28, 



STOCKBRIDGE. 



301 



33, 34, 35, the southwest quarter of section 14, and the 
south half of sections 15 and IC. 

District No. 6 embraced sections 24, 25, 3C, and the 
south half of section 13. 

The following persons were appointed overseers of high- 
ways: John Soulcs, District No. 1 ; Iliram Stocking, Dis- 
trict No. 2; Abner D. Felton, District No. 3; Obadiah 
Force, District No. 4 ; Elijah Smith, District No. 5 ; Da- 
vid Rogers, District No. 0. 

The earliest highway of which any record is found is 
designated as 

Road No. 1. It was surveyed by Richard Peterson, Jr., 
and is described as beginning at the northeast corner of sec- 
tion 24, township 1 north, of range No. 2 east, and, follow- 
ing a northwesterly course, ended south, one degree ten 
minutes east, twenty-six chains from the northwest corner 
of section No. of the same township. The date of survey 
is not a matter of record. 

Rood No. 2 was surveyed June 15, 1887, by Richard 
Peterson, and is described as beginning south, two degrees 
twenty-eight minutes cast, twenty chains si.\teen links from 
the quarter-post of sections 2 and 3 in township 1 north, 
of range 2 east, and ending seven chains twenty-nine 
links from the quarter-post of sections 9 and 10 in thesan)e 
township. 

Other roads traversing various portions of Stockbridgo 
were laid out the same year by the commissioners. 

VILLAGE OF STOCKBRIDGE. 

The name of Elijah Smith is identified with the earliest 
efforts to build up a village in the township of Stockbridge. 
He emigrated from the Empire State as early as 1836, and 
in May of that year entered a tract of land on section 20, 
which was platted at a subsequent date, and christened the 
Village of Pekin. The land embraced in the plat, which 
was never recorded, was subsequently sold by him to Silas 
Beebe, who, in connection with Ira Wood (who, in May, 
1836, also entered land on .section 27), replatted the 
ground. 

This plat, which in the official record in the register's 
office at Mason is described as the " west half of the north- 
west quarter of section 26, together with twenty rods of 
the east side of the northeast quarter of section 27," is ac- 
knowledged by Silas Beebe, Jr., and Marcia, his wife, and 
Ira Wood and Jane, his wife, before Mason Branch, justice 
of the peace. 

Elijah Smith built a log house, and remained about two 
years, after which Mr. Beebe succeeded to the occupancy. 
The latter gentleman brought with him in a trunk from 
Detroit a stock of goods, which he displayed in the limited 
apartment used ius a sleeping-room, while the family enjoyed 
their peaceful slumbers in the loft above, fitted for the 
purpose. Elijah Smith liad, on disposing of this residence 
to Beebe, built another log shanty, which was the second 
building in the embryo village. 

John Newkirk followed soon after, and constructed a 
shed, in which he placed a bellows and anvil, and plied his 
trade as a blacksmith. A pioneer named Ford beg-an the 
erection of a saw-mill on Portage Creek, within the village 
limits, which he conducted for a brief time. It wxs after- 



wards removed to a point twenty rods lower down the 
stream, and managed by one Johnson. Stephen Gedncy 
later became proprietor, and after a succession of transfers 
it became the property of Silas Beebe. The structure has 
yielded to time's ravages, and is in a ruinous condition. 

Eleazer Beebe erected a tavern on the site of the present 
village hotel, which was kept by Orton Williams. It was 
afterwards consumed by fire, and the building now stand- 
ing was erected in its place. Dr. MorgaTi at this period 
became a resident of the village, and L. E. Rice & Co. 
opened a store, which eventually became the property of 
H. N. Forbes, and was sub-scqucntly burned. In 1838 a 
small log building was erected near the present cemetery, 
in which the earliest school in the village was opened. In 
this log school-hou.sc the earliest religious services were 
conducted by Elder Sayres. A more spacious brick struc- 
ture took its place, in which the various religious bodies 
convened until the erection of the church edifice, in 1855. 
Charles C. Slillard early became a partner of Silas Beebe 
in his mercantile enterprise, and afterwards opened a store, 
which was managed by Mason Branch. 

The hamlet slowly increased in importance and popula- 
tion by the advent of residents from the township and the 
opening of stores in rc.'-ponse to the demands of the adjacent 
country. It has now two general stores, kept by Messrs. 
II. N. Forbes & Son and Edy Baker; one drug-store, 
owned by Dr. 11. E. Brown, who is also the village post- 
master; two blacksmith-shops, in which Messrs. Bevier & 
Graham and Lewis Randolph preside at the forge ; two 
harn&ss-shops, kept by Lucius Bowdi.sh and James Spaul- 
ding; and a milliner-shop, from which emanate the fashions 
of Stockbridge. 

The physicians of the vilhige are Dr. I. C. Williams and 
Dr. II. E. Brown. 

CHUUCIIES. 

Methodist Episcopid Church, North Stoclchridge. — It is 
impossible to obtain authentic data regarding this church, 
as no records have been kept by the various clerks, and the 
class-books that are accessible do not contain a list of the 
succes.sivc pastors who have from time to time filled its 
pulpit. It is certain that religious meetings were held as 
early as 1837, and probable that a class wa.s formed at that 
time. The log houses of the .settlers and the barn of Mr. 
S. C. Proctor afforded convenient places for those early 
religious gatherings. In 1857, under the ministrations of 
Rev. Benjamin Hedger, the church edifice, located on sec- 
tion 2, was erected at a cost of §1350. The pastor at 
present ministering to the flock is Rev. Geor-re Stow, who 
has in Stockbridge forty members in his immediate charge. 
A Sabbath-school, under the superintendence of Oscar 
Gregory, is regularly sustained.* 

A Methodist Episcopal society exists in the village of 
Stockbridge, though the date of its organization is not 
obtainable. It embraces nearly 100 members, under the 
pastorate of Rev. George Stow, with Losell Forbes and 
Proctor as clas.s-leaders. 

A Protestant Methodist society holds services alternately, 



* Rev. George Stow wn.<! returned by (bo CoDfercDoc of 1880. 



302 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



with the other religious bodies, in the Presbyterian church 

of Stockbridge. Rev. Clark, of Dansville, is piistor. 

First Preshyterian Church. — The earliest society in 
connection with the Presbyterian denomination in Stock- 
bridge was organized in 18,'j3, under the ministry of Rev. 
Sylvester Cary, with William Craig and William S. Bird as 
its first ofiicers. Its members embraced the following individ- 
uals: Wm. S. Bird, A. C. Dutton, Wm. Craig, Mason Branch, 
Ira Wood, Fritz Cooper, M. D. L. Branch, Abram Turner. 
A. C. Dutton was chosen as the clerk of the society. In 
1854, the organization having attained considerable strength, 
a church edifice was erected, which was dedicated with im- 
pressive ceremonies on the 14th day of February, 1855. 
The records indicate that the society was not regularly or- 
ganized as the First Presbyterian Church of Stockbridge 
until 1867, under the pastorate of Rev. H. Kittridge, who 
was followed in his ministerial labors by Rev. Seward Osen- 
gaugh, after which the present pastor, Rev. T. B. Williams, 
was ordained. Its first elders were William Craig, William 
S. Bird, and A. A. Howard, who served under the regular 
church organization. The present elders are L. P. Rey- 
nolds, Hugh McCloy, Asa Thompson. A flourishing Sab- 
bath-school — union in its character — is maintained under 
the efl[icient superintendence of A. L. Forbes. The church 
membership now embraces thirty names, though the regular 
attendants upon its services are greatly in excess of that 

number. 

BUI'vIAL-PLACES. 

During the early days of the township's existence no 
spot was set apart for burial purposes, and the settlers were 
accustomed to bear their dead to the cemetery at Unadilla. 
At a later date a death occurred in the family of Ira Wood, 
and the interment was made on a lot owned by him within 
the village limits. Though this spot was not regarded as a 
public burial-place, lots were sold by him to the citizens as 
necessity demanded them, and this for a period of years 
was the only place of interment within the township limits. 
Some years later the township officers purchased two lots 
on sections 2 and 21 respectively, and devoted each to the 
uses of a cemetery. The former has, by the enterprise of 
many of the residents of the northern portion of the town- 
ship, been greatly improved and beautified. It is in fact 
controlled by an association organized with a view to main- 
taining it in proper condition. The one on section 20 is 
inclosed by a neat fence, and is under the supervision of the 
township officers. A private burial-place is located on sec- 
tion 28, upon land owned by J. Whitney. 

ORDERS AND SOCIETIES. 

STOCKBRIDGE I.ODGE, No. ISO, FREE .4ND ACCEPTED 
MASONS. 
The charter of this lodge bears date Jan. 9, 1862, its 
charter officers having been Charles G. Cool, W. M. ; John 
F. Van Sickle, S. W. ; William M. Stevens, J. W. ; Ma- 
son Branch, Sec. Its present officers are Albert L. Forbes, 
W. M. ; William C. Nichols, S. W. ; Samuel W. Scott, J. 
W. ; Abram Croman, Treas. ; H. E. Brown, Sec. The lodge 
is in a prosperous condition. The spacious hall in which 
its convocations are held is owned by the organization, and 
it has a substantial balance in the treasury. 



UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
This society may be described as the outgrowth of a 
popular need. Several of the townships in the southern 
portion of the county, together with others in the counties 
immediately adjacent, finding the sites chosen for the hold- 
ing of the annual agricultural fairs remote from their va- 
rious residences, formed an association for the purpose of 
purchasing land and erecting buildings at a more convenient 
point. The society early embraced the townships of Stock- 
bridge, Bunker Hill, Iosco, White Oak, Lyndon, Unadilla, 
and Waterloo. Ingham and Henrietta were subsequently 
added to the list. The grounds, located in Stockbridge, 
were very soon after their purchase improved, commodious 
edifices constructed, and the first annual meeting held 
in 1877, which very soon demonstrated the success of the 
project. Its first officers were: President, William M. Ste- 
vens ; Vice-Presidents, Frank Ives, William Watts, A. Cro- 
man, F. S. Fitch, Abram Hayner, Isaac Stowe ; Directors, 
Andrew Jackson, William B. Craig, B. W. Sweet, Horace 
Mapes, E. W. Woodward, E. Skidmore; John Farmer, 
Treasurer ; S. P. Reynolds, Secretary. The present officers 
are : President, E. Skidmore ; Vice-Presidents, William B. 
Craig, H. Mapes, Amos Lawrence, Abel McCloy, H. Twom- 
ley, B. Westfall, William Coy, Charles Pixley ; Directors, 
William M. Stevens, F. E. Ives, William Watts, J. D. 
Cook, Samuel Seadon, W. H. Howlett, Isaac Stowe, E. W. 
Woodward, Abram Croman ; John Farmer, Treasurer ; 
S. P. Reynolds, Secretary. 

SCHOOL STATISTICS. 

The early school records of Stockbridge alTord no infor- 
mation regarding its educational interests other than the 
division of the town.ship into eight whole and fractional 
school districts. The time and energies of the board of 
school inspectors seemed chiefly employed in enlarging or 
diminishing the borders of the various districts, as other 
business, with the exception of an occasional ajiportionment 
of school moneys, is not a matter of record. 

The " memory of the oldest inhabitant" aSbrds even less 
light as to the early schools of Stockbridge. The first 
school building was probably erected in what was known as 
the Lowe neighborhood as early as 1837. It was built of 
logs, and did good service until a more pretentious frame 
structure was suhstituted in response to the demand of an 
increasing population. The first instructor is not remem- 
bered. Peter Lowe, now of Mason, was an early teacher, 
but disclaims any association with ibis particular school. 

The present school territory of Stockbridge is divided 
into one fractional and six whole districts, over which pre- 
side the following board of directors : Peter Mclntire, 
0. S. Gregory, John Holmes, D. B. Whiting, H. H. Bru- 
erton, H. Stocking, and A. G. Miller. The school prop- 
erty of the township, which is valued at $4050, embraces 
three brick and four frame buildings ; 255 scholars re- 
ceived instruction during the past year, of whom twelve 
were non-resident. They were under the supervision of 
five male and thirteen female teachers, who received an ag- 
gregate amount of $989.10 in salaries. The total resources 
of the township for educational purposes are $1739.90, of 
which $143.25 is derived from the primary school fund. 



STOCK BRIDGE. 



303 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 





DAVID ROGERS. 



DAVID ROGERS. 



Around the name and memory of the first settler there 
always clings a peculiar interest. Could he in the dim 
future discern the magnitude of the structure to be erected 
upon the foundation he was preparing ? Did vi.sions of a 
densely populated country, teeming with wealth, and dotted 
by villages, greet his mind's eye, and thus encourage him to 
press on? Such was David Rogers, the first to erect a habita- 
tion in the wilderness of Stockbridge. He was born Oct. 26, 
1798, at Newark, N. J. Boyhood and youth were passed 
at home and school. On Dec. 22, 1825, he married Miss 
5Iary Davis. She was also a native of Newark, N. J., born 
Sept. 17, 1808. The first two years of their wedded life 
were spent in Yates Co., N. Y. Closing out his business, 
they returned to New Jersey. There was much talk at 
that time about Michigan Territory, and in the fall of 
1833 they decided to try their fortune in the Western wilds. 
Disposing of their property excepting their household goods, 
they came lo Wa.shtenaw Co., Mich., in October, 1834. He 
made a location of land in Stockbridge. Returning, he 
constructed a portable frame house intended for their future 
habitation. The following spring it was loaded upon a 
wagon and carried to its destination. The ground cleared 
and building erected, they became the first actual settlers of 
Stockbridge. Others .soon followed and a township organ- 
ized, which embraced a much larger territory than at pres- 
ent. Soon after his arrival he opened a store and sold goods 
to the early settlers as they came in, and traded with the 
Indians, besides clearing off and improving his land. Mr. 
Rogers occupied not only public places of trust, to which he 
was repeatedly elected, but always possessed the unlimited 
confidence and e-stecm of a large circle of acquaititance.s. 
Mr. Rogers lived to the advanced age of seventy-.seven. 
His death occurred March 22, 1875. Peacefully he passed 
away, leaving a large circle of relatives and friends who 
sincerely lament his death. Mrs. Rogers resides in Stock- 



.MKS. M.\RT ANN KOQKUS. 

bridge, surrounded by a large circle of friends and relatives, 
in peace and tranquillity of a long life well spent. Mrs. 
Rogers and her deceased husband were the parents of eight 
children, — viz., Joseph D., born Nov. 28, 182G, resides in 
Stockbridge ; Mrs. Emma Ellis, born Dec. 29, 1823, Plym- 
outh, Ohio; Eliza, born April 15, 1831, died at one year 
of age; Stephen B., born Aug. 1, 1834, killed in battle; 
Mrs. Mary Ann Isbell and David N., born Sept. 18, 1837, 
reside in this township; James B., born Nov. 28, 1840, 
died in infancy ; Mrs. Adaline Rokes, born Nov. 20, 1843, 
resides in Illinois. 



S. C. PROCTOR. 

S. C. Proctor was the third in a family of nine children, 
born at Cambridge, La Jloille Co., Vt. His parents being 
in indigent circumstances, he was obliged at a very early 
age to provide for himself In his twenty-first year he 
came west as far as Niagara Co., N. Y^., where he remained 
one year ; then, in company with four others, set out for 
the Territory of Michigan, performing the entire journey 
on foot. Passing through Canada and as far west as Gra.ss 
Lake, here they learned tiiat the land in Ingham County 
was subject to entry at government price, and that by fol- 
lowing certain Indian trails, marked trees, and occasionally 
passing a settler's cabin, one Gregory would be found who 
had a plat of the lands not taken, and could locate them. 
Mr. Proctor selected a fractional one hundred and twenty 
acres on section 1. His journey had somewhat reduced 
his capital, and he was obliged to borrow to complete his 
payment, afterwards working by the month to cancel the 
debt. The location wiis made in April, 1835. Writing 
home of his good success and inviting them to come, he 
set about erecting a log cabin for their reception, and in 
which lie a few months later had the pleasure of seeing 



304 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





S. C, I'llOCTOIl. 



MRS. S. C. PROCTOR. 



them established. He continued to work by the month, 
occasionally making some improvements upon his place, for 
about five years. He returned home to Niagara Co., N. Y., 
and married. May 21, 1840, Miss Cordelia, daughter of 
Solomon and Lydia (Hunt) Johnson. She was born Nov. 
19, 1819. On his return home they shared the house with 
his parents until he could erect another, to which the parents 
removed, leaving the young people in the enjoyment of 
their first home in the wilderness. For a time they pros- 
pered, then reverses came, and he was obliged to sell his 
only team, a yoke of oxen, with which his father and family 
had journeyed from the far East, to procure the necessaries 
of life. The following season their lands yielded an abun- 
dant harvest, and prosperity dawned upon them. 

Mr. and Mrs. Proctor are the parents of seven children. 
George H., born May 8, 1841, resides at White Oak; Asa 
J., born June 22, 1843, lives in Stockbridge ; Alice, born 
Aug. 27, 1849, lives at home; Albert J., born Sept. 22, 
1857, also at home; Cassius S., born July G, 1860, killed 
by a runaway team when about eleven years old ; Deacon C, 
died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Proctor have been members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church since they began the journey of life 
together, and now in the fullness of time rejoice that their 
lives have been spared to see their children established in 
life and prosperous. They have always enjoyed the esteem 
of a large circle of friends, and together they are walking 
hand-in-hand the path that leads to a bright hereafter. 



ABRAM FORCE. 

The paternal grandparents of Abram Force resided in 
New Jersey. Being desirous of bettering their condition 
in life, they removed to the wilderness region of Genesee 
Co., N. Y. The father engaged in the boot and shoe busi- 
ness. Peter, a son, followed that occupation until he had 
attained to manhood, when he returned to the land of his 



nativity to wed Mi.ss Mary Garberant, the choice of his 
boyhood days, where he resided for about ten years. His 
father presented him with forty acres of land in Stockbridge, 
Ingham Co., to which he removed in the month of June, 
1837. All of his means were consumed in reaching his des- 
tination. Securing accommodations for his family with 
those more fortunate than himself in possessing a shelter, 
he returned as far as Manchester, Washtenaw Co., where he 
remained employed until the following spring. He then 
erected a log cabin and spent the summer in chopping and 
clearing, returning to Manchester in the f;ill. With the 
opening of spring he returned to his home, and to a suc- 
cessful acomplishment of the object sought, a home of 
plenty. Abram was the third in their family of seven chil- 
dren, born Jan. 25, 1830. 

Although but a lad when the family removed to Stock- 
bridge, he distinctly remembers the hardships passed 
through in those days. When only eight years of age, he 
provided the fuel for the entire winter's use by exchanging 
work with a neighbor's boy, they more fortunately possess- 
ing a yoke of o.xen, with which he hauled the wood, after 
having cut it from the fallen timber. He remained at 
home until of age, occasionally doing a job of clearing. In 
the spring of 1852 he married Miss Jerusha Colsome, but 
before one short year had passed she was laid to rest in the 
grave. Again, Dec. 13, 1854, he married Miss Frances, 
daughter of Edwin and Permilla Norton, natives of Con- 
necticut. They had resided in Barry, Orleans Co., N. Y., 
previous to their removal to Ingham County. She was born 
Jan. 20, 1830, at Hartford, Conn. Their union has been 
blessed with one child, Nellie E., born Sept. 22, 1868. In 
1853, Mr. Force purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
wild land on section 30, and in the fall of 1855 fort^'-four 
acres adjoining, having a small frame house, into which they 
moved. From that date on, every venture has been a suc- 
cess. We need not linger over a description of his prop- 
erty, but refer the reader to the view accompanying this 
sketch. 



Y E V A Y. 



NATURAL FEATUKES. 
(iKOGRAPIlY, TOPOfiKAI'HY, Etc. 

The township of Vcvuy lies near the centre of Iu;;ham 
County, being bounded north by Alaiedon, east by Ingbaui, 
south by Leslie, and west by Aurelius. It includes town- 
ship 2 north, in range 1 west, the principal meridian of the 
State forming its eastern boundar^'-line. Said boundary 
was surveyed in 1824 bj' Joseph Wampler, and the north, 
west, and south boundaries in 1825 by John Mullett. 
The subdivisions were surveyed by Hervcy Parke in 1826. 

The Saginaw division of the Michigan Central Railway 
passes acrcss the township in a general north-and-south 
direction, having stations at Mason and Eden (the latter in 
the south part of town). The corporation of the city of 
Mason includes sections 4, 5, 8, and 9. 

Portions of the township are level, notably in the south- 
ern part, and in the east and north, along Mud and Syca- 
more Creeks, the surface is rolling and hill^-. Occasional 
swamps abound, and springs are numerous in most parts of 
the township. A high gravel ridge extends from north- 
west to southeast, near the Sycamore Creek, across the 
township. The improvements are generally fine, and excel- 
lent farms are the rule. 

LAND ENTUIES. 

The following is a list of those who entered land in the 
township of Vevay (town 2 north, range 1 west), as shown 
by the tract-book in the oflGice of the county register : 

Section 1.— Nov. 10, 1835, Charles Tlmycr; also March 24, 1836; 

April I, 183C, James K. Langdon. 
Section 2. — lioverncur Kcinble, March 24, 1836 ; James R. Langdon, 

April 1, 1836; Garrett Dubois, July 1, 1839. 
SecliM 3.— Milton B. Adams, May 4, 1836; Henry .Shafer, July 14, 

1836; Albert Smith, July 2.3, 1836. 
Section 4.— Nelson H. Wing, March 24, 1836 ; Henry Shafer, Peter 

Linderman, Benjamin C. Page, July 14, 1836; Albert Smith, July 

23, 1836. 

Section 5.— Charles Noble, Jan. 28, 1836; Peter Linderman, July 14, 

1836; Joseph Yeo, July 23, IS36. 
Section 6.— Theodore Johnson, July 19, 1836; Joseph Yeo, July 23, 

1836; Jacob Ton Eyok, Nov. 1, 1836; Orson Ucrrington, June 15, 

1839; Warren Mungcr, June 10, 1843. 
Section 7.— Orinan Cox, Joseph Yeo, July 23, 1836. 
,Scc(i"<.ii 8.— Charles Noble, Jan. 28, 1836; Benjamin W. Raymond, 

Feb. 15, 1836; Albert Smith, July 23, 1836; Philctus Whitford, 

Dec. 14, 18.36; Minos McRobcrt, April 19, 1839. 
Section 9.— Charles Noble, Jan. 28, LS36 ; Simeon N. Dexter, Feb. 15, 

183R; Daniel Cook, May 6, 1836; David M. Hard and I. Peek, 

May 12, 1836 ; John B. Holmes, July 19, 1836. 
Section 10.— Charles Thayer, Oct. 29, 1835 ; Govorncur Kcmble, March 

24, 1836 ; Harvey M. Rose, July 14, 1836 ; EliSha R. Searl, same 
date. 

Section 11.— James R. Langdon, April 1, 1836; Charles Butler, April 
29, 1836 ; John Williams, July 14, 1836. 

* By Pliny A. Durant. 



Section 12.— Charles Thayer, Nov. 20, 1835 ; Nelson H. Wing, Charles 

Thayer, Govcrneur Ketnblo, March 21, 1830; Luthor H. Trask, 

March 25, 1830. 
Section 13.— James R. Langdon, April 1, 1836; Hiram Parker, Albert 

Smith, July 23, 1836. 
.Section 14.— Govorncur Kemblo, Jl.ircb 24, 1836; Milton B. Adams, 

May 4, 1836; Henry A. Hawloy, Charles Gray, July 23, 1836; 

Thomas Northrup, Feb. 24. 1845. 
Section 15. — John Rhodes, Philo Reed, Joseph Bassett, July 14,1836. 
Section 16. — J. Miner, F. Beam (no dates given). 
Section 1".— Henry E. Fifield. Alvah True, George M. Fifield, Orrin 

Miner, July 19, 1836; Alviih True, Nov. 2, 1836. 
Section 18.— Orman Coe (entire section), July 23, 1836. 
Section 19.— Orman Coe, Hannibal G. Riec, July 23, 1836; Obod 

Barlow, Dec. 14, 1836. 
Section 20.— Jasper S. Woltott, July I'J, 1836; David Cady, same 

date ; Lyman Miner, Sept. 20, 1836 : Obod Barlow, Dec. 14, 1836 ; 

Alvah True, Sr., 1847. 
Section 21.— William R. Brush (entire), July 2.3, 1836. 
Section 22.— Orman Coe (entire), July 23, 1836. 
Section 23.— Silas Titus, Jan. 16, 1836; Lucrctia Phillips, Henry A. 

Hawley, Charles Gray, Belinda Warner, July 23, 1836; Ira 

Chandler, May 2.5,1837. 
Section 24.— Sil.as Titus, Jan. 16, 1836 ; L. Powell, W. Lewis, and N. 

Seymour, May 14, 1836; Abner Bartlett, April 8, IS37 ; Aaron 

Van VIeck, April 20, 1837 ; Charles D. Bartlett, Thcron W. 

Scarl, April 21, 1837. 
Section 25.— Jlilton B. Adams, May 4, 1836 ; Hiram Parker, July 23, 

1836 ; Enos B. Smith, April 28, 1837 ; Alexander Brown, May 

27, 1840: Samuel Neill, 1847. 
Section 26.— Orman Coe, July 23, 1836 ; Benjamin F. Smith, Levi G. 

Smith, Ajiril 28, 1837. 
Section 27.— Jesse l^erguson, Jan. 14, 1836; Milton B. Adams, M.ay 

4, 1836; Mahlon Covert, May 25,1837; Edwin Hubbard, Deo. .3, 

1838 ; Francis Bartley, Sept. 5, 1840. 
.ycclion 28.— Milton B. Adams, May 14, 1836; William R. Brush, 

Kendrick Leach, Harvey Nutt, July 23, 1836. 
Section 29.— Nathan Rolfe, Hiram Austin, Enoch Howe, Mary Aus- 
tin, July 19, 1836; Pliny Rolfe, Sept. 26, 1836; Walter Sherman, 

Dec. 14, 1836. 
Section 30.— Nathan Rolfo, Watson Rolfe, Orrin Miner, July 19, 1836 ; 

Nelson H. Wing, Sept. 27, 1836; Joseph Mc.Vlichacl, Sept. 30, 

1836. 
Section 31.— Asa Hill, John B. Holmes, July 19, 1836; Orrin Miner, 

July 23, 1836; Luther Mills, Sept. 21, 1836; Noah Phelps, May 

23, 1837; AsaHill, 1847. 
,SV.(,„„ 32.— Nathan Rolfe, July 19, 1836 ; Thomas Tail, Jan. 21, 1837 ; 

Jesse Barlow, Sept. 23, 1836 ; LorcnM Daggett, June 14, 1837. 
.VtcdoH 33.— William M. Moore, July 2.3, 1836; John M.Marshall, 

David Gray, Nov. 3, 1830; Schuyler Benton, Deo. 14, 1836; 

James Chase, Oct. 22, 1845; Joseph Chase, 1847. 
,SV,(,i,ii 34.— Orman Coo (entire), July 23, 1836. 
Section 35.— Hiram Clark, Amos Wortman, April 4, 1837; David 

Lockwood, April 17, 1837; Noah Phelps, May 23, 1837. 
Section 36.— Elijah Woodworlh, April 4, 1837 ; William Bailey, Feb. 

8, 1838; Samuel Neill, Sept. 5, 1848. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 
The first improvement in the township was made early 
in 1830, where Mason now stands, and an account of it will 
be found in the history of that city. The first to settle in 
the township as farmers located in the southern part, which 
has since been known as the " Rolfe settlement." 

H0.5 



306 



HISTORY OB INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Ephraim, Natlian, Benjauiin, Ira, Ilazen, and Manassch 
Eolfe, from Vermont* and New York, all located in the 
township. Nathan, Benjamin, and Ira came toi;ether in 
the summer of 1836, reachiM<; Detroit June 30lh. Eph- 
raim, Ilazen, and Manasseli came afterwards, at intervals of 
a year or two. The last named was a physician, and re- 
moved subsequently to Eaton Kapids, where he died from 
the effects of a dissecting wound. When the Rulfes first 
eame to the township the only improvement therein was on 
the site of Mason, where a small clearing had been made 
and a log house built. Ira Rolfe built a house on the 
place he now occupies in Vevay upon his first arrival, but 
left his family at Saline, Washtenaw Co., and did not be- 
come a permanent settlor until 1838, having engaged in the 
mean time in teaming back and forth from Saline. The 
six brothers settled in one neighborhood, and in tiie midst 
of a dense forest. 

The following account of the settlement of Benjamin 
Rolfe in this township was written by his son, Alvin Rolfe, 
and is preserved in the records of the County Pioneer 
Society : 

" In 1834 my father, Benjamin Rolfe, and family moved from Tliet- 
ford, Orange Co., Vt., to Genesee Co., N. Y. They stayed there until 
June, 1836, then moved to Michigan. They started from Bethany 
Thursday, and got to Detroit Sunday morning, coming on the boat 
'Thomas Jefferson.* It was in the time of the great June freshet, 
which many will remember. The country from Detroit to Ann Arbor 
was all covered with water. It took us from Monday morning until 
Friday night to get to Saline, in Washtenaw County, — distance forty 
miles, which can now be traveled in two hours. Came from Saline to 
Jackson, and stopped there until we looked up land, which was in 
this town. We went to the land-office in Kalamazoo and took up the 
land, paying $100 for eighty acres. We started from Jackson M(m- 
day morning, cut our road to Vevay, and had to ford Grand River. 
We built a shanty on the place I now live on. This was the first blow 
struck in this part of the town,f — July, 1836. . . . The fir.«t time I 
went to Mason there was a small piece chopped on the section-line, near 
where the Donnelly House now stands, by E. B. Danforlh. The ne.\t 
spring he sowed it to turnips, raising the largest I ever saw. Our 
nearest saw- and grist-mill was at Jackson. Some would like to 
know how we got along without lumber to build with. For floors we 
cut nice basswood logs and split them into planks, 'spotted' them on the 
under side, and laid thera down even as we could, then adzed them ofi", 
which made quite passable flooring. For a roof we peeled bark. For 
gable-ends we split shakes. The iirst lumber we had we got in Jack- 
son, for a coffin for a sister of mine. She died April 7, 1837, and I 
think was the first person who died in the town. The first marriage 
was that of Jasper Wolcott and Harriet Sergeant, now the wife of 
Edwin Hubbard. The first birth, I think, was Nelson Wolcott, son 
of Jasper Wolcott. The first saw-mill built in the county was by E. 
B. Danforth. A man by the name of Lacey took the job in the sum- 
mer of 1836. The first grist-mill was started by Mr. Danforth, who 
got a pair of mill-stones about twenty inches in diameter, set them in 
the corner of his saw-mill, and propelled them by the bull-wheel of 
the mill. Many a bag of corn have I carried on ray back from my 
place to Mason, without any road, to get it ground. The fir^t road 
we had from my place to Mason was cut in 1837."' 

Mr. Rolfe speaks of the " money" in circulation in 1836 
^37, as follows : 

"Good money was not to be found. All the money we had was 
wildcat, not worth the paper it was printed on. There are some who 
remember those times. It was all the money we could get in 1836-37. 



*■ Ira Rolfe was directly from Thctford, Orange Co., Vt. Hi; 
brothers had lived in Genesee Co., N. Y. Ira is Ihe only survivor o 
the six brothers, and is seventy-eight years of age. 

j* The Rolfes settled in the southwestern part of the tfiwnship. 



"When men complain of hard times and find fault with our gov- 
ernment and the currency, which is the best we ever had, I want to 
tell them they do not know anything about hard times. If they had 
to pay ten bushels of wheat for one axe; twenty-five dollars for a 
barrel of flour; forty dollars for a barrel of pork; two dollars lor 
oats; twenty-two cen's per pound for fresh pork; fifty cents jier 
pound for butter, and other things iu proportion, and their money 
would not keep over-night, then they would have reason to com- I 

plain." 

The " neigliboihood," at llie time of which Mr. Rolfe 
writes, extended tliirty or ibrly miles. He at one time 
went to the raising of a saw-mill, at the old village of Jef- 
ferson, on section 29, in Alaiedon town.ship. It was up by 
dark and Mr. Rolfe returned home, arriving about two 
o'clock in the morning. 

Peter Linderman settled on the northwest quarter of 
section 4 (farm now owned by Mr. Russell), in the summer 
of 1836. J He cut out the first road leading to the place, 
and built a house, the doors and windows for which were 
brought from Ann Arbor. His daughter, IMaiy Hammond, 
wrote as follows of his settlement, in 1873: 

" Our nearest neighbor north of us was Mr. Scott, distant twenty- 
five miles. We did not see those neighbors very often, but heard of 
them often, as hardly a night passed but our house was filled with 
men looking after land. When I first saw Mason there were, I 
think, twenty acres chopped, two log houses, and a saw-mill being 
built. Mr. Lacy and Mr. Blain, with (heir families, were the only 
white people living here. Mr. Danforth came soon after and took 
charge of affairs as the agent of Ihe villnge. During the winter the 
saw-mill was finished, and in the spring of 1837 the school-house was 
built. School commenced, I think, in June. Mi.«s Lucy Rolfe 
taught for one dollar per week. There were eight pupils. The In- 
dians often came to visit our school, and wondered what we were 
doing. The first night I stayed in Mason there were several hun- 
dred Indians encamped near where the court-house now stands. The 
first circuit preacher was a Mr. Jackson, who preached one year. 
The first Presbyterian Church was organized, in 1 839, by the Rev. Mr. 
Childs, of Albion. The first settled jiastor was the Rev. F. P. Emer- 
son, who stayed here some three years. . 

" At Dexter was our nearest post-ofiioe and store, or grocery. I 
can remember, in the spring of 1837, that my father was appointed 
justice of the peace, and he had to go to Jackson to qualify. All the 
road that then existed was an Indian trail. . . . Settlers came in fast, 
and Mason soon became a thriving village." . . . 

James Chase, a native of Greene Co., N. Y., settled in 
Vevay township in 1845. 

At the present time (^August, 1880) there are living in 
jMason Mrs. Whitney Smith and Mrs. G. D. Pease, who 
are the daughters of Joab Page,§ an early settler in the 
township. The story of the settlement of the family is 
thus told by Mrs. Smith : 

*' My fither, Joab Pago, came with his family into Michigan in 
Ihe winter of 1831-32; arrived at Jacksonburgh about the 16th of 
Februaiy, 1832, — then only one framed house there. This was built 
bv a Mr. Ames; he then, having just buried his wife, rented the house 
to my father for a few months. Father built the first saw-mill in 
Jackson County. It was situated a few rods cast of the present 
southern depot. The second one he built upon his own land, eight 

I William H. Horton, brother to Mrs. Liuderuian, states that Mr. 
Linderman had come to Ann Arbor in May, 1836. During the sum- 
mer he went to Kalamazoo and entered land for himself and Mr. 
Horton, and in the fall moved upon his own place in Vevay, arriving 
at evening of the 2d day of October. On awaking the next morning 
they discovered about six inches of snow on the ground. 

jj Mr. Page was formerly a resident of Fairfield, Franklin Co, Vt., 
and settled at Jacksonburgh (now Jaeksonl, Mich., in 1832. He died 
at Mason, Aj.ril 28, 1863. 



VEVAY. 



:-i07 



miles cost of Jnokson, nnd two miles south of the old triil-roivJ run- 
ning from Detroit to Marshall. He built and kept the first hotel in 
(Imss Lake. In IS:!6 the emigration into thointeriorof Michigan was 
8u great that wo counted in one day over sixty wagons ; it was almost 
a continuous string of loams, each carrying a family and their entire 
possessions. Thoy usually carried nnd cooked their own provisions. 

" In the year 1840 wo moved to Vovay, Ingham Co., near the Rolfe 
settlement. We were obliged to out our road to our home, one and a 
half miles. No schools nor districts were organizetl at rhat time, but 
the neighbors concluded to have a school. My sister, Orcelia Page 
( now Mrs. G. 1>. Pease), taught the school in a log shanty scarce higher 
than her head. The floor ivas made of logs split in two, with the 
flat side up; it had one window of glass, and a largo stick-and-mud 
chimney, which let in a good supply of light from the top. 

"During the first year of our residence the Rev. Mr. .Fackson 
(Methodist) preached a few times in the neighborhood. Our people 
made an abundance of maple-sugar. Thoy took ox-teams and started 
for market, though it was very uncertain where they would find a 
family that had pork, flour, or potatoes to change for maple-sugar. 
They did not return as wo had expected; in about two weeks we 
learned from a neighbor, who had returned from market, that our 
people were at Lconi and my husband seriously ill. I set out to find 
a way to go to him; walked one nnd a half miles to get a horse and 
then in another direction one and a half miles to get a wagon, nnd 
some one to drive for roe and bring the team back. To get to Leslie, 
four and a half miles, we traveled eight, and then could not shun all 
the mud-holes, for our wagon-box dipped mud and water several 
times, and sometimes it was with difficulty that we stayed in the 
wagon and kept it right side up." 

In 1844 (September), Mr. Page and family removed to 
Lansing. lie afterwards returned to .Mason, wliere both he 
and his wife subscquonlly died. 

Amadon Holden, a native of Northficid, Franiclin Co., 
Mass., settled in Vevay township, Ingham Co., Mtch., 
in January, 1844. His wife, Olive Ilolden, who was born 
in Thetford, Orange Co., Vt., eanic with her husband to 
Vcv;iy, wlierc she died in January, 1874. 

William H. llortoii, whose sister was the wife of Peter 
Liiiderman, came to Miehigan from Orange Co., N. Y., 
and settled in Ingham County, May 30, 1837, on the 
northeast fractional (juarter of section 5, iu the township 
of Vevay, the land having been entered for him in the 
sutnmer of 183G by Jlr. Linderman. Mr. Horton at the 
time of his settlement was unmarried, but was afterwards 
married, and in Septetuber, 1841, his wife died. Soon 
after her death he went Kast and retnaincd until the spring 
of 1843. In the fall of 1844 he was elected register of 
deeds for Ingham County, and served six years. In 1854 
he removed to the west half of the northwest quarter of 
section 33, where he now resides, having lived in Mason 
from January, 1845, until 1854. 

In the spring of I83G, Nathan Searl and two of his sons, 
Daniel atid Elisha R.. from Hampshire Co., Mass., came to 
liighum County, and 160 acres of land were purchased in 
wliiit is now Ingham township, and 320 acres in what is 
now Vevay, that in tlie latter including the west half of 
section 10. Elisha II. Searl remained until the fiill in Ing- 
ham, and then came to Vevay and began improvements. 
The land in Ingham was entered at Detroit, and that in 
A'^eva}' at Kalamazoo, the meridian-line having been the 
division between the portions of the State under the juris- 
diction of the land-offices at the two places. Daniel Searl 
remained in Ingham township six years, and in 1842 re- 
moved to Vevay and settled where he now lives. When 
the Messrs. Searl first came to Vevay to locate land the 



only house in the township was that of Lewis Lacy, at 
M;ison. From the place in Ingham, upon which they re- 
mained during the suiumcr of 183(), the nearest house was 
distant twelve miles, in the direction of Stockbridge and 
Jackson. 

The first winter Daniel Searl was in Michigan he worked 
on the datn at Mason, which was located where the State 
road crosses Sycamore Creek, northwest of the present 
site of the Donnelly House. In the fall of 1830, Mrs. 
Searl, Sr., and ten children, with Abner Bartlett, a son- 
in-law, came to the county. The latter settled in Vevay, 
and the other members of the family in Ingham. Two of 
the daughters were married the next year (1837), and 
removed to the township of Dexter, Washtenaw Co. 
Nathan Searl, the father of this large family, died in July, 
1809 or 1870, aged eighty-two years; his wife's death had 
occurred about .>iixteen years before. Of the entire family 
but four are now living, — Daniel, on section 15, in Vevay ; 
Merrick, on section 11, iu Vevay; Mr.s. Otto Bignall and 
Mrs. Henry Hunt, both in the township of Vevay. Mrs. 
Bignall, who was one of the daughters married in 1837, is 
now a widow. Merrick Searl, who was but five years of 
age when the family settled, lived at first in the township of 
Ingham with his brother Daniel. About 1853 he pur- 
cha.sed the farm upon which he now resides. It was tliea 
wild, unimproved land, but will rank at present among the 
finest and best-improved farms in the township. 

Hiram Parker, Esq., is a native of Washington Co., 
N. Y. When he was very young his father removed to 
Bennington Co., Vt., subsequently changing his place of 
residence to Mount Morris, Livingston Co., N. Y., and later 
to Erie County. June 10, 183C, Hiram Parker reached 
Ingliam Co., Mich., looked for land, and purchased the place 
he now occupies, on section 13. He built the body of a log 
house, returned to his old home in Vermont, was tuarried, 
and came back and settled with his wife in November, 1830 
Mr. Parker's house is located on a hill, but he says it was 
twenty years before he could see through tlie timber to a 
neighbor's house. 

When Mr. Parker went to Kalamazoo to locate his land 
ho made his application, but found so many ahead of him 
that it would be some titue before his business could be 
attended to. He therefore made a trip to Illinois, and ex- 
amined the country south from Chicago for about forty-five 
miles, not being much pleased therewith. On the shore 
of Lake Michigan he picked up a bed-cord which some 
pioneer had doubtless lost. Ho was accompanied by his 
sister's husband, Jesse Monroe, a soldier of 1812 (now of 
Lansins:), and a young man named Blois Hurd. They had 
a one-hor.se wagon, in which they carried their provisions. 
The streams were all very high, and they experienced niucl^ 
diflBeulty in getting through. In swimniing Grand Uiver — 
at what Wits afterwards known as Berry's bridge— they lost 
a portion of their provisions. Their route was along an 
Indian trail. Jesse Monroe settled in Clinton County, and 
Hurd's father, Hinraan Hurd, in the township of Vevay, 
Ingham Co. 

When Mr. Parker went to Vermont to get married, lie 
went by w:iy of Dexter and returned the same way. He 
thinks that, had ho known u tenth part of what his expe-. 



308 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



rienco was to be in the wilderness, he never would have 
asked anybody to come with hira. He met Hinman Hurd 
at Troy, N. Y. Mr. Hurd had been out with the rest to 
look for land, but .stayed at Jackson and allowed his son, 
Blois Hurd, to make the selection in liis place. From 
Jackson he returned Ea.st, in company with Deacon Mer- 
ritt, and was moving West with his family when met by 
Mr. Parker at Troy. The latter bargained with him to 
come to his house in Vevay and put a roof upon it, but he 
(Hurd) found a vacant house in Ingham township belong- 
ing to H. II. Smith, which he moved into and occupied 
while building a house for himself on section 25, in Vevay. 
He was in Vevay as a settler about two weeks before Mr. 
Parker returned, and was the first actual settler in the 
ea.stern part of the township. Mr. Parker was the -second, 
and Charles Gray and family third. The nearest house 
was then that of a man living at the northern boundary of 
what is now the township of Henrietta, Jackson Co., about 
fifteen miles away. 

H. H. Smith, formerly of Ingham township, and now a 
wealthy and prominent citizen of Jackson, had raised .some 
corn on a farm he had taken south of Jackson. It was 
probably in 1836, and early in the next year he engaged 
Hiram Parker to go with him after some, paying him in 
the commodity lie had the most of, — corn. Mr. Parker 
thinks he was then the richest man of the two, for he had 
a pair of boots and Smith wore rags on his feet. Mr. Smith 
was the first treasurer of Ingham County, and after his 
election removed to Mason, subsequently going to Lansing, 
and finally to Jackson. He has been a prominent man 
since his first settlement in Ingham County. 

In June, 1837, Mr. Parker started for Dexter after 
flour. On the way he met a couple of men who informed 
liim there was none for sale, as they had tried to purchase 
some and failed. It had all been purchased by a specu- 
lator at Ann Arbor. Mr. Parker learned there was some 
at Scio, and to that place he at once repaired. He found 
that the supply there had uho been bought for speculative 
purposes, but he finally purchased two barrels of it of the 
miller, who was not particularly friendly to the speculator. 
The money paid for it was that of the bank of which the 
speculator was president, a[id was of the nature known as 
" wildcat." The miller had specified that the flour must 
be paid for in " good Eastern money ;"' but while Mr. Par- 
ker was looking his roll of bills over to see if he had the 
neces.sary amount (twenty-five dollars) of the article re- 
quired, ihe miller espied the " wildcat," and thought that 
was good enough for the man, as it was his own money. 
It was paid and Mr. Parker left with the flour. lie had 
pot reached home before he learned that the bank had 
failed ai)d the money was of no account, and, as he had 
borrowed part of it, he considered he had procured his two 
barrels of flour at a very fair bargain. Vc'ry soon after 
making the purcha.se he learned that the price of flour iiad 
teen raised to seventeen dollars per barrel. 

After the county election iu 1838 (the first after organi- 
zation), it was provided that the board of county canvassers 
should meet to canvass the votes at the county-scat, or at 
the nearest house thereto. The county-seat, which had 
Jaeen laid out in the northeast part of the township, on sec- 



tions 1 and 12, was a fine-looking place — on paper; but no 
improvements had been made nor county buildings erected, 
and the board met at the house of Hiram Parker, as the 
nearest to the county-seat. Charles Thayer Si Co., the pro- 
prietors of the laud on which the seat of justice for Ingham 
County had been located, built a log house at the locality, 
but it was never occupied for dwelling purposes, and the 
hopes of the projectors of the " county-site" were destined 
to bo dashed to earth. Their proposed city was soon for- 
gotten, and the thrifty village of Mason sprang up farther 
west, which became the county-seat in 1840. 

Charles Gray, from the town of Columbia, Herkimer 
Co., N. Y., started for Michigan, Blay 28, 1834, and set- 
tled with his family in Lenawee County. In November, 
1836, they removed from Lenawee to Ingham County, and 
settled in this township. Mrs. Gray, who was formerly Mrs. 
Hawley, had two children by her first husband, — Henry 
A. and Calvin Hawley ; and Henry, witii her other children, 
— Eliza, Manly, and Emeline Gray, — accompanied Mr. and 
Mrs. Gray to Michigan and to Ingham County. Calvin came 
about a year later, and afterwards settled in Van Buren 
Co., Mich., where he died. Upon coming to Vevay the 
family located east of the present residence of Henry A. 
Hawley, on the farm now occupied by Mrs. John E. 
Spencer. Mrs. Gray died Sept. 3, 1839, and Mr. Gray 
in August, 1845. 

Mrs. Spencer was formerly Jlrs. Manly Gray, she hav- 
ing been married to him in February, 1846. They re- 
mained on the old farm of his father. Manly Gray died 
Nov. 1, 1865, and his si.ster Emeline, afterwards Mrs. Loren 
Ilice, of Leslie, died in 1863. The other sister, Eliza, 
married Daniel Potter, and is now living in Bunker Hill 
township. Mrs. Manly Gray was afterwards married to 
John E. Spencer. She is a daughter of Silas Ilolt, who 
settled in the township of Bunker Hill in October, 1843, 
and is one of a ftimily of nine children. Mr. Holt was 
the first to enter land in that township, but did not settle 
until the time stated. 

Henry A. Hawley is still residing in the township, and 
has been one of its most prominent citizens and success- 
ful farmers. His home was always open to all, and a 
generous welcome was accorded them. Mr. Hawley 's land 
was entered July 23, 1836, on sections 14 and 23. The 
old homestead is now the property of his son, Adelbert A. 
Hawley. 

The following narrative of the early settlement and 
trials of the family, with the accompanying incidents, was 
written by Mr. Hawley especially for this work, and will 
be interesting to the old settlers, and to all who may read it. 
The experience of the family was similar to that of many 
others, hence it is not necessary to write the same of all. 

" On the 2Sth Jay of May, 1S34, my ftcpfather, Charles Gray, and 
my mother, iormcrly the wife of Stephen Hawley, together with their 
throe cbil:ireD, — Eliz-i, Manly, andEmeUue, — and iny mother's sister, 
all of whom afterwards married and settled in this county, in com- 
pany with myself, left Herkimer Co., N. Y., on board a line-boat on 
the Erie Canal to seek our fortunes in Michigan, then known as tho 
* far West.' We arrived at Buffalo in due timej took passage on the 
steamer ' Daniel Webster' for Detroit, which we reached late on Iho 
evening of .lune 4th, after a very rough voyage of thirty-si.'c hours. 
On tho morning of the jth we engaged teams to take us and our goods 





C}y/yit/) 



J^^l^M/i^^-^ 



c;^- 



^, 



JAMES FULLER. 



James Fuller was born in Bristol, Grafton Co., N. H., Oct. S, 1809. 
His father's ancestors wtre New England Puritans. His father was James 
Fuller, son of Nathaniel Fuller, who was commander of a vessel during 
the Revolutionary war, was taken prisoner by the British, put on board a 
ship bound for England, und lost at sea. 

James Fuller, senior, was born at Ipswich, Mass., in 1770. He went 
when a young man to Grafton Co.. N'. H., where he married Hannah 
Kidder. She was born in Bristol, Grafton Co., in I77.>. She was descended 
from Scotch-Irish ancestry, and was the daughter rif John Kidder, who, at 
the age of sixteen, entered military service at the beginning of the French- 
and-Indian war, and afterwards served through most of the Revolutionary 
war. Early in 1S15, James and Hannah Fuller removed with their family 
of eight children to Elba. Genesee Co., N. Y., and continued to reside there 
until the time of their death. 

.\s Western New York was a wilderness at the time his father's family 
settled there, the subject of this sketch became accustomed at an early age 
to the hardships of a i>ioneer life. These experiences were valuable to him 
when, in 1856. he settled upon a new and densely wooded farm in Vevay, 
Ingham Co., Mich., where ho now resides. \\'ith the exception of four 
winters when he taught school, his whole life has been spent in farming. 
He early formed the opinion that it is the duty of every person to use all 
fair and reasonable means for self-support, and resolved that the world 
should be no worse for his living in it. This resolution, firmly kept, had 
much influence in the development of a character that inherited great 
strength and activity, and resulted in the enterprise and public spirit which 
have marked his maturer years. He has always taken an active interest 
in politic.*, and has frequently held office in his township, both in New 
York and in Michigan. He was identified with the Whig ])iirty until it 
ceased to exist. When the Republican party was organized he immedi- 
ately joined its ranks, and has ever since remained an ardent Republican, 

James Fuller was married to Mary Page, Nov. \Z, 1834, at Elba, Gene- 
see Co., N. Y. 

Mary Page was horn in Danbury, Grafton Co., N. H., Sept, 14, 181;!, She 
was left an orphan at an early age, being the youngest of a family of seven. 
She resided in New Hampshire until November, 1830, when she went to 
M'cstern New York, and engaged in teaching until she was married. Her 
married life has been constantly occupied in the care of her large family, 
with the additional labor demanded by the maintenance of a boarding- 
school for a long term of years; yet, amid all her cares, she has preserved 
a good degree of health and cheerfulness. Prudent, industrious, and eco- 
nomical, she is a true daughter of New England, and in every way worthy 
of her Puritan ancestry. 

Mary Page's father, John Page, was born at South Hampton, Rocking- 
ham Co., N. H., in 17C8. His ancestors were New England Puritans. His 
grandfather Page was a soldier in the French-and-Indian war, and died 
in the army. His father, Onesiphorous Page, was a fanner, and by his 
industry and energy was enabled to give his large family excellent educa- 
tional advantages. The family removed to Salisbury, N. H., when John, 
Iho oldest son, was a young man. He began teaching when quite young, 
and continued in the profession during the greater part of his life, number- 
ing among his pupils Daniel Webster and other members of the Webster 
family. He also took an active part in polittciil life, serving as member of 
the Legislature in the newly-formed republic. 

-Mary Page's mother, Katy Tolford. was burn in .\lcxandria, Grafton 
Co., N. H., ilay .3, 1774. Her ancestors were Scotch Dissenters who Oed 
to Ireland in times of persecution. Her grandfather, John Tolford, came 
from Ireland to America when he was about twenty years of age, and 



settled at Chester, N, II, He married Jane McMurphy, who belonged to 
an influential family of that place. Their oldest sonj Joshua, father of 
Katy Tolford, was born at Chester, N, II., in 17.'iS, and was educated at a 
grammar school. He was employed for some time as a provincial sur- 
veyor in the northern counties of New Hampshire, and became a pioneer 
of Grafton County, building the first three mills thai were erected in that 
county. During the early part of the Revolutionary war he was a mem- 
ber of the Committee of Safety, and later was a member of the (icneral 
Court of New Hampshire, While acting in the latter capacity his courage 
and ability enabled him, on one occasion, to render his State important 
service by confronting and dispersing a mob of discontented, unpaid 
soldiers, who had surrounded the State-house and were demanding their 
pay in something belter than the depreciated Continental money. He 
married Elizabeth Smith, of Bradford, N, H,, whose brothers, Robert and 
Adam, and brother-in-law. Col, .John Orr, were soldiers in the Rcvolu- 
ticmary war, Elizabeth Smith's mother was Katy McCurdy, who, in 
coming from Ireland to .\morica with her father's family, had a perilous 
voyage of six months, seven of the family dying of ship fever. 

James and Mary Fuller have had a family of six sons and five daugh- 
ters. One son, born Aug. 17, 183(t, died Sept, 8, IS39. One daughter, 
Catherine E,, born Oct, 8, 1845, died April 13, 1850. Nine of the family 
came with their father and mother to Ingham Co,, Mich, Their names 
are Emtna J,, born Aug, 25, 1835; Benjamin P., born July 13, 1837; 
Nancy S., born Oct. 2G, 184(1; Abbie B., born May 16, 1843; James L., 
b..rn April 1, 1848: Alice M., born Jan, 5, 1S5I : Otis and Emmett, born 
July 14, 1853; and Haven S., born Feb. 9, 1856. Benjamin went to 
California in the autumn of 1857. and died in that State, at Moore's Flat, 
Nevada Co., July 26, 1S64. Emmett died at home, .May 1.5, 1875, and 
was at the time of his death a member of the senior class at the .Michigan 
Agricultural College. Abbie was married, June 15, 1863, to Dr. G. A. 
Corhin, of St. Johns. Clinton Co., Mich., and still resides in that place. 
She has two sons, .\rthur and Hollis, James L, was married, Oct, 24, 
1877, to Phoebe Polar, of Winchester, Winnebago Co,, Wis, He is en- 
gaged in mercantile business in ,Mason, Haven was married, May 5, 1880, 
to Delia Ryan, of Mason, Mich. He is teller of the First National Bank of 
Mason. Otis became editor of the Ufjhum t'tninty Xnrtt in September, 1876, 
and remained in that business until .\ugufl. 1880. Four of thcfamilv have 
been teachers. From 1865 to 1875. the oldest daughter, Emma J., taught 
a small academic school in the Fuller farm-house, where the five vounger 
children received the most of their education. This school was also at- 
tended by pupils from M.ason and the surrounding country, and aimed 
especially to stimulate teachers to a more thorough pre|iaration in the 
lements of a practical education. 

Religiously, Mr, and Mrs, Fuller were brought up in a rigid adherence 
to orthodox tenets, and early became members of the Methodist Church ■ 
but later in life their views became more liberal, and they withdrew from 
that organization, maintaining that a well-ordered lifo is' the best fruit of 
true Christian endeavor. 

Early privation and life-long industry, frugality, and temperance have 
given to their social life a true ilemocratie simplicity ; yet they have freely 
aided benevolent enterprises, bestowing upon the needy with ready sym- 
pathy, and showing toward human ivcakness the broadest charity,' They 
have always entertained with a generous and informal hospitality ; and 
the many friends that hnvc gathered under their roof have contributed in 
a great measure to the ntiraetion of a home in which a large family of chil- 
dren have grown to manhood and womanhood, acknowledging a mo.«t grate- 
ful allegiance to the father and mother who are still its vitalizing centre. 



VEVAY. 



H09 



to Adrian, whore we arrived Saturday evening, June 7th. There wo 
were met by Dr. P. J. Spnulding and wife, whu tendered their ho?pi- 
tnlily over Sabl'Ulb, which we gladly accepted. The doctor wos a 
Herkimer County man, of whom further mciiti<>n will be made. 

" The next thing in order was to sco some other old acquaintances 
and friends, among whom were Iloldcn Colgrovo and family, whom 
nearly every pioneer of Western Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties will 
remomber for their many acts of kindness and hospitiility, after which 
wo looked about for a dwelling-place. 

" Our stock in trade was as follows : father bad about $130 all told, 
Aunt Warner i?.0, and I :?23, the earnings of the previous year's 
labors, before which lime I had betn a bound-out boy. 

•'About eight miles toutbwist of Adrian was the nearest govern- 
ment land, not of the best quality, but of which wo were willing to 
accept a piece. Accordingly, father i'tarted for the laud-ofHco at 
Monroe, fifty miles distant, and located eighty acres for himself and 
forty acres as the Joint property of myself and aunt, but in my name, 
women not having quite as high notions of their rights at (hut time as 
at I ho present day. When wc were all ready to commence tho manu- 
facture of stumps (the land was timbered), ono of our neighbors 
discovered an error in the duplicates of our deeds which gave mc a 
title to one-half of my father's and at the same time gave him a title 
to tho next eighty west of us, which was not so good as that which 
bad been selected. Thus it was necessary to make another trip to 
Monroe, and that at once, inasmuch as there was danger that somo 
one else might locate the desired land. I made the necessary journey, 
had tho error corrected, and started anew. Fortunately wo were 
bU's?ed with neighbors just across tho way, or what was expected 
to bo the way, an old bachelor, Elias Wilder, and his sister, who 
kindly took us in and gave us nil the accommodations of their 
home, consisting of a medium-sized log house, not chinked, with floors 
above and below of loose boards. There was no stove nor anything 
of the kind. Our kitchen was quite roomy, being by the side of a big 
oak log just in front of the house, having for a roof a slight covering 
of elm-bark. In this way my mother, a feeble woman, did tho work 
for a family of six for three months, doing her baking with an old- 
fashioned tin oven, an article familiar to all the early settlers who 
werenot able to bring stoves with them. During this time my father 
and myself, by hiring a few days' work, built a log house, chopped and 
cleared three acres, and sowed it to wheat. I would say that I never 
worked harder, and that, too, for ten dollars per month. 

" In October I went down towards Toledo, and worked one month on 
a government road at sixteen dollars a month and found. This was the 
biggest wages I had ever received. Tho government at this time ( fall of 
18;i4) was building a road through the cotton-wood swamp, a distance of 
six miles, all of which had to be causeway except four rods. Soon after 
returning home, a man by the name of Stebbins came to let mo a job 
to chop and clear five acres, also to clear five acres upon which the 
timber had already h(cn chopped and the brush piled, for which ho 
would give ine fifty dollars and what spring crops I could raise, paying 
me the money then, by which means I could get forty acres of govcrn- 
mentland. There werestill eighty acres joining minc.and by getting 
the front forty tho re.it would probably remain until I could buy it. 
This looks like working pretty cheaply, yet the land when located 
would bo considered worth $100. This Iransaclion was a good ono for 
Stebbins and myself also. Although I did a great doiil of work fortlio 
money, still it paid, considering the investment. The following spring 
:in<l summer being very wet, I put only a part of tho hind into 
i.ps. 

•' This brings us to the fall of IS-^o, the first summer in Miehignn, 
and before we were settled mother became somewhat homesick. Ono 
day Dr. Spaulding came along, ami noticing tb:it she appeared a little 
downbeurlcd, inquired the cause. She told him frankly what was 
the matter, that sbo fi-ared that if any of us wcro sick we must fco 
prttty hard times. To which the doctor replied, * Aunt Olivo, I think 
you quite as likely to be sick as any ono of the family, and if you arc 
sick any time within three years I will carry you through one course 
of sickness, provided you settle within ten miles of Adrian.' Wc 
settled within eight miles of Adrian. The doctor was as good as his 
word, and attended her through a severe run of bilious fever free of 
charge. 

** Dr. Spaulding is still living at Adrian, having resided there somo 
fifty years, and for many years was tho very salt of the town. 

*• In tho fall of lS'.\b, I had bcon away at work through tho week, 
coming home quite lute Saturday evening. The following Suuday 



morning our neighbor Wilder informed mo that in all probability 
another neighbor had sent by mail to locate the forty acres of land of 
which I have before spoken, and, as the mail would not reach Monroe 
until four o'clock on Monday, there wiis a chance for me to head him off. 
After thinking of the matter for a short lime, I concluded to ninke the 
efi'ort. I knew of a man who had some money, and wanted some chop- 
ping done. I decided that my best ehanco was to try him for a job of 
cho]iping,and after considerable delay completed a bargain for chop- 
ping ten acres fur forty dollars, ho to board me ono week {breach aero, 
and also to lend ten dollars to pay for the forty acres, provided I would 
get Wilder for security. Wilder was three miles away, and no time to 
bo lost, as ihediiy was nearly sjn-nt ; but I succeeded in getting to him, 
and obtained the money. Aflerdark X started for the bind-oflicc, fitly 
miles awiiy, wUh fifty dollars to pay for the land, seventy-five cents for 
expenses, not dating to ask for more than the oven fifty dollars to pay 
for the land. I arrived at Adrian jun as the people were returning 
from church, alter evening serviees, and met Dr. Spaulding, who in- 
quired why I was there at that time. When I informed him of my busi- 
ness, bo remarked that if I got footsore, and was not likely to get to 
Monroe belore the mail did, I had better hire a horse; to which I re- 
plied that I was too short of money to do that. ' Come in,' said tho 
doctor. I went into the house, and he handed mo five dollars, .«nying, 
' I have use for all tho money I have in a day or two, but use what 
you need, and return mo tho rest when you come back ; but do not fail 
to get to Monroe before the stage' 

" There was no railway in those <lays in tho Territory of Michigan, 
although one was being built from Adrian to Toledo, which was com- 
pleted in the fall of ISIJG, propelled by horso-povvor at the rate of 
almost six miles per hour. I went on to Blissficld, a distance of ten 
miles, and put up for the night, or, rather, for the morning. Getting 
some crackers, 1 told the proprietor of the hotel that I should ho off 
for Monroe as soon as I awoke, which was just at daylight. After 
traveling six or seven miles, I stopped for breakfast, and just as I 
was almost through eating, I saw a man pass, going towards Monroe, 
I noticed, as I traveled along, that 1 gained on him, and that he kept 
looking back, so I quickened my pace a little, and soon came up with 
him. We jiasscd tho timo of day, and nothing more was said for 
somo time, when one inquired of the other if he was going to Mon- 
roe, to which the other replied in tho aflirmativc, and in return put tho 
qucstipn, ' Are you ?' Nothing more was said for some tiuie, whe n I 
ventured to inquire if he was going to the land-office, to which ho an- 
swered that ho was. I then inquired if the land that he was about to 
locate was in the town of Dover. At the mention of this name wo 
both stopped and faced each other, to find out whether wo wcro both 
after the same piece of land. Fortunately, we learned that wc were 
not, and again wc moved along. Still each di>trusted the other, 
fearing he might lose the particular piece of land that ho was after. 
Thus wc traveled on until within about twelve miles of Monroe, when 
my companion began to lag and to complain of his feet being sore, 
saying ho wished he eoubl hire a horse. Learning that an Indian 
pony could bo got two miles farther on, ho managed to keep up until 
we arrived there. As the house was close to tlie road I could hear 
tiic conversation. The pony could be hud, but was in pasture a full 
mile away. 1 stopped to hear no more, but made the best of my timo 
to reach Monroe, lie did not come up to me until t was within a 
few rods of the land-office, when he passed, riding the pony. Wo 
passed in together, but, having been there before, I knew to what 
clerk to apply, and so made my entry first. As wo loft the office and 
were about to set out on our return trip, wo saw tho stage come in 
with tho m:iil. The pony man (his uamo was Wait) was anxious to 
get the pony hack that night, so wo made the ten miles on our way 
homo just at dark, making sixty miles I had traveled within the la>t 
twenty-four hours. The next day I returned home pntty foot-sore and 
tired, stopping at Dr. Spaulding's, and leaving the five dollars he had 
given mo, in exchange for which Mrs. Spaulding furnished mo with a 
good, substantial dinner. On getting home, I found I had loft just 
three cents of the seventy five cent pile with which I sot out. 

" After doing somo other work I had promised, I waa prepared to 
commence on tho job of chopping before spoken of, which I began 
on the first of December and completed in ten weeks and two days. 
It was generally considered that this was doing pretty well, as it was 
very heavy beech and maple land. 

" About tho first of June, iS.'iC, my fiWhcr and I bijth suM out to 
ono man for ?500 each, and the next day I staitod in pursuit of some 
land of which I expected to make a farm for life, and upon (ho land 



310 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



then located I have lived ever since. When in Jackson I inquired 
for a man who was accustomed to accompany those in search of lan-l, 
for the purpose of showing; them the country, aud was directed to a 
man by the name of Whitney, living about twelve miles from my 
present residence, in the direction of Jackson, with whom I spent 
the night. Here I lir;-t met II. II. Smith, who was also in pur.-uit 
of a farm, he desiring openings, while I desired timbered land. He 
made his selection east of the meridian, which belonged to the Detroit 
land-office, while I made ray selection west of the meridian, and was 
obliged to go to Kalamazoo to locate it. At this time there were not 
more than four or five families in Ingham County. There was but 
one family at iMason, and they hud been there but a few days. The 
first night I spent in Ingham County I occupied lodgings with my 
present neighbor, Daniel Searl, liis lately-deceased brother, Elisha, 
and their father, our bed being the ground, our covering the starry 
heavens. The Searls were just in from Massachusetts, and had lo- 
cated some land about two and a half miles east of bore, and were 
unable to find it until Mr. Whitney hcljjed them out, as he had previ- 
ously showed them their land. After one night passed, as I have before 
stated, getting some sleep, and lighting gnats and mosquitoes, wc par- 
took of a lunch which we had brought with us from Mr. Whitney's, 
and started on our return, arriving at Mr. Whitney's about ten 
o'clock, where we did ample justice to a good breakfast. I started 
for Kalamazoo, via Jackson, and when in the neighborhood of Sand- 
stone, and about sundown, I stopped at a public-house for a drink of 
water, with some thoughts of stopping for the night, but as it looked 
as if plenty of whisky would be the best thing to be got, I inquired 
for the next hotel, which proved to be the first house beyond, and was 
told it was five miles distant. Just before this I noticed a man who 
had been sitting on a bench at the door get up and go in that di- 
rection. Having made up my mind to go on, I soon discovered 
him but a short distance ahead, and quickly overhauled him. As I 
surveyed him, I imagined him a rather hard-looking specimen, and 
as it begun to grow dark I imagined all sorts of danger, as I at the 
time had a thousand dollars in my pocket, which in those days was 
considered quite a sum for a boy of twenty years to carry. The more 
I looked at him ihe more I wished I were 'shut* of him, as the 
Hoosier says; so I doturmincd to outwalk him. lie said he would 
like company, but could not stand it to go so fast. I replied, that 
being a boy in a strange place, without money, I thought I would 
fare pretty slim, and that I was anxious to get to Kalamazoo the 
next day, where I had an uncle living. But still determined to get 
away, I continued to walk as fast as I could, and had got several 
rods ahead when we came to a j)Iaco where there were several short 
bills, and as he went down one I went over another, out of sight, 
when I started on a run, and continued to run nearly a mile, seeing 
no more of my imaginary robber until I had been at the hotel long 
enough to eat a dish of milk an<l go up-stairs, when he came up, 
puffing well. I relate this incident merely to show how easily a man 
can be wrought up by imagination. 

'* When I arrived at the land-office it was so crowded that the 
clerks were unable to keep up with the business. Before my turn 
came the office closed for three weeks, leaving many anxious ones out 
in the cold. But there was no help for it, so I thought best to go 
home to Lenawee County for a while. I made the trip and returned 
in lime to get my land, and also land for others who had intrusted 
their money with me for that purpose. Having done a little harvest- 
ing and made the necessary preparations, my father and I came out 
with a load of goods, including a barrel of flour, some jtork and pota- 
toes, expecting to get some baking done, but no neighbors of the 
bread-making persuasion were to be found short of Mason, and only 
one could be found there. The first night we stopped with our neigh- 
bors, the Searls, who were doing their own work, as the rest of the 
family had not yet arrived. The next day we came over to our own 
land, built a small ten-by-twelve house, covering it with troughs of 
split basswood logs, bored some holes in the logs into which we drove 
some poles, supporting the other end with slakes driven into the 
ground, upon which we laid poles for our bedstead, upon which we 
put brush and leaves. This we considered tolerably safe from mas- 
sassaugas. 

" Our cooking-utensils consisted of a dish-kettle, spider, one tin pan, 
and two pint basins. The bill of fare was not very extensive, con- 
sisting of pork, potatoes, and long-cake, with cold water for drink. 
The manner of making the long-cako was to mix water, salt, and tlour 
into a stiflf batter, pour it into a spider, and bake upon the coals. We 



did our own cooking while wc were building a shanty fourteen by 
twenty-four. Our shanty was floored with split basswood logs, and 
covered with shakes split from oak and similar to wide staves. These 
shakes were thirty inches long, laid double upon poles resting upon 
the rafters, and held in place by poles laid on top. It took us ten 
days to complete our shanty, the three Searls helping raise it, and 
when we came to occupy it we found it leaked some ; so, as oak-trees 
were plenty, we put on another course of shakes, which made it water- 
proof and pretty warm. While we were building, our team gave us 
considerable trouble, as the flies and mosquitoes were so troublesome 
that we were obliged to watch continually, and always keep the 
bell in hearing. As soon as our shanty was completed we returned to 
Lenawee County and commenced getting ready to move, starting on 
the first Monday in November, IS36. This day was the first of the 
three then required by law for holding election, and the year of Van 
Buren's election. 

'* In moving we bad for company Mr. Wolcott Phillips and family, 
who settled near us and afterwards removed to Alaiedon. When we 
were out to build the shanty there were several places within twenty 
miles of Jackson where the Grand River could be forded, but the fall 
rains had so swollen the stream that it was no longer possible to ford 
it; but a sort of ferry had been established at what was afterwards 
known as Berrie's bridge. The ferry-boat consisted of a scow only 
wide enough to carry a wagon with the wheels over the sides in the 
water. AVith this boat the family was carried across at one load, the 
goods at two more, and the wagon at another, but the team was obliged 
to swim across. After crossing and loading up again wc started nearly 
due east, going between five and six miles to the foot of Battees Lake, 
crossing the outlet and coming up on the east side of the lake to 
Davison's saw-mill, where we remained all night, about fifteen miles 
from our intended home. The next day we followed the Battees and 
Okemos trail, arriving at our destination the sixth day after leaving 
our former home. AVe found the Searl family had come, also Hiram 
Parker, a little more than a mile east, Hinman Ilurd, two and one- 
half miles southeast, one more family in Mason, Peter Linderman, 
one-half mile north of Mason, Mr. Fifield, two and one-half miles 
west, and Uncles Ben and Nathan Rolfe, in the southwe-^t part 
of the town. As I was not of age when I sold my farm in Len- 
awee County, the man who bought it was very anxious that I should 
execute a deed immediately after reaching my majority, so I was 
obliged to return in November. Ellas Phillips, son of Wolcott 
Phillips, went with me to get a load of goods. After transacting 
my business we started with our goods. The weather was very bad 
and the roads worse, consequently we made slow progress, reaching 
the Marvin place, just north of Jackson, where we stayed all night. 
Starting early the next morning, we got within one-half mile of the 
ferry at noon, fed our teams, and then commenced one of the worst 
jobs that I ever did with a team. The road across the flat was very 
badly cut up, and so crooked that wc could not double teams, it being 
frozen quite hard, but not hard enough to hold us, so that if we 
advanced from three to five rods at a pull we thought we were getting 
along quite well. When we reached the river our oxen were wi-t with 
sweat. Letting them stand until our goods were transferred to the 
other side, we drove them into the river and compelled them to swim 
across, the anchor-ico running in large quantities. 

" We then drove the oxen about forty rods and provided them with 
the only shelter that could be procured, — viz., a log shed, unchinked, 
with a few poles on the top, over which was strewn a little marsh hay, 
the greater part of which we fed to our teams. That night every 
hair on our oxen was frozen stiS". The mercury stood at zero, and 
they were covered with ice almost as soon as they had emerged from 
the water. After spending some time caring for our teams and load- 
ing our goods, we were ready for bed about eleven o'clock. We slept 
pretty well, occasiormlly looking up at the stars, which could easily 
he seen through the cracks in the roof. We started again on our 
journey soon after daylight the following morning. Our teams were 
stifl' and sore, with ice still clinging to them. Making our way to 
the foot of Battees Lake we found it frozen over, but the ice was not 
strong enough to hold us up. Wo selected the usual crossing, where 
the outlet was about twenty feet wide, the water reaching the wagon- 
box. The depth had been made greater than us^ual by the frequent 
passing of teams and wagons. Before attempting to cross it was 
necessary to cut and clear away the ice, an undertaking that was 
attended with no little labor. Here we were able to double teams, by 
which means we succeeded in getting across without being obliged to 



VEVAY. 



311 



unload any of the good?. Phillips* load hnd a bnrrel of pork in tho 
back part of tho wagon, which made it very heavy to raise. When 
the hiud wheels struck the frozen bank I caught hold of one to help 
raise the wagon, and as the wheels came upon the bank the frozen 
ground crumbled and gave way, precipitating mo suddenly into the 
water nearly up to my middle. I scrambled out with none too favor- 
able on opinion of that manner of immersion. But thero was no help 
for it except to sit down on tho ground, elevate my feet, and let the 
water in my boots run out where it came in, and prepare to move 
along. It was now pa?t noon, and stopping at Mr. Bavison's we fed 
our teams. Mr. Davison's was the last house until we arrived at our 
new home, and fifteen miles distant from it. Although we made the 
best of our time, the sun went behind the trees while we were on what 
nas since been known as the Charley Wood farm, — it being the north 
half of northwest quarter of section 27, Bunker Hill, — about nine 
miles from home. Wo had no fire and no means of starting one, 
lucifer-matches not having even been thought of at that time. We 
had no bedding, and nest to nothing to oat. Wo unyoked our teams, 
fed them some corn, and started for our new home, making rather 
slow progress. It was quite diOicult to keep the trail. When within 
about one and a half miles of home, as by going across wc could save 
nearly half the distance, and as the moon was about vanishing, wo 
ventured to try it; and when about halfway the old bcU-cow rose up 
and kept her bell rattling, which served as an excellent guide for us. 
We arrived at home about midnight, cold, tired, wet, and hungry. 
My clothes had been frozen since about noon, and yet I really believe 
that I thought more about the poor oxen we had left behind than 
about my own condition. Mother was about to get up and prepare 
something to eat, I told her not to do so, but that we should want 
breakfast before daylight, as we knew not where our oxtn might 
be. So taking a fried cake and a drink of milk (about a panful, as 
nearly as I can remember), I crawled into bed with my brother 
Manly, and was soon asleep. We started out next morning soon 
alter daylight, found the wagons all right, but no oxen, and as it was 
cloudy it required some caro not to get lost in our search for them. 
There being snow upon the ground, we could track the oxen withlittle 
difficulty. One followed the tracks, while the other, following at a 
distance, kept the bearings as nearlj" as possible. Wo found our 
teams about one and a half miles from the wagons, looking better 
than the morning before, as they had found plenty of fine mnrsh 
grass of good quality, which they could get by rooting a little. After 
reaching our wagons, we fed the teams some grain, and when ready 
to start we ju<lged it to be about two o'clock i-.m. We proceeded 
north, bearing a little west, following tho trail about three and a half 
miles to where it crossed the stream that supplied Buttces Lake. 
Here we wore again obliged to cut and clear away the ice in order to 
effect a crossing. This was done with less difficulty than before, as 
the creek was smaller, but the land on the opposite side was low and 
marshy, and not frozen sufficiently hard to bear up the teams and 
wagons. In crossing one of my oxen was quite badly lamed. Pro- 
ceeding about half a mile to where there were some Indian shanties 
and hay-stacks, we concluded, as it was nearly night, to leave our 
teams and try to get home once more. It was evident that uiy ox 
would be too lame to draw the load, so we got Mr. Hiram Parker, our 
nearest neighbor, to go and draw the load. It was very fortunate 
that we <lid so, for the ox was hardy able to drag himself home. 
With careful attention he *Ta8 all right in a few days. Leaving the 
teams at the stacks, we started home before sundown, so that wc wero 
enabled to arrive there about dark, very glad of the opportunity to 
rest a while. I very well recollect that mother remarked, when we 
had got tho last of our goods unloaded, that she guessed I would bo 
content to stop a while ; to which I rcpliedthat in a few years I ex- 
]>ccted to move to m^' own place, and not to move any more except 
from a log house into a better one, to which opinion I continued to 
adhere. 

" I will now pass on. merely saj'ing (hnt I continued to work for my 
father until the 1st of February, lS;i7, whtn 1 comiuenced the manu- 
facture of stumps on roy own place. My entire outfit consisted of 
one axe, one cross-cut saw, one hand-saw, and one nail-hauimer ; no 
other tools and no team. In three months I had chopped alt tho 
timber on twenty acres, piled the brush, and cut up the timber on six 
acres, ready for logging. This may seem pretty large to some, but I 
endeavored to attend strictly to my own liusincss, and those who did 
so always succeeded in those days. On the 3d of September, 1839, 
our dear mother died of hemorrhage of tho lungs. Sho had been for 



some time subject to severe coughing-spells, and during one of them 
a blood-vessel was ruptured. She passed away, without speaking, 
within twenty minutes afterwards. 

" About the 1st of January, 18^0, in company with John Williams 
of Sharon, Washtenaw Co., Mich., I commenced building a saw-mill, 
which has since been known as tho Hawley saw-mill. This for many 
years was not a profitable investment, as wo were inoxperienccd in 
the business. AVo suffered a lass by tho breaking away of the dam, 
but after a time we succeeded in getting some money out of it. It 
was, however, quite an accommodation to the community. After 
keeping bachelor's hall for fourleen months, during which time I 
built the saw-mill just spoken of, I concluded to unite my fortunes 
with those of Miss Lucy Ann Hicks, of Ingham, to wbom I was 
married Juno 2, 1341. We lived togoiher until the 18th of November, 
1S63, when she died of typhoid fever, having borne six children, one 
one of whota died Oct. 13, 18-15, aged one month and twenty-three days. 

"On the 18th of Novombir, 1864, I was married to Mrs. Charlotte 
I, Uolfe, who died March the Sth, 1859, having borne mc one child. 
And hero let me say that I have had lor helpmates two of the best 
women it has been the misfortune of one man to lose. 

" I have passed over some events that might prove interesting, and 
these I shall mention in a kind of review. 

"In October, IS36, not being very busy, and hearing that ono 
Samuel Baytiss, of our town, had a cross-cut saw for sale, and as one 
would come very handy in the woods, I took my axe and went over to 
see him. I told my errand just as the breakfast horn blew, ' Come,* 
said he, 'I will talk with you after breakfast.' Breakfaift over we 
went to the woods and soon completed a bargain. I was to chop for 
him one acre, ready for logging, which included cutting down the 
timber, piling the brush, and chopping the timber up (except some 
very large, or the rail timber), and in return for this labor the saw 
became mine. I chopped this acre in four days, to Mr. Bayliss' en- 
tire satisfaction. It was a fair average of timber-land. 

" In the winter of 1837, with the snow ono and a half feet deep, 
and with tho track but slightly broken, Ira Parker, a brother of tho 
venerable 'Squire' Parker, who now lives on the hill east of my farm, 
and who is fourscore years of age, Daniel Sear! (m}' first neighbor west), 
George Searl, Klisha Searl, and myself started early in the morning to 
go nine miles to help a Mr. Bartlett raise a log house, — the firtt house, 
I think, in what is now the town of Alaiedon, and about two miles 
northeast of the old county-house. After completing the hou^e- 
raifeing wc started on our return home, where we arrived lato in the 
evening, yet feeling as if we had done a neighbor a good turn. Mr. 
Bartlett, however, never settled on the land, as it lay far within 
the woods, and hearing of some government laud in our neighbor- 
hood, he located eighty acres, upon which his son Lorenzo still lives. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have been dead several years. 

"In the spring of 1837 thero was every prospect of a scarcity uf 
breadstuff". As the price of flour was almost daily coming up, wo 
thought it best to secure a supply to last until harvest was over. Wo 
decided it would be best to go to Detroit as soon as the necessary 
means could be accumulated and a load made up. This took but a 
short time, as some neighbors wished to send along for some flour, and 
the roads were in such bad condition that six barrels made a good 
load. It took nine days to make the trip. The flour cost twelve dol- 
lars a barrel in Detroit. A part of the money paid for this flour I 
earned by chopping and logging at five shillings per day. Let some 
of the laboring people of the present day, who are not willing to work 
for two bushels of wheat a day in harvest, think of this and of flour 
being at this time worth twenty dollars a barrel in Mason. 

"In tho spring of 1837 Mason received quite an addition to its 
population in the persons of E. B. Danforth, one of the proprietors 
of tho place. Dr. Minos MeRobert, Uncle (Jeorgo Webb, Nathaniel 
Blain, and others. In April of this year I had occasion to go to 
Leslie, and as it was several miles farther by the road, I thought I 
would attempt to go through the woods on my return. Soon after 
starting it commenced raining, and after raining considerably the sun 
shone for a moment, showing it was about s* tting, iind that darkn< ss 
would overtake me before I could get out of the woods. Again the 
whole horizon was almost instantly shut in with clouds and the ram 
began to fall. i^Iaking the best of what daylight was left, I hurried 
on, and soon found myself swamped, as it were, so far as getting homo 
was concerned. As I was on the creek that ran into Mason, distant 
about two miles, I determined to attempt following it into tho city. 
Mason at that time consisted of a clearing of twenty acres, a small 



3V. 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



mill, and two lo^ houses occupied by Lewis Lacey and Uncle Jiin 
IJlain. I had not proceeded far in my attempt tj follow the creek 
when a misstep landed me in the stream up to my middle. Climbing 
out I went on quite slowly, as it was very dark. I had gone but a 
short distance when I again found myself floundering in the creek 
among a quantity of flood-wood, from which it was not very easy to 
e.Ktricate myself. Knowing that it was not far from the Hog's Back, 
which also led into Mason, I decided to follow this instead of the 
creik. I succeeded in following it the remainder of the distance to 
Mason. As it was raining and very dark I made very slow progress, 
being obliged to feel my way. Suddenly there came a sharp flash of 
lightning, when I discovered not more than twenty feet ahead son)0 
kind of an aniuial, but w.is unable to determine what it was. How- 
ever, 1 started towards it, making about as much noise as I could, 
when it ran off, making a noise like that of a deer. Continuing my 
onward course, 1 soon discovered signs of the clearing previously 
mentioned, and found my way to Mr. Lacey's and was soon in bod 
with E. B. Danfortii. This was about two o'clock in the morning. 
After enjoying a good nap and having breakfasted I i-tarted home, 
feeling quite well, although a trifle stiff from the wetting received 
the day before. 

** The following incident will (lerhaps be relished by those who have 
a mirthful side to their character. When the county was quite new, 
Mr. Enos Northrup had a piece of grass that he intended to mow for 
hay, but as the grass was li-rlit. he proposed to one Conrad Williams 
{who was a very good mowei-, but a little weak in some points) that 
if he would cut it and draw it from the field and put it in the barn he 
(Northrup) would give him two-thirds of it. When the hay was 
ready, Williams got my half brother, Manly Gray, to help draw it. 
Now, if any man in town enjoyed a joke it was Manly. Williams 
commenced dividing the hay in the cock, when my brother suggested 
that they should take it clean as they went, and thus save going over 
the ground the second time, to which Williams readily consented. 
Wlien they had got about half the second load on, he began to see 
that they were going to get the whole of the bjiy and that there 
would be none left for Northrup. My brother assured him that it 
would be all right and a good joke on Northrup, so Williams took all 
the h.ay. Northrup saw Williams in the evening and inquired why 
he had taken all the hay. He replied that there was none for him. 
* How is that?' said Northrup. *Why, you know,' answered he, 
'I was to have two-thirds of the hay or two loads to your one, and 
there was only ttco-thirdu of the whnU of it.' Northrup saw the joke 
and said no more, and Williams, turning to a bystander, said, ' Haven't 
we come it good ?' " 

Enos Northrup, in company with his brother, Cornelius 
Northrup, came to Michigan from Medina Co., Ohio, in the 
spring of 1830, and settled on Gull Prairie, in Kalamazoo 
County (township of Richland), where they were among 
the first settlers. ]<inos Northrup was then a boy, and lived 
with his brother ; their parents were deceased. Cornelius 
never came to Ingham County to settle. Knos removed 
from Gull Prairie to Middlebury, Elkhart Co., Ind., where 
he remained two or three years, and in March, 1839, came 
to Vevay with his wife and settled on section 23, where he 
now lives. For a year or two, while working his place, he 
lived with Henry A. Hawley. 

Mr. Northrup's brother Thomas settled in the township 
about 18-41, having lived about a year at Kalamazoo vil- 
lage, and also for a time at Middlebury, Ind. Upon set- 
tling in Vevay he located on the farm next north of his 
brother. Both of these farms were in the woods when 
tiie Northrup brothers arrived, and were covered princi- 
pally with a heavy growth of oak. 

In the summer of 1831, while living on Gull Prairie, 
Enos Northrup loaded twenty-two bushels of wheat in his 
wagon, and started with that and an ox-team to mill, at 
Constantine, St. Joseph Co., about fifty miles away. There 
were no roads and no bridges, and it was necessary to ford 



all the streams. By the second night after leaving home 
he had arrived within two or three miles of his destination, 
and stopped at a shanty into which a family was just mov- 
ing. He turned his oxen loose — one wetiring a bell — and 
slept on the ground. In the morning the oxen were miss- 
ing. Two or three days were spent in looking for them, 
ati Indian aiding him part of the time. He went to Not- 
tawa-scpee Prairie and then started back, intiuiring every- 
where for tlie lost oxen, and finally reached home, but found 
no cattle there, and could learn nothing about them. He 
had the same experience three times before finally finding 
them, spending nine days in the search and traveling 300 
miles, besides expending five dollars in money, but at last 
discovered them within ten miles of home, and in time 
reached home with his grist, the fatuily having used flour 
in his absence which was made by grinding wheat in a 
coflx!e-mill. 

The saw-mill mentioned by Mr. Hawley was operated by 
him about fourteen years. The dam was washed away 
several times. The frame of the old mill is yet standing, 
but has been several times repaired and added to. The 
mill had a capacity for cutting about 200,000 feet per an- 
num, with its one saw. The lumber used in many of the 
barns of the neighborhood and on the road to Dexter was 
sawed at this mill. One of these barns is tliat on the farm 
of Enos Northrup. On one occasion, having broken the 
saw in the mill, it was necessary to get a new one. Mr. 
Hawley did not happen to have sufficient money at the 
time, but procured the necessary amount of a man who 
owed him, walked to Jackson, purchased the saw and 
brought it home on his back, and the mill was running 
again within forty-eight hours after the old saw was 
broken. 

Edwin Hubbard, from Steubeii Co., N. Y., came with 
his parents to Salem, Washtenaw Co., Mich., about 1831, 
the family being one of the first to locate in that township. 
Mrs. Hubbard, Sr., died, and her husband went West, but 
returned to Michigan and died in Ingham County. About 
1839, Mr. Hubbard came to Vevay with his brother Ira, 
and helped the latter build his shanty. Edwin purchased 
land from second hands, on section 35, and settled upon it 
about the 1st of January, 1841. No improvements had 
then been made on the place. Mr. Hubbard was at the 
time a single man and lived alone a short period on his 
place, boarding also, while working his place, with Mr. 
Gallup, who lived north of him. In July, 18-13, he was 
married, and soon after settled on the place he now occupies, 
where he has since resided, with the exception of two years 
(1850 to 1852) spent in California. 

Mrs. Hubbard, whose maiden name was Sargent, had 
come to the State in 1834 with her brother-in-law, Henry 
Fifield, from Essex Co.. Mass., and located at Jackson. 
In October, 1836, Mr. Fifield and his family and Miss 
Sargent came to Ingham County and settled in the town- 
ship of Vevay, south of Mason. Mr. Fifield was therefore 
one of the first settlers in the township. Their goods had 
been ferried across Grand River in a small " dug-out," at 
Freeman's, in Jackson County, and they were two days 
making the journey to their location in Vevay. After 
building his house Mr. Fifield had to wait until the river 




ateSSk «S^' 





ENOS NOKTUKUl'. 



MRS. ENOS NOKTUKri". 



ENOS NORTHRUP. 



Enos Northrup, one of tlie prominent citizens and 
old settlers of" Vevay, was born in the town of 
Windham, Delaware Co., N. Y., Jan. 13, 1813. 
He was the youngest in the family of Enos and 
Elizabeth (Griffin) Northrup, which consisted of ten 
persons. His boyhood days were spent in the State 
of New York. At the age of seventeen he came to 
Michigan in company with an elder brother ; they 
first settled in the town of Richland, Kalamazoo 
Co., where they purchased a new farm, and where 
they resided until 18.37, at which time Enos was 
married to Mi.ss Belinda Warner. Shortly after his 
marriage he and his young wife removed to Indiana, 
where he remained until 183i), when he came to 
Vevay and settled U[)on the farm where he now re- 
sides. Three years after his emigration Mi-s. Northrup 
died, leaving two children, Henry .1. and K<lward. 
In 1856, Mr. Northrup was again married, to Miss 



Julia A. Monroe. She was bom in Pawlet, Rut- 
land Co., Vt., in 1825, and came to Michigan in 
1852. 

The life of Mr. Northrup has been comparatively 
uneventful. For fifty years he has been a resident of 
the State. When he came to Michigan, Detroit had 
hardly reached the distinction of a village. Beneath 
his observation the State has been organized and de- 
veloped, and he has witnessed the changes that have 
culminated in the present stage of advancement, and 
to such men the State is indebted for its present 
wealth and prosperity. He has followed to a suc- 
cessful termination the line of life marked out in 
his youth, and is classed among the successful and 
enterprising farmers of the county. He has per- 
fected a valuable record, and is in every way worthy 
of the position he holds among the representative old 
settlers of Ingham County. 



VEVAY. 



313 



froze over before he dared to cross it and go back after 
lumber to finish with. From October to December, 1836, 
the family lived in the house without floor or chimney, 
liaving no opportunity sooner to procure lumber with which 
to build them. 

Jasper Wolcott came about the same time as Mr. Fi- 
field, and settled on section 20. In January, 1837, he 
was married to Miss Sargent, theirs being the first marriage 
which occurred in the township. The justice of the peace 
who married them was Joseph Bailey, of Jackson, afterwards 
State treasurer and a resident of Lansing, and he came on 
horseback from Jackson to perform the ceremony, having 
to remain over-night. Mr. Wolcott died in November, 
1837, and was the first male person whose death occurred 
in the township, a Miss Kolfe having died the previous 
spring. When Mr. Wolcott died, his wife lay sick in the 
house, and could not be permitted to see him ; but a son. 
Nelson Wolcott, born at that time, was given her to take 
the place of the husband she had lost, and this was the first 
birth of a white male child in town. The first white child 
born in the township was Hiram Parker's daughter, Mary, 
bora the same year. Iler death occurred about 1850. In 
July, 1843, Jlrs. Wolcott was married to Edwin Hubbard. 

Ira Hubbard, brother to Edwin, and also from Steuben 
Co., N. Y., came to Michigan about 1831, and in January, 

1839, removed with his wife and one child, a young daughter, 
to Vevay and settled on the farm he now occupies. Edwin 
Hubbard came with them and helped build the shanty, but, 
as stated, did not settle in town until 1841. Another 
daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ira Hubbard in Janu- 
ary, 1841. When their shanty was built it was necessary 
to scrape away the snow in order to lay the lower logs. Ira 
Hubbard also went to California, and was gone nine months, 
returning wiih his brother Edwin to Michigan in 1852. 
Edwin had made the journey westward overland and Ira by 
water. 

Alfred Gallup, from Leroy, Genesee Co., N. Y., settled 
in Vevay, with his wife and two children, in September, 

1840. Rufus Freeman, a young man, accompanied them and 
purchased forty acres of land in the same locality, but after 
a short time he sold it to Mr. Gallup and moved away. 
The latter had purchased his land from second hands before 
leaving New York ; no improvements had been made upon 
it. Mr. Gallup's wife died about 184G, and he was afterwards 
married again. He is now deceased, and his widow occupies 
the old place. His death occurred in the fall of 1879. Ilis 
sister, now Mrs. Kendall, came in 1845 and kept house a 
year for her brother. In 1846 she was married to A. Y. 
Olds and settled on the place where she now lives. Mr. 
Olds had located in the township about 1838, and married 
Miss Gallup after the death of his first wife. He went to 
California with Ira Hubbard in 1851, and was gone two 
years. He died in Vevay in October, 1861, and his widow 
afterwards married llcuben Kendall, who died in 1874. 
Mrs. Kendall occupies the place she settled upon with Mr. 
Olds. It had been considerably improved before their mar- 
riage. The log house, with a frame addition, was used 
until 1870. 

Benjamin F. Smith, formerly from the State of New 
York, and for some time a resident of South Lyons, Oak- 
40 



land Co., Mich, (possibly Salem, Washtenaw Co.), pur- 
chased land in Vevay in the spring of 1837, and 
settled upon it as soon as possible and commenced im- 
provements. His wife had died before he came here, 
and some time afterwards he was married to a lady who had 
lived near his former home. Jlr. Smith located on section 
26 in Vevay, next north of A. Y. Olds. He lived but a 
few years after his marriage, and died in 1851. His widow 
became the wife of Jacob Dubois in 1852, and lived for a 
number of years in Bunker Hill township. Mr. Dubois 
had previously resided in Alaiedon, where he was an early 
settler, and where his first wife died. 

Ziba Blood, from Springwater, Steuben Co., N. Y.,came 
to Vevay in the spring of 1841, and made the first 
improvements on land he had purchased from second 
hands. His wife and five children accompanied him ; 
one child was born after the family settled. Their home 
was on section 26, where one son. Marquis A. Blood, now 
lives. His parents are both deceased, and he is the only 
one of the family left in the township. 

Abram Diamond, a native of Wayne Co., N. Y., and 
for a time a resident of Lancaster Co., Pa., emigrated 
to Michigan with his wife and two children in 1839, and 
located in Jaek-son County. In 1840 he came to Ingham 
County and purchased land, and in the spring of 1841 
settled in what is now Ingham township, near the west line. 
In the spring of 1854 he removed to Vevay and located 
on the place now owned by his son, Andrew Diamond, 
where he and his wife both died, he in 1866 and she about 
1869. Andrew Diamond was born in Jackson Co., Mich., 
about 1840, during the residence of the family there. 

Almon M. Chapin, a native of Massachusetts, and for 
some time a resident of Livingston Co., N. Y. (had lived 
also in Onondaga County), left the latter State with his 
family in December, 1842, and came with teams through 
Northern Ohio to Michigan, the trip occupying eighteen days. 
The hou.sehold goods had been .sent by water to Detroit. 
The family arrived in Vevay on or about the 1st of January, 
1843, and moved into a log house which had been built 
by William Austin and was then vacant. The snow lay 
very deep on the ground, and, soon after they oecnpied the 
house and built a fire therein, the melting snow broke down 
the roof. It was repaired, and the family lived in the house 
until the following October, when they moved into a frame 
house, which is now the rear portion of the dwelling occupied 
by Mr. Chapin's widow and family. The fine grove in front 
of the liou.se at present consists of natural trees, which were 
left purposely when the place was first occupied. A burning 
log-heap in front of the house destroyed a portion of them 
(the trees being then but saplings), but enough were pre- 
served to make a beautiful grove, which is now the pride 
of the locality. Mr. Chapin was a model citizen, and 
one of the most prominent in the township. Ilis death 
occurred on the 5th of September, 1878, in his home at 
Chapin's Station, or " Eden." 

Jonathan B. Chapin, M.D., now of Battle Creek, Cal- 
houn Co., settled in Vevay previous to the arrival of 
his cousin, A. M. Chapin, and was an early school-teacher 
in the Ilolfe settlement, lie had studied medicine in the 
State of New York. He cleared up a large farm, and lived 



314 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



in the township until about 1855, when he removed to 

Olivet, Eaton Co., and afterwards to Battle Creek. Dr. 

Chapin was very prominent in the township, and was an 

esteemed citizen, as, indeed, was each member of the Chapin 

family. 

EDEN POST-OFFICE. 

was established in the neighborhood of 181-1, with William 
Hopkins as first po.stmaster, the location being west of what 
is now the station of the same name. Almon M. Chapin was 
postmaster for some years after the office was removed to the 
station, and the present incumbent is S. S. Dewey. 

EDEN STATION. 

which is located on sections 28 and 33, near the Chapin 
homestead, was formerly known as Chapin's. The name 
Eden is appropriate, however, as the vicinity is one of 
great beauty, and here are found some of the finest farms 
in the township. The place at present contains a store, a 
post-office, two blacksmith-shops, and a shoe-shop. Con- 
siderable business is also done in the line of grain-buying 
and shipping, two small elevators having been built for its 
accommodation. 

The following appear on the assessment-rolls for 1844, 
as the resident taxpayers in that year in the township of 
Vevay : 

Asa Dubois, Horton & Shafer, Peter Linderraan, W. 11. Horton, 
Nelson Ilartwick, Iluram Bristol, William F. Near, Jason B. Packard, 
John Rayner, Elisha R. Searl, Geor^^e Scnrl, John Coatsworth, Hiram 
Parker, Isaac Chandler, John Royston, Henry Quarry, Charles Briggs, 
Caleb T. Briggs, William Kirby, Zebulon Eggleston, Benjamin F. 
Smith, Ariel Y. Olds, Ira Hubbard, Am.adon Holdcn, Lewis F. Olds, 
James Rundell, Edwin Hubbard, Alfred F. Gallup, John Hubbard, 
Enos B. Smith, Edward H. Hurd, Abucr Bartlett, Enos Northrup, 
Charles Gray, Theron W. Searl, Henry A. Hawley, Hawley A Williams, 
Ira Chandler, John Chandler, Daniel Searl, Asa Hill, Stephen Hare, 
Charles Connard, Ira Rolfe, Norman Holt, Marshall Walker, Page k 
Smith, Chauncey Page, Lorenzo Daggett, Almon M. Chapin, Levi 
Chapin, Sampson Phelps, Ransom Surrarrer, Adna Eggleston & Co., 
Adna Eggleston, Ebenezer Austin, J. W. Hopkins. Joseph Hopkins, 
Cyrus Austin, Nathan Rolfe, Lewis Reynolds, Horace Reynolds, Ira 
Hare, Watson Rolfe, Benjamin Rolfe, Carlos Rolfe, Oramel Rolfe, Orrin 
Miner, Joseph Miner, Henry Fifield, J. S. Norton, J. B. Chapin 
Thom.as Tolman, Emmons White, E. B. Danforth Jt Co., Orson Butler, 
Nathan Rolfe, administrator. 

TOWNSHIP OKGANIZATION.— LIST OF OFFICERS. 
By an act of the Legislature approved March 6, 1838, 
that portion of the county of Ingham designated on the 
United States survey as township No. 2 north, of range 
No. 1 west, formerly a part of Aurelius, was set off and 
organized into a separate township by the name of Vevay, 
and it was directed that the first township meeting be held 
at the public-house in JIason.* The township records con- 
tain the following account of the first town-meeting : 

"At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Vevay, County of 
Ingham, State of Michigan, hold on the 2d day of April, IS.38, for 
the purpose of organizing the afores.aid township, and choosing town- 
ship officers, 

" lienulvcd, Thiit Minos McRobert be Moderator ; Anson Jackson, 



« This was probably the house of James Blain, as there was no 
regular "tavern" in the place until 1S39, when George W. Shafer 
completed and opened the "Mason Exchange." Bbiin's house was 
of necessity a " public-house," and he kept land-lookers and travelers 
because there was no one else to do so. 



Clerk; Hiram Converse, Hiram Parker, B. F. Smith, Inspectors of 
Election. 

" Resolved, That there be two Constables, two Fence Viewers, two 
Pound Masters, and three Assessors. 

" The following officers were elected by ballot ; 

" Peter Linderman, Supervisor. 

** Anson Jackson, Township Clerk. 

" Ira Rolfe, Minos McRobert, A. Bartlett, Assessors. 

" Peter Linderman, Hiram Converse, Hiram Parker, Benjamin 
Rolfe, Justices of the Peace. 

" Henry A. Hawley, Collector. 

"Hiram Austin, Benjamin F. Smith, Anson Jackson, Commissioners 
of Highways. 

" John Daggett, Henry A. Hawley, Constables. 

" Benjamin Rolfe, George Searl, Directors of the Poor. 

"Nathan Rolfe, Minos McRobert, W. H. Horton, School Inspectors. 

"Hinm,an Hurd, E. R. Searl, Fence Viewers. 

" E. R. Searl, H. A. Hawley, E. B. Danforth, H. Austin, L. Dag- 
gett, B. F. Smith, Overseers of Highw.ays. 

** Jiesuhedf That there be a bounty on wolves of two dollars, if 
killed by a citizen of the township. 

" Reniilved, That a lawful fence be four and a half feet high. 

" Resolved, That swine shall not be free comn 



It was also resolved to hold the next election at the 
school-house in the village of Mason. The following is a 
list of the principal ofiicers of the township from 1839 to 

1879, inclusive : 

SUPERVISORS. 

lS.39-40, Charles Gray; 1841, Wright Horton; 1842-43, Peter Lin- 
derman; 1844, Hiram Parker: 1845, Peter Linderman; 1846, 
George W. Shafer; 1847-18, Peter Linderman; 1849, George W. 
Shafer; 1850, Henry A. Hawley; 1S5I, Anson Jackson; 1852, 
Almon M. Chapin; 185.3, Amos E. Steele; 1854, Joseph L. 
Huntington ; 1855, George W. Shafer; 1856, William H. Horton ; 
1857, George W. Shafer; 1858-59, James Fuller ; 1860, William 
H. Horton; 1861-62, Rosalvo F. Griffin ; 1863, Peter Lowe; 1864, 
John Coatsworth; 1865-67, Perry Henderson; 1868-70, William 
AV. Root; 1871, Rosalvo F. Griffin; 1872-73, William W. Root; 
1874, Alexander Bush; 1875, Allen Rowe; 1876, James Fuller; 
1877-78, William H. Horton; 1879, Lyman Minar. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 
1839-10, Zaccheus Barnes; 1841-42, George W. Shafer; 1843, Wm. 
Hammond; 1844-45, George W. Shafer; 1846, John H. Child; 
1847-48, John W. Longyear; 1849, Samuel W. Hammond; 1850, 
George W. Shafer; 1851, Amos E. Steele; 1852-53, George W. 
Shafer; 1854-55, Willi.am Sweet; 1856, Joseph C. Obeare; 1857 
-58, Luther B.Huntoon; 1859, Charles H. Rea; 1860, David W. 
Halstead ; 1861-62, Henry Linderman ; 1863, William H. Smith ; 
1864, John H. Sayers; 1865, William Sweet; 1866-67, Andrew 
D. Tubbs; 1868, Ale.'^ander Gunn ; 1869, George W. Sackrider; 
1870, Henry M. Williams; 1871, Daniel J. Griffin; 1872, Eli.os 
Culver; 1873-74, Henry H. Cook; 1875-76, Orville F. Miller; 
1877-78, Frank White: 1879, Julius W. Chapin. 

TREASURERS. 
1839, Peter Linderman; 1840, Freeman Wilson; 1841-42, Hiram 
Converse; 1843, Joseph Hopkins; 1844-45, James Turner; 1846, 
Isaac C. Page; 1847, Asa Hill; 1848, Joseph Hopkins; 1849-50, 
Arnold Walker; 1851, Almon M. Chapin; 1852-53, George 
Belcher; 1854, George D. Pease; 1855, Ira 0. Darling; 1856, 
James D. Hulse; 1857, Barney Holmes; 1858, Peter L. Rose; 
1859, Ariel T. Olds; 1860, George D. Pease; 1861-63, John M. 
Dresser; 1864-65, David W. Halstead; 1866, Isaac W. Horton; 
1867, Frederick P. Moody; 1868-69, William W. Van Vrankin ; 
1870, Alonzo S. Nichols; 1871-73, Alexander Bush; 1874-76, 
John M. Dresser, Sr. ; 1877, S. S. Dewey ; 1878, Simeon N. Rolfe; 
1879, Robert R. Young. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 
1839, John W. Burchard, Nathan Rolfe; 1840, Hiram Parker; 1841, 
Benjamin F. Smith, Watson Rolfe; 1842, Jason B. Packard; 
1843, Isaac Hammond; 1844, Benjamin F.Smith; 1845, Huram 





COL. GrLO . W. SHAFER. 



MRS DEBORAH A. SHATER. 



COL. GEORGE W. SHAFER. 



Col. George W. Shafer, the pioneer merchant of 

Mason, and whose name is so prominently connected 
with many of the initial events in its history, was 
born in the town of Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y., 
Sept. 1, 1816. His father, Deacou Henrj' Shafer, 
was a native of Dntche.ss County, from whence he 
removed to Colchester a short time previous to the 
birth of our subject. He was a farmer of some 
prominence in tliat locality, and wherever known 
was highly esteemed for his integrity of character. 
He was a deacon in the Baptist Church, and an ex- 
emplary man in all i-espects. George remained at 
home until he attained his twenty-first year. He re- 
ceived such advantages for education as were afforded 
by the primitive schools of that day, but what he 
failed to obtain from books was more than compen- 
sated for in the possession of a robust constitution 
and a strong pair of hands inured to habits of in- 
dustrj". In the spring of 1839, in company with 
his partner, F'reemau Wilson, he came to Mason and 
establisheil the first store in the place. The gtx)ds were 
brought from New York and were a general assort- 
ment of everytliing needed in a new country. They 



continued in trade about two years ; during this time 
they built a hotel whicli was undoubtedly the first 
house of entertiiinment in the county. They took 
possession in December, 1839, and the opening was 
celebrated by a grand New Year's ball, which was 
the first event of the kind in the county. Tiie colo- 
nel was a success as a landlord, and he continued in 
the business until about 1852, when he commenced 
the improvement of his farm, which was hx^ted by 
his father in 1836. On this farm he has since re- 
sided. The colonel has always taken an interest in 
military and political matters, although he has never 
striven for prominence in either direction. He was 
commissioned colonel of militia by Governor Barry, 
and took an active part in the formation of the 
" Curtenius Guards." 

In July, 1845, he was married to Deborah A. 
Hortou, of Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y., where 
she was born in March, 1813 ; she came to Miclii- 
gan in 1837. Both are prominent members of the 
Baptist Churcli, and are in every way worthy of 
tiie prominent position they hold among tlie early 
settlers of Mason. 



VEVAY. 



315 



Bristol, Peter Lowo, Adna Egglcston ; 1846, Ilurain Bristol; 
1847, Peter Lowe; 1848, Ifnac \V. llurton ; IS49, Hiram Parker; 
18511, John W. Phelps; ISJl, Iluruin Bristol; 1S.)2, Isni.e W. 
Ilorton ; 1853, tirilTm PudJock ; 1854, Duvid AV. Hiilstend ; 1855, 
llurnra Bristol; 1S56, Hiriim Hodges; 1857, D. L. Ciidy, A. E. 
Steele; 1858, A. E. Steele, C. Calkins; 1859, Arnold Walker; 
1860, tieorge A. Hall; 1S61, Wm. II. Horton, Thomas Norlhrup, 
Henry L. Henderson; 1862, Auios E. Steele; 1863, P. Linder- 
mnn, B. B. Holmes; 1864, John W. Scely ; 1865, L. 11. Felcher, 
11. Bristol, Charles C. Rolfo; 1866, A. 0. Millspaugh, J. B. 
Dwincll ; 1867, Mason D. Chatlorton; 1868, Huram Bristol; 
1869, Amos E. Steele; 1S70, Uenry Jones ; 187 1, William H. 
Francis; 1872, Samuel W. Hammond: 1873, Amos E. Steele; 
1874, 0. F. Miller, J. P. Reed; 1875, H. C. Kowe, F. L.Wilson, 
Edward Swift; 1876, F. L. Wilson; 1877, Edward Swift; 1878, 
0. F. Miller, H. J. Von Buren ; 1879, H. C. Kowe, James U. Irish. 

The oflScers elected in 1 880 are the following : 

Supervisor, Lucius H. Ives; Township Clerk, Julius W. Chapin; 
Treasurer, Uobert U. Young; Justice of the Peace, James II. 
Irish : Superintendent of Schools, W. Asa Rowo ; School In- 
spector, B. B. Noyes ; Commissioner of Highways, Leonard S. 
Bates; Drain Commissioner, Lorcn Swtct; Constables, R. Castor, 
L. Ellsworth, S. Booth, F. Minar. 

SCHOOLS. 

A smull log school-house was built at the Kolfe settle- 
ment about 1840, and a few pupils attended the school 



which was taught in it. The first teacher was very prob- 
ably Miss Lucy Rolfe, daughter of Jonathan Rolfc, she 
being a popular teacher in the neighborliond. Ilor father 
did not come here, and she remained for only a compara- 
tively short time. 

In what is now District No. 5, in tlie east part of town, 
Helen Lowell taught a summer school in 1845, and Mrs. 
Ilorton in the winter following. A log school-house had 
been built, and school had been kept in it for two or three 
years previously. 

In what is now District No. G, Eiizabetii Marshall taught, 
in the winter of 1846-47, the first school in the district. 
A frame school-house was used, which now answers for a 
shop on the farm of Adelbert A. Ilawley. 

The following items are gathered from the report of the 
township school in.npectors for the year ending Sept. 1 , 
1879 : 

Number of districts in township (whole, 4; fractional, 4)... 8 

" children in township of school age 330 

** children in attendance for year 274 

" school-houses, all frame 8 

" seatings in same 401 

Value of school property $3425.00 

Number of teachers employed {males, 2; females, 20) 22 

Wages paid same (males, $220; females, $844.80) $1064.80 

Total expenditures for year 1855.82 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 





MIIS. HENRY A. IIAWLEY. 



HK.NItV A. IIAWI.KY. 



HENRY A. IIAWLEY. 
Henry A. Hawley, one of the earliest pioneers of Ing- 
ham County, was born at Winfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., 
Nov. 19, 1815. His father, Stephen Hawley, was a native 
of Amsterdam, N. Y., but was of Scottish stock. His 
mother, Olive Warner, was born in Connecticut, but 
removed when young to Herkimer Co., N. Y., where she 
married Stephen Hawley. He died in early manhood, 



leaving her with two sons, Henry and Calvin. She after- 
wards married Charles Gniy, and had three children, — Eliza, 
Manly, and Eincline. She was of Welsh descent, and trans- 
mitted to her son the sturdy virtues atid infle.xible courage 
of her ancestral race. This inheritance enabled him suc- 
cessfully to utilize the strength of his muscle and the 
energy of his brain in subduing the stubborn enemies that 
confront the pioneer at every step. On the 3d of Septem- 



316 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ber, 1839, she died of hemorrhage of the lungs, and the 
younger son died some years hiter of consumption. 

In the summer of 1834, Henry A. Hawley, in company 
with his mother and her family, came to Lenawee County, 
Michigan Territory, vvliere they remained until June, 1836, 
when they resolved to try their fortunes in a still newer 
locality. They finally secured government land, Mr. 
Hawley .selecting the half-section which forms liis present 
home. After enduring fatigue, exposures, and dangers 
which must have discouraged any but the bravest hearts, 
they set up their household goods in a rude shanty in the 
wilderness, which for a time made a home for all ; but Mr. 
Hawley at once began vigorous work upon his own farm. 
Forty-five years of thrift and industry have transformed it 
into broad, handsome fields, ornamented with hedges, and 
made productive by careful tillage, thorough fertilizing and 
underdraining, and other appliances of modern science. 
The little shanty soon gave place to a log house, and later 
that was replaced by a pleasant farm-house, with ample 
out-buildings. 

June 2, 1841, Mr. Hawley was married to Miss Lucy 
Ann Hicks. To this union six children were born, — Olive 
L., March 11, 1841 ; Calvin A., Nov. 3, 1843; Eleonora, 
Aug. 21, 1845; Delora B., Oct. 22, 1847; Adelbert S., 
May 23, 1851 ; Anna E., March 25, 1853. Of these 
children three are now living. Eleonora died in infancy ; 
Calvin died of diphtheria and measles. May 27, 1862, being 
at the time of his death a nieuibcr of the Sophomore class 
at the Michigan Agricultural College ; Delora died Jan. 
24, 1868, of consumption. Olive was married Dee. 24, 
1863, to John L. Diamond, who died Aug. 10, 1870, 
leaving three children, — Lottie, Henry, and Willie. Anna 
was married Oct. 16, 1876, to Marcus K. Preston, and 
lives on a farm in Grass Lake. Adelbert remains at the 
old homestead, having charge of the farm. 

Mr. Hawley has always been active in urging improve- 
ments, and has contributed generously, both in money and 
labor, to any enterprise that he deemed beneficial to the 
community. Where the public welfare seemed to demand 
it, he has consulted neither comfort nor convenience, but 
has worked with a strong and willing liand. Since attain- 
ing his majority, he has never failed to present himself at 
the polls on election day, always casting his vote with the 
same party, — old-line Whig and Republican. His re- 
ligious faith has always been of the truly liberal type. 

Lucy A. Hicks was born at Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., 
Aug. 23, 1818. Her father. Deacon Zephaniah Hicks, 
came to Ingham County in the early days of its settlement, 
and died here at a good old age, having always been a 
much-esteemed and useful citizen. Mrs. Hawley was a 
woman of quiet, domestic tastes, but eminently endowed 
with those qualities that make a prosperous, happy home. 
While cheerfully working with her husband to gain for 
their family such comforts as a new country denies to any 
but the most diligent, she sympathized with his public 
spirit, and freely joined in his charities and hospitalities. 
She was a woman of strong religious convictions, being an 
active member of the Baptist Church, and living in strict 
conformity to her belief She died on the 18th of No- 
vember, 1853, of typhoid fever. 



In the autumn of 1854 — October 18th — Mr. Hawley 
was married to Mrs. Rolfe, formerly Charlotte I. Chapin. 
She was born at Camillus, Onondaga Co., N. Y., May 17, 
1820. Her girlhood was mostly passed in Livingston Co., 
N. Y., whither her father removed while she was a child. 
In the winter of 1842-43 she came with her brother, A. 
M. Chapin, to Vevay, Ingham Co., Mich., and immediately 
began teaching in the Rolfe district. Oct. 30, 1844, she 
was married to Carlos Rolfe, of Vevay, who died Sept. 25, 
1847, leaving one son, who died in childhood. Soon after 
the death of her husband she took up her broken work, 
proving a competent and eflScient teacher. With the in- 
terruption of a single season, when she taught in Stock- 
bridge, she presided over the Mason school for twelve con- 
secutive terms, gaining life-long friends among pupils and 
patrons. When she entered the family of Mr. Hawley she 
carried with her the fruit of wide experience and culture, 
and became to his children a mother indeed, as well as 
an invaluable helper and teacher. Those who knew her 
during the later years of her life know that she discharged 
her duty to her adopted family with singular faithfulness 
and devotion. The following incident will illustrate her 
spirit: An acquaintance inquired which of the two little 
girls she was leading by the hand was her own. " They 
are both mine " was the answer that silenced further ques- 
tion. There was no place where she was not a welcome 
visitor, and many among the sick, the afflicted, and the 
poor had occasion for life-long gratitude. Her strong char- 
acter, great will-force, and sympathetic nature gave her a 
wide influence in the society which she had helped to mould, 
while her liberal religious ideas, reared as she was in the 
Uuiversalist faiili, leavened her whole life with charity, 
and tempered every duty to her cheerful acceptance. Mrs. 
Hawley died March 8, 1869, leaving one daughter, Claribel, 
who was born March 26, 1857, and was married July 28, 
1878, to Orr Schuvtz, a graduate of Michigan University, 
class of 1878. 

The early settlers of the country will recall with satisfac- 
tion the generous welcome they always received at the Haw- 
ley home, whether they came to its doors as weary way- 
farers or as trusted friends. The shadows of death and 
domestic calamity have often fiillen upon it, but it will 
long be remembered as one of the pleasantest landmarks of 
pioneer life. 



ALMON MORRIS CHAPIN.* 

Chicopee, Mass., is known as the headquarters of the 
Chapin family in America, Deacon Samuel Chapin, with 
his eight sons, having settled there about the middle of the 
seventeenth century, or more than two hundred years ago. 
All of the Chapin name trace their ancestry to this place. 

Levi Chapin, father of the subject of this sketch, 
was born in Chicopee, April 3, 1787. He was a man of 
considerable enterprise, and lived an active life. He built 
the first cotton-factory in Chicopee, in 1813. He also built 
the upper ten locks on the Blackstone Canal, between 
Worcester, Mass., and Providence, R. I. Removing to 

* Mostly by Uev. Augusta J. Chapin. 



VEVAY. 



317 



Ouondaga Co., N. Y., in the autumn of 1818, he became 
an extensive contractor on the public works of the State, 
and also of tlic adjacent province of Canada. 

New York was then " Tiie West." In the fall of 1844 
he became a .second time a pioneer, and settled on the farm 
in Vevay now owned bj' W. II. Horton. AVhen the State 
capital was located at Lansing, he transforn)ed his house 
(located about halfway between Jackson and Lansing) 
into a hotel. Hero he and liis good wife, Achsah Smith, 
also a native of Chicopee, furnished a restful welcome and 
good cheer to the multitudes who traveled the almost im- 
passable roads to Lansing. He died Jan. 10, 18G7, the 
tenth annivei-sary of the death of his wife. 

Alnion Morris Chapin, the oldest son of Levi, was born 
in Chicopee, Nov. 25, 1810. Removing wiih his parents 
to Onondaga Co., N. Y., in the autuiun of 1818, he was 
educated at the Onondaga Academy and at the Skaneateles 
Seminary. Leaving school, he took a course of medical 
stud}', but, on account of failing health, abandoned the 
purpose of entering the profession. A few years were 
spent clerking in Kocliester, and then he went into mer- 
cantile business in Lakcville, Livingston Co., N. Y. July 
6, 1835, he married Miss Jane Pease, of Livonia, N. Y., 
who survives him. In December, 1842, he removed to 
Michigan, and settled on the farm in Vevay where he re- 
sided at the time of his death, Sept. 5, 1878. The journey 
from Livonia, Livingston Co., N. Y., to Vevay, Ingham 
Co., Mich., was made by Mr. Chapin and his family over- 
land, and consumed eighteen days. The hou-sehold goods, 
tools, etc., were sent by water from Buffalo to Detroit. 

The family consisted of Mr. Chapin and his wife, with 
four small children, — the eldest of whom was but sis years 
of age, — Levi Chapin, Jr., a younger brother, Charlotte I. 
Chapin, a sister, and also an orphaned nephew of Mrs. 
Chapin, who was reared in the family. This rather large 
party, mounted in a covered wagon and drawn by a four- 
horse team, formed no uncommon spectacle in those days. 
By an ingenious contrivance known to pioneers, the spa- 
cious vehicle was drawn first upon runners and tlien upon 
wheels, according as the roads were found with or without 
snow. The route lay through Buffalo, Erie, Cleveland, 
Toledo, and, on entering Michigan, through Blissfield, 
Adrian, Jackson, and thence northward to the then famous 
" llolfe settlement." The weary travelers found a shelter 
that first night under the hospitable roof of Ira Rolfe, and 
the next day moved into an abandoned log house on the lot 
adjoining the Chapin homestead. A roaring fire was made 
in the great fireplace and a stove set up, when soon, the 
supporting ice melting away, the roof yielded to the great 
weight of snow upon it, the top logs rolled off and the 
roof fell in. Fortunately no one was hurt, though Char- 
lotte, who had just come down from the chamber, and some 
neighbors standing outside, had a very narrow escape. The 
neighbors, who had come from miles around to welcome and 
help the new-comers, now sot to work with a will to repair 
the damage. Mrs. Chapin and the children found a refuge 
in the nearest cabin, and in a day or two a new roof was in 
place. The family occupied this old log house until October 
following, when they moved into the new frame house which 
Mr. Chapin bad built during the summer. 



Mr. Chapin was never strong physically, and he came 
into the wilderness wholly unaccustomed to matmal labor. 
Still he adapted liim.self to circumstances, and, though he 
could never chop, he found plenty to do. The toils and 
privations of pioneer life were endured by him with never- 
failing cheerfulness, and through many vicissitudes of life 
he maintained unfaltering courage and hope, finding always 
a bright side to every cloud and something to enjoy and be 
tliankful for under all circumstances. 

A marked feature of his character was his love of trees, 
flowers, and all beautiful things. Moved by this spirit, he 
made his home one of the most pleasant and comfortable in 
the county. lie was distinguished also for bis mental en- 
dowments and culture. He habitually pursued a wide 
range of reading, and kept himself in hearty sympathy 
with whatever was for the good of society and the advance- 
ment of the world, never mourning for the " good old 
times," but looking hopefully to the future. 

He was always actively interested in education, and at 
times, both in early life and later, he entered the school- 
room as a teacher. His own children are largely indebted 
for their education to his personal instruction, especially 
in mathematics and language. 

One of the early settlers of Ingham County, Mr. Chapin 
was identified with all its growth and public work. From 
time to time he held the various offices in tliegift of the town- 
ship, and discharged their duties faithfully. He was con- 
nected — generally in some official capacity — with the Ing- 
ham County Agricultural Society, and with the Farmers' 
Club, from their verj' beginning ; also with other similar 
organizations which have done so much to develop the 
agricultural interests of this part of the State. He w:is 
secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company for 
several years, and managed its complicated affairs with sig- 
nal ability. 

Mr. Chapin was from early life a believer in the Univer- 
salist view of the Christian faith, and of this Church he 
w;ts for many years a member. 

The entire family of Mr. Chapin consisted of eleven chil- 
dren, of whom seven are now living, — Henry L. and Julius 
W. in Ingham County ; Clarence W. and Merrick W. in 
Montcalm County; A. M. Chapin, Jr., the oldest son, in 
Denver, Col. ; and two daughters, Mi.ss Augusta J. Chajiin, 
who came with her parents to the township in which she 
now resides, and Mrs. Belle Corey, of Stanton, Montcalm 
Co., who was born in Ingham County. The members of 
the family residing at Stanton are prominent bankers of 
that place. 

Miss Augusta J. Chapin was for five years a student at 
Olivet College, and subseiiuently for a year at the Michi- 
gan Female College at Lansing. She was for some time a 
prominent educator in this portion of the State, one year of 
her time being spent as principal of the North Lansing 
Union School. For twenty-one years -she has labored in 
the ministry, in the Universalist field, and in 18G3 she was 
ordained at Lansing. She has preached at Lansing, San 
FrancLsco, and numerous other places, and been settled as 
pastor of churches at Iowa City, Iowa, Milwaukee, Wis., 
Pittsburgh, Pa., and Aurora, 111., the latter having been 
her latest charge. 



318 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 




JOSEPH L. HUNTINGTOX, 

one of the pioneers of Ingham County, and for many 
years one of its substantial men, was born at Hinesburjr, 
Vt., Nov. IC, 1800, and died at Mason, Mich., March 19, 
1874. He was descended from Puritan ancestors, and was 
able to trace his genealogy through eight generations to 
Simon and Margaret Huntington, English Puritans or 
Non-Conformists, who emigrated to this country in 1633, 
and, according to family tradition, confirmed by what is 
known of the first and second generations following and 
their religious notions, to escape from the religious intoler- 
ance under Charles I. and the high-handed persecutions 
under the administration of Archbishop Laud in Church 
affairs during a part of that reign. 

The earliest recorded mention of the name in this coun- 
try is of this family, contained in the old church records 
of Koxbury, Mass., and in the hand-writing of the Kov. 
John Elliot himself, the pastor of that early church. It 
is, however, certain that Norwich, Conn., where many of 
the name still reside, soon became, and has ever since been 
regarded as, the family homestead.* And through the 
laborious research of Kev. E. B. Huntington, of Stam- 
ford, Conn., the family historian, it is possible to .say that 
all who bear the name in this country, with very fnw as- 
certained exceptions, are descended from this early Puritan 
family. 

Not unnaturally, in a family whose genealogy is so well 
ascertained and preserved, Mr. Huntington was able to 
point to many persons among his ancestors, as well as among 
living relations, conspicuous in the various professions and 
industries of life, notably in the ministry, as well as those 
distinguished for learning and patriotism. A few names 
may be here mentioned, among others Daniel Huntington, 
the distinguished American artist, for many years president 

* Two of the sons of Simon nnj Miirgarct and their fiimilies were 
of tlic colony wlio founiicii tlio town — now tlie buiiutiful and wcnltby 
city — of Norwicli, in U»GO. 



of the National Academy of Design, and author of many 
paintings of more than national fame, among many others 
" Mrs. Washington's Reception," otherwise known as the 
" Republican Court;" Judge Elisha M. Huntington, United 
States judge in Indiana ; Samuel Huntington, chief justice 
and afterwards Governor of Ohio, and who, from the organ- 
ization of the Territory of Michigan in 1805, w.is appointed 
by President Jefferson the first judge of its Supreme 
Court, but which he declined ; Samuel Huntington, of 
Norwich, Conn., chief justice and several times Governor 
of his State, prominent during the Revolution as a defender 
of its principles, a member and for some time president of 
the Continental Congress, and one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. Nor did Maj.-Gen. Jabez 
Huntington, of the same place, bear a less important part 
during the Revolution, or Judge Benjamin Huntington, 
though a young man at the commencement of the Revolu- 
tion. 

Mr. Huntington, the subject of this sketch, was the 
eldest son of Deacon Jonathan Huntington. At the age 
of sixteen he was apprenticed to the trade of a tanner, 
which he acquired about the time he attained his twenty- 
first year. For two or three years thereafter he followed 
his trade, working at Hinesburg, Vt., and at Hatfield, Mass. 
Jan. IG, 1823, he was married to Miss Minerva, daughter 
of Gilbert and Susannah (Ruggles) Barto, of the latter 
place, and the two removed to Washington, Berkshire Co., 
Mass., where Nr. Huntington followed his trade. In the 
spring of 1825 they removed to Hinesburg, Vt., at which 
place, and at Starksboro', he followed the same vocation 
until the fall of 1831, when they removed to Ludlowville, 
Tompkins Co., N. Y., at which place ho made the ac- 
quaintance of John M. French, Sr., now living at Lansing, 
Mich., and between the two a warm friendship sprang up, 
which continued unbroken for forty years, and until the 
death of Mr. Huntington. 

They were for a time partners at this place in carrying 
on the business of tanning leather. In the spring of 1838 
they decided to remove to the new State of Michigan. 

5Ir. French was possessed of lands in the town of Aure- 
lius, Ingham Co., although neither town nor county was 
then organized. But Mr. Huntington was less fortunate: 
the demands of a large and increasing family had prevented 
the accumulation of much means, and the little that had 
been treasured up was invested in business, and being con- 
verted into money was found to be of questionable suffi- 
ciency to prepare for and make the journey with his family 
(wife and six children) ; but the removal being decided 
upon it was not in his nature to look back, and the journey 
was undertaken, Mr. French agreeing to supply any de- 
ficiency necessary to make the journey as far as Grand 
River. At Detroit, his money being exhausted, the sum 
of fifty dollars was borrowed of Mr. French, and the jour- 
ney continued by rail to Ypsilanti, then the western termi- 
nus of the Blichigan Central Railroad, and from thence by 
teams employed for the purpose, and much of the way by 
roads cut through the forests. May 7, 1838, the party 
arrived upon the " Montgomery Plains," where the lands 
of Mr. French were located. Here we find Mr. and Mrs- 
Huntington, with six dependent children, none of sufficient 




MJfi. JOJI.N KAYNKK, 



VEVAY. 



319 



age to be of assistance, without money, or home, or lands, 
and, aside from Mr. French, whose family were to come 
later, strangers in a strange land, but in the prime of life. 
Mr. Huntington was possessed of good health, a strong 
constitution, hands inured to habits of industry, and deter- 
mined purposes, which wore their sole reliance in the new 
country. No time was lost ; a temporary shanty was at 
once erected, and twenty da_vs later a log house was made 
to appear, and sufficiently large to meet the imperative de- 
mands of two families. Soon after, under a partnership 
arrangement with Mr. French, a tannery and shoe-shop 
were erected. Tlie tannery was soon abandoned as un- 
profitable, but the business of making and selling boots and 
shoes was continued some four or five j'ears, during which 
time Mr. Huntington purchased and paid for one hundred 
acres of timbered land, and in 1841 moved upon it and 
commenced the business of clearing up a new farm. 

In the fall of 1846 he was elected sheriff, and re-elected 
in 1848, at which latter time he removed to Mason and 
became the keeper of the first jail erected in the county. 

In 1847, upon the location of the State capital at Lan- 
sing, Mr. Huntington, with John M. French, Sr., and 
Judge Richard M. Ferris, were appointed commissioners to 
appraise the newly-platted city lots on the State lands pre- 
paratory to offering the same for sale, not below the ap- 
praised valuation. As .speculation in lots ran high the duty 
became a difficult one, but was so discharged that but few 
lots were at the time taken for purposes of speculation. 

In 1850 he commenced the boot and shoe business in 
Mason, and from this time to his death he was identified 
with the interests of the place, his business, nearly all of 
this time, being conducted in partnership with his son, 
Collins D., under the firm-name of J. L. & C. D. Hunt- 
ington. For about one and a half years, in 18(51 and 
18G2, his business was removed to Eaton Rapids, where 
he resided during the time. For some ten years prior to 
his death the business of the partnership was milling. 

Mrs. Huntington died Dec. 16, 1862, and Mr. Hunting- 
ton was married to Mrs. Caroline E. Royce, of Dansville, 
Mich., who died June 16, 1870. 

Mr. Huntington was ever active in all public affairs. In 
politics, a lifelong Democrat. In religious sentiment, a 
Universalist. He took a special interest in the affairs of 
the Ingham County Pioneer Society, as well as the one in 
Eaton County, in the organization of both of which it is 
understood he participated. He was buried with Masonic 
honors, Hon. 0. M. Barnes, acting Master of the lodge, 
reading an interesting paper on the life and character of the 
deceased. 



JOHN RAYNER. 

Mr. Rayner was the youngest son in a family of eight 
children of William and Susannah Wisner Rayner. The 
father, whose birth occurred at Fishkill, on the Hudson, 
Dec. 14, 1759, followed agricultural pursuits, and was a 



soldier in the war of the Revolution. He w;is a man of 
strongly marked character, and of indomitable and imperious 
will, no doubt acquired and fostered by his early iussoeia- 
tions as a slaveholder. He removed to Orange Co., N. Y., 
where his son John, the subject of this biography, was 
born, Jan. 5, 1804. John spent his early years upon the 
paternal estate, having received such an education as Wiis 
afforded by the primitive schools of the day. During this 
period he developed much perception aii(l shrewdness, but 
failed to evince those habits of industry which are usually 
the forerunners of future success. Having been somewhat 
impatient of restraint, he bade adieu to the scenes of his 
youth at the age of twenty-six and located upon an un- 
cleared farm in Cayuga Co., N. Y., owned by his father. 
He converted the wood, with which the land was well 
stocked, into charcoal, which was disposed of to the State 
prison at Auburn, and made the business exceedingly lucra- 
tive. During the year 1835 he was married to Mi.ss Emily 
Meach, of Brutus, Cayuga Co., whose birth occurred Oct. 
17, 1817. Her father was a pioneer of the county, — 
a farmer of industrious habits and much influence. Mrs. 
Rayner was a lady of polished manners, of much amiability 
of disposition, and possessing all tho.se traits which rendered 
her, as mother, friend, and Christian woman, the ideal 
head of the household. Eight children constituted their 
family circle, and were named, in the order of their ages, 
William H., Susan A., John, Jr., Aaron J., Emma 0., 
Charles B., Barney C, and Charles J. In 1839, in com- 
pany with his father-in-law, Mr. Rayner came West on a 
tour of observation and purchased several tracts of land in 
Ingham County. The following year he left Auburn with 
his family, consisting of Mrs. Rayner, William H., Susan, 
and John W., in a one-horse wagon for the pioneer home 
in the wilds of Ingham County, where he established him- 
self on the farm now owned by his son, William H. Here 
he resided until his removal to Ma.son, where he built and 
occupied the fine brick residence now the home of his son, 
William H. In 1843 he became an extensive dealer in 
tax- lands, and a very successful operator. The money thus 
acquired was loaned by him and accumulated until Mr. Ray- 
ner, at his death, was regarded as among the most opulent 
men of the county of Ingham. An extract from a recently- 
published biography affords a clear insight into his charac- 
ter : " But whatever eccentricities or foibles he may have 
possessed, he had certainly bluff and hearty ways, and w;is 
not without generosity and hospitality, which rendered him 
an acceptable neighbor and friend. In all the early trials 
incident to the settlement of a new country none took a 
more active part than he, and no name will stand out more 
conspicuously in the history of Mason than his." The 
death of Mr. Rayner occurred at Mason, May 18, 1879, in 
the seventy-sixth year of his age. His career illustrates in 
a marked degree the success which it is possible to at- 
tain even under unfavorable circumstances, with the in- 
herent qualities of foresight, perseverance, and a laudable 
amb.tion as the powerful levers with which to begin the 
work. 



WHEATFIELD. 



GEOGRAPHICAL. 
This township is situated in the northeastern part of 
Ingham County, and bounded on the north by Williams- 
town, on the south by Ingham, on the east by Leroy, and 
on the west by Alaiedon township. It is designated in the 
United States surveys as town 3 north, of range 1 east 
of the principal meridian. The township-liocs were run 
by Joseph Wampler in 1824, and the subdivision lines by 
the same in 1826. 

The Cedar River nowhere touches its boundary, though 
it approaches closely on the north in sections 35 and 36, 
Williamstown, the nearest point, being within the village 
limits of Williamston, at the mouth of Deer Creek, where 
the distance from the township-line is less than forty rods. 
Deer Creek is probably the largest stream in the town- 
ship. It rises in the western part of Ingham township 
and flows north, entenng Wheatfield on the southwest 
quarter of section 33, and flowing thence northeasterly 
through sections 33, 34, 27, and 26, and thence nearly 
due north, through sections 23, 14, 11, and 2, to its junc- 
tion with the Cedar River, on section 35, Williamstown. 

Doan Creek, which finds its sources in Stockbridge town- 
ship, flows northwest through a corner of AVhite Oak town- 
ship, thence north through the northeastern portions of 
Ingham township, enters Wheatfield on the southeast quar- 
ter of section 36, and, flowing north by east through sec- 
tions 36, 25, and the southeast corner of 24, passes into 
Leroy township, and flows thence north to the Cedar River, 
which stream it unites with in the edge of Locke township, 
on section 32. 

A small stream heads on section 9, and flows northeast 
through the corners of sections 10, 3, and 2, and discharges 
into the Cedar River a mile west of Williamston village. 

Another small creek rises on section 16, and flows north 
and west through the corners of Alaiedon and Meridian 
into the Cedar in the last-named townsliip. 

There are numerous springs in the township, more par- 
ticularly along the west side of Deer Creek. 

Wheatfield has perhaps as little marshy and swampy 
land as any township in the county. The largest areas of 
such lands are along the western border of the township, 
and lying partly in Alaiedon and on the margin of Deer 
Creek. Like most portions of Michigan, there are nu- 
merous small swamps, in common parlance known as " cat- 
holes," varying from a few square rods to several acres in 
extent. As in other parts of the county, these wet lands 
are being rapidly drained and made available for agricultural 
purposes. 



320 



« By S. W. Durnnt. 



I TOPOGRAPHY, SOILS, Etc. 

As a rule this township may be termed level or gently 
rolling, with a more broken surface along Deer Creek and 
in the .southern portions. 

The peculiar formations, dating back to the post-glacial 
and Champlain periods, which form such a marked feature 
in Delhi and Vevay townships, where they are denominated 
" hog-backs," are also found in a somewhat lesser degree in 
Wheatfield, the most marked being along the margin of 
Deer Creek, which at intervals breaks through the ridge. 
This ridge passes into Ingham township, and extends a 
considerable distance to the south. Another, less exten- 
sive, is found on section 16, and along the line between 
sections 21 and 22. These ridges are not always con- 
tinuous, but are at times isolated or in groups. Single 
elevations, some of them reaching an altitude of forty or 
fifty feet, are also found, as the fine specimens on sections 
8 and 9, and a remarkable one on the northeast quarter 
of 29. 

They are all, generally speaking, composed of sand and 
gravel, at times mixed with clay and some bowlders. They 
are not as lofty and abrupt as the " Hog's Back," in Delhi 
and Vevay, seldom rising more than forty feet above the 
surrounding country, but are, nevertheless, a marked and 
peculiar feature only to be understood by those who have 
a thorough knowledge of geology. The gravel in them 
abounds in fossils, particularly corals, and they furnish 
inexhaustible quantities of sand and gravel, being exceed- 
ingly valuable in the making of public highways. Their 
sloping escarpments are also the finest localities in the 
country for the growth of fruit-trees, which, in the autumn 
of 1880, were literally breaking down with luscious fruit. 
The soils of the township are generally clayey and sandy 
loams, except among the marshes and swamps, tlie soils of 
which are a rich black loam or vegetable mould, underlaid 
by marl or clay. 

The timber was tlie same as found generally in this re- 
gion, consisting of various kinds of deciduous trees, in- 
cluding the American larch or tamarack in the swamps. 
No pine growing in a state of nature was found in the 
township by the early settlers. The timber was very gen- 
erally a heavy growth, as is still abundantly evidenced by 
large areas of uncleared lands. 

The following list shows the names of those who orig- 
inally entered lands from the government, though many 
of them never settled in the township : 

LAND ENTRIES. 
The following entries of laud were made in town 3 north, 
range 1 cast, now Williamstown : 



WHEATFIELD. 



:i21 



Section 1.— MoHenry, Kercbcval, Healey, and Smith, May 24, 1836; 

Isaac Otis, June 24, lS.J(i; William II. Townscnd, Sc|it. 23, IS3C. 
Section 2.— iMcIIenry, Kcrchcial, Hcalcy, and Smith, Miiy 24, 1830; 

Oswell Williams, July 24, IS:J6. 
Section 3.— McIIcnry, Kercbcval, Ilealcy, and Smith, May 24, 1836; 

Oswell WillininJ, July 11, 1836; Orman Cue, Aug. 1, 1836. 
Section 4.— John Ellis and Orman Coo, Aug. 1, 1830. 
Section 5.— John Ellis and Orman Coc, Aug. I, 1836. 
Section 0.— Orman Coo, Aug. 1, 1830. 
Section 7.— John Ellis, Aug. 1, 1S30. 

S.^linn 8.— Russell Palmer, Charles A. JcflVies, July 2, 1S30; Hamil- 
ton Brunt, July 14, 1830; John Ellis, Aug. 1, 1830; Solomon 

Drullard, Aug. 3, 1836. 
Section 9.— John Ellis and Orman Coc, Aug. 1, 1836. 
&<:(i'o;i 10.— Oswell Williams, July 11, 1836; David II. Pearson, July 

12, 1S36; John Ellis, Aug. 1, 1836. 
^ i.on 11.— Jacob Khodes, June IS, 1830; Collins Alkn, July 1, 

1836; OswcU Williams, July 11, 1S36. 
- •/..H 12.— Oswell Williams, July II, 1S36; John Basselt, July 16, 

1830; James (irant, same; Nathan Brown, Aug. 2, 1836; Henry 

W. Dolavan, .«e|.t. 23, 1830. 
Section 13. — George M. Shannon, June 24, 1836; Oswell Williams, 

July 11, 1836; Jacob Countryman and Ephraim Meecb, July 10, 

1836; Alexander Randall, Aug. 3, 1836; Cogswell R. Tropp, 

Jan. "J, 1837; Ephraim Mccch, Jan. ID, 1837. 
Section 14. — Elisba Davenport and Archibald Shannon, June 14, 

1836; Joseph B. Putnam and John D. Doan, June 18, 1836; 

Oswell Williams, July II, 1836; Eri Whitney, July 12, 1836; 

Cicero Webster, Feb. 25, 1837. 
Section 13. — Eri Whitney, John Hay, Eleazer Bennett, no date. 
Section 16. — School section. 

Section 17.— Orman Coe, Aug. 1, 1836; Henry Howe, Aug. .3, 1836. 
Section 18.— Solomon Drullard, Aug. 3, 1830. 
Section 19.— Same as IS. 
Section 20.— Richard Lord, Dec. 15, 1836; Uhoda Fuller, Jan. 27, 

18.37. 
Section 21.— Thos. Field, Thos Clough, Cbas. Belding, Nov. 25, 1S30 

Thomas W. Northrup, William D. Thompson, Dec. 15, 1836. 
Section 22.— Frederick P. Townscnd, Edward Campbell, Nov. 14, 

1836; William D. Thompson, Dec. 15, 1836; Caleb Carr, Feb 

20, 1837. 
Section 23. — Samuel F. Davenport, George M. Shannon, June 14, 1830 

Henry M. Moore, Aug. 0, 1830; John Lyon, Nov. 20, 1836; Wil- 
liam Seaman, Dec. 9, 1836 ; Cicero Webster, Feb. 25, 1837 ; Sceley 

Cook, April 10, 1.S37. 
Action 24.— Theophilus Reed, David Reed, June 14, 1836; Henry M. 

Moore, Aug. 0, 1836; John Lyon, Hiram Balcom, Nov. 26, 1836. 
&c(i.m 25.— George Loomis, May 27, IS36; Charles Harford, May 

28, IS36 ; James HufTman, June 15, 1830 ; Thomas Moore, March 

24, 1837. 
iSeclion 26.— Seth Miller, May 27, 1836; Samuel Oilman, May 28, 

1836; Benjamin Worden, Juno 15, 1836; Israel Pennington, 

Nov. 14, IS36. 
Section 27. — Jerome Loomis, Jr., Aug. 6, 1836; William II. Town- 
Bend, Sept. 23, 1836. 
Section 28. — George W. Tillotson, Israel Arms, June 13, 1836 ; Jerome 

Loomis, Jr., Aug. 6, 1836 ; William H. Townscnd, Sept. 23, 1836; 

Henry W. Delavan, same; John Gould, March 20, IS37. 
Section 29.— William Pearoe and Israel Arms, June 13, 1836. 
Seeii'in 30.— Israel Arms, June 13, 1830. 

Section 31.— Israel Arms, June 13, 1836; Benj. Huger, Aug. 5, 1836. 
Section 32.— Cyrus LuM, May 31, 1836; Israel Arms, June 13, 1836. 

Icbabod B. Palmer and Jacob K. Lull, June 14, 1836. 
Section .33— Israel Arms, June 13, 1830; John Sayre, July 1.3, 1836; 

Robert Pringle, Aug. 5, 1830; John Gould, March 20, 1837. 
Section 34.— Oliver Ranney and Timothy Beard, June II, 1836; 

David Gorsline, June 15, 1836; Alexander Randall, Aug. 3, 

1836 ; M. Ilealey and B. B. Kercbcval, no date; Caleb Carr, Feb 

20, 1837. 
Section 35.— John C. Mathews, May 27, 1836; William Carr, June 3_ 

1S36; Isaac Van Dorcn, June 14, 1836; David Goraline and S. 

B. Worden. June 15, 1836. 
Section 30.— Ira A. Blossom and Elijah D. Efuer, Thomas Hunter 

Robert A. Cbappcll, Henry A. Munger, Erastus Avery, and Ben- 
jamin B. Kercbcval, no dates. 

41 



The following wore the resident taxpayers in the town- 
ship of Wheatfield in 1844: 

William Hammond, Alfred IL Kcyos, George Becman, George Hig- 
gins, Henry Caswell, Tunis Taylor, AVilliam Tompkins, Joseph Whit- 
comb, William Drown, Jacob Countryman, Eunice Countryman, 
George M, Task, Benjamin Withcy, Eli Withey, George Hay, 
Elias Kent, Jeremiah Kent, Charles Belding, Sidney King, Jacob 
Crippen, Elijah Hammond, Shefiield Crippen, Benjamin Martin, Ed- 
ward E. Cochran, Admiral B. Camp, Gardner Fletcher, David L. 
Cochran, Benjamin Martin, David Gorsline, Hannah Martin, Turpin 
Green, Manfurd Fellon. 

EAHLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first white settler within the limits of Wiieatfield 
township, as conecded hy every one, was David Gorsline, 
who entered land on the northeast quarter of section 34, 
on the fifteenth day of June, 183G, and settled with his 
family in October of the same year. 

The Gorsline family wa.s originally from France. His 
mother was descended from a Holland family. His father, 
Richard Gorsline, was a resident of Newtown, L. I., at 
the time of David's birth, which occurred May 3, 1802. 
He soon after removed to New York City, and when 
the war of 1812 broke out enlisted in the army, and was 
killed at the battle of Queenstown, Upper Canada, on 
the same day that the British Gen. Brock fell and Gen. 
Winfield Scott was taken prisoner. His wife remained 
in New York City until her death, in March, 1848. 

About the time his father entered the army David went 
to live with an uncle, where he remained about six years. 
In 1818 he commenced working by the month, and con- 
tinued until he was married. His marriage to Miss Clarissa 
Worden, daughter of J'ardon Worden, of Orange Co., 
N. Y., occurred Jan. 8, 1824, and the ceremony took place 
in the town of Liberty, Sullivan Co., N. Y. The young 
couple lived in Sullivan County for about two years, when 
they removed, in 182(J, to Niagara County, where they 
made their home until lS.!(j, when they settled in Ingham 
Co., Mich., before any township, excepting Stockbridgc, 
had been organized in the county. Mr. Gorsline cleared 
up and improved his farm, and continued to reside upon it 
until 1872, when he removed to Williamston village, and 
in 1874 settled where he now lives, in the hamlet in Leroy 
township which has been variously known as " Phelpstown," 
" Sliacksboro'," and " Fodunk." He sold his old home- 
stead, about 1872, to W. and D. Raymond. 

Mr. Gor.sline states as a curious fact, wbich is also cor- 
roborated by Gardner Fletcher and George Beeman, that 
the township of Wheatfield has never had a store, tavern, 
church, saloon, or practicing physician located within its 
borders. Mr. Gorsline, and probably other farmers, kept 
travelers occasionally, but not regular taverns ; and Jo.seph 
Whitcomb was accustomed to prescribe in mild cases of sick- 
ness in a manner akin to the botanical practice of medicine; 
but he had no medical education, taking it up, as ihe^ 
Yankee would say, " in his own head." 

Mr. Gor.sline and his family experienced u^any hardships, 
passing the following winter in a rude log cabin, with no 
neighbors within a radius of six miles. The next settlers 
after Mr. Gorsline in Wheatfield were Daniel and Jacob 
Countryman, who settled, in the spring of 1837, on section 



322 



HISTOllY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



13. Epiiraim Meech came with the Countrjnwiis, but 
settled on section 18, in Leioy township. Daniel Country- 
man died some years later, and his widow has been since 
twice married. 

In November, ISoT, William Drown located in the 
neighborhood, and Mr. Gorsline, assisted by . lland()lj)h 
Whipple and William Carr, of Ingham township, rolled up 
a log house for the new-comer. Just thirty years from 
that day those three men with Mr. Drown met at the 
house of Harvey Hammond, had a pioneer supper, and 
talked over the scenes that transpired when their hairs were 
less gray. 

The first death in the town was that of an infant child 
of William and Betsey Hammond. They came from Ni- 
agara Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1839, and settled on sec- 
tion 2, Whcatfield. In the fall of 1840 their first-born, 
after a short existence, sickened and died. Medical assis- 
tance was almost out of the question, as the nearest physi- 
cian was about twenty miles distant, and most of the way 
through a trackless wilderness. Settlers were so remote 
from each other that but one or two, living some six 
miles distant, came in and assisted the afflicted family in 
the hour of their trouble. The occupation of the undertaker 
was then unknown in that vicinity, this being the first 
visit of the angel of death among us. J. M. Williauis, 
of an adjoining town, having a few joiner tools, and some 
experience in using the same, manufactured for them a 
coflin, — the first one required in the four northeast corner 
towns of Ingham County. With the assistance of Mrs. 
Elijah Hammond, a relative of the afflicted iiimily, they 
laid the little one in its narrow bed. The day of the 
iuneral was clear and calm ; not a breath of air moved the 
leaves of that almost unbroken forest in which the newly- 
erected cabin of Mr. llauimond stood. The funeral at that 
lone house, though few attended, was really a sad one. An 
old gentleman by the name of Sidney King, who settled on 
section 23 (northeast (|uarter) about 1839, with a spade 
upon his shoulder, headed the lonely procession ; next came 
Mr. Williams with the coffin containing the remains of the 
departed child under his arm ; then came Mr. and Mrs. 
Hammond; lastly, Mrs. Elijah Hammond, a relative of the 
mourners: these five consiituted the first funeral procession 
in the township of Whcatfield. Mrs. Hammond being in 
feeble health, the sad procession slowly wound its way 
among the stumps, logs, and brush of the newly-chopped 
iiiUow to a little knoll on the north end of the farm. There 
the two men hollowed a little grave, lowered the coffin into 
it, strewed some dried leaves of the forest over it, and 
heaped the newly-dug earth upon its lid. Mr. King, in 
the brief, fervent way of a backwoodsman, oflx'red up to 
the throne of grace a few appropriate words — though not 
altogether refined, mingled, as they were, with the half- 
subdued sobs of a grief-stricken mother — in the stillness of 
that day, under the shade of those grand old forest trees, 
and the occasion will long bo remembered by those few who 
bore witness to that sad ceremony. 

William Hammond settled on section 2, in the fall of 
1838. His widow still lives in the township, on section 11. 

The two elder Williams brothers, O. B. and J. M., from 
Genesee Co., N. Y., settled on section 11, about 1838, from 



which they removed to section 13, where their father, 
Oswell Williams, had entered land July 11, 1836. From 
this last location they removed to the site of Wiliiauiston 
village in 1840. 

Elias and Jeremiah Kent, brothers, settled on the south- 
cast quarter of section 20, about 1840. Jeremiah and wife j 
remained until their deaths, but Elias sold and removed to 
Williamstown. 

Gardner Fletcher, another early settler, is a native of 
Vermont, having been born in the township of Berkshire, \ 
Franklin Co., in 1816, commonly known as the "cold 
season." His father, JoIuuJJlctcher, removed to the town X 
of Seguin Sabrevois, County Rouvillc,* Lower Canada, now 
Province of Quebec, when he was two years old, in April, 
1818, where he remained for a period of .seventeen years. 
He removed to Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., Mich., in 
1835, and from there to the northwest quarter of section 
4, in Ingham township and county, in 1840, where he re- 
sided until his death, Aug. 17, 1843. 

Gardner Fletcher came with his father to Michigan, and 
to Ingham County. In the spring of 1840 he purchased 
eighty acres on the northeast quarter of section 29, Wheat- 
field township, then a part of Brutus. Previously he had 
bought of his father fifty-eight acres, but after a short time 
sold it to Stephen Curtis, and purchased on section 29. 
His father purchased in all 320 acres in Ingham township. 

In the fall of 1840 Mr. Fletcher commenced chopping 
on hi.s new purchase. He was then an unmarried man, and 
worked more or less at his trade (that of carpenter and 
joiner) in various places. In 1841 he built a log house on 
his land and kept " bachelor's hall" a number of months. 
In May, 1842, he rented his house to a family from Anu 
Arbor. The new-comer had a brother, and the three men 
cleared about thirty acres and sowed it with wheat. On 
the 23d of March, 1843, Mr. Fletcher married Miss Pa- 
melia Putman, a sister of Daniel Putman, now residiug on 
section 14. He immediately settled upon his land, and 
remained there until the spring of 1846, when he exchanged 
it for eighty acres, where he now resides, on section 28. 
He made the trade with Jerome Looniis, who paid him a 
considerable sum as boot money. 

On the new place there were about two acres of timber 
cut down, but none cleared, and there was no house on the 
premises. The spring and summer of 1846 Mr. Fletcher 
spent prospecting the mining region on Keweenaw Point, 
Lake Superior. In March, 1847, he settled permanently 
on his land in Whcatfield, having built a log cabin pre- 
viously on the ground where now stands his present dwell- 
ing. In this log dwelling he resided for a period of seven 
years, when he erected an improved log house on the south 
side of the road, where he had purchased additional land. 
In this building, which is still standing, he resided eighteen 
years and seven months to a day, when he removed into 
his present fine frame residence, which was erected in 1872. 
His farm and improvements are in excellent condition, and 
the contra>t with that of forty years ago is very great. 

W. M. Spaulding, also an early settler, was born in Ham- 
ilton Co., N. Y., then a part of Montgomery County, in 



' Now in Iberviilo County. 



WHEATPIELD. 



323 



1803. He subsequently removed to Onondaga County, 
and from tticnce to Genesee County about 1828, where in 
the same year he married. In 1846 he moved to Michi- 
gan, and settled on the place lie now owns on section 34. 
Ili.s place is situated on Deer Creek, with a small branch of 
the same running through it from south to north. This 
region of the township is considerably broken by the 
ridges before mentioned, but not to such an extent as to 
interfere with its cultivation. In this neighborhood are 
.some very fine farms, among them those of the Raymonds, 
Dennis, Gorsline, and Carr. 

Stephen Curtis settled just over the south lineof the town- 
ship in Ingham as early as 1840, and about 1868 moved 
to section 33 in Whcatfield, where he has since resided. 

John Jacob llehle, from Prussian Germany, came to 
America with his family in 1849, and settled in Wayne 
Co., Mich., about nine miles from Detroit, where he re- 
mained five years, and in 1854 removed to his present lo- 
cation on the northeast quarter of section 8, where with his 
sons grouped around him he is enjoying the fruits of his 
labors. The family together own 300 acres of fine land, 
upon which are some of the best improvements in the town- 
.ship. An extensive deposit of sand and gravel forms quite 
a group of hills at this point, rising probably from forty 
to fifty feet above the small creek which flows towards the 
north and west. This swell in the land affords beautiful 
and picturesque building-sites. Mr. Rehle purchased his 
land of a man named Sloan, who had cleared about twenty- 
five acres and built a log house. These primitive begin- 
nings have given place to broad fields and fiuitorehards, to 
herds of cattle, abundant crops, and fine and even elegant 
dwellings and good out-buildings. 

The Putman family were early settlers in Michigan. 
Richard Putman, born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., removed 
to Dearborn, Wayne Co., Mich., in 1835. He remained 
there three years, and in 1838 removed to Leroy township, 
Ingham Co., where he resided until his death, in August, 
1856. lu the year 1838 he worked a farm in Ingham 
township. His land in Leroy was purchased from govern- 
ment July 15, 1836, from which it would appear that he 
had visited the county two years previous to his permanent 
settlement. 

The two sons of Richard Putman, Daniel and David 
(who were twins), in 1853 purchased what has since been 
known as the Hammond farm, on section 25. This tract, 
the northwest quarter of the section, the brothers cleared 
up and occupied jointly until about 1860, when David sold 
liis interest to Harvey Hammond, and removed to Williams- 
town, and subsequently to Leroy township. Daniel at a 
later date disposed of his interest in the farm, and in Jan- 
uary, 1864, purchased his present location on the north- 
west quarter of section 14. 

William Ueckman, from Orleans Co., N. Y., settled on the 
west half of the southwest quarter of section 10, in June, 
1855. His farm (eighty acres) constituted a part of lands 
entered by John Ellis, a locomotive manufacturer of Sche- 
nectady, N. Y., in 1836, from whom Mr. Beekman purchased. 
It is a fine tract of most excellent land, as level as a floor, 
but in fine condition for cultivation. Mr. Beekman cleared 
up his land and made all the improvements. 



George Beeman, from Steuben Co., N. Y., settled in 
Washtenaw Co., Mich., in the fall of 1836. In 1843 he 
purchased land on section 2, Wheatfield (110 acres), and 
subsequently 160 acres on section 1, on the opposite side 
of the road. William Hammond purchased a portion of 
this land from Oswell Williams, who entered it from gov- 
ernment, July 24, 1836. Mr. Beeman purchased of Ham- 
mond. The latter had built a log house and barn, and the 
house was the one destroyed by fire in 1846. The place 
was rented at that time by H. C. Davis, who was town 
clerk in 1846. Mr. Beeman after the destruction of his 
log house built a board shanty sixteen by twenty-four feet, 
and again rented the place. About 1848 he built the frame 
dwelling still standing on the west side of the highway, and 
in 1876 erected on the southwest quarter of section 1 the fine 
brick mansion of which we furnish a sketch. Mr. Beeman's 
buildings and improvements are equal to any in the town- 
ship. 

This township, though one of the best in the county for 
farming purposes, and though settled at an early period by 
a few pioneers, is nevertheless one of the newest in the 
county in general appearance, the stumpy fields, log dwel- 
lings, and large tracts of forest land giving it the appear- 
ance of a newly-settled region. There were two causes for 
this state of things: large tracts were originally entered by 
John Ellis, before mentioned, Orman Coe, Mellenry, Ker- 
cheval, Healey & Smith, William H. Townsend, and others 
for purposes of speculation, and these parties held their pur- 
chases for years without making any improvements, consid- 
erable tracts in a wild state still being held by the heirs of 
John Ellis. 

Another cause was the scarcity of moans among the early 
settlers, most of them bringing little besides strong hands 
and willing hearts for the subjugation of a wilderness swarm- 
ing with wild beasts, and filled with malarious swamps, 
mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes. 

CIVIL OIIG.VXIZ.VTION. 

Originally, what is now the township of Wheatfield 
formed a part of the township of Ingham, organized by the 
Legislature on the 11th of March, 1837, and including 
what now constitutes the four congressional townships of 
Ingham, White Oak, Wheatfield, and Leroy. The first 
town-mooting wa.s held at the house of Caleb Carr. 

On the 22d of 3Iarch, 1839, the Legislature erected a 
new township from Ingham called Bntliis* which included 
the north half of the old township and now constitutes the 
town.ships of Wheatfield and Leroy. The first town-meet- 
ing for Brutus was held at the house of Ephraim Meech, 
the first settler in Leroy, in the spring of 1840. 

On the 19th of March, 1840, the eastern half of Brutus 
was organized as a separate township, under the name of 
Leroy, which left the present town of Wheatfield a con- 
gressional township bearing the old name of Brutus. This 
name not being quite satisfactory, at the suggestion of 
David Gorsline a petition was drawn up and forwarded to 
the Legislature, which, on the 20th of March, 1841, 



* This namo wnsclioscn by Ephrftiin Mecch, the first settler in what 
is now Leroy townsliip, who was from Brutus, Cayuga Co., X. Y. 



324 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



changed the name to the present one of Wheatfield, exhib- 
iting good taste on the part of Mr. Gorsline and the other 
inhabitants. It is also very appropriate, for a better wlieat- 
growing region is not found in the State.* 

The records of the township, including the original ones 
of Brutus, from 1837 to 1846, inclusive, were, unfortu- 
nately, destroyed by fire in the log dwelling of George 
Bcemau iu the winter of 1846-47. H. C. Davis was then 
town clerk, and was occupying Mr. Beeman's house. There 
is now no means of procuring the names of the township 
officers previous to 184G, except through the recollection of 
the " oldest inhabitants." 

According to the recollection of David Gor.sline, whose 
memory of events is good, the first town-meeting for Wheat- 
field was held in the spring of 1841, at the house of \Vm. 
Tompkins, on the southwest quarter of section 10, at what 
was then, and still is, known as " White Dog Corners," — so 
called from the fact that there were three white dogs owned 
in the vicinity, one of which, belonging to George Hay, 
was killed by a falling tree. Hay was .something of a wag, 
and when he had burie<l his defunct canine, with some cere- 
mony, he named the place White Dog Corners. Sanford 
Olds was the first supervisor of either Brutus or Wheat- 
field after the name was changed, and the first town clerk 
was Rufus Carle. Other early supervisors were Wni. 
Tompkins, David Gorsline, and Joseph Whitcomb. David 
Carle was also among the early clerks. The first treasurer 
of Wheatfield was David Gorsline, who was also among 
the early justices. 

The ofiicers for 1846, so far as ascertained, were as 
follows : 

Supervisor, Joseph Whitcomb; Town Clerls, H. C. Davis; Justice, 
Manford Felton. 

1847.t— Supervisor, David Gorsline; Town Clerk, Elij.ah Hammond, 
Treasurer, .Stephen B. Olds; Justice, Joseph AVhitcomb. 

1S48. — Supervisor, David Gorsline ; Clerk, David L. Cochran ; Treas- 
urer, Joseph Whitcomb; Justice, James Sloan. 

1849.— Supervisor, E. E. Cochran ; Clerk, Philip Howard ; Treasurer, 
Joseph Whitcomb ; Justices, Gardner Fletcher, Michael 
Christian. 

1850. — Supervisor, David Gorsline; Clerk, Henry Lane; Treasurer, 
Joseph Whitcomb ; Justices, no names given. | 

ISol. — Supervisor, George Beeman ; Clerk, D. L. Cochran ; Treasurer, 
Michael Christian; Justices, no names given .:J; 

1852.' — Supervisor, George Beeman; Clerk, James Wilson ; Treasurer, 
Elijah Hammond ; Justices, no names given. J 

1853. — Supervisor, David Gorsline: Clerk, Oscar A. Everden ; Treas- 
urer, Michael Christian; Justice, Joseph Gilbert. 

1854. — Supervisor, David Gorsline;^ Clerk, 0. A. Everden; Treas- 
urer, M. Christian ; Justices, Benjamin Cole, Gardner 
Fletcher. 

1855.- Supervisor, David Holmes; Clerk, 0. A. Everden ; Treasurer, 
M. Christian ; Justice, John Pollok. 

1856.— Supervisor, David Gorsline; Clerk, S. D. Watson; Treasurer, 
James McGowan ; Justice, William B. Barber. 

1857. — Supervisor, James Sloan; Clerk, S. D. Watson; Treasurer, 
David Gorsline; Justice, George A. Gillit. 

* The name of Wheatfield was proposed by Mr. Gorsline from the 
township in Niagara Co, N. Y., from whence he emigrated to Mich- 
igan. 

t The whole number of votes cast in 1847 was twenty-two. 

i For these three years it is stated iu the preamble to the annual 
election that justices were elected, but no names are given. 

§ Mr. Gorsline resigned, and Daniel Holmes was appointed in his 
place, Sept. 9, 1854. 



1858. — Supervisor, Joseph Dennis; Clerk, James Wilson ; Treasurer, 
Mcrrilt Chappcl; Justices, M. J. Pollok (full term), Silas 
Butler (two years), Irving Brown (one year). 

1859. — Supervisor, David tUorsline; Clerk, James Wilson ; Treasurer, 
William Beekman ; Justice, AVilliam li. Barber. 

1860.— Supervisor, W. Beardsley ; Clerk, Joseph A. Snow; Treasurer, 
William Beekman ; Justice. William Stewart. 

1861.— Supervisor, W. Beardsley; Clerk, James Wilson; Treasurer, 
David C. Raymond; Justice, George A. Gillit. 

1862.— Supervisor, Witmore Beardsley; Clerk, Myron J. Pollok; 
Treasurer, L. M. Dennis; Justices, Albert D. Pollok, Wil- 
liam Beekman. 

1863.— Supervisor, David Gorsline ;|1 Clerk, James Wilson ; Treasurer, 
L. M. Dennis; Justice, Josiab B. Sherman. 

1864. — Supervisor, Joseph Dennis; Clerk, James Wilson ; Treasurer, 
William S. Frost; Justice, Harvey Hammond. 

1865. — Supervisor, Harvey Hammond; Clerk, S. D. Watson; Treas- 
urer, William Carr; Justice, George Amy. 

1866. — Supervisor, Harvey Hammond; Clerk, James Wilson ; Treas- 
urer, William S. Frost; Justice, A. D. Pollok. 

1867. — Supervisor, Harvey Hammond; Clerk, James Wilson; Treas- 
urer, William S. Frost; Justice, George A. Gillit. 

1868. — Supervisor, John C. Granger; Clerk, James Wilson ; Treas- 
urer, A. D. Hatch ; Justices, H. Hammond, James B. Frost. 

1869.— Su|iervisor, Georgo D. Spaulding; Clerk, William S. Frost; 
Treasurer, George Beeman; Justices, George Amy, Daniel 
Putman. 

1870. — Supervisor, Harvey Hammond; Clerk, Benjamin Cole; Treas- 
urer, Stephen A. Bigelow ; Justice.", A. D. PoUok, S. D. 
Watson. 

1871.— Supervisor, William S. Frost; Clerk, John AV. Butler; Treas- 
urer, Jacob Kehle; Justices, Harvey Hammond (full term), 
Silas Butler (two years), William Beekman (one year), 

1872. — Supervisor, George H. Edgerton ; Clerk, Francis B. Cole; 
Treasurer, John J. Reble ; Justice, William Beekman. 

1873— Supervisor, F. R. Rockwell; Clerk, John W. Butler; Treas- 
urer, George Carr ; Justice, William S. Frost. 

1874.— Supervisor, Frederick R.Rockwell; Clerk, Erastus L. Tuttle ; 
Treasurer, George Carr ; Justices, Daniel Putman, John C, 
Cannon. 

1875.— Supervisor, F. R. Rockwell; Clerk, E. L. Tuttle; Treasurer, 
John C. Cannon ; Justices, Silas Butler, George Carr. 

1876.— Supervisor, F. R. Rockwell; Clerk, E. L. Tuttle; Treasurer, 
J. C. Cannon ;1[ Justice, William H. Coryell. 

1877. — Supervisor, Martin V. Jessop ; Clerk, Charles A. Rehle; 
Treasurer, William E. Dennis; Justice, A. D. Pollok. 

1878. — Supervisor, M. V. Jessop; Clerk, Charles A. Rehle; Treas- 
urer, William E, Dennis; Justice, John Yocum. 

1879.— Supervisor, Martin V. Jessop ; Clerk, Charles A. Rehle; Treas- 
urer, James Apse^' ; Justice, Theodore Van Horn. 

1880. — Supervisor, M. V. Jessop; Clerk, Charles A. Rehle; Treas- 
urer, James Apsey ; Justices, William Beekman,*"--' George 
Carr;*-» Superintendent of Schools, Myron J. Pollok; School 
Inspector, J. E. Westgate; Highway Commissioner, G. Ed- 
win States; Drain Commissioner, John W. Butler; Consta- 
bles, Simeon Kent,'-'-"'^ Walter Phillips,"*^-' George Haddy,** 
Jacob Rehle.*"*" 

The following list of persons liable to military duty in 
the township in 1848 is from the record, and may be of 
interest to the younger generation : 

William Spaulding, Sheffield Crippin, Admiral B. Camp, Perry Crip- 
pin, Sanford Demerry, Sherman Fairchild, Alford H. Kcyes, 
Henry Price, Stephen B. Olds, Samuel Thompson, George Meech, 
Philo Otis, Abram Hendrie, Gardner Fletcher, Edward Cochran, 
Jacob Demerry, David L. Cochran, James Sloan, Tunis Taylor, 
William Hammond, Perry Rooker, George Hay, J. M. Barney, 
Manford Fcllon, M. Otis, Elijah Hammond, David Gorsline, — 27. 

II Resigned Oct. 6, 1863, and Harvey Hammond appointed in his 

Vlace. 

^ Elccte<l register of deeds, and resigned Nov. 23, 1876. W.IIiam 
S. Humphrey appointed in his stead. 

-;■:-* None of these have qualified. 



WHEATFIELD. 



325 



EARLY EOADS. 

The first highway laid out in the township was on sec- 
tions 34 and 35, about 1839, and in this neighborhood was 
organized the first road district, and called No. 1. 

The number of road districts in 1848 was fourteen ; in 
18C0, seventeen; in 1870, nineteen; in 1880, thirty. 

AIAXUFACTUKES. 

These, as will be readily understood, have been neither 
very many nor very important. Brick have been made to 
a considerable extent on section 2, within the corporate 
limits of the village of Williamston, but at present nothing 
is being done in this line. 

A steam saw-mill was erected by Frederick R. Rockwell 
on the northwest (juarter of section 15 about 1870, which 
has been operated to a greater or less extent since, the bulk 
of business being transacted during the winter months. In 
187G, Mr. Rockwell removed to Williamston, where he is 
engaged in the furniture business, under the firm-name of 
Rockwell <fc Tuttle. Since that time his son, George B. 
Rockwell, has managed tlie mill. When in full running 
order the mill employs five hands, including Mr. Rockwell. 
The product, entirely of hard-woods, is sold at the mill. 
Mr. Rockwell, Sr., was from Ohio, and first settled in 
AVliite Oak township, where he operated a steam saw-mill 
for about two years, when he removed it to Wheatficid in 
1870. M. H. Bowerman was for a time in company with 
him in the mill bu.>>incss. 

In 1864 the township voted considerable sums at various 
times for the payment of men who enlisted in the army, 
but the record does not show the amounts actually paid. 

EARLY SCHOOLS. 

The first school in the township was kept in a log build- 
ing, on the west half of the northeast quarter of section 
34, by Susan Cochran, about 1840. Another early teacher 
was Saphronia Worden, a niece of Mrs. David Gorsline, 
in 1841—12. The school-house in the Whitcomb neigh- 
borhood was built in 1841 or 1842. It was a shed- 
roofed log building, and the second in the township. 
The third was probably built iu what is now District No. 
3, about 1846. Mahala Blanchard taught in that dis- 
trict the first, or among the first. Among early teachers, 
but later than those already mentioned, were the follow- 
ing, who were examined by the board of school inspectors 
and received certificates as follows : Lodema Tobias and 
Betsey A. Cummihgs, April, 1850 ; Martha H. Barber, 
December, 1850; Lorama Camp, April 1, 1851 ; Henry N. 
Palmer. November, 1851 ; Louisa R. Sherman, April, 1852 ; 
Sarah Ann Fletcher, May, 1852 ; Catherine Dubois, April, 
1853; Almira Pitts, November, 1853; Mary L. Gillit, 
May, 1854. 

As early as 1850 the township possessed a considerable 
library, and about 18G0 the number of volumes had in- 
creased to nearly 500. Since that time it seems to have 
declined, and there is now no regular library in existence, 
so far as known. As late as 1860 the town records showed 
a long catalogue of well-selected books, but the matter seems 
to have been greatly neglected for many j'cars. 

The present number of school districts in the township 



is eight (five whole and three fractional), with two brick and 
six frame buildings. One of the brick buildings is the fine 
one recently erected in Williamston village, which is within 
the limits of Wheatfiold. This district, the bulk of which 
is in Williamstown town.ship, is reported in Wheatficid, and 
adds largely to its school statistics. The other brick build- 
ing is in District No. 2, on section 36, and cost S2200. 

The number of children between the ages of five and 
twent}', including Willianif-ton village, is 678. Value of 
school property, §19,425; total expenditures for 1879-80, 
§5594.40. 

KELIGIOUS MATTERS. 

There have never been any church edifices erected in this 
township, but religious meetings have been held for many 
years in the various school buildings. The religious de- 
nominations represented in the township arc Methodist Epis- 
copal, Weslcyan Methodists, Baptists, Congregationalists, 
Catholics, and perhaps others. Many of these attend re- 
ligious services at Williamston. The first Protestant min- 
ister wlio visited the township is said by the oldest settlers 
to have been Elder Fcro, a prominent Baptist clergyman. 

lUIUIAL PLACES. 
These are three in number, and located on sections 13, 
23, and 34. The one on 13 was probably the earliest. 
The first burials were on the old homestead farm of David 
Gorsline, but these were subsequently taken up and re- 
interred in the public grounds. The first burial ground 
was establi.shed about 1842-43, on the town-line on section 
13. The latest one, located on section 23, has been in use 
since about 1877. 

Thanks arc due to the following among others who ren- 
dered as.sistance in the compilation of this history of the town- 
ship : David Gorsline, Gardner Fletcher, W. M.Spaulding, 
J. J. and C. A. Rehle, Wm. Beekman, Daniel Putman, and 
George Beeman. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



GEORGE BEEMAN. 

George and Washington Beeman were twin brothers, 
born March 8, 181C, in Wlieeler township, Steuben Co., 
N. Y. Both are still living, Washington in Linden, Wash- 
tenaw Co., Mich., and George, the subject of this sketch, 
in Wheatficid, Ingham Co. All of the other children of 
their parents, James and Eunice (Chase) Beeman, died in 
infancy. The father was a native of the Old Bay State, 
the mother of the State of New York, her father having 
been a soldier of the Revolution under Washington. 

George's parents being poor and his mother in ill health, 
he, when but twelve years of age, commenced the battle of 
life for himself Hiring out to a man by the name of 
Glass for his clothes and schooling winters, he remained 
about two years, wearing out the clothes he had and having 
to work in the woods lumbering instead of attending school 
winters. Subsequently lie commenced working by the 
month summers and attending school winters. The first 



326 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



summer he worked on a farm, the followinj; two summers 
in a brick-yard. He continued working by the month 
until lie was twenty years of age, when lie came to Miclii- 
sran. This was in 1836. His first stopping-place was in 
Washtenaw County, where hepa.ssed the first winter thresh- 
ing with a flail and getting for his pay the wildcat money 
current in those days, but on which he never realized any- 
thing. Nothing daunted, he, with a will, worked at mak- 
ing brick summers and tending saw-mill winters. This 
continued until 1840, when he came to the then township 
of Brutus, where he tended mill sawing by the thousand 
and still working at brick-making during the summer 
months. 

In the spring of 1843 he made his first purchase of real 
estate, consisting of one hniulred and ten acres on section 
2, about ten acres of which was improved and having a 
losi house and barn. To this he has added until his home- 
farm contains two hundred and seventy acres, with one 
hundred and sixty improved. After his first purchase he 
rented his farm and continued at his old business of brick- 
making, hiring improvements made on his land. In 1846 
his mother came and kept house for him, remaining until 
her death, some two years later. His father lived with 
Washington in Washtenaw County until his death, which 
occurred in 1853, leaving the two brothers the only surviv- 
ing members of the family. 

July 2, 1849, George married Miss Mahala, daughter of 
Benjamin and Charity Taylor, residents of Grass Lake 
township, Jackson Co., Mich. The parents of Mrs. Bee- 
man were natives of New York and had a family of four- 
teen children, of whom Mrs. Beeman is the youngest and 
also a native of New York, where she was born, Nov. 15, 
1821, coming to Michigan with her parents when about 



twenty-five years of age. She was possessed of an excel- 
lent education, and followed teaching to the time of her 
marriage. After their marriage they settled on the farm 
where they now live, and upon which Mr. Beeman had 
erected a frame house opposite on the road from the first 
one, which had been burned, together with most of hLs 
household efiects and the records of the township and of 
his family. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Beeman have been born eight children, 
of whom five are living, three married and settled near 
their parents. Mr. Beeman has been an active business 
man and taken a lively interest in all public improvements, 
not forgetting his own, pos.sessing one of the finest farm- 
residences in the county, a sketch of which we give upon 
an adjoining page. 

In politics he is a staunch Republican, and, though his 
party is in the minority in his township, he has three times 
filled the office of supervisor, besides serving as township 
treasurer, highway commissioner, and in minor ofiices. 

Mr. and Mrs. Beeman are not members of any church, 
but have contributed liberally to all, assisting in the erec- 
tion of the several church edifices in the village of Wil- 
liamston. 

They are eminently sociable people and enjoy the world 
as they find it, not confining themselves strictly to their 
home or to the associations surrounding them, but improving 
the opportunities they have for traveling and seeing the 
world. In this connection we might mention such expedi- 
tions as trips up and through the lakes, excursion to the 
White Mountains, and a long trip to Philadelphia and 
other Eastern cities during the Centennial year. To such 
people life is worth the living and the world the better for 
their being. 



"WHITE OAK. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
The township of White Oak, which lies on the eastern 
border of the county, is designated by the United States 
survey as township No. 2 north, of range No. 2 east. The 
exterior lines were surveyed by Joseph Wampler in 1824, 
and the subdivision survey was made by the same hand in 
18-5. It is bounded on the north by the township of 
Leroy, south by Stockbridge, east by Livingston County, 
and west by the township of Ingham. White Oak has 
few streams or large bodies of water. A rivulet in the 
southwest corner — one of the branches of Doan Creek — 
flows from Ingham township through section 19 and passes 
out at section 32. Two small lakes are found on section 
26, generally known as Fulcher's Lakes. No other waters 
are discovered in the township. The .surfiiee of White Oak 
js undulating, presenting occasionally sudden elevations, 



By E. 0. AVagner. 



though not sufSciently uneven to render travel difficult. 
The soil presents all the qualities peculiar to Michigan 
land. Clay, sandy loam, gravel, muck, and swamp prevail. 
These are quite equally distributed and, with the exception 
of the marshy land, are very productive. Oak, ash, black- 
walnut, and hickory are the prevalent woods, though tama- 
rack is found in the swamps. Fruits of all kinds abound, 
and the soil and climate combine to make the harvests 
in this regard abundant. The grain yield is equal to the 
average throughout the county. 

LAND ENTRIES. 
The lands of White Oak were entered from the govern- 
ment by the following parties : 

,S'«<-^'o/i ].— Ross Wakeman, Aug. 2, 1S36 ; M. Muloney, Nov.l, 18:!6 ; 

Win. Faulk, Nov. 22, 1836 ; James H. Woods, Sept. i, 1838. 
SflH),, 2.— John II. Havens, Juno II, 1830. 
Scrlloii 3.— John II. Havens, June II, IS36 ; Ira Davenport, June 3), 



WHE.VTFIELD. 



327 



IS:;n; Josiah Snow, Aug. 4, 183G; D. S. McGonegal, April 7, 

18.17; Will. Alcliin, .'cpt. 19, lS:iS; Thomas O.May, Jan. 31, 

is:i9. 
ScrUm, 4.— Will. Baker, July 2, 1836 ; Alfred Howard, July K>, 1S3(! ; 

Ethel Walker, July 1, 1836; BeDJnmin lluger, Aug. 5, 1836; 13. 

Kerchcvul, Dei-. 17, 1836. 
.Vc<(i„ji 5.— John Van Duzer, July 1, 1S3C : D. B. Staples, Ethel 

Walker, N. G. Parmclee, Martha Walker, July 16, 1836: Simeon 

Cummingsi, Sept. 23, 1836; John and James Mulhollond, Oct. 

28, 1836. 

.Vet/icii 6.— Alex. Skillie, June 6, 1836; Russell Wilkinson, June 30, 

1836; Jenks Cha.se, July 1, 1836; Michael .McGuinness, July i, 

1S36; Cieoro Web-tor, Feb. 25, 1837. 
Stcliun 7. — Alvin Haywood, Horace W. Brown, Alary WinanB, Juno 

30, 1836. 
i'tcdoii 8.— Alvin Haywood, June 30,1836; ruliick Davis, Aug. 3, 

1836; Simeon Cumming.s Sept. 23, 1836. 
,SVr(i"i. 9.— John Hcywood, July 2, 1836; Hall Deland, Aug. 1, 

1836 ; A. H. Van Buren, Oct. 31, 1836 ; Fred. P. Tuwnsend, Dec. 

29, 1S36. 

Sectiun ID.— Wm. Taylor, Solomim Brain, May 2>, 1830; Ira Daven- 
port, June 30, 1836; Orson Seymour, John Grace, Dec. 16, 1836; 
E. and J. Alchin, Oct. 10, 1840. 

SectiuH 11. 

Section 12. — John McKernan, June 7, 1836; Ira Davenport, June 30, 
1836; Philip McKeruan, Aug. 2, 1836; F. McMalion, Oct. 25, 
1836; John Walton, Dec. 8, 1838. 

.VfcdV,!! 13.— John Wright, John MeKcrnnn, Juno 17,1836; Lewis 
Uunlap, Juno 20, 1836; Andrew Burns, Patrick Mcvis, July 1, 
1830; Joab Grovcr, July 9, 1836; B. B. Kercheval, Oct. 29, 
1836. 

Sti-tiuH 14. — John McKernan, June 17, 1836; Jofin Wright, June 25, 
1836; B. B. Kerchcval, Oct. 29, 1836. 

■S'«(iV,ii 15.— H. W. Ackley, April 25, 1836; George Southerton, May 

25, 1836; J.J. Thorp, July 12, 1830; Hall Deland, Aug. 1, 
183C ; Thomas Anderson, Aug. 2, 1836. 

Section 16. — School section. 

.Section 17.— Silas Hubbard, Oct. 26, 1836; Lester Chappel, Dec. 16, 

1836 ; Howell Reeves, March 8, 1837 ; George Reeves, March 8, 

1S36. 
.Section 18. — Phincas P. Fo.T, Daniel Smith, May 30, 1836; Anna C. 

Torbert, July 14, 1836; John Countryman, Aug. 3, 1836; Silas 

Hubbard, Oct. 25, 1836. 
Section 19.— J. Bennett, J. D. Doan, Jan. 26, 1836 ; J. Bennett, May 

26, 1836; John Sayer, July 14, 1836; Charles Tanner, July 14, 
1836; K. M. Smith, Dec. 30, 1836. 

Sictinn 20.— Elijah Stanton, June 10, 1836; Hay Stevenson, Oct. 14, 

1836; D. P. Dryer, Nov. 26, 1836; R. M. Smith, Dec. 30, 1836; 

Judson Dukin, Jan. 6, 1837; Lewis Austril, Jan. 6, 1837. 
Section 21.— John Clements, May 9, 1836; Parshall Howell, Juno 10, 

1836; William A. Dryer, July 2, 1836; Daniel Bircc, July 13, 

18.36. 
,Vec»i"o.i 22.— Gt!orge Brown, April 25, 1836; Parshall Smith, April 

25, 1836; Heiekiah Smith, May 4, 1836; John II. Havens, Juno 
4, 1836. 

Section 23. — Clark Post, July 5, 1836; Simoon Cumiuings, Sept. 25, 

1836. 
•Vccdci 24.— Uriah Smith, .May 13,1836; Edward Mundy, June 15, 

1836; John Wright, Juno 17, 1836; Ira West, July 15, 1836. 
.SV/ioH 25.— Richard Welling, Jan. 21. 1836; A. Osborn, May 19, 

1830; £. Pott, June 6, 1836; Richard Welling, Jan. 13, 1836; 

G. W. Graves, Oct. 28, 1836; William Everett, Aug. 15, 1850. 
.V,c(i<.n 26.— R. Welling, June 13, 1836; B. B. Kercheval, Oct. 29, 

1830; Howell Reeves, March 8, 1837; Samuel Gillam, Nov. 6, 

1846; John Gillam, Aug. 15, 1850. 
Section 27. — James Reeves, Feb. 27, 1836; Isaac Brovender, April 

26, 1836; D. C. Hallock, May 30, 1836; Robert Goudy, Jr. June 
7, 1830; John Blain, Juno 13, 1836; Howell Reeves, March 8, 
1837. 

Section 28.— James Crownover, May 7, 1836; Henry Clements, May 

7, 1836; John Blain, Juno 13, 1836. 
Section 29.- A. Dunn, ALirch 5, 1830; T. F. Royce, .March 8, 1830; 

Henry Clements, May 9, 1836; Rhoda Fuller, Feb. 3 and 8, 1837. 
.S'lcli'.-ii 31).— A. Dunn, March 5, 1836; T. F. Royce, March 8, 1836; 

A. Dunn, March 22, 1S36; Andrew Hood, May 24, 1836; L. F. 



Baker, May 18, 1S3C; Jonathan Thomas, Juno 13, 1836; William 

Miller, July 2, 1836 ; Agnes Graham, Deo. 16, 1837. 
AecfiV.M 31.— Oliver Harris, M.ay 5, 1836; George Reeves, .May 30, 

1836 ; William Ballentine, June 4, 1836; James Graham, June 4, 

1836; William Miller. July 2,1636; B. B. Kercheval, Dec. 17, 

1836 ; Bennett ami Ayors, May 10, 1837. 
Section 32.— Thomas F. Royce, March 8, 1836; John Wilson, Juno 

4, 1830; Jacob Prestun, Aug. 4, 1836; John Welch, Oct. 27, 

1830; E. It. Daggett, Nov. 4, 1830; B. B. Kercheval, Dec. 17, 

1836, and Feb. 3, 1837; Agnes Graham, Deo. 10,1837. 
Section 33.— Herman Lonn, Jan. 21, 1835; John A. Turner, April 18, 

1830; L. C. Grovcr, April 26, 1836; Je3^o Low, June S, 1836; 

David Newsoni, Sept. 21, 1830: Edwin Perry, Oct. 25, 1836. 
Sectiun 34.— Daniel Dutcher, Juno 18, 1835; James Reeves, Feb. 27, 

1836; L. C. Oiuver, April 26. 1830; John Welch, Oct. 27. 1830; 

William Davis, Nov. 22, 1830; Sally M. Glenn, Deo. 7, 1836. 
.S'c<((«ii 35.— Daniel Dutcher, June 18, 1835; H. Bullock, July 2, 

1835; Blossom & EIner, Aug. 27, I83J: James Hyues, Oct. 13, 

1835; A. F. ButterHcId, .March 8, 1830; H. Bullock, Juno 11, 

1830; William A. Dryer, July 2, 1836. 
.SWd-ii 36.— James Hynes, Oct. 13, 1835; John Gillam, Juno 10, 

1830; B. B. Kercheval, Oct. 29, 1830; Amanda TowusenJ, Oct. 

20, 1830; Lois Bissel, Oct. 26, 1836; Samuel Case, July 3, 1837. 

TAX-LIST. 

Tlic following list eiubfaces the names of resident tax- 
payers in towiLship 2 north, of range 2 east, for tiie year 
1844: 

John Clements, John H. Clements, Henry Clements, David Howell, 
Alexander McArthur, James Reeves, William Van Buren, David 

Newsuiii, Abram Van Buren, Oakley, Moselio, I. N. 

Phelps and Hiel I'liolps, William A. Dryer, Truman McArthur, 
Alfred Ramsdell, William D. Stevenson, Radcliff Howell, R. 
Ramsdell, Thomas Anderson, M. Iloywood, H. AV. Ackley, Na- 
thaniel Parmen, Philip Salisbury, Edmund Alchin, James .■llchin, 
Enos Smith, William Abbott, Jacob Countryman, Matthew Cowii- 
tus, Lewis Cody, Anna Horr, William Brown, Alfred Howard, A. 
N. Riggs, C. F. Chadwick, Henry Wolcolt, Samuel Wolcott, L. 
Main, .Samuel Torbert, E. V. Carr, De Witt Morrison, Jonathan 
Thomas, Thomas F. Patrick, James Rathbun, William Ballentine, 
James Graham, Agnes Graham, George G. Sly, Asahel Monson, 
Heiekiah Riggs, Lucius Wil.son, Thomas Stevens, Jacob llev- 
don, Andrew Stevens, John Gillam, William Post, Asel Stow, 
James Hynes, William S. Hall, Benjamin Gillam, Eber Ijall, 
Jacob Acker, John Dubois, Benjamin Bullock, Matthew Dubois, 
John McKernan, Stephen Havens, George Gillam, Warren Wil- 
son, Albert Wilson, Francis McMahon, Robert Smith, Enoch 
Smith, Michel Michvanna, Ebeuczer Sherman, Daniel Dutcher. 

EAULY SETTLKMKNT.S. 

Daniel Dutcher claims and has tiiu honor accorded 
him of liaviijg been the earliest pioneer who found a home 
witliin the boundaries of White Oak township. lie was 
origitially u resident of Montgomery Co., N. Y., from 
whence lie removed to the western portion of the State in 
1825, and to White Oak in 1835. On section 35 lie chose 
a tract of 335 acres, upon which he built a log habitation, 
and for souic months lived with his faiuily alone in the 
wilderness. In June of the following year u band of pio- 
neers, thirty-six in nuiuber, arrived and enjoyed JMr. 
Dutcher's hospitality while selecting their lands or erect- 
ing houses upon them. They found the liiuited quarters 
of his shanty inadequate to their wants, and were obliged 
to improvi.-se sleeping accorn modal ions in their wagons or 
under such shelter as the forest afforded. There were at 
this lime no roads, the Indian trail being the only guide. 
A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dutcher in Decem- 
ber, 1835, whom they christened Abigail. She was the 



?,28 



IIISTOKY OF IiNGHAM COUNIT, MICHIGAN. 



first white child born in the township. Mr. Butcher still 
survives, and resides upon the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 35. 

Henry and John Clements were the next settlers, having 
arrived in 1836. Tlie former, in May of that year, entered 
land on sections 28 and 29, upon which he built the accus- 
tomed log house and did some clearing. He later removed 
to Meadville and became the popular landlord of the place, 
remaining until his death. 

John Clements owned a farm on section 21, and after- 
wards removed to Laingsburg. where he died. His sons 
still oecupy the farm. The father of the Clements brothers 
died in the township during the year 1836, or possibly a 
year later. This was the earliest death in the township. 

James Hynes located land in October, 1835, on sections 
35 and 36, and the i()llowing year settled upon it. His farm 
embraced IGO acres, which he cleared, improved, and made 
productive. Ho still resides upon the place, and is one 
of the township's successful farmers. 

Enoch Smith removed from Cortland Co.,N. Y., in 1836, 
and settled on eighty acres upon section 24, on which he 
built a log dwelling and began the clearing of the land. 
Deer and wolves were abundant, and the Indian roamed 
the forest undisturbed. His intercourse with the whites 
was confined to visits for purposes of barter, and his sup- 
plies of fresh game made him a welcome visitor. Mr. 
Smith still occupies the land he originally settled upon. 

David and William A. Dryer entered in July, 1830, 
eighty acres on section 21. They were former residents of 
the Empire State, and on their arrival began the erection 
of a log house, soon after effecting a considerable improve- 
ment. They both later removed from the township, and 
Joseph Dyer is now the occupant of the farm. 

Lucius Wilson came in 1837 and located upon land on 
section 30. He cleared and improved a large portion of 
his purchase, but later removed to California. He returned 
again to the township, where he died. 

James Rathbun, another of the pioneers of 1837, chose 
a farm on section 31, which was entirely uncleared on his 
arrival. He converted it, however, into productive land, 
upon which he for some years resided, but ultimately left 
the township. 

Edward It. Daggett the same year became a resident on 
section 32, which he had entered in November of the pre- 
vious year. This was destitute of improvement until Mr. 
Daggett's industry cultivated and made it a profitable in- 
vestment. His death occurred upon the farm, which is now 
occupied by his widow and son. 

Alfred Howard entered land on section 4 in July, 1836, 
and settled upon it. His residence was, however, brief A 
few years later he sold and found a home elsewhere. 

Abram Van Buren was a former resident of Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., from whence he removed in 1837 to a farm 
of 100 acres on section 34, bought of John Welch. In- 
dians were encamped in the neighborhood, and the scene 
on his arrival presented a primitive and uninviting aspect. 
He sold a portion of this laud, and in 1847 removed to his 
present rc.sidence, embracing eighty acres on section 35. 
His son is the present efficient townsiiip dork of White 
Oak. 



The township at this time had no resident physician, and 
the presence of Dr. Morgan, of Unadilla, was solicited in 
cases of severe illness. Later, Dr. Craft ministered to the 
needs of the settlers. Eider Sayers conducted the earliest 
religious services, and George W. Breckenridge made his 
advent soon after in the capacity of local preacher. 

John Dubois, formerly of New York, settled in 1837 
upon sixty acres on section 35, his wife at the same time 
being owner of an additional sixty adjacent. The land was 
entirely uncleared, and the house of Conrad Dubois, in 
Stockbridge, afi'orded shelter while clearing a space in 
which to erect a log cabin. Mr. Dubois remained upon 
this fiirm and continued its improvement until his death, 
in 1880. 

Hiel Phelps emigrated from Ontario Co., N. Y., to Dex- 
ter, in 1834, and in 1838 settled upon 120 acres on section 
29 in White Oak, which he purchased of William Turner. 
This was uncleared, with the exception of three acres, 
which was chopped and had built upon it a simple log 
structure. Mr. Phelps moved with oxen and horses from 
Dexter, following the Indian trail, which was at times a very 
obscure guide. He began labor with a will, and the first 
year had cleared and partially sown ten acres. Henry 
Clements was the nearest settler. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps 
are still, in their advanced years, residents of their original 
purchase. 

James Reeves, a native of Orange Co., N. Y., located in 
Washtenaw County in 1836, and in October, 1842, settled 
on section 27, in White Oak. In 1849 he removed to 
Stockbridge, where his death occurred at a recent date. 
Mr. Reeves was actively identified with the interests of 
both townships, and did much to advance their growth. 
Ho filled several important and infloeMtial offices during his 
residence in White Oak. 

Richard Oakley, another New Yorker, settled in 1839 
upon section 33, where he converted the forest into a highly- 
improved farm. He remained upon this estate until his 
death, in 1878, and his sons are the present owners. 

John McKcrnan was a pioneer of 1839, and settled 
upon section 14, where he entered land in June, 1836. He 
found an ample field for his energies in the uniiuproved 
territory of which he was possessor. This, however, soon 
yielded to the industry of its owner, who continued to im- 
prove and increase the value of his purchase until his 
death. 

J. B. and Robert Wilson came from St. Lawrence Co., 
N. Y., and located on section 32, their father, John B. 
Wilson, having entered eighty acres on the above section 
in 1836. The latter was killed by the falling of a tree in 
1841, and the sons have since removed to section 27. 

Christopher Patrick settled in 1845 upon section 29, 
where he improved the land he secured and rendered it 
highly productive. 

Abram Ilayuer came from Troy, N. Y., and chose land 
on section 34, embracing 190 acres, which at the lime 
was uncleared. He hewed timber, and with it erected a 
dwelling, into which he removed when but partially com- 
pleted. He devoted himself to hard labor, and when, some 
years later, the primitive structure became uninhabitable, 
erected a substantial frame residence in which he now 



WHITE OAK. 



329 



dwells. Mr. Hayner is keenly alive to the interests of the 
town!*liip, anil has Bllod many important township office.^. 

G. L. Carter removed from Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1850, 
and purchased land on sections 28 and 21', havini; built a 
residence on the latter section. Forty acres had been 
already chopped, and a log house and barn were standing 
upon it. In 1856 he erected a more substantial abode, 
and has continued to increase the dimensions of his farm 
until it now embraces 31-1 acres, all highly improved. 

Among other pioneers who assisted in breaking the 
forests of Wiiite Oak were David Howell, who owned land 
on section 28 ; Hezekiah Riggs and Asahel Monson, who 
settled on section 29 ; R. Ramsdell and Thomas Anderson, 
on .section 15; Truman McArthur, on section 20; David 
Newsom, on section 83 ; H. W. Ackley, on section 15 ; 
William D. Stevenson and Alfred Ram.sdcll, on section 9 ; 
A. N. Riggs and C. F. Chadwick, on section 4; Thomas 
F. Patrick, on section 30 ; William Balhintine and James 
Graham, on section 31 ; Philip Salisbury and James Alchin, 
on section 10; Samuel and Henry Wolcott, on section 18; 
Asel Stow and Benjamin Bullock, on section 35 ; George 
Gillani, on section 24; Ebcnczer Sherman, on section 34; 
William S. Hall, on section 3G ; Stephen Havens, on sec- 
tion 1 ; and Jonathan Thomas. 

OKGANIZATION AND CIVIL LIST. 
White Oak was separated from Ingham township and 
organized as a congressional township, March 21, 1839. 
In accordance with an act of the State Legislature, notice 
having been previously given, the tjualified voters of the 
township met at the house of Daniel Dutcher on the 2d of 
April, 1839. Cyrus Post was chosen moderator, and Wil- 
liam Ballentine, Henry Clements, and James Ilathbun in- 
spectors of election ; William A. Dryer was installed as clerk. 
The following individuals were elected to fill the various 
township offices for the ensuing year : Supervisor, John 
Clements; Township Clerk, William A. Dryer; Treasurer, 
Richard Oakley; Justices of the Peace, Cyrus Post, Wil- 
liam Ballentine, Daniel Dutcher, Henry Clements ; High- 
way Commissioners, David P. Dryer, William S. Hall, Al- 
fred Howard; Assessors, John McKernan, Hiel Phelps, 
James Rathbun ; Primary School Inspectors, Cyrus Post, 
John Clements, William A. Dryer ; Collector, William 
Post ; Overseers of Poor, Jonathan Thomas, John Gillam ; 
Constables, William Post, William Van Buren. The re- 
maining names on the list embrace the more important 
township officers to the present date. 

SUPERVISORS. 

1840-41, William S. Hall; 1842, W. A. Dryer; 1843-44, John Clem- 
ents; 1845-4f), Griffin Paddock; 1847, Lucius Wilson; 1848, 
John A. Turner; 1849, G. W. Andrews; 18.00, Lucius Wilson; 
1851, Philip McKernan; 1852, William C. Post; 1853, John 
Clements; 1854-57, Abram Hayner; 1S58, George J. Sly; 1851)- 
00, Abram Hayner; 1861-64, D. F. Osborn ; 1805-67, Willard 
Smith; 1868, William C. Post; 1869-70, Abram Hayner; 1871- 
72, D. F. Osborn; 1873, W. P. Wilcox; 1874, Willard Smith; 
1875, William H. Smith; 1876-77, E. W. Woodward; 1878, 
George H. Willets; 1879-80, E. W. Woodward. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1840, William A. Dryer; 1841-44, William lialluntinc ; 1845-46, 
James Kccres; 1847-48, William Post; 1819. David Uowoll ; 
42 



1850-52, Abram Hayner; IS53-55, Henry Clements; 1856, 
William Wilson; 1857-58, William C. Post; 1859, AV. It. Wil- 
son; lS(iO-OI, David Cooper; 1862, Abram Hayner; 1863, Ste- 
phen M. Hayner; 1804-66, William C. Post; 1SG7-6S, J. P. 
Wiljon; 1869-71, John B. Wilson; 1872, Andre M. Hall ; 1873, 
John B. Wilson; IS74-77, Charles Stephens; 1878, Samuel R. 
Rogers ; 1879, Oren L. Lalhrop ; 1880, Lyman A. Van Buren. 

TREASURERS. 

1840-44, Henry Clements; 1845-40, Lucius Wilson; 1847, Hiel 

Phelps; 1848, John Gillam; 1849, no record; 1850, John Gil- 

lain; 1851, Nelson Osborn; 1852-53, Hiel Phelps; 1854, J. C. 

Granger; 1855-50, Lucius Wilson; 1857-60, Enoch Smith; 

1861, Samuel B. Williams; 1862, William H.Smith; 1863, 
Robert C. Smith: 1864-65, Isaac R. Williams; 1866, lliel 
Phelps; 1867, Robert Wilson; 1868-69, Enoch Smith; 1870-71, 
Parshall Howell; 1872, Warren P. Wilco.\ ; 1873-74, Thomas 
McKernan: 1875-76, Alexander H. Clements; 1877-78, John 
Hynes ; 1879-80, Oscar Johnson. 

JUSTICES OF THK PEACE. 
1840, Cyrus Post, Alfred Howard, Daniel Dutcher; 1841, S. V. R. 
Church, D. P. Dryer; 1842, R. Ramsdell, Cyrus Post, Lucius 
Wilson; 1843, George J. Sly; 1844, John Clements, Thomas 
Stevens; 1815, George J. Sly; 1846, Lewis Cody; 1847, Griffin 
Paddock: 1848, Thomas Stevens; 1849, George J. Sly, William 
Brown ; 1.850, John McKernan, Enoch Smith; 1851, C. H. Chad- 
wi.k, Enoch Smith; 1852, Thomas B. Godley; 1853, George J. 
Sly; 1854, D. F. Osborn, Miles Lowell, G. W. Andrews; 1855, 
Isaac Davis; 1856, Franklin Dart, Isaac Stow; 1857, George J. 
Sly, W. P. Wilson, Nelson S. Osborn ; 1858, no record; 1859, N. 
S. Osborn; 1860, Warren P. Wilcox; 1861, William C. Post; 

1862, E. W. Woodward; 1863, Elias S.Clark; 1864, Daniel L. 
Cody; 1865, H. J. Stoncr, Levi Alcoit; 1806, E. Woodward; 
George M. Hall, George AV. Andrews; 1867, Abram Hayner, Ira 
Miller; 1868, Ira Miller; 1869,Frank Lathrop, Joseph Fielding; 
1870, E. W.Woodward: 1871, Andre M. Hall : 1872, Ira Miller ; 
1873, M. B. Townsend, S. N. Scoville: 1874, Abram Hayner; 
1875, Robert Wilson; IS70, John R. Potter; 1877, M. B. Town- 
send; 1878, Enoch L. Smith; 1879, Charles H. Carpenter; 1880, 
John R. Potter. 

EARLY ROADS. 
The earliest records of the commissioners of highways 
have transmitted only descriptions of roads surveyed at 
a period several years later than the organization of the 
town.ship. There is, however, little doubt that the ear- 
liest highway that passed through the township of White 
Oak was familiarly known as the State road from Pinckney 
to Dexter. It traversed sections 30, 34, and 36. Other 
roads were surveyed as the presence of settlers demanded 
them, many of which were designated by the names of in- 
dividuals whose lands they invaded. 

MILLVILLE. 

The land on which this village is located was first owned 
by James Reeves, in who.se name it was entered Feb. 27, 
183G. It was subsequently .sold to Nelson F. Osborn, who 
disposed again of a small portion to Elias S. Clark, by 
whom a saw-mill was erected. He parted with a h;dl'-in- 
terest, and later sold the whole t6 Lemuel Woodhouse, who 
is the present owner. 

Elias S. Clark, in 1873, erected a grist-mill on the north- 
west corner of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter 
of section 27, which is propelled by steam and now in full 
operation. There are, in addition, two stores, owned by Elias 
S. Clark and John E. Burgess, respectively, and a cooper- 
shop, by Isaac Letts. The township post-office is on sec- 
tion 34, Wm. J. H. Ackerson being the postmaster. 



330 



IIISTOIIY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



WHITE OAK GRANGE, No. 241. 

The orcanization of this grange was effected January, 
1874, with the following member.? as its eharter officers : 
J. B. Wilson, blaster; Isaac Davis, Chaplain; Joseph 
Dyer, Overseer; Christopher Patrick, Lecturer; Abram 
Hayner, Sec. ; O. Phelps, Trcas. A special hall was erected 
for the use of the grange on section 2 the year of its 
organization, in which the meetings are held. 

Its present officers are J. 1?. Wilson, Master; Sarah 

Phelps, Chaplain ; Willis Binding, Overseer ; Christopher 

Patrick, Lecturer; Philo Phelps, Sec; S. N. Scoville, 

Treas. 

SCHOOL STATISTICS. 

The early school records convey little information of 
value to the historian, and are chiefly records of the various 
alterations in the boundaries of school districts from 1839 
until the present time. The board of school inspectors of 
the newly-organized township of White Oak met on the 
30th day of April, 1839, at the office of the township clerk, 
and, having chosen John Clements chairman and William 
A. Dryer clerk, proceeded to a division of the township 
into districts. 

The following divisions were then made : 

Fractional District No. 1 embraced sections 13, 24, the 
east half of the northeast quarter and the east half of the 
southeast quarter of section 14, the east half of the north- 
east ([uarter and the east half of the southeast quarter of 
section 23, and the northwest quarter of the northeast 
quarter of section 25 of the township of White Oak, and 
sections 18 and 19 and the north half of the north half 
of section 30 of Iosco in Livingston County. 

Fractional District No. 2 embraced sections 7, 18, the 
north half of 19 in White Oak, the east half of 13, 
and the east half of the northeast quarter of 24 in Ing- 
ham. 

Di.'^trict No. 3 embraced the southeast quarter of section 
30, the southwest quarter of 29, and .sections 3, 31, and 32 
of White Oak. 

Fractional District No. 4 embraced sections 25 and 30, 
the east half of 35 and of 20, the southeast half of 23, 
the southeast quarter of 24 in Ingham, the south half of 
18, the north half of 30, the southwest quarter of 30, and 
the northwest half of 29 in White Oak. 

The earliest school was opened in 183G in the fractional 
district then embracing a portion of Stockbridge. The 
school-house was located in the above township near the 
division-line, but had among its patrons the early settlers 
in White Oak. Elizabeth Lowe was the fir.-t instructor, 
and presided for three successive terms. Probably the 
Clements district enjoyed the earliest educational privileges 
afforded within the township limits. The township is now 
divided into five whole and three fractional districts, over 
whom preside the following board of- directors : W. H. 
Smith, C. Zocuni, S. Gains, William T. Godly, Charles 
Odell, Thomas Western, W. 11. J. Ackerson, and J. W. 
Ilendrick. The total number of children receiving in- 
struction is 273, of whom fifteen are nonresidents. They 
are under the superintendence of five male and twelve 
female teachers, who receive in salaries an aggregate amount 
of §974.50 annually. The school property includes eight 



frame school buildings. The total resources of the town- 
ship for educational purposes are $2188.81, of which 
$214.03 is derived from the primary school fund. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

ABRAM HAYNER. 

In the month of June, 1846, Abram Hayner arrived in 
White Oak, Ingham Co., from Saratoga Co., N. Y., accom- 
panied by his wife and three children, the oldest a boy of 
nine years old, and possessed the sum of only thirty-five 
dollars. He came to seek a home where land was cheap, 
and where his efforts would not be circumscribed by the 
wealth of those around him. Securing eighty acres ou sec- 
tion 34, he erected a log house, and made such other im- 
provements as their limited means would permit. The winter 
following he taught school in District No. 2, receiving in 
payment for his services the public money, and the balance 
of his hire in work performed by residents of that district, 
upon his farm, logging and clearing. 

Meantime his wife had not been idle, but had gathered 
the children of the neighborhood together in their home and 
taught them, receiving provision and home-spun cloth, or 
any commodity that could be turned to account. With such 
energy and ability did he manage the work upon his farm, 
or whatever he engaged in, that he was soon called to 
serve his township in many a public capacity, as highway 
commissioner, town clerk, supervisor, and was instrumental 
in securing a mail-route from Howell to Williamston, and 
was postmaster for near twenty years, and one of the board 
to secure an appropriation for the erection of the court- 
house, thus insuring the continuance of the county seat, 
which otherwise might have been removed to Lansing, as 
a strong effort was being made with that object in view. 
In 1802 he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected the 
following term, when Mrs. Hayner returned to the farm 
to superintend and pu.sh its improvements. At several 
times he has made additional purchases, until two hundred 
and twenty-five acres are included in the home at present, 
finely improved, with good, substantial buildings, all erected 
by his own hands, and with everything necessary for the 
enjoyment of farm life. Since his retirement from county 
office, he has filled the office of supervisor, but, from pressure 
of private business, has been obliged to decline to act in a 
public capacity. Mr. Hayner was born in Grafton, Rens- 
selaer Co., N. Y., Aug. 23, 1814, and united in marriage, 
Oct. 27, 1830, with Julia, a daughter of Stephen and Mary 
A. Martin. She was born in Coleraiue, Franklin Co., Mass., 
March 5, 1817. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hayner are the parents of five children : 
Stephen M., born Aug. 1, 1837 ; James H., born Oct. 16, 
1838, died April 22, 1867 ; John W., born Aug. 31, 1843 ; 
Charles A., born April 5, 1853 ; Walter, born Sept. 20, 
1862. The two last named were born in Michigan. Each 
on becoming of age was the recipient of a substantial gift 
from their parents much superior to that enjoyed by the 
giver in his early days. Mr. Hayner was bereaved by the 
death of his loved wife and companion, June 12, 1877, 



WHITE OAK. 



331 





MRS. ABUAJI IIAYNER. 



ABKA.M IIAVNKIl. 



lamented and mourned by a large circle of friends, who will 
ever cherish within their hearts the memory of her pure 
and useful life, which had won their affection.s. Iler death 
was a sore loss to Mr. ETayner, as he was left desolate and 
alone with his domestic duties. Both necessity to his family 
and inclination combined to provide one to fill in part the 
vacancy in his heart and home ; he sought and obtained the 
hand of Miss Pjliza B. Ackerson. Tiiey were married in 
November, 1878. Mr. Hayner, by industry and good man- 
agement, has accumulated a large property, and to-day is 
living in the peaceful enjoyment of the fruits of a well- 
spent life. Mr. Ilayner has lately erected over the remains 
of his beloved wife and son one of the finest family monu- 
ment.s in Ingham County. 



GEORGE H. PROCTOR. 

When but a youth George II. Proctor evinced a keen 
appreciation of the relative value of merchantable com- 
modities, and as he emerged into manhood became quite an 
adept in speculation. He, however, remained at home, 
placing his accumulations in common with his father, until 
twenty-eiglit years of age, at which time he came in pos- 
session of a farm of sixty-three acres in Stockbridge town- 
ship, well stocked and provided with the necessary farm 
implements. For two years he worked upon his farm, 
then leased it, and located in St. Louis, Gratiot Co., in the 
mercantile business, which he conducted successfully, but 
from failing health was obliged to abandon. Closing out 
his interest there, he returned to Ingham County. In 
1875 he purcha.sed one hundred and forty-five acres on 
sections 29 and 30, in White Oak township. Having 
about seventy acres partially improved he immediately 
erected a substantial farm dwelling, at the same time carry- 
ing forward other improvements. Mr. Proctor has been 
twice married. First, Nov. 3, 18G2, to Miss Frances E. 



Lowe, of Stockbridge. One child was born to them, but 
died in infancy. Mrs. Proctor remained to bless his homo 
but for a short time, her death occurring in March, 18G5. 
Four years later, on Sept. 23, 18G9, he married Miss Mary 
J. Wessel, daughter of Samuel and Ellen E. Wes.sel, of 
Ingham township. 

Mr. Wessel formerly resided in Wayne Co., N. Y., but 
located lands in Ingham County in 1836, to which he re- 
moved in 1840. In connection with farming he opened 
his doors to the traveling public many years before travel 
by wagon was superseded by railroads. His genial and 
hospitable waj's always insured a liberal patronage. Mrs. 
Proctor was the third in the family of four children. 
During his life Mr. Wessel accumulated a large landed 
property as well a.s personal. Mrs. Proctor received a lib- 
eral bequest, including lands now embraced within their 
home-farm of two hundred and ninety acres. 

Mr. and Mrs. I'roctor are also the owners of other land, 
and are sufficiently possessed of tiiis world's goods to enable 
them to pa.ss life pleasantly. From their abundance they 
contribute liberally for charitable purposes, as well as to 
sustain the Christian cause, having been members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Society over twenty years. He was 
superintendent of North Stockbridge Sabbath-school while 
residing there, and is at present superintendent of Pleasant 
Street Sabbath-school, White Oak. Mr. Proctor has often 
been solicited to permit his name to appear upon his party 
ticket, but steadily refuses, preferring to devote his time 
to other pursuits. Both are members of the township 
and county grange association, iu which they take a 
lively interest. Their union has been blessed by two 
children, — Sam J., born Aug. 23, 1S70, who.se portrait, in 
connection with these of Mr. and Mrs. Proctor, accompa- 
nying a view of their home, appears in this History ; Frank 
G., the second son, was born April 2, 1872, and died Jan. 
19, 1878, of scarlet fever after an illness of forty-four 
hours. 



332 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





DANIEL DUTCUER. 



MRS. DANIEL DUTCUER. 



DANIEL BUTCHER. 

Daniel Dutclier was born Sept. 1, 1805, in the town of 
Oppenheim, Fulton Co., N. Y., being the third child in a 
family of seven sons and three daughters. At an early age he 
was instructed in all that pertains to fiirming, receiving also 
a common-school education. By mutual consent of his 
parents, when nineteen years of age lie went forth from home 
to build up his own fortune. He first found his way to Yates, 
Orleans Co., N. Y. The change was disastrous to his health, 
bringing on a sickness that lasted twenty-three months 
and exhausted his small capital. Nothing daunted, with- 
out money for a trou.sseau by either of the contracting 
parties, on April 13, 1825, he married Miss Maria Bullock. 
At farm work by the day, and occasionally jobbing, he man- 
aged to make a comfortable living. About a year after their 
marriage he purchased a piece of land from the Holland 
Company. Each year liis balance-sheet showed a .small 
gain, and in May, 1835, on closing out his interest, the 
sum of fifteen hundred dollars appeared to his credit. 
Leaving his family he journeyed West to secure a home, 
and after an extended search located three hundred and 
twenty acres on section 2, Stockbridge, and sections 34 
and 35, White Oak, this being the first entry of land 
in the latter township. He returned home in June, and 
in September following they came by canal to Buffalo, by 
lake to Detroit, and there purchased a yoke of oxen and 
wagon, into which he loaded his household goods and 
family. His purcha.se of a team proved rather unfortunate, 
as they were wild and intractable. He w;»s obliged to walk 
by their side the entire distance, quite an inconvenience, as 
at times the road was only cleared sufficient to permit the 
passage of a wagon. Each day's journey seemed the hard- 
est, until the climax was reached the last day's drive, about 
noon, when he landed his outfit into a marsh so deep that 
it could not be extricated without assistance. He bethought 
him of a man they had passed about three miles back, and. 



after securing his team, went to obtain help. He could not 
spare the time until after his day's work was finished. To 
remain out all night was impossible. Returning, he and 
his wife each took a child in their arms, and, leading the 
third one, journeyed on foot a distance of seven miles to 
her brother's, then residing in Unadilla. Leaving his 
family he went forward and erected a log house twenty by 
twenty on section 35, White Oak township, to which he 
removed his family the October following, this constituting 
the first settlement in that township. From the wilderness 
home he brought forth one of the finest farms in Ingham 
County, and during his ownership conducted it on the most 
extensive scale. After his large family had grown to ma- 
turity and passed from the parental roof, he sold and dis- 
tributed sixteen thousand dollars among them, and retired 
to a farm of forty acres. So accustomed to labor, and with 
a mind so active, he could not remain idle. They were the 
parents of eleven children, as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth 
Youngs, born Jan. 16, 1828, resides at Williamston ; Be- 
nonia, born Nov. 22, 1829, died at the age of nine months ; 
Daniel T., born Oct. 17, 1831 ; Joseph A., born June 3, 
1834, now of Fairfield, Shiawassee Co. ; Mrs. Abbie Clark, 
born Dec. 19, 1835 ; Stephen, born Nov. 8, 1837, died from 
disease contracted in the army ; Israel, born Oct. 19, 1839, 
died Dec. 27, 1802; Mary M., born Oct. 31, 1841 ; Mrs. 
Patience Van Buren, born June 2, 1843 ; Mrs. Olive Van 
Buren, born May 30, 1845, now- of Stockbridge ; Mrs. Vic- 
toria Carpenter, born Nov. 3, 1847. 

While they were yet in their youth, Mr. and Mrs. Dutcher 
joined the followers of the Christian faith, and after a united 
labor of forty five years, on May 7, 1874, Mrs. Dutcher 
passed to the fullness of that reward to those who faithfully 
follow the teachings of the Master, beloved by all for her 
many womanly qualities and her untiring devotion to her 
Aimily. Mr. Dutcher continues on in the fullness of years, 
honored and respected for his many noble qualities, firm in the 
Christian faith that shall unite him with those gone before. 



WILLIAMSTOWN. 



333 



EFHRAIM W. WOODWARD. 

The fiiniily of Woodward dates back to au early period 
ill the history of tiie settlement of the English colonies in 
this country. On their arrival they separated, a portion 
settlinj; in Now York and New Hampshire, while others 
sought a home in Connecticut. Ephraim Woodward was 
a native of Windsor, Conn., and on becoming of age visited 
New Hampshire, made the acquaintance of and married 
Miss Lucy, daughter of Ithiniar Woodward, a distant rela- 
tive of his family. He finally located at Lyndboro,' in 
which the present subject of this sketch was born, Aug. 
12, 1820, being the youngest in a family of four children. 
The family being in limited circumslanccs, Ephiaini, while 
<|uite young, engaged as a farmhand by the moiilh, which 
occupation he followed until twenty-five years of ago, when, 
in 1S54, with his accumulations he purchased an interest 
in milk-trade at Lowell, Mass. Being prospered in the 
business, he was enabled to consummate the long-cherished 
desire of taking to him.self in marriage the maiden of his 
choice, Miss Lydia W., daughter of Asa and Olive Man- 
ning, residents of Lyndboro', N. H. He remained at Lowell 
for a period of ten years with continued success. Closing 



out his business, he prepared to seek a home in Michigan, 
where a portion of his wife's family had already located. 
They came to Stockbridge, and remained temporarily with 
a brother, Joseph Manning. After a careful investigation 
he purchased one hundred and forty-eight acres on section 
25, his present home, in White Oak, to which they removed 
in March, 185G. By the time they were fully prepared 
for the work before them, they had incurred (juite an obli- 
gation, which called forth untiring industry and perseve- 
rance to satisfy. The partially cleared fields were soon put 
in a condition to yield an abundant harvest. A few years 
and they emerged from under the cloud (which had proven 
only a stimulant to a thorough exertion of their abilities) 
into the sunshine of prosperity. The log cabin was replaced 
by a fine dwelling surrounded by u.seful and ornamental 
trees. A view of his home will be found on another 
page. 

Mr. Woodward, since his residence here, has often been 
called to serve the people in a public capacity as justice 
of the peace, highway commissioner, and supervisor. The 
latter office he has filled for the past four years, with honor 
to himself and to the satisfaction of his townsmen. 



WILLIAMSTOWN; 



GEOGRAPHICAL, Etc. 

This township is situated in the northeastern part of the 
county next cast of the principal meridian, and is bounded 
north by Shiawa.ssee County, south by the township of 
Wheatfield, east by Locke, and west by Meridian. It is 
the smallest in area of any township in the county, con- 
taining less than thirty government sections, by reason of 
the convergence of range-lines, .sections C, 7, 18, 19, 30, 
and 31 being cut off on the west along the meridian-line. 
Its total area from tiiis cause is reduced from 23,040 acres, 
the area of a full congressional township, to about 20,000 
acres. The .sections along the north line, however, are more 
than full, each one containing about 120 acres surplus. 

The principal water-course is the Cedar River, which 
traverses in a tortuous course sections 27, 28, 29, 34, 35, and 
3G in a general direction bearing north of west. It is ((uite 
a rapid stream and furnishes considerable hydraulic power 
at the village of Williamstoo. Its average width through 
the township, where not enlarged by dams or islands, is 
about (10 to 100 feet. 

The principal tributary of Cedar River is Coon Creek, 
which rises in the northeastern part of the township and, 
flowing in a southerly direction, discharges into the Cedar 
River on section 27. A half dozen smaller creeks and spring- 
brooks discharge into the river at various points. A string 
of three small lakelets on section 1 discharge north into the 
Look ing-G lass River, and a small creek on section 5 also 

• B; Samuel W. Durant. 



runs north into the same stream. Springs are very abundant 
ill this township. 

TOPOGRAPHY, SOILS, Err. 

The township may be considered as very generally level, 
with some inconsiderable elevations north of the Cedar 
River. The valley proper of the latter stream is quite wide 
and was covered formerly with a heavy growth of elm, ;ish, 
sycamore, water-oak, and other varietias commonly found in 
the low-lying bottom-lands of the State. The soil is a mix- 
ture of heavy clay, sand, and vegetable mould, producing 
excellent croi)s of small grains and vegetables, and affording 
good pasturage. There are considerable tracts of marshy 
lands, which under a thorough system of drainage are likely 
to become valuable. Like all the surrounding region the 
township produces excellent fruit in great variety. It is 
quite thick Ij' settled and under a good state of cultivation. 

The township-lines of Williamstown were run by Joseph 
Wampler in 1H24, and the subdivision lines by the same 
man in 1820. The township is designated in the survey as 
town 4 north, of range 1 cast of the principal meridian. 

ORIGINAL L.VND EXTRIES.f 

Section 1.— McIIcnry, Kcrchcval, Ilcaley, and Smith, May 24, IS.ie. 
Section 2. — John Kaman, June 24, 183G; Aristarchua Champion, 

Juno 25, 18,-!6; Samuel Townsend, July 7, IS.'JG. 
.SVod-.i .■).— AViUiam M. Halstead and U. T. llaiiics Juno 6,18,10; 

Samuel Townsend, July 7, 1836. 



f From the trnct-book in the register's oOSce at Mason. 



3:m 



UlSTOKY OF INCIIAIM rOUN'I'V, MlCllKiAN. 



*Wi.i» 4.— Williiiui Il.Townscii.l, Apiil 'J:i, ISIill; .l;iim>s Titus, April 

•Jl, ISail; llirnni Tm.kor, Nov. 11, I8:;S; .I.iiiios T^U-r, .Ian, 1, 

ISl.S; .losso 1>, IIiill, A|.iil •-"-'. ISIIl; Alilu- Kniiiiii, .lul.v 1, IS 111, 

iiiul A|.iil 21, KS5I, 
.SV.fi'r.i. 5.— KlipiicuT Titus, Sopl. ■.'!. ISIKl; ,Iiinu'S Tvlcr, Nov. Ill, 

1S:17; JiuMib ICsty, ,Irtu\(S ■t'.vlor, l>c>o. Ill, IS:!7; .lolia Ho.vi'ii, 

Jimo «, l(!;i,>!; .lunu-s 'I'.vU'i-, A|.iil S, 1812. 
S.Hion S,— WiUinin II, 'I'owiisi-n.l niul lleiii'.v W. HoIuv.ui, Sopt. 21!, 

IS3«: Willis Nkkuiiiii. Doo. V, 18;17. 
.SV,-(|-..H ».— Williiun 11. To»iisi-inl, .lolni l\ \V,.l,iinnii, lliMiry W. 

I>«l»viiii, Sopt, 2;i. lS;i(l. 
.V. iitoi. ID.— Williiun M. U.ilsloiul niul U. T. Iliiiiu-s, .Tmio fi. IS.Ift. 
.SV.(.'..i. II.— llHlsloml A lli>ii)«s, .luncll, 18;i(!: l>.iiiiol t\)ok, Iloiio- 

Snidur, Jiuio 21, l!<:!ll. 
.VVrd'oi) 12,— Aiislrtivhus Clinmpion, .Tuno 2,\ 1.><,S|1, 
.SV.(i..H 13,— Kloii I'liinswoitli, .liuio 27, 1S;!|1; Siuioou Clay, .Tuly 29. 

1S;I7. 
Sfrtivit M. — /Vristrtivhus IMunupioii, ,luno 2;"t, IS;t(l: .Mliort U. Fi-isbio, 

Klvina t)iK>s, William Vonl, .luly ;!l, 18.17. 
SrrlioH 1.').— Ilalsloail .t Vlaiiu'S, .him- ll ami 7, IS.'Sll. 
S'tfliuu HI,— Si'liool laml. 
.SV./t'oii 17.— lU-iiiy W. Polavan, Sopt, 2;t, lS;!ti; iaHMU-/.<-r l.arnoil, 

Oot. 27, 18:1(1; lia Ormsboo, Nov. 4, IS;i«. 
.>iV.-(i«H IS.— Cut off by im>riilian. 
.NV.'d'.iii 19.— Out off by meridian. 
.SW/M.H 20.— l>aviii GouUl. Oot. ol. IS;!.'.; William II. Town.si-n.l, Nov. 

10, I.'*;!:.; Oharlos Ololand, May 17, IS.'Ul: liumsoy Mollcnry, 1). 

li. liioliaiHl. Mark Iloaly. an.l 1". O. T. Siuilli. May 2.!, I8;!«. 
.SVWii... 21.— K. t,\ Canliol.l. Oot. SI. IS:!S: William Th.Mnpson, April 

12, ISSli. 
.SVrroi. 22.— William Thoinpsou, April 12, I8;!l!; Koroboval, lloaly, 

8initli, ami Molloniy, May 2S, 18:!n, 
.VVifi'i.ii 2;i. — .\ii.<larobus Ohainpion. .luiiv 2.'<, ISIKl; ,lohn K. Kiiwanl.s, 

Oot. 20, I8S0; Uavi.l Fo«l, ,Ian. 7. I8;!7; William llatl. .lau. 10, 

1837. 
.sVod'.ii 24.— .lobn W. K.liuomls, Oot. 20. 18;;0 ; Kbono/.or Larnod, Oot. 

27, 1830: damos Algor, Poo, 30, 1830. 
.sVodoi. 2...— Molloniy, Koivboval. lloaly. and t^milh. May 23, IS.Ifi, 
.SV,li',.» 20,— Mollonry, Koroboval, lloaly, and Sinitb. May 2.'!, 1J30. 
.NVrfi'..M 27.— Andiow J. Watson, dan. 28. 1830; Noyos Hillings and 

William W. Hillings. Maix-h 4, 1830; William Thompson, .\pril 

12, 1830. 
Strtiim 28.— William A. Tonnsond. Fob. ft, 1830; .lobn JI, Borrion, 

Fob. IS, ISSO: N. Hillings and W. W. Hillings, Marob 4, 1830; 

William Thompson, Maroh 29, 1830; .lamos Oravon. May 17, 

is;io. 

SrflioH 29.— Ilonry Whiting. April SO, May Ift. 1833; Milo l\ I.amp- 

son, Oot. 27. ISSS; 11. II. Oomstook, Jan. 27. 1830 ; Lansing H. 

Misnor. .\ug. S. 1830. 
*./.',..i 30.— Cut off by meridian. 
.SVofioH SI.— (Fnvotional) William II. IVako and William Mol'urdy, 

Hw, 28. 1830. 
.vVt.'oH 32 — .lobn Withoroll, William Tiniins. William l.igbttoot, 

Franois Navis, May 17. 1.830 ; William l.igbttoot. ,lnuo II. 1830. 
Sfrti\.,> 33.- William Asko, William I'rido, Joseph llayton, Uobort 

Aman, May 17,1830: Mollonry, Koroboval, lloaly. and Smith. 

May 23. 1836. 
Srfllmi 34. — Kdwin IJoso, Jan. 27, 1830; Milo Mason (United Statos 

army). April 0. 1830; John I'rido, May 17, 1830; MoUonry, 

Koroboval, lloaly. ami Smith, May 23. 1836. 
SrofioM 3i.— Henry Whiting, May ti. 1833; Milo Mason, Aug. 14, 

IS3S ; lliram I^ilnam. Heo. 14. ISSii ; Kdwin Rose, Jan. 27, 1S30 ; 

Jonathan Karsloy. Fob. 0, 1830; MoHenry, Keraheval, lloaly, 

and Smith. M.'«y 2.3, 1836. 
SretiitH SO — Jivsopb B. Tutnam. Poo. 14, 18SS ; Peter A, Oowdry. Oot. 

23, ISSft; John M. Horrieu. June 27. 1830: .Mollonry, Korobo- 

vtil, lloaly, and Smith. May 23. 18S0. 
NorK,— Sections tl, 7. 18. 19, 30. and most of 31 are laoking on the 
west lino of the township, being out oft" by the meridian-line. 

KAKLY 8ETTLEMKNT. 

Tlio torritorv now itioliiJtHl in the township of \Villi:\ms- 
town •• was without ;\ white inhal>it;\nt until tho spring of 
1S34, wlion Hiram and Joseph Putnam left their home in 



Jackson {\)unty for the jiurpose of making a settlement upon 
the hanks of llio Cedar Hiver. In passing through tlio 
township of Stoekhridge they found David Rogers buiUling 
the fust house in Ingham County. From tliero the I'ut- 
nanis cut a rond some twenty miles, most of the way 
through heavily timhered land, to Ced;ir River on section 
;{;"), whicli tn\ek was known for many years after as the 
I'ntnain trail, — now the Putnam road. They took pos- 
session of an Indian phinting-ground of some filteei! 
acres, lying on the north hank of the river, it now being in 
the corporated limits of the village of Williamston. There 
thoy built a smjill log cabin, twelve by sixteen feet, and 
covered it with shakes, this being the second white man's 
roof in Ingham County. They fenced, plowed, and sowed 
the Indian clearing to oats. They met with many priva- 
tions, dilliculties, and losses, . . . one of which was the 
lo.ss of their team, wliich strayed awiiy in the yoke. When 
they were found, after nniny d;iys' search through the dense 
forest into which they had gone, one was dead, and the 
other reduced to a mere skeleton in his eftorts to drag his 
mate in search of food. And then they imagined that the 
Indians were quite too numerous, wild, and uncivilized to 
make agreeable neighbors. These difliculties were some- 
what magniticd by their desire to mingle again with 
wives, friends, and civilization at home ; and also being 
disheartened with the prospects before theiu, they went 
back to Jackson County and st;>yed until harvest, then came 
back, cut, stacked, and fenced their oats, and left not to 
return, leaving the grain to be fed to the Indian ponies and 
land-lookers' horses." * 

The second improvement in the township was in;ule late 
in the fall of ISIill, when Simeon Clay "rolled up" a log 
house. He returned to Dearborn to spend the winter, and 
while he was gone the bind fornierly owned by the Put- 
nams was purchased by three brothers named Williams,t 
from Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., who built the second 
house iu town (the habitation of the Putnams having been 
but a shanty). They were not long without neighbors, for 
Mr. Clay returned, and new settlers came in the persons of 
i Dilluccue Stonghton, James Tyler, and the Lounsburys. 
()kenios was the nearest settlement on the west, and the 
nearest house to the eastward \v;is eleven miles distant. 
In the fall of 1840 the Williams brothers had a dam and 
saw-mill in operation on the Ce<lar River. The smoke of 
ten or twelve Indian wigwams could be seen from the mills 
as the ' Ttiwas, to the number of 30 to 150. '■ occupied and 
planted the farm now owned by J. M. Williams, and, for 
lack i.f better, they were considered very friendly, sociable, 
and ;iceeptiible neighbors, supplying the settlers plentifully 
with many articles of food, which to-d:\y would be con- 
sidered luxuries, such as venison, fish, and fowl." It was 
the custom of the Indians for some time to return to the 
locality and indulge in a feast at a certain full moon iu the 
spring, not forgetting to give a portion of the food to the 
departed. 

In 1S42 the Messrs. Willi:mis erected a sirist-mill known 



* From article written in the spring of 1S74, and now in Pioneer 
Keoorxis. 

t 0. B. Williams, J. M. Williams, and U. B. Williams. 



WILLIAMSTOWN. 



Xit, 



as the " Red Cedar Mill," coritainin<; a Hin^Ic ran of atone, 
which in 1874 was occupied by Mead & FIcinin};. An 
additional run hai) Kiiice been added. 

Simeon Clay and Sophronia Stouj;hton, dau;.;hter of 
Dillucene Stoii^liton, were the firxt couple married in town, 
the event occurring in 1840, and the ceremony beinj; per- 
f'lrmed by Calub Carr, a jufttiec of the peace from Ijocke 
■ .wn.ihip. The first white child born in the lownMliip wait 
Amaziah J. .Stouiihton, non of Dillucene and Suphronia 
Stoughton, his birth occurrinj:; in 1810. The fintt death 
was that of Ottwuld William.s, father of the Williams 
brothers, who did, in 1842, while on a vi«it from New York. 
At that time the nearest mill and physician were at Dexter, 
Washtenaw Co ; the nearest pftst-office was ten miles away 
and goods were packed from Detroit, Dexter, or Ann 
.\rbor on the backs of Indian ponies. * 

George B. Fuller, a native of Fi.shkill, Dutchess Co., N. Y,, 
moved to Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., Mich., in June, 
1834, and was married at that place in January following. 
In December, 1836, he removed to Ivconi, Jackson Co., 
and in DeceraliCr, 1844, to hi(> present recidenee in Wil- 
liamstown, Ingliam Co., arrivin;; on the 19lh of the month. 
No imprijvement."? whatever had been made upon his plac<;, 
and there was no traveled road by it. Mr. Fuller's wife 
died in March. 187.'j, and in January, 1874, he was mar- 
ried to the widow of Kgbert Grattan, and daughter of 
David Gorsline, the first settler of the lowui*hip of Wheat- 
field. 

Nathan C. Branch, from Worlhington, Hampshire Co., 
Mass., settled in Williamslown with hi.'* family in Septem- 
ber, 1846. Ilia wife's parents, Uriah M. and Lydia Chaf>- 
j<ell, came at the same time ; both are now deceased. Dec. 
1, 1840, Mr. Branch became lost in the woods and re- 
mained out all night, but was fortunate enough not to be 
i-utcn by wolves or bears. 

The winter of 1842-43 was known as '-the hard 
winter," and the voters at the spring election in 1813 trav- 
eled on a hard snow-crust above a layer of two feet of snow, 
which melted on that day for the first lime Kufficicnlly to 
be made into snow-balls. During the preceding winter the 
cattle were mristly compelled to feed on browse, as the 
supply of marsh bay was exhausted in a fchort time. The 
settlers were obliged to break the hf^vy <rru:-^t with [KjIcs to 
enable their cattle U> get at the fallen tn^-tops. The severe 
w<5ither was fatal to the deer, which became ifj reduce^l 
that they were easily taken with dogs ujKjn the snow-crust, 
though they were ho lean as to be comparatively worthless 
for i'it(A. The straw covering of sheds and hovels was in 
good demand for fodder, and the p»erio'l will long be re- 
membered by those who were then " pione<;rs." 

For a numlicr of years the settlers were dependent npfin 
marsh gra.s8 for hay, which they cut m'/stly along the bor- 
d<;rs of the J>»oking- Glass River, in Hhiawa.ssc-e County. 
This was of coorse cut by the common scythe, and the Uiua 
of the implement was a serious mUfortune. In the season 

• Inrcntofj of one fionj-UiMl : Ont V^x of Mveo-bj-oine gluii, one 
pai), one iron k»rlllc, l*n j/'*ijnd* of eotT^e, one poond tea, one axe, ten 
pound4 D»i]i, four window-«»ab, lix ffpIint-UHt/jfn cbaint, one tin 
relleetor-OTeo, aad, to complete the loxl, the owner litting in the 
mifUt. 



of 1840 one man erigagci in culling marsh grass accident- 
ally broke his scythe. The nearest trading-poitit was at 
Dexter, in Wjishtfinaw County, more than forty uiWi-m away. 
A man was mounted on an Indian (loiiy and started at onc<! 
for Dexter, but when he reached the place found that every 
scythe was sold. Hearing that a few were seen packed in 
a load of goods for I'inckney, Livingston Co., the day 
before, he visited that plaM;, but was again disa[)pointed. 
From I'inckney he was sf.'nl to a plaw familiarly called 
" Hell," wliere a man by tlie name of Reeves owned a store 
and a distillery. There he found one scythe, which he pur- 
chased and 8tart<;d on his return, and arrived at home at 
daylight the following morning. The pony snatched his 
lunch by the wayside as he passed along, nipping the weeds 
and shrubbery. 

A.V INCIUKNT OK THK IMO.NKKT. UA YH. 
The following intere-sting incident of the early days, 
written by a prominent citi7/cn of Williamst/^wn, and first 
published in the Iiiyham ConiUi/ Nrwii, will be of inler'Mit, 
both on acmnnt of the not<!d charact<;rs onnccted with it, 
and its intrinsic merit an a well-wriit«n article : 

" At the clone of a gloomy -lay in the fall of 1810 two men, »<-atciI 
in a one-horse lunihcr-wagon, — one in the prime of life, the other 
ROine yearn pant the rncriijian of hin (Jayx, — reine'l up atthe then only 
hou>e wherenow ilan'lii Ihe floiirinhin); village of Williain>lon. Holh 
«eein<y| (juitc weary from their long, rough riJe over what wa« then 
callxl the'fjran.l Kiver Trail,' which lot from Detroit U> Hnnil 
Kapi<li.. They were wet to the nkin l<y the iihower« which h»'l over- 
taken them ninee Ir-aving the laxt houne, nome eleven mile^ dixtant. 

"The hotue at which the travelcrn haltcJ wan then occnpie>l hy 
three brothern by the name of Williamn. The utrangem were in nce/l 
of a nigbt'n entertiiinment, which wan cbecrfnlly granl<j^] them, a* it 
wait in thoac time" Cifjfli'Jere'l a 'go'tjien'!' Vi have s^iine one come 
along that couhl bring frenh new« from the oul»i«Je worbl, an it were. 
Aftiir f:aring for the honw: the travelem brought in their wet bulfalo 
robe« an'l hung Ifacm, with their >aturat<:>l i/alK, aroan'l tbe blazing 
fire, which ahone brightly out into the 'iarknesn through where the 
(io^jrx an'J winrJowR were V> be. There being no chain in the houiie, 
the younger man of (he two, taking an axe from the wagon, which in 
thoiw dayii wa* connidcre J a* in'Jinpennable a* one of the wheeU, noon 
•bape'J two bl'o;k> of woo'l for »t«.>l«, ufion which they aeate'l th«m- 
Helven, with \tw:\in Ui th ; fire, turning eitltcr way a» their nteaming 
clothed became j/arlially *\Ty. 

"Seeing but liltle preparation for nupper they ventured to make 
Home infjuiry aA Ui mh-Al cul'l be ha/1 Ut natiafy the inner man. 
Tb'fy were rf'f*:Trt:\ to a iwilitary keltle which waji tu'peo'Je'J from 
the logpolcof the chimney, and al«o informed that they were not the 
only hungry rnen in the houiie, which Mjcme'l Vi natinfy (hem that 
■'imething would turn up. 

" In the cjurne of the con vernation, while waiting fir «up(>er, the 
travelem di»covere<l themwjven to be .Jacob .M. Howard and .John 
Van foinen, from lldroit, on their way to 'jran'l fCipidn t/; attend a 
(lOlitical meeting. Mr. Howard mid itha/l >>e«n intimated to him that 
if he nia<Je hii appearance there he would b':nkinned. .Never having 
been politically flayed he hvl conclude/J Ut take the chancen, though 
tbe roa/l wan long and rough. 

".Supper being now ready, it wan nprea/1 op'/n a c/juple of t/arrel- 
beadt, covererl with newnpaperi for a table-elolb. It connitte/J of a 
keltle of muiih and a pan of milk. .Mr. Howard laid, with bin nati>e 
politeneni, aa he nnppliol bin Idwl, that he oold not have ordered a 
more acceptable repant, c<old he have ha*! bin choice. An there were 
no females ab/iut tbe hoone, apf/logien were unnecemary, and joken were 
free. 1 aaaure you thon« hungry men did ample juntice Ut that ru/Je 
nupper. 

" The evening pai<c-l pleasantly in talking over the exciting topicn 
of the day. At a late hour a t/«d wa* nprea/l upon the flv/r before 
tbe fire, which tbe two way-weary politician!, after taking a >«cond 
fill of miuh aifi milk, were not long in occupying. After the fint 



336 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, iMICHIGAN. 



nap, Mr. Howard arose cautiously from his bed, so as not to disturb 
the house, and filled a couple of bowls with the contents of the kettle 
and pan, conveyed tbeui to the bed, awakened Mr. Van Fossen, and 
in a subdued voice said, 'Take it John; we don't get the like of this 
in the city every day.* 

"In the morning, after a hearly breakfast of venison, coffee, and 
such other delicacies as a house so remote from civilization could 
command, they left, with many a kind word, to rough it over ninety 
miles of Indian trail, which long and teditms J!?urncy was made, I 
suppose, all for the good of the dear pc()])le." . . . 

The Williams brothers livt'd for a number of years with- 
out the assistance of women, keeping bachelors' hall and 
doing their own cooking. When erecting their dam and 
mills they sometimes had a dozen or more workmen, but 
one of them always did the cooking for the company. Oc- 
casionally they employed a woman, but generally performed 
their own household work. 

The first log house, built by them, in the spring of 1840, 
stood near where now stands the dwelling of J. M. Wil- 
liams. The logs were cut from the swamp tamarack, or 
American larch, and, though in constant use for forty years, 
are still sound as when first cut. Many of them are now 
doing duty in a fence around the stable-yards. 

Tiiere was a great amount of sickness for several years, 
in the form of malarial fevers. Curiously enough, the 
most unhealthy locations were upon the knolls and highest 
ground, caused no doubt by the fog which rose every morn- 
ing and stood about level with the highest places, where it 
remained sometimes until nine or ten o'clock in the morn- 
ing. It probably carried the malaria along with it. 

At their former home in Genesee Co., N. Y.. the AVil- 
liams brothers had been well acquainted with the celebrated 
Seneca chieftain Red Jacket, and Mr. J. M. Williams 
sweeps away much of the romance thrown around the chief 
by many writers when he relates how he has many a time 
helped the " noble red man" out of the gutter in the streets 
of Batavia, and he very naturally accepts very little of the 
lofty ideas of the Indian which the writings of Cooper and 
others naturally engender in the minds of their readers. 
He says Okemos was nothing but a common savage, and, 
like all the rest of his brethren, addicted to strong drink. 

Following is a list of the resident taxpayers in Phelps- 
town (now Williamstown) in 1844: 

James Tyler, Stephen Smith, Jacob Easty, Ira Welch, Harriet M. 
Tooker, J. 1'. Hall, Conard Epley, Samuel Vanderlord, John 
Miller, Isaac Lounsbury, S. B. Olds, S. N. Olds, Edward Webber, 
James Page, 0. B. Williams, C. Oarr, Jr., Moore, B. Put- 
man, Jacob Warful, Israel Green, George Clay, Samuel C. Good- 
hue, Alexis Tyler, J. C. Watkins, Martin Warful. 
Several names which would olherwise appear have been torn from 

the record. 

CIVIL ORGANIZATION. 
The township was originally organized as Fhelpstown, 
March 22, 1839, and included what are now the townships 
of Williamstown and Locke. The first town-meeting was 
lield at the house of David Phelps, after whom the town- 
ship was named, on the 15th of April, 1839.* At this 
meeting Moses Park acted as moderator, and David Phelps 



"« David Phelps was a resident of that part of the original town- 
ship now constituting the township of Locke. The name of the town- 
ship was changed to Williamstown, by act of the Legislature, Feb. 17, 
1857. 



as clerk, and Caleb Carr, JeflFerson Pearce, and Moses 
Park were chosen as inspectors of election. The total 
number of voles polled was eleven, and as there were 
twenty-two offices to till, it follows that they must, if the 
offices were impartially distributed, have had two apiece. 

The following are the names of the officers elected at this 
first town-meeting : Supervisor, Caleb Carr, eleven votes ; 
Town Clerk, David Phelj)S, eleven votes ; Justices of the 
Peace, Moses Park, David Phelps, Caleb Carr, Jeiferson 
Pearce, eleven votes each ; Assessors, John Merchant, Cor- 
nelius Coll, Edmund D. Hall, eleven votes each ; Commis- 
sioners of Highways, Caleb Carr, Jr., Watson L. Board- 
man, Stephen Avery, eleven votes each ; Town Treasurer 
Watson L. Boardman ; School Inspectors, Cornelius Coll, 
Edmund D. Hall, Jefferson Pearce ; Collector, Stephen 
Avery; Constables, Stephen Avery, pjdmund D. Hall, 
Cornelius Coll ; Overseer of Poor, Moses Park. All eleven 
votes each. 

The following list shows the names of the principal town- 
ship officers from 1840 to 1880 inclusive : 

1840.— Supervisor, Caleb Carr; Town Clerk, f David Phelps; Treas- 
urer, Archibald Ten Eyck ; Justices of the Peace, Hiram 
Tooker, Cornelius Coll.j 

1S41. — The township record does not show any election of officers for 
1841. 

1842. — Supervisor, Lewis H. Lounsbury; Town Clerk, James M. AVil- 
liams;^ Treasurer, Dillucene Stoughton ; Justices, Jacob 
Easty, Caleb Carr, Simeon Clay, Stephen B. Olds. 

1843.— Supervisor, James M. Williams; Town Clerk, Jesse P. Hall; 
Treasurer, Dillucene Stoughton ; Justice, A. II, Blandon. 

1844. — Supervisor, James M. Williams; Town Clerk, Horace B. Wil- 
liams; Justice, S. B. Olds. II 

]S45. — Suiiervisor, James M. Williams; Clerk, Horace B. AVilliams ; 
Treasurer, D. Stoughton ; Justices, Joseph C. Watkins, Jesse 
}'. Hall. 

1840.— Supervisor, James M. Williams; Clerk, Ilornce B. Williams; 
Treasurer, D. Stoughton ; Justice, Nahum W. Capen. 

1847.— Supervisor, James M. Williams; Clerk, Jesse P. Hall ; Treas- 
urer, Lewis H. Lounsbury ; Justice Isaac E. Everett. 

1848.- Supervisor, James M. Williams ; Clerk, Joseph Carpenter Tut- 
tle; Treasurer, Lewis II. Lounsbury; Justice, Stephen V. 
R. Church. 

1S49.— Supervisor, Alfred B. Kinne; Clerk, David Currier; Treas- 
urer, L. H. Lounsbury ; Justices, John S. Vanneter, Ste- 
phen Smith. 

1850.— Sujiervi.-or, L. 11. Lounsbury; Clerk, Stephen V. K. Church; 
Treasurer, Uriah M. Chappel ; Justice, Jesse P. Hall. 

1851.- Sujiervisor, L. H. Lounsbury; Clerk, John C. Taylor; Treas- 
urer, Eli Loranger; Justices, Jesse P. Hall, William Tomp- 
kins. 

1852.— Supervisor, William Tompkins; Clerk, Egbert Grattan ; Treas- 
urer, Eli Loranger; Justices, John S. Gale (four years), 
Charles W. Tompkins (three years), William Tompkins (two 
years). 

f 0. B. Williams appears to have been deputy clerk in 1841-43. 

X In September, 1840, at a special election, D. J. Tower and 
Stephen Avery were elected justices in place of Hiram Tooker and 
Jefferson Pearce. 

J The first ballot-box used at the town election in 1840 was a stand 
drawer covered with a newspaper, which was lifted up aud the ballots 
deposited underneath. There was no ballot-box stuffing in those days. 

At the general election in the fall of 1840 the box used was one 
made by David J. Tower from split bass-wood, and divided into five 
compartments for the different votes. This box is still in a good state 
of preserTation, and is the property of J. M. Williams, Esq. 

Locke township was set off from Phelpstown, and organized Feb. 
16, 1842. 

II No record of the election of any treasurer; fifty votes polled. 



WILLIAMSTOWN. 



337 



IS5.3. — Supervisor, L. If. Lounsbury ; Clork, Eli Lornnger; Treas- 
urer, Nelson Lornnger; Justice, Thomns W, Colby. 

1854.— Supervisor, Charles T. Murray; Cierlt, Eli Lorangcr; Treas- 
urer, Nelson I.oranger ; Justice, William Toinplun.'i. 

1SJ5. — Supervisor, Charles T. Murray; Clerk, Lewis C. Looniis; 
Treasurer, George 15. Fuller; Juslicc, Jcsso P. Hall. 

lSo6.--Supcrvisor, Charles T. Murray ; Clerk, Moses Foster; Treas- 
urer, Edwin S. Ilarger; Justices, S. V. U. Church, John B. 
Ilaynes. 

1857.»— Supervisor, Charles T.Murray; Clerk, Eli Loranger : Treas- 
urer, E. S. Ilarger; Justice, Jesse P. Hall. 

1858.— Supervisor, Charles T. Murray; Clerk, E. S. Ilarger; Treas- 
urer, John F. Crown ; Justice, Nathan Leighton. 

1859. — Supervisor, Nathan Leighton ; Clerk, L. 11. Lounsbury ; Treas- 
urer, John F. Hrown ; Justice, Eli Lorangor. 

I860.— Supervisor, Charles T. Murray: Clerk, Egbert Grattan ; Treas- 
urer, Charles M. Paddock ; Justice?, J. F, Brown (four years), 
Charles S. Carr (vacancy). 

1S61. — Supervisor, John S. Vannoter ; Clerk, L. II. Lounsbury; 
Trcjisurer, Chos. M. Paddock ; Justice, Chas. T. Murray. 

1S62. — Supervisor, John S. Vannetcr; Clerk, Eli P. Lorangcr; Treas- 
urer, AVilliam L. Brown; Justices, Stephen P. Meade (four 
years), Ezekiel W. Riggs (vacancy). 

1863.— Supervisor, John S. Vannetcr; Clerk, James W. Waldo; 
Treasurer, William L. Brown ; Justices, Jesse P. Hall (four 
years), Thomas llorton (vacancy). 

I S«4.— .Supervisor, John F. Brown ;t Clerk, James W. Waldo ; Treas- 
urer, Artemus G. Newman ;{ Justices, Charles S. Carr (four 
years), Stephen \. R. Church (vacancy). 

1365.— Supervisor, John S. Vannetcr; Clerk, Eli P. Lorangor : Treas- 
urer, Orlando S. Fuller ;J Justices, John J. Passage, Hiram 
L. Siegfried. 

IS66. — Supervisor, James M. Williams; Clerk, Eli P. Lorangor; 
Treasurer, Nathan Ijcighton ; Juj-ticc. Aaron Botsford. 

1S67.— Supervisor, L. II. Lounsbury; Clerk, Eli P. Lorangor; Treas- 
urer, Nathan Leighton ; Justices, Salmon M. (joodrich, 
Cornelius Deit/,. 

1868.- Supervisor, Hugh II. Spaulding ; Clerk, Eli P. Lorangcr; 
Treasurer, Nathan Leighton ; Justice, (jcorgc L. Wilson. 

1869.— Supervisor, Charles T. Murray; Clerk, Eli P. Lorangcr; 
Treasurer, L. II. Lounsbury ; Justice, Nathan Leighton. 

1870. — Supervisor, Charles T. Murray; Clerk, Joseph M. Tompkins; 
Treasurer, L. H. Lounsbury; Justices, Philander F. Alger, 
Eli P. Lorangcr. 

1S7I. — Supervisor, Charles T. Murray; Clerk, Hiram B. Tompkins; 
Treasurer, Jonathan B. Taylor; Justices, James W. Waldo, 
•John J. Passage. 

1872.— Supervisor, Daniel L. Crossman ; Clerk, William S. Humph- 
rey; Treasurer, J. M. Williams; Justices, William A Si- 
mons, Aaron Botsford, N. C. Branch. 

1873. — Supervisor, Daniel L. Crossman ; Clerk, Dwight A. Harrison; 
Treasurer, James ]^I. Williams; Justices, Jesse Randolph, 
Daniel H. Truman. 

1874. — Supervisor, James M.Williams; Clerk, Joseph M.Tompkins; 
Treasurer, L. II. Lounsbury ; Justice, Charles T. Murray. 

1875.— Justice, Charles T. Murray; Clerk, Quincy A. Smith; Treas- 
urer, L. H. Lounsbury; Justices, John U. Forster, Thomas 
Wilson. 

1S70.— Supervisor, Charles T. Murray; Clerk, Quincy A. Smith; 
Treasurer, L. H. Lounsbury; .Justices, Nathan Leighton 
(four years), Joseph M. Tompkins (three years), Jesse P. 
Hall (vacancy, one year). 

1877.— Supervisor, Charles T. Murray; Clerk, Quincy A. Smith; 
Treasurer, Nathan Leighton; Justices, William 11. Mc- 
Enally, Anson L. Simons. 

1878.— Supervisor, Charles T. Murray j,! Clerk, Robert M. Por- 

* The name of the township was changed from Phclpstuwn to Wil- 
liamstown, by act of the Legislature, Feb. 17, 1857. 

t Resigned Aug. 2G, 18G4, and John B. Hayncs appointed in his 
place. 

i Resigned, and Jerome 6. Waldo appointed in his place. 

§ Kcmovcd from the township, and W. L. Brown appointed. 

] Charles E. Webb was elected, but did not qualify, and Murray 
held over to 1879. 

43 



ter; Treasurer, Nathan Leighton; Justice, William W. 
White. 

1879.— Supervisor, Samuel W. Taylor; Clerk, Robert M. Porter; 
Treasurer, James E. W^ebb ; Justice, George Porter. 

1880. — Supervisor, George Porter; Clerk, Eli P. Lorangcr; Treasurer, 
Samuel W.Taylor; Justice, William L. Brown; Superin- 
tendent of Schools, Andrew J. Fuller; Highway Commis- 
sioner, William M. Lamb: Drain Commissioner, Simeon 
Clay; Constables, A. J. Smith, Silas E. Vannetcr, Joseph 
Youngs, B. F. Plotts. 

ITEMS FKOM THE EARLY RECORDS. 
At the fii^t town-meeting it was 

" Voted, to raise forty dollars fur the support of the poor. 
" Voted, to raise a bounty of four dollars to be |)aid to any jiorson 
who may kill a wolf within the limits of the town." 

At a special town -meeting, held at the house of David 
Phelps on the 4th of July, 1839, it was 

" Voted, to raise $550 by tax on the ta.\abIo property in the town 
to defray the incidental expenses of the town for the ensuing year." 

At the first nieeting of the commissioners of highways 
the township was divided into three road districts, as fol- 
lows : 

First District.— Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 
13, 14, i^), and 17, Stephen Avery, pathmaster. 

Second District.— Sections 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 
27, 28, 29, 34, 35, and 3G, David Phelps, pathmxster. 

Third District.— Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 30, 31, 32, 33, 
and the whole of town 4 north, range 2 east, now Locke. 

The first accounts audited by the town-board, in 1840, 
were as follows : 

Aymar A Shaw $18.25 

Caleb Carr 107.25 

Jefferson Pearce 5.50 

Cornelius Coll 9.70 

Henry I'lttingill 4.50 

David J. Tower 5.90 

Edmund D. Hall 12.50 

.John Merchant 9.50 

Stephen Avery 90.00 

D. Carroll 62.00 

Wm. L. Boardman 77.50 

$402.60 
lIIGinVAYS. 

The first highway record shows a road surveyed by Anson 
Jackson, county surveyor, in 1839, " Beginning at the 
northeast corner of town 4 north, range 1 west, and run- 
ning southerly fifty-three rods on the meridian-line. Va- 
riation, 3° 20' east." 

Another survey was placed on record Feb. 1, 1840, 
called the " Cedar Trail road," which began eighty-five rods 
south of the east ((uarter-post on section 3G, and ran thence 
in a generally westerly course, partly on the township-line 
and parll)' on either side of the same, and passing through 
sections 31 and 32, and thence westerly to the meridi:in- 
line, the total distance traversed being 11 miles 22() rods. 
The surveyor was D. Carroll. 

Other roads, surveyed and laid out about 1840, were the 
" Hall road," in the southeast part of the township, 1 J 
miles in length ; the " Plielps road," also in the southesist 
part of the township, having a length of 1 146 rods and 22 
links; the "Avery road," in the northeast part, 422 rods 
and 17 links; the "Merchant road," on the north line of 
section 1 1 , and running thence northerly to the county- 



338 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



line, 402 rods and 12 links ; the " Carr road," commencing 
on the town-line between sections 32 and 33, and running 
thence north to the corners of sections 15, 16, 20, and 21, 
surveyed by D. Carroll. A road running north from the 
west quarter-post of section 32, 1020 rods, thence west 
250 rods to town-line, thence north on town-line 706 rods 
2 links to corner of town. This description refers to what 
is now Locke township. The " Boarduian road," on sec- 
tion 11 ; the " Mar.sh road," on sections 13 and 24; the 
" Dugway road," on sections 20 and 29 ; the " Putnam 
road," in the east part of town ; the " Countryman road," 
in the western part; the " Grand River Ridge road," com- 
mencing on sections 13 and 24, and running northwest to 
the " Pine Lake road," 4314 rods and 17 linkt^, equal to 13 
miles and 155 rods, and some others. 

In 1840 there were six road districts in the town.ship, 
then including Phelpstown and Locke. 

In the same year David Phelps' yard was declared a 
public pound, and Ebentzer Hammond was made pound- 
master. 

Tlie first jurymen drawn in the township, which was in 
1841, were Benjamin Pettingell, Joshua Marsh, .James M. 
Williams, David J. Tower, E. V. Stoughton, and Jolui La 
Clear. 

WAR BOUNTIES. 

In January, 1864, the town voted to raise 8200 lor each 
volunteer credited to the township, and at a special town- 
meeting, held Feb. 23, 1864, the electors voted to raise by 
tax $100 to pay to each volunteer from the township. 

At the April election in the same year it was voted to 
raise $100 for each volunteer for that year.* 

At a special meeting held on the 8th of November, 1864, 
the township voted to refund the amounts contributed by 
individuals to pay volunteers. At the same meeting a 
committee of three was appointed to petition the Legisla- 
ture to legalize this action. This committee was composed 
of John B. Hayncs, James W. Waldo, and H. Pratt. The 
town-board was authorized to issue orders to the individuals 
so contributing. 

During the war the average number of votes polled in 
the township was about lot). 

IIAILWAY SUBSCHII'TIONS. 
On the 7th of April, 1809, thirty-seven taxpayers peti- 
tioned the board of supervisors to call a meeting of the 
electors of Williamstown township, for the purpose of 
voting aid to the Howell and Lansing Railroad Company. 
This petition was favorably responded to by the county 
authorities, and a meeting was held on the 6th of May, 
1869, at which the proposition to subscribe $15,50U was 
carried by a vote of 170 to 51. Coupon bonds of the town- 
ship were drawn, payable in five annual installments, com- 
mencing March 1, 1874, at ten per cent, interest. These 
bonds, fifty-five in number, were issued bearing date July 
2, 1869, and deposited with the State treasurer; but before 
they had been delivered to the railway company, the Supreme 

« Whether these several uctions were carried out, or were all relating 
to the same transaction, the record docs not sho^v, Init the last two 
votes are probably recapitulations. 



Court of the State declared the law authorizing such issue 
unconstitutional, and the bonds were returned to the town- 
board, and by them destroyed May 20, 1872. 

At the annual town-meeting in the spring of 1877 the 
electors voted to raise $2500 upon coupon bonds, for the 
purpose of building a bridge over the Cedar River, in the 
village of Williamston, the vote standing 237 for and 155 
against the pro()osition. 

POST-OFFICES. 

There arc two post-offices in the township, — one at Wil- 
liamston village, bearing its name, and one in the north 
part of the town, known as Alverson post-office. The latter 
was established about the beginning of Gen. Grant's ad- 
ministration in 1869, with S. D. Alverson as postmaster. 
The present incumbent is Philip De Barry, who has held it 
about four years. It was at first located at Alverson's 
dwelling, on the northwest quarter of section 3. Upon De 
Barry's appointment he removed it to his residence, on sec- 
tion 4. For account of the W'^i'l'amston post-office, see 
history of the village below. 

VILLAGE OF WILLIAMSTON. 

The site of the village of Williamston, as related in the 
early history of the township, was first settled by white 
men in the spring of 1834. in the persons of Hiram and 
Joseph Putnam, from Jackson Co., Mich., who took pos- 
session of lands ou the north bank of the Cedar River, 
which had been an Indian planting-ground. On this spot 
they erected a small cabin, and, inclosing the Indian clear- 
ing with rails or poles, plowed and sowed the ground to 
oats ; but, becoming disheartened or homesick, they left the 
place and returned to Jackson County. In the month of 
August following they concluded to come back and look 
after their crop, which they cut and put in the stack, and 
again left, and this time for good, for they never returned. 
The ground w;is not again occupied by white men until the 
winter of 1839, when the Williams brothers, from Genesee 
Co., N. Y., purchased the land on the east part of section 
35, which had formerly been entered by Hiram Putnam on 
the 14th of December, 1833, and began the first permanent 
settlement in the township. 

In 1840 the Williams brothers built a dam over the 
Cedar River a few rods above where the present one is lo- 
cated, and in the same year erected a saw-mill and got it in 
operation. In 1842 they erected a small grist-mill, still 
standing and forming a part of the present mill, and called 
it the " Red Cedar Mill," a name by which it was long 
known. It contained a single run of stones, which were 
brought from Detroit, a part of the way by wagons, and a 
part by an ox-sled hauled by three yokes of oxen, the road 
being too rough for wheels. This primitive mill was a noted 
institution, and supplied the settlers for many miles around, 
who were accustomed to come bringing their grists on 
crotched limbs of trees or rough sleds over the bare ground, 
and sometimes on a kind of vehicle called a "jumper," 
similar to the Canadian " trains," or " pungs." 

It is probable that the general government may have 
partly cut out the road running from Detroit to Grand 
River as early as 1836, for we find $25,000 appropriated 



WILLlAMSTOWiN. 



339 



by Congress in March, 1835, for such purposes. After 
tlie territory became a State, in 1837, the road was grad- 
ually worked througli by the State authorities and became 
a State road.* About 1841 work Wits recommenced on 
the road, and a line of passenger- and mail-coaches was put 
(in .soon after from Detroit to Grand River, passing through 
Williamston. O. B. Williams, one of the brothers, was 
interested in this line. 

AVith the opening of a passable road improvements went 
(in in the embryo village, which had been named for the 
Williams family, and it grew gradually to quite a business 
puint. The advent of the plank-road in 1852 gave it a 
new start, and the completion of the Detroit, Lansing and 
Northern Railway in 1871 still further increased its giowth. 

The first merchant located in the spring of 1843, in the 

person of Jonathan B. Taylor, of Grass Lake, Jackson Co., 

who brought a stock of goods, and in 1844 Dr. James A. 

Loasia, (he first physician, opened an ofBce in the gniwing 

lianilct. 

EARLY HOTELS. 

The first building erected for the purposes of a country 
tavern was built, on land donated by (he Williams bro(hers, 
on the corner where the drug-store building owned by M. 
IT. Bowerman now stands, about 1845, by Nahum Capen, 
who put up the frame and inclosed it. It was completed 
by Ilczekiah Gates, who kept it for about a year and died. 
It was a two-story frame building, and was kept by a 
number of parties until about 1S52, when it was destroyed 
by fire. 

Another hotel, erected originally for a dwelling by Frank 
Ijonibard, stood west of the last-described one, a little west 
(il the new Bowerman Block. This was also burned, and 
both fires were incendiary. The one on the corner was kept 
by Joab Phillips at the time of the fire, the second one by 
Frank Lombard. 

The " Lombard House," now known as the " Spaulding 
House," was erected by Franklin Lombard about 1852-53. 
Lombard kept it for a couple of years about the time of the 
advent of the plank-road. It was a mammoth afiiiir con- 
sidering the times in which it was built, and has long been 
a popular resort for the traveling public. It still remains 
much the same as when erected, a large three-story frame 
with an extensive piazza along the lower two stories of its 
front, and reminds the Eastern man of the famous old 
caravansaries of the New England country town of half a 
century ago. The present landlord is C. F. Andrews, Esq. 

Another famous inn, known as the " Western Hotel," 
was built soon after the completion of the plank-road, aud 
is still used for hotel purposes. It was built in installments, 
and the original building was burned many years ago and 
rebuilt. William Tompkins erected it and -was its first 
landlord. It is now kept by Daniel Jeffrey. It is on 
Grand River Street, about fifty rods west of the Spaulding 
House. 

VILLAGE PLAT AND ADDITIONS. 

The original village plat of Williamston was laid out on 
the southeast quarter of section 35, town 4 north, range 1 
east, in 1845, by the Williams brothers, for whom it was 

* See (ienerfti Chapter XI f., Internal Improvements. 



named. Additions have since been made by J. B. & J. W. 
AValdo, July 5, 18(50, on the southwest fractional quarter 
of section 3G, and by the same, Jan. 2, 1871, on the south 
part of the same quarter-.secdon ; by Richard W. Owens, 
on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 
1, Wheatfield (town 3 north, range 1 east), July 11, 1871 ; 
by Hugh II. Spaulding, on the southwest quarter of the 
northwest quarter of section 3(5, Nov. 24, 1871 ; by the 
same, on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of 
the northwest quarter of section 36, Dec. 23, 1873; and 
by Richard W. Owens and J. B. & J. W. Waldo, on the 
northwest quarter of section 1, Wheatfield, Nov. 12, 1873. 
This last is called Owens' addition. 

INCORPORATION. 

The act incorporating the village was approved April 5, 
1871, the first section of yvhieh reads as follows: 

"The pcoplo of the Stiite of Micliigan enact, That all that tract of 
country situatC'l in the townships of Williain.«town and Whojitfield, 
in the county of Inghaiu and State of Michigan, designated and de- 
scribed as the southeast fractional quarter, and all that jiart of the 
southwest fractional quarter of fractional section No. 35 in township 
No. 4 north, of range No. 1 east, lying south of a lino commencing 
si.xtcen rods north of the Lansing and Howell plank-road in the quar- 
ter-section line of said section ; thence westerly, parallel to sold plank- 
road, thirty-six rods; thence south si.xtecn rods to said plank-road ; 
thence westerly along the north line of said plank-road to the west 
lino of said section, and the southwest fractional quarter of fractioual 
section .'J6, town 4 north, range I east, and the northwest fractional 
quarter of fractional section No. 1, and the northc.ist fractional (jiiar- 
ter of fractional section No. 1, and all that part of the northwest 
fractional quarter of fractional section No. 2, town 3 north, of range 
No. I east, lying north of the Detroit, Howell and Lansing Railroad, 
be and the same is hereby constituted a village corporate under the 
name of Williamston." 

The charter was amended by an act approved April 3, 
1873, conferring additional powers upon Common Council. 

The ofiicers elected by ballot annually are a president, 
recorder, five trustees, an assessor, and treasurer. The 
marshal and other necessary officers are appointed by the 
council. The first election under the charter was held 
April 10, 1871, at which the following per.sons were elected : 
President, James 51, Williams ; Recorder, Edward B. Sack- 
rider ; Treasurer, Egbert Grattan ; Assessor, Hugh II. 
Spaulding ; Trustees, John Tompkins, John F. Krumbeck, 
Joseph Canfield, Eli P. Lorangcr, Salmon M. Goodrich. 
Whole number of votes polled, 127. 

The village officers regularly elected since to 1880 are 
given in the following list : 

1S72. — President, James M. Williams;* Recorder, E. Dayton Lewis; 
Treasurer, Thomas Ilorton ;* Assessor, II. H. Spaulding; 
Trustees, George W. Shane, Nathan Leighton, William A. 
Simons, Joshua K. Kirkland, Daniel L. Grossman. 

1873. — President, Thomas Horton ; Recorder, Frank L. Tompkins; 
Treasurer, Joseph JI. Tompkins; Assessor, Daniel L. Cross- 
man; Trustees, Dwight A. Harrison, Charle-s D. Culver, H. 
F. Rockwell, Walter Porter, William A. Simons. 

1S7-I. — President, James M. Williams ; Recorder, Alexander F. Camp- 
bell ; Treasurer, J. M. Tompkins : Assessor, M. A. Hower- 
m«n ; Trustees, John Tompkins, W. A. Simons, John liurk- 
ley, B. F. Rockwell, Daniel Truman. 

IS75.— President, James M. Williams; Recorder, Williora S. Hum- 
phrey; Treasurer, Eli P. Lorangcr; Assessor, Randolph W. 



• Elected by a ananimous vote 



340 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN 



Whipple; Trustees, Griffith Lewis, Theodore G. Northup, 
John Burkley, John li. Stewnrt, Joseph M. Tompkins. 
1S76.— President, Dwight A. Harrison; Recorder, Willinm S. Hum- 
phrey ; Treasurer, Nathan Leighton ; Assessor, Seneca Gale; 
Trustees, John B. Stewart, Cliarles H. Benidsh'y, James C. 
Horton, Charles E. Lockwood, Benjamin F. Plotts. 
1877.— President, John S. Crosi-uiiin ; liccorUer, AVm. It. McEnally ; 
Treasurer, Charles H. Ilartwell ; Assessor, Wm. L. Coch- 
rane ; Trustees, James K. -Fredericks, Wm A. Simons, Eber 
S. Andrews, Edward H. Nichols, Martin V. Jessop. 
1878.— President, F. K. Rockwell; Recorder, Robert J. Flemming ; 
Treasurer, Charles H. Hartwell; Assessor, Charles W. 
Beardsley; Trustees, John Burkley, Daniel L. Crossman, 
James K. Fredericks, James Durfee, John B. Dakin. 
1879. — President, Martin V. Jessop; Recorder, Eber S. Andrews; 
Treasurer, Dwight A. Harrison; Assessor, Charles W. 
Beardsley ; Trustees, Anson L. Simons, James K. Freder- 
icks, John J. Defendorf, William P. Ainsley, George G. 
Whipple. 
1880.— President, D. L. Crossman; Recorder, W. H. McEnally ; 
Treasurer, Charles E. Lockwood; Assessor. D. H. Truman ; 
Trustees, Hiram E. Higbee, James M. Williams, Frederick 
K. Rockwell, Alonzo H. Kinne, John J. Defend rf. 
The village attorneys have been E. Dayton Lewis, Quincy A. Smith, 

and B. D. York. 
Village marshals: W. W. White, 1S71 ; M. C. Meach, 1872; W. W. 
White, 1873; Joseph H. Steel, 1874; B. F. Plotts, 1875; Charles 
F.Andrews, 1S76 ; Charles Thomas, 1877; W. W. White, 1S78- 
79; S. E. Vanneter, 1880. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

A hook-atid-ladder and bucket company was formed 
several years ago, but no regular organization is now in 
existence. The village lias beea very fortunate about fires, 
and the people perhaps imagine there is little danger. The 
hooks and ladders are stored in a convenient place. 

A village calaboose, or lock-up, and a public pound were 
constructed in the summer of 1871, the former at an ex- 
pense of about $275, and the latter at a cost of some twenty- 
five or thirty dollars. The corporation owns no other public 
buildings. 

POST-OFFICE AND POSTMASTERS. 

A post-ofiBce was first established at Williamston on the 
10th of May, 1842, under President Tyler's administration, 
and James M. Williams was the first postmaster. He held 
the ofiice until about 1850, when he was succeeded by 
Jonathiin B. Taylor. Following him have been Franklin 
Lombard, Eli Loranger, Ferdinand Brown, Hugh H. 
Spaulding, Loren Hillaker, William S. Humphrey, Alex- 
ander F. Campbell, John M. Crossman, and the present 
incumbent, John S. Crossman, who was appointed March 
13. 1878, and took possession of the office on the 1st of 
April in that year. 

The first mails were brought from Detroit once a week 
on a pouy. Letters from long distances then cost twenty- 
five cents. The first daily mail was received by stage over 
the plank-road about 1 854. 

At the present time there are two daily mails each way 
by railroad, and a daily mail from Dansville ;ind White Oak 
post-oiBces. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The manufacturing interests of AVilliamston are import- 
ant and valuable for a village of its population, and com- 
prise a variety which is very respectable, and speaks well 
for the enterprise of its people. An account of the more 



important establishments is herewith presented, gathered 
mostly from the proprietors. 

Saiv- and Gn'st-Mi/l.t. — These were the earliest estab- 
lishments in the place, the first saw- and grist-mills having 
been erected (as we have seen) by the Williams brothers, 
the former in 1840 and the latter in 1842. The first grist- 
mill building is still .standing, but there have been three 
different saw-mills erected on the same race since 1840, 
one following another as it became old and dilapidated. 
The dam, as originally built, was several rods farther up 
the stream than the present one, and is still standing, 
though hidden by the back-water of the new one. The 
fall at the present time is some eight feet, and the power is 
generally ample, though in dry seasons it is necessary to 
supplement it with steam-power. 

The Williams brothers operated the two mills together 
until about 1852, when 0. B. and J. M. sold their interest 
to their younger brother, H. B. Williams, who carried on 
the business until about 1855, when he in turn disposed of 
the property, including the mills and water-power, to Frank- 
lin Lombard. Tiie latter subsequently sold to Messrs. 
Driggs & Corgill, of Detroit, and this firm to Jonathan B. 
Taylor, of Williamston. At a later date Taylor sold to 
Stephen Siegfried, and the latter to the present proprietors, 
Messrs. Mead & Flemming, who carry on both the saw- 
and grist-mills. They do quite an extensive business in 
hard-wood lumber. Since the original single run of stone 
was put in a second run has been added, doubling its 
capacity. 

The water-power has been supplemented by a steam- 
engine, which is required in seasons of drouth or low 
water. The new dam was built some years ago by Stephen 
Siegfried. 

'' Walk-Away" Mills. — These mills were erected in 1875 
by D. L. Crossman, at a cost of §13,500. They are oper- 
ated by steam furnished by a forty-five horse-power engine, 
and contain three runs of French buhr-stone, two of four 
and a half feet diameter, and one of four feet. 

The mills do both merchant and custom work, and have 
a capacity in merchant work of forty barrels of flour daily. 
The grain used is purchased at the mills. Three grades of 
flour are manufactured, which are marketed mostly in Detroit. 
The mills are conveniently located on the tracks of the 
Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railway, and have excellent 
shipping facilities. Large quantities of feed are also shipped 
to the northern pineries. The establishment is complete 
in every respect, and doing an extensive business. 

Foundries and Machine- Shops. — The earliest establish- 
ment in this line was opened by a company, of whom Dil- 
lucene Stoughton was one, about 1850. An attempt was 
made to produce a blast in the cupola by means of two 
common fanning-mills turned by hand, one placed on each 
side, but it proved a failure, and the business was abandoned. 
J. II. Steel, who was then at Fowlerville, in Livingston 
County, purchased most of the stock and removed it thither. 
The property at that time had fallen into the hands of 
Jonathan B. Taylor. 

Mr. Steel removed to Williamston about 1860, and com- 
menced business where he is now located, near the west end 
of the village. He carried on a general foundry and re- 



WILLIAMSTOWN. 



341 



pairing business until about 1870, wben he engaged in the 
mercantile business for some six years, after which he re- 
turned to his old employment, and has continued it to the 
present time. His son is now associated with liini, and the 
firm is J. II. Steel & Son. 

The establishment does general foundry and repairing 
business, and is also engaged in the manufacture of agri- 
cultural implements. Including tiie proprietors, a force of 
five hands is employed, and there are connected with the 
business wagon- and blacksmith-shops, where all kinds of 
work in their line are turned out to order. During the 
period when Mr. Steel was engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness he leased the works. The power employed is furnished 
by a six horse-power steam-engine. 

At the east end of the village is the foundry and rei)air- 
shop of Messrs. Wil.son & Clark. The original firm was 
Grattan, Wilson & Clark, who commenced business on a 
small scale about 18()7, in a building west of the Spaulding 
House on Grand lliver Street, and continued until 1878, 
when the present works on the southeast corner of Grand 
lliver and Cedar Streets were erected Mr. Grattan sold 
his interest to the other partners in 18(59 or 1870, and the 
firm has since been Wilson & Clark. Jlr. Wilson learned 
his trade in the establishment of J. H. Steel. 

Messrs. Wil.son & Clark are doing a general foundry 
and repairing business, and arc also manufacturing a variety 
of agricultural implements. The power employed is fur- 
nished by a steam-engine. 

Carriage- Works. — J. H. Croslick commenced business 
as a general blacksmith in 1871, adding thereto the raanu- 
faelure of a few cutters. His present large two-story shop 
on the corner of Putnam and High Streets was erected in 
1879. It is large and convenient, and well fitted up for 
an extensive business, and the proprietor is a stirring busi- 
ness man. A shop for woodwork adjoins the main shop 
on the south. The principal articles turned out are fiue 
carriages, farm wagons, sleighs, cutters, etc. All the differ- 
ent kinds of work employed in the business except carriage 
trimming are conducted in his shops. The trimming is 
done in Detroit. Including the proprietor, the works fur- 
nish employment for five hands. 

On the corner of Cedar and Grand lliver Streets is 
located the carriage-shop of D. F. P. Burnett, who com- 
menced business in Williamston on the 1st of January, 
187-1, on the opposite side of the street from where he 
now is, in a small building purchased of John Yokum, a 
general blacksmith. Mr. Burnett continued in this loca- 
tion until the fall of 1875, when he removed to his present 
roomy establishment, which was erected in that year. The 
building now occupied is a two-story frame, twenty-four by 
sixty feet in dimensions. 

The business is mostly confined to the manufacture of 
fine carriages and cutters, and every department of the 
work — woodwork, blacksniithing, painting, trimming, etc. 
— is carried on in the .shop. An average of eight hands is 
employed, and the manufactured articles are mostly sold at 
the works. 

Planiiiij-inUh. — The first planing-mill put in operation 
in the village was built by J. B. & J. W. Waldo about 
1868, at the corner of Putnam and High Streets, near the 



bridge over Cedar lliver. The planer was manufactured 
in Lansing by one Houghton. The mill was in operation 
about ten years. The old building is at present occupied 
for a livery-stable. 

The second planing-mill was erected by Egbert Grattan 
about 1870 and was operated by him about two years, 
when he was killed in the mill. The machine by which 
he met his death is now in use in the mill of Harvey 
Hammond. Two other men have been killed in Williams- 
ton while working around machinery, — William Hartwig, 
eut in two by the large circular saw in the saw-n)ill north 
of the river about 1873, and a man named Davis, killed in 
the same mill by a picket-saw in the summer of 1880. 

About 187-1 the building on Putnam Street, near South 
Street, now occupied by Harvey Hammond, was erected by 
Baldwin, Hooker & Co., for a planing-mill. About a year 
later Hooker sold his interest to Daniel Miller. Harvey 
Hammond bought out Baldwin & Green (the latter the 
company of Hooker, Baldwin & Co.) in 1875, and the firm 
became Hammond & Miller, who operated the mill about 
two years, when Hammond became the sole proprietor, and 
has since conducted the business in his own name. Mr. 
Hammond has about $5000 invested, and his mill gives 
employment during nine months to four hands, and to 
two hands during the remainder of the year. A general 
lumbering and planing business is carried on, and the sales 
of lumber for the year will aggregate about sixty car-loads, 
including lumber, laths, shingles, etc. 

Williamston Stnve Company. — This company represents 
one of the most important industries of the village. The 
business was originally begun by Messrs. Henning & 
Schultz in 1873. Jlr. Schultz sold out his interest before 
the works were fully in operation, and the proprietor has 
since been Edwin Henning, of Chicago, a heavy capitalist 
and prominent business man. 

The bu.siness carried on at these works consists in the 
manufacture of staves, heading, and packing-barrels. The 
force at present employed counts about twenty-five men, 
though at times this is doubled. From fifteen to twenty- 
five coopers are employed in the manufacture of packing- 
barrels, which are mostly shipped to Chicago. The manu- 
facture for 1880 will reach 25,000 barrels. The shipment 
of staves has aggregated as many as 0,000,000 in a single 
year, the greater portion of which go to Chicago, though 
as high as 500,1)00 have been shipped to St. Loui.-;, Mo. 
The staves shipped are all for flour-barrels. 

The staves for " tight work" are all manufactured and 
worked up on the premises. The eslablLshment is com- 
pletely fitted up for every kind of work in its line with the 
most ingenious and latest improved machinery for cutting 
staves, turning heading, etc. The machinery is driven by 
a steam-engine of forty horse-power. The department for 
the manufacture of staves and heading is well worth a visit 
to any one who takes an interest in ingenious, labor-saving 
machinery. 

The firm is also the largest apple buying and .shipping 
one in the State. During the present season iLs fruit busi- 
ness has been tran.«acted at as many as sixty stations in 
Michigan, and the business transacted will be enormous. 
As many as eighty-two carloads of apples have been 



342 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



sliipped in a single day. The shipments are mostly to 
Chicajro and the West. The firm owns several large farms 
in Michigan, from one of which, in Washtenaw County, 
2100 barrels of apples have been shipped from a single 
orchard in one season. Mr. Henning is also operating 
large cooper-shops at Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. The 
superintendent of the Willianistoii works is JMr. W. P. 
Ainslej, who has been wilii the house about twenty-two 
years. 

Marble- Works. — The first marble-shop was established 
by C. W. Hill in 1877, but he remained only a few months, 
and sold out to one Grifiith, who took the stock to Jack- 
son. 

Messrs. G. T. Davis & Co. (G. T. Davis and G. W. 
Bliss) opened a shop in May, 1880, and are prepared to 
furni.sh every variety of work required in their line of 
business. 

liANKINIi. 

Tile first banking institution in Williaraston was opened 
by Hugh H. Spaulding it Co. in 1871. It was a private 
exchange bank, and cairied on business until about 1876, 
when it was closed. 

The present banking office of Daniel L. Grossman was 
opened in 1872 by Messrs. Crossman & Whipple. Mr. 
Whipple retired in 1877, since which date the business has 
been conducted by Mr. Grossman, who docs a general ex- 
change business. 

The building in which the bank is located was erected 
in 1874 by D. L. Cro.ssman and J. B. & J. W. Waldo, 
both the latter since deceased. It was constructed prin- 
cipally for the purposes of a hotel, is of brick, three 
stories, and presents a fine appearance. The bank occupies 
the corner room, and there is a store on the cast side of the 
hotel entrance. Tiie hotel, which is known as the " Na- 
tional," was opei:ed in 1875. The present proprietor is 
Joseph Williams. 

A loan-office was opened by John B. Dakin in 1879. 
Mr. Dakin employs his own means, and is doing quite an 
extensive business negotiating loans upon real estate in the 
vicinity. He was formerly engaged with D. L. Crossman 
from 1856 to 1859 in the mercantile business at Dansville; 
but upon the opening of the railway through Williamston, 
much of the business and many of the business-men of 
Dansville removed thither. 

COAL. 

The first coal mined in the neighborhood of William.s- 
ton was taken out by J. M. Williams on section 36 in 
the south bank of the Cedar River about 1846-47, for 
blacksmithing purposes. Slining it for market was begun 
as early as 1852, about the time of the completion of the 
plank-road. 

Messrs. Rush & Stambaugh, from Youngstown, Ohio, 
made a considerable investment and began systematic oper- 
ations about 1874. Work was carried on for a considerable 
time, and from 50 to 100 tons of marketable coal was 
taken out daily ; but the difficulty of obtaining any facilities 
for its shipment rendered the work unprofitable, and it was 
finally abandoned. 

The lower stratum of coal at this locality is from two to 



three feet in thickness and of a very good quality for 
ordinary purposes. It is found at the works at a depth of 
about forty feet. Borings in the north side of the Cedar 
River penetrated a vein said to be six feet in thickness, but 
the drill may possibly have struck a fault or a point where 
the formation was broken or tilted, and passed through the 
coal diagonally. One difficulty encountered in some places 
is the absence of any solid material for roofing purpo.ses, the 
coal being in some cases within ten feet of the surface and 
overlaid by sand or earth. 

MASONIC ORDER. 
Wdli.iiirnfton Lodge, No. 153, F. and A. 31 , was organ- 
ized in the spring of 1864, with the following charter 
members : J. H. Cornalia, C. Deitz, James W. Waldo, 1 
James A. Leasia, Jerome B. Waldo, John F. Brown, J. 
B. Taylor, Thomas Horton, Wm. D. Ilorton. The first 
Worshipful Master was Rev. J. H. Cornalia, and the suc- 
ceeding Masters have been : C. Deitz, J. W. Waldo, James ^ 
A. Leasia, John Grimes, Wm. L. Brown, Wm. P. Ainsley, ' 
and John H. Webb. The membership at the present time 
(September, 1880) is about forty. 

Eastern Star Chapter, No. 1, was organized in the spring 
of 1880. The Worthy Matron is Mrs. Silas E. Vanneter; 
Worthy Patron, Wm. P. Ainsley; Secretary, Miss Belle 
Waldo. The membership is about twenty. 

At present the order has no building of its own, but 
leases the necessary rooms. 

ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN. 

A .society of this order was organized in May, 1879. It 
is known as May Flower Lodge, No. 47. It is in a flour- 
ishing condition and has about forty members. Among 
the prominent citizens connected with it may be mentioned 
Quincy A. Smith, M. Coad, M.D., Lewis Simons, Dwight 
A. Harrison, Wm. L, Brown, and Eber S. Andrews. 

There have existed also a flourishing lodge of the I. 0. 
G. T. and a Red Ribbon Club, but at the present writing 
they seem to bo doing very little. 

NEWSPAPERS. 
The first newspaper published in Williamston was the 
Williamston Enterprise, which is still continued. Its 
original proprietors were Wm. S. Humphrey & Co., and 
the first number appeared June 5, 1873. The publication 
was continued by that firm until Aug. 8, 1873. when Messrs. 
Cami)bell & Phelps became the owners and publishers, and 
issued the paper until Jan. 30, 1874. At that time Messrs. 
Bush & Adams became proprietors, and continued it until 
Jan. 20, 1875, when E. S. Andrews purchased the prop- 
erty and has since published the paper regularly. It is a 
neat, seven-column folio, well conducted and well patron- 
ized, as its advertising cards and subscription books show ; 
its circulation reaching a printer's thousand and steadily 
increasing. The paper retains its original name, and is 
domiciled in a neat and well-arranged office, fully supplied 
with the required machinery and stock. A small steam- 
engine furnishes the necessary power. Its enterprising 
proprietor has already built up a good jobbing department ; 
and the prospects of the j)aper are very flattering. It is 



WILLIAMSTOWN. 



343 



neutral in politics. Mr. Andrews lias refitted and stocked 
tlie office, and lias a capital of about S2000 invested in 
tlu! business, which gives euiployuieut to four hands, in- 
cluding the proprietor and his wife. 

The present business-list of the village comprises 4 phy- 
sicians, 1 dentist, 3 attorncys-at-law, 1 banking-office, 1 
loan-office, 3 grain and produce dealers, 2 merchant- and 
custom-wills, 2 lumber firms, 1 planing-mill, 1 saw-mill, 1 
extensive stave- and barrel-factory, 2 foundries, 3 carriage- 
works, 1 printing establishment and newspaper, 4 clergy- 
men, 3 hotels, 2 jcwelere, 1 merchant tailor, 5 general mer- 
ciianls, G grocei-s, 3 druggists, 2 barbers, 1 furniture-dealer 
and undertaker, 2 hardware-stores, 2 millinery establish- 
ments, 3 boot- and shoe-makers, 2 harness and saddlery, 
3 blacksmiths, 1 tinsmith, 1 bakery, 1 pump-factory, 2 
11 very stables, 1 marble-works, and 2 meat-markets. It is 
a remarkably lively point for the trade of the surrounding 
country and presents quite a busy appearance. 

The population of the village by the census of 1880 is 
about 1100. 

l'llV.SXCI.\N.S.s 

Among the earliest physicians who practiced in Wil- 
liamston were Dr. Joseph Watkins and Dr. Wells, neither 
of whom was regularly educated for the profession. They 
settled in the f)lace previous to 1844, and were attempting 
to practice when Dr. Lea.sia settled here. IJoth soon after- 
wards removed from the place. 

Dr. Ciiarles Winne, a regular physician and an able man, 
also practiced at an early day. 

Quite a large number of physicians, principally young 
men, have practiced or studied with Dr. Leasia at various 
periods. We have room to mention a portion of them in 
tliis connection : Dr. William A. Davis was associated with 
him for four or five years, commencing about 18G0. He 
was from the neighborhood of Chelsea, Jack.son Co., Mich., 
where his father resided. He removed at a later date to 
Grand Ledge, Eaton Co., where he is now in practice. 

Dr. Charles Hill, from Dansville, was in practice with 
Dr. Leasia for about a year after Dr. Davis removed. He 
subsequently went to Perry Centre, Shiawassee Co., from 
there to Owo.sso, and later to Cheboygan, Mich., where he 
now resides. 

A Dr. Gray was also with him about six months. He 
was a graduate of Ann Arbor, and removed to Marshall, 
where he .soon after died. 

Another partner of Dr. Leasia was Dr. John Hou.ston, 
who was in Willianiston about one year. Ho went into 
tlie army during the Uebellion and served with di.stinction 
as commander of a Miciiigan regiment. He is now a 
farmer in Leroy township. 

The practieing phy.sicians at jiiesent residing in Wil- 
lianiston, besides Dr. Leasia, are Dr. Matliias Coad, Dr. J. 
J. Defeiidorf, and Dr. J. F. Campbell. 

Dr. Coad was born in Eastport, Me., in 183C. He studied 
medicine with Dr. Murk II. Woodbury, now of Chicago, 
and graduated at the Bcrkiihire Medical College, at Pitts- 
field, Mass., in 1866. Previous to the war of the liebeliion 



* For notice of Dr. Lcnsia and others, sec Cha|itcr IV. General 
History Ingham County. 



he attended one course of lectures at Long Island College 
Hospital. He served as assistant surgeon of the Fifty- 
Second Massaeiiusetts Infantry for nine months, and sub.sc- 
qutntly with the Seventy-Sixth United States Colored In- 
fantry, and was mustered out Jan. 1, 1866. 

After the war he attended two courses of lectures at 
Long Island College Hospital and one at Pittsfield, Mass. 
He commenced practice at Fentonville, Genesee Co., Mich., 
in May, 1866, and in 1868 removed to Williainston, where 
he has since been in practice in the regular school. 

Dr. Delendorf is a member of the Homoeopathic school 
of medicine, and was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 
1850. He studied medicine at Auburn, N. Y., and grad- 
uated at the Detroit Ilomoonpathic College in 1873, and 
located in Willianiston the same year, where he has since 
continued in the enjoyment of a good practice. 

Dr. Campbell was born in. Elgin County, near London, 
Province of Ontario, Dominion of Canada, in 1854. He 
studied medicine at the University of Michigan, and grad- 
uated from that institution in 1876. lie came to Williams- 
ton in November of the same year, and is building up a 
satisfactory practice among his fellow-laborers. He belongs 
to the allopathic or regular school, as it is generally desig- 
nated. 

ATT011NEY8. 

The resident attorneys are E. Dayton Lewis, Quincy A. 
Smith, and B. D. York. 



The first action concerning public schools appears of 
record in 1840, when it was voted to raise a fund of $150 
for their support. 

The first items entered in the regular .school record were 
in 1844, February 10th, wlien the first school district was 
formed as follows: Di.strict No. 1 to consist of sections 34, 
35, and 36, the west half of the southeast quarter of 25, 
the east half of the southeast quarter of 26, the southeast 
quarter of 27, the southwest ipiarter of 24, and the south- 
east quarter of 23, to be called District No. 1, of the town- 
ship of Phelpstown. 

At that time J&s.se P. Hall, 0. 15. Williams, and L. II. 
Lounsbury were inspectors of schools. 

On the 26th of April following District No. 2 was 
formed, to be composed as follows : Sections 36, and the 
south half (if 25, in the town of Bath, Clinton Co., and 
sections 4, 5, 8, and 9, in Phelpstown, to be known as 
District No. 2, of Phelpstown, and District No. 3, of 
Bath. 

()n the 3d, of May, 1845, District No. 3 was formed as 
follows: Sections No. 21, 22, 23, 15, 14, 13, 12, and the 
east half and .southwest quarter of section 11. II. B. 
Williams, H. C. G rattan, and Aaron Durand were then 
school inspectors. 

In the spring of 1845 the inspectors purchased 185 
volumes of books, established a library, and appointed H. 
B. Williams librarian. 

KAULY TEACH lilW. 
On the 8th of April, 1845, the inspectors certify that 
they have examined Miss Mary Farrand " in respect to her 



341 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



moral character, learning, and ability to teach a primary 
school, and consider her well qiialitied for the discharge of 
that duty." A certificate was issued her to teach in Dis- 
trict No. 1, then comprising the nucleus of the present 
village of Williamston. 

Among others who were examined and licensed to teach 
from 1845 to 1850, we find the names of the followin<;: 
Oilman Warren, Oct. 15, 1845; Miss Elizabeth L. Alver- 
son, May 1, 1847; Miss M. Deuiarry, June 19, 1847; 
Miss Mary H. Stillman, July 14, 1847 ; Harry Gleason, 
Nov. 19, 1847; Miss Jane Watson, Nov. 19, 1847; Miss 
Armena Pitts, May 1, 1848; Miss Lovina P. Alverson, 
June 7, 1848; Miss Sarah Jane Maeomber, Sept. 23, 
1848; Jesse P. Hall, Dec. 30, 1848 ; Catherine C. Corn- 
well, May 22, 1849 ; Edward W. Alverson, Nov. 7, 1849 ; 
Alfred B. Kinne, Jan. 28, 1850 ; Emeline Epley, May 27, 
1850; Sarah Ann Fletcher, June 29, 1850 ; Lodema To- 
bias, Sept. 16, 1850 ; Henry Lane, Nov. 2, 1850 ; Clorinda 
J. George, Dec. 27, 1850. 

At a meeting in District. No. 2, Oct. 6, 1845, it was voted 
to have nine months' school, that it should be kept by " a 
woman- teacher;" the school to commence on the first Mon- 
day in November. 

At a meeting of the inspectors, held March 16, 1847, a 
new district was formed from sections 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10, 
and numbered 2, though what was done with the original 
district is not stated. The inference is that the portion of 
the old District No. 2 lying in the township of Bath was 
disconnected, leaving the whole district in Phelpstown. 

A new district, No. 4, was formed May 1, 1847, from 
sections 25, 26, and a part of 35 and 30. 

At the last-named date Gilman Warren, Harry Gleason, 
and David Currier were school inspectors. In the same 
year the record shows an apportionment of moneys to a 
portion of the schools as follows : District No. 1, $16.55 ; 
No. 3, S13.03. Gilman Warren was appointed a committee 
to visit the schools during the year 1847. 

On the 3d of July, 1847, Fractional District No. 4, of 
Locke, and No. 6, of Phelpstown, were set off in the north- 
east part of the last-named and the northwest part of the 
first-named townships. 

Also on the same day a new district, called No. 5, was 
formed in the eastern central portion of Phelpstown, and on 
the 19th of the same mouth the number, for some unex- 
plained reason, was changed to No. 3. 

Another new district, lying in the northeast part of the 
township, was formed April 1, 1848, and numbered 5. 

On the 6th of July, 1849, the township treasurer 
reported the following number of children in three of the 
districts : District No. 2, twenty ; No. 3, thirty-five ; No. 4, 
twenty-five. 

On the 6th of April, 1850, Fractional District No. 4, of 
Phelpstown, and No. 6, of Locke, were disorganized, and 
the territory set back to its respective townships. 

At this date James A. Leasia, Harry Gleason, and 
S. V. R. Church were school inspectors. 

In 1853 there were seven school districts in the town- 
ship. At the present time it is divided into nine districts, 
of which Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 are whole, and Nos. 1, 
7, and 8 fractional. 



The contingent fund distributed among the several dis- 
tricts in December, 1879, was as follows : 

FractioDiil District, No. 1 $2020.00 

Friictional •' " 7 49.4-t 

Fractional " " 8 45.71 

Whole " " 2....; 104.HS 

Whole " " .3 182.50 

Whole " " 4 200.01 

Whole " " 5 60.17 

Whole '■ " fi l.!S.:i7 

Whole " " 9 l.^O.OO 

Total S2'j:i7.7fi 

Of the various school buildings six are frame and one 
log. Two of the fractional districts have their buildings in 
the adjoining township, leaving seven in Willianistown. 
The number of school-children between the ages of five and 
twenty years, exclusive of the Williamston village district 
which is reported in Wheatfield, for 1880 is 303. 

The value of school property, also excluding the fine 
building in the village, is $2600. * Total expended for 
year 1879-80, $1408.65. 

ScJiool Inspectors, 1880. — Wm. L. Brown, superintend- 
ent ; George Porter, inspector; E. P. Lorauger, town-clerk. 

Villaye Schools. — The first school in what is now the vil- 
lage was taught in a building situated on the laud of J. M. 
Williams, and erected by private subscription in 1844. The 
earliest teachers were the Mi.sses Munn and Farren, but 
which was first is not now recollected. The first district 
school building was also on the north side of the river, and 
erected about 1846. This was subsequently sold, and a 
building, which had formerly been an addition to the Lom- 
bard House, purchased and used for several years. It was 
afterwards moved to Middle Street, and occupied for 
various purposes, — as a dwelling, wagon-shop, place for 
holding Baptist meetings, etc. It is now in use as a 
livery-stable. 

The fine new school building liow in use by the village 
district was erected in 1875, at a cost of $15,000. The 
lot on which it stands, which is in the township of Wheat- 
field, was presented to the district by Col. R. W. Owens. 
The father of Col. Owens was formerly a member of Con- 
gress from the State of Georgia, and owned an extensive 
plantation in Habersham County. He was one of a com- 
pany which purchased kinds in Michigan at an early date, 
and when a division was subsequently made became owner 
of the tract at Williamston. The colonel fell heir to this 
property and visited it occasionally, but his ownership was 
no advantage to the village, for the land remained vacant, 
and stood as a barrier in the way of improvements. During 
the war of the Rebellion he was an outspoken rebel, and 
served with some distinction in the Confederate army. This 
fact was very nearly the cause of the confiscation of all his 
property in the North. The matter was carried before the 
United States Court at Detroit, but after considerable delay 
was finally dismissed. The colonel visits Williamston occa- 
sionally, and during one of these visits made a present of 
the land to the district. It is finely situated, and the build- 
ing erected upon it is at once an honor to the village and a 
commentary upon the condition of schools in the State 
where the colonel resides. But the apparently generous act 



■■■ The school building in the 
See history of village. 



illage of Williamston cost S15,000. 



WILLIAMSTOWN. 



345 



of tlie wealthy Southerner was not without sufficient cause. 
Parties on the north side of the river liaJ offered to ^ive a 
site and S20() in money if the building were erected on 
that side, and the prospect of rapid improvement in that 
direction, and the loss of a corresponding growth on the south 
side, touched a sympathetic chord in the colonel's bosom, 
and the result was the gift in question. 

The building is of brick, three stories and basement in 
height, and contains four school-rooms, two recitation-rooms, 
and a public hall on the third floor. The school is divided 
into four departments, — primary, intermediate, grammar, 
and high, — making it a graded school. It is under the con- 
trol of a male principal and three female teachers, whose 
salaries are 8650 per annum for the principal and §320 
for the female teachers, making a total of 81010 paid 
the four. 

Tlie number of children drawing school-money in the 
district, which is a fractional district of Williamstown and 
Wheatfield, is 329. The total receipts of the district for 
1879-SO, fur all purposes, were S406G.99, and the total 
expenditures, 83090.32. The building stands a few rods 
south of the township-line in Wheatfield, and tlie district 
is reported in the latter township, though probably nine- 
tenths of the population are in Williamstown. 

The people of the village are justly proud of their fine 
school building and the high standing of their schools. 

The board of trustees for the year 1880 is compo.sed of 
the following gentlemen : M. Goad, M.D., President; D. L. 
Grossman, Director ; M. V. Jessop, Assessor ; J. M. Williams, 
J. F. Krumbeck, William L. Brown. 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

First Baptist. — This society, which is the oldest in the 
village, was organized in Wheatfield township, June 4, 
1841, as the "First Baptist Gonference of Wheatfield," 
with the following members: 11. T. Fero, Henry Lee, 
William Drown, Elijah Hammond, William Tompkins, 
Amanda F. Fero, Elizabeth Lee, Orra Drown, Mary Ann 
Hammond, Margaret Tompkins. H. T. Fero, William 
Tompkins, and Elijah Hammond were appointed at the 
same meeting to draft articles and covenant. Henry Lee 
acted as clerk of the meeting. 

In the same month llev. H. T. Fero was called to the 
pastoral charge. At a council composed of delegates from 
the churches of Ingham, Mason, Howell, Unadilla, and 
Leslie, held Jan. 20, 1842, the society was received into 
fellowship, and llev. H. T. Fero wa.s ordained over it as 
pastor. Of this council D. Hendee was moderator and E. 
K. Grout clerk. 

In May, 1842, it was " voted that the covenant meet- 
ings be held half the time at the Martin school-house, and 
half at the usual place. ' 

Elder Fero continued to officiate until 'August, 1845, 
and from that time until January, 1848, there does not 
appear, from the record, to have been any settled pastor. 
At the hist-mentioned date a resolution was passed to 
change the name of the church to " First Bapti.st Church 
of Williamston," at which time it is probable they began 
to hold their regular meetings in the village, though there 
was no church edifice erected until 1807-63. Meetings 
44 



were held previous to that time in dwellings, school-houses, 
and various places. 

A Bible-cla.ss wa.s formed in October, 1844, of which 
the pastor was made .superintendent. 

On the 23d of March, 1848, Elder Alfred B. Kinne 
was ordained as pastor, and dismissed in May, 1850, In 
1852 and 1853 meetings were held in the Whitcomb 
school-house. Elder Kinne was again pastor from Jan- 
uary, 1857, to December, 1861, It was voted to pay him 
fifty dollars for his .services, exclusive of donations. In 
1862 the elder was again engaged to labor one-half the 
time for 8100, and he seems to have continued until De- 
cember, 1863. 

Elder William White was engaged for the year 18G4 at 
8150 per annum, and for 1805 at 8160. In July, 1865, 
preliminary steps were taken towards effecting a legal or- 
ganization, and building a church edifice in the village. 
For the year 1806, Elder White was engaged to preach 
one-half the time, at a salary of 8160, "and a donation 
that shall at least amount to fifty dollars," In 1867, Elder 
A, B, Kinne was once more engaged at an annual sjilarj' of 
8200, and for 1868 the Rev, J. G. Armstrong was hired 
and paid, according to the church record, 8204. 

The church building in the village of Williamston, 
still occupied by the society, appears to have been erected 
during the years 1867-68, at an original cost of about 
83000. It was dedicated on the 19th of May, 1868, at 
which time delegations were present from Lansing, Howell, 
Mason, Dansville, and Okemos, The dedication sermon 
was preached by llev. J. S. Boyden. 

In 1869, llev. A. M, Parmenter was stationed here, and 
continued until April 30, 1871, Rev, C, E, B, Armstrong 
preached occasionally for the society about this time. In 
1872-73, Rev. Marshall Dunbar was the pastor, and Rev. 
M. Ilayden occupied thcpulpit from the fall of 1874 until 
September, 1876. The present pastor. Rev, J, W, Henry, 
began his labors on the 1st of December, 1876, 

During 1880 a chapel was built in the rear of the church 
edifice, at a cost of 8350. The house is surmounted by a 
tower, and is furnished with a bell and organ. The present 
membership is about seventy-five, and the Sabbath-school 
has an average attendance of fifty scholars, with nine 
teachers and a library of about 150 volumes. 

St. Mary's, Catholic* — There had been a few Catholics 
in and around Williamston perhaps as early as 1850-55, 
and priests of the church had visited them occasionally 
previous to the gathering of an organized church in the vil- 
lage. Among these families may be mentioned Owen Ben- 
nam's, John Grimes', the Lorangers, and others, and among 
the visiting priests were Fathers Monahan, Kelly, Van 
Gennipe, Van Paemel, Van Driss, and others. 

The first resident pastor is the present one, Father J, 
F. Lovett, a young man of fine attainments and good 
promise, who was settled here in August, 1879. The 
church edifice now occupied was erected in 1869, upon a 
lot donated to the society by the Waldo brothers, who also 
gave a considerable sum of money in aid of the church. 
It is a plain frame structure, costing about $1100, The 

* From data furoisbcd by Father Lovett. 



346 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



parsoui^e and lot were purchased in September, 1879, at a 
cost of 61150, of W. H. Cochran. There are about forty 
families connected with the church in Williamstou, and in 
addition to this Father Lovett has under his charge the 
flocks at Hunker Hill, in Ingham County, and at Wood- 
hull, in Shiawassee County. His jurisdiction extends from 
Laingsburg on the north to Leslie on the south. He makes 
his residence at Williamstou. 

First Congregational* — The First Congregational Church 
of Williamston was organized in October, 1878. Its orig- 
inal members were Nathan C. Branch, Laura M. Branch, 
Mrs. Sarah B. Mead, Miss Emma Mead, Mrs. W. L. Rob- 
son, Mrs. Aroline A. Church, Daniel Miller, Mrs. Ann 
Jane Miller, Mrs. Floretta Watkins. The present mem- 
bership is seventeen. 

Articles of association were adopted about Aug. 20, 1878, 
and subsequently tiled with the county clerk. Rev. J. W. 
Dawson was principally instrumental in gathering the so- 
ciety, but did not remain to complete the organization. 
The work has been continued by his successor. Rev. Casimir 
B. Ludwig, the present pastor, who was settled over the 
church on the IGth of November, 1878, and who has been 
indefatigable in his efforts to build up a prosperous organ- 
ization. Rev. Ludwig's first sermon was delivered in the 
Baptist church of Williamston, at the date last above 
mentioned. 

Under his energetic administration a fine church edifice is 
now (September, 1880) in process of construction, which 
will be, when completed, a tasteful and convenient house of 
worship. It is in the Pointed Gothic style, with tower and 
spire, and trimmed with artificial stone from the works at 
Lansing. The building is a frame structure, bricked up on 
the outside by a process known as " veneering," which gives 
it all the solid appearance of a brick structure. The main 
portion of the edifice is thirty-twf) by fifty feet, exclusive 
of the tower at the northeast angle, and has a chapel in the 
rear, eighteen by twenty-four, connected with the audience- 
room by folding doors. The basement is to be occupied 
as a kitchen. The floor in the body of the hou.se is raised 
after the manner of a theatre, and the windows are to be 
furnished with elegant stained glass. The inside finish is 
to be in oak and walnut, and the seating capacity will be 
300. The building is to be heated by a furnace in the 
basement. The chapel will be seated with chairs. 

The total cost of the building is expected to reach some- 
thing over $3000, of which amount a considerable portion 
is contributed by the Congregational Building Union. The 
society is also largely aided by the American Home Mis- 
sionary Society, which contributes from $300 to $40O an- 
nually towards the pastor's salary. 

A flourishing Sunday-school is connected with the church, 
the regular attendance of which is about forty. The school 
has a very choice library of 200 volumes, which was pur- 
chased from a church library in Boston, Mass. 

It is the intention of Mr. Ludwig to have a course of 
lectures during the coming winter, for the purpose of aid- 
ing the society to furnish the new church building. He 
intends to procure the services of eminent lecturers, and 

* Compiled from inlbrmation furnished by Rev, C. B. Ludwig. 



will make the course a decided success, if energy and ability 
can accomplish it. 

The present trustees of the church are N. C. Branch, 
Daniel Miller, and E. Dayton Lewis. 

Methodist Episcopal.'\ — The Methodist Episcopal Society 
of Williamstou village was formerly embraced in a large four 
weeks' circuit, including portions of three counties. The 
church edifice belonging to the society was erected in 
1867-68, at a probable cost of over $2000. 

Since 1859 the preachers who have ofiiciated here have 
been Revs. T. C. Wright, J. T. Hankinson, F. Brit- 
ton, J. H. Curnalia, J. J. Kern, L. L. Houghton, James 
Balls, J. B. Varnum, R. C. Lanning, A. Allen, H. T. 
Evans, N. W. Pierce, and L. C. York, the present pa.stor. 
The present membership numbers ninety. 

The present board of trustees is composed as follows: 
James C. Webber, Charles Thonis, H. E. Higbee, Wm. L. 
Murphy, C. E. Lockwood, T. J. Parsons, Frederick Davis. 
The church has a Sabbath-school connected with it which 
is in a flourishing state. 

A class held meetings for a number of years at Williams- 
town Centre, in the school-house. In 1879 a neat frame 
church was erected at a cost of over $1500. It stands on 
section 15, about five miles north-northwest of Williamston 
village. Rev. L. C. York, the pastor of the village, offi- 
ciates. This society supports a flourishing Sabbath-school. 

CEMETERIES. 

The earliest burial-places in the township were at Wil- 
liamston village, one a private one, a little west of Steele's 
foundry, near the river, where a few interments were made 
at an early day, and another a little north of the present 
corporation-line, on lands formerly belonging to Stephen 
Olds. This land, so far as we have been able to ascertain, 
was given by Mr. Olds (subsequently confirmed by J. M. 
Williams) for burial-purposes, but no title passed, and, owing 
to this fact, steps were taken to establish a new ground, and 
the remains interred here were exhumed and reinterred in 
the cemetery on section 20. 

Summit Cemetery. — This ground belongs to a company 
incorporated under a State law of 1855. Among the in- 
corporators were J. M. Williams, Nel.son Loranger, J. B. 
Taylor, George B. Fuller, Horatio Pratt, and John S. 
Vanneter. The incorporators organized Feb. 7, 1860, and, 
on the 1st day of May of that year, purchased of Webster 
Harvey and wife 3 acres and 152 rods of land on the east 
half of the southwest quarter of section 26, in Williamstown, 
for the sum of $100 cash. The lot is elegibly situated on 
rolling ground, with a soil composed mainly of sand and 
gravel, and admirably adapted for burial-purposes. The 
corporators have expended several hundred dollars in lay- 
ing out, ornamenting, and improving it, and it is kept in 
good condition. 

There is another private burial-ground, situated on the 
west half of the southwest quarter of section 21, which 
was opened for use about 1860. There have been only a 
limited number of burials within it. The " Summit Ceme- 
tery" is principally used by the inhabitants of Williamston 
village. 

t Principnily from information furnished by Rev. L. C. Yorii. 




rrEsiDENCE: OF ROSEELL SHAW ,WiiLiAMSroN,lNan/\MCo.,MicH. 






id 



iDt.n.l trrlrUiiiiifii'i; i ; J^ 




•b-^t.-r,c nr WILLIAM Z. SEC0RD,WiLLiAMSTON,lhiGHAMCo,MicH 



WILLI AMSTOWN. 



347 



We arc under obligations to the following persons in 
Williatustown for inforiuation furnished and assistiuice ren- 
dered : J. M. Williams, Daniel L. Grossman, E. P. Loran- 
ger, W. II. McEnally, William L. Brown, William P. 
Ainsley, Drs. Leasia, Goad, Defendorf, and Gampbell, 
Revs. Henry, Ludwig, Lovett, and York, C. E. Ijockwood, 
John M. Grossman, Mr. Waldo, J. II. Steel, U. F. P. Bur- 
nett, Messrs. Wilson & Clark, J. H. Grostick, II. Ham- 
mond, E. S. Andrews, and G. F. Andrews To all not 
here enumerated we also return sincere thanks. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 



WILLIAM Z. SECORD. ^ 

The subject of this memoir was born Oct. 13, 1820^^ in 
the State of New York, and was the fifth in a family of 
nine children. His father, Lsaac Secord, was a native of 
Canada, and his motlier, Sarah (Wellman) Secord, a native 
of New Y^ork, who married Mr. Secord in Canada in 1808. 
In the war of 1812, Mr. Secord was pressed into the British 
army, but made his escape to the States and enlisted in the 
army of the United States. In 1.813^ William being 
then an infant, his parents came to Michigan, settling in 
Wayne County, but afterwards making a permanent settle- 
ment in Shiawassee County, where the mother died in 1884, 
the father struggling against the vicissitudes of life until 
1872, when ho died at his liome in Ingham County, being 
then one hundred and four years of age. 

William was schooled as a farmer, remaining under the 
parental roof until he was twenty-two. He then, with a 
strong arm and willing heart for capital, commenced the 
business of life for himself In 1843 he married Miss 
Maria D. Sheldon, who was a native of Orleans Co., N. Y., 
where she was born in 1825. To this marriage were given 
three children. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Secord 
settled in Washtenaw County, where they remained eight 
years, when they moved to Meridian township, where he 
purchased a small farm of forty acres, having disposed of 
his first purchase of two acres in Washtenaw County. In 
1864 he sold his land in Meridian township and bought 
his present home, which then contained one hundred and 
thirty acres, — si.xty acres improved, — now one hundred and 
seventy acres, one hundred and twenty-sis of which is in a 
high state of cultivation. 

In the early part of 1854 he was bereft of his wife, and 
in August of the same year he married Miss Arminda 
Potter. To this union were born two children. In April, 
1859, he again suffered the loss of his companion, and in 
July of that year married Miss Mary E. Patterson. To 
this marriage were born six children. In March, 1872, he 
was the third time bereft of his companion. 

Mr. Secord was formerly a Republican in politics, but for 
the last few years has acted with the Greenback party, 
though voting in all minor offices for whom he considered 
the best man. 

In religion he is a Catholic. 



ROSELLE SHAW 

wius born in Canada, July 30, 1823, and was the third 
in a family of five children. His father was a carpenter 
and joiner by trade. When Roselle was about six years of 
age they came to the States, locating on Grand Island, 
Niagara Co., N. Y., where the father died in 183G. The 
mother and daughters went to 5Ias.sachusetts, where they 
have since remained. Ro.selle, in starting out in life, hired 
out by the month, continuing this labor for three years, 
though never receiving any compensation, as the man for 
whom he worked failed, and his labor went for naught. 
He then hired on the Erie Canal, remaining three years, 
after which he found employment on a farm, where he re- 
mained about two years. He then turned his footsteps 
towards the famed Peninsular State to see for himself its 
boundless resources and agricultural richness, of which so 
much was then being said. He landed in Wheatfield 
township and remained about three years, when he re- 
turned (0 New York and married Miss Ruba Kent, also a 
native of Canada, and came back to Michigan with his wife. 
He had previously purchased land on section 2, Williams- 
town township. Selling this, he purcha.sed eighty acres 
on section 3 of the same town, where he now lives. A 
sketch of his residence may be seen upon another page. 
This was then a wilderness of heavy timber. Building 
a comfortable log house, they commenced in earnest their 
pioneer life, keeping time many a day to the music of the 
woodman's axe. 

To this marriage were born five children, all now living. 
In February, 18G0, Mr. Shaw was bereft, of his companion, 
and in October of 1861 he married Miss Fannie Heacock, a 
native of New York, who for five years made his home happy, 
when she too left, him for her home on the eternal shore. 
He remained alone until June, 1869, when he married hia 
present wife. Miss Mary E. Lamb, who was born May 29, 
1842. They were the parents of four children, all of whom 
are living. Her parents came to Michigan .some fourteen 
years ago, the father dying in January, 1873. The mother 
is still living. 

Mr. Shaw, though not an extensive farmer, is a good 
one, his motto being. What is worth doing at all is worth 
doing well. His educational advantages were similar to 
those of most boys of his day, — plenty of hard work and 
little time for education or recreation. 

In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party, and 
in relisiiou his views are liberal. 



N. C. BRANCH. 

The family of which Mr. Branch is a representative is a 
remarkable one, consisting of nine children, — seven daugh- 
ters and two sons, all living. Mr. Branch is a native of 
Worthington, N. H., born March 2, 1821. His father, 
Elisha Branch, was born in the same house. His mother, 
Sally (Thomp.son) Branch, was a native of Berkshire Co., 
Mass. The Branches were agriculturists, and when N. C. 
Branch was twelve years old his family removed to Ohio, 
settling in Medina County, where the father died in Oc- 

Kosccll .-^Ikiw. 



348 



HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tober, 185G, the mother surviving until February, 1866. 
N. C. Branch gave all his time until of age to his father. 
At the age of twenty-three he married Miss Laura M., 
daughter of Uriah and Lydia Chappell. Mr. Chappell was 
a native of Connecticut, born Nov. 14, 1794 ; his wife, 
Lydia (Marsh) Chappell, born in Massachusetts, Aug. 31, 
1786. To them were born three children. Miss Laura 
being the youngest and only daughter, born May 22, 1825. 
Wlieu she was quite young her parents removed to Ithaca, 
N. Y., and from there to Ohio, where she was married to 
Mr. Branch. Her parents afterwards removed to Michigan, 
where both died; her mother, Sept. 20, 1858, and her 
father, Oct. 17, 1863. They were the third family to 
settle in Medina township, Ohio, and settled early in Mich- 
igan, coming here in 1846, at the same time with Mr. 
Branch, who had worked his father's farm the two pre- 
vious years. Mr. Branch settled on the east eighty acres 
of his present home, which was his first purchase, and to 
which he has added eighty acres, the last being the pio- 
neer home of Mr. Branch's parents. Mr. Branch was able 
to pay but seventy dollars on his original purchase, then a 
den.se forest, but now consisting of fertile fields, finely im- 
proved, and stocked with thoroughbred cattle and fine- 
wooled sheep. 



To Mr. and Mrs. Branch have been born eleven children, 
of whom three are living: Ella J., born May 12, 1852, now 
Mrs. A. C. Jefferson, and residing in Livingston County ; 
Dell A., born Aug. 18, 1868, and Archie E., born Dec. 
5, 1865. They lost four children within ten days in the 
fall of 1858, seven deaths occurring in the family within 
three weeks. 

Mr. Brunch's educational advantages were those of the 
common school, with one summer at college. In politics 
he was formerly a Whig, now a Republican, and though 
his town has always been Democratic his interest in polit- 
ical matters has not flagged, and he has held the offices of 
justice of the peace and highway commissioner. 

Mr. and Mrs. Branch are Congregationalists, Mr. 
Branch uniting with them when thirteen years old, Mrs. 
Branch with the Wesleyan-Methodists when she was seven- 
teen. They brought letters with them from their respec- 
tive churches when they came to Michigan, and, as there 
was no Congregational Church near them, united with the 
Wesleyan-Methodist, but two years ago both united with the 
Congregational Church at Williamston, in which they take 
an active interest. Mr. Branch is a deacon and member 
of the building committee, who are erecting a fine church 
edifice to which they have contributed liberally. 




i 



:rj^Ti,rr xxx. 
HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY.* 



CHAPTER I. 



EARLY EVENTS. 



Indian Inhabitants and tUcir Customs — Settlement by Whites, etc. 

Perhaps no better idea can bo given of the condition of 
affairs when the county was first settled than by making 
notes and quoting extracts from an address delivered by 
Edward A. Foote, Esq., of Charlotte, at the Centennial 
Celebration of that city, July 5, 187(5. The article was 
most favorably received, and was published in the columns 
of the CharhUe Republicmi. Mr. Foote spoke of the 
previous occupants of the county as follows : 

"The whites, who settled here previous to 1S40, found the eountry 
inhabited by some of tbo Pottawattomie and Chippewa — or, properly, 
Ojibwa — tribes. There were two Pottawattomie villages about ten 
miles south of us, on territory which is now the township of Walton. 
The oak-opening land in the south part of the county seemed better 
adapted to the Indian mode of life than the dark anti heavily-timbered 
forests north of there. Signs of an Indian corn-field — rows of corn- 
hills overgrown with turf — could bo seen at an early day on this 
prairie where Charlotte now stands. 

"Their wigwams are usually built of elm-bark and flag-mats. 
During the sugar-making season they would move into the heavy 
timber and camp among the great sugar-maples. After ttiis they 
would come out and remain in the oak-openings in the south part of 
the county, cultivating corn and pumpkins and gathering berries. In 
Walton they had 100 acres, in scattered patches, under cultivation. 
Kditor Johnson says in the Eaton limjle, published here in 1815, that 
this prairie upon which Charlotte is built gave evidence of having been 
an Indian corn-field. They had one village on section 18, in Walton, 
near the brook now called Kedron ; another, a large village, with a 
burying-ground for their dead, on section 28, in Walton, on or near 
the Burroughs farm. To protect their corn-patches they hoppled 
their ponies with bark, and surrounded the patch with a fence of bark- 
strings tied to trees and stakes. 

" Indian trails, well beaten and apparently quite old, traversed the 
county nearly in the same direction as our two railroads, nQW in 
operation, and the proposed route of the Marshall and Coldwater 
road. One trail from the southwest— Bellevue — ran through Walton, 
crossing the Battle Creek about forty rods east of the bridge, south of 
the city [of Charlotte], and crossing the fair-ground in a northeast- 
erly direction. A trail, which seems to have been a continuation of 
this, crossed Butternut Creek above the site of Mud Mill, and ran 
northeast to the Hovey settlement, in Benton ; from thence through 
Oneida, near Samuel Preston's post-olSce, and from there to the 
Grand River. Just east of our prairie this trail crossed another large 
I»ony-traiI which came up from Duck Lake, and the whortle or 'huc- 
kleberry' swamps south of us. This Duck Lake trail crossed our 
]>rairio near where the Sherwood House now stands, passing off in a 
northwesterly direction towards Grand Kapids by the way of Fish 
Creek, following tho route of the Grand River Valley Railroad. It 

* Compiled by Pliny A. Durant. 



was known as the Grand Rapids trail. As lale as 1854, I walked in 
this trail across land owned by mo in the northwestern part of the 
corporate limits of Charlotte. It was smoothly and deeply >vorn, 
deepest in the centre and rounding up at the sides, running straight 
as an arrow off into the dim, shadowy vi.^ta of tlic forest-trees, ren- 
dering it a cool and ple!i*'ant walk.f 

" The Indians were civil, submissive, and kind to the settlers. They 
nearly always looked in at the window before entering at the door. 
Without the warning snap of a twig, they would appear unexpectedly 
close beside you in the woods. They never would help themselves to 
a pumpkin or potato without leave. They never stole anything from 
their friends. Barnes' potato hole was relieved of its contents here 
on Willow Prairie, but Stephen Kinnie says if that was the work of 
tho Indians, it was the only instance he ever knew of their stealing. 
They had a way of locking up the doors of their wigwams, when leav- 
ing them, which the settlers adopted for the protection of their own 
log shanties. This lock was simply two sticks leaning across tho 
doorway so that they formed an X. An Indian would never enter a 
doorway where he saw this cross placed to guard it. 

"Benjamin Shumway, of Walton, had borrowed some steel traps of 
one of the Indians, and was ready to return them. The Indian went 
for them, quite a distance, to Mr. Shumway's house, but found that (ho 
family was absent, and the door locked with the crossed sticks. IIo 
looked in at tlie window and saw his traps, but that cross forbade his 
entering to take even his own. He went one mile from there, found 
Capt. Ilickok, and stated to him the difficulty. Tho captain went to 
the house and delivered the traps, but oven then the Indian could not 
bo induced to enter. 

"Isaac E. C. Hickok, Esq., the first white male child born in tho 
county, while yet young enough to wear frock and aprons, received 
instructions in the art of shooting with a bow and arrow, from an old 
Indian whose hair was white as snow, .and who was very fond of vis- 
iting around tho house of Capt. Ilickok, in Walton, near the Indian 
villages. The old Indian made for little Isaac a pcrfectly-formcd In- 
dian bow and some arrows, and would spend hours teacliiug him how 
to shoot. Tho pupil, to show his gratitude to his preceptor, would go 
into the house and step down cellar, and, taking a few potatoes in his 
apron, would go out to the Indian and say, ' rie-(a> pen-uy-ajc' (I give 
you potatoes). Tho schoolniastur, taking the potatoes, would place 
his hand upon Isaac's head and say, impressively, ' tic-chtm chc-molco- 
man pappotmc,' wtiicb means 'good wliite man's pappoose.' 

" Tho Indian ponies nearly all wore small bells, so that their 
whereabouts while wandering in the bushes could be traced. A 
drove of them would come in the night under a back window of the 
captain's house, where dish-water had been thrown out, and it was 
tinkle, tinkle, tinkle all night long, notwithstanding the yelling and 
throwing of boots at them. ' Confound them !' says tho captain, ' I 
would find in the morning that it would take pretty near a wagon- 
load of dirt to fill tho hole thoy had gnawed in the ground to get tho 
salt that was in the dish-water.' 



f Another road, known as the "Clinton Road," or "Old Clinton 
Trail," was laid by the United States while Michigan was yet a Terri- 
tory. It passed northeast across Eaton, tho southwest corner of Ben- 
ton, and Chester and Sunfield, and over this many of tho early settlers 
oamo into Benton township at a later day than the advent of the pio- 
neers in the surrounding townships. 

349 



sr.o 



UTSTOKY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



" The earliest legal ]>roceedings that I can find any trace of in this 
county was an Indian trial for murder, held in 1836 in "Walton, near 
the Shumway farm. An Indian, called Neemah, was charged with 
the killing of his squaw with a hatchet. The Indians met in grand 
council. There was a greatchief and several smaller chiefs, — answer- 
ing, prohubly, to our grand and petit juries. Neemah was found 
guilty, and ihe sentence was that he should never, during life, own a 
rifle or a pony. It is said by some that he obeyed the sentence during 
the remainder of his days; that he made for himself a large and 
powerful how, and would jiatiently pursue deer for a great distance, 
until he would get within bow-shot. The other Indians despised and 
shunned him, and would not assist him to food, though ever so 
hungry. Even his brother Sanbar turned against him and said 
Neemah was * no good Indian.' Putting ourselves in an Indian's 
place, we can realize that this sentence was equivalent to the sentence 
of a white man to solitary imprisonment for life. I am informed by 
Capt. Hickok that, after the trial of Neemah was over, the Indians 
had a drunken )iow-wow, which lasted three days. 

"The strictness with which Neemah obeyed this sentence has been 
questioned. I am informed that David Lucas, of Bellevue, would 
Uikc his rifle and meet him privately in the woods, and allow him to 
shoot with it. Stephen Kinnie says he knows that Neemah did some- 
times hunt with a rifle. This was clearly a case of contempt of court, 
but very excusable when we consider the three days' drunken pow- 
wow. In ISHS and 1S39, Neemah had his wigwam over on the other 
side of Cattle Creek, not far from where we are now. One day while 
he was absent hunting, two white men went to his wigwam and carried 
away four venison bams. One of the men took two of them home 
and hid them in the corn-crib under the com. The other man put 
his two hams in a bag and made tracks for home, along the road run- 
ning south from here, past Amos Kiunie's, where Stephen and Amos 
were engaged in making an ox-sled. It had been customary for this 
man to stop and have long talks, but now he seemed in great haste. 
Soon Neemah came along, indignantly following the big * chemoke- 
manV tracks, and holding out two fingers on each hand to show the 
number of hams that had been stolen. The terribly broken profanity 
that Neemah indulged in: how he followed those large tracks to a 
house some eight miles away and stalked in, and how terrible he 
looked when he pointed into the spider on the cook-stove, where some 
of the venison was then cooking; how he afterwards met that man 
alone in the woods, one Sunday morning, and bow near Neemah came 
to having another murder trial on his hands, and the rescue by an- 
other white man, whom I have seen and talked with, — I have not the 
time now fully to relate. 

** In 1840 the government of the United States removed the Potta- 
wattomies from Michigan, beyond the Mississippi River. Government 
agents and soldiers, under the superintendence of General Brady, 
were scouring all through the woods to collect and remove them. 
David Lucas, of Bellevue, a great friend of the Indians, saw them in 
council just west of Bellevue. They had received intelligence that 
the troops were after them. Mounted on the backs of their ponies, 
huddled together as closely as they could stand, with the heads of 
their ponies all towards a common centre, they were in deep, anxious 
consultation around their wisest heads. Soon they scattered like a 
flouk of blackbirds. One company fled north, far into the forest. 
They had with them a sick squaw, which impeded their travel. They 
were overtaken, and sought refuge in a dense swamp, which was sur- 
rounded by the cavalry, and, after two or three days' siege, they were 
brought out from their hiding-place and taken to Marshall, the place 
of rendezvous for those collected in this part of the State. From 
thence they were taken to their place of banishment beyond the Mis- 
sissippi River, I am informed that, during the last night of their 
stay, the moans and lamentations were heart-rending. Those squaws 
were leaving their corn-fields, where they had worked so hard, their 
burial-grounds, their hunting and camping grounds, their homes. 
They were women, and all women love home. They were going to a 
strange land, where, they had been told, corn would grow only knee 
high, and pumpkins no larger than potatoes. The men wrapped 
them.«elves up in their blankets and bore their grief in silence. The 
government would not let them have a drop of whisky to drown their 
sorrow. Even at that early day Uncle Sam had discovered that it 
was a great offense to sell whisky to an Indian, and severely punished 
it- There was a good reason for this discriuiination as to race. 
Whisky was liable to make the Indian very drunk, ugly, and trouble- 
some, while with the white man it seldom produced that effect. 



"Another band of these Eaton County Pottawattomies made their 
escape into Canada, under the lead of Tuckamin, who did not approve 
of the government's policy in discriminating against his race. He had 
fought on the side of the British under Tecumseh, at the battle of the 
Thames, and very naturally took a band of followers and went to 
Canada. Neemah, the wife-killer, went with him. Not an Indian 
of this tribe was again seen in this county until in April, 1851, when 
three or four of the Canadian refugees came to Bellevue to see their 
old friends among the whites. One day I saw one of them visiting 
with Mr. Lucas, in the kitchen, engaged in an animated conversation 
in hrnken English and Indian. A description of him will answer for 
the tribe: With a large knife, which he had taken from its sheath, 
he was picking a large ham-bone, and occasionally cutting slices from 
a loaf of bread which lay in his lap. Upon his head he wore a large, 
bright cotton handkerchief, folded into a towering turban. High up 
in the back part of each ear hung rings of white metal. His dress 
consisted of a blanket overcoat, a dark calico shirt, and leathern belt, 
a pair of leggings tightly wrapped around his slender legs, and well- 
worn moccasins upon his feet. He made a great many gestures, and 
kept his knife and ham-bone constantly flourishing to express his 
meaning. Mr. Lucas asked him what had become of Neemah, who 
went with him to Canada. The reply, as interpreted to me, was, in 
substance, that Neemah had eaten too much corn, and killed himself. 
*' After the banishment of these Indians, in 1840, the woods seemed 
lonely. Capt. Hickok says : ' They had not been gone six months be- 
fore we wished them all back. They helped us hunt and keep track of 
our cattle. If we lost an animal and described it to an Indian, he 
was sure to bring information as to where it could be found. When 
we bad visitors, the Indians would furnish us with turkey or venison.' 
The regular price for a deer, large or small, was one doller in silver. 
They would as soon take a chip as paper money. A few Chippewas 
were left in the country, but their headquarters were at the Chimnecon 
Mission, just over the north line of thecounty. There was something 
of an Indian village in the town of Delta, the northeast corner of the 
county. Okemos was their chief. Swaba, from whom the lake in 
Sunfield derived its name, was not a good Indian. He bad a disa- 
greeable habit of visiting houses when the men were away, and 
frightening the women into giving him the best there was in the 
house to eat. He thus made himself a terror and a pest to the 
settlers, and does not seem to have been remarkable for anything 
else. 

" The Battle Creek, which runs by our fair-grounds, and southwest 
through Bellevue, bore the Indian name of * Me-Jank ICe-wap-pi- 
kif-co,' which is a long name for 'stone pipe,' named from the lime- 
stone in Bellevue, from which the Indians carved their pipes. The 
present name, Battle Creek, was given to this stream by the United 
States surveyors, in commemoration of a fight which took place upon 
its bank, a short distance below Bellevue, and within this county. 
The surveyors had located their camp near the stream, and had left 
it, with their supplies, in charge of their cook. A company of In- 
dians visited the camp and demanded provisions. The cook refused 
to comply, A fight ensued, in which the cook killed one of the In- 
dians and defeated the others. This incident gave the name ' Battle 
Creek' to the stream upon the surveyors' notes and maps. 

"They doubtless had a name for our beautiful prairie, but all I can 
glean in this direction is that they always called Charlotte ' Eatum 
Centre,' a corruption of the name Eaton Centre, by which Charlotte 
was long known." 

FIRST SETTLEMENTS, Etc. 

It is asserted that a Mr. Blashfield (or Blashford) was 
the first to locate land in the county, choosing a spot on 
the northeast quarter of section 28, in Bellevue township, 
where now stands the village of Bellevue. Asnothing ap- 
pears on the government tract-book to show that such 
a man ever made an entry of land in the county, it is 
inferred that he was simply a " squatter." At any rate, 
he remained but a short time. According to the tract- 
book, the first entry of land in what is now Eaton County 
was made in 1829, by A. Sumner on section 30, in town 3 
north, range 6 west (now Vermontville). The second 



EARLY EVENTS. 



351 



entry was made on section 2, in Oneida, by H. Mason, in 
1831. In 1832 the following entries were made: 

HelUtiie Tiiieimliip. — .Section 28 : \saae E. Crary, Ludicr Ijincoln. 
E<it'm r-wcii./i./).— Section 13: ({. W. Barnes. 
Cnrmtl Tviciithiji. — Section 13 : U. W. Uarnes. 

The entries in 1833 were the following: 

Hell<-vu€ Toinn/d/).— Section 28: Isaac E. Crary, .Syhnnus Ilun- 

sikcr; scctiona 29, .'(2, 3:!: Sylvanu? IIunsil<er. 
Eutiin Towiitliip. — Section 18: Joseph Torrcy, Hannibal Q. Kice; 

section 111 : Josepli Torrcy, Hannibal li. Kice, G. W. Barnes. 
Oneida To'ciitHp.—Seet\on 3: H. Wilinarth ; section 10: X. J. 

Brown; section 11 : J. Torrcy. 

Regarding the first two entries, there is nothing to show 
that the owners ever settled upon the land they had pur- 
chased. That of Mr. Mason (in Oneida) was sold flir taxes 
four years later, which wa.s the first tax-sale of land in the 
county. 

The first actual settlement in the county was made by 
Capt. Reuben Fitzgerald in July, 1833, in what is now the 
township of Bellevue. His daughter, Sarah Fitzgerald, 
whose birth occurred Nov. 12, 1834, was the first white 
child born in Eaton County.* On the 2t)th of December, 
1855, she was married to John Spaulding by Rev. G. W. 
Hoag, — these dates bcitig from the record in the old family 
Bible. The first birth in the east half of the coutity was 
probably that of Phebc K. Scarls, daughter of Samuel 
Searls, a pioneer of Charlotte. She was burn Aug. 7, 1836, 
and became the wife of Jacob W. Rogers. Uer death oc- 
curred May 28, 1875. llcr father's farm was in Eaton 
township. 

The first death of a white person in the county, as stated 
by John T. Hoyt in a historical sketch of Bellevue in 18G9, 
was that of a man named Baker, who was eng-aged making 
an excavation for a lime-kiln for Messrs. Hoyt & M:ison at 
Bellevue. The walls caved in and killed hitn ; this oc- 
curred in the summer of 1835. 

The first postrofiice iu the county was established at 
Bellevue, and John T. Hoyt received the appointment of 
post-master, his commission — from Amos Kendall, post- 
master-general — bearing date May 2, 1835, and reaching 
him on the 4th of the following August. 

Bellevue township, as first organized, included the whole 
of tlie present contity of Eaton. " The first election held 
iu this county was when Bellevue held its first town-meet- 
ing, in the spring of 1835. There were then only four 
men in the entire county who had resided here long enough 
to be entitled to vote. I give the poll-list of the county, 
— viz., Capt. Reuben Fitzgerald, Sylvanus Hunsiker, Calvin 
Phelps, and John T. Hoyt. The first three named were 
the election board, and they chose Mr. Hoyt clerk of this 
election, to pertbrm the diflicult task of keeping poll-list as 
the voters from 57ti S(|uare miles of territory came in to 
vote. The election was held in a log shanty, which they 
called the meeting-house. This savors a little of New 
England, where churches are generally called meeting- 
houses. This shanty — the first church built in the county 

• The first white ninlo child bom in the county was Isaac E. Orary 
Ilickok, son of Capt. James Ilickok, of Walton. Ilix birth occurred 
Sept. 7, 1836. ^See history of Bellerue.) Capt. Ilickok was the first 
settler in Walton township, but the son was born in Bellevue. 



— was also a school-liouse. It was built on a corner of the 
lot owned in ISti!) by Mr. Ford. But to return to our 
town-meeting. When the ofiicers of election had taken 
their seats, it was necessary to declare the polls opened. 
Calvin Phelps took ofl" his hat, stepped iti front of the 
cabin, and in a loud voice proclaimed, ' The polls of this 
election are now opened,' and warned all men, under tlie 
penalty of the law, to keep the peace. These four voters 
were then triumphantly elected to all the best offices in the 
gift of the people, uiianimou.sly taking two or three of tlie 
highest offices apiece. They gave the minor ones to out- 
siders, who had not yet become voters and were not eligible. 
There were too many offices to go arotind. In strict ac- 
cordance with law, they sat all day until the legal hour for 
closing the polls, and tlien, without breathless anxiety, 
counted up and ascertained the result. Not one of those 
men is now living." The foregoing account of the first 
election is from Mr. Foote's address. 

As appears elsewhere, the county-.seat was at first located 
at Bellevue, which place was consequently of mucli impor- 
tance, with its Circuit Courts, grand and petit juries, etc. 
But its star waned when the county offices were removed 
to the prairie where now stands the city of Charlotte. 
Mr. Foote, in speaking ol' the time in question, .said: 

" But this prosperity and impetus which the settling of the county 
for a time gave the place could not always continue. The settlers 
could not always bo e.xpccted to draw their black salts across the 
county to Bellevue, nor always go there for their justice and milling. 
Two other openings into the county h;id been discovered. The first 
was through Hamlin and Eaton Rapids. The immigrants, instead of 
first going past this forest-bound region luj far we>t as Kalamazoo 
and circling around Gull Prairie, Goguac Prairie, and Battle Creek, 
and asking questions about the country up north, and finally con- 
cluding to try Eaton County, and then going in and disapj)earing at 
Bellevue, now bcg:in to feel the attraction before going so far west, 
and to */ec otf at Jackson and come up through the openings, and then 
hiiw in through Spiccrvillc or Eaton Rapids. Thus the creaking of 
the emigrant's wagon and the whack of his o.\-goad began to be heard 
in the eastern part of the county. For a time those who came in by 
the difierent routes knew nothing of each other. Those who came in 
by way of Bellevue would push in and live for months within two or 
three miles of those who had worked in th>-ough the Eaton Rapids 
entrance, and neither would be aware of the other's presence until 
their c;ittlc found each other in the woods, which would be followed 
by an investigation on the part of the owners, and two families would 
then be made happy by finding that they had neighbors. This was 
the experience of Uncle S:imuel .Searls, on Scarls Street, just south of 
Charlotte Prairie, and William Wall, five miles east of him, but both 
in the township of Eaton. It is said — I read it in the Iliirjlc — that 
it was two years before they discovered each other's presence. There 
was a settlement in the northeast corner of Brookfield, commenced in 
1837 by the Moes and Boodys, called Moetown. During the same 
fall Mr. Jesse Hart came into the northwest corner of the same town- 
ship, and built his log shanty and shingled it with ba^sivood troughs, 
and lived n long while in ignorance of .Moetown's existence. 

*' In Oneida the first settler was Solomon Russell, who cniue in the 
fall of 1830. Erastus Inger.«oll found his way into Delta in the sum- 
mer of the same year. In Ro.\and the first settlers were Orrin Row- 
land and Henry Clark, who located in December, 1837. Andrew 
Nickle settled on the first day of January, 1838, having ]ireviously 
entered his land. In what is now Windsor the first settlers were 
Orange Towslee and his family, who found their way into the town- 
ship Oct. I, 1837. They were followed soon after (October (iihj by 
Oramcl D., John D., and William P. Skinner. The first settler in 
Benton was Japhat Fisher, who, through a mistake, located his land 
8i.t miles farther north than he intemleil, having calculated to settle 
on section 3U, in Eaton township. Hearrive<l in Benton in I-V-bruary, 
1837, and built an eight-by-ten shanty. In Walton township the lirst 
settler was Capt. J. W. Uiekok, who first came to the county in Febru- 



352 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ary, 1836, and moved in with his family the same year. His residence 
was on section 19. Vermontville was seltled in 1830, by a colony 
from Western Vermont, who gave it the name it bears in honor of the 
Green Mountain Slate. Samuel S. Iloyt and I'clor Kinne were the 
first settlers in the township of Sunficid, having come in the fall of 
the year 1836. The fust house in the township of Chester was built 
in September, 1836, Ijy H. and 0. Williams, but they did not settle 
until .June, 1837. Messrs. Whcnton and Fuller came in about October 
or November, 183G, and were tho first families who settled in the 
township. Mr. Bouton followed in March, 1837. Two miles east of 
Eaton Rapids, on the county-line, a scltlemcnt was made Jan. 1, 1836, 
by John Montgomery, whoso house was built in wliat is now Hamlin 
township, wliile his land lay both in Hamlin .ind Eaton Rajiids. Mr. 
Montgomery has claimed to be the first settler in the east half of Eaton 
County, but by the statement of William Wall, of Eaton, and of the 
members of the Searls family, it appears that Samuel Searls located 
on Pearls Street, in the town of Eaton, in the fall of 1835. William 
Wall, of Wall's Settlement, came to the same township, in company 
with James F. Pixlcy, in June, 1836. In what is now Eaton Rapids 
township the first settler was Johnson Montgoiuery (brother to John), 
who located on section 36, in September, 1836. In Carmel township 
the first settlers were Piatt Morcy and Nathan Brooks, who came in 
the winter of 1837-38. The lirst actual resident of the township of 
Kalamo was Martin Leech, in the lall of 1830. He is now living in 
Walton. Immediately following came P. S. Spaulding and Daniel B. 
and Uiram Bowcn." 

On the 7th of March, 1838, the first convention to 
nominate county officers for Eaton County was held in the 
log house of Jonathan Searls, at Charlotte. The number 
of delegates in attendance was seventeen, or one for " every 
fifty souls" in the county.* The township of Oneida, which 
had been organized by the Legislature but the day before, 
was not rej)resented. The delegates from the other towns 
were as follows : 

Bcllevue. — Calvin Phelps, James W. Hickok, S. H. Gage, 
A. Meach, T. Haskell, I. Du Bois, R. Fitzgerald, and A. 
Carpenter. 

Enlon. — John Montgomery, Amos Spicer, Samuel Ham- 
lin, James McQueen, William Wall, Simeon Harding (the 
latter appearing for his pro.xy. William AV. Crane). 

Vermnntvilk.—\i\\\-Mi\ Davis, Wait Squier, and Harvey 
Williams. 

Mr. Du Bois was made chairman, and Capt. Hickok 
secretary of the convention, which proceeded to ballot for 
associate judges. Amos Spicer, of Spicerville, and S. S. 
Ciiurch, of Vermontville, were declared the nominees. The 
following persons were nominated for the remaining offices : 
James McQueen, Sheriflf: Reuben Fitzgerald, of Bellevue, 
and William Wall and Jonathan Searls, of Eaton, County 
Commissioners; Walter S. Fairfield, of Vermontville, Reg- 
ister of Deeds ; S. Hunsiker, of Bellevue, Probate Judge ; 
Caleb Woodbury, of Bellevue, County Clerk ; Levi Whea- 
ton, of Chester, County Treasurer; James W. Hickok, of 
Bellevue, Surveyor. 

These nominations were made without distinction as to 
party. The ticket had no opposition, and was elected in 
April following, the officers serving until the 1st of Jan- 
uary, 1839, when they were superseded by others, chosen 
at the regular fall election. This was held on the 5th and 
6th of Novendjer, 1838, and two hundred and seventy-eight 
votes were polled, resulting in the choice of the following 



* It is stated that nineteen delegates ' 
given are only seventeen in number. 



present, but the names 



officers :t Robert Wheaton, Sheriflf; Martin S. Brackett, 
County Clerk ; Levi Wheaton, Treasurer ; John Montgom- 
ery, Simeon S. Church, Ephraim Follett, County Com- 
missioners; John T. Ellis, Register of Deeds; Addison i 
Hayden, County Surveyor ; Erastus IngersoU, Silas C. 
Smith, Coroners. The board of inspectors at this election 
was composed of Stephen Reynolds and Reuben Fitzgerald. 
Stephen Reynolds was chairman and Martin S. Brackett 
secretary. At a subsequent drawing for the length of their 
terms as commissioners, Messrs. Church, Montgomery, and ■ 
Follett drew for one, two, and three years respectively. r 

When the county convention of March 7, 1838, was held, 
the delegates from Eaton township waded through the deep 
snow on foot to Mr. Searl.s' house, and after the business of 
the day was over walked back to William Wall's, six miles 
east, where they found prepared and ready for them a good 
supper, with Mrs. Wall to attend them at the table. Never 
was meal more thoroughly relished by tired and hungry 
pedestrians than then. After eating and resting they pro- 
ceeded on their way. They had gone without dinner that 
day, as Mrs. Searls, who was always the very soul of hos- 
pitality, was out of piovisions, and although it pained her 
deeply to be unable to set food before her guests, yet it 
could not be helped. 

After the spring election, succeeding this convention, the 
board of county canva.ssers met at Mr. Searls' house to 
canvass the votes and decide who were elected. It was a 
question in their minds whether his house was properly at 
the county seat, and to " make assurance doubly sure" they 
adjourned to the prairie and met in the small log building, 
afterwards used as a school-house, which stood where is now 
the Robinson grove, near the east end of Lawrence Avenue, 
and there went through with the formality of determining 
who had been elected. The day was cold and stormy and 
the cabin was " unchinked," but they braved all difficulties 
that their proceedings might be strictly legal. They then 
returned to the house of Mr. Searls and transacted other 
and less important business. 

At the first election for member of Congress, held in 
Eaton County, Nov. 5 and 6, 1838, Hezekiah G. Wells 
received '119> votes and Lsaac E. Crary 124. At the same 
time the vote for State senators stood, Rix Robinson, for 
one year, 115; James W. Gordon, one year, 160; Sands 
McCamly, two years, 117 ; Cyrus Lovell, two years, 160. 

EARLY ROADS. 

By various acts of the Legislature the construction of the 
following roads J was authorized at the dates given : 

March 17, 1837. — From Marshall to the county seat of 
Ionia County, touching the west side of Eaton ; from Bel- 
levue, Eaton Co., to Hastings, Barry Co. ; from Marshall 
to Saginaw City ; from Bass Lake to Allegan ; from county 
seat of Eaton County to Cashway's Point, on Maple River, 
in Clinton County. 

March 9, 1838. — Commencing on east line of Eaton 
County, two miles north of the base-line, and running west 
to the State road leading from Kalamazoo to Allegan. 



■f" See miscellaneous and commissioners' and supervisors' 
pp. 6, 7, and 8, county clerk's office. 

I These roads were all to touch or cross Eaton County. 



ord A, 



CIVIL ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 



353 



April 18, 1839.— From Marshall to Bellevue. 

March 19, 1845. — "Clinton road," from Jackson to 
Saranac (Ionia County), through Eaton Rapids and Char- 
lotte. 

March 17, 1847.— Marshall and Bellevue Plank Road 
Company incorporated, with a capital of §30,000 in 1000 
shares. 

April 3, 1848. — Act authorizing commissioners to lay 
out a State road from Albion, Calhoun Co., to Eaton 
Rapids; 2000 acres of ititernal improvement lands to be 
sold and proceeds expended on the road between Duck 
Lake and Eaton Rapids ; the commissioners were Jesse 
Crowcll, Marvin Ilanna, and Samuel Weeks ; Battle Creek 
and Michigan Plank Road Company incorporated, to con- 
struct plank road between those points, capital 875,000 ; 
the commissioners were William Johnson, of Michigan 
(now Lansing), Hannibal G. Rice, of Charlotte, Sylvanus 
Hunsiker, of Bellevue, and William Brooks, of Battle 
Creek ; Eaton Rapids Plank Road Company incorporated, 
to build plank road from Jackson, via Eaton Rapids, to the 
village of Michigan (now Lansing), capital $75,000 ; cor- 
porators, Gardner T. Rand, Horace Hamlin, Benjamin 
Wright. The charter of this company was amended in 
March, 1849, extending its privileges. The citizens of 
Eaton Rapids had striven faithfully to have this road 
located through their village, and were successful. A 
large amount of stock was taken, and the right of way 
donated for seven miles south of Eaton Rapids. Five 
miles of the road were " grubbed " and graded by the 
citizens of the place, seven of whom had bound themselves 
to efJcct that work, and an association of seventeen of the 
business men was formed, to pay for the completion of the 
work by an equal assessment upon their property. It cost 
them 81230, aside from private and other donations and 
the help they received along the line. James Gallery was 
secretary of that association, and among its other members 
were N. J. Seeley, B. F. Bailey, II. A. Shaw, Alan.son 
Harwood, and D. Stirling. A daily mail was carried over 
the route in a four-horse coach, but Eaton Rapids derived 
no special benefit from the location of the road through it 
other than to be placed upon the main line of travel ; so 
says an old settler. 

March 17, 1848. — Act authorizing a State road from 
Lansing to Allegan, running through the township of Delta, 
thence on the line between Oneida and Benton, Chester, 
and Roxand, thence to Vermontville, and from there, via 
Hastings, Barry Co., to Allegan. 4000 acres of internal 
improvement lands were ordered appropriated for opening 
and improving this road. 

March 29, 1848. — State road laid and ordered estab- 
lished and improved from Vermontville east through the 
Wheaton and Hovcy settlements " to a point on Battle 
Creek in Benton township." It is not stated how the 
Legislature happened to locate Battle Creek in Benton 
township ; the Thornapple River was undoubtedly the 
stream meant. 

April 1, 1848. — Act authorizing State road from Mar- 
shall to Lansing. 

March 15, 1861. — Act authorizing State road from Ionia 
tu Vermontville ; also, authorizing a branch State road from 
45 



section .35, in Delta township south, to intersect the State 
road from Lansing to Hastings.* 



CHAPTER IL 

CIVIL OBGANIZATION OF THE COUNTT. 

Act of Orgiiiiizatiou and Subjivisions — County-Seat, etc.— Political 
Statistics. 

The original formation of the county of Eaton occurred 
in 1829. Section 3 of an act passed by the Legislative 
Council of the Territory of Michigan on the 29th of Oc- 
tober in that year reads as follows : 

"That so much of the country as is inoludeil within the followins 
limits, viz. : north of the b:ise-linc, and south of the line between 
townshi|is four and five north of the base-line, and cast of the line 
between ranges 8i.x and seven we^t of the meridian, and west of the 
line between ranges two and three west of the meridian, be and the 
.same is hereby sot oB" into a separate county, and the name thereof 
shiill be Eaton." 

This name was given in honor of John H. Eaton, secre- 
tary of war in Jackson's cabinet from 1829 to 183G. On 
the 4th of November, 1829, the council enacted "That 
the county of Eaton shall be attached to and compose a 
part of the county of St. Joseph," and on the following 
day, Nov. 5, 1829, it was enacted that the counties of 
Branch, Calhoun, and Eaton, and all the country north at- 
tached to Eaton, should be .set off into a township by the 
name of Green ; the first town-meeting was directed to be 
held at the house of Jabezf Brouson, who lived on the 
prairie named for liim, at the site of the village of Brou- 
son, in Branch County. As Eaton County was then with- 
out a solitary white inhabitant, there was no anxiety about 
reaching town-meeting, so far away across streams and 
prairies and through the forest. 

By an act approved July 30, 1830, the council ordained 
that the county of Eaton .should be attached to and com- 
pose a part of Kalamazoo County for judicial purposes. 
Section 5 of an act approved March 17, 1835, J is as fol- 
lows : 

" Jle il enacted by the Lerihlative Cuiiiieil of the Terrilori/ of MicH- 
g.in, That the county of Eaton shall be a township by the name of 
Belleville, and the first township-meeting shall be held at such place 
as the sheriff of Calhoun County shall appoint in said county of Eaton, 
and shall be attached to the county of Calhoun for all Judicial pur- 
poses." 

The final act organizing Eaton County was passed by the 
Legislature Dec. 29, 1837, and reads as follows: 

" Be it enacted bi/ the Senate and fl.ime of Jleprescntnliven o/ the 
Stale of Michigan, That the county of Eaton be and the same ia 
hereby organized, and the inhabitants thereof entitled to all the rights 
and privileges to which, by law, the inhabitants of the other counties 
of this State are entitled. 

"Skc. i. The Circuit Court for the county of Eaton shall be held, 
until suitable buildings are erected at the county-seat, at such place as 
the county commissioners shall provide, on the first Thursday after 
the lust Monday of May and November, in each year." 



"' See General Chapter XII., Internal Improvements. 
■f Mr. Bronson's name was simply Jabe, and so he always wrote it. 
J See Territorial Laws of Michigan for 1835, pp. 96, U7, State Li- 
brary. 



351 



HISTORY OF EATON COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



By an act approved March 11, 1837, the township of 
Bellevue* was divided, and the new townships of Vcrmont- 
ville and Eaton were set off and organized, the former in- 
chiding the northwest quarter of the county and the latter 
the southeast quarter, leaving Bellevue in the shape of an 
hour-glass, as will be seen by the annexed diagram : 




March 6, 1838, the northeast half of the remaining por- 
tions of Bellevue, or the northeast quarter of Eaton County, 
was set off and organized into a separate township by the 
name of Oneida, and on the 15th of the same month 
Bellevue was further reduced by the formation of Kalamo, 
to include the territory in town 2 north, of ranges 5 and 
6 west. No more divisions were made until March 21, 
1839, when the east half of Kalamo was set ofl" and orga- 
nized as Carmel ; the east half of Bellevue was set off and 
organized as Walton, and the east half of Vermontville 
(towns 3 and 4 north, range 5 west) was organized into 
a separate township called Chester. Brookfield was erected 
March 20, 1841, from a portion of the old township of 
Eaton, and including town 1 north, in range 4 west. On 
the following day (March 21, 1841) Eaton was further re- 
duced in size by the formation of Tyler, including town 
1 north, range 3 west. 

Feb. 16, 1842, witnessed several changes. Sunfield was 
set off from Vermontville, and made to include town 4 north, 
in range 6 west. Windsor and Delta were formed from 
the east half of Oneida, and Eaton Bapids township was 
created from that portion of Eaton included in town 2 north, 
range 3 west. On the 9th of March, 1843, the township 
of Chester was divided, and its north half (town 4 north, 
range 5 west) was set off and organized into a separate 
township by the name of Roxand. On the same date 
Oneida was cut in twain, and its south half formed into a 
separate township called Tom Benton. This name was 

■■^" The name Bellevue .seems to have always been used in speaking 
or writing of this township, although nothing can be found in the 
legislative acts ehanging the name from Belleville. The correct name 
is certainly Bellevue, — "Beautiful View," — given perhaps on account 
of the beauty of the location of the village, and under the name 
JJelleviie has been transacted all the business of the township. 



not satisfactory to the inhabitants of the town, and the 
" Tom" was dropped by an act approved March 19, 1845, 
since when the sailing has been smooth under the name of 
Benton. In another portion of the county, however, there 
was unrest, which was not quieted until March 14, 1850, 
when the township of Tyler was united to its next northern 
sister, and the name of the latter — Eaton Rapids — was 
applied to both as a whole. For nineteen years tiiis ar- 
rangement continued, but finally, on the 26th of March, 
1869, the old township of Tyler was again set oflF from 
Eaton Rapids and organized under the name of Hamlin, in 
honor of one of its worthy pioneers. No change has since 
been made in the various township organizations. 

LOCATION OF COUNTY-SEAT. 

As this subject is not familiar to most of the inhabitants 
of the county, the facts which have been gathered concern- 
ing it will prove interesting. It has been supposed by 
some that the county commissioners chose the " county 
site," as it was called, but from the records of the execu- 
tive office of the State the following facts have been ascer- 
tained through the courtesy of the secretary of state, which 
east a different light on the matter and settle all contro- 
versy : 

On the 21st of March, 1833, before Eaton County con- 
tained a single white settler, George W. Barnes made ap- 
plication to Governor G. B. Porter for the appointment of 
commissioners to locate the seat of justice, and made aflB- 
davit before J. Kearsley, a justice of the peace in Wayne 
Co., Michigan Territory, " that, in the month of May last, 
he put up in three public places in the county of Kalamazoof 
notices that application would be made to the Governor of 
the Territory of Blichigan to appoint commissioners to lo- 
cate the seat of justice for Eaton County, agreeably to the 
law in such case provided." J 

April 29, 1833, Charles C. Ha.scall, Stilman Blanchard, 
and John W. Strong were appointed commissioners to lo- 
cate seats of justice in Van Buren, Barry, and p]aton 
Counties, § and, on the 5th of June following, these com- 
missioners made the following report : 

"To Ills ExcELLENcy, George B. Pouter, Goveksor of Mich- 

IGAX : 

" The undersigned commissioners, appointed and commissioned by 
your excellency on the 29th day of April, a.d. 1833, to locate the seat 
of justice in and for the county of Eaton, respectfully report: That, 
agreeable to public notice, we convened at Prairie Round, || in the 
county of Kalamazoo, on Monday, the 27th day of May, in said year, 
and, after having severally taken the oath prescribed by law, pro- 
ceeded to the said county and entered upon the duties assigned us. 
The major part of this county is of the iirst quality of timbered land, 
possessing a great variety of soil and timber, generally well watered, 
and inviting to the emigrant who prefers a timbered farm. On the 
4th day of June, in the same year, the commissioners selected a point 
for the seat of justice of said county on the line between the north- 
west quarter of section 18, town 2 north, of range 4 west, and the 
northeast quarter of section 13, town 2 north, of range 5 west, near 
the south end of said described land, which is owned by George W. 
Barnes, who has executed a bond to your excellency in trust for said 
county, in the penal sum of $1000, on condition tb.it should the 



f To which Eaton County was then attached. 

I See originals on file. 

J See Executive Journal of Michigan Territory, Vol. II. p. 81. 

II Prairie Konde. 



CIVIL ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 



355 



seat of justice be permanently fixed at said point, to give a sufficient 
quantity of land to the county for public uses The point selected for 
the sent of justice in this county, as aforesaid, is on a buautiful 
prairie, about one mile square, near two and a half miles south of the 
centre of the county, and about one mile north of Buttle Creek, the 
nearest point to the centre of said county where water can bo ob- 
tained for hydraulic purposes. 

" Your excellency is respectfully recommended to establish perma- 
nently the seat of justice for said county at the point selected by the 
commissioners. 

"Given under our hands this 5th day of Juno, a.d. 1S33. 

" CiIAiiLES C. Hasc.vll, 1 

"Stilmax Blaxciiaiui, }■ Commiaalaiiera." 

"J. W. Strosg, j 

The bond mentioned in the foregoing was conditioned 
for the donation by the said George W. Barnes of " three 
acres of hind for a burying-ground and twenty-four rods by 
thirty for a public square."* 

Sept. 22, 1835, acting Governor John S. Horner ap- 
proved the report of the commissioners tq. locate the seat 
of justice, and issued a proclamation confirming their action 
and establi.shing said .seat of ju-sticcj" On the same date 
Levi Cook, Territorial treasurer, gave receipt for 821G of 
George W. Baroes, amount of expenses paid the commis- 
sioners. 

Tiie place at which the future business of the county 
should be transacted was thus settled upon, but circum- 
stances arose when the pioneers commenced to locate which 
made it expedient to have the business done elsewhere than 
at the prairie. Bollevue, being the principal and oldest 
settlement, w;us considered the most appropriate point, and 
the courts were held there for two years after the organ- 
ization of the county. Other localities were desirous of 
having the county business, among them being Eaton 
Rapids and Hyde's Mills, the latter in Kalanio township. 
Mr. Hyde is said to have agreed to erect buildings, free of 
cost to the county, for its use should it conclude to hold its 
courts and locate its offices at liis place, while the claims of 
Katon Rapids were as well worthy of consideration. Mean- 
while it became evident to the proprietors of the village of 
Charlotte that the county-.seat of Eaton was destined to be 
an important place, and they bestirred themselves to erect 
suitable buildings and make ready for future advancement. 
It is stated that Hon. Epaphroditus Ran.som told Horatio 
I. Lawrence, one of the proprietors, that he would hold the 
May (183'J) term of the Circuit Court at the place if suit- 
able (juarters should then be ready. Work was accordingly 
rapidly pushed on the " block" building known as the 
" Eagle Hotel," but was not completed, and the board of 
county commissioners ordered as follows in 1839 : 

" lieaolved, That we, the undersigned commissioners of the county 
of Eaton, having taken into consideration the impropriety of having 
the county business done for the present year at Eaton Centre, in 
consequence of there not being suitable buildings erected at the 
Centre aforesaid to accommodate the people transacting business in 
and for the county, now therefore we hereby order the county business 
in and for said county of Eaton to be done for the present year at 
the village of liellevue, in said county. 

*' Bellcvuc, January seventh, eighteen hundred and thirty-nine. 
"S. S. Ciiincii, 

" ErllllAlU FuLLKTT, 

" CuHHty Commin»ioner»." 

* See originals on file. 

t Sec Ex. Journal, Mich. Terr., Vol. II. p. 150. 



Nearly in front of what is now the " Baird House," in 
Charlotte, once stood a large poplar-tree. The sides of 
this were " squared" by the commissioners, who wrote upon 
it with red chalk the words Cminly Site, thereby putting 
a damper upon the aspirations of all other points in that 
direction, and the Prairie City " bore her blushing honors 
thick upon her." The following extract from the pro- 
ceedings of the board it is proper to insert here: 

" At a meeting of the board of county commissioners of the county 
of Eaton, on the 20th day of Janu.ary, 1840, at the house of William 
Stoddard, J in the village of Charlotte, for the purpose of removing 
the county business from Bellevuo to the eounty-seat, were present 
0. D. Skinner, E. Follett, and John Montgomery. The board organ- 
ized and proceeded to business. Sufficient notice not having been 
given, the board adjourned to meet again at the same place on the 
1st of February then next. 

*' February Ist. — Board met pursuant to adjournment, and passed 
the following res(»lutions, to wit: 

" Jlesotoe(l,T\mt the buildings now at the county-scat of Eaton 
County are sufficient to hold the Circuit Courts in and for the said 
county. 

" Jlesolrtd, That the clerk is hereby authorized and requested to 
publish the proceedings of this meeting in some one of the Calhoun 
County papers for si.Y weeks in succession. 

"M. S. BllACKETT, Cltik." 

At a meeting of the board held March 14, 1840, it 
was 

'•' liennhed. That the county business in and for said county shall 
be done at said village of Charlotte, at the house of William Stoddard, 
from and alter the first day of the next term of the Circuit Court in 
said county." 

This resolution was ordered to be published for six 
weeks in succession, and the clerk was authorized and re- 
quested to procure fifty copies of the paper in which the 
same was published, and distribute them in the county. 
Charlotte baving permanently become the county-seat, the 
business of the county has been transacted there continu- 
ously since to the general satisfaction of the inhabitants. 

POLITICAL ST.VTISTICS. 



1S40.- 
1.S44.- 
1S4S.- 
1852.- 
1S5G.- 
1800.. 
1804.- 
I8GS.- 
1872- 



1854.- 
1850.- 
I85S.- 
1800.- 
1802.- 
1804.- 
1808.- 
1808.- 
1870.- 
1872.- 



VOTES AT I'llESIDENTIAL ELECTIO.N'S. 

-Harrison, 3.i7 ; Van Burcn, 229. 
-Clay, 410; Polk, 370. 
-Taylor, 350; Cass, 540; Van Buron, 218. 
-Scott, 037 ; Pierce, 780 ; Hale, 225. 
-Fremont, 1888; Buchanan, 1228. 
-Lincoln, 2135; Douglas, 1328. 
-Lincoln, 1848; McClellan, 1309. 
-Grant, 3088; Seymour, 2030. 
-Grant, 3202; Greeley, 1035. 
-Uaycs, 4010; Tilden, 2903. 

VOTES FOR GOVERNOR, 1854-78. 

-Bingham, 995; Barry, 891. 
-Bingham, 1853; Felch, 1288. 
-Wisner, 1002; Stuart, 1211. 
-Blair, 2111; Barry, 1350. 
-Blair, 1008, Stout, 1270. 
-Crapo, 1850; Fenton, 1379. 
-Crapo, 2333; Williams, 1439. 
-Baldwin, 3083; Moore, 2054. 
-Baldwin, 2285; Comstock, 1G9I. 
-Bagloy, 3l93j Blair, 1757. 



J This was the tav 
bouse." 



n, known also for several years as " the court- 



356 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1874.— Bagley, 2460; Chamberlain, 191B. 

1S76.— Crosivell, 3982; Webber, 291?.. 

1878.— Croswcll, 3i:'.9; Barnes, 1225; Smith, 2140. 

VOTE ON TIIK VARIOUS CONSTITUTIONS. 
1850.— Yea, 809; nay, 204. 
1S6-.— Yea, 17Sfi; nay, 2522. 
1873.- Yea, 1134; nay, 2446. 



CHAPTER III. 

THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE. 

County <'oimiiissioners — Board of Supervisors — First Meeting of 
Board — County Buildings — Poor-Farm and Buildings — Assess- 
ments and Taxation — Census Statistics, etc. 

From 1839 to 1842 the affairs of the county were under 
the supervision of a board of county comtuissioners, three 
in number, serving respectively for one, two, and three 
years. In 1842 the office was abolished and the comtuis- 
sioners were superseded by the board of supervisors. In 
examining the county records it is discovered that the 
board of supervisors also held a meetinp; from the 2d to the 
5th of November, 1838, and transacted business as follows, 
the proceedings of the commissioners first appearing the 
next year. 

There were present Reuben Fitzgerald, of Bellevue ; 
Wait J. Squier, of Vermontville; Addison Hayden, Phineas 
Spaulding (in place of Stebbins), and John Mont- 
gomery. The board organized by appointing Reuben Fitz- 
gerald chairman, and John T. Ellis clerk. The latter re- 
signed and Martin S. Brackett was appointed. It was 

"Resolved, That W. S. Fairfield's bill for transcribing 470 deeds and 
80 mortgnges, amounting to §443.874, 'ay over until the meeting of 
the board of supervisors or commissioners for the fall of 1839. 

"Resolved, That fifteen hundred dollars be levied upon the taxable 
property of the county for contingent expenses. 

"Resolved. That a county convention be held on the 19th inst., at 
the house of Levi Wheaton, in the town of Vermontville, and that 
a delegate for every twenty votes (according to the votes taken last 
fall) be sent from every town, and that said convention be called a 
Whig convention." 

The chairman and clerk were authorized to draw and 
sign all orders on the treasurer for the payment of bills 
audited by the board. Martin S. Brackett was appointed 
clerk of the board, to hold the position during their term 
of office, and was allowed three dollars per day for his ser- 
vices in such capacity. The accounts audited at this session 
amounted to $3332.30, including $1500 raised for contin- 
gent expenses. The footing of the township rolls (valua- 
tion) was as follows : 

Kalamo $96,598 

Vermontville 211,078 

Eaton 144,502 

Bellevue 135,188 

Oneida 192,158 

Total $779,524 

The apportionment of taxes for the several townships 

was arranged in the following luanner : 

Kalamo, State and county J411.05; town, $84.25 

Vermontville, State and county 1100.15; " 299.44 

Eaton, " •• 610.23; " 120.57 

Bellevue, " " 576.51; " 497.27 

Oneida, " " 819.46; " 299.00 



Totals: State and county, $3324.30; town, $1300.53. 
Grand total of tax to be raised in the county for all pur- 
poses, $4624.83. 

The first recorded meeting of the board of county com- 
missioners* was held — so the record reads — 

" At the county-seat in Bellevue, on this 7th day of January, a.d. 
18:!9. On motion of Ephraim FoUett, Simeon S. Church was elected 
chiiirman for and during the present year." 

The session was continued through the next day. The 
clerk was authorized to diaw an order on the county treas- 
urer in favor of W. S. Fairfield, for blanks furnished, 
amounting to $14.93. The clerk was appointed a com- 
mittee to call on the treasurer of Calhoun County (to which 
Eaton had been attached for judicial purposes) and ascer- 
tain whether he held any moneys belonging to Eaton 
County, and if so to notify the board of the necessary 
measures they must take in order to procure the same. He 
was also directed to write to the secretary of state and as- 
certain on what terms a set of weights and measures could 
be procured for the use of the county. The chairman of 
the board was authorized 

" To get an act of the Legislature passed defining and establishing 
a seal for the county of Eaton." It was 

"Resolved, That the clerk of the board of commissioners be author- 
ized to ascertain what books are necessary for the clerk of the county 
and for the treasurer of the county; also the necessary books for the 
clerk of the board of commissioners, and how said books can be ob- 
tained ; whether on the credit of the county or not, and if so, to pur- 
chase said books, having regard to economy in said purchase. 

After passing a few other unimportant resolutions the 
board adjourned, sine die, after having requested the clerk 
to notify them to meet at Jiis office on the Tuesday next fol- 
lowing the second J^onday in July, subsequent, at 9 o'clock 
A.M. During the session they ordered that the county 
business for 1839 be done at Bellevue, as the buildings at 
the " Centre" (Charlotte) were not suitable for such pur- 
poses. 

At the meeting on the 8th of July, 1839, the full board 

was present. Bills to the amount of $498.21 were audited, 

among them being the following : 

George C. Gibhs, prosecuting attorney $100.00 

R. Wheaton, sherifl's account 25.49 

A. llayden, election returns 8.00 

Town of Eaton, for building bridge across Grand 

Kivert 250.00 

II. D. Hall, book-case and table 9.00 

At the annual meeting, Oct. 7, 1839, bills were audited 

amounting to $1868.93, among them the following: 

W. S. Fairfield, for transcribing deeds $489.88 

M. S. Brackett, services as clerk, etc 176.63 

Town of Bellevue, to assist in building bridge.. 200.00 

Town of Oneida, to assist in building bridge... 250.00 

*The first commissioners of Eaton County were elected in the spring 
of 1838, and held office until the 1st of J.xnuary, 1839, when the newly- 
elected board took their place. There is no record of any meeting 
held by theni to be found. They (the first or temporary commission- 
ers) were Beuben Fitzgerald, of Bellevue, iind William Wall nnd,Ton.a- 
than Searls, of Eaton, the last two being elected from the same town- 
ship, probably through ignorance of the law, to which it was contrary, 
said law providing that no two commissioners should be elected from 
one township where there were three or more townships in a county. 
Phineas S. Spaulding was subsequently chosen in place of one of those 
from Eaton. 

f In October, 1843, the sum of $32.25 was voted to the relief of 
Chester and Roxand townships, for building a bridge across the 
Thornapple River, on the line of the Clinton road. 



THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE. 



337 



It waa ordered tbnt n tax 1)0 rnisctl in tho county, for contingent 
expt-nt'cs, amounting to $1000. 

In the fall of 1839, Oramel D. Skinner was elected in 
the place of Mr. Church, and on the 29th of November 
the board met and appointed Ephraim FoUctt chairman for 
the ensuing j'car. The county business was removed to 
Charlotte in January, 1840, and subsequent meetings were 
held at the " house of William Stoddard," he having fitted 
up rooms in his hewed log — or " block" — tavern. A peti- 
tion from the township of Eaton was presented to the board, 
July t), 1840, praying for aid in building a bridge across 
Grand River, and it was granted them to the amount of 
§150. 

In October, 1840, it was " Resolved, That Aldis Tory be 
allowed four dollars per head for four wolves." It was not 
deemed necessary to raise a contingent fund greater than 
S500. The purchase of a table, a clerk's desk, and a stove 
and pipe, for the use of the county, was agreed upon. This 
session was held in " the court-house at Charlotte," as the 
tavern was known. During this and subsequent sessions 
several wolf bounties were allowed, at the rate of four and 
eight dollars each, upon proof that the claims were just. 
At the fall election in 1840, Alvan D. Shaw was chosen to 
fill the place of John Montgomery, whose term had ex- 
pired. The following was passed at the January session 
in 1841: 

" Itctoh-eil, That tho county commissioDors allow William Stoddard 
twenty-five dollars per year for live years, from the l.^th day of May 
next, as rent for two room.*!, each fifteen feet by twelve feet nfjnnrc, 
with sufficient fire-places or stoves to warm the samej said rooms to 
be suffieieutly secure for a Jaol ; and that whenever the county shall 
have no use for said rooms as a prison or javl, said Stoddard shall 
have the use of said rooms gratis ; provided said rooms are ready for 
use by the first d.ay of the Circuit Court for the County of Eaton next. 
And the commissioners further resolve, tliat twenty-five dollars of 
said rent is to be paid to said Stoddard in advance, as soon a^ he shall 
have the body of said building erected." 

SimcoQ Harding was allowed 8100 for his services as 
county treasurer in 1841, and M. S. Brackett $oOO as clerk 
of the board. 

The total valuation of the townships in 1S41, as shown by the assess- 
ment rolls, was as follows : Kalamo, $26,416.14 ; Bellcvuc, $6.'i,447.00; 
Carmol, ?.'i0,944.99 ; Eaton, $100,845.00 ; Oneida, $i:i9,634.o2 ; Brook- 
field, SS.H.Sa.'J.oO ; Walton, $41,074.15; Tyler, $02,015.25; Vermont- 
Tille, $49,fl:i9.8I; Chester, $02,180.76. Total valuation of county, 
$609,091.12, and upon this a total tax was raised of $7724.71. 

Oramel D. Skinner was chairman of the board in 1842, 
and among the accounts audited at the January .session in 
that year were the following : 

Alonzo Baker, material for and labor on the 

clerk's office $251.75 

Stephen Davis, drawing lime (l\venty-five bush- 
els) and hair from Bellevuc 6.50 

Stephen Davis, banking office and drawing 

sand 9.50 

John Strickland, mason work on office and brick 

furnished 149.00 

John Siige, for stove-pipe 8.17 

Osmyn Child?, stove and canvassing 20.00 

Simeon Harding, book, etc 2.00 

Samuel Clark, bill as i>hysician 0.00 

John Willard, prosecuting attorney 50.00 

S. S. Church, associate judge. May and Novem- 
ber terms 27.50 

James Metjneen, associate Judge, May and No- 
vember terms 21.50 

Palmer Whilconib, drawing stove for office 11.25 

Samuel Searls, drawing store for office 11.25 



March 9, 1842, it was 

" llenolrrtl, That the clerk pay to Stephen Davis four dollars and 
fifty cents for chopping and piling eight clmnl^ of stove wood, being 
all the wood piled up near (he clerk's oflice belonging to the county, 
when the same shall be well chopped, split, and piled." 

April 7, 1842, M. S. Brackett was authorized to " pro- 
cure the door and inside work of the safe in the east room 
in the brick ofiice finished as he may deem proper." This 
brick office was the same as that now occupied by the regis- 
ter and treasurer. Its total cost, including furniture, etc., 
was 8467.42. 

The last meeting of the commissioners was that held 
April 7, 1842. By authority of the State Legislature the 
county busiue.ss was transferred to the charge of the board 
of supervi.sors, and the first meeting of the latter, as newly 
organized, was held on the first Monday of July, 1842. 
Present : Andrew W. Rogers, Alonzo Baker, A. D. Shaw, 
Flavel Stone, John Dow, Hiram Bowen, James M. (,'ollins, 
George Y. Cowan, Daniel Barber, as proxy for E. II. Bar- 
ber; S. S. Hoyt, Je.s.se Hart. John Dow was appointed 
chairman. On the 4th of July, Erastus Ingersoll, super- 
visor of Delta, and John D. Skinner, of Windsor, were 
present, and Truman W. Nichols appeared on the 5th. W. 
S. Fairfield was allowed $100 for taking charge of and 
boarding John Miller, a prisoner, up to June 20, 1842. 
The assessed valuation of the county, with fourteen organ- 
ized townships, in 1842 was less than in the previous year, 
being but 8528,048.93, and still less as equalized and 
corrected. 

At this session bills and accounts amounting to 8243.49 
were allowed, and Martin Andrew was to be paid seventy- 
five cents each for twelve benches for the courtroom, to be 
ready by the next court. Mr. Brackett was authorized to 
purchase a suitable sheet-iron door for the safe in the clerk's 
ofBce.* 

During the year 1842 it became evident that some place 
must be provided for prisoners, and in Septcinber the super- 
visors appointed William Stoddard, Alonzo Baker, and A. 
D. Shaw a committee to draft a plan for a jail, and receive 
proposals for building the same, and submit them to the board 
for approval. In January, 1843, the subject was again taken 
up, and it was finally resolved to submit the question to the 
people at their coming town-meetings. Before the session 
closed the sun\ of four dollars was allowed to W. S. Fair- 
field for building a temporary jail, which must indeed have 
been an imposing affair. In July, 1843,"j" William Stoddard 
was allowed five dollars for /innishiny jail. After that 
nothing further was said about building a jail for a consid- 
erable period. 

During the session of October, 1844, it was, on motion, 

*' liraotved, That J. M. Collins be authorized to enter into a contract 
with Messrs. Millctt & Scout to build a court-bouse in the village of 
Charlotte, according to the proposals of said Millctt A Scout; pro- 
vided the sum for building the same shall not exceed $740." 

The yeas and nays being called for the resolution was 



• li. Kingsbury was paid $28 for an iron door nt the October session 
of 184.3. The trea.'Jurer was soon after authorized to procure an oaken 
door for the safe in his office, and have the same bung. 

t .\t this time Austin Blair was clerk of the hoard,— the same who 
afterwards become Governor of the State. 



358 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



unanimously adopted. It was then resolved that $500 
.should be raised towards erectiii-^ the court-house, and that 
the choice of it.s site be deferred until the following Jan- 
uary session. The motion to raise $300 was afterwards 
rescinded, and a resolution adopted to appropriate a like 
amount out of any moneys not otherwise appropriated, to be 
paid out by the supervisors as they should deem it expe- 
dient. At the session in January, 1845, it was agreed to 
build the court-house on the " court-house square, two rods 
east of the west line, in the centre, north and south." The 
building was completed in 1845, and the statement was 
made in the Eaton Bugle (published at Charlotte), at the 
time, that its cost was nearly $1000. It was one story in 
height ; the court-room was in the main part, twenty-two 
by forty feet, and had an oval ceiling ; two wings were built 
on, each fourteen by eighteen feet, and contained the jury- 
rooms. Shortly before the court-house was completed, John 
P. Reznor, of Ohio, purchased a bell and sent it on, at a cost 
of over $200, donating it to the county if they would 
hang it on the building. A motion was made by. some 
member of the board of supervisors, in October, 1845, to 
construct a belfry on the house and hang the bell therein ; 
this proposition was rejected by the board, in a vote of nine 
to seven. Some of those who voted against it actually gave 
as a reason for so doing that their constituents were so far 
away they could not liear the bell ring, and it would benefit 
no place but Charlotte 1 William Johnston, the editor of 
the Bugle, became indignant, and through his paper soundly 
rated the supervisors for their action. The subject was 
afterwards reconsidered and the bell was hung.* The old 
court-house was used until it became unsafe, and was finally 
moved to the east side of Cochrane Avenue and converted 
into an Episcopal chapel. In January, 1867, arrangements 
were made for holding sessions of the Circuit Court in 
Sampson Hall, at Charlotte, and are still in force. f The 
old court-house bell hangs over the hall, and its tones are 
the same as when, thirty-five years since, they were first 
heard by the inhabitants of the place. 

Efforts have been made at different times to raise funds 
for the purpose of erecting a new court-house, but thus far 
without avail. Several propositions to raise funds have 
been voted down in the county, and the oflicers are yet 
obliged to occupy the cramped and inconvenient quarters 
in the old brick building erected in 1842. The county 
clerk has rooms in Sampson Hall Block, adjoining the 
court-room. Several propositions have also been submitted 
on the subject of a new jail buiiding,J but none were suc- 

* The belfrj was built and the bell hung, but it was not until after 
much discussion by the board. The final resolution to add the belfry 
was adopted Jan. 6, 1S46, by a vote of nine to si.x. A vote of thanks 
was also tendered to Mr. Reznor for his donation, and to S. E. Mil- 
lett " for the interest taken by him in securing to this county the bell 
proffered this county by J. P. Ueznor." 

■\ Beginning in 1S08, however, and for a few years after, the courts 
were authorized by the board to be helil in the old court-house, which 
was done. 

% Plans for a "jail of hewn timber" were prepared in the fall of 
1846, and it was resolved that the county proceed to build one after 
the plans submitted, out of funds due the treasurer and not otherwise 
approjiriated, and the building was to be ready by Sept. 1, 1847. It 
was erected at a cost of several hundred dollars, and stood very nearly 
on the ground occupied by the new jail. It was a sheriff's residence 



cessful until 1871, when the sum of $15,000 was voted by 
the county for building a new jail, and the present fine jail 
and sheriff's residence was begun. It was completed in 
1873, is built of red brick, in tasteful style, and the first 
cost was altogether about $16,000. Extensive improve- 
ments have since been made in the portion of the building 
used as a jail. 

At the session in October, 1846, the board allowed four- 
teen dollars per head as bounty on full-grown wolves, and 
half that sum for whelps, and allowed eleven claims for 
such bounties. In January, 1849, the board 

" Resolved, That the sheriff be and he is hereby authorized to open 
the court-house to all public purposes appertaining to morality and 
religion, but not for any ' theatrical performances.' " 

At the same session it was ordered that a well be dug 
for the accommodation of the court-house and jail. This 
well did not prove satisfactory, and in 1852 another was 
ordered to be dug. 

In June, 1851, the board passed a bill for the destruc- 
tion of Canada thistles in the county, and imposing a fine 
upon those who did not observe it; also appropriating the 
fines to the primary-school fund. 

June 12, 1861, the board authorized the supervisors of 
the several townships to afford such relief as might be re- 
quired by the flimilies of volunteers (agreeable to an act of 
the Legislature, passed May 10, 1861), and draw their 
orders for amounts thus raised on the general fund of the 
county. Each supervisor was subsequently ordered to open 
and keep an accurate account with each family to whom 
such relief should be afforded in his township, and the clerk 
was directed to procure and furnish blank volunteer relief 
orders. In 1861 the total number of families aided in the 
county was eighty-five, and the amount so expended 
$1469.14. In October, 1862, a report was made to the 
board (accepted and adopted) by a special committee ap- 
pointed at a citizens' meeting held in Charlotte the 29th of 
July previous, to collect, take charge of, and pay a bounty 
of twenty-five dollars to each soldier enlisted in Company 
G, Twentieth Michigan Infantry. At the same session the 
county treasurer was authorized to appropriate sufiicient 
money to pay orders drawn upon the Volunteer Relief Fund, 
and pay interest on the same at a rate not to exceed ten per 
cent, per annum. The clerk was at the same time author- 
ized to draw orders in favor of subscribers to the bounty 
fund of the above-mentioned company for the amount 
subscribed ; and it was also voted that $8000 of the total 
tax raised in the county should belong to the Volunteer 
Relief Fund. In June, 1863, the report of a committee 
was adopted in respect to relief given out of this fund, 
the terms of which were as follows: Claimants for relief 
were divided into four classes, — viz., class first, consisting of 
families wholly without means of support ; class second, fami- 
lies able to furnish one-fourth of their own support; class 
third, families able to furnish one-half; and class fourth, those 
able to furnish three-fourths of their own support. These 
classes were paid at the following rates per month : class 
one, four dollars to head of family and two dollars for 

and jiiil combined, but was a small building, and was used until it 
was entirely unfit for its purpose. Thomas Currey was the builder. 



THE COUNTY LKGISLATURE. 



359 



each child ; class two, three dollars to head of fiimily and 
one and a half dollars to each cWld ; class three, two dollars 
to head of famil}' and one dollar to each child ; class four, one 
dollar to head of family and half a dollar to each child. Able- 
bodied children, male or female, over sixteen years of age 
were not to be considered as proper subjects for support, un- 
less their services were in absolute demand in their families. 
The sum apportioned from the taxes for 18G4 to the Vol- 
unteer Kelief Fund was S17,000, voted in October, 18G3. 
A year later it was resolved that the fund should be 
821,000. In February, 1865, it was resolved to issue bonds 
in the sums of §50 and SlOO each, for the payment of 
bounties to volunteers, agreeable to an act of Feb. 4, 18G5, 
entitled " An act to provide for the payment of volunteers 
in the military and naval service of the United States." 
The board also passed a resolution requesting the Legisla- 
ture to so amend this act that the bounties could be paid to 
persons furnishing substitutes under the last call, and so 
that said local and State bounties could be paid to drafted 
persons who should afterwards enlist to the credit of their 
respective townships. In October, 1865, the supervisors 
authorized that the sum of $13,695.13 should be appro- 
priated from the tax next to be raised in the county for the 
Soldiers' Relief Fund, and in October, 1866, the sum of 
8300 only was appropriated, with directions that no super- 
visor should furnish relief to the family of any deceased 
soldier after the 1st day of January, 1867. 

The following is a statement of the valuation of the real 
and personal property in the several townships of the county 
of Eaton in the year 1SG7, both as assessed and as equalized 
by the board of supervisors October 14th of that year. 

rj. , . /— Asflesaed Valuation. — , Equalized Valuation. 

io»n«nips. Real Estate. Personal Estate. Beal and Personal. 

Bellcvue $202,235 $59,934 $275,277.45 

Benton 140,720 18,770 169,059.40 

Brookficld 11.V140 26,780 l.'JI,7I2.80 

Carmcl 258,810 50,480 340,219.00 

Chester 144,445 24,760 179,357.30 

Delta 140,620 28,930 169,550.00 

Eaton 260,460 51,520 33.3,818.60 

Eaton Rapids 577,290 179,600 666.063.20 

Kahiino 146,710 37,910 192,004.80 

Oneida 158,105 42,525 216,680.40 

Roxand 105,410 19,145 124,555.00 

Sunficld 88,700 15,675 104,375.00 

Verniontville l.')9,55ll 42,060 189,513.40 

Walton 174,670 35,260 201,5.32.80 

Windsor 142,096 17,473 169,143.14 

ToUls $2,813,161 $650,822 $3,462,862.29 

Upon this valuation the following tax was raised : 

Townahips. State Tax. County Tax. 

Bollevuc $1,015.75 $1,651.66 

Benton 623.80 1,014.36 

BrookOeld 486.00 790.28 

Carmel 1,255.37 2,041.31 

Chester 661.79 1,076.14 

Delta 625.60 1,017.30 

Enton 1,231.76 2,002.91 

Eaton Uapids 2,457.73 3,996.38 

Kalnmo 708.46 1,152.03 

Oneida 799.52 l,30u.O8 

Roxand 459,57 747.33 

Sunfield 385.11 626.25 

Vcrmontville 699.27 1,137.08 

Walton 743.62 1,209.20 

Windsor 624.10 1,014.86 

Totals $12,777.45 $20,777.17 

Add ditch tax, 83235.42, and rejected tax, 8222.14, and 
the total is 837,012.80. 

The valuation of property in the county has since steadily 



increased, and in 1879 was equalized on a basis of 85,000,- 
000. The growth of the county in population and wealth 
has been constant, and the business transacted by the board 
of supervisors at their latest sessions was of a magnitude 
with which that of their earliest sessions would scarcely 
compare. The following table exhibits the assessed and 
equalized valuation of the property in the county in 1879: 

_ , . Real Estate Koal Estate Personal Totals, 

lowusliipa. (asseased). (equalized). Estate. 

Benton $334,810 $254,925 $32,580 $287,505 

Brookficld...- 222,.390 167,460 22,550 190,010 

BcMevuc 322,020 273,653 38,830 312,483 

Charlotte City 330,430 292,431 122,540 414,971 

Carmcl 345,845 247,868 27,155 275,023 

Chester 338,450 216,270 33,730 250,000 

Delta 224,945 234,752 25,235 259,987 

Eaton Rapids 494,595 343,398 89,105 432,503 

Eaton 280,170 218,925 31,080 250,005 

Hamlin 406,640 331,819 45,710 377,529 

Kalamo 276,835 242,757 27.250 270,007 

Oneida 390,290 333.737 78,740 412,477 

Roxand 230,615 176,813 28,195 205,008 

Sunficld 593,940 116,235 83,770 200,005 

Vcrmontville 364,680 264,941 47,565 312,506 

Walton 334,360 247,895 52,110 300,005 

Windsor 749,330 161,256 88,780 250,036 

Totals $6,240,.345 $4,125,135 $874,925 $5,000,060 

Upon this a total tax of 876,916.22 was authorized to 
be raised, divided among the several townships as follows : 

Townships. Slate Tax. County Tax. 

Bellcvue $1,.369.05 $3,437..30 

Benton 1,259.58 .3,162.50 

Brookficld 832.47 2,990.10 

Carmel 1,204.95 3,025.20 

Charlotte City 1,818.10 4,564.65 

Chester 1,095.25 2,750.00 

Delta 1,139.05 2,859.80 

Eaton 1,095.32 2,750.00 

Eaton Rupids 1,894.90 4,757.50 

Hamlin 1,654.118 4,152.80 

Kalamo 1,182.92 2,970.05 

Oneida 1,807.17 4,5.37.20 

Roxand 898.19 2,255.05 

Sunficld 876.27 2,200,03 

Vermontville 1,.369.15 3,4.37.50 

Walton 1,314.37 3,.300.02 

Windsor 1,095.40 2,750..30 

Totals $21,906.22 $55,000.00 

The recent law requiring property to be assessed at its 
true cash value will make a decided change at the next 
showing of Eaton County property, as the board, in Jan- 
uary, 1880, expressed a unanimous opinion in favor of 
assessing according to such law. 

COUNTY POOR AND FAKM. 
The manner in which the poor of the county should be 
cared for was for a number of years a matter of considerable 
discussion, and preliminary steps towards purchasing a farm 
to be used as a county poor-farm were taken on numerous 
occasions. The first legislation of this nature appears in 
the minutes of the session of the board of supervisors in 
October, 1847, at which time the county superintendents 
of the poor were directed to a.scertain the expense of pur- 
chasing a farm, and of providing for the support of the 
county poor with or without a farm. Their report was 
made a year later, but it was thought impracticable to build 
a poor-house at that time, and the sum of 8125 was voted 
for the support of the poor. Agreeable to an act passed 
March 1, 1849, the board in that year, by a two-thirds 
vote, reinstated the rule for the maintenance of the poor as 
it existed Feb. 28, 1846. In January, 1852, it was re- 



360 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



solved to appropriate $700, out of moneys due from the State, 
to purchase a county farm and erect buildings thereon ; but 
it seems this also shared the fate of previous efforts, for in 
June, 185G,.a committee was appointed to ''examine the 
terms, price, and location of a wild eighty-acre lot for the 
purposes of a county farm for the benefit and uses of the 
county poor," and report at the next session of the board. 
No purchase was yet made, but $800 were raised towards 
supporting the poor. In January, 1857, Henry Williams 
was appointed a committee to purchase for the county a 
farm containing from 80 to 160 acres, and pay ten dollars 
per acre for the same, but there is no record of such a pur- 
chase having been made. In January, 1858, a motion to 
indefinitely postpone all further action concerning a poor- 
farm was lost, and another committee was appointed with a 
similar object, and the farm they should purchase must 
have not less than twenty acres improved. Again the 
project failed, but finally, in January, 1859, a final com- 
mittee was intrusted with the business, and the result was 
the purchase of 160 acres in the township of Chester (south- 
west quarter of section 3G), from John Turner and wife, 
for f-1000.* In October following the sum of $800 was 
appropriated to erect and furnish a suitable building on the 
poor-farm.f In October, 1863, the board of supervisors 
appropriated $G00 with which to construct a suitable addi- 
tion to the poor-house, in which to keep insane persons de- 
pendent upon the county, and in October, 1878, a further 
sum of $300 was appropriated to build hog-pens, boiler- 
room, ice-house, etc. 

The following is a list of the superintendents of the poor 
for Eaton County since 1842, as shown by the records of 
the board of supervisors, by which body they are ap- 
pointed : 

1842-43, William Stoddard it 1844, H. 11. Gale, William Stoddard, 
Diinic! Rand; 1845, William Stoddard, H. H. Gale, S. S. Church; 
1846-18, William Stoddard, U. H. Gale, Bezaleel Taft ; 1849-51, 
William Stoddard, H. H. Gale, Thomas Curry; 1852, AVilliam 
Stoddard, A. D. Shaw, Ilosey Hovey; 1853, T. D. Green, S. E. 
Millett, llosey Hovey; 1854, H. Robinson, A. D. Shaw, J. H. 
Corbin ; 1855, Henry Robinson, A. D. Shaw, William Stoddard; 
1856, Henry Robinson, A. D. Shaw, Lewis Noble; same year, 
U. Robinson, A. D. Shaw, Harvey Williams; 1857-59, E. 1). 
Lacey, E. Hayden, John Morris; I860, E. D. Lacey, John 
Morris, Hiram Hatchings; 1861, E. I). Lacey, L. H. Ion, 
Hiram Hutehings; 1862, E. D. Lacey, Hiram Hutchings, E. 
A. Foote; 1863, E. D. Lacey.J Hiram Hutchings, L. U. Ion; 
1864, L. H. Ion, three years; Hiram Hutchings, two years; A. D. 
Shaw, one year; 1865, Hiram Hutchings, three years; A. D. 
Shaw, two years; 1866, L. H. Ion, three years; 1867, A. D. 
Shaw, three years; 1868; T. D. Green, three years; 1869, Hiram 
Hutching.'!, one year; T. D. Green, two years; G. T; Rand, three 
years; 1870, Hiram Hutchings, three years; 1871, T. D. Green, 
three years; 1872, , ; 1873, Hiram Hutch- 

« Deed given by John Turner and wife to the "Superintendents of 
the Poor of the County of Eaton and State of Michigan." See Liber 
23, of Deed Records, page 181. 

■f The contract for erecting the building was let to Stephen Tuttle, 
of Charlotte, in December, 1859, for $600, and the house was com- 
pleted in June, 1860. A tax of S8000 was voted in 1873 to erect a 
new poor-house, and it was accordingly built the nc.\t year. It is 
three stories in height, including basement, the material of which it 
is constructed being brick. It is a fine building and a credit to the 
county. 

t Appointed in place of Mr. Smith, who did not qualify. 

i Mr. Lacey died, and Luman Foote was appointed to fill vacancy. 



ings, three years; 1874, T. D. Green, three years; 1875, G. T. 
Rand, three years; 1876, Charles A. Merritt, three years; 1877, 
George W. Kuight, three years ; 1878, D. B. Hale,|| G. T. Rand, 
three years; 1879, C. A. Merritt. 

CENSUS STATISTICS. 
The census of Eaton County in 1845 was 4783, consist- 
ing of 2426 males and 2357 females, apportioned by town- 
ships as follows : 



ships. 



Male: 



Females. Totals. 



Tyler 345 

Brookfield 79 

Walton 136 

Bellevue 360 

Kalamo 134 

Carmel ," 144 

Eaton 209 

Eaton Rapids 239 

Windsor 65 

Benton 104 

Chester 98 

Vermontville 152 

Sunfield 65 

Ro.\and 93 

Oneida 145 

Delta 58 

Totals 2426 



335 

68 
150 
293 
122 
144 
288 
288 



103 
120 



680 
147 
286 
653 
256 
288 
497 
527 
122 
186 
201 
272 
112 
166 
280 
110 



The census of 1874 presents the following figures regard- 
ing Eatou County : 



Bellevue 952 

Benton 737 

Brookfield 578 

Carmel • 569 

Charlotte City 1260 

Chester 639 

Delta 720 

Eaton 561 

Eaton Rapids 1140 



Hamlin., 

Kalamo 

Oneida 

Ro.xand 

Sunfield 

Vermontville 

Walton 

Windsor 



850 
741 
1244 

690 
645 
869 
926 
754 



947 
705 
526 
444 

1371 
664 
634 
502 

1080 
800 
660 

1155 
664 
603 
849 
849 
679 



Totals 13,875 



26,907 



Statistics, aside from population, were as follows : 

356,950.76 



Number of acres of taxable land in county. 
" *' land owned by individ- 
uals and companies 

Number of acres of improved land 

** ** Land exempt from tax- 
ation 

Value of same, including improvements.... 

Number of acres in school-house sites 

'* ** church and parsonage 

sites 

Number of acres in bnrying-grounds 

*' " railroad right of way 

and depot grounds 

Number of acres in public parks and fair- 
grounds 

Number of acres in property intended for 

other public improvements 

Number of acres in sites for institutions... 

" of farms in county 

" of acres in farms 

Average number of acres in farms 

Number of acres of wheat raised in 1874.. 

1873.. 

" " corn " " .. 

" of bushels of wheat raised in 

1873 

Number of bushels of corn raised in 1S73.. 
" " of all other grain raised 

in 1873 

Number of bushels of potatoes raised in 

1873 

Number of tons of hay cut in 1873 



358,270.58 
139,818 

1,319.82 
$395,295 

72.50 

30.75 
147 



3,680 
285,602 



432,559 
649,043 



482,393 



109,473 
27,714 



I To fill unexpired term of G. W. Knight, deceased. 



THE COURTS— COUNTY CIVIL LIST. 



361 



CENSUS STATISTICS.— CondHued. 
Number of pounds of wool sheared in 

lS7:i ■;• 19M93 

Number of pounds of pork marketed io 

1873 1,123,936 

Number of pounds of cheese made in 1873. 184,468 
" " butter " 187.3. 910,554 

" " fruitdriodformirkct 

in 1873 42,687 

Number of pouoda of maplo-sugar* made 

in 1874..." 61t,.3S4 

Number of acres in orchards, IS74 6,934 

" of bushels of apples raised in 

1872 2:i2,925 

Number of bushels of apples raised iu 

1873 137,779 

Number of bushels of peaches raised in 

1872 1,185 

Number of bushels of peaches raised in 

1873 32 

Number of bushels of pears raised in 1872.. 612 

" " ' 1873.. 602 

" ** of cherries raised in 

1872 2,844 

Number of bushels of cherries raised in 

1873 3,064 

Number of bushels of grapes raised in 

1872 225 

Number of bushels of grapes raised in 

1873 148 

Number of bushels of strawberries raised 

in 1872 335 

Number of bushels of strawberries raised 

in 1873 , 292 

Number of bushels of currants and goose- 
berries raised in 1872 1,793 

Number of bushels of currants and goose- 
berries raised in 1873 1,981 

Number of bushels of melons and garden 

vegetables raised in 1872 19,040 

Number of bushels of melons and garden 

vegetiibles raised in 1873 24,281 

Value of fruit and garden vegetables raised 

in 1872 $89,439 

Value of fruit and garden vegetables raised 

in 1873 66,026 

Number of horses one year old and over 

owned ill 1874 7,650 

Number of mules in 1874 78 

" of work o.\en in 1874 1,278 

" of milch cows in 1874 10,272 

" of neat cattle one jear old and over, 

other than o.xen and cows, in 1874 10,335 

Number of swine over six months old in 

1874 10,979 

Number of sheep over si,v months old 43,090 

" sheep sheared in 1873 43,634 

" flouring-millsf in the county, 

1874 12 

Number of persons employed in same 23 

Amount of capital invested $120,000 

Number of runs of stone 31 

" barrels of flour made in 1873... 26,940 

Value of products $236,510 

Number of saw-raillsj in county, 1873 42 

" persons employed in same 46 

Amount of capiial invested $55,700 

Number of feet of lumber sawed 5,838,000 

Value of products $79,469 

Among the other luanufactories in the county were 2 
shinglc-iuills, 12 planing- and turuing-mills, 5 foundries 
and inachincshop.s, 4 agricultural iinplemcut works, 3 
wagon-, carriage-, and .slcigh-factorios, 1 fanning tnill factory, 
1 furniture- and chair-factory, 2 stave-, heading-, and hoop- 
factories, 1 barrel- and keg-factory, 1 oar-factory, 1 axo- and 
edge-tool factory, 1 brewery, 1 woolen-factory, 3 cheese- and 
buttcr-factories,§ 2 luarble-works, 4 liiue-kilns. In these 
estiiblishments §308,800 was invested ; employment was fur- 
nished to 291 persons; total value of products, 8083,700. 



CENSUS OF EATON COUNTY FROM 1840 TO 1880. 



* Eaton County made nearly twice ns much maple-sugar in ]S?4 as 
any other county in the Slate, Barry being seoond, with 372,177 
pounds. 

t Three of these operated by sicam and nine by water. 

i Twenty-seven operated by steam and fifteen by water. 

^ Located in the townships of Chester, Sunfield, and Vormontvillo. 
46 



Towns. 


1840. 


1860. 


1854. 


18110. 


1864. 


1870. 


1874. 


1880. 




fJ9 


i 
TG9 
.344 

255 
6BG 


1,105 
510 
4(Vt 
863 


1,5.11 1,51 3' 
7.15 7.131 

82i: 717; 

1,363 1,4.')3[ 


1,985 

l,:i.w 

1,057 
2,504 
2,253 
1,117 
1,1.54 
2,0)5 
3,036 


1.890 
1,442 
l,ir>4 

2!o.3'l 

l,-;o:i 

I.iicVl 

1,111',:! 
2,220 

1,050 
1,401 
2,2Ui) 
1.3.H 
1,248 
1,718 
1,775 
1,43:1 


2,001 




1,880 


Brookflcld 


m 


1,488 
1,113 




2,940 


(•»"**^i" 


196 


380 


499 

3fl« 

992 

2,159 


79C 

618 

1,267 

2,887 


736 

702 

l,2.'i9 

2,651 


1,496 




1,.')»4 




SOS 


539 
1,523 


1,186 




:i,iio 




l,:l.V.! 




I»9 
2G5 


429 
4gUi 
55:1 
122 
324 
404 
495 


703 

9:n 

531 
224 
445 
74U 
421 


1,018 
1,3S2 
790 
507 
875 
1,004 
820 


1,126 
1,308 1 
880 
525 
9:« 
1,10.') 
816 


1,363 
2,fl47 
1,144 
1,106 
1,801 
1,645 
1,229 


1,520 




2,.'.75 




1,599 


SuiiR.-bl 


" "Vs-i 
lie 


1,595 
2,015 


Walton 


1,874 
1,748 








Total 


2,379 


7.255 


10,965 


16.454 16,497, 27,431 20,807 


31,182 



• Cltarlotte City taken mostly from Carmol, partly from Eaton. 

t llnmlin organized from Eaton Itapids, 1809. This township was organized 
08 Tyler in 1841, and united with Katun Rapids in 18.50. 

Diccropancies and VHfiationa are accuiintcd for by changes in territory. 

The p.ipiilation of the county in 1837 was 913. The figures arc from olllclal 
census returns. 

The figures given for 1880 include also the population 
of the several villages of the county. These, given sepa- 
rately, are as follows : 

Potterville, in Benton township 477 

Bellevue, in Bellevuo " 607 

Eaton Kapids, in Eaton Kapids township 1776 

Grand Ledge, in Oneida " 1378 

Vermontvilie, in Vcrmontville " 623 

Olivet, in Walton " 520 

Dimondale, in Windsor " 308 

Total 5689 

Aside from these there are several smaller villages of 
which separate returns have not been made, as Hoytville, in 
Roxand ; Grand River City, in Delta ; West Windsor, in 
Windsor; Chester and Maxson's Corners, in Chester; 
Kalamo and Carlisle, in Kalatno ; Spicerville, in Hamlin. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE COURTS-COUNTY CIVIL LIST. 

Courts regularly held in the County— First Court in the County— First 
Court al the County-Seat — Complete List of Circuit Judges and 
County Officers. 

CIRCUIT COUUT. 

TiiK issue of the Eaton Bugle for April 1, 1846, con- 
tained an account of the first courts held in the county, 
from which considerable of the following information was 
obtained. 

The first court held in and for Eaton County was a ses- 
sion of the Circuit Court, which convened at Rellevue at 
five o'clock P.M., on the 31st of May, 1838. A tiuorum 
of judges not being present, S. S. Church, one of the a.s.so- 
ciate judges (familiarly known as cjiUHlelte,^), adjourned the 
court until ten o'clock in the forenoon of the following day, 
at which time Hon, Epaphroditus Ransom, of Kalamazoo, 
circuit judge, was present, and the court proceeded to busi- 
ness. The following were the members of the first grand 
jury : James W. Hickok, Eliel Bond, Ruloff" Butler, .Samuel 
Higgins, Reuben Haskell, Reuben Fitzgerald, Andrew W. 



3G2 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Rogers, George S. Browning, Wait J. Squier, John T. 
Ellis, Ephraim Follett, David Judson, Isaac DuBois, Na- 
than G. Hedges, James Kiinbcrly, Aaron White, John B. 
Crary, Timothy Haskell, Norman S. Booth, Charles Hun- 
siker, Christopher Parsons, Bezaleel Taft, Abncr Carpenter. 
Reuben P'itzgerald was appointed foreman. The jury found 
two indictments. During this term of the court but one 
ease was on the docket for trial, and in that tlie plaintiff 
was non-suited because he was not present to prosecute his 
cause. Stephen H. Preston was appointed district attorney 
for the term. 

The next term was also held at Bcllevue, with Judge 
Ransom presiding, and S. S. Church and Amos Spicer, 
associates. This was Nov. 29, 1838. George C. Gibbs 
was appointed district attorney. The grand jury found one 
bill of indictment. During this term there were two trials 
for selling liquor to tlie Indians, two for trespass on the 
case for promises, and one for obtaining property under 
false pretenses. The May and November terms for 1830 
were held at Bellcvuo, no special cases occurring. 

The Circuit Court first convened at Charlotte, May 19, 
1840, in the block-tavern kept by William Stoddard. 
Rooms had been fitted up in tliat building for the use of 
the county, and it became known as the " Court-House." 
It was used for all conceivable purposes in the early days 
of the place. Hon. Epaphroditus Ransom presided at the 
first term held at Charlotte, with Simeon S. Church and 
Amos Spicer, associate judges. The grand jurors were : 0. 
Rowland, Roger W. Griswold, Alonzo Baker, Asa Fuller, 
John Brown, Bezaleel Taft, Simeon Harding, R. T. Cogs- 
well, John Smith, Samuel S. Hoyt, Oramel D. Skinner, 
Phineas S. Spaulding, Merrills Freeman, Truman B. Barr, 
Aaron Bouton, Zebulon Wheaton, Luther Blodgett, Jr., 
Josiah Pinson, Sheldon Pinson, George Y. Cowan, David 
Barr, and Charles Imar, " all good and lawful men of the 
county of Pjaton"— so say the records. At this term, 
which continued two days, twenty-two cases were disposed 
of, none of them being of great importance. 

At the term of the Circuit Court for November, 1840, 
the grand jury found no indictments, and was discharged. 
A number of cases came before the petit jury. At the 
November term, in 1841, an indictment was found against 
John Miller for an assault on Calvin Phelps with intent to 
commit murder. Miller was bound over to the next term of 
the court in the sum of 8500. Miller was also indicted for 
perjury, but upon a plea of insanity was found not guilty of 
that charge. A nolle i^roscqui was entered on the main in- 
dictment, but it was subsequently ordered that Miller be 
recommitted to prison, as it was considered dangerous to 
allow him liberty. 

At a term of the court in September, 1843, John Barrett 
and William Johnson, upon their application, affidavits of 
sufficient previous residence, and taking the oath, were 
admitted to United States citizenship. Barrett had come 
from England in 1833, and was an inhabitant of Eaton 
County in 1841. William Johnson had resided in the 
State three years. James Young, who settled in the State 
in 1840, was admitted to citizenship in 1844. 

Many of the prominent citizens of the county in its earlier 
years became entangled in the meshes of tlie law in cases of 



various descriptions, and merchants, lawyers, mechanics, 
school districts, etc., had their deeds spread upon the court- 
records not always with credit to themselves. 

In October, 1844, the associate judges, S. S. Church 
and James McQueen, held a special session of the court 
and transacted a small amount of business. In March, 
1845, the associate judges, Oramel I). Skinner and Phineas 
S. Spaulding, convened the Circuit Court at the "court- 
house," but, " in consequence of sickness in the family 
residing in the court-house, the court adjourned to the 
school-house in Charlotte, in said county," and there dis- 
posed of the business in hand. The session lasted four 
days, the presiding judge not being present. 

At the October term in 1845 indictments were found for 
arson and for destroying private property. The defendant 
in the former case was named Charles Lamb. Thus it is 
that the names of eminent men are sometimes brought into 
disrepute. An indictment for murder was found at the 
same time against William Butler. The case was con- 
tinued until April 1847, when the defendant was found 
guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years' hard 
labor in the State prison. He was pardoned by the Gov- 
ernor Sept 1, 1853. The crime for wliich he was con- 
victed was that of killing a man witli a hoe in an altercation 
in a corn-field. 

In June, 1856, ^Lnry Brooks, of Kalamo, was con- 
victed of murder in the first degree and sentenced to hard 
labor in the Jackson penitentiary for life. After a number 
of years, however, she was pardoned. This case was espe- 
cially revolting. Her husband was much older than her- 
self, and she administered poison to him in quantities insuf- 
ficient to produce immediate death, but which resulted in 
his demise after a long season of slow torture. Physicians 
were unable to determine the nature of his disease, and the 
guilty wife, while taking care of him, was constantly at 
work reducing him, and her work finally resulted in his 
death, as stated. She was young and unwilling to be held 
by the bonds which united her to her victim. The case 
was worked up in a very able manner by John Van Arman, 
of Marshall, who practiced considerably in the Eaton Cir- 
cuit Court. He is now one of the most prominent lawyers 
of the city of Chicago, and has won notoriety in numerous 
well-known cases. 

The following is a list of the judges who have presided 
over the Eaton Circuit Court since 1838: 

1838—13, Epaphroditus Ransom, of Kalamazoo; 1843-45, Alpheus 
Felch, of Washtenaw County; 1846, Warner Wing; 1847, George 
Miles; 1848-50, Edward Mundy ; 1851, George Martin; 1862- 
66, Abner Pratt; 1867 (spring), Edward H. C. Wilson; 1857 
(fall), 1858, Benjamin F. Graves; 1858, Fliivius J. Littlejohn,*' 
of Allegan; 1859-66, Benjamin F. Graves; 1866-75, George 
Woodruff; 1876-77, Philip T. Van Zile; 1878-80, Frank A. 
Hooker. 

COUNTY COURT. 

County Courts were held for Eaton County from 1847 
to 1851. At the first session, beginning June 7, 1847, 
— N. S. Booth presiding," — several suits were tried which 
had been appealed from justices' courts. The latest record 
of this court is dated Nov. 12, 1851, after which the 

* Deceased in spring of 1880. 



THE COURTS— COUNTY CIVIL LIST. 



363 



County Court was discontinued. At the last session a cer- 
Uiin well-known attorney remarked, " I will pay the court 
for sitting here if ho tliinks he is not paid already " This 
was in answer to a remark of the court, who imposed a fine 
of five dollars upon the lawyer for using "contemptuous 
language." "Fine and be d — </.'" retorted the man of 
law, and the court immediately ordered that he he confined 
for five days in the common jail of the county. This is the 
only incident of a spicy nature recorded during all the 
sessions of the County Court. The attorney, who was not 
afraid to speak his mind, is still practicing in the county 
and will doubtless smile at the recollection of the occasion 
when this page meets his eye. 

PROBATE COURT. 

The first estate admini-stered upon in Eaton County after 
its orgjinization was that of Worcester B. Woodruff, of the 
township of Oneida. Sylvanus Hunsiker, the first judge 
of Probate for the county, appointed Addison Hayden as 
administrator on the 13th of December, 1888 The goods 
and chattels of Jlr. Woodruff inventoried 8336.39, accord- 
ing to the estimate of the appraisers, who were Moses In- 
gersoll and Daniel Chadwick, and later, Eliel lugersoU and 
Erastus IngersoU. The administrator made his final report 
Feb. 5, 1847. During a number of years after the county 
was organized the Probate Court was held in the township 
in which deceased had lived, and thus we find it held in 
Oneida, Eaton, Believue, etc. Dec. 14, 1838, Judge Hun- 
siker appointed David Barr and Rebecca Fowler adminis- 
trators of the estate of Simeon Fowler, deceased. This 
estate inventoried §1(178.64. 

No other estate was administered upon until 1840. On 
the 3d of October, in that year, Judge Hunsiker appointed 
Jeremiah P. Woodbury administrator of the estate of 
Stephen Woodbury, Jr., deceased. The latter was a shoe- 
maker by trade. His effects, including a rifle, valued at 
twelve dollars, a silver watch, worth forty dollars, a set 
of shoemaker's tools, village and farm lots, inventoried 
8647.06. During the time the .second judge of Probate, 
Osmyn Childs, was in office the business increased largely. 
Robert Le Conte, of Charlotte, a promising young lawyer, 
who died in the winter of 1841-42, left a considerable 
amount of personal property. His administrator was Wil- 
liam Stoddard, landlord of the old " Eagle Hotel." 

The entire number of cases administered upon since the 
organization of the county and up to June, 1880, is about 
1825. The.se include estates of minors, incompetent per- 
sons, etc. From August, 1879, to June, 1880, the number 
of cases was about ninety. 

COUNTT CIVIL LIST. 
The following is a list of the officers of Eaton County 
who have been elected during the years from 1838 to 
1878, inclusive :* 

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 
183S, Heubcn Fitzgerald, Pbincos S. Spauldin^ (in place of Jonathan 
Scarls), William Wall; IS.SO, Oramel D. Skinner; 1840, Alvan D. 
Shaw; 1841, Ephraim Follett. 

* All county officers, except the judge of Probate, bold for two 
jeara. His term is for four years. 



ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 

1838, AmosSpicer.S.S. Church; 1840, S.S. Church, James McQueen; 
1844, P. S. Spaulding, 0. D. Skinner: 1848, Henry A. Moyer, 
James W. Hickok. 

COUNTY JUDGES. 

1818, Norman S. Booth; 1848, Henry M. Munson ; 1850, Charles E. 
Deard.sley. 

SECOND JUDGES. 

1846, Amasa L. Jordan; 1850, George Y. Cowan. 

JUDGES OF PROBATE. 

1838-40, Sylvanus Hunsiker; 1840-44, Oimyn Childs; 1849, Benja- 
min 0. Davis; 1851, Ezra D. Burr (to fill vocincy); 1852, Ezra 
D. Burr; 1856, Alden B. Sampson ; 1800, Jo-soph Oridlcy ; 1SC4- 
71, Henry A.Shaw; 1872, Philip T. Van Zilc; 1870, Isaac D. 
McCutubcon. 

TREASURERS. 

18.38, Levi Wbcaton; 1840, Simeon Harding; 1 812-50, Harvey Wil- 
liams; 1852, James Gallery; 1854, Samuel F. Drury ; 1850-62, 
Gardner T. Rand; 1864-70, Ellzey Hayden; 1872-76, George 
W. Squier; 1878, Esek Pray. 

CLERKS. 

1838, Caleb Woodbury, Jr.; I8J0, M. S. Brackett : 1842, Austin 
Blair; 1844, Alvnn D.Shaw; 1846, James D. McCammon ; 1848, 
L. H. Ion : 1850-54, Tbcodorus D. Green; 1856-58, Edward A. 
Foote; 1860-62, Edward W. Barber; 1864-70, Isaac E. C. 
Hickok ; 1872-76, Philo D. Patterson ; 1878, Garry C. Fox. 

REGISTERS OF DEEDS. 

1S3S, Walter S. Fairfield; 1840, William Stoddard; 1812-46, Fred- 
crick F. White; 1848, Henry Robinson ; 1850, Alvan D. Shaw; 
1S52-54, Henry Robinson; 1850-58, Edward D. Lacey; 18611-62, 
Edward D. Laccy; 1864, Edward W. Barber; 1866-70, Bcnajah 
W.Warren; 1872-76, Charles H. Brown; 1878, Andrew P. Green. 

SHERIFFS. 

1838, Robert M. Wheaton ; 1840, Walter S. Fairfield; 1842-44, Nathan 
P. Frink; 1846, Silas E. Millott ; 1848, Horace Hamlin; 1850, 
John W. McCarger; 1852, Thomas Curry; 1854, Edward M. 
Kingsbury; 1856-58, George N. Potter; 1860-62, Benajah W. 
Warren; 1864, William H. Benedict; 1866-68, Alonzo C. Whit- 
comb; 1870, Charles S. Aldrich; 1872-74, George W. Mead; 
1876-78, Hiram Smoke. 

SURVEYORS. 

183S, James W. Hickok; 1840, Martin S. Brackett ; 1842, Addison 
Hayden; 1844, Ale.xander Anderson; IS46-4S, Hosey Hovey ; 
1850, Addison Hayden; 1852, Hosey Hovey; 1854, Addison 
Hayden; 1856, Harvey Williams; 1858-01, Jared F. Sykes ; 
1866, William E. Soulhworth; 1868, Joseph U. Gibbons; 1870- 
72, William H.Simpson; 1874-76, Oscar G. Church; 1878, M. 
H. Bailey. 

CORONERS. 

1838, Samuel Clark, Benjamin Knight; 18.39, Jonathan Scarls; 1840, 
J. F. Uinman, Harvey Williams; 1842-44, Phineas Hart, Seneca 
H. Gage; 1846, John Montgomery, Joseph P. Hall ; 184S, Enos 
Fcnton, A. B. Hall; 1849, A. B. Hall ; 1850, A. M. Crawford 
R.E. Palmer; 1852, A. B. Hall, L B. Gordon ; 1854, S. H. Gage, 
Charles R. Sherman ; 1856, Asaph Landers, I. B. Gordon ; 1858, 
A. C. Dutton, Henry Austin; 1860, A. B. Sampson, D. B. Anson ; 
1862, C. A. Mcrritt, T. J. Thomas; 1864, A. C. Dutton, G. T. 
Rand; 1866, A. A. Thompson, A. K. Warren; 1868, A. K. War- 
ren, A. C. Dutton; 1870, Joshua Slayton, Jabcz Ashley; 1872 
William Parmentcr, Erastus Berry; 1874, Jabei Ashley, Benja- 
min J. Grier; 1876, Daniel B. Hosier, Fitz L. Reed; 1878, F. L 
Reed, Elihu D. Tallman. 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 
1850, C. C. Chatfield; 1852, M. S. Brackett; 1854, John C. Spencer ; 
1856-60, S. W. Fowler; 1862-66, John W. Nichols; 1868-70, 



364 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Philip T. Van Zile; 1872-74, Frank A. Hooker ; 1S76-78, George 
Huggctt. 

CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS. 

1S52, John H. Kimball (by appointment); 1852, same (elected but 
not qualified) ; 185.3, same (appointed by Governor) ; 1854, Smith 
W. Fowler, Jr.; 1856-58, J. W. Kimball ; ISfiO, Luman Footo : 
1862-66, Edmund S. Tracy; lSGS-72, Isaiic D. McCutcheon ; 
1874, I. D. McCutcheon, John Wood; 1S76, John AVood, Parm 
S. DeGniff; 1878, P. S. DeGraff, William A. Norton. 

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS. 

1SC7, Frank A. Hooker; 1869, Calvin Q. Townsend ; 1S71, John 
Evans; 1873, Darius R. Shoop. 

COUNTY DRAIN COMMISSIONERS. 

1869-71, Sylvester Collins. (This office is filled at present by aji- 
pointment of board of supervisors.) 



CHAPTER V. 

COUNTY SOCIETIES, 

EATON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

In January, 1879, Seth Ketcham, the secretary of this 
society, furnished, in connection with his annual report, 
the following historical sketch : 

"On the 3d dny of January, a.d. 1.So5, pursuant to notice, a meet- 
ing of citizens of the county met at the court-house in Ihe village of 
Charlotte for the purpose of organizing a county ngricultural society. 
Willard Davis, of Vermontville, was elected chairman of the meeting, 
and L. H. Ion, of Charlotte, secretary. A resolution was adopted to 
organize the Eaton County Agricultural Society, whereupon a com- 
mittee of three, consisting of Harvey Williams, J. C. Spencer, and 
L. H. Ion, were appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for the 
society, nnd then adjourned to meet February 12th following. Pursu- 
ant to adjournment a meeting was held, the committee reported, and 
the report was accepted and adopted.* 

" The first officers of the society (who were elected at this meeting) 
were W. U. Benedict, of VermoDtville, President; L. H. Ion, of 
Charlotte, Secretary; and Harvey Williams, of Charlotte, Treasurer. 
The first fair was held in the village of Charlotte, Oct. 11 and 12, a.d. 

1855, the citizens of the village furnishing the grounds, buildings, 
and fences the first year free of cost to the society. The total amount 
of premiums awarded was $194, In May of the following year the 
society purchased eight acres of ground, at a cost of $700, which was 
inclosed with a suitable fence, and buildings for the accommodation 
of exhibitors were erected. The cost of buildings and fence does not 
appear on the records. Amount of premiums awarded for the year 

1856, $230.25. 

"Annual fairs have since been held with increasing success, show- 
ing by the increasing number and quality of articles and animals 
exhibited the interest taken by farmers and mechanics in the success 
of the society, and its influence in encouraging and developing the 
agricultural resources of the county. 

" In the year 1868 it became apparent that the needs of the society 
demanded more room, whereupon the necessary arrangements were 
made to sell the old grounds and purchase others, and in a more 
suitable location. The old grounds were sold on the 19th day of 
June, 1S6S, for $3000, and the new, containing thirty-five acres, were 
purchased at a cost of $3875 ; upon them have been expcnde<I, in a 
half-mile track, buildings, and fences, about $5500. The new grounds 
are located in the south part of the city of Charlotte, well-planned 
and laid out with walks and drive-ways to and through a splendid 
natural grove of about ten acres, which occupies the eastern portion 

* At a session of the board of supervisors, in October following, 
the sum of $229.56 was voted for the use of the society, and the 
county clerk directed to draw an order for that amount. 



of the grounds, and through which runs Battle Creek, supplying water 
for all. 

" At the timo the new grounds wore purchased the society a;-'sumed 
obligations on the Siime amounting to $3285, with interest at the rate 
of ten percent, per annum, using all available means at that timo 
and during the following few years in improvements on the grounds. 
Since then the change in values and consequent stringency in all 
monetary aflFairs have made it a heavy load for the society to meet its 
obligations. The indebtedness, however, has been steadily decreased 
each year for the past five years, until, on the 31st day of December, 
1878, the total indebtedness, including interest, was $2701), with a 
bnliince of cash' on hand, $658 ; leaving net indebtedness, $2042. 

" In 1878, at the twenty-fourth annual fair of the society, the total 
number of entries was 1674, and the total amount of premiums 
awarded, $900.50, aside from those offered by different individuals." 

The officers for the society for 1880 are the following, 
viz.: President, Duane Hawkins, of Vermontville; Sec- 
retary, Esek Pray, of Charlotte ; Treasurer, Charles E. Ells, 
of Carmel. The society is at present in an excellent con- 
dition. 

PIONEER SOCIETY. 

Pursuant to a call sii^ned by several citizens, a meeting 
was held on the 6th of January, 1872, at the office of Hon. 
Henry A. Shaw, at P]aton Rapids, for the purpose of or- 
ganizing a pioneer society. The following persons were 
present, viz. : George W. Bentley, Henry A. Shaw, John 
Montgomery, Johnson Montgomery, Robert Montgomery, 
John E. Clark, J. W. Toles, Calvin Hale, David B. Hale, 
Lorin Harwood, James H. Arnold, Samuel Ferris, Tillison 
Wood, Nelson Wood, G. W. Knight, H. P. Onderdonk, 
Joel Latson, Parker Taylor, N. J. Scelye, Aldro Atwood, 
Simon Darling, Benjamin L. Bentley, Russell D. Mead, 
Zadock Beebe, Nathaniel Taylor, Oliver L. Powers, David 
Stirling. Hon. John Montgomery was elected chairman 
and G. W. Knight secretary of the meeting. On motion 
of Henry A. Shaw, it was 

''Jiesuhed, That wc, the old residents of Eaton County, will or- 
ganize an old settlers' society and meet once a year." 

H. A. Shaw, Joel Latson, and J. W. Toles were ap- 
pointed a committee to make arrangements for the first 
meeting, to be held at Eaton Rapids, Feb. 22, 1872. 
Other necessary business was transacted, and the meeting 
adjourned. On the -day appointed the society met at the 
Vaughan House, in Eaton Rapids, and, after the appoint- 
ment of a chairman, Rev. W. U. Benedict, of Vermont- 
ville, the first resident minister of the gospel in Eaton 
County, made the opening prayer. The committee on con- 
stitution made its report, which was accepted and adopted. 
The opening clauses of the constitution are as follows: 

" Whereas, We, the pioneers and early settlers of Eaton and Ing- 
ham Counties, desiring for our mutual benefit and social enjoyment 
to form a society and to meet at stated intervals, nnd renew the 
memories and associations connected with the early settlement of this 
portion of our State (therefore, we) do, for the purpose of promoting 
the object contemplated by this preamble, constitute and adopt for 
the government of this society the following constitution : 

" This association shall be known as the Pioneer Society of Eaton 
and Ingham Counties. Its object shall be to renew old acquaintances 
and continue the friendly and social relations of its members," etc. 

Any person having resided twenty-five years in the State, 
and being at the time of application a citizen of either of 
the counties named, is eligible to membership. A small 
admission-fee is charged to male members. The annual 
day of meeting was first set on the 22d of February, or 



THE PllOFESSIONS. 



365 



the Monday followinj; should the day be Saturday or Sun- 
day. At the first meeting the following ofiBcers were 
chosen, viz. : President, Hon. John Jlontgoniery ; Vice- 
President, R. W. Griswold; Secretary, G. W. Knight; 
Treasurer, Alvan D. Shaw ; Executive Couimittee, Henry 
A. Shaw, Phineas S. Spaulding, Itobert M. Wheaton. 

The second annual meeting was held at Charlotte, Feb. 
24, 1873. A historical committee consisting of Joseph 
Saunders, H. A. Shaw, and W. U. Benedict, was appointed 
to receive sketches of hi.story and personal reminiscence. 
Speeches were made by II. A. Shaw, M. S. Brackett, Jesse 
Hart, and others, and many recollections of the pioneer 
days were revived. At this meeting S. S. Church, of 
Vcrmontvillc, was elected president ; Jesse Hart, of Char- 
lotte, Vice-President ; George W. Knight, of Hamlin, Sec- 
retary ; and A. D. Shaw, of Charlotte, Treasurer. 

The third annual meeting was held at the Vaughan 
House, in Eaton Rapids, Feb. 25, 1874. Hon. Austin 
Blair was present, and gave an interesting account of his 
experience in the early days of the settlement of the county, 
which was followed by an address by C. C. Darling. The 
oflBccrs elected were : President, Jesse Hart, of Charlotte ; 
Vice-President, Robert Nixon, of Oneida ; Secretary, 
George W. Knight, of Hamlin ; Treasurer, M. L. Squier, 
of Vermontville. At this meeting the constitution was 
amended so as to provide for holding meetings in June 
instead of February. 

Two meetings were held in 1874, — the second at Ver- 
montville, June 2rith, when Fitz L. Reed was elected 
President; Sidney Allen, Vice-President; G. W. Knight, 
Secretary ; Martin L. S(|uier, Treasurer. 

The fourth annual meeting was held on the fairgrounds 
at Charlotte, June 10, 1875, and that has been the place at 
which all subsequent meetings have convened. The officers 
from 1875 to 1879 inclusive, have been the following, viz.: 
Presidents, 1875, Isaac E. C. Hickok, of Charlotte ; 187t), 
Osman Chappell ; 1877, Gardner T. Rand; 1878, E.sek 
Pray; 1879, George N. Potter. Vice-Presidents. 1875, 
G. W. Keyes, of Olivet; 1876, S. S. Church, of Vermont- 
ville ; 1877, Thomas Scott ; 1878, Johnson Montgomery; 
1879, Asa Mitchell. Secretaries, 1875-77, George W. 
Knight; 1878, M.F. Knight; 1879, Edward A. Foote. 
Treasurer, 1875-79, Martin L. Squier. 

At the fifth annual meeting, held in 1876, a most enjoy- 
able day was had, and short histories of several townships 
were read by persons chosen by the executive committee 
to prepare them. At the subsequent meetings numerous 
interesting speeches were made and historical papers read. 

The ninth annual meeting of the society was held at the 
usual place June 9, 1880. Robert Nixon, of Oneida, was 
elected President; T. D. Green, of Charlotte, Vice-Presi- 
dent; E. A. Foote, of Charlotte, Secretary; and M. L. 
Squier, of Vermontville, Treasurer. Forty persons were 
present who had come to Michigan while it was yet a Ter- 
ritory, besides many later settlers. 

TUE FARMERS' MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COM- 
PANY OF BARRY AND EATON COUNTIES 

was organized and chartered in October, 1863, pursuant to 
an act of the Legislature, approved Feb. 15, 1859. The 



names appended to the notice of organization were those 
of G. K. Beamer, Cleveland Ellis, Lorenzo Mudge, Willard 
Davis, John Dow, Robert M. Whoaton, A. C. Ells, Phineas 
S. Spaulding, and Wiliett M. Bristol. In January, 1867, 
the membership of the company had increased to 1154. 
It is now in a flourishing condition, and has a large mem- 
bership.* 

THE EATON COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY 
was organized in July, 18G5, through the efforts of Rev. 
J. Hinton, an agent of the American Bible Society. A 
full assortment of Bibles, Testaments, etc., was ordered for 
its use by the parent society, and its headquarters fixed 
at Charlotte. The following officers were elected for the 
Society, viz. : President, Henry Robinson ; Vice-President, 
H. S. Arnold; Secretary, Rev. W. B. Williams; Treas- 
urer, Joseph Saunders (former editor of the Charlotte lic- 
puhlican, now of Detroit) ; Executive Committee, 0. C. 
Buck, J. M. Haslctt, E. Shepherd, A. C. Ells, A. P. 
Case. 

THE EATON COUNTY SABBATH-SCHOOL AS.SO- 
CIATION 

was organized at Charlotte Feb. 26, 186!. One of its 
most prominent and active members for a number of years 
was Erastus S. Ingersoll, of Delta, now deceased. Its 
meetings were held in various portions of the county. Its 
objects were stated to be " the union of all denominations ; 
to carry Sabbath-schools into every destitute neighborhood 
in the county, and to make those already established more 
interesting and efficient." 

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 

Eaton Comity Pomona Grange, No. 28, was organized 
in the spring of 1880, with seventy-four members. The 
following are its officers : Master, B. E. Benedict, of Ver- 
montville ; Overseer, James Murray, of Ciiarlotte ; Lec- 
turer, Hiram Shipman, of Grand Ledge; Steward, Sidney 
Harmon, of Chester; A.ssistant Steward, Stephen Dwinell, 
of Eaton Rapids ; Chaplain, Esek Pray, of Charlotte ; 
Secretary, Joseph Shaw, of Sunfield ; Treasurer, John 
Nickle, of Roxand ; Gatekeeper, G. H. Lankton, of Belle- 
vue ; Ceres, Mrs. James Eddy, of Charlotte ; Pomona. Mrs. 
G. Pray, of Windsor; Flora, Mrs. Town, of Sunfield; 
Lady Assi.stant Steward, Mrs. Benedict, of Vermontville. 

Subordinate granges are in existence in most of the 
townships in the county, dating generally some years pre- 
vious to the organization of the County Grange. 



CHAPTER VL 

THE PROFESSIONS. 

MEDICAL. 

To write satisfactorily of the medical profession in Eaton 
County would be a difficult task, even if all desired data 
were at hand for ready reference. How much more diffi- 

* An effort to procure furlher information from the secretary of tlio 
company, who resides in Barry County, met with no success. 



366 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



cult, therefore, the work must be when the information to 
be obtained upon the subject is generall}' of the most meagre 
character, can be understood and appreciated only by those 
who have attempted a similar one. To Charles A Merritt, 
M.D., Gardner H. and Warren H. Hand, M.D.s, of Char- 
lotte, Dr. Seneca H. Gage, of Bellevue, and others in the 
county, we are under obligations for material and iaforma- 

tiou furnished. 

BELLEVUE. 

The first physician at Bellevue, and probably the first in 
the county,* was " old Dr. Carpenter," as he is famil- 
iarly spoken of. He was located in the place in 1836, and 
had possibly come previously. He practiced four or five 
years, died, and was buried in the cemetery at the village 
of his adoption. 

Dr. Root, a physician from the State of Vermont, prac- 
ticed in the place in the fall of 1837, but remained only a 
few months. Dr. Samuel Clark located about 1837-38, 
and died in the spring of 1845. 

Dr. Seneca H. Gage, from Yates Co., N. Y., located 
with his wife at Bellevue in September, 1837, and engaged 
in the practice of medicine, which he continued for fifteen 
years. He is now in the drug business at that place. Dr. 
Gage attended lectures at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., 
and for ten years after coming to Bellevue had a very ex- 
tensive practice. The diseases in that day were almost 
entirely remittent and intermittent fevers, which would 
now hardly be thought of sufficiently serious nature to re- 
quire the services of a physician ; but " in those days" 
such things were new to the settlers, who knew nothing 
of their proper treatment. 

Other physicians who have practiced at Bellevue have 
been Drs. A. B. H.\le, who remained here for some time, 
went afterwards to Centrevillc, St. Joseph Co., and is now 
at Union City, Branch Co. ; Taylor, who came soon after 
Dr. Hale, and lived and died here ; H. T. Fero, not a reg- 
ular physician, who practiced for a considerable time, and 
also died in the place ; Drs. Hall, Winslow, Carqill, 
Barris, Bailey (homceopathist, who went from here to 
Lansing), all before Taylor and Fero ; Dr. Pr.att, who 
sold to Dr. Erastus Berry ; Dr. Marshall (homceop- 
athist), now of Marshall; Dr. L. A. Snell, from Char- 
lotte (homceopathist), now of Mason, Ingham Co. ; Dr. 
William H. Addington ; Dr. Horace Hull, who has 
resided in the place a number of years, attended lectures 
and began practice in the spring of 1880 ; Mrs. Dr. 
Graves, who remained about a year ; Dr. Dodge, who 
stayed a year or two, and was associated with Mr. Sabin in 
the drug business; and Dr. Jounson, who practiced a 
short time with Dr. Fero. Those now in practice in the 
place are Messrs. Berry, Addington, and Hull. 

, E.\TON rapids. 

The first physician at Eaton Rapids — and he is thought 

by some to have been the first in the county| — was Dr. 

Joseph P. Hart, who began practice as early as 1836- 

38, in that locality. He was originally an old-school phy- 



* See physicians of Eaton Rapids, 
t See pliysicians of Bellevue. 



sician, but about two years before his death, at the instance 
of Dr. Gardner T. R.\nd, now of Charlotte, took up 
the practice of homoeopathy. After his death his books, 
medicine, and practice were taken by Dr. Rand, who re- 
moved to Charlotte in 1857. 

A. C. Dutton, M.D., a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., 
removed to Michigan in 1834, and located near Dexter, 
Washtenaw Co. In 1856 he settled at Eaton Rapids, 
having lived for eight years previously in Stockbridge, 
Ingham Co., where he began practice. He continued 
practice for eight years after coming to Eaton Rapids. 
He had studied in Dexter, and attended lectures at Cleve- 
land. For a number of years he has been engaged in 
banking and other business at Eaton Rapids. 

Dr. Willoughby Derby practiced in the place after 
Dr. Dutton went into other business. He was a son-in-law 
of Jesse Hart, of Brookfield (now of Charlotte), and had 
come to the State about 1839. 

Dr. John Henderson, who is now deceased, was an 
early practitioner at the Rapids, having preceded Dr. Dut- 
ton. Drs. Hayden, Pay'ne, and others were there about 
the same time. 

Dr. Amos Knight, son of Benjamin Knight, one of the 
founders of Eaton Rapids, was born at Akron, Ohio, March 
11, 1835. He has diplomas from medical institutions at 
Ann Arbor, Chicago, Cleveland, and New York, and has 
had a very successful practice of about twenty years. 

Dr. Morris Hale, proprietor of the Frost House and 
Water Cure at Eaton Rapids, will be found mentioned, in 
connection with the establishment named, in the history of 
the village of Eaton Rapids. Other physicians of the place 
at present are Drs. Samuel M. Wilkins and D. W. Ba- 
con-; the former is prominent politically as well as in the 
professional field, and in 1878 was chosen to a seat in the 
House of Representatives of the State. 

VERMONTVILLE. 

The first physician in Vermontville was a young man 
named Stiles, who came from Central New Y'ork in the 
early part of 1838. He is recollected as an excellent prac- 
titioner. He is now deceased. His successor, or the second 
in the place, was Dr. Dewey H. Robinson, a member of 
the Vermontville colony, who came also in 1838. He 
remained until his health failed, when he returned to Ver- 
mont, in which State he died about 1858-60. He was 
also a young man, and, like Dr. Stiles, was thoroughly 
educated and competent for the work before him. His 
widow is yet living in Troy, N. Y., or Bennington, Vt. 

A fine physician, whose name is not recollected, and who 
was the third to locate in the place, started for California 
in 1849 or 1850, and died while crossing the plains. 

Dr. R. T. Kedzie, who settled about 1854-55, is now 
connected with the State Agricultural College at Lansing. 
He is eminent in his profession. 

Drs. Almon A. Thompson, C. J. Lane, and 

Ryder came at nearly the same time, and were all in 
practice together. Dr. Lane (eclectic and homoeopathic) has 
since resided for some time away from the village, but has 
recently returned, and is now in practice. Drs. Stevens, 
Kincaid, William Parmenter, and others have since 



THE PROFESSIONS. 



367 



resided here, and Dr. Parmentcr is now (he oldest physician 
of tiie place. Diis. P. L Green and Charles S. Sneli. 
(hoiutt'opath) are also present residents of the village, and 
most of those now in practice here have rides extending 
into several of the neighboring townships. 

CHARLOTTE.* 

The first local physician of Charlotte was Dr. Joseph 
P. IIai,!,, who located here in the fall of 1844, and re- 
mained in practice until his death, which occurred in 1863. 
He was a native of the State of Vermont, and a graduate 
of Woodstock Medical College. 

Dr. MuNSON came to Charlotte from Northern 

Ohio in 1845, and entered practice. His death occurred 
here in 1853. 

Dr. Aluen B. Sa.mi'SON, of whom notice will be found 
elsewhere, located in Charlotte in 1853, and engaged in an 
active practice. He was chosen to numerous important 
positions, among them that of judge of Probate, which he 
held four years. He was a graduate of Berkshire Medical 
College, Massachusetts. During the la.st few j-ears of his 
life he practiced but little. His death occurred in 18G8. 

Dr. Charles A. Merritt, a native of Massachusetts, 
removed to Ashland Co., Ohio, in 1851, and in the winter 
of the same year entered the Michigan University, from 
which lie was graduated in the spring of 1855. He came 
immediately to Charlotte and commenced practice, which 
he still continues, although not so extensively as in previous 
years, owing to the amount of other business on his hands. 
He is a nephew of Dr. Sampson, and upon the death of the 
latter became the manager of the property left by him. 

Until about 1860 the physicians of Charlotte practiced 
in most of the townships in the county. The towns were 
sparsely settled, and those in the remote portions of the 
county had no physicians as at pre.sent. The roads were 
bad, and the greater part of the ride was performed on 
horseback. From 1860 to 1870 the medical fraternity of 
Charlotte was largely increased, some of the more worthy 
and prominent members being Drs. S. W. Slater, I. T. 
FouTs, and G. B. Allen, who are still in practice here. 
Drs. Fowler, Isherwood, Perkey, and numerous 
others remained for a few years and sought other fields. 
Dr. Philo D. Patter.son, formerly of Kalarao, is at 
present residing at Charlotte, in active practice, and has 
become a prominent citizen of the county. 

K ALA. MO. 

At Kalamo village the first physician was Dr. J. P. 
Cessna, who was also engaged in mercantile business. Dr. 
Sam. Perkey (afterwards of Charlotte) practiced with 
him. Others have been Drs. E. J. Emmons, Joseph 

Griswold (now of Grand Rapids), J. H. Johnson, 

Bailey (since of Lansing), F. L. Snell (homoeopath), 
and A. W. Adams. The last two are now in practice at 
the place. 

CARLISLE. 

At Carlisle, Dr. John \V. Hall, who died in 1878, had 
lived about thirty-three years, and practiced until failing 

• Contributed by Dr. Cbarln A. Herritt. 



health compelled him to desist. Dr. Jeffers, now of 
Coldwater, Dr. Pihlo D. Patterson, now of Charlotte, 
Dr. Bacon, and Dr. Simpson, practiced for a longer or 
shorter time in the vicinity. 

SUXFIELD. 

Sunficld has generally been supplied by physicians from 
Vermoiitvillo, but within recent years Dr. Charle.s Sny- 
der has located at " Shaytown," and at present has a very 
successful practice. 

ROXAND. 

Dr. Henry A. Hoyt, of Hoytville, is a graduate of the 
New Haven Medical College, and commenced the practice 
of medicine in Roxand in 1867, after a short time spent 
in practice in Ohio. He had served al.so in the army, and 
continued to practice about three years after coming to his 
present location. He is now engaged in the mercantile 
business at Hoytville, where Dr. A. N. HlXSON is at 
present practicing. Drs. Thomas Armstrong and A.J. 
Ervey are located in the southeast corner of the township, 
at Maxson's Corners. 

(jkand ledge. 
At Grand Ledge Dr. Davis and others are engaged in 
practice, and several other physicians of the old school are 
located in other parts of the county. 

OLIVET. 

Dr. Asa K. Warren, the oldest physician in the place, 
came to Olivet in 1859, from near BuflFalo, N. Y. He had 
attended lectures at the Michigan University in 1854-55, 
and in 185.5-56, and was graduated from the medical de- 
partment in 1856, standing .second in a class of over thirty. 
He began practice in June of the same year in Erie Co., 
N. Y., where he remained until 1859, wlien he came to 
Olivet, and has since made the latter place his home. 
He is a native of Eden, Erie Co., N. Y., and was gradu- 
ated at Oberlin College, Ohio, in 1853. He is still prac- 
ticing to some extent, though having other business to 
attend to. His father was a member of the New York 
Legislature from Erie County. In 1873 the doctor was 
elected to the Michigan Legislature, and to the State Senate 
in 1875. In the House he was chairman of the Commit- 
tee on Education, Engrossment, and Enrollment, and a mem- 
ber of the Committee on Railroads and Geological Surveys. 
He has held numerous other responsible positions in his 
township and village. His wife is a daughter of Stephen 
G. Mead, a former prominent citizen of Olivet, who canjc 
from Vermont and settled at the place in 1845. He is 
now deceased, and his widow resides with her son-in-law, 
Dr. Warren. 

Dr. Mordecai L. Meads, a graduate from the medical 
department of the Michigan University in 1858, began 
practice in Somerset, Hillsdale Co., his ride extending also 
into the township of Mo.scow, in the same county. He 
afterwards removed to Spring Arbor, Jackson Co., and in 
1873 came to Olivet and practiced extensively for about 
three years. He is now in the drug and grocery business 
at Olivet, having been obliged to relinquish active practice 
on account of failing health. 



368 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Dr. Charles H. Mead, of Olivet, is a jrraduate of the 
Eclectic College of Chicago, and has a large practice, and 
Dr. L. p. IIazen, homouopathist, has also a share of pat- 
ronage. 

IIOMfROPAXny IN EATON COUNTY. 
The oldest homoeopathic physician in the county is Dr. 
Gardner T. Rand, of Charlotte. He is a native of 
Cheshire Co., N. H., and wiien fourteen years of age re- 
moved to Worcester Co., Mass. In 1837 he emigrated to 
Michigan, and settled in Jackson County, from which he 
removed to Eaton Rapids, in 1842, and engaged in mer- 
cantile business with his brother, Daniel Rand, who had 
settled in 1837. The latter died, and the doctor continued 
the business alone until about 1852, practicing medicine 
after about 1848. He had induced Dr. Joseph P. Hart, 
of Eaton Rapids, an old-school physician, to adopt homoeop- 
athy, and after the death of the latter Dr. Rand took his 
books, medicine, and practice. In January, 1857, he was 
elected county treasurer, and removed to Charlotte, where 
he has since resided. He is a graduate of the Hahnemann 
Homoeopathic College, at Chicago. He was county treas- 
urer eight years, supervisor of Carmel township five years, 
and is now serving his eleventh year as county superin- 
tendent of the poor. 

Dr. Warren H. Rand, of Charlotte, son of Dr. G. 
T. Rand, was born at Eaton Rapids. In March, 1877, he 
was graduated from the Homoeopathic Department of the 
Michigan University, and has since been engaged in an 
active practice at Charlotte. 

Dr. J. R. Hyde, of Eaton Rapids, was born in Peter- 
borough, Hillsborough Co., N. 11., April 8, 1833, and on the 
7th of July, 1842, arrived in Eaton Rapids with his 
parents. His father, Rufus Hyde, died in 1869. Dr. 
Hyde studied at E:iton Rapids, attended lectures at the 
Cleveland Homoeopathic College in 1856-57, and gradu- 
ated from the same institution in 1861. He has been en- 
gaged ill practice at Eaton Rapids. 

Dr. D. H. Long, now practicing at Eaton Rapids, 
studied with Dr. Hyde, attended lectures at Cleveland, and 
graduated at the Hahnemann Homoeopathic College of Chi- 
cago. He was associated with Dr. Hyde, both in study 
and practice, for about si.x years, and for three years was 
in company with him. Drs. Hyde and Lung have a large 
practice. 

Other homoeopathic physicians of the county are C. J. 
CoVEY, of Grand Ledge; L. P. IIazen, of Olivet; W. 
H. Hoffman, of Dimondale; C. H. Mead, of Olivet; 
F. L. Snell, of Kalamo ; and L. A. Snell, of Vermont- 
ville. 

HISTORY OF THE COURTS AND BAR OF EATON 
COUNTY.* 

The first terms of the Circuit Court in this county were 
held at Bellevue before the location of the county-seat at 
Charlotte. The Circuit Court journal opens with the fol- 
lowing entry : 

"The Circuit Court for the county of Eaton having been opened in 
pursuance of law by the sheriff of said county on the 31st day of 



' By E. A. Footc, ] 



May, 1838, at five o'clock p.m., there not appearing a quorum of 
judges, S. S. Church, one of the associate judges, being present, ad- 
journed said court to the ne.\t day, at ten -o'clook a.m. 

" W. R. CiRPE.VTER, Depiifi/ Clerk." 

Upon the nest day, June 1, 1838, the entry is more 
formal, showing that the court is opened 

" At the court-house in the village of Bellevue, in said county," and 
that Epaphro. Ransom, Circuit Judge, and S. S. Church, Associalc 
Jiiilge, are present. The entry then recites the return of the first 
venire issued for a grand jury and the calling of the jurors. The fol- 
lowing persons appeared and answered to their names: James W. 
Diokok, Elicl Bond, Ruloff Butler, Samuel Higgins, Reuben Haskell, 
Reuben Fitzgerald, Andrew W. Rogers, George S. Browning, Wait 
J. Squier, John T. Elli.s, Ephraim Follctt, David Judson, Isaac Dubois, 
Nathan 6. Hedges, James Kimberly, Aaron White, John B. Crary, 
Timothy Haskell, Norman S. Booth, Charles Hunsiker, Christopher 
Parsons, Bezaleel Taft, Abner Carpenter, Jr. " All good and lawful 
men of the county of Eaton." 

Reuben Fitzgerald was appointed foreman of the grand 
jury by the court and authorized to issue subpoenas for 
and administer oaths to witnesses. The grand jury, being 
sworn and charged by the court " to inquire in and for the 
body of the county of Eaton, retired to consider the busi- 
ness appertaining to them." 

The grand-jury system, though not yet abolished, has 
nearly fallen into disuse. The bill of indictment found by 
the grand jury against an accused person formerly took the 
place of the information which is now filed by the prose- 
cuting attorney upon preliminary examination before a 
magistrate. The sessions of the grand jury were in private. 
Each juror was sworn to secrecy, and " to present no per- 
son for envy, hatred, or malice, and not to leave any person 
unpresented for love, fear, favor, affection, or hope of re- 
ward." They were usually carefully instructed and cau- 
tioned as to their duties in a somewhat lengthy and impres- 
sive charge by the court before retiring. It was the duty 
of the prosecuting attorney to attend before them when 
recjuested by the foreman, to assist in drawing indictments 
or in the examination of witnesses. Any person wishing 
to make complaint of any offence against the law was ad- 
mitted before this body and permitted to tell his story under 
oath. Any of the jurors could ask questions. After hear- 
ing the complaint the complainant was requested to with- 
draw. The jury then discu.ssed and decided whether they 
would proceed further with the inquiry. If a majority de- 
sired further investigation witnesses were brought in one 
by one and separately examined as to their knowledge of 
the matter complained of. After hearing the testimony, 
minutes of which were kept by one of their number who 
acted as clerk, twelve of their number, if they concurred, 
could find a bill of indictment, upon which document the 
foreman certified that it was " a true bill." It was not per- 
missible for even the prosecuting attorney to be present 
while the jurors were expressing their opinions, so that it 
could not be known by the outside world which of the jurors 
favored or opposed the indictment. The drawing of the 
indictment required not a little legal skill and readiness, for 
the presentation of this bill was usually followed, after ar- 
raignment, by a motion to quash by the attorney for the 
defendant. When one or more indictments were ready for 
presentation to the court the entire jury were escorted by 
an officer into the court-room. All other business in court 



TUE PROFESSIONS. 



369 



was at once suspended, silence prevailed, and every eye was 
fixed upon tliis formidable array of in(|uisitors. The court 
very politely and deferentially asked the foreman if the 
jury had any business to present to the court; wlien that 
personajre, if he had business, arose and handed some papers 
to the clerk, who took them, and without looking at them 
to see whether he himself was indicted, at once handed 
them to the judge, who, upon looking and finding that the 
clerk was not indicted, banded them back to that officer, 
who took them and carefully locked them up, informing 
no one as to who was indicted until the defendant, by 
virtue of a bench-warrant, had been arrested and safely 
lodged in jail to await his arraignment and trial, or placed 
under bonds for his appearance at the next terra of court. 
After the defendant's arrest the indictment was placed on 
file, and became a public record, open to the inspection of 
all persons interested. As this grand-jury .system belongs 
to the past it is properly a matter of history. 

Upon this first page of the court journal we find the 
appointment of Stephen H. Preston to act as district at- 
torney for the county of Eaton during this term. This is 
the first mention made of an attorney. He then resided 
at Marshall. The journal also shows that the grand jury 
came into court and presented sundry indictments, and 
there appearing to be no further business fgr them they 
were thereupon discharged by the court. 

The November term, 18.39, was the la.st held at Bellevue. 
While the terms were held there, the name of Martin S. 
Brackett is signed at one time as clerk, and at another as 
deputy clerk. He afterwards became one of the most 
prominent members of the Eaton County bar, and will be 
more particularly mentioned hereafter. 

The old Eagle Hotel, which stood on the corner now 
occupied by the Plicetiix House in Charlotte, was originally 
designed for a steam grist-mill, but the promise of having 
the terms of court held at the county-seat as soon as there 
could be a court-room and jail in readiness for occupation 
induced the mill proprietors to change their original plan, 
and convert the mill-building into one which would answer 
for a hotel, jail, and court-room. The building was made 
of smoothly-hewed tinibei's laid one upon the other, and 
dovetailed at the corners. The court-room was upon the 
second floor, and for a time answered for courts, dancing 
parties, and public worship. Esquire Stoddard acted as 
landlord and jailer. The last session of the Circuit Court 
was held at Bellevue on the 28th and 29th days of No- 
vember, 1839. The journal entries are remarkably short 
and informal. The following are samples : 
■ 1 iiK Peopi.k of thk Statu of Miciiic. 



W1L1.1.1H Hexdehso.v. 
" The Defendant being arraigned plcnds not guilty. 
" Plea of Dot guilty withdrawn, and pleads guilty." 

The next day we find an entry in the same ca.se as 
follows : 

" In this case the court assc?s a fine upon the Ue.spondent of five 
dollars, and that he i^tand coiuuiittcd until said fine and cost^ are 
paid." 

The above is all that appears of the case. I surmise 
from the size of the fine that the defendant had been in- 
47 



dieted by the grand jury for selling liquor to the Indians. 
At the previous term there is a similar entry against Chris- 
topher Darling, with a fine of five dollars and the addition 
of " indictment for selling spirituous liquor to Indians." 

The journal next shows the court in scs.sion for the first 
time at Charlotte, on the 19th day of May, a.D. 18-10. 
Epaphroditus Ransom, circuit judge, and Simeon S. 
Church and Amos Spiccr, associate judges, are present. 
A grand jury appear and answer to the call of their 
names, and are sworn and charged. Among the names of 
these jurors we find those of Roger W. Griswold, Alonzo 
Baker, Asa Fuller, Bezaleel Taft, Simeon Harding (the 
fir.st county treasurer and builder of the first frame house 
erected in Charlotte), Oramel D. Skinner, Phineas S. 
Spaulding, Aaron Bouton, Zebulon Wheaton, George Y. 
Cowan, and other well-known pioneers. There being no 
district attorney, the court appointed John Willard for that 
term. The journal entries are as short and informal as at 
previous terms. The name of Charles T. Moffitt occurs as 
a litigant defendant in about ten suits. Alonzo Baker, 
plaintiff, and Erastus Ingersoll, defendant, seem to be in 
trouble. 

Phineas Farrand, Abner Pratt, Gibbs & Sandford, and 
E. Bradley appear from the journal entries to be the at- 
torne3's who are doing the business. One Henry Hewitt 
applies for admission to practice. Messrs. A. Pratt, Bradley, 
and Van Arman are appointed examining committee. Noth- 
ing further appears in regard to this application. Whether 
examined and admitted, or rejected, the journal does not 
tell. 

Nov. 10, 1842, Judge Ransom's name appears for the 
la-st time on the journal of our circuit. According to the 
opinion of all who knew him, he was a good man and an 
upright judge. His charges to the jury were so clear and 
so free from technical terms that a boy twelve years old 
could understand them. 

Judge Ransom was appointed one of the judges of the 
Supreme Court of Michigan in 1836, and in 1843 became 
chief justice, in which position he remained until 1848. 
He was Governor of the State for two years from Jan. 1, 
1848. He is personally described as " a man of command- 
ing presence, in height over six feet, in weight exceeding 
200 pounds, with ma.ssive head and a voice of power. 
When off the bench it was his pride to mingle with the 
people, and lead them into talks about their farms and 
mechanical employments; and he carefully noted the de- 
tails of their experience and tried to profit thereby. He 
was fond of and indulged in farming. He filled a United 
States government appointment in Kansas, and died at 
Fort Scott, Nov. 9, 1859. It is said of him th.it no man 
ever held a stronger hold upon the affections of the people 
of Western Michigan than Judge Epaphroditus Ransom. 
His residence was in Kalamazoo, to which place he moved 
from Townsend, Vt., in 1834."* 

Judge Ransom was succeeded by Hon. Alpheus Felch, 
who opened his first term in our county Sept. G, 1843. 
Presiding with bim as associate judges were S. S. Church, 



• From lion. H. G. Wells' article, " Law and the Legal Profession," 
in History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan. 



370 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of Vermontville, and James McQueen, of Eaton Eapids. 
Austin Blair, since Governor of the State and represen- 
tative in Congress, is clerk, but actini^ by his deputy, F. F- 
White. Mr. Blair walked through the woods from Eaton 
Rapids. 

In the case of tlie People vs. James McQueen, a nolle 
prosequi is entered by the prosecuting attorney. The Peo- 
ple conclude to prosecute no furtlier one of the judges on 
the bench, who had been indicted by the grand jury for 
adultery, Nov. 17, 1841, on complaint of one James Phil- 
lips. On the day following Judge McQueen's indictment, 
November 18th, the. same grand jury indicted Susannah 
Booth for perjury, committed before the grand jury during 
its examination of the complaint against Judge McQueen. 
She had been called as a witness before the grand jury, and 
swore that she and the judge were entirely innocent of the 
charge alleged. After the matter has slumbered two years 
the People noUe pros, the case. IModern taste in regard to 
judicial propriety would require a judge, while an indict- 
ment was pending against him in his own court, to absent 
himself from the bench. Judge Pratt would not permit a 
prosecuting attorney to act as such while an indictment was 
pending against, him. The reason for such a rule would 
seem to apply with more force in the case of a judge. 

In those days the statute provided for the election of two 
associate judges in each county for the term of four years. 
The circuit judges were justices of the Supreme Court, and 
presided together at Detroit, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, and 
Pontiac, at times fixed by law. They were nominated by 
the Governor, by aud with the advice of the Senate, — one 
from each of the four judicial circuits, — and held ofiBce four 
years. Besides presiding together to form a Supreme 
Court, each justice was required to hold Circuit Courts in 
the several counties of his circuit, and he together with one 
or two of the associate judges, elected in each county, con- 
stituted the Circuit Court. The two associate judges could 
together hold the court, but one alone only had power to 
adjourn from day to day. The justice of the Supreme 
Court could preside with one or both of his associates. The 
Legislature afterwards changed this system by providing 
for a County Court to be held upon the first Monday of each 
month. A County Court judge was elected in each county 
to preside for four years, and also a second judge for the 
same term to preside in the absence or disability of the 
county judge. A short account of the working of the County 
Court in this county will be given farther along in this 
article. 

To return to the associate judges. There seems to have 
been good reason for disconnecting them from the circuit 
judges, and giving them a County Court where once a 
month they could hold a term, sometimes called a dcbating- 
school for the benefit of the bar. 

March 26, 1845, associate judges Oramel D. Skinner, of 
Windsor, and Phineas S. Spauldiug, of Kalamo, were on the 
bench holding our Circuit Court during the absence of 
Judge Felch. A. D. Shaw was clerk, but D. Darwin 
Hughes was assisting him as his deputy. M. S. Wilkin- 
son — then of Eaton Rapids, afterwards United States 
senator from Minnesota — was acting as prosecuting attor- 
ney. The grand jury, with John Dow, as foreman, came 



into court and presented a true bill again.st James E. 
Fisher, of Brookfield, for assault and battery. Indorsed 
upon the indictment are the names of John Boody, com- 
plainant, Catharine and Peter Boody, witnesses. The doc- 
ument is filed by D. Darwin Hughes, deputy clerk. It was 
drawn by Mr. Wilkinson, prosecuting attorney. M. S. 
Brackett, attorney for defendant, thought it would be a 
good time to make a motion to quash. He had the clerk 
enter his motion upon the journal of the court instead of in 
the motion-book. We give his points : 

" 1st. The title of the court is not properly stated." 

(The indictment had it " State of Michigan. The Cir- 
cuit Court in and for the county of Eaton." The " in" 
ought not to have been in.) 

" 2(1. No pnrticuliir day is alleged in such indictment on which the 
assault and battery was committed." 

(The indictment has the time " on or ahoitt the 28th 
day of December, in the year eighteen hundred and forty- 
three.") 

" 3d. It is not alleged in said indictment with what intent the as- 
sault and battery was committed." 

(Fisher may have been practicing the Swedish move- 
ment cure, with intent to improve Boody's health.) 

" Jth. Said rndictment does not allege that the offense was com- 
mitted against the peace and dignity of the people of this State." 

(The indictment says, " Against the peace of the Peo- 
ple of the State of Michigan and their dignity." Peace and 
dignity, it may have been urged, should not be disconnected. 
They belong together.) 

"5th. Said indictment docs not allege in what township, parish, or 
ward said offense was committed; neither does it allege that the of- 
fense was committed in any township in Eaton County ; and for other 
reasons appearing on the face of the indictment." Pending the argu- 
ment of counsel, the court adjourned until two o'clock p.m. They 
wanted the presence of Judge Felch. 

The pleader in his indictment says : 

" That James E. Fisher, late of the town of brookfield, in the said 
county of Eaton and State of Michigan (giving date), with force 
and arms at Brookfield, in s.aid county, in and upon the body of 
one John Boody, Jr., in the peace of the people of the State of Mich- 
igan, then and there being did make an assault, and him, the said 
John Boody, Jr., then and there did beat, bruise, wound, and ill-treat 
and other wrongs," etc. 

(It will be seen by the reader of close legal mind that 
the first " brookfield" is spelled with a small " b," which is 
a field with a brook, and not the proper name of the town- 
ship in Eaton County. The next " Brookfield" commences 
with a capital " B," but is not spoken of as a township, 
parish, or ward, and is not aided by the mention of town 
in connection with the first " brookfield," which is evidently 
another and different place.) 

We can easily imagine how these honest farmers, neither 
of them lawyers, must have felt, with a whole Circuit Court, 
a grand jury, an indicted criminal struggling to escape 
through the meshes, and such a discussion as this, all upon 
their hands at once. How anxiously they must have 
looked from hour to hour for the arrival of Judge Felch ! 

Mr. Brackett, the maker of the motion to quash, was the 
most plausible and ingenious sophist the county ever pro- 
duced. He never enjoyed the consciousness of being right 



THE PROFESSIONS. 



371 



unless in the wrong, and never felt himself in the wrong 
save when he happened to find himself in the right. He 
had a long face, expressive of solemnity, wliich became ap- 
palling as others laughed. D. Darwin Hughes was doubt- 
less busy hunting up law to hand to his former preceptor. 

Of the ability of opposing counsel, M. S. Wilkinson, 
we can judge from the fact that he was afterwards appointed 
compiler of the " Wilkinson" statutes of Minnesota, named 
after him, and was by that State elected United States 
senator. Even though he spelled BrookGeld with a small 
b, he must have had brains, which the " busy little b" 
stung into activity. Mr. Brackett probably magnified the 
importance of the size of the " b" until it appeared to the 
associates like the very keystone of the arch over the tem- 
ple of justice. 

The adjournment, pending the argument, until two P.M. 
did not bring Judge Felch to the rescue. How they wor- 
ried through that afternoon does not appear from the jour- 
nal. The only entry for that afternoon is the following : 

•Joux Dkwev 1 

»■«. > Attachment. 

Jasper R. Rand. ) 

" The defendant three times called, and the second default entered. 
" In the above-entitled cause it is ordered on motion of Frink <k 
Blair, attorneys for plaintiff, that the parties file their pleadings under 
the rules and prnctico of this court.* 

" Court adjourned until to-morrow morning at eight o'clock. 

" OiiAMKi. D. Skixser, 
" P. S. Spai'ldinc" 

The next morning Judge Felch had not come. They 
had staved off the fiuashing of the indictment as long as to 
them seemed possible. A circuit judge would have found 
no difficulty in holding the matter, if he thought best, for a 
year. But the first journal entry for that day is as follows : 



" The People I 
James E. FisnEii. J 



" On motion of M. S. Brackett, attorney for defendant, it was ordered 
that the indictment be quashed, and that the said James E. Fisher bo 
dismissed and discharged from the premises in the said indictment. 
" Journal read, corrected, and signed in open court. 

"Oramei. D. Skinner, 
" P. S. Spauluixg." 

Thus placed the matter beyond the reach of any remedy 
by Judge Felch. It is said that in several instances tlte 
circuit judge has learned upon his tardy arrival at the 
court-room that the lawyers and associates had quashed all 
of the indictments on file and set all the prisoners at large. 

At the next term, Sept. 30, 1845, Judge Felch is 
promptly in his place, and appoints M. S. Brackett prose- 
cuting attorney for the term, — to keep hitu out of mischief. 
Joab Baker applies for admission to practice as an attorney. 
M. S. Wilkinson, David Johnson, and D. A. Winslow are 
appointed the examining committee. A subscfjucnt entry 
shows a favorable report by the committee and the ad- 
mission of Mr. Baker to the bar. His name is the second 
one signed to our roll of attorneys. He became an able 
and successful defender in criminal cases, practiced for 
several years in Clinton County, often attending our circuit, 
and is now in practice at Muskegon, in this State. 



* This in effect set aside the default. 



COUNTY COURT. 

When the County Court was established, its two judges 
presided without the presence of the circuit judge, and 
the circuit judge presided alone in the circuit. Litigants 
in the County Court could, bj' an entry upon the rec- 
ord, elect to remove their cases from the County Court to 
the Circuit, and there have them tried before the Circuit 
Court. 

The first County Court appears to have opened June 
7, 1847. N. S. Booth, of Bellevue, was presiding judge, 
and A. D. Shaw was clerk. A. L. Jordan, of Chester, had 
been elected second judge. 

At the January term, 1849, Ilenr}' JI. Munson, an at- 
torney of Charlotte, having been elected, takes his seat as 
county judge. At the November term, 1850, we find the 
cases of Susannah Booth vs. James McQueen, and The 
People vs. James Fisher, another case of assault and bat- 
tery. The writer was one of the jury which tried Fisher. 
Mr. Sherwood Snyder was one of the jury. Messrs. 
Brackett & Shaw defended. When the jury went out to 
consider their verdict, Mr. Snyder made a bed of his buffalo 
robe in the corner of the room, and as he lay down upon it 
he quietly informed the rest of us that when we had de- 
cided to bring that man in not guilty we could wake him 
up. The verdict was " not guilty," and Mr. Fisher once 
more escaped the clutches of the law. 

The County Court was a short-lived institution. The 
attorneys did not at all times manifest the respect due to a 
court, and managed to prolong trials beyond endurance. 
The last county judge was Charles E. Beardsley, Esq., of 
Bellevue, a lawyer who had practiced in the courts of 
Canada, where an attorney will not be recognized by the 
court unless he is properly arrayed in his black gown. 
Judge Beardsley was hardly prepared for the rough ways 
of a backwoods bar, and the attorneys, knowing his ideas 
of judicial decorum, determined to give him a surprise. 
The journal of Nov. 11, 1851, shows bad feeling on the 
part of the bar towards the judge by the continuance by 
consent of nearly all the cases on the calendar. This is 
followed by a large number of elections to remove the cases 
to the Circuit Court for trial. Several pages of the journal 
are filled with these elections, until hardly a case is left 
pending in the County Court. Finally, upon the 13th of 
November we find an entry which speaks for itself, as fol- 
lows, in the handwriting of S. D. Green, Clerk : 

" It is hereby ordered and adjudged that Henry A. Shaw be and is 
fined five dollars for contemptuous language used to the Court, to 
wit : ' I will pay the Court for sitting here if ho thinks ho is not paid 
alrcaily,' in answer to a remark of Court. 

'■ CiiAS. E. Beardsley, 

'■ C. .M.J,.- 

The grand jury come in with indictments and are dis- 
charged. The next day, Nov. 14, 1851 , was the la.st of the 
County Court. It ended in open rebellion against the judge. 
The sheriff had been ordered to arrest one of the attorneys 
for contempt. John Van Arman, Henry A. Shaw, Martin 
S. Brackett, C. C. Chatfield, and quite a number of other 
attorneys stood up together iu battle array, — some with 
their coats off and shirt-sleeves rolled up (instead of having 
their black gowns on), and gave the judge and sheriff to 



372 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



understand that not one of their number could be taken out 
of that bar. The sheriff stood hesitating at the entrance, 
when some of thom in friendly tones assured him that ho 
had better not try to come in there. He probably saw at 
a j^lance that the caution was given for his good. They 
were many of them men whom it would be difficult to 
handle. M. S. Brackett bore the reputation of being 
physically the most powerful man in the county. Spec- 
tators say tliat as he bared his arms muscle and tendons 
rose up like whipcords. Mr. Shaw was tall, quick, and 
powerful. He had once nearly broken the neck of an an- 
tagonist by kicking him under the chin while standing be- 
fore him. Mr. John Van Arman had been a soldier in tlie 
Mexican war, and looked as if he had ratiier fight than eat. 
No arrest was made. A jury of twelve men sat near looking 
on. Some of them afterwards censured the sheriff for not 
calling upon them for help. At the time calling for help 
was not thouglit of. The judge, finding himself powerless, 
adjourned court and put on his cloak and hat and started 
across the square for the Eagle Hotel. Jlr. Brackett ac- 
companied him with a rawhide in his hand, with which he 
beat — not the judge, but time for the judge. They reached 
the hotel together, and Mr. Brackett, still beating time, 
escorted the judge up-stairs to his room, but did not strike 
him a blow. Thus ended the County Court. Some litiga- 
tion followed between the judge and Mr. Shaw, but without 
serious results. 

Judge Beard.sley was a highly educated gentleman, and 
in the Canada courts, where he had practiced, he was known 
as a lawyer of good standing. His great mistake here 
probably was in endeavoring to act the part of a dignified 
judge in such a place as a County Court. Another mistake 
was in resenting some want of courtesy on the part of Mr. 
Brackett by giving utterance to a severe tirade of invec- 
tives, during which he must have lost his self-control. 
He afterwards retired from practice and entered the min- 
istry of the Episcopal Church. He died several years 
since. 

Hon. Abner Pr.\tt, the stern and inflexible judge, 
succeeded Judge Felch as circuit judge, and as one of the 
judges of the Supreme Court. 

He was on the Circuit Court bench at the time the 
lawyers broke up the County Court by the row with Judge 
Beardsley. They never tried any such experiments with 
him, for he was just the man to enforce respect. He was 
strictly formal as to records and proceedings ; made the 
jury stand up when he charged them ; was a good lawyer, 
abhorring slip-shod pleading ; and looked sharply after the 
.short-comings and misdoings of officers. 

Upon one occasion Messrs. Shaw and Brackett, opposing 
each other, were both on their feet talking at the same 
time. " Sit down," he said, with a slight shade of stern- 
ness. The wrangle continued. ^^Sitdoivn, I tell you." 
His clenched fist went down upon the desk ; pitcher and 
glass tumbler jumped and jiugled, but the two lawyers were 
solidly in their seats. A hush pervaded the court-room as 
the ajolian ring of the glass died away, and fire streamed 
from the judge's black eyes at both of those silenced attor- 
neys. His hair, which had won him the sobriquet of " old 
porcupine," appeared to stand more stiffly erect than ever. 



" I won't submit to such treatment while God lets me sit 
on this bench," he said, in his deep, growling bass. '• Gen- 
tlemen, you ought to be ashamed of such conduct." 

Judge Pratt greatly reformed the court procedure. The 
journal entries are much more formal and correct than they 
had been, and the tribunal began to be respected by the 
people. He was born in Springfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., 
May 22, ISOl. His father wa.s a farmer, and the judge's 
early educational advantages were limited to the winter 
district school, and .such leisure as a hard-working fiirm- 
boy can find for books. He settled as an attorney in Mar- 
shall, in 1839. 

The writer saw him on the defense in the Hannibal murder 
trial in Kalamazoo in the fall of 1840, — the last murder 
case under the death-penalty law. The fact that Hannibal 
must die inten.sified the interest. There was a large array 
of legal talent upon both sides, including the eloquent 
Charles E. Stuart and Horace Mower. Messrs. Pratt, 
Stuart, and Belcher were on the defense. Every juror 
called was closely questioned as to conscientious scruples 
against inflicting the death penalty. Hundreds were on 
this account rejected. But the idea of death haunted the 
entire trial, and probably did much towards acquitting 
the defendant, who under our present law would have been 
punished. Mr. Pratt's manner before the jury was loud, 
bold, impetuous, but effective. The way he came down 
upon and tore an opponent reminded one of the fierceness 
of the tiger, while Charles E. Stuart was all suavity 
and pathos, wafting us all away upon the bosom of a beau- 
tiful river of eloquence. Never before or since was I so 
completely carried away and entranced as while Stuart 
spoke. 

About the year 1845 or '46, 3Ir. Pratt was elected to 
the Michigan House of llepresentatives. The law punish- 
ing adultery was called Pratt's law. He was again elected 
to the same seat in 18G2. In 1858 he was appointed 
consul to Honolulu by President Buchanan, which posi- 
tion he is said to have commendably filled. He was 
always a Democrat, and one of the most prominent Masons 
in the State. He died March 27, 1863. 

Hon. Benjamin F. Graves succeeded Judge Pratt 
upon the bench of our circuit, holding his first term here 
Oct. G, 1856. His last term was held in June, 18GG. 
He has been nearly all the time since upon the Supreme 
Bench. It is said that Mr. Hughes pronounced him the 
best Nisi Prius judge he ever knew. And it is also said 
that Judge Graves did much towards encouraging Mr. 
Hughes to make his best etforts before juries instead 
of limiting himself to law arguments before j udges. Mr. 
Graves, it is reported among lawyers, won his first judicial 
distinction while acting as a justice of the peace in Battle 
Creek. A decision of his was carried up before Judge 
Pratt and by him reversed. It went on up to the Supreme 
Court, and there the justice of the peace was held to be 
correct. He was at first appointed, in 1857, to fill the 
vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Pratt, and 
afterwards elected for the full term of eight years. He was 
re-elected at the end of his first term by an almost unani- 
mous vote of both parties. His circuit was large, includ-- 
ing the counties, at one time, of Eaton, Calhout:, Kala- 



THE PROFESSIONS. 



373 



mazoo, and Van Buren. He held sixteen terms in each 
year, and no judire was ever more thorouj^h in his woric. 
His written opinions, while on the Circuit Bench, show 
great research among authorities, and very close thinking. 
He Wits a great annutator. His Court-Rule book and Com- 
piled Laws were marvels of microscopic penmanship which 
filled with references the margin and fly-leaves. As a 
result of this labor he could readily meet and correctly 
decide difficult points almost as rapidly as they arose. His 
trial notes of cases were very full, which rendered it easy 
for him to settle bills of exceptions. This was before the 
employment of stenographers. He always gave his charges 
in writing before the law required it. Strict and firm in 
matters of practice, the bar soon began to like his methods. 
The high opinion which the bar formed of him probably 
had much to do with placing him on the bench of the 
Supreme Court, Jan. 1, 18G8, where he still remains. He 
was born at Gates, near Rochester, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1817. 

From 1S66 to Dec. K^, 1875, the bench was occupied 
by Ho.N. Geokge Woodruff of Marshall, a man of 
high culture, refinement, and kindness of heart. He was 
followed, Jan. 10, 1876, by Hon. I'bilip T. Van Zilc, of 
Charlotte, and lie by Hon. Frank A. Hooker, April 8, 
1878. He is still upon the bench, and is popular with the 
bar and people. Want of space prevents my .speaking of 
these judges as I would like. 

DISTINGUISHED ME.MBERS OF THE BAR. 

Several of the attorneys who practiced in our circuit 
during early days have since either become distinguished 
as attorneys or have obtained high position in office. 
Among these may be mentioned ex-Governor Austin Blair, 
who, duruig the war of the Rebellion, when Michigan fur- 
ni.shed 90,000 men, was considered one of the ablest of 
that brilliant galaxy of loyal Governors and pure statesmen 
who clustered around the great Lincoln. 

During his boyhood Mr. Blair worked upon his father's 
farm, acquired a primary-school education, and graduated 
from Union College in 1887. He was admitted to practice 
in the Court of Common Pleas in Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1841, 
moved during the same year to Jackson, Mich. During a 
temporary stay at Eaton Rapids, in 1^42, he was elected 
county clerk of this county. 

During the years from 1850 to 1860 he came occasion- 
ally from Jackson to address mass meetings, or to try cases 
in the Circuit Court. Either before a jury or upon the 
stump the people were always eager to hear him. As a 
jury advocate he was fervid in manner and clear and 
cogent in argument. He always inspired a desire to help 
his side win the victory. In one case, which had been tried 
and argued, the parties had settled while the jury were 
out. When the jury returned into court one of the attor- 
neys arose and informed the court that the parties had 
settled their matter of difierence. Judge Graves undertook 
to instruct the jury that their labor, owing to the settlement, 
was at an end. But they, after a short consultation, deter- 
mined not to be thus foiled and persisted in rendering their 
verdict in favor of Mr. Blair's client, which was much 
better for him than the result reached by way of .settlement. 

During these years Hon. John W. Longyear, after- 



wards member of Congress, and at his death United States 
judge of the Eastern District of Michigan, was located at 
Lan.sing, and did a larger law business in this county than 
any other non-resident attorney excepting the firm of Hughes 
& Woolley, of Marshall, of which D. Darwin Hughes was 
the senior member. 

Mr. Longyear was a native of the State of New York, 
born Oct. 22, 1820. He moved to Lansing, and there 
went into practice in 1842. He was elected to Congress 
in the fall of 1862. In 1 867 he was a member of the 
State Constitutional Convention. In May, 1870, he was 
appointed judge of the United States District Court, East- 
ern District of Michigan. He died suddenly, March 11, 
1875. There was no attorney practicing here who was 
neater and more exact and .scrupulous in the way of papers 
than Mr. Longyear. His law was carefully looked up and 
noted in his brief. He never made a mistake. II is law 
was always law with the court. He appeared to be as 
candid, as conscientious, and as anxious for truth and 
justice as the judge himself His talks to the jury were 
mere informal talks, evincing no ambition for oratory and 
no anxiety to win a verdict, and yet ail that he said was 
listened to and remembered, appearing, by its own weight, 
to impress itself upon the mind without any impressivencss 
of voice or manner. In personal appearance he was the 
very personification of the nervous, energetic, quick, and 
intelligent lawyer. His hair was black, bushy, and curly. 
His eyes, dark, piercing, and quickly expressive, and the 
color around them remarkably dark. His complexion was 
dark and bloodless. His high and handsome brow often 
wore an expression of bodily suffering and mental anxiety. 
In person he was tall, slender, and straight as an Indian. 
Ho upon one occasion stood before Judge Graves honestly il- 
luminating some point or proceeding, when JI. S. Brackett, 
who was opposed to him, arose and spoke of the great 
ingeiiidty of the counselor. " The what!" said Mr. Long- 
year, looking at him, — and such a look ! " Thunder cloud" 
conveys no idea of it. Such a steady, piercing gaze would 
rather convey the idea of an endless perdition than of an 
impending storm. Mr. Brackett readily saw the offensive 
point, and at once modified his remark, eliminating all that 
the term " ingenuity" could possibly imply. This incident, 
perhaps, gives a better glimpse of Mr. Longyear's ideal of 
law practice than anything else I could say. There are 
attorneys who plume themselves upon the shrewdness and 
ingenuity of their work. Mr. Longyear was not one of 
these. With a great deal of respect lor the court, he always 
appeared to Lave a good deal of well-deserved respect for 
himself. 

Dave Hughes, as our people once called him, or D. Dak- 
wi.\ HuoilES, now regarded as one of the ablest and most 
distinguished lawyers of the great Northwest, lived, taught 
school, studied law, and was admitted to practice in this 
county. His name stands third on our roll of applicants 
for admission. The date is April 1, 1846. He was born 
in Camillus, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Feb. 1, 1S23. In 1840 
he, with his father's family, removed to Bellevue in this 
county. In 184.i he came to Charlotte, and remained 
about one year, during which time he held the position 
of deputy county clerk, deputy surveyor, and under-sheriff, 



374 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and at the same time commenced reading law. In 1843 
he returned to Bellevue, and entered the law office of M. 
S. Brackett as a law student, and to eke out a support he 
taught a select school for ladies. In 1844 he entered as a 
student the law office of Gibbs & Bradley, of Marshall. 
After his admission in 1846, and up to 1850, he was editor 
of the Marshall Democratic Expounder, and about that 
time became a partner of Isaac E. Crarj. In 1855 he 
formed a law partner.ship with Justus D. Woolley. About 
this time we heard it occasionally remarked by those who 
had been down to Marshall for legal advice, that " that 
little Dave Hughes was getting to be about as good as any 
of the Marshall lawyers ; that he couldn't talk as well as 
John Van Arman, but he was sound." John Van Arman 
was, as a jury advocate and trier of cases, the most elo- 
quent and adroit attorney who ever practiced in this county. 
He frequently came here from Marshall to participate in 
some exciting trial. In fact, every case he tried became 
exciting, and called together a large concourse. Just before 
visiting the court-room to see him, the writer asked a friend 
as to Mr. Van Armao's personal appearance. Said the 
friend, " When you go into the court-room pick out the 
homeliest man you can see there, — a swarthy, high cheek- 
boned fellow with a big mouth, — and you may be sure it is 
John Van Arman." There was no difficulty in establish- 
ing his identity from this description. But when he spoke 
his voice sounded plea.sant and attractive, his language was 
well chosen, and his wit and s.ircasm were at times cruel 
and almost murderous, but he could indulge in the most 
engaging pleasantries. Before he had spoken five minutes 
he became warmed up to an intensity of feeling and ex- 
pression which carried all who heard him. He hardly ever 
failed to procure a verdict. About the year 1856 the 
writer heard him in the pro.secution of a murder trial here 
at Charlotte, he having been appointed by Judge Pratt to 
act as prosecuting attorney. The grand jury at that term 
had just found an indictment against a woman for murder- 
ing her husband by administering arsenic, which she had 
stolen from the house of a neighbor. The proof of guilt, 
under the management of Van Arman, appeared strong 
and conclusive. Mr. Hughes and M. S. Brackett were 
employed upon the defense. The fact that Mr. Hughes 
was employed created no sensation then. Now it would 
almost assure the public of an acquittal in the face of the 
strongest evidence of guilt. The attorneys for the defense 
worked hard to gain time to prepare for trial, but Judge 
Pratt, a stern and arbitrary judge, was firmly determined 
to try the case that term, and would permit no delay. He 
seemed to have made up his mind, with the public, that 
there could not be, and ought not to be, any defense. A 
motion to quash the indictment was summarily overruled, 
and a jury ordered to be impaneled for trial. The court- 
room was packed. The windows of the old court-house on 
the public square were taken out, and lumber-wagons placed 
near them to furnish standing-room for those who could 
not get in. To their very tops these open windows were 
crowded with faces, so that the court-room was close and 
dusky. John Van Arman appeared to be the centre of 
attraction. His volubility, ready repartee, thorough under- 
standing of the entire case, together with his great ex- 



perience in criminal trials, made him master of the situa- 
tion. Mr. Brackett managed to get in a few words now 
and then ; but Mr. Hughes, since become famous for his 
defense in the much more desperate Vanderpool case, since 
successful in his twelve last murder cases, in this case had 
but very little to say, and found it difficult to ri.se from his 
chair at the far end of the long bar-table for a few words to 
the court. He and Mr. Brackett had been crowded so un- 
expectedly into the trial, and had learned so little of the 
facts, that they appeared to have no business inside of the 
case. Bystanders began to feel that it was a pity the 
woman could not have some one to defend her. Mr. 
Brackett afterwards distinguished himself by his able de- 
fense in the Dillon murder trial at Hastings. But in this, 
the Mary Brooks case, there was no defen.se worthy of the 
name. Such haste on the part of the court was injustice 
both to the defendant and her attorneys. 

Mr. Van Arman in his first opening, before taking the 
evidence, had made the case look as black for the defendant 
as he could possibly paint it. In his opening argument 
after the proofs were closed he was as brief as possible. 
There had been hardly any testimony for the defense. 
Messrs. Hughes and Brackett were brief and earnest, but 
apparently hopeless. Van Arman, in his closing argument, 
did not speak over an hour. It hardly seemed necessary 
to speak at all. He heavily belabored the learned counsel 
for the defense because they had no theory, — not even the 
ghost of a theory had their fertile brains been able to im- 
agine which would in any way tend to explain this crush- 
ing load of evidence against this wicked woman. They 
were, he said, almost mute, not for the want of ability to 
talk, but because there was nothing to be said in her behalf. 
His climax was a harrowing description of the torture pro- 
duced in the stomach of the dying husband by the action 
of arsenic. He compared it to a thousand pinchers (he 
pronounced it pincers), all wringing and twisting at once 
upon the sensitive inner coatings of that poor victim's 
stomach. What little sympathy there may have been for 
the accu.sed wife was now dispelled by this picture of her 
cruel perfid}' in giving this terrible poison, under the pre- 
tense of medicine, to her sick husband. The jury were out 
but a few minutes before returning with a verdict of guilty. 
During the solemn hush caused by the rendering of such a 
verdict the judge told the defendant to arise, and then 
asked her if she had anything to say why the judgment of 
the law should not be pronounced against her. She very 
naturally supposed this called upon her for a speech. Evi- 
dently feeling that she herself must make her only defense, 
she at once arose and stepped upon the raised platform by 
the side of the judge's desk to address the audience. As 
if her proximity to the judicial ermine was contamination. 
Judge Pratt sternly and harshly ordered her to go down 
upon the floor, moving his hand as if to push her away. 

The scene is yet vivid in my mind. Judge Pratt, with 
his black bushy hair standing fiercely erect, his black 
piercing eyes shooting fire from under his shaggy, over- 
hanging eyebrows, appeared the personification of stern- 
ness and the power of the law. There was the woman, with 
her calico sun-bonnet shading her face, shrinking pitifully 
away, crushed and confused by this unexpected rebufl' when 



THE PROFESSIONS. 



375 



called up to speak. She again rallied, but in her confusion 
she addressed " ihis congregation," as if it was a church 
trial. She spoke with much feeling of her recent loss of a 
young babe, claiming that she had not since been in her 
right mind in conse(|uence of her great trouble. She did 
not expressly deny the crime, but conveyed the impression 
that she did not feel responsible for anything she might 
have since done. Here was a rich lead for able attorneys, 
could there have only been time to work it. She spoke but 
a few moments, — did not ask that court for mercy, and 
appeared overcome by emotion as she sank into her seat. 
The judge then again called upon her to stand up, and de- 
livered to her a harsh, angry rebuke for the terrible crime 
of which she had been found guilty. lie appeared to 
abandon himself to an impetuous determination to be as 
severe and crushing as possible. He was so vindictive aud 
ferocious that his remarks failed to produce the eflFect de- 
signed. It afforded her a tempest to brace up against. He 
closed by pronouncing a sentence to hard labor in the State 
prison at Jackson during life, forgetting, in his virtuous 
indignation, to include solitary confinement. The writer, 
from a feeling of mercy, at once called the attention of the 
clerk, I. n. Corbin, to the omission. He said he noticed 
the omission, and should record the sentence in the court 
journal just as it was uttered, and did so. It was after- 
wards read in open court and signed by the judge, and a 
certified copy sent to the prison when the prisoner was 
taken down, without a correction of the omission. The 
officers of the prison noticed the omission, and were glad to 
be permitted to save her from the solitary cell. They as- 
signed her the position of cook in the female prison. Here 
she faithfully and .skillfully performed her duties for many 
years and was always well spoken of by the officers, one 
of whom told the writer afterwards that even if Judge 
Pratt had sentenced her to solitary confinement they would 
not have executed the sentence, — that she was too good a 
woman for such a doom. 

Judge Pratt afterwards spoke of his terrific address to 
the prisoner, remarking that he had intended to say much 
more to her, but that he cut short his remarks, fearing that 
he was making a fool of himself 

On the same day of the trial Mr. Van Arnian, in reply to 
a remark by a person that the case was an easy one to gain^ 
owing to the great weight of testimony against the defend- 
ant, gave it as his deliberate opinion that a defense might 
have been made which would have acquitted the woman. 
He said she had been convicted by a few unexplained cir- 
cumstances, which ad ingenious lawyer could have easily 
explained. Becau.se a neighbor, Mr. Mann, had missed a 
package of arsenic from a shelf over the door of his house, 
aud which, after being missed a while, was afterwards re- 
placed by some one, it did not necessarily follow tliat the 
defendant took the package, or that she replaced it. There 
was not sufficient proof to convict her of the larceny of 
this package if she had been put on trial for that. If this 
link failed there was not sufficient proof to convict. But 
admitting that she stole this package of arsenic, — and I 
would have admitted it as the best part of the defense, — 
said he, this theft could have been easily explained. It 
could have been made to appear that a large dog was in the i 



habit of coming nights and robbing their swill-barrel in the 
back shed. That Mary, having determined to get rid of 
him, stole the package of poison, brought it homo, gave a 
dose to the dog, had him buried, and then, fearing a fuss 
in the neighborhood, sought to replace the arsenic before it 
had been mis.sed. That while she had it in her possession 
she carefully laid it on the panlry shelf That the white 
medicine which Dr. Fero leil for the sick man was very 
carelessly laid near it. That defendant's mother, an old 
lady with dim eyesight, performed the duty of giving 
Simeon his medicine. That she gave him the white powder, 
as she supposed, which Dr. Fero had left for him, and 
which lay upon the pantry shelf That at the time she 
knew nothing about the package of arsenic. That Mary 
afterwards told her that she and that young man who lived 
with them had poisoned and buried that big dog. It would 
not have been a very difficult thing to have had that young 
fellow go and dig up that very dog, and shown, by an analy- 
sis of his .stomach, that it contained arsenic. '' Don't you see," 
said Van Arman, " how easily the circumstance of stealing 
that arsenic could have been worked in very strongly on the 
side of the defense? I am not .saying," said he, " that I 
would have done any such thing. I am only telling what an 
ingenious lawyer might have done in the way of a defense, 
and how completely the strong case of the people might 
have been used up." 

Though sentenced for life, this woman was several years 
ago pardoned out, and is living a quiet and respected life. 
Her pardon was owing partly to her exemplary conduct iu 
prison, and partly, it is reported, to a dying confession 
alleged to have been made by another, which greatly tended 
to relieve her of the load of guilt under which .she had so 
severely suflored. 

The injustice in this ca.sc was on the part of the court, 
in forcing the defendant so suddenly to trial without giving 
her attorneys an opportunity to prepare for such a defense 
as should have been made in the case. The testimony 
which led to her indictment had all been taken .secretly by 
Mr. Van Arman before the grand jury, while under the 
present improved practice every word of it would have 
been taken publicly before an examining magistrate, reduced 
to writing, signed by the witnesses, filed in the clerk's office 
as a public record, and thoroughly understood and sifted by 
the attorneys on both sides. The more humane tendency 
now is to ^ive the defendant a full opportunity to confront 
and hear his accusers, and to have every facility for making 
his defense. 

Martin S. Br.ackett was born in Elbridge, Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., Dec. 19, 1810, and died in Bellevue, Feb. 7, 
1877. In his boyhood he worked upon his father's farm 
and in his brick-yard, attending school only during the 
winter. He afterwards attended the Onondaga Academy 
three terms, and was subsequently engaged in civil engineer- 
ing upon several canals in New Jersey. He studied law 
two years at Onondaga Hollow, in the law office of James 
L. Lawrence. In the spring of 1838 — the spring when 
the first court was held in the county — he came to Bellevue. 
At the fall terra of that year he officiated as deputy clerk. 
I see by the old records that he must have been of great 
service to the various newly-elected officers. That sjime 



376 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



year he entered the law-oflBce of Gibbs & Bradley, at Mar- 
shall, and in 1839 he was admitted to practice. In the 
fall of the .same year lie was elected county clerk, which 
office he held for three consecutive terms. At the end of 
the third term he was elected prosecuting attorney, and 
held this position three years. He was defeated in 1842 
as the Whig candidate for the State Senate. In 18-18 he 
left the Whig and joined the Democratic party, by which 
pai'ty he was nominated, in 18,50, for the oiEce of State 
senator, and in 1864 for the office of lieutenant-governor, 
and was both times defeated. 

Mr. Brackelt, while giving close attention to his prac- 
tice, ranked high as a lawyer; having the best library at 
that time in the county, he carefully studied and prepared 
his cases. He afterwards engaged in the building of the 
Peninsula Railway, now the Chicago and Grand Trunk, 
and gradually drew off from active court practice. He 
was an able, determined, and energetic man in whatever he 
undertook. He became an enthusiastic geologist and min- 
eralogist and collector of rare and precious stones. His 
proximity to the Bellevue limestone quarries appears to 
have first enlisted him in this pursuit. He became more 
and more devotedly attached to this science, and collected 
a cabinet which for a private one is large and valuable. It 
yet belongs to his estate. 

HoMEii Clark came to Charlotte and went into the 
practice of the law about the year 1854, and died here 
with consumption shortly pre.'ious to 1860. He had 
occupied the pulpit in Ma.ssachu.setts, but for some reason 
had gone from that into the law, to which he was better 
adapted than preaching. He possessed some noteworthy 
and striking traits. He was scholarly and highly culti- 
vated, both in appearance and reality. Strength of lungs 
and physical endurance were all that he needed to render 
him a fine, even a famous, public speaker. He had studied 
literature and oratory with an ambition to excel, and had 
a fair smattering of theology and law. He earnestly es- 
poused the Republican cause when the party was organ- 
izing, and had at his command several highly-finished, 
closely -studied orations against the encroachments of 
slavery, which were well designed to fire the popular 
heart. He spoke whenever his failing health permitted, 
but soon gave out and became an invalid. He was at one 
time a partner of Jolin C. Spencer, occupying the east wing 
of the court-house. This copartnership culminated in a 
bitter quarrel, in which each tried to embroil the county 
upon his side. Finally, Clark, having obtained leave of 
the Circuit Court to amend a declaration, instead of filing 
an amended declaration, he took the old one from the files, 
erased, interlined, and added to suit his purpose, and refiled 
it. He doubtless supposed that was the way to amend a 
public record. It was boldly and innocently done. His 
mortal enemy, John C. Spencer, then prosecuting attorney, 
had a grand jury impaneled and procured an indictment 
against Clark for altering public records. Clark afterwards 
had Spencer indicted for perjury for what he had sworn to 
in procuring the indictment against himself They never 
succeeded in bringing each other to trial, and probably both 
relented. 

John C. Spenceh, having studied and been admitted, 



I think, in Jackson County, moved to Charlotte and entered 
practice about the year 1850 or 1851. He died in Janu- 
ary, 1877, in Cass County, and was buried in Bellevue. 
He was elected prosecuting attorney by the combined 
Know-Nothing and Republican strength at the time of 
the dissolution of the Whig party. He was for some time 
associated as partner of John H. Kimball. It was often 
remarked of Spencer that no other man in the county pos- 
sessed a larger fund of native ability, if he only had the 
energy to use it. He was large in person and of com- 
manding presence; weighed about two hundred and twenty 
pounds; was of sanguine, lymphatic temperament; had a 
massive, high, and apparently well-developed brain, a deep 
chest, and brawny shoulders. His auburn hair was thrown 
back behind his ears in a heavy shock of curls, reminding 
one of the mane of a lion. He walked very erect, as if full 
of confidence and courage. A stranger would have selected 
him from among his associates- as the champion of the bar, 
but upon acquaintance he proved to be a castle of indo- 
lence, a large reservoir of inert power. The possibilities 
which slumbered within were sometimes fitfully aroused 
when he had been driven into a corner or thrown into hot 
water by his negligence and indolence. This unwonted 
activity rendered him an object of interest for a few days, 
but he would soon subside. Conscious of his slumbering 
ability, he was always promising and leading friends to ex- 
pect enormous achievements. From sheer laziness he 
dodged and avoided contests in court as long as possible ; but 
when one was forced upon him, instead of fighting it out 
him.self, he would employ his brother-in-law, Mr. Hughes, 
and sit idly by. " If we could only get him woke up," 
people would say, " old John would be enough for any of 
them." He often promised political friends to stump the 
entire county, and then would not give even one school- 
house speech during a campaign. While prosecuting at 
torney he put over or settled nearly all of the people's 
business. 

He finally dropped out of practice here, and after living 
on another man's farm for about two years, moved into 
Cass County. There, for a short time, the people imag- 
ined that a second Daniel Webster had been sent to 
them. He tried a few .suits in a masterly manner, and 
won them with much applause. But this could not last. 
He soon relapsed into his wonted torpor. The clients 
who had at first thronged his office soon left him, and 
he became so impoverished that his family — a remarkably 
fine one — had to have aid from friends to keep the gaunt 
wolf, famine, from their door. He never again rallied his 
forces. Several years after, I saw him in court for the last 
time. It was a case in which he, with others, was person- 
ally interested. But even this failed to arouse him. He 
made no opposition, and was perfectly inoffensive. All of 
that splendid cheek, confidence, and audacity which we used 
to admire, and which once car'ied him through so many 
difficulties, had entirely left him. He had also become 
rusty in his law. I am told that when he died his phy- 
sicians said it was for the want of self propelling power 
sufficient to enable him to live and breathe, — that any one 
else might have lived through the ailment that was sufficient 
to check his almost stagnant life-current. 



THE rilOFESSIONS. 



377 



Henry A. Suaw, yet practicing; at Eaton Rapids, was 
admitted in this county Sept. 30, 184G. In " Tiie Bio- 
gi^phical History of the Eniiiieiit Sclf-Made Men of Jlich- 
igan," I fail to find a word devoted to Hon. Henry A. Shaw. 
He is as worthy of a place in that book as any man in 
the county. But even Henry A. Shaw has not entirely 
made good the promise of his better days. He has been 
at the bar longer than any other member now living 
in the county. He was at one time considered the bold- 
est and most invincible attorney to be found in this part 
of the State, but hi.s practice was never as remunera- 
tive as its extent would indicate. His brother attorneys 
accuse him of working too cheaply and of neglecting to 
look after his pay. At times he would come into court 
very carefully read up and prepared for close contest, but 
oftenerwent to trial relying upon general principles and his 
general experience. It was in such cases that he often by 
his readiness of resource gained the victory over opponents 
who were much better prepared. He has not confined 
himself closely to his profession. He has devoted much of 
his time to politics; has been sent twice or three times to 
the Legislature by the Republicans. Was speaker of the 
House in 1859. He was twice chairman of the Judiciary 
Committee, which shows much respect for his legal ability. 
He took an active part in much important legislation, and 
was often spoken of by newspaper correspondents as one of 
the ablest members of the Legislature. He has filled the 
office of judge of Probate for eight years, and is now the 
candidate for the same position on the " Greenback" ticket. 
I have tried in vain to have him furnish some data which 
would render this record more reliable. He promised well 
enough, but the data did not come. While president of the 
agricultural society he delivered a very able address in favor 
of good roads. He has been a strong advocate of the ship- 
canal across the State. In early days he was an ardent 
Free-Soil man, and did as much good service for the Re- 
publican party as any man in the county, and at one time 
wielded much influence in the councils of the party. Asa 
lawyer, his handling of cases was more remarkable for fear- 
less dash and energy than for preparatory industry over the 
books. Yet those who know him more intimately say he 
always studied and read much more than he had credit for. 
When out of court he was usually engaged in politics, 
looking after his farming interests, or hunting and fish- 
ing, lie has always been an ardent lover of field sports 
and of dogs and horses, and has very thoroughly explored 
the inland lakes and hunting-grounds of the " north 
woods." He was always devotedly true to the interests 
of poor clients. 

By thus dividing his attention and dissipating his energy 
among several pursuits, he has not obtained the standing in 
law, or politics, or wealth which concentration would have 
insured him. A French writer says, " Concentrate or die." 
Field sports and recreation are necessary to health and 
vigor, and need not interfere with a man's success in any 
one great pursuit. Mr. Hughes is a great a lover of the 
woods and lakes as Mr. Shaw, but he has kept out of politics. 
Although Mr. Shaw has not won the position tliat he might 
in his profession, yet all who know him admit that he is a 
large-souled, brave, energetic man, and an attorney whose 
48 



ideas are broad and well grounded in the great principles 
of right. 

Mr. Shaw was for a time in the military service during 
the Rebellion, holding the rank of major. He developed 
many good soldierly qualities, such as great courage, cool- 
ness, and foresight in danger; but he nearly .spoiled it all 
by his independence. His .superiors held him in high 
respect. Gen. Granger tried hard to win him under, but 
he could not learn to obey, and resigned, returned home, 
and resumed law and politics. 

Chester C. Chatfield's name is the first one subscribed 
to our roll of attorneys. The date of his admission is March 
26, 1845. His death occurred between the years 1857 and 
1860. His residence and law office was at Eaton Rapids. 
He was prosecuting attorney of the county, elected by the 
Democrats, and was also elected by the same party to the 
Legislature in 1854. As a practicing attorney he attained 
a very respectable standing in the county, and had a grow- 
ing practice. But his attention was also divided between 
politics and his profession. During his day the Democrats 
held this county by a small majority against the Whigs, 
the Free-Soil party holding the balance of power between 
the two. As a Democrat and a good lawyer Mr. Chatfield 
held an influential position in his party. His genial, gen- 
tlemanly manner made him quite a favorite with the people. 
Although somewhat tinctured with Free-Soilism, he remained 
with his party through the warm contest which gave the 
county to the newly-organized Republican party. He 
worked earnestly as speaker and newspaper-writer to stay 
the rising flood of Free-Soil and Abolition sentiment, 
and no one felt more deeply than he the loss of the 
county by the Democracy. lie took an active part in 
the Know-Nothing or " dark-lantern" movement which 
suddenly swept like a cyclone over the political field. This 
movement estranged for a time some of his former political 
adherents. But his belief was that the Native American 
sentiment would divert the attention of the people from the 
evils of slavery, and enable the Democratic politicians, 
through means of the secret Know-Nothing lodges, to keep 
wavering Democrats from joining the Republicans. Mr. 
Chatfield was principal founder and editor of an ostensibly 
Know-Nothing news|)aper published at Eaton Rapids. But 
the Know-Nothing bubble burst as suddenly as it had 
formed, and leit slavery encroachment the only issue. 

Mr. Chatfield was a mild but persuasive speaker, one 
whom an opponent could listen to with much interest. 
About the time of his death it was supposed he would 
receive an appointment from the Buchanan administration. 
He died much lamented by his many friends. 

Isaac E. C. IIickok was born in Bellevue, Sept. 7, 
1836, and died with paralysis and congestion of the brain 
Jan. 30, 1879. He was the son of Capt. James II. 
Hickok, and the first white male child born in this county. 
He worked upon his father's farm in Walton until seven- 
teen years of age, and spent five years at the Olivet Insti- 
tute and two years at the Slate University. He taught 
school in Walton, until, in 1863, he was chosen, from 
six competing applicants, principal of the Charlotte Union 
school. In 1864 he was elected clerk of the county, which 
position he held for eight years, — four terms. As clerk of 



378 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the Circuit Court he was brought into the atmosphere of 
tlie law, and devoted to its study much of his leisure dur- 
ing his clerkship. He was admitted to practice at the Sep- 
tember term, 1869. From 1873 until his death he was 
enciaged in an active and select practice. His intention 
was to fix his undivided attention upon real-estate law, and 
his practice in that direction was becoming valuable. He 
was the most constant and laborious student of tlie law we 
ever had among us. He was slow and close, accurately 
noting and annotating, classifying and arranging the results 
of his study- for ready reference and use. His memory of 
page and volume was becoming a marvel to his associates. 
He loved to take important but almost hopeless cases and 
make them his study month after month. Every point 
that could possibly arise either of fact or iaw would be 
anticipated and thoroughly mastered. He worked up the 
facts with the quietness and shrewdness of a practiced de- 
tective, and when he got into court his side of the case 
would move slowly along on its well-laid track like a tri- 
umphal car. Not naturally an orator, his mastery of his 
case gave him great power of argument and fixed the at- 
tention of the hearer. He inherited a good brain from his 
father, but one which his body was insufficient to sustain. 
Ancestral dissipation told fearfully upon his physical make- 
up ; not in the way of appetite, for he intensely hated the 
use of strong drink, but in a tendency to paralysis. His 
" teeth were set on edge" whenever he thought or spoke of 
the great curse, of which he was, probably, a hereditary 
victim. Strong in bias and prejudioe, he was often a warm 
friend of those with whom he differed in opinion, but never 
compromising. No one who knew him ever doubted his 
honor in the least. 

AN ALIBI. 

Tiiere was a criminal case tried here before Judge Graves 
in which the unreliability of the alibi, sometimes called the 
rogue's defense, was well illustrated. The defendant was 
charged with stealing an ox in Ionia County and bring- 
ing it into this county. Messrs. John Van Arman and 
Henry A. Shaw defended. The prosecuting attorney, S. 
W. Fowler, was assisted by M. S. Brackctt on the part of 
the people. Quite a strong ease was made against the de- 
fendant by showing the theft of the ox, and by proof that 
the defendant was afterwards seen with the ox, driving it 
towards this county. He was well described by the wit- 
nesses who claimed to have seen him, even to a plain ear- 
ring in one of his ears. The same witnes.ses also gave a 
very close description of the stolen ox which the defendant 
was driving. The people had two other witnesses who had 
also seen the defendant driving the ox on the same route. 
But these witnesses did not reach the court-room in time 
to testify. It was subsequently charged that they had 
been intentionally kept back. The prosecution, believing 
their case was strong enough for conviction, rested, and 
the defense opened. They first brought on a witness who 
established the date of a barn-raising in Chester, at which 
a large number of people were present. This barn-raising 
was upon the day on which the defendant, according to 
the testimony, was seen driving the ox towards Eaton 
County. Another witness was then put on the stand, who 



fixed the date of the barn-raising the same as the first. A 
number of witnesses were then called one after the other, 
who, although they could not remember the precise date 
of the barn-raising, remembered that it was some time 
during a certain month. But these witnesses were all , 
clear and positive that the defendant was present all the 1 
time during this raising, and related incidents which placed J 
it beyond doubt. The people had no testimony with which 
to meet this defense. They went on with the argument to 
the jury. Mr. Fowler spoke first. He argued that although 
the people's witnesses might be in error as to the precise 
date on which they saw the defendant driving the ox, yet 
there could be no doubt but that they saw him on some 
day driving this stolen ox ; and as the day was not material, 
the jury, if satisfied that the defendant was seen at all 
driving the ox, ought to convict. Mr. Van Arman then 
made a humorous attack upon Mr. Fowler, and tried him 
as a prosecuting attorney for not properly preparing and 
trying his case. That he had not even fixed upon the 
date of a recent offense ; that his witnesses had sworn to 
the date, and that they were as reliable upon that point as 
upon anything else ; that they undoubtedly .saw the iden- 
tical ox and a man driving him upon the day they had 
stated ; that by the light of the evidence introduced by 
the defense they were only mistaken as to the identity of 
the man. He advised Mr. Fowler to devote less of his 
attention to rhetoric and oratory, and more of it to the 
careful preparation of his cases as public prosecutor. 

As Mr. Brackett had the closing argument, Mr. Fowler 
had no opportunity to reply to Van Arman's attack, which 
he much regretted, as he had great confidence in his ability 
to take care of himself even against such an antagonist as 
Mr. Van Arman. He thought the entire programme was 
prearranged among the attorneys, Mr. Brackett included, 
to give Van Arman a chance to go for him and to cut him 
off from a reply. Mr. Fowler's great confidence in himself 
and his oratory was probably what led the members of the 
bar and the audience, and possibly Judge Graves, to enjoy 
with such zest seeing him brought over the coals upon Van 
Arman's gridiron. It was impossible for the sheriff to keep 
silence. Attention was diverted from the real defendant in 
the case to the prosecutor who had come before the court 
with such a badly- prepared case merely for the purpose of 
an elocutionary display. 

Of course the jury acquitted the defendant. A few days 
after the acquittal word came from Chester that the people 
there, upon carefully looking up the date of the barn- 
raising, had ascertained that it occurred upon a different 
date from the one supposed and relied upon without ques- 
tion during the trial, so that it was not at all impossible 
for the defendant to have been seen driving the ox and at 
the barn-raising. 

The defendant's alibi has been established in at least 
three important criminal cases tried in our circuit within 
the knowledge of the writer, all of which crumbled away 
before popular investigation shortly after the trials. And 
yet there is no better defense than the fact, if fact it is, 
that the accused was elsewhere when the alleged crime was 
committed. Honest witnesses are so easily made to re- 
member that such and such events took place upon a cer- 



THE PROFESSIONS. 



379 



taiD date, that the ahbi has properly won the name of the 
rogue's defense. 

The following; is a list of applicants admitted to the bar 
of this county. Those marked with an asterisk are yet 
practicing. Those in italics are dead : 

Residelico. Dale of AdnUBsion. 

Chrrttr C. Chaijitid Eat.m Kapids Miirch 20. 1S45. 

Joab Baker Clinton County t^cpt. 30, 1S45. 

D. Darwin Hughes Bcllcvue April 1, l.'^G. 

llcnrv A. Shaw* Eaton Kapids Sept. 30, 1S46. 

Joliu'W. Loi„jyear I.an.Miig '. Sept. 30, ISJO. 

Orlando M. Unrncs Mason, Ingham Co Aug. 27, 1851. 

Thiimun II'. Loriny Charlotte Oct. 8, 1S5G. 

H. A. Pattison....' Bcllcvue Oct 6, 1857. 

I. H. Corbin Charlotte May 22, 1858. 

Ezra D. Burr Eaton Rapids May 22, 1858. 

Edmund S. Trncey* Charlotte May 22, 185S. 

Anson Brunson Eaton Rapids May 22, 1858. 

Charles 11. Marsh Charlotte May 25, 1859. 

Oscar F. Price Eaton Rapids Dec. 8, 1S60. 

Isaac M. Cnine' Eaton Rapids Dec. 8, 1860. 

John W.Xiclmh Charlotte Dec. 8, 1860. 

Charles P. Bro-rn Bcllcvue Oct. 6, 1862. 

E. A. Foote» Charlotte Oct. 6, 1863. 

Martin V. Montgomery* Eaton Rapids Oct. 5, 1865. 

Charles F. llutchings Charlotte Oct. 4, 1866. 

P. T. Von Zile Charlotte April 2, 1867. 

A. I.. Whcaton Charlotte June 22, 1867. 

II. V. Pennington* Charlotte April 21, 1868. 

Clement Smith Charlotte April 21, 1868. 

Ansil K. Patterson* Grand Ledge April 29,1869. 

Albert Coc (jrand Ledge April 29, 1869. 

/. E. C.JJukok Charlotte Sept. 29, 1869. 

John M. Corbin* Eaton Rapids June 20, 1870. 

George Iluggctt* Beilevue Dec. 15, 1870. 

Richard A. .Slontgomery Eaton Rapids June 14. 1871. 

George W. Hiiydin Charlotte April 3, 1872. 

Byron F. Lockwood Charlotte Aug. 15, 1872. 

Otis E. McCutcheon Charlotte Aug. 15, 1872. 

Charles K. Latham Charlotte Dec. 10, 1872. 

Parm S. De Graff* Charlotte Dec. 10, 1872. 

Otto J. Wolfe Charlotte April 18, 1873. 

Frank L. Prindle« Charlotte April 15, 1873. 

Henry J. Fclkcr Charlotte April 18, 1873. 

John Wood* Eaton Rapids June 10, 1873. 

T. F. Powers Charlotte June 10, 1873. 

Charles II. Howell Eaton Rapids Feb. 17, 1874. 

Robert W. Shinier* Charlotte Dec. 14, 1875. 

Isaac Jl. Harpster Delta Dec. 14, 1875. 

Charles W. Mcrritt Eaton Rapids April 21, 1876. 

Russell F. Tinkham = Grand Ledge April 21, 1876. 

Frank L. I'ales Charlotte April 12, 1877. 

Elmore Scott^ Charlotte Aug. 1«, 1877. 

Horace JI. Cobb* Charlotte Aug. 10, 1877. 

H. S. Maynard* Charlotte Aug. 10, 1877. 

U.G. McPeek* Grand Ledge Oct. 15, 1877. 

Charles T. Russell* Grand Ledge Oct. 15, 1877. 

S. 0. Griffith Grand Ledge Jan. 14, 1878. 

Manly C. Dodge Charlotte Jan. U, 1878. 



Residence. Date of Admission. 

James M. Powers* Beilevue April 13, 1878. 

Frank L. Dodge* Eaton Rapids April 16, 1878. 

Michael Kenn.y* iJimondale April 16, 1878. 

Philip T. Colgrovc Charlotte April IS. 1879. 

Frank A. Dean* Charlotte Feb. 4, 1879. 

James J. Baird Charlotte Feb. 4, 1879. 

Total number of admissions 01 

In addition to the above there are now rcsidiii;; in the 
county the following attorneys, who were admitted else- 
where: Frank A. Hooker, Circuit Judge; Daniel P. Sag- 
endorph, practicing at Charlotte ; George W. Mead, prac- 
ticing at Charlotte, examined and admitted in Supreme 
Court; Addison J. Couistock, now practicing at Charlotte; 
Ralph E. Stevens, now practicing at Verniontville. Jlr. 
Comstock graduated from the Law Department at Ann 
Arbor, April 5, 1879. He formerly practiced at Reed 
City, Mich., and came to Charlotte in May, 187'J. 

Charles S. Cobb, of the law firm of Corbin & Cobb, of 
Eaton Rapids, who is a younger brother of Horace Cobb, 
of Charlotte, is a graduate of the Ann Arbor Law Depart- 
ment. He came here in 1878, and, like his brother, is 
working into a gooil and steady practice. 

From those forms of dissipation which years ago beset our 
bar, the present members now in the county are remarkably 
exempt. Nearly all of them, perhaps every one of them, 
may be classed as temperance men. Some of them arc tem- 
perance workers. All are satisfied that mental energy is 
the only safe stimulant for the brain and nervous system. 
They all clearly see the difference between dissipation and 
recreation ; that one is death and the other life to mind and 
body. Therefore, I consider them all entitled to success 
and good standing in their profession. 

It would be a great pleasure to nie had I the leisure and 
room in this county history to trace the mental growth and 
development of several more of those upon the roll of my 
associates, but I find this article has already grown beyond 
its allotted bounds. I yield up the manuscript to the 
printer with much regret, because so little mention is made 
of several whom my own personal interest and friendship 
would prompt me to dwell upon with satisfaction both to 
myself and others. 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 



Nearly in the geographical centre of the county of 
Eaton, upon a gently -sloping plain or prairie, is located 
Charlotte, the seat of justice for the county and queen 
among her generally prosperous sister towns. This beau- 
tiful city is one of the best built, most active and enter- 
prising among those of its population in the State of 
Michigan. It is surrounded by a fine agricultural region, 
peopled by a thrifty and prosperous class of farmers, whose 
broad acres teem with the products of a fertile soil, and 
whose improvements are generally of a high order of ex- 
cellence. 

A stranger, upon first visiting Charlotte, is impressed by 
its lively air of business, its fine location, broad and well- 
shaded streets, the number, size, and style of its business 
edifices, and the general " wide-awake" look of its inhab- 
itants. Perhaps no city in the State, of the same size, can 
boast of as great and substantial development in as short a 
time. Although the place was settled at an early day, its 
growth did not really commence until subsequent to 1S60, 
when the building of the Grnnd River Valley Railway* 
opened a route to the world " outside." A few years later 
the Peninsular Railway was built, and the place received 
fresh impetus. 

ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES.— EARLY SETTLE- 
MENT. 

It has been stated, and is believed to be true, that the 
beautiful prairie on which Charlotte is located was discov- 
ered by George Torrey, an early resident of Kalamazoo, 
and a companion. These men, in looking for a site which 
possessed advantages for groat future improvement, came 
upon the prairie, and at once noting its beauties, started for 
the Kalamazoo land-oflnce. On their way they met; a man 
with an utterly woe-begone expression on his countenance, 
who in conversation stated that he was a shoemaker. They 
inferred that he was a poor, hard-working man, seeking a 
place to locate his family, work at his trade, and cultivate 
a small " patch" of ground. They told him of the prairie, 
and the poor shoemaker's eyes brightened. By an exercise 
of ingenuity unlooked for, he obtained priority in being 
allowed choice of lands, and for several days kept the many 
anxious speculators and others from entering. He was a 
poor shoemaker no longer, but a man of wealth, intrusted 
besides with a considerable amount of funds to invest for 
friends in the East. The prairie, or its outskirts, claimed 



® Work was begun on this road in the fall of 1865, but track-laying 
was not eommcnced until the summer of 1868. The track was com- 
pleted to Charlotte on Saturday, Aug. 15, 1868, a number of the citi- 
zens of the place aiding in laying the last rails. The completion of 
the road to Charlotte was the occasion of a general jubilee, for the 
days of staging over rough and muddy roads were ended, and mer- 
chants would meet with no more trying delays in getting their goods. 

380 



his own immediate attention, while he located lands for his 
friends in various portions of the State. His name was 
Hannibal G. Rice, and he was afterwards well known 
among the settlers, although he did not settle for several 
years after he had made his entries, which was in 183.i. 

But the popular belief that Mr. Torrey and his friend 
were the discoverers of the prairie is not in accordance with 
the fact that George W. Barnes made the first location of 
land here in 1832, a year before the proceedings mentioned 
occurred. And very early in 1833, Mr. Barnes asked that 
commissioners might be appointed to locate the seat of jus- 
tice for Eaton County, offering special inducements if they 
should choo.se the prairie, a part of which he owned. Mr. 
Rice and Joseph Torrey (not George, although the latter 
was no doubt here) made their entries in 1833, as is shown 
by the tract-book in the office of the county register. M r. 
Barnes' efforts to have the county-seat located here were 
successful, as will be seen by reference to documents quoted 
in a general chapter. 

On the Gth of July, 1835, Mr. Barnes sold to Edmund 
B. Bostwick the equal undivided half of the west half of 
the northwest quarter of section 18, in town 2 north, range 
4 west, and east half of the northeast quarter section 13, 
town 2 north, range 5 west, the whole containing about 150 
acres. This deed was acknowledged before Ira Burdick, a 
justice of the peace in Kalamazoo County, and was recorded 
in Calhoun County, July 9, 1835. A similar deed was ex- 
ecuted Dec. 5, 1835, and Mr. Bostwick thus became owner 
of the entire 150 acres, and on this the original village of 
Charlotte was platted, as elsewhere given. 

The first settler near the beautiful prairie where now 
stands the city of Charlotte was Jonathan Searls, a vet- 
eran volunteer of the war of 1812. He was wounded near 
Kingston, Canada, and carried the rifle-ball in his body 
until his death. He settled, with his family, on the south- 
east corner of the prairie, in November, 1836, and built a 
block -house, in which the family lived until 1874.f On 
the morning of Dec. 18, 1841, Mr. Searls left his house, 
apparently in good health, but was soon after found dead. 
He was buried on his own form, as it was before a ceme- 
tery existed in the vicinity. His wife, Mrs. Sally Searls, a na- 
tive of Massachusetts, survived him until March 30, 1877, 
when her death occurred. She was nearly eighty years of 
age, and the mother of eleven children, nine of whom grew 
to maturity. With no other family on the prairie when 
they came, and with all the trials of pioneer life to contend 
against, their lot was not an easy one, yet Mrs. Searls was 
never heard to complain. The first meeting, and for a 
long time the only religious service, was held in her 



f This account is from an obituary notice of Mrs. Searls, and differs 
slightly from the one which follows. The latter was prepared care- 
fully by Mr. Foote, who vouches for its authenticity. 



•^-•t 






^€>. 












''''?(?' 



^'■v>*-?-- 



A-* 






..!^ 



jgV-V.v.^ 










^■r.^'-!^-J^ 



m- 






'^Si&^^.: 









V- ■/ 













ftrs/DCNcr OF EDWARD A FOOTE ESQ. 452 iVisr Lawreuce St. 

CHAHL01TE, MICH. 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 



:5b 1 



house, where a serraon was preached by Rev. Mr. Bennett, 
some years since superannuated. Her house consisted of 
one room, plainly furnished, which w;is made to accommo- 
date the thirteen members of tlie family. It answered also 
for post-office, court-house, church and tavern, and truly 
the pioneer family of Charlotte was not williout occupation 
at all times. 

The foUowin;; account of the settlement of the Messrs. 
Searls was road by E. A. Foote, ]*]s(|,,at the mectini^of the 
Eaton County Pioneer Society, in 1877: 

"Jonathan ami Sarauel Scarls* found their way through from BcUc- 
vue in October, !8:i.5. They left Mrs. Samuel Scarls at Bcllevuc until 
they could cut a track through for a team. They worked lixediiys cut- 
ting this track, and then hired a team to bring Mrs. Searls and the house- 
hold goods through. This track followed the Indian trail from Bellc- 
vue to the Indian village in Waltou, and then followed the ridge along 
the south side of IJiittle Creek until It reached the north-and-south 
section-line road running south from Charlotte. This was for a long 
time the only passable route between here and Bellevue. 

"Jonathan and Samuel had no team to work with for one year after 
they came. By their own unaided strength they had to cut and move 
to the spot the logs for Samuel Searls' house, and then raise those logs 
to their places on the building. When those two men rolled up those 
logs alone there was not another house or family within eight miles 
of here. In this house which they built twelve or fifteen persons lived 
at one time after people began tocomo in. But these two meu worked 
alone, bare-handed, laying the foundation of our city, until the first 
day of Februar3', 1837, when Japhet Fisher came in by the way of 
Bellevue, leaving his trunk there, and hired out to Uncle Samuel and 
Jonathan, and went to chopping for thcni. He was there at Uncle 
Samuel's in June, when Uuth Searls, the wife of U''ncle Samuel, died, 
with the quick consumption, leaving an infant eight or nine months 
old. But by that time another family had come, — there was one more 
woman hero, — Stephen Kinne and his wife, and Amos, his brother, 
who had come through on the first day of January, 18:J7, from Gull 
Prairie, by the way of Bellevue, following the track cut out in 1S36 
by the two Searls. The nearest house then to this place was Mr. 
Shumway's, in Walton, two miles southwest of where Olivet is now 
built. Stephen and Amos Kinne built a log house sixteen by sixteen 
about a mile south of here. 

" Mrs. Ruth Searls died about sundown. Xo one was in the house 
when she breathed her la^t. Japhet Fisher, little Isaac Parish (an 
adopted child), Uncle Jonathan Searls, and Uncle Samuel, the hus- 
band, were all out at work. They came in and found that her spirit 
had left them. Stephen Kinno and wife, crossing Battle Creek upon 
a fallen tree, and going northeist across what is now the fair-ground, 
reached the house of mourning about dark and remained there all 
night. As no coffin was to be had here, she had to be taken to Belle- 
vue for a decent burial, sixteen or eighteen miles away. Before day- 
light, Japhet Fisher started for Bellevue to prepare for the funeral. 
They put bedding into the box of the lumber-wagon, upon which 
they laid the lifeless form and fixed it as well as they could, and 
Samuel and Jonathan, with their oxen drawing the wagonf along the 

* From Mrs. L. II. Dunton, daughter of Jonathan Searls, we have as- 
certained the following facts; Jonathan and Samuel Scarts came to 
Michigan in I8.'U, and visited various points in (he southern and west- 
ern part of the State, remaining during the following winter at Allegan. 
George W. Barnes, of Gull Praiiic, Kalamazoo Co., who owned the 
site of Charlotte, induced the Searls brothers to come here, and accom- 
panied them, and showed thorn the land they afterwards purchased. 
Innathan Searls died in 1841, and Samuel about 18(17-68, Allen 
'■ ;irls, a half-brother to the above, has in recent years rcturnetl to 
~\racuse, X. Y., where he is now living. Stephen Searls, the other 
brother, is now a resident of St. .Joseph, Berrien Co., Mich., and is in 
the eighty-ninth year nf his age. His daughter became the wife of 
1>araun A. Winslow, a former prominent lawyer of Charlotte. 

t Since he penned this account of the death and burial of Mrs. 
"tarls, Mr. Foote has been informed by various old cettlers that they 
ncollect distinctly of seeing the remains brought to Bellevue in it xled, 
drawn over the bare ground, and thinks perhaps this latter version is 
the correct one, although some have stated that it was a wagon. But 



rough roads, and fording creeks, went on to Bellevue, while Stephen 
Kinno and wife remained to take care of the children. 

" Uncle Samuel was very badly dressed for such an occasion, llo 
had worn out all of his chilhcs working hard to build a home (or that 
woman. IIis corduroy pants were in tatters clear to his knec^. His 
' wa'mus' was very ragged. A fragment of an old woolen cap was on 
his head. But Japhet Fisher sent his trunk of clothes by David 
Kinne, then on his route here, to meijt Samuel on the way. They 
met at the Indian village in Walton, and Uncle Samutd dressi-d in a 
becoming manner for the funeral. The hearts of the Bellevue pcojile 
quickly responded to the call of Japhet Fisher. They turned out to 
meet the ox-team. The women took hold and laid her tenderly in a 
coffin, and the next day the last sad rites wore performed. 

" Although Uncle Sauiucd had to take the young babe back to New 
York, though his home and hopes were blasted, he did not give up. 
He brought back his sister Julia to keep house for him. They had 
built a house for Uncle Jonathan farther west, on Searles Street [as 
the Katon Uapids road, on which the Searls brothers lived, was 
known]. Jonathan went Dast, and brought back his wife. Aunt Salty 
Searls. This was in November, IS.*!?; on their way from l*cllevue 
hero they stayed overuight at Capt. Hickok's, in Walton. 

*' It was this log house of Uncle Jonathan's that became for a time 
the headquarters of the county. They held caucuses and conventions 
and county canvasses there. They most always stayed overnight. 
Aunt Sally had them all to wait upon. She did the county cooking 
ftXr years. ' We had a great deal of men's co mpany in tho^e days, 
said she, * but we seldom .«aw a woman.*" 

The oldest buildin*; now fitatidin*^ in Cliarlolte, atid the 
first frame house erected in tlie pkice, is oue wiiicli was 
built in 1840, by Sinieoii Harding, then county treasurer. 
It is at present the witi<; of William Piper's liouse, on Law- 
ranee Avenue, next west of the new Congreirational church. 
In 1837 or 1838 a loj^ house was built on the soutli side of 
the same avenue, east of the site of the Methodist church, 
where Charles Piper's residence now statids. Tiiis was the 
first building erected properly on the prairie, the house of 
Jonathan Searls having been built in tlie edge of the tim- 
ber, at the southeast corner of the prairie. The logs were 
cut by Samuel Searls, David Kinne, and Stephen Kinne. 
Jonathan drew the logs, with his brindle oxen, and the 
Messrs. Searls roofed the dwelling with shakes. It is re- 
marked that none of the settlers could compete with Jona- 
than Searls in splitting those neccv^sary articles for roofing, 
and as hewers of wood the Searls brothers and David 
Kinne were unapproachable. Mr. Foote says: 

"The Eagle, when laid up and its corners dove-tailed, looked like 
cabinet-work. With their broad-axes they would roll off broad shav- 
ings as thin as paper, leaving the surface perfectly true and finished, 
without an axe-mark to be seen. The puncheon-floors which they 
hewed were as level and smooth as floors of sawed lumber. You 
would not know them from plank. Tho.<c men did the work of saw- 
mills for the early settlers. Uncle Stcidicn Scarl*, who bui!t and set- 
tled on Searls Street in 1S;IS, was really a valuable accession. In 
Eric Co., N. Y., he stood as a master millwright. Among :illO me- 
chanics, who worked on Kingman & Murphy's grist-mill at Black 
Kock, then considered the best built mill in the Statte uf Now York. 
Uncle Stephen Searls was the master workman in wood. Here, among 
the settlers, he was ready to apply his great skill to the humblest 
work to give them shelter and homes. Uncle Jonathan was m-arly 
his equal with the broad-axe, but not such a complete mechanic, and 
David Kinne, now called the best hewer in California, was close u]ion 
the heels of cither of them.'' 

The first htg h<niso, previously mentioned, was occupied, 
sooti after its completion as a dwelling, by Stephen l)avi>J 



whatever tlie vehicle used may have been, the journey was a h:u\ and 
solemn one, and the firci*ide of Samuel Searls was made de:;olate. 
t Mrs. Nathan Johnson, of Charlotte, who is a daughter of Stephen 



382 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and family. Simeon Haiding's frame house was built for 
liim by Allen Searls, a half-brotber of Jonathan, Stephen, 
and Samuel, who moved here with his wife in September, 
1838, coming with a horse-team via Jaekson and Eaton 
Rapids. A road was cut out from the Rapids to a point 
west of William Soutliworth's in ICaton township, and was 
pa.^sable for teams. From Charlotte a road was cut east as 
jar as the Holcomb place. No one was then living between 
the Wall settlement and the ]\Ies,srs. Searls. 

When Allen Searls arrived he contracted with H. I. 
Lawranee to finish the tavern, or tiie "court-house" as it 
was called. The building was then partly up and ready 
for the jilates. Jlr. Searls was unable to finish the build- 
ing ready for the spring term of court in 1839, and the 
first court could not be lield liere in consequence until the 
next year. Hannibal G. Rice, who was tlion living on the 
Dunton place, soon after built a house of tamarack logs at 
the east end of Lawranee Avenue, and occupied it a short 
time. He subsequently built one of while-wood logs, which 
he moved into. The tamarack house was known as '' Rice's 
brick," and was afterwards occupied in succession by Hirara 
Shepherd and Henry Robinson ; the latter came originally 
from Beiniington, Vt., and settled at Vcrmontville in 1844, 
removing to Charlotte in 1852. He aI.so at one time lived 
in Mr. Rice's white-wood log house. 

Hannibal G. Rice was a well-known character, and 
amassed considerable wealth. He wore a drab overcoat, 
by whicii everybody recognized him. He finally removed 
to Battle Creek, where he died. His daughter, Mrs. Mc- 
Cammon, is now living in Charlotte. 

Wlien Allen Searls came liere, in the fall of 1838, Amos 
Kinney and Erastus Whitcomb were living south of Battle 
Creek. Harvey Williams, who owned the first frame house 
as successor to Simeon Harding, established the first store 
in the place. A block building, which stood on a lot be- 
tween the pre-ent sites of the Sherwood House and the 
Methodist church, was built for Mr. Bostwick, and was 
afterwards occupied by Mr. Le Cont, the young lawyer, 
who is elsewhere mentioned, and whose fate was to meet his 
death, at an early age, in the place which he had fondly 
hoped to see grow to importance. His enterprise was most 
worthy, and his memory is cherished by those who knew . 
him. Had he lived, it is doubtless a fact that Charlotte 
would have owed him much as a projector of improvements 
and an earnest and enterprising citizen. The few fine shade- 
trees that are left of his planting are appropriate monu- 
ments to his memory. 

Charlotte was blessed with a generally excellent class of 
citizens in its earlier years, and to this fact is due, in a 
great measure, its present prosperity. Without pioneer 
enterprise its growth would have been slower, and its im- 
portance as a centre of business and culture much les.s. 



Davis, makes tlie following statement, which is, of course, rcliahlc: 
" Eleazcr Steins and wife (newly married) were the first white people 
who ever fettled on the prairie where Charlotte is now located. They 
ciunc from the 8tatc of New York (o Goguac Prnirio, from there in 
March, 1S38, and remained until .September of the same year, when 
tlicy returned to New York .State. .Stephen DavLs eame hero with 
Sterns, returning in .Juno after his family, bringing them here, and 
has lived lie-e ever .<!inee." 



From the records of the County Pioneer Society, and j 
files of newspapers, the following facts are gatliered : | 

Edward A. Foote,* a native of Burlington, Chittenden 
Co., Vt., settled in Blichigan in October, 1840, and on the 
15th of August, 1848, located in Eaton County, of which 
lie was elected clerk in ISSti. In January, 1855, he es- 
tablished the Eaton Rrpuhlican (now the Cliarlotte Repuh- 
Haiii), and was its first editor. He was prominent in the 
preliminary steps towards organizing the Republican party 
in the county and State. 

John F. Tirrill, born in Bristol, Grafton Co., N. II., set- 
tled in Ionia Co., Mich., in 1837, and came to Eaton County 
in 1847. Maria Tirrill came to the county with her parents 
in November, 1841, remaining tlirough the winter at Belle- 
vue ; the following Jlarch they moved to Charlotte, then 
containing but five families. They started from Bellevue 
before sunrise, and, after numerous accidents and the ex- 
perience of being lost in tlie woods, arrived at dark at the 
house of Amos Kinney. .,,^^ i 

Evits H. Dunton, a native of Jericho, Chittenden Co,.^'^^ 
Vt., settled in Michigan in 1838. Mrs. Weltha A. Dunton 
had come to Charlotte in 1835 or 1836, with the family of 
her father, Mr. Searls, the first settler, the nearest neigh- 
bors at that time being six miles away. 

Henry Baldwin, from Camden, Oneida Co., N. Y., set- 
tled in Charlotte with his family in 1844. His death 
occurred Sept. 20, 18G0.t 

Dr. Alden B. Sampson, a native of Norwich, Mass., 
removed to Sullivan, Ohio, in 1837, and became a success- 
ful practitioner in the line of his profession. In 1843 he 
came to Charlotte, and during his residence here won a 
place as one of its most respected and enterprising citizens. 
Several years before his death he relinquislied his practice, 
but his efforts were turned to the Improvement of the " vil- 
lage of the plain," which he had adopted for a home. The 
fine building known as " Sampson Hall," now so popular 
with the citizens of the place as an amusement resort, and 
in which the courts have long been held, was built by him 
in 1866-67, and was the second or third brick building in 
the place. The doctor was never married, — except to the 
desire to do good to all men and build for himself a monu- 
ment of respect in the hearts of his fellow-beings. 

Hiram Shepherd, who died in Charlotte on the 20th of 
July, 1871, aged nearly sixty-nine years, was a native of 
Otsego Co., N. Y , and first eame to Michigan in 1837. 
He purchased a piece of land about two miles southeast of 
Charlotte, upon which he made some improvements, and 
went East for his family, returning with them in the fall of 
1840. Charlotte then contained but two or three buildings, 
and neighbors were scarce, the county being thinly settled. 
After moving two or three times JMr. Shepherd finally set- 



® Mr. Foote entered Michigan University in 1840, upon the removal 
of his father to (he State. He afterwards engaged in teaching and 
portrait-painting in Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana, until 
lie settled in Charlotte. In 1851 was appointed distributing clerk in 
the Chicago post-office, and held the position three years. In 1S61 
w.as appointed by Go\ jrnor Blair a member of the Board of State 
Prison Inspectors, and released the life convicts from their solitary 
eells. Admitted to bar in 1863. Has held other important positions. 

t From obituary notiee in Eaton County liepiiblican, Sept. 21, 1860. 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 



383 



tied at what became known as "Shepherd's Corners," where 
his reniaiuin<; years were spent. Alonzo L. Baker settled 
in Katon County in 1842, and in 1S48 located at Charlotte, 
which was his home until his death, March 8, 1880. His 
wife had preceded him through the dark valley on the 13th 
of the previous February. 

Ellzey Ilaydcn, a native of Oranjre, l?ichland Co., Ohio, 
settled in Charlotte in 1844, and engaged in business in com- 
pany with his brother, John Ilayden. He has continued 
to be one of the prominent citizens of the city and county, 
and for several years held the office of county treasurer. 
(See county civil list.) 

James Johnson, born in England, settled in Calhoun Co., 
Mich., in May, 1844, and in Eaton County, March 7, 1851. 

F. H. Kilbourn, a native of Denmark, Lewis Co., N. Y., 
settled in Detroit, Mich., in 1834, in Ingham County in 
183U, and in Eaton County in December, 18.57. 

Theodorus D. Green, a native of Cobleskill, Schoharie 
Co., N. Y., settled in Michigan in September, 1843, and 
in Eaton County in November, 1846. Upon liis arrival 
in the State he was the possessor of a dollar and a half in 
cash, one box and one chest of wearing apparel, and had 
with him his wife and two children. He located first in 
Kalauio township, afterwards removing to Charlotte, where 
he at present resides. 

Rev. Luman Foote, the father of Edward A. Foote, Esq., 
was an Epi-scopal clergyman, and located in Kalamazoo, in 
1840, as rector in charge of St. Luke's Church. He was 
a graduate, in 1818, of the University of Vermont, at 
Burlington. He studied law in the office of his brother, 
and in 1821 was admitted as an attorney in the Chittenden 
County Court, and in 1822 of the Supreme Court of Ver- 
mont. In company with his partner, Mr. Austin, he 
founded the Burlington Free Press, a paper which he ably 
edited. In 1833 he retired from his editorial chair and 
also from the practice of law. Ho took orders as an Epis- 
copal clergyman, and preached in several places in Vermont 
and New Hampshire. In 1840, as stated, he removed to 
Michigan, and preached at Kalamazoo, White Pigeon, 
Mottville, Constantine, and Jonesville. In May, 184G, 
having tired of his unsettled life as a preacher, he pur- 
chased a place at Charlotte, whither he removed. He 
preached occasionally, and was for many years a prominent 
justice of the peace. His death occurred Aug. 5, 1876, 
when he had passed the age of eighty-two years. 

Dyer F. Webber, Esq., now of Charlotte, is a native of 

Richland Co., Ohio. He afterwards lived in Hancock 

County, in the same State, and in the summer of 1857, 

after spending a short time at Fort Wayne, he came to 

Charlotte. During the following winter he taught the 

school in the village, and in the spring of 1858, it being 

necessary to make up a rate bill in order to raise his 

wages, lie took a census of the place, and found the 

number of inhabitants to be less than 700. The building 

in which he taught wils the brick structure now used as a 

wagon-shop, on West Lovctt Street, in the rear of Cochran 

.\vcnue. 

CH.VKLOTTK IN 184.3. 

From the files of the Eutun Bugle, established March 
26, 1845, we make a few extracts. In the first number of 



the paper Mr. Johnston, the editor and publisher, apolo- 
gized to the public for the delay in presenting the sheet to 
its patrons, the reason therefor being the great amount of 
trouble experienced in bringing the press and material to 
the place. The editor said he almost felt that he was born a 
" wolverene," in face of the fact that his mother had always 
informed him difiFerently ; but, at any rate, he w:ls prepared 
to adapt him.self to the manners and customs of the people 
of Eaton County, and asked in return that they aid him in 
sustaining the paper. The following were the local adver- 
tisetucnts which appeared in the first number : 

"S. E. Mii.i.KTT it Co. have permanontlv established Ihemsclvcs in 
the village of Charlotte, Eaton Co., .\[iub., where they intend to keep 
all Ivinds of goods usually found in a country store, which they are 
determined to sell (for ready piii/ only) as cheap as any establishment 
in the western country." The firm advertised for sale brush and 
beaver hats, broadcloths, cassimercs, eassinetts, and Tweed's cloth, 
and wanted I0U,U0O bushels of ashes, in exchange for goods, to be de- 
livered at their ashery'*' in Charlotte. 

Joseph Hall., M.D., having located in the village, respectfully 
offered his services to those in n'^cd of them, and M. S. Wilkinson, 
attorney and counselor at law, located at lilaton Rapids, ha<l a card 
in the paper, advertising that he would "attend to profei^sional busi- 
ness in Eaton and the adjoining counties." 

Messrs. J. & E. Ilayden advertised their tin, sheet iron, 
and copper manufactory as follows: 

" The subscribers would inform the citizens of Eaton County that 
they have permanently established themselves iu the above business 
in the village of Charlotte, where they intend to keep constantly on 
hand an assortment of articles in their line, which they will dispose 
of, at wholesale or retail, on as reasonable terms as can be had at any 
shop in Michigan. Their stock shall be of the best quality, and for 
neatness and durability of work they defy conij)etition. Repairing 
and job work done at the shortest notice. 

'*_^5S*' Tkums — Ready Pay. .\11 kinds of produce taken in e.v- 
change for ware." 

The editor mourned because the ladies of Michigan in- 
dulged in ki.ssing each other to such an extent that the 
gentlemen were nearly crazy, and feelingly remarked : 

" It does our soul good to hear the smack of their lovely lips as 
they take what the Pennsylvanians familiarly call a siiioutch. Oh, 
Jupiter I but the sight is lovely to behold^but how provoking to 
think that the boys are obstin itcly forbidden to participate in this 
feast of lips ! We can easily imagine the miseries of Tantalus when, 
dying with thirst, he w.is placed in the middle of a flowing stream, 
and as the cooling waters rose to his lips he was forbidden to taste; 
but where is the heart that hath ever imagined the inward pang that 
a half-cracked swain endures when gazing upon two of these flowers 
— the most lovely that ever grew — bringing their lips together with a 
sound not unlike that which a eider barrel makes when the bung flies 
out? . . ." 

Frederick M White, postmaster, advertised the list of 
letters remaining unclaimed in the Charlotte Post-Office, — 
seventeen in number, — as follows : 

C. S. Bowen, Roswell R. Maxson, James Riehmqnd, 
Esther Sleuther, Eber Jones, Jacob Willard, Asaph Landers, 
Thomas Nichols, S. M. Root, J. Baker, Avery Pool, Henry 
M. Munson (2), Henry P. Chase, R. M. Wheaton, Asaph 
B. Landers, Peter Sloan. 

In the sixth issue of the Bugle, May 7, 1845, Mr. 
Johnson says : " Since our last paper there have thirteen 
new settlers arrived in our prairie city. We are happy 
to announce that the prospects of our village were never 

*Tbis firm erected a, largo oshery in the early part of April, 184 6. 



384 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



better. We hear of a small legion that are following 
in the wake of those already liere, and to a better place no 
uian ever came." In the next number the editor prints a 
short sketch of Cliarlottc, and in describing it speaks in the 
following language: 

"AVe are bold to chnllenj^c the world to ].i-e?cnt :i more beautiful 
location than that on which thu \ ilhigc of Charlotte stands. Niituio 
has been lavish of her beauties to extravagance. The plat consi^^ts 
of a beauliful prairie, euutainiiig about 000 acres, and surrounded 
on all sides by heavy timbered lands. It presents rather a 
curious appearance to the eye of a stranger, and takes him by sur- 
prise on emerging from heavy forests into a beautiful open plain, 
unmarrcd by brush or stunijts or swauips. This lovely opening, 
rc.-^liitg in the bosom of a dense forest, like an oasis in a desert, 
we have no doubt was onee an Indian corn-field ; it btars many evi- 
dences of it ujion its surface. Our streets at all times are perfectly 
dry, and even in the worst seasons of the year they are never muddy, 
the sandy soil drinking up the waters as they fall. 

•* At this season of the year our ])rairie presents beauties that no 
imagination ever dreamed of. Reader, you who have never been 
here, ))icture to yourself a beautiful prairie, level as the sleeping sur- 
face of the lake, and surrounded on all sides by waving forests, form- 
ing a complete circle; within, a lovely carpet of grass, begemmed 
with flowers of a hundred varieties and ten thousand hues, rolling 
back and forth to the summer breeze. Here, in the midst of all these 
beauties, is the village of Charlotte, the county-seat of Eaton, its 
white cottages contracting richly with the green foliage in which 
it is embowered. 

" When we say that Charlotte is proverbial for healthiness, we do 
not intend it for a mere ruse, as is too often the case when citizens are 
asked concerning their villages. Our prairie is free from everything 
like swamps or marshes, consequently free from fevers and all that 
class of diseases arising from decay i'^g vegetable matter. The purest 
and freshest breezes of heaven fan us, and if there is a place on 
earth whose locality contributes to health, it ought to be ours. 

" This must ultimately become a thriving place, from the fact that 
the country around is composed of the best farming lands in the State, 
and these lands are now in the hands of industrious and enterprising 
men. The more common order of procedure in commencing settle- 
ments heretofore has been to build up a village, while the country 
around has been left a perfect wilderness. Of course there was noth- 
ing to supply the constant demands of these non-producing communi- 
ties, and they have remained stationary for years, or become, like the 
city of Romulus, 'muujo urbis, — the shadow of a city. But we have 
reversed this order of things, going upon the principle that the coun- 
try must always support the town; and, if this principle is a good 
one, then we have a sure guarantee of our ultimate success. The 
country around Charlotte is generally well settled; good farms are 
opening out ; the resources of the country are being developed more 
and more every day, and the increasing products of industry are 
hourly demanding a market. Occupying a central position in the 
county, the main thoroughfares all centring here, and people from 
different sections being drawn here on county business will, beyond 
question, turn the channel of trade in this direction. Other induce- 
ments are held out to settlers in the cheapness of village lots, which 
can be had from S5 to $200 apiece, (jood water and abundant can be 
obtained at the depth of twenty-four feet. Building materials of all 
kinds arc easy of access and cheap, with the exception of lumber. 
There is a saw-milK- within one mile and a half of town, but so great 

* This saw-mill was known as the "Mud Mill," and stood on the 
bank of a small stream known as Butternut Creek, northeast of the 
village. It was built in 184^ by Johnson & Stoddard, who owned 
eighty acres of land, including the present "Maple Hill Cemetery." 
These gentlemen built the dam and the frame of the mill, and sold 
out to a man named "Walker, who paid for it in part, finished the mill 
and put it in running order, and commenced operations in it in 1S44. 
The amount of water in the stream was sufficient only when high to 
turn the mill machinery, consequently it was in operation but a part 
of the time. This was the first saw-mill in the vicinity of Charlotte. 
Walker finally failed, and Mr. Johnson lost what he had originally 
invested, although he afterwards carried it on himself for a time. This 
mill ceased running about 18(55, and has since been removed. 



has been the demand for lumber that many have been long delayed. 
Measures are now on foot for the erection of a saw-mill on Battle 
Creek, immediately adjoining town, which will remedy all difiiculties, 
we hope, in the way of procuring lumber." 

That Mr. Johnson^s confidence was not misplaced in the 
future of Charlotte is. plainly seen from its present condi- 
dition (1880). In noting the improvements of the place he 

wrote : 

. . . *' Improvements are now the orderof the day. From our win- 
dow we can at this moment number nine new buildings going up, and 
we hear of several others that are delayed^ on account of the want of 
materials. A new court-house is going up on the public square under 
the steady guidance of Major Scout, and will be ready for the next 
term of the Circuit Court in September. Dr. Joseph P, Hall is erect- 
ing a commodious two-story dwelling on Cochrane Avenue. The 
Messrs. Haydcn arc putting up a large tin, copper, and sheet-iron 
manufactory, and are preparing to go into the business as extensively 
as any other establishment in the State. We were highly gratified to 
see these enterprising young men start out a traveling-wagon yester- 
day ; it is the best evidence of our prosperity. AVe are informed that 
it is the present calculation of one of the proprielors to sink a tan- 
nery here this summer. A large ashery has already been erected by 
our friend S. E. Millett. The Messrs. Melsheimer are making ar- 
rangements to commence the saddle and harness business. Their 
stock and tools are already here, and in a few weeks they will be 'in 
the full tide of successful experiment.' But why need we particu- 
larize? Our motto is Onward! and who shall set bounds to our 
efforts? Commendation in behalf of Charlotte is superfluous, for to 
see it is to love it. We confidently believe, from present appearances, 
that no other town in the State has fairer prospects ahead, and we 
kiioio that no other can furnish so many natural beauties to feast the 
eye and regale the sen-ses. 

"Such is Charlotte, the county-seat of Eaton." 

During the opening years of the history of Charlotte 
the fates seemed to will that every inch of progress should 
be disputed, and the pioneers struggled with exceeding per- 
severance against adversity, unwilling to give up the fighC, 
whatever the odds, and their heroism sustained them and 
bore them safely through to a h-aven of final prosperity. 
But it was often very discouraging, and a prominent local 
writer, in speaking of those years, says: 

*' Those were indeed close times in money matters. It was with 
the utmost dlflSculty that people met their cash engagements. They 
were ready to pay in work, or dicker in making terms, but as for 
money, that was absolutely out of the question. The first year or 
two on a heavily-timbered farm, with all of the money paid on the 
land, with nothing but an ox-team and an axe to do with, nothing but 
a little corn raised the first year, no money to pay taxes, and the 
greater portion of the family down with the ague, made close, cramp- 
ing times. Had it not been for the black salts and maple-sugar, it 
is difficult to tell how taxes ever could have been paid. Five or ten 
dollars in one man's pocket was a sensation in those days. The 
money burned there. Everybody knew of it. The man was re- 
spected. There was intense figuring around to borrow it for a few 
days J to sell him a watch or a rifle, or get up a trade which would 
bring a little boot-money, just enough to sweeten it. 

"Those were slow times: slow in building frame houses; slower 
still in finishing them off and paying up j very slow in making 
money. But they were quick times in neighborly sympathy and 
kindness J quick in going to the bedside of the sick. It was quick 
work for strong and willing arms to roll up the logs for a new-comer's 
shanty, or to assist at a new-comer's birth, and quicker still to rally 
for a wedding or a dance. 

" It was owing to the want of money, and consequently of labor- 
saving machinery and of facilities for getting out and in, that Char- 
lotte grew so slowly. In those days it usually required a day or two 
to get the material ready for building a frame dwelling-house, and 
often four or five years before the house would be finished off, and 
then the beat rooms would stand a long while before patey/amilius 
could get out of debt enough to furnish them. Sash, doors, flooring, 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 



385 



and cornice bad to bo got out by band. In matcbing seasoned nbitc 
a5h flouring two men would often be cuipluved, one to pusb and 
anotber to pull through the matching plane. The builtiing of the 
academy was but a fair sample of the glow progress of what we call 
improvement. The railroad and steam-eDgine, pioneering the way 
into the woods, as they now do north of us, would have hurried and 
bu.^lled us along into doing mure in two years than we accomplished 
here in twenty without their aid. 

"But the railroad and steam-engine would not have given us the 
leisure we had for social enjoyment, for knowing and thinking of 
each other, and for gently prying into each other's affairs. There 
was time then for those long friendly confabs, while perched upon the 
tup rail of a fence, during the summer evenings, confiding all we 
knew to some bosom crony; time when a row of us could afford to 
spend the whole of a sunny forenoon upon the dry-goods boxes in 
front of I. 1). liurns* store, cutting deeper with our jack-knives than 
with our wit, too lazy to unpucker and straighten our faces when the 
sun had gone behind a cloud, slowly thinking, dreaming, and some- 
times mustering energy enough for a broken remark. If a fellow 
went to see a girl, as fellows did and have done and will do in all 
ages of the world, it would be pretty generally understood by the 
entire prairie before he was up the next morning. Dear to us all are 
the memories of those old log houses in which we used to live and 
visit. No matter if the leg of the chair or table did now and then 
go down between the loosely laid boards of the floor. There was 
one house with whitewashed logs and shake-covered roof, and a stove- 
pipe through the roof serving as a chimney, for bricks, too, were 
scarce; there were morning-glories climbing the strings up and 
around a little S(|uare chamber-window of the aforesaid house which 
arc still bright and dear in the memory of at least one of us. From 
the burnt-away duors of the old cooking-stove the glowing coals still 
shed their mellow light upon the face of one not yet forgotten. 

**The quickest way in those days to raise a little ready change was 
to give a dance. The young uien could always be depended upon to 
pay their dancing-bills when no one else could raise the wind. The 
rule was that not a single girl should be left out. If a fellow hung 
back about going, it was surmised that ho was short of means, and tho 
difficulty was at once remedied by the loan of a dollar, or even more. 
Two double wagons or sleighs would carry us all, every one of us, in- 
cluding Ira Bailey, the fiddler. The teams of Shepherd or Allen 
Searls were always ready. Whenever a new floor was laid, or there 
was room enough for one cotillon set to form, there we were welcome j 
and dear as lumber was, it was rumored that sometimes, when return- 
ing home towards morning, the young men would so far forget them- 
selves as to throw the seats all overboard, notwithstanding the earnest 
remonstrances of the girls. Often here in the village there would be 
impromptu gatherings, sometimes in the room up-stairs in the jail, 
when Nate Johnson was deputy sheriff, and sometimes up in the attic 
of the old Eagle. 

"Although houses were far apart, neighbors lived very near in 
those days; and in trouble or sickness, at weddings or funerals, they 
were always there to do all that could bo done, to feel all the sorrow 
or joy or kind sympathy that could be felt by those who knew and 
understood each other so well." 

The " California gold fever" broke upon Charlotte at a 
time when all were sadly in need of ready money. Farms 
were mortgaged in every direction, and so wonderful had 
become the purchasing power of good money that men were 
willing to separate themselves from their families and risk 
everything — body and often soul — to secure a quantity of 
the shining nuggets which were said to be lying around in 
the greatest profusion in the far-distant gulches and fastnesses 
of the California mountains. The choice Wiis by one of the 
two routes, — around by water and across the Isthmus of 
Panama, or the weary and very dangerous journey " across 
the Plains" and through the Rocky Mountains by way of 
Salt Lake City, then in its zenith as an abode of blood- 
thirsty fanatics and a terror to straggling parties of " Gen- 
tiles." As the route by water was very expensive, the 
greatest rush was overland, and a survivor of 1849 or 1850, 
49 



or even later, who made the journey through by land, has a 
memory filled with hairbreadth escapes, days and weeks of 
privation, discouragement, atttieks by Ifidians and Moriuous, 
and all that made the days of the gold fever frightful to 
look back upon. A few retained their honesty, although 
by so doing ihey did not often become wealthy, while others 
gave themselves over to the bad and lost caste among their 
former follow-citizeus. Numerous citizens of Charlotte and 
Eaton County caught the fever and departed for the land 
of gold. Some never returned ; others came back, broken 
in health and stricken with poverty, and many wandered 
upon the face of the earth forgetful of home and its attrac- 
tions, wliile no great good resulted to any. 

ORIGIN OP NAME.— LAYING OUT OF VILLAGE 
AND AUDITIONS. 

The land on which the original village of Charlotte was 
laid out wa.s purcha.sed from the governtnent by George 
W. Barnes, who sold it to Edmund B. Bostwick, of New 
York City, througli the latter's agent, Mr. Lawrance. In 
the Charlotte Rrpuhlicuii of Oct. 10, 1879, II. I. Lawrance 
cau.sed the following old letter from Mr. Bostwick to be 
published, and it settles any doubt as to the origin of the 
nan e of the place : 

"New York, Dec. 29, IS.'Jo. 

" Deak Lawrantk, — Your favor communicatiug the terms on which 
you purchased the balance of the Eaton county-seat property is be- 
fore me. I am much pleased with the purchase, and will soon write 
you a long letter submitting a plan for the town. You speak of call- 
ing tho place after me, but as I have just become a married man, I 
would prefer calling it Charlotte, or Charlotteville, after my wife. I 
will make a deed for one-quarter of the property as soon as my deed 
arrives, and hand it to your father. Next spring we will try to bring 
the place into notice. 

" You will have heard through tho papers of the late destructive 
fire in this city. We, among others, were burnt to the ground, though 
our loss is but small. On Sunday next I will write you a long letter, 
and give some of the particulars of the late fire and also of my mar- 
riage. 

" In haste, your friend, 

" E. B. Bostwick." 

It is Stated also that Mrs. Bostwick offered, in case the 
county-seat should be honored with her name, to donate a 
fine bell to the first church that should be erected here. 
Afterwards one of the churches (Methodist or Cougrega- 
tionalist) is said to have claimed the fulfillment of the 
promise, but the offer was asserted to have been made only 
to an Episcopal Church. Mr. Bostwick died in the moun- 
tain region of the West, in Carson Valley. 

The original " Plat of Charlotte, the County-Town of 
Eaton County, Michigan," as the draughtsman wrote it, was 
conveyed by Carlos Barnes, and the transaction acknowledged 
Nov. 28, 1836, although it was not received for record at 
Charlotte until July 7, 1845.* The proprietors were Ed- 
mund B. Bostwick, Francis S. Cochran, Thomas Lawrance, 
and Townsend Harris. The place was laid out on the west 
half of the northwest quarter of section 18, town 2 north, 
range 4 west, and the east half of the northeast quarter of 
section 13, town 2 north, range 5 west. To the original plat 
the following additions have been made : 

Lawrance's addition of outlots, surveyed by Harvey Wil- 

* This plat was recorded at Marshall, Calhoun Co., to which Eaton 
was then attached, on the 18th day of April, 1837. 



386 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



liaius; laid out June 29, 1847, by Henry Lawrauce (by 
his legal attorney, Horatio I. Lawrance). 

McConib & Lee's addition, by J. McCoiub and Vincent 
Lee, April and May, 1848. 

Brooks' addition, by Charles Brooks, Sept. 11, 1854; 
this plat amended, by same proprietor, June 24, 1858. 

H. H. Gale's additions, Sept. 22, 1854 ; Sept. 24, 186G ; 
and Jan. 4, 1872. 

Samuel W. McClure's addition, Oct. 27, 1859. 

Horatio I. Lawrance's subdivision of outlots, Sept. 14, 
1865. 

Rice's addition, by Hannah Rice and Malvina McCam- 
mon, Oct. 11, 18(55. 

S. P. Jones' addition, Nov. 20, 18t)5. 

B. W. Warren's addition, Nov. 16, 18G7. 

R. E. Brackett's addition, Dec. 24, 1SG7. 

Robinson's addition, by Henry Robinson, A. B. Wins- 
lov?, John Belger, J. C. Harmon, William C. Foster, G. 
W. Foster, June 10, 1868. 

Williams' addition, by Wolcott B. Williams, Nancy 
Marsh, William Ray, M. R. McCammon, July 22, 1868. 

Octavia L. Hovey's addition, March 17, 1869. 

John G. White's addition, April 26, 1869. 

Fouts' addition, by Jesse T. Fouts and J. H. Gibbons, 
May 1, 1869. 

Academy addition, by Alvan D. Shaw, Alonzo L. Baker, 
Cyrus Cummings, Edward S. Lacey, Ellzey Hayden, Sa- 
mantha A. Williams, June 25, 1869. 

Henry F. Pennington's addition, Oct. 29, 1869. 

Barber's addition, by Jasper Barber and J. W. Hickok, 
April 2, 1870. 

W. B. Williams' amended plat, May 6, 1870. 

Brackett & Mikesell's addition, by R. E. Brackett, J. 
B. Mikesell, I. I. Newton, Joseph Mikesell, John McAfee, 
May 24, 1870. 

David J. Marple's addition, July 13, 1870. 

Robinson & Sherwood's addition, by Henry Robinson 
and G. W. Sherwood, Oct. 29, 1869. 

VILLAGE AND CITY INCORPORATION.— LIST 
OF OFFICERS. 

For nearly thirty years after a settlement was made at 
" Eaton Centre," subsequently known as Charlotte, the in- 
terests of its citizens were in common with those of the 
townships of Eaton and Carmel, the line between the two 
passing nearly through the centre of the village. Its pop- 
ulation and needs for general improvement finally became 
of sufficient importance to warrant its citizens in taking steps 
towards its incorporation, with full powers as a village 
under separate government from the townships. Accord- 
ingly, after the necessary preliminary steps had been taken, 
the board of supervisors, on the 7th of January, 1863, 
issued an order incorporating the village of Charlotte with 
specified boundaries, and directed that the first village elec- 
tion should be held at the court-house in said village on the 
last day of the same month. It was ascertained, however, 
that a flaw existed in the description of the boundaries, and 
it was necessary to take further action. A petition from 
the citizens was therefore handed in to the board of super- 
visors at their session in October, 1863, vpith a new descrip- 



tion, and the order was issued on the 12th of the month, 
incorporating the following territory, to wit : " The south- 
west quarter of the .southwest quarter of section 7, and 
the northwest quarter, the north half of the southwest 
quarter, and the southwest quarter of the northwest quar- 
ter of section 18, town 2 north, range 4 west; also the 
southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 12, 
and the northeast quarter, the north half of the south- 
east quarter, the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter, 
and the east one-fourth of the northwest quarter of section 
13, town 2 north, range 5 west." 

The first election was ordered to be held Dec. 24, 1863, 
but it was postponed until the regular spring election, 
March 1, 1864, when the following officers were chosen: 
President, Alvan D. Shaw ; Trustees, W. L. Granger, Jo- 
seph Musgrave, Calvin Clark, Sylvester Collins, S. P. Web- 
ber, T. L. Curtis ; Marshal, Henry Baughman ; Treasurer, 

E. T. Church ; Clerk, Edward A. Foote ; Assessor, S. P. 
Jones ; Street Commissioner, John S. Opt ; Fire Warden, 

F. H. Kilbourne; Pound-Master, Stephen White. 

The following were the officers elected each subsequent 
year (excepting 1866, the record for which is mi.ssing), while 
the place was an incorporated village : 

1865.— President, A. D.Shaw; Trustees, J. Musgrave, S. Collins, S. 
P. AVebber, F. W. Highy, A. H. Munson, N. A. Johnson; 
Treasurer, E. T. Church ; Assessor, E. S. Lacey ; Street Com- 
missioner, H. Kobinson; Fire Warden, F. 11. Kilbourne; 
Pound-Master, A. S. Roberts. 

1867.— President, Joseph Musgrave; Trustees, A. D. Shaw, E. Shep- 
herd, Henry Baughman, L. B. Brockett, A. K. Bretz, S. 
Collins; Assessor, Theodoras D. Green; Treasurer, Earl T. 
Church ; Marshal, Heuian Perkins ; Street Commissioner, F. 
IL Kilbourne ; Fire Warden, Ileman Perkins ; Pound-Master, 
A. S. Roberts. 

1SC8. — President, A. D. Shaw; Trustees, Henry Robinson, Pitt M. 
Higby, Joseph Saunders, Cooler Sherwood, J. D. Parkhurst, 
Elisha Shepherd ; Clerk, T. D. Ureen ; Treasurer, E. T. 
Church; Assessor, A. J. Ives; Marshal, A. P. Nichols; 
Fire Warden, Jerrie Mikesell ; Pound-Master, A. S. Roberts. 

1869. — President, Henry Robinson; Trustees,. Jerrie Mikesell, Brad- 
ford Kellogg, A. J. Ives, A. T. Loring, 0. P. Richardson, 
George V. Collins ; Treasurer, E. T. Church ; Assessor, Ellzey 
Hayden; Street Commissioner, John Hayden; Marshal, L. 
C. Holbrook; Fire Warden, J. M. Haslett; Pound-Master, 
James Steele. 

1870. — President, Henry Robinson; Trustees, A. T. Loring, Bradford 
Kellogg, Jerrie Mikesell, P. M. Higby, 0. P. Richardson, 
p. C. Sherwood ; Clerk, L. E. Dwinell ; Assessor, C. H. Mills ; 
Treasurer, E. T. Church; Marshal, L. C. Holbrook; Fire 
Warden, J. M. Haslett; Street Commissioner, John Hay- 
den ; Pound-Master, James Baughman. 

At this time the question of obtaining a city charter was 
seriously discussed, and resulted in the passage by the 
Legislature, March 29, 1871, of an act of which the fol- 
lowing are portions : 

"Section I.— The People of the Slate of MUhiya/i ciiuri, That so 
much of the townships of Carmel and Eaton, in the County of Eaton 
and State of Michigan, as is included in the following description, to 
wit: the south half and the northeast quarter of section 12, entire 
section 1.1, and the north half and the southeast quarter of section 24, 
all in town 2 north, of range 5 west; and entire section 7, except the 
southeast quarter of the southeast quarter, the west three-quarters of 
section 18, and the west half of section 9, all in town 2 north, of range 
4 west, be and the same is hereby organized and incorporated into a 
city, by the name of the city of Charlotte. 

"Section 3. — The city shall be divided into four wards. The First 
Ward shall include all that portion of the city lying on section 7, and 



CIT^ OF CHARLOTTE. 



387 



thnt portion of section 18 lying north of Lawranco Avenue and the 
Buttle Creek and Lansing State road, in town 2 north, of range 4 
west; the Second Ward shall include nil that portion of the city lying 
on section 12, and that portion of section 13 lying north of Lawranco 
Avenue and the highway extending westerly and northwesterly from 
said avenue, in town 2 north, of range 6 west; the Third Ward shall 
include all that portion of the city on section 13 lying south of Law- 
ranco Avenue and the highway extending westerly and northwesterly 
from said avenue, and that portion lying on section 24, in town 2 
north, of range 5 west; and the Fourth Ward shall include all that 
portion of the city lying on section 18, except that portion lying 
north of Lawnincc Avenue and the Battle Creek and Lansing Stnto 
road, and shall also include that portion lying on section 19, in town 
2 north, of range 4 west." 

The act provided that the officers of the city should be 
one mayor, one recorder, who should bo ex-officio school in- 
spector and city clerk, one supervisor, who should be ex- 
officio assessor, one treasurer, who should be ex-offtcio col- 
lector, one city attorney, one marshal, one street commis- 
sioner, two school inspectors, four justices of the peace, two 
aldermen for each ward, and one constable for each ward. 
The first city election was directed to be held on the 
second Monday in April, 1871. The charter was slightly 
amended April 25, 1873, but the boundaries of the city 
were not changed. The election in 1871 resulted in the 
choice of the following officers : Mayor, Edward S. Lacey ; 
Supervisor, Earl T. Church ; Recorder, l.saac D. McCut- 
chcon ; Treasurer, F. E. Loiter ; Justices of the Peace, 
F. A. Hooker, D. F. Webber ; Aldermen : First Ward, 
A. D. Baughman, J. C. Harmon ; Second Ward, R. D. 
Wheaton, S. Kotcham ; Third Ward, J. W. Ames, B. J. 
Grier; Fourth Ward, P. M. Higby, B. W. Warren; Con- 
stables, James Johnson, D. 8. Coder, Loren H. Turner, 
A. T. Roe. 

The following officers were appointed by council : Street 
CoramLssioner, Samuel Coulter ; City Attorney, P. T. Van 
Zile; Marshal, J. H. Green. 

The officers elected for the city of Charlotte from 1872 
to 1880, inclusive, have been as follows: 

IS72, — Mayor, E. T. Church ; Recorder, Isaac D. McCuicheon ; Super- 
visor, J. W. Ames , Treasurer, Benjamin J. Grier; Justice 
of the Peace, Dyer F. Webber; School Inspector, Wolcott 
B. Williams; Constables, James Johnson, F. 11. Kilbourne> 

F. C. Hcndee, S. Pollock; Aldermen: First Ward, A. D. 
Baughman, S. Robinson; Second Ward, Daniel Baughman, 
Nathan A. Johnson ; Third Ward, Jeriie Mikcscll, J. W. 
Ames; Fourth Ward, Andrew L. nines, S. P. Jones. 

1873.— Mayor, Philip T. Van Zile; Recorder, Frank L. Prindle; 
Treasurer, B.J. Grier; Supervisor, J. W. Ames; Justices of 
the Peace, Edmund .S. Tracy, J. W. Ames; School Inspector, 
Fosdick II. Kilbourne; Constables, James Johnson, Charles 

G. Thompson. F. C. Ilendce, S. Q. Pollock ; Aldermen : First 
Ward, Gilbert Dale, S. Collins; Second Ward, D. S. Coder, 
James G. Pollard ; Third Ward, W. B. Bacon, Jerrie Mike- 
sell ; Fourth Ward, S. P. Jones, A. M. Palmer. 

1874. — Mayor, Jerrie Mikcscll ; Recorder, J. V. Johnson ; Supervisor, 
J. W. Ames ; Treasurer, B. J. Grier; Justice of the Peace, 
Isaac D. McCutchcon ; School Inspector, Alfred Perkey ; 
Constables, James Johnson, C. G. Thompson, F. 0. Ilendee, 
S. G. Pollock; Aldermen: First Ward, Luke Brosscau, H. 
J. Hart; Second Ward, C. A. Merritt, M. W. Robb; Third 
Wiird, W. II. Bacon, G. V. Collins; Fourth Ward, B. W. 
Warren, C. II. Colgrove. 

1875. — Mayor, Charles A. Merritt; Recorder, Robert W. Shriner; 
Treasurer, B. J. Grier; Supervisor, James Pollard; School 
Inspector, F. II. Kilbourne: Justice of the Peace, Parm S. 
Dc Graff; I'onstables, James Jiihnson, Charles Thompson, 
0. G. Young, S. Pollock; Aldermen: First Ward, H. J. 



Hart, E. B. Arnold; Second Ward, G. T. Rand, D. J. 
Marple; Third Ward, W. U. Bacon, J. J. Curtis; Fourth 
Ward, J. L. Dolson, C. H. Colgrove. 

1876.— Mayor, Charles II. Brown; Recorder, R. W. Shriner; Treas- 
urer, B. J. Grier; Justice of the Peace, Dyer F. Webber; 
School Inspector, F. II. Kilbourno; Supervisor, John Q. 
Thomas; Constables, James Johnson, T.T. Green, .Shepherd 
Earll, Samuel Pollock; Aldermen: First Ward, Henry C. 
Bruce, Gilbert Dale; Second Ward, Giles B. Allen, J. M. 
Pratt; Third Ward, J. J. Curtis, Soth Kctcbam; Fourth 
Ward, J. L. Dolson, C. H. Colgrove. 

1877. — Mayor, James M. Pratt; Recorder, Manly C. Dodge ; Treas- 
urer, George Foreman; Supervisor, James G. Pollard; .Tus- 
tice of the Peace, Robert W. Shriner; School Inspector, 
Oliver P. Richardson; Constables, James Johnson, T. T. 
Green, 0. G. Young, S. Pollock; Aldermen: First Ward, W. 
11. Do Lamater, John Opt; Second Ward, John Wilson, 
Charles M. Atkins; Third Ward, Elisha Shepherd, Wer- 
ner II. Bacon ; Fourth Ward, Amos K. Munson, P. S. De 
Graff. 

1878. — Mayor, Edward A. Footc; Recorder, J. V. Johnson ; Super- 
visor, W. A. Bacon; Treasurer, George Foreman; Justice 
of the Peace, George Mead; School Inspector, W. S. Trask; 
Constables, C. E. Barnes, T. D. Green, Ben Bedell, Samuel 
Pollock; Aldermen: First Ward, II. J. Hart, J. S. Opt; 
Second Ward, L. Brosscau, M. W. Robb; Third Ward, Elisha 
Shepherd, Jerrie Mikesell; Fourth Ward, S. A. Barnes, J. 
Q. Thomaj?. 

1879. — Mayor, Samuel Robinson; Recorder, Lafayette Rowley; 
Supervisor, Seth Ketcham; Treasurer, W. S. Trask: Jus- 
tices of the Peace, H. Baughman, C. II. Hoag; School In- 
spector, R. D. Wheaton; Constables, James Johnson, 0. S. 
Follett, B. Bedell, S. Pollock; Aldermen: First Ward, 
Joseph Crout, J. S. Opt; Second Ward, John S. White, X. 
A. Johnson; Third Ward, L. B. Brockctt, J. J. Curtis; 
Fourth Ward, G. B. Allen, A. II. Green. 

1880.- Mayor, R. D. Wheaton; Recorder, C. S. Barrett; Treasurer, 
Samuel Robinson; Supervisor, Seth Ketcham; Justice of 
the Peace, George M. Ely ; School Inspector, II. H. Cobb ; 
Constables, James Johnson, J. II. Taggert, L. Gardner, S. 
Pollock; Aldermen : First Ward, II. J. Hart, John E. Bel- 
gcr; Second Ward, F. II. Kilbourne, .). M. Ilouck ; Third 
Ward, J. J. Curtis, R. W. Shriner; Fourth Ward, A. II. 
Munson, A. J. Ives. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Charlotte has suffered comparatively little from fires, es- 
pecially in the later years of its history, although more or 
less damage has resulted at different times, and several of 
the old landmarks have been destroyed, among them the old 
"Eagle Hotel." A No. 3 Silsby steam fire-engine was 
purchased by the city in March, 1872, with 1000 feet of 
hose, the necessary couplings, etc., and two hose-carts. Mr. 
Silsby presented the city with one hose-cart, paying the 
freight and cost of delivery upon it, and also deducted SlOO 
from the contract price of the engine, making the cost of 
the whole outfit $02.51.50. The engine is finely finished, 
and a credit to the city and the manufacturer. 

The present fire department was organized Oct. 8, 1872, 
with Dr. Samuel Perkey an Chief Engineer ; B. J. Grier, 
First Assistant, and S. Ketcham, Second Assistant. It then 
consisted of one company, known as Charlotte Ho.se Com- 
pany, No. 1, of which L. H. Turner was foreman. The 
membership wa.s thirty-six. The department at present 
(July, 1880) consists of the following companies : 

Charlotte Hose Company, No. 1, twenty-four mem- 
bers. — W. Field, Foreman ; F. E. Van Houghton, First 
Assistant Foreman. 

Active Hose Company, No. 2, thirty-five members. — 



388 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTr, MICHIGAN. 



C. E. K. Baxter, Foreman ; A. B. Brelz, First Assistant; 
William Munson, Second Assistant. 

Prairie Queen Ilookand- Ladder Company, No. 3, 
thirty-seven members. — George Wright, Foreman ; Will 
Fredericks, First Assistant; F. H. Newlan, Second As- 
sistant. 

J. V. Jolinson is the present chief of the department, 
now serving his third year in that capacity. The organiza- 
tion is in excellent condition, and is a well-drilled and 
effective force, ranking among the first in the State.* 

A neat and commodious two-story building has been 
erected of brick, with stone trimmings. The upper rooms 
are used for meetings of the city council and fire depart- 
ment, while the lower part of the building is used as the 
engine-room, or place of storage for the implements of the 
department. 

CHARLOTTE POST-OFFICE. 

In the .summer of 1838, Jonathan Searls received the ap- 
pointment of postmaster, and a mail-bag (sometimes empty) 
came tlirough once a week from Marshall, carried by a 
boy named Isaac Hill. Mr. Searls was appointed through 
the agency of Capt. James W. Hickok, whose friend, Isaac 

E. Crary, was then in Congress, and the captain came up 
to the prairie on foot to bring the commission. The fol- 
lowing list of postmasters is from the recollection of Ellzey 
Hayden, E.sq., who settled in Charlotte in 1844, and was 
one of its first merchants in the hardware and tinware line. 

Jonathan Searls was probably succeeded by Frederick 

F. White, who was postmaster in 1844, and those since 
have been Cyrus Cummings, John Ilayden, William H. 
Cornell, William Wilson, Cyrus Cummings (a second time 
appointed), Harvey Williams, Joseph Saunders, Dyer 
F. Webber (appointed during Johnson's administration), 
George B. Fleming, and the present incumbent, Frederick 
E. Leiter. During the early years several well-known citi- 
zens acted as deputies. In 1866 it was made a money-order 
ofiice, and its business has increased greatly since that time. 
Mr. Leiter is also agent for the American Express Com- 
pany. The office is located on the east side of Cochran 
Avenue, near the Arcade building. In June, 1880, ex- 
tensive repairs were made in the oflBce, and 180 new boxes 
and drawers were added, the total expenses being about $300. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS OF CHARLOTTE. 

In 1877 a series of articles under the above heading were 
published in the Charlotte liejjahlican, and various notes 
from them are here given : 

Dry Goods, Clothing, etc. — J. M. Haslett, the senior 
member of the firm of J. M. & W. A. Haslett, dry-goods 
merchants, came to Charlotte in 1854 from Ohio, and com- 
menced business in the fall of that year with Mr. Musgrave, 
under the firm-name of Musgrave & Haslett. They were 
located in a building known as the " Old Fortress," on the 
corner now occupied by Strong's Block. " In tho.se times 
money was a kind of ' unknown quantity,' or only kept for 



* J. W. Kogers is first assistant engineer of the department, and 
George Bradley second assistant. George W. Rowley is engineer of 
the steamer. 



the benefit of sore eyes and for babies to cut teeth on ; and, 
as to the shin-plasters of the realm, no man could afford to 
keep them on hand long lest they should perish overnight, 
like Jonah's gourd. The money had to be sorted every 
day, and a portion was usually found worthless or depreciated 
in value. Indeed, Mr. Haslett relates an instance where, 
while on his way to New York to buy goods, having gone 
as far as Adrian, he got up in the morning to find that all 
his bonds and bank-notes had undergone this kind ot wilt- 
ing, and he was left without money enough to get out of 
town had it not been for a little gold which he chanced to 
have about him." The firm purchased everything, but only 
paid money for wheat, which they bought for the Bellevue 
mills, paying for it at prices ranging from fifty to seventy- 
five cents per bushel. They also carried on an ashery, 
which stood on the subsequent site of Green's blacksmith- 
shop. In 1861 the firm of Musgrave & Haslett was dis- 
solved, and W. A. Haslett, who had been a clerk in their 
employ, conducted the business for a year, when the old 
firm again took it up. Mr. Musgrave sold his interest to 
Mr. Haslett, and Mr. W. A. Haslett became a partner with 
the latter, and the firm of J. M. & W. A. Haslett has since 
been continued. In 1877 their annual business was about 
$75,000. They handle butter, eggs, and wool, and make 
specialties of ladies' ready-made suits and carpets. 

F. W. Higby commenced business in Charlotte in 1858 
in company with his brother, P. M. Higby, also in the line 
of dress and dry goods. After eleven years P. M. Higby 
purchased his brother's interest, and in 1873 formed a part- 
nership with M. Hudson, under the firm-name of Higby 
& Hudson. Mr. Higby related the following incidents: 
" From 1858 until the Valley road was completed, getting 
our goods — first from Jackson and afterwards from Marshall 
— was a source of anxiety and annoyance, especially as the 
bulk of them came through the mud of spring and fall. 
But one or two teams were regularly engaged in the busi- 
ness, and as half a dozen were wanting goods brought at the 
same trip, the rivalry was sharp and sometimes unplea.sant. 
These teams, composed of two or four horses, according to 
the condition of the roads, were from two to three days 
making the trip. One fall our goods were in Marshall ; 
mud was knee-deep, slightly frozen on top, with six inches 
of snow over all. We waited a week. No one would go 
after them, and there was no change in the condition of 
things. Finally a customer owning a good team, and whose 
account had stood some time, came into town. We were 
delighted, certain we could get him to go as the easiest way 
of paying us. He came into the store and we at once made 
known our wants. ' How much is my account?' was the 
reply ; and he took out his pocket-book and paid us, and 
was independent, while we were as anxious as before. The 
railroad changed all this. We received our goods at the 
back door without thought or trouble, pleased that one 
source of annoyance was gone forever." 

S. P. Jones & Co. established themselves in the dry 
goods business in Charlotte in 1866, and after several 
changes R. C. Jones became sole owner of the establish- 
ment in 1875. The original partners with S. P. Jones 
were A. R. Williams and J. C. Gregg. The latter retired 
in 1866, when R. C. Jones became a member of the firm, 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 



389 



and Mr. Williams ostablif-hed a business for him.sclf in 
1870. 

L. & E. Shepherd, dry goods and hardware, began in 
1876. Elisha Shepherd had comnieneed business here in 
1852 with his father-in-law, L. H. Ion. They were land- 
lords and proprietors of the old Eagle Hotel, and operated 
a line of stages between Charlotte and neighboring towns. 
" They built on the east half of the Eaglo, and otherwise 
improved the property. In this addition Mr. James Shep- 
herd and Dr. Sampson had a stock of drugs and groceries. 
After nearly four years in the Eagle Mr. E. Shepherd 
bought out Sampson's interest in this stock, and the firm 
of E. & J. Shepherd was established. They moved their 
goods to a little wooden building belonging to Roller, on 
the corner where Foreman, Smith & Co. are doing business, 
and added to it a stock of dry goods purchased at the 
sheriff's sale of the effects of W. L. Lyon. Having 
bought and completed the unfinished building of Collins & 
Russell, they carried on business there from two to four 
years, and then built the brick where R. C. Jones is now 
doing business. This was occupied by them three or four 
years, when they built the store now occupied by James 
Shepherd. Here they carried on business till they sold 
out to S. P. Webber. They then started a banking busi- 
ness in the building now occupied by Spaulding as a gro- 
cery, and kept a few dry goods till about two years later, 
when they moved back into the store and resumed their 
old business, and continued it until April 1, 1876. In the 
mean time they had erected a grain-elevator at the junction 
of the railroads, and a portion of the time purchased grain, 
etc. In April, 187C, this firm was dissolved and that 
of L. & H Shepherd organized, Mr. Leroy Shepherd hav- 
ing long been one of the leading hardware merchants in 
town." 

James Shepherd, who established a business of his own, 
was enjoying a trade in 1877 of about 850,000 annually. 

John Levy, ready-made clothing merchant, came to 
Charlotte in 18G0. Not now in business here. 

The house of Strong & Baughman* (I. M. Strong and 
A. D. Baughman) was established in 1867. Mr. Baugh- 
man retired, and Mr. Strong took Dr. Fouts as partner in 
1870, but on the 1st of March, 1876, became sole pro- 
prietor of the establishment. Mr. Strong continues at the 
" old reliable corner," opposite the Sherwood House, where 
he has erected an excellent brick building, one of the finest 
in the city. This was built in 1874. 

Joseph Lang, clothing, commenced business in Charlotte 
in 1868. 

Henry Weil, formerly of Grand Rapids, opened a fancy 
goods establishment in this place in 1872. 

The ■' Bankrupt Store" of Messrs. Dunston Bros, was 
opened in September, 1875, and is one of over twenty 
located in various parts of the country, and carried on by a 
company representing 81,500,000 of capital, and organized 
expressly for the purpose of handling bankrupt goods. 

J. II. Green began selling goods in Charlotte in 1868, 
and continued seven years. He afterwards purchased the 
stock of Mr. Bruce, and established himself in the clothing 

* Mr. Baughman has at present an establishment of his own. 



business in the winter of 1876-77, and is .still engaged in 
that line. 

Bonks. — E. II. Bailey came to Charlotte in 18G1. In 
1863 he commenced the sale of musical instruments. After 
several removals to different locations in the city he finally, 
in 1873, occupied the fine rooms where he is at present, 
on the south side of Court Square. In 1876 his brother, 
J. A. Bailey, beciime a partner. To the original line of 
music and musical instruments has been added a stock 
of books, jewelry, stationery, wall-paper, toys, etc., and 
this is one of the best ordered houses of the kind in the 
State. 

J. J. Richardson commenced business in Charlotte in 
September, 1868, in company with Mr. Cheney, under the 
firm-name of Cheney & Richard.son. They erected the 
building now occupied by Mr. Richardson, Mr. Cheney 
occupying the photographic rooms above and Mr. Richard- 
son the store below. The partnership was finally dissolved, 
Mr. Richardson becoming sole proprietor. His stock con- 
sists of books, stationery, wall-paper, jewelry, toys, and gen- 
tlemen's furnishing goods. 

Groceries. — The oldest merchant in the city who has 
been continuously in this line is E. T. Church, who came 
here in 1858 and established a store in a small wooden 
building on Lovett Street, with a stock valued at 8288. 
In 1861, John Ray became a partner, but his interest was 
purchased by Mr. Church in the spring of 1862. At this 
time Mr. Opt was the principal competitor in this line of 
trade. In August, 1862, Mr. Church bought out the in- 
terest of Mr. Opt in the firm of Opt & Bretz, and the new 
firm became that of Church & Bretz, doing business in the 
Carmel Hall building. In 1866, Mr. E. Ilayden became 
a partner, and the firm took the name of E. T. Church & 
Co. In 1867 they had commenced the erection, on Main 
Street, of the handsome building now occupied by Mr. 
Church. During this year Mr. Bretz died, and, the real 
estate being divided, the heirs took the Carmel Hall build- 
ing, while the company retained the unfinished structure 
and the brick warehouse which had been built for the other 
store. July 1, 1874, Mr. Ilayden went out of the firm, 
taking as his share the building, while Mr. Church retained 
and continued the business in his usual able and thorough 
manner. Mr. Church's stock inventoried 825,000 in 1876, 
and the year's business footed up over 875,000. 

Charles Piper began business as a grocer earlier than 
Mr. Church, but did not continue it uninterruptedly. He 
first opened a grocery and eating-house in the frame build- 
ing now used as a saloon, east of the Sherwood House. 
The firm of Piper & Ray was not long after established, 
Mr. Piper purchasing Ray's interest af\er about eighteen 
months. Henry Childs next became a partner, but sold 
out and went West. About 1862, Mr. Piper formed a 
partnership with Leroy Shepherd, and a stock of hardware 
was added. This continued but a year, when the firm was 
dissolved. Piper taking the groceries and Shepherd the 
hardware. At the close of the war Mr. Piper sold his 
business to Mills & Miller, and in partnership with S. P. 
Webber built a flouring- mill and opened a flour- and feed- 
store. After two years this firm was also dissolved, and 
Mr. Piper engaged in the butter and egg trade. In 1875 



390 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



he erected the building he now occupies. Hi.s produce 
business for one year amounted to $75,000. 

Jerrie MiJcesell began business in 1861, on an exceed- 
ingly limited capital, and witli an indebtedness on a portion 
of his stock. But he was popular, and soon paid up and 
establi.shed himself on a lirm ba.sis. He has had numerous 
partners and been in several kinds of business, but finally 
settled down to the grocery line, and in 187G realized a trade 
of $73,000. 

A. W. Palmer, formerly of Warsaw, N. Y., and Grand 
Rapids, Mich., established himself in Charlotte in the spring 
of 1870, and built up a gratifying trade. 

Wilson & Spaulding commenced business in 1873, the 
firm subsequently becoming Spaulding Brothers. 

Mikesell k Hunt opened a store in the spring of 1875. 
A year later W. S. Hunt bought out his partner (Jose 
Mikesell) and continued the business alone. 

First National Bank. — In January, 1802, Messrs. Mus- 
grave & Lacey established a banking-house in Charlotte, to 
do a general banking business. On the 2d of January, 
1871, the First National Bank of Charlotte was organized, 
with a capital of $100,000, of which $50,000 were paid in. 
The officers were : Joseph Musgrave, President ; E. S. 
Lacey, Cashier ; A. J. Ives, Vice-President ; Joseph Mus- 
grave, E. S. Lacey, A. J. Ives, E. W. Barber, EUzey 
Haydei), Directors. Mr. Ives had been the book-keeper 
in the private bank. Mr. Musgrave continued to hold the 
position of president of the bank until his death, which 
occurred in April, 1880.* 

In the summer of 1869, Messrs. Musgrave & Lacey 
built a grain-elevator near the Grand River Valley depot, 
twenty-six by sixty feet in dimensions, three and a half 
stories high, including basement, with a capacity of 12,000 
bushels. Its co.st was about $5000. The business after a 
few years amounted to about $200,000 annually. 

Hardware. — A. H. Munson, the senior member of the 
firm of A. H. Munson & Co., came to Charlotte in 1854, 
when the place was a model town and known as " the little 
Christian." He bought out Mr. Cornell, whose store was 
where Mr. Van Zile now sells boots and shoes, and entered 
into business. In 1861, in company with T. Thomas, he 
purchased the hardware establishment of E. Hayden. Mr. 
Thomas died about a year afterwards, and Mr. Munson 
continued the business alone. In 1865 the present com- 
pany was organized, L. Brockett becoming a member of 
the firm. The business is large and a full line of goods is 
kept. 

J. B. May & Co. started in the hardware business in 
this city in October, 1866. In 1872 the fine building at 
the corner of Main and Lovett Streets was erected. George 
Foreman was the junior member of the firm. After several 
changes the firm finally became Foreman, Smith & Co. 
They have an extensive and profitable business. 

L. & E. Shepherd have been mentioned in the dry goods 
line. They also carry an extensive stock of hardware. In 
1866, Leroy Shepherd built the fine store now occupied, 

* The presidency of the bank is now (July, 1880) vacant. The re- 
maining officers for 1880 are : Andrew J. Ives, Vice-President ; E. S. 
Lacey, Cashier j W. P. Lacey, Teller; A. J. Ives, Ellzey Hayden, E, 
W. Barber, E. S. Lacey, Joseph Musgrave, Directors. 



and in 1870 erected a mammoth warehouse in its rear, 
fronting on Bostwick Avenue. This firm was formed 
about 1876, L. Shepherd having been in the business, alone 
and with other parties, since 1862. 

Photographic Galleries. — The photographic artists of 
Charlotte at present are A. M. Cheney and George C. Dar- I 
ling. The latter is a recent venturer in the art here. Mr. ' 
Cheney was formerly located in Lansing, and came to Char- || 
lotte in 1868. Both of these gentlemen are excellent I 
artists. l 

Watchmakers and Jewelers. — W. H. De Lamater came > 
to Charlotte in 1865, and in 1867 began business, afterwards 
carrying it on for a time in company with his father-in- 
law, Sylvester Collins. In 1877 he erected a fine brick 
block, and built up a good business. He sold out in March, 
1879. 

J. N. Thrift came to the place in 1869, and opened a 
repair-shop, finally putting in a stock of jewelry, watches, 
clocks, and fancy goods, and has been successful in busine.ss. 

Boots and Shoes. — J. M. Pratt commenced business in 
Charlotte, Feb. 28, 1868, and a year later took Mr. Worden 
as a partner. This firm continued until Sept. 1, 1875, 
since which time Mr. Pratt has continued alone. He owns 
a tannery on the Lansing road, which has won an enviable 
reputation from the quality of the leather -manufactured.f 

Mr. Heston opened a custom shop in May, 1873. In 
April, 1876, J. B. Belcher became a partner with him, and 
the firm became Belcher & Heston. The present firm is 
Belcher & Warren. 

William Piper came to this place in October, 1856, and 
opened a shop in a small building, then occupied as a gro- 
cery by George W. Sherwood. His principal competitor 
at that time was John Russell, whose shop was in the old 
Eagle building. The only brick building then in the place 
was that in which the county ofiices were located, and which 
is still in use for the same purposes. D. M. Van Zile be- 
came a partner with Mr. Piper in 1875, but a year or two 
later established a business of his own. 

G. F. Light began work in May, 1862, and S. P. & C. 
Crosier in 1866. 

MANUFACTURES. 
Planiug-Mills. — The firm of Johnson, Robb & Ilouck, 
whose buildings are located near the Grand Trunk depot, 
is one of the heaviest in Charlotte. N. A. Johnson, the 
senior member of the firm, came here the 5th of September, 
1842. Hon. D. Darwin Hughes was teaching school here 
at the time, or had taught a short time previously, and it 
was on a visit to his friend that he turned his steps in this 
direction, having for some time been an inmate of the 
Hughes family in Bcllevue. Coming through a rough and 
heavily incumbered road, overshadowed by a dense growth 
of beech and maple, the little prairie, hemmed by a wilder- , 
ness of woods and billowy with undulating grass and 
flowers, is described as something enchantingly beautiful. 
The boundaries of this little world in the woods — com- 
puted to embrace about 600 acres — extended somewhat as 
follows : Beginning on the south, not far from Shepherd's 



t Mr. Pratt died in May, 1880. 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 



391 



corners, the line of the prairie swept nround, circling off a 
little to the south and west, and nearly touching on its return 
tlic shallow pond traversed by the Chicago aud Lake Huron 
[now the Chicago and Grand Trunk] Railroad; it passed 
north a little west of the west line of the old cemetery, curv- 
ing a little westward and crossing Lawrance Avenue about 
where E. A. Foote's house stands, and thence bending east 
and north and crossing Main Street a little north of the 
Phccnix Hotel ; from there it curved around to the north 
as far as Stoddard Street, and, gradually circling to the cast 
and south, it crossed the Grand River Valley road nearly 
in the rear of Mr. (iales' residence, and from thence the 
old line of the prairie is plainly discernible as the margin of 
the woodland on the east of the railroad and about parallel 
with its course. At the curve the railroad again intersects 
the prairie bounds, which continued south near the east line 
of the old fair-ground, and from thence passed in a .south- 
westerly direction to the place of beginning. Nearly the 
entire surface of the prairie was marked with the grass- 
grown hillock.s of Lidian corn-fields, indicating at some 
time a large Indian population. 

"When Mr. Johnson firi*t came here there were but five complete 
bou9c.< in the city. The old Eivgle, a block hou^c like the rest, was 
the nucleus around which the growing community clustered. There 
was a log or bl^Hk hr>use where A. D. Shaw's old house stands, another 
opposite to it, on Mr. Gale's property, a log house where William Piper 
now lives, an unfinished one at the southwest corner of the old Con- 
gregational church, and the body of a block bouse built just back of 
where the old brick school-house stands, opposite Judge Van Zile's. 
This was afterwards finished as a school-house, and was the first reg- 
ular institution of the kind in the place. A house, however, had been 
built by a young man by the name of Le Cont, where John Morris' 
house is, and this had been moved to near where Albert Green's paint- 
store stands, and was the first building used as a school-house in Char- 
lotte.* In this little building was instituted the first literary and de- 
bating society, in which Mr. Johnson usually entered the intellectual 
arena against his friend Hughes, and in connection therewith be tells 
the story of a fearful encounter which he had while on his return from 
Bellevue to be in time for a championship of this character. 

" It was in the fall of the year, and Mr. Johnson was tramping his 
way homeward, busily engaged in furbishing up the thunderbolts of 
his argument, when, arriving at the hills just this side of Bosworth's 
mill, be saw in a tree near the way a panther crouched, sharpening his 
nails in the bark and looking down upon him in a very benignant 
and feline manner. Being without a weapon of any kind, he secured 
a strung stick by way of protection and got by, not without apprehen- 
sion. Night had set in before be parsed the Kinney place, which at 
that time was only cleared from the house to the road south. A short 
distance this side be began to hear the pattering of footsteps behind 
him, sometimes in the leaves on one side of the road, sometimes on 
the other, and anon falling a short distance behind. Was it a bear, 
a wolf, or that amiable panther ? To Mr. Johnson's practiced ear the 
actions seemed those of a wolf, though bis fears told him it might be 
the panther, and cold chills began to creep up and down his back, and 
his hair betrayed a manifest inclination to stand on end. To run 
might precipitate the anticipated attiLck. Closer and closer the 
creature followed, and the suspense was getting to be something ter- 
rible to be borne. Gradually the distance was closed up, and soon, in 
the darkness, the animal was by his aide. The inevitable moment 
had come, and, resolving to have the first chance in the assault, with 
desperate resolution he swooped down upon and grappled with his 
pursuer. A hoarse ba-a .' was the response, and on further investi- 
gation be found he had capturccl .■Stephen Kinney's pet calf. 

Mr. Le Cont was a young lawyer, who, foreseeing the prosperity of 
the town, had settled down here with the intention of growing up 



* See statement concerning small log house on north side of Law- 
rance Avenue. The Le Cont building was unly oiie of the first. 



with the place. His faith was exhibited by his works, and with a 
commendable public spirit he set out a line of shade-trees along 
Lawrance Avenue, as far cast as Miss Foster's, and on Main Street, 
as far south as the Baird House. Of these trec.i, those by the Sher- 
wood House and one or two on Main Street remain as a monument to 
his memory, for he died in the fall of ISti, and his is believed to have 
been the first death in the place. He was buried in the still vacant 
lot north of tureen's blacksmith-shop, which was the original burial- 
ground of the place, and was afterwards removed to the old cemetery. 
This, however, was not the place in which he bad j>reviously ex- 
pressed a wish to be interred. The deep hole east of Mr. J. B. 
Belcher's was at that time a lovely spot, sheltered on the north by 
forest-trees, and fringed on the prairie side by a growth of thorn and 
wild plum-trees. Within the hollow of this sheltering circle there 
was little or no vegetation, and here it was that Le Cont had se- 
lected his place of burial, and it was long known as ' Le Gout's bury, 
ing-ground.' Wagons went about where they would in those days, 
and grass grew in the centre of such streets as were laid out. 

" Having come to visit Mr. Hughes, and several jobs presenting 
themselves, Mr. .Johnson remained, and, contciiiptating going into 
business with his friend, they were offered a lot, including the Sher- 
wood corner, extending east as far as Miss Foster's, and south to Mr. 
Palmer's grocery, for S'iOO. They declined on account of the price." 

A man named Kirkendall in those days carried the mail. 
On one occasion a grand dance was to be held in the village, 
and Mr. Johnson persuaded him to let the mail lay over a 
couple of days, while they went eight or nine miles away 
into the township of Chester to convey Mr. Johnson's " es- 
pecial partner" from and to her home. The man accepted 
the money tendered him, witnessed the festivities of the 
occasion, and drove on with the mail after the delay. 

" Prior to establishing the planing-mill, there was hardly a build- 
ing of any importance in town that Mr. Johnson had not built or 
helped to build. The erection of the mill was commenced in lSf)S-(i',l, 
by Messrs. Johnson & Loring, and the latter was bought out by 
Mr. Johnson before commencing operations. At first the mill was 
furnished with only a planer, resawer, cdger, and shingle machine. 
Since then the most improved machinery for the manufacture of 
doors, sash, and blinds has been added, together wiih a wood-carver, 
at a cost of about .$-1000. After purchasing the interest of Mr. Loring, 
Mr. Johnson carried on business alone until 1874, when Mr. M. W. 
Uobb entered into copartnership with him, and still later (1870) Mr. 
J. M. Houck became their associate in business." 

Eight hands are employed, and a large amount of work 
is done. 

Samuel Waltcrsdorf established a planing-mill in 18(53, 
and in 1865 H. J. Hart became a partner. In 1865 Mr. 
Waltersdorf sold his interest to 0. P. Richardson, and the 
firm of Hart & Richardson conducted the business until 
1874, when Mr. Hart became sole proprietor. Messrs. 
Hart & Richard.son largely increased the business during 
their partnership, building a three-story addition to the 
mill, purchasing new machinery, and increasing their force 
of employees from six to thirty-five. They enlarged their 
grounds from three-fourths of an acre to five acres, built a 
brick office and 800 feet of store-room. The property 
passed to J. C. Bush in the winter of 1874-75. 

Curtis & Bennett, successors to Vickery & Tabor, have 
an extensive business. The latter firm sold out in 1870 to 
Bennett, Coder & Houck, which subsequently became 
Curtis & Bennett. 

Flouring- Mill.'\ — J. C. Harmon purchased property in 
Charlotte in 1866, and first opened a meat-market, which 

t In 1858 a steam gristmill was erected by S. P. Webber a short 
distance east of the village, supplying a want long felt. A new ouo 
was built by Webber Si Piper in 1867. 



392 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



he conducted a year and a half. He then became two- 
thirds owner of the flouriugmill, in company with G. R. 
Dole, and eighteen months later purchased the latter's in- 
terest. He made extensive improvements, built a cooper- 
shop which gave employment to several hands, and found 
himself the proprietor of an excellent property. He opened 
a feed-store, and his combined trade in J 877 had reached 
$00,000 to $75,000 per annum. 

George Gray opened a flour- and feed-store in the spring 
of 1877. 

V. P. Skinner is engaged in the same business. 

W. C. Foster came to Charlotte in 1855, and in 1864, 
in company with his brother, G. W. Foster, purchased the 
flouring-mill which the former now owns. Two years later 
they sold to E. Arnold. They were afterwards engaged in 
the furnace business for two years, when they dissolved part- 
nership, after having again bought the mill, which W. C. 
Foster continued to operate, doing both custom and mer- 
chant business. 

I)rn(/ffists. — G. V. Collins came to Charlotte in May, 
1857, and opened a drug-store in the old Eagle building, 
and his principal sales at that time were medicines for the 
cure of fever and ague. In 1858 he built the first brick 
store in the place, and removed into it. 

H. S. McDonald, formerly of Byron, located here in 
1874. 

Shuler Brothers commenced business in this city in the 
summer of 1868, doing business for a time in company 
with Mr. Bennett. 

Bakeries. — W. J. Bennett began business here in Au- 
gust, 1868, and in 1876 built the store he now occupies. 
He rapidly built up an excellent trade. 

George F. Updike opened a bakery in the spring of 
1877. Cortez E. Barnes purchased the bakery and restau- 
rant of Mrs. James Baird, on the south side of Lawrance 
Avenue, in the fall of 187^, and sold out in the summer 
of 1880. 

Meat-Marlcets. — J. Q. GrifiBth opened a market in Char- 
lotte in 1867, and John S. White another in 1873. 

Stave-Mills. — The Charlotte Manufacturing Company 
was organized Jan. 13, 1873, and commenced business with 
the best machinery for cutting staves, heading, etc. The 
yard is located near the crossing of the two railways. The 
business has been very extensive, the products of the mill 
finding a market principally in Michigan, although often 
reaching other States. 

Saw-Mill and Lumber- Yard. — B. J. Grier, formerly 
captain of a vessel on Lake Erie, purchased a saw-mill in 
Charlotte in 1873. It was burned in May, 1875, but soon 
rebuilt, and his business increased rapidly. In 1876 he 
cut 1,500,000 feet of lumber for Robinson & Son, of 
Charlotte, aside from other work, and has supplied the 
Grand Trunk (formerly Chicago and Lake Huron) Rail- 
way Company with large quantities of lumber for building 
tanks along the line of their road. 

Foundries and Machine-Sliops. — John A. Miller came 
to Charlotte in 1853, and in 1861 commenced work at his 
trade in the employ of Mr. McDonald, and afterwards with 
Joel Steiner, who sold out to him and went to California, 
but returned and became a partner in the business. Mr. 



Miller finally became sole owner of an establishment. It 
was burned in May, 1875, but rebuilt in thirty days. 
The manufactures are principally agricultural implements. 

A. R. Moore began business here in 187-, and was 
burned out on the 10th of January, 1873, but continued 
in business. He handles also agricultural implements. 

The firm of Hart & Wisner was organized in January, 
1877. Both men were old residents of the place, Mr. Hart 
having been long in the planing-mill business, while Mr. 
Wisuer had been identified with the foundry interests for 
nineteen years. The latter came here in 1858, and cast 
the first iron columns ever set up in Charlotte. 

Brick and Drain-Tile. — Messrs. Dunning & Chappell 
commenced manufacturing brick in the spring of 1871, 
and turned out during that and the next year 600,000. 
They then added a tile-machine, and during the first 
three years it was in operation they turned out respec- 
tively 5000, 7000, and 8000 rods of tile, without sup- 
plying the full demand. Their kiln is on the Kalamo road, 
west of the city, where they have an almost inexhaustible 
bed of clay, seventeen feet in depth 

Carriage-Factories. — Messrs. Ward & Dolson arrived 
in Charlotte in 1865, and soon commenced work in unison, 
though not in partnership. In November, 1871, they 
bought out Messrs. Huckins & Norton, and began business 
as a firm. Their work is excellent in quality, and the 
establishment furnishes employment to a number of men. 

C. E. Haefner commenced business here about 1871, at 
first doing general repairing. He soon gave employment to 
several hands and began turning out buggies and carriages, 
while still continuing repairing. 

E. R. Snyder began business for himself in 1809, having 
worked at his trade here for two years previously. 

Paint-Store. — A. H. Green, an expert workman, came 
here about 1866, and in the fall of 1875 opened a stock 
of painters' materials. 

Furniture and Cabinet Work. — The firm of Robinson 
&Son was established Nov. 1, 1869. They purchased the 
stock of Jacob Upright and opened a store in the Sampson 
Block. Three years later they removed to their present 
commodious rooms in the Arcade Block. They have more 
than quadrupled their capital, and two years after they 
began business they erected their present warehouse and 
finishiug-rooms, near the Grand River Valley depot. Mr. 
Worden, formerly of Pratt & Worden, became a member 
of the firm in December, 1875, but died in January, 1877, 
and S. Robinson is now sole proprietor. Large quantities 
of hard-wood lumber have been purchased by this estab- 
lishment for the use of the furniture-factory at the State 
prison at Jackson. 

G. M. Smith, practical cabinet-maker, opened his shop 
in February, 1877. 

Messrs. Ruggles Brothers have established a furniture 
house in the place, and are already doing an extensive busi- 
ness. They manufacture most of their furniture, having a 
factory in the rear of their salesroom. 

Candy-Store. — George Semon opened a store of this 
nature in October, 1875, and soon found himself the pro- 
prietor of a fine business, selling candies, fruits, ice-cream, 
etc. 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 



393 



Fish, Vegelahles, etc. — William O'Bryon, proprietor of 
an establishment in this line, settled in Charlotte about 
1847. 

Hotels. — The hotels of Charlotte have been numeroa , 
the first settler in the place, Jonathan Searls, havin;; been 
practically an inn-keeper, althou<;h owning the only house 
on the prairie. The first regular hotel in the place was a 
"block" (hewed log) house, wiiieh stood on the ground 
now occupied by tlie Phnjnix Hotel. The block part was 
built by K. B. Bostwick and others, proprietors of the vil- 
lage, in 18US-39.* Mr. Bostwick's brother-in-law, Wil- 
liam Stoddard, superintended the work, and became the 
first landlord of the hotel when it was completed. The 
timber had been originally prepared for a grist- and saw- 
mill, and a boiler was sent for as far away as I'ontiac, Oak- 
land Co. Owing to the condition of the roads, which ren- 
dered it almost impossible to transport such a load, that 
project was abandoned, and the hotel became a fixed fact 
in place of the mill. The work upon the building was 
performed by Jonathan and Samuel Searls. Some time 
afterwards Messrs. Ion & Shepherd became proprietors, 
and built a frame addition on the east side. The old hotel 
served a variety of purposes, being used for court-house 
and everything where room was necessary in the early days 
of the now busy city. It was originally known as the 
" Eagle Hotel," and later as the " Charlotte House," and 
when the " Old Eagle Block" is mentioned, the memory of 
the pioneer turns backward to the " days of old," when 
William Stoddard, Ion & Shepherd, or I. D. Burns swelled 
with the dignity which is in keeping with the position of 
landlord. On the 20th of May, 18(j2, the old corner was 
made desolate through a visit of the tire-fiend, who lapped 
the scarred " Old Eagle" into his flaming maw and left 
nothing but ashes to tell where it stood. John Sweeney 
was the proprietor of the building at the time it was 
destroyed. 

The ground which for so many years had been familiar 
with the old hotel was not destined to have the associations 
broken, for in 1863 the present three-story brick hotel, 
known as the Phujnix House, arose from the a.shcs of its 
])redecessor, having been built in that year by W. II. Has- 
lett and John Opt. They opened it to the public, and 
conducted it about eight months, when they sold out to 
Dr: A. B. Sampson and S. P. Webber, under whose control 
it continued for a few years. Dr. Samp.son, who built the 
fine hall which bears his name, died not long after. The 
hotel has since been managed by numerous persons, — for 
four years by James Baird, present proprietor of the Baird 
House. Its present owner, T. Pixley, has conducted it 
since August, 1877. 

The Sherwood House is one of the most prominent 

• This 13 stated by Mr. JuhnsoD, of the firm of Johnson, Robb i 
Ilouck. In an address delivered by K. A. Footo, Esq.. in 1876, thelattcr 
gentleman stated that the first load of lumber ever brought to Char- 
lotte was hauled in from Spicervillc in the winter of lS.'!7-.'i8 by Wil- 
liam Wall, of Eaton. It wa9 to bo used as flooring for this hotel. 
Some of the timbers had been prepared as early as I8U0, to be used 
in the proposed mill. Tlic house was occupied by Esquire Stoddard 
in the spring of 1840, and in May of that year the first term of the 
Circuit Court at the county-seat was held in the large upper room of 
the hotel. 

50 



structures in the city. George W. Sherwood, its landlord 
and proprietor, cast anchor in Charlotte on the first day of 
May, 1848. He had previously, while on a prospecting 
tour, visited Lansing in his search for a desirable location 
at which to establish a grocer}'. He remained there .several 
days, during two of which he swung his axe on Capitol 
Square, and finally started on foot, along an Indian trail, 
for Charlotte, having been induced to do so by I. D. 
Burns, who was at the time proprietor of the Old Eagle, 
or Charlotte House, and a merchant in the Old Fortress, 
which stood on the site of the present Strong Block. 
Mr. Sherwood in time reached the city of the prairie, 
over a road which was probably in need of exten.sive 
improvement, and he soon aft<;r took a hundred-dollar 
job of chopping upon it, between Charlotte and Lan- 
sing. For that sum he, in two months' time and according 
to contract, cut and cleared away the timber between the 
northern bounds of the prairie at Charlotte and the hill 
some distance to the northeast. He purchased eighty acres 
of land and returned to Ohio, bringing back a small stock 
of groceries, which he placed upon shelves fitted up in the 
hotel, and began their sale. The rent was donated him in 
consideration for his services as manager of the hostelry 
for Mr. Burns. He subsequently located on a lot which 
he had purchased, and for ten years conducted the grocery 
business in a small building which stood upon it. He also 
had an attractive garden — somewhat on the zoological order 
— in the rear of his store. At the end of the ten years, 
having purcha.scd the corner on which his hotel now stands, 
he admitted his brother as a partner in business, and the 
firm of G. W. & S. C. Sherwood became popular as cloth- 
ing merchants, in which line they continued for twelve 
years. In 1868 the erection of their fine hotel was com- 
menced, upon plans drawn up by G. W. Sherwood, who 
was thus spared the expense of importing an architect, and 
who superintended the construction of the building. It 
was completed and occupied in 1869, and in 1871 Mr. 
Sherwood became a fixture in the position of host, which 
he still occupies. In the windows of the lower story were 
inserted the first lights of French plate-glass used in the 
city. The building is three principal stories in height, 
with a fourth extending part way from front to rear, and 
is fifty-one feet "from turret to foundation stone." Mr. 
Sherwood, who was a lonesome bachelor when he first 
located in the place, recollects many amusing incidents 
which occurred in those days, when practical jokes seemed 
flying in the air, ready to drop on the heads of the unfortu- 
nate. 

In the neighborhood of 1850 a small dwelling was built 
on the corner where the Baird House now stands, by a man 
named Baker. Additions were sub.sequently made to it, 
and it was converted into a hotel. The present proprietor, 
James Baird, came into possession of the property about 
18G5, and has since retuovcd the original building and built 
two additions to the part left standing. He has also been 
proprietor, for four years of the time, of the Phoenix 
House, with which he is not now connected. He came to 
Charlotte in 1852, from Wood Co., Ohio. 

The ■' Peninsular Hottjl" is the building formerly known 
as the Charlotte Academy, which originally stood a little in 



394 



HISTOKY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the rear of its present position. It was converted into a 
hotel witliin a few years by its present owner, Mr. Wliite, 
of whom it is now rented by Mr. Brock. 

The " Grand lliver Valley Hotel," located near the station 
of the railroad bearing that name, was built in tlie year 
following the completion of the road to this city, by a man 
named Spencer, of Jackson. It was at one time a railway 
eating-house, but is at present not conducted regularly as a 
hotel. It belongs to the Baker estate. 

The " Cottage Hotel," near the above, was built later. 
It.s present proprietor, Matthew Miller, was interested in 
its construction. 

A hotel known as the " Kubcrts House," located on 
Lovctt Street, west of Main (Cochran Avenue), was for- 
merly in operation under the management of the man whose 
name it bears, but is now u.sed as a private dwelling. 

It is not often that a city no larger than Charlotte is found 
with so many hotels, and as they are nearly all fairly pros- 
perous, it is an indication of great enterprise on the part 
of the citizens of ffie place and the surrounding country. 
The " Sherwood" and the " Phoenix" are favored with 
probably the greater part of the traveling custom, while the 
" Baird" and others are very popular with the farming com- 
munity, and all are generally well kept and deserving of 
patronage. 

ITarncxs-3Iukers. — A. M. Lockard opened a harness- 
shop in Charlotte in 1874, and his trade from the first was 
good and increa.sed rapidly. 

Parmenter & Belger, both long-time residents of the city, 
formed a copartnership in March, 1877. 

Robert Dunlap entered into business in this place in 
1872. 

TJie Doiihle-Slave Barrel Company was organized in 
1873, with its mill in the north part of the city, where J. 
W. H. Smith began making handles in 1871. The com- 
pany put in a large amount of now machinery and furnished 
employment to twenty or thirty hands. 

NEWSPAPEES. 

The first newspaper published in Charlotte was called the 
Eaton Comity Gazette* It was established in January, 
1843, by Warren Isham, but after struggling for an exist- 
ence about six months finally expired. The venture was not 
discouraging to others, however, for on the 26th of March, 
1845, a second paper, known as the Eaton Bugle, neutral 
only in politics, made its appearance, published by William 
Johnston, Esq., a lawyer, from Richland Co., Ohio. Mr. 
Johnston was a fluent speaker, and lectured through Eaton 
County on the subject of temperance. His paper was ably 
conducted, but succumbed to circumstances a year after its 
first number was issued, and Mr. Johnston returned to 
Ohio, where he became distinguished as an eloquent polit- 



* This paper ivas a five-column folio, size sixteen by twenty-four 
inches. The oflice was in the old Eugle Hotel. The patronage, which 
was e-vcecdingly limited, came mostly from Bellevue. The body of 
the paper was sit in long primer type, and its advertisements in long 
primer and brevier. The subscription price was SI. 50 per annum. It 
contained nothing whatever of local news. The first number was 
issued Jan. 1, IS-13, and this was the first paper published in Eaton 
County. 



ical campaigner. No other attempt to start a paper in Char- 
lotte was made until 1855.f 

The Cliarlotte Republican is now the oldest paper in 
Eaton County. The first number was is.sucd by Edward A. 
Foote,J editor and founder, on the 6th of January, 1855, 
as the Eaton County Repuhlican. Mr. Foote conducted 
the paper through four volumes and seven numbers, and 
sold it, Feb. 12, 1859, to Joseph Saunders, now of Detroit, 
who relates his experience as editor in the following lan- 
guage : 

** During the first few years of my connection with the paper it was 
hard work for me, but my wife greatly assisted me, going to Jackson, 
Marshall, and Battle Creek to procure advertisements and to collect 
the pay for them, which met the wants of a growing family. The 
white paper came from Detroit to Marshall by railroad, and from 
thence to Charlotte by Force's wagon express. Occasionally there 
was a failure to connect, and then a journey must be made to Mar- 
shall with a horse and buggy to procure paper for the coming issue. 
On one occasion I rode all night toy)rocure five quires of paper rather 
than disappoint my subscribers. The legal advertising was the main 
dependence for money, many of the subscribers paying in produce. 
We always had plenty of wood and maple-sugar. The wood was 
reckoned at five shillings per cord and the sugar cost six to seven 
cents per pound. The first jiaymcnt made to me on the llepulitican 
was by a blink-eyed man who lived on or beyond the * Island,* It 
was a cord of white beech, and when I split it up for the stove it was 
found that the liquids in it had frozen to ice. My wife declared the 
cooking could never be done with such icicles, but the farmers of 
Eaton County were generous with what they had, and very frequently 
presented the editor with the best products of their farms. At the 
closing of the agricultural fairs it took a good-sized wagon to carry 
home the fruits, vegetables, etc., presented."' 

Five years after taking charge of the paper, Mr. Saun- 
ders wisely adopted the advance-payment rule, owing to 
losses he had .sustained on the credit system. His sub- 
scription list was materially reduced by the change, but 
soon began to increase and the business was prosperous. 
Two new presses were purchased, upon which to print the 
enlarged paper, and finally a steam-power press was pro- 
cured to lessen the labor of printing the large edition. The 
office was several times moved, and is now in elegant quar- 
ters in the brick block at the northeast corner of Main and 
Lovett Streets. Mr. Saunders was appointed postmaster 
under President Lincoln's administration, and the income 
from both establishments enabled him to make extensive 
improvements. During his connection with the paper, Mr. 
Saunders was associated with numerous parties in its pub- 
lication, it being conducted by Saunders & Holmes, Joseph 
Saunders & Co. (Capt. W. S. Trask having an interest in 

f It is said that soon after the Bugle was discontinued, probably in 
184G, William Martin, of Marshall, started a small sheet here known 
as the Enlou County Democrat, which was very short-lived. 

I The Republicans of the county had agreed to raise SliUO to aid the 
parties who should establish a party organ in the county. After the 
election of 1854, which was so gratifying to the Republicans, the office 
of the Ealon Democrat, at Eaton Rapids, published by Judge Ezra 
D. Burr, was }»urchased and the press and material removed to Char- 
lotte ; a rude board shanty was erected in the midst of winter, and the 
printing-office was established in it. The weather was so severe and 
the wood so green that it was almost impossible to work, but the first 
number was finally issued, to the gratification of proprietors and 
patrons. Mr. Foote was the choice of the Republicans for editor of 
the paper. His associate, a practical printer, was Mark II. Marsh, 
now of Detroit. The paper grew and flourished, and was for a time 
the-only one in the county, and fought for supremacy when an oppo- 
sition sheet was started. 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 



395 



it at one time), etc. Mr. Saunders sold finally to K. Kit- 
tredi;e, who continued it two years, and in 1877 sold to D. 
li. Aiiigor, the present proprietor. Mr. Kittrcdge is now 
publisliinj; the Ealon liapiJs Journal. Mr. Ainger, under 
the present administration, received an appointment to the 
postuiastersiiip at Washington, D. , where he is at this 
time (1880) located. The Republican is edited by F. B. 
Ainger and L. C. Taylor, and, as it has ever been, is true 
to the name it bears. It has a wide circulation, and is a 
decided credit to the city and county in which it is pub- 
lished. 

The Charloile Leader. — This paper is the outgrowth of 
a Democratic .sheet established at Eaton Kapids in 1854-55, 
by a Mr. Sanford, which was known as the Eaton County 
Argus. It was removed to Charlotte in 1860, at which 
time F. W. lligby was its editor and Thornton Brothers the 
publishers. Ten months later William Saunders took pos- 
session of the office, and continued its publication until 
1865, when D. F. Webber became proprietor. He changed 
its name to The Charlotte Argus, and in the spring of 
1868 sold to W. S. Thornton, who, in June of that year, 
admitted J. V. Johnson as a partner in the business. The 
latter, after four months, purchased Thornton's interest, 
and remained as manager until Jan. 1, 1875, when Frank 
A. Ellis became its publisher, and changed the name to 
The Charlotte Leader. Mr. Johnson soon became pro- 
prietor of the Jngham Democrat, at Mason, Ingham Co., 
but in 1878 returned to Charlotte and again took uj) the 
pen in the interests of the Leader, which he published 
until Jan. 10, 1880, when it was purchased by J. H. 
Vaughau. The present publisher is J. V. Johnson, who 
bought it back July 27, 1880. The paper is a six-column 
quarto; circulation, 1100 copies. 

Prominent among the public buildings of Charlotte is the 
one known as " Sampson's Hall," located on the north side 
of Lawrance Avenue, east of the Phoenix Hotel. It is 
built of brick, is two stories in height, and was erected in 
18GG-67 by Dr. Alden B. Sampson. Its dimensions are 
50 by 100 feet, and its seating capacity is estimated at 
1200. At the north end of the hall is fitted up a roomy 
stage. The hall, whicii occupies the second story, is twenty 
feet liigli and finely frescoed. The drop-curtain, upon which 
is painted an Italian scene, was called when new the finest 
in the State. In the lower story of the building are two 
store-rooms, each 25 by 100 feet. The hall was opened 
for the first time on the evening of Feb. 16, 1867, when 
the oratorio of " Esther" was [iroduced. The Detroit Athe- 
naeum company also played during several evenings of the 
same week. Dr. Sampson lived but a short time after the 
completion of the hall. 

Other substantial and elegant blocks are the Arcade, 
Sherwood, Strong, Church, and numerous others, on both 
sides of Cochran Avenue, while nearly all the prominent 
business-houses of the city are located in roomy and con- 
venient quarters. Many fine residences are also noticed. 

SOCIETIES AND OKDEKS. 
MASONIC. 
Charlotte Lodge, A'b. 20, F. and A. M., was organized 
uuder dispensation, June 27, 1859, with the following 



officers: F. E. Leiter, Worshipful Master; J. Q. A. Ses- 
sions, Senior Warden ; E. S. Laccy, Junior Warden ; Tra- 
cey Case, Sec. ; E. S. Lacey, Treas. ; W. S. Foster, Senior 
Deacon ; P. Kaufl"man, Junior Deacon ; B. E. llich, Tiler. 
A charter was granted to this lodge Jan. 13, 1860, with 
Edward S. Lacey as Worshipful Master. By the last day 
of June, 1860, the membership of the lodge had incrciised 
by twenty. The membership in July, 1880, was 115. 
The following are the officers for the latter year: P. S. De 
Graft', Worsliipful Master; W. J. Bonnett, Senior Warden ; 
W. P. Lacey, Junior Warden ; E. S. Lacey, Treas. ; George 
W. Rowley, Sec. ; C. M. Atkins, Senior Deacon ; C. H. 
Greist, Junior Deacon ; W. O. Culver, Tiler; Samuel 
Pollock and A. H. Ke.sler, Stewards. 

Charlotte Chapter, iVw. 82, Jl. A. M., was chartered 
Jan. 5, 1872,* with Earl T. Church, High Priest; Syl- 
vester Collins, King; D. P. Sagendorph, Scribe; B. J. 
Grier, Captain of the Host ; P. T. Van Zile, Principal 
Sojourner; A. D. Baughman, Royal Arch Captain; B. F. 
Doughty, G. M. 3d V. ; D. Baughman, G. M. 2d V. ; H. 
J. Hart, G. M. 1st v.; James W. Hiekok, Sec; E. Sny- 
der, Tiler. The following were additional charter members : 
J. M. Haslett, J. B. Jlay, E. S. Lacey, A. R. Moore, P. 
M. Higby, Cyrus Cummings, B. W. Warren, W. S. Trask, 
George B. Fleming. The membership, Dec. 31, 1879, was 
fifty-one. The officers for 1S80 are the following; Seth 
Ketcham, H. P.; S. Collins, K. ; B. F. Wells, Scribe; B. 
J. Grier, C. of H. ; P. S. De Graft', P. S. ; A. D. Baugh- 
man, R. A. C. ; J. V. Johnson, G. M. 3d V. ; W. C. Fos- 
ter, G. M. 2d v.; George Ward, G. M. 1st V.; H. J. 
Hart, Sec. ; A. J. Ives, Treas. ; S. Pollock, Guard. 

Charlotte Council, No. 36, R. and S. M., was organized 
March 30, 1872, with the following officers, viz. : J. M. 
Ha-slett, T. I. G. M. ; D. Baughman, D. I. G. M. ; E. T. 
Church, P. C. of W. ; E. S. Lacey, Treas. ; A. J. Ives, 
Recorder; F. A. Hooker, C. G. ; J. W. Hiekock, G. S. ; 
B. Bedell, Sentinel. The present membership (July, 1880) 
is thirty-eight, and the officers as follows : E. T. Church, 
T. I. G. M. ; D. Baughman, D. I. G. M. ; P. S. De Graff', 
P. C. of W. ; E S. Lacey, Treas. ; P. M. Thomas, Re- 
corder; A. D. Baughman, C. of G. ; W. C. Foster, C. of 
C. ; George Ward, G. S. ; W. O. Culver, Sentinel. 

ODD-FELLOWS. 
AmphictyoH Lodge, No. 62, / 0. F., was instituted 
Jan. 12, 1853, by Joseph E. Hyde, of Detroit, and a char- 
ter was granted July 7tli of the same year. The original 
members were five in number, viz. : Caleb A. R<ibiiison, 
Noble Grand; William O'Brien, Vice-Grand; C. F. Wal- 
lace, Sec. ; A. L. Baker, Treas. ; and Joseph P. Hall. At 
the first meeting si.\ additional members were received. The 
lodge for .several years held its meetings in a building owned 
by Cyrus Cummings. About the beginning of the war of 
the Rebellion the lodge w;is greatly weakened, and for a 
year its work was suspended. The charter was not sur- 
rendered, however, and the lodge in time became again 
prosperous. Its present inember.>hip is between forty and 
fifty, and its officers are: Jerome V. Johnson, N. G. ; A. 



* Tbo organization of the cb:ipter was cffcclcd Nov. 7, 1S71. 



396 



HISTOKY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



J. Coiustock, V. G. ; A. L. Winters, Sec. ; D. F. Webber, 
Perm. Sec. ; Peter Horn, Treas. 

Mystic Encampment, No. 44, 1. 0. 0. F., was instituted 
Oct. 4, 1870, with a luenibersiiip of fifteen. Tlie first 
officers were : George B. Fleming, Chief Patriarch ; R. D. 
Wheaton, Iligli Priest; II. J. Hart, Senior Warden; A. 
H. Green, Junior Warden ; F. P. Webster, Scribe; W. J. 
Bonnett, Treas. The membership on the 6th of August, 
1830, was sixteen. The following are the officers for the 
year last named : John S. Opt, Chief Patriarch ; B. I. 
Whelpley, High Priest; Jerome V. Johnson, Senior War- 
den ; Lafayette Rowley, Junior Warden ; M. W. Cooper, 
Scribe; Peter Horn, Treas. ; George W. Rowley, Repre- 
sentative to Grand Encampment. 

(iOOD TEMPLARS. 
C/iarlottc Lodge, No. 90, /. O. G. T., was organized 
April 30, 1860, and had an existence of fifteen years. 
Prairie Lodge, No. 64li, was organized April 28, 1869, 
with fifteen charter members, all from the old lodge. The 
organization was efl^ected by D. P. Sagendorph, and Henry 
Robinson was elected Worthy Chief Templar. The mem- 
bership of Prairie Lodge July 1, 1880, was about sixty- 
five, and the following were then its officers : Henry Dickey, 
W. C. T. ; Dora Hart, Sec. ; Florence Warren, Pin. Sec. ; 
Henry Baughman, Treas. Some of the members of this 
order in the county have risen to distinction in the State 
organization, or Grand Lodge. John Evans, of Bellevue, 
was secretary of the latter for twenty-three consecutive 
years, and in 187U was chosen Grand Worthy Chief Tem- 
plar. The organization in this State has existed twenty- 
six or twenty-seven years, and is in a generally flourishing 
condition. 

TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS. 

The Charlotte Reform Chih, or " Red Ribbon Club," 
the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and others are 
among the temperance organizations which have existed or 
do at present exist in the city, and all have been of greater 
or less benefit to the cause in the interests of which they 
were formed. The present " Red Ribbon Half is on the 
third floor of the block occupied by E. T. Church. E. A. 
Foote, Esq., and other prominent citizens, are among its 
influential members. 

KNIGHTS OF HONOR. 

Jlichigan. Lodge, A'o. 550,* was organized March 27, 
1877, with fourteen charter members. Its first officers 
were : Isaac D. McCutcheon, Dictator ; G. B. Allen, Vice- 
Dictator ; W. P. Lacey, Assistant Dictator ; Seth Ketcham, 
Past Dictator; C. M. Atkins, Reporter; Joseph W. Mus- 
grave, Financial Reporter; K. Kittridge, Treasurer; A. D. 
Baughman, Chaplain ; F. A. Ells, Guide ; George W. 
Squier, Guardian ; W. 11. Packard, Sentinel ; G. B. Allen, 
M.D., Medical Examiner; F. E. Leiter, H. S. McDonald, 
Josepli Lang, Trustees. 

The membership, June 30, 1880, was forty six, at which 
time the lodge was officered as follows : J. J. Curtis, Dic- 
tator ; C. M. Atkins, Vice-Dictator; John Callister, Assist- 



Coiniiiunicatctl. 



ant Dictator ; C. H. Griest, Past Dictator ; G. C. Fox, 
Reporter ; G. W. Squier, Financial Reporter ; F. Savage, 
Treasurer; F. E. Leiter, Chaplain ; John M. Morey, Guide ; 
A. T. Selkirk, Guardian ; E. D. Brackett, Sentinel ; G. B. 
Allen, M.D., Medical Examiner. 

"This lodge is notable for the high ehar.icter anil standing of its 
meiuhers. The Grand Lodge of the State has been ably represented 
in the Supreme Lodge for two years by a representative from this 
lodge, — the Hon. Isaac D. MeCutcheon. This lodge wisely chose Dr. 
G. B. .Allen, a physician of high standing among the medical frater- 
nity of the State, as its medical examiner, a ])OsiIion which he has 
filled with great credit since the first election until the present, he 
being the unanimous choice of the members at each election. 

"This lodge meets on the first and third Wednesday evenings of 
each month. It is characteristic of their sociability that their latch- 
string is always out for visiting brothers, who are made to feel per- 
fectly at home, and always go away with feelings of fraternal, 
Knightly love." 

ROYAL ARCANUM. 

Peninsular Council, No. 190, was organized Nov. 1, 
1877, and has a present membership of twenty-two (Aug. 
7, 1880). Its officer.s are: N. C. Rasey, Regent; J. S. 
White, Vice-Regent ; P. A. Ells, Orator ; 0. J. Roe, Past 
Regent ; S. Robinson, Sec. ; J. V. Johnson, Collector ; Seth 
Ketcham, Treas. ; W. C. Harmon, Chaplain ; George Frank, 
Guide; Wesley Wood, Warden; George Semon, Sentry. 

OUR COUNTRY'S DEFENDERS. 
Gen. Williams Encampment, No. 33, was organized in 
May, 1880, with fifteen members, which number has since 
been somewhat increased. The encampment was named 
for Gen. Williams, formerly of Detroit, now deceased. 
Its principal officers are : Giles B. Allen, M. D., Com- 
mander; George W. Rowley, Adjutant. 

THE CHARLOTTE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 
was organized in December, 1870, under the general laws 
of the State, and in less than two years the library con- 
tained 500 volumes. The present number, as paged and 
shelved, is 911, although there are 1024 numbers on the 
catalogue. These are made up of the usual assortment 
found in libraries of this size. The present officers of the 
association are: E. T. Church, President; F. A. Hooker, 
Vice-President ; R. W. Shriner, Secretary ; L. B. Brockett, 
Treasurer; F. S. Belcher, Ellzey Hayden, J. G. Pollard, 
Executive Committee; E. S. Lacey, F. A. Hooker, P. S. 
De Grafi', Book Committee; John Callister, M. S. Pliillips, 
L. 0. Smith, Membership Committee. 

CHARLOTTE CITY BAND. 
One of the finest musical organizations in the State is 
the Charlotte City Band, and its efficiency and success are 
largely due to its present musical director, Rollin C. Jones, 
who began his band work in the spring of 1860, when he 
took up an E-flat cornet. In 1861 he changed to an E-flat 
alto, but returned to his first choice in 1863. In 1864 he 
was chosen leader of the band, which position he held for 
fourteen years. During this time he arranged a portion of 
the music, and was teacher of the new organizations and of 
new members coming in. In 1879 he was cho.sen musical 
director, and is still holding that position. Mr. Jones 
has been a faithful worker in this particular field, and has 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 



397 



labored strenuously to make the band a credit to the city, 
— his success being evident in the present reputation of the 
organization. 

The first band in Charlotte was organized in the fall of 
1855, and was called the " Charlotte Saxhorn Band." It 
continued four years, disbanding in 1859. On organizing, 
each member contributed fifteen dollars, receiving but very 
little help from the citizens. Cyrus Cummings purchased 
the instruments in New York while after goods for his 
store. The following were the members of this band when 
organized: E-Flat Bugle, John C. Tillofson, teacher and 
leader; E-Flat Soprano Saxhorn, Pitt M. Iligby, clerk in 
dry goods store; B-Flat Cornopcon, Cyrus Cummings, 
dealer in dry goods, etc. ; E-Flat Alto Saxhorn, Nathan 
Johnson, carpenter and builder ; B-Flat Bass Saxhorn, 
J. M. Haslett, dealer in dry goods, etc. ; B-Flat Baritone 
Saxhorn, G. W. Sherwood, daguerrean artist ; E-Flat 
Tuba Saxhorn, John Russell, shoemaker; Bass Drum, 
Thomas Roller, cabinet-maker. 

John C. Tillotson, then teaching dancing-school in Al- 
bion, Calhoun Co., was engaged to instruct the band, and 
was paid SI 00 each winter for the years 1855 and 1856, 
the amount being raised through the medium of dancing- 
schools. In 1859, the leader, who was a " stiff Democrat," 
refused to play for a Republican meeting, and the result 
was the disruption of the band. Its members at the time 
were : E-Flat Bugle, Pitt M. Iligby ; E-Flat Cornet, A. 
II. Kesler ; 1st B-Flat Cornopcon, E. S. Lacey ; 2d B-Flat 
Cornopeon, Egbert G. Williams ; 1st E-Flat Alto, John 
Ray ; 2d E-Flat Alto, Nathan Johnson ; B-Flat Baritone, 
George W. Sherwood; B-Flat Bass, Charles T. Hall; 
J]-Flat Tuba, F. E. Loiter; Bass Drum, Thomas Roller; 
Snare Drum, Charles Schaffer. 

In the fall of 18G0 a few of the young men of the place 
organized a new band, engaging Charles T. Hall, of the old 
band, as teacher. They kept together for some time, and 
played well for that day. Their first membership was as 
follows: 1st E-Flat Cornet, Charles T. Hall, teacher and 
leader; 2d E-Flat Cornet, Egbert G. Williams; 1st B-Flat 
Cornet, Clark Titus; 2d B-Flat Cornet, George Munson ; 
1st E-Flat Alto, Homer Cornell ; 2d E-Flat Alto, Henry 
Dunton ; B-Flat Baritone, George Granger ; B-Flat Ba.ss, 
John Ranney ; E-Flat Tuba, James Baugliman ; Bass 
Drum, Brad Rose. 

The Charlotte Cornet Band was organized in the spring 
of ISG-l, with R. C. Jones, leader ; B Flat Cornet, Pitt M. 
Higby; E-Flat Alto, A. II. Kesler; B-Flat Baritone, 
Charles Cook ; B-Flat Bass, L. 0. Smith ; E-Flat Tuba, 
Charles T. Hall ; Bass Drum, James Baughman. July 7, 
18(i5, a subscrijjtion of 8412 wxs raised for the purchase of 
a new set of instruments, the members of the band paying 
twenty dollars each. 

Aug. 22, 18G5, the "Charlotte Cornet Band Associa- 
tion" wa-s formed, with E. Shepherd, President ; E. T. 
Church, Secretary, and P. M. Iligby, Treasurer. The 
members of the a.ssociation were citizens who had paid five 
dollars or more each on the above-mentioned subscription. 
This organization came to an end about 1873. 

July 1(5, 1874, thirteen of the most enterprising young 
men of the place met in room No. 20, at the Sherwood 



House, for the purpose of organizing a cornet band. It 
was ascertained that they could have the use of the old 
Charlotte Cornet Band instruments, but, wishing to org-an- 
ize a larger band than that had been, it was decided to pur- 
cha.sc six new instruments in addition. II. A. Blackmer was 
elected secretary. D. W. Shuler, D. P. Whitmore, and 
Frank Spaulding were chosen a committee to dnifl by-laws, 
and the meeting adjourned until Monday evening, July 20lli. 
On the latter date the members met at the same place to 
complete the organization. The committee on by-laws 
reported, and the by-laws were adopted. David P. Whit- 
more was elected president, Rollin C. Jones, leader. Four 
second-hand instruments were purchased from tlie Lansing 
Band, and two new ones from Boston. Mr. Jones was the 
only member of the organization who had ever played a 
horn or who could read music, and at the first lesson, given 
by him Aug. 13, 1874, there was an amount of /'k/i which 
can only be understood by those who have had some ex- 
perience in the same direction. 

The band was then fully organized with the following 
officers: II. C. Jones, Leader ; D. P. Whitmore, President ; 

D. W. Shuler, Vice-President; H. A. Blackmer, Secretary 
and Treasurer. The instruments were distributed as fol- 
lows : 1st E-Flat Cornet, R. C. Jones; 2d E-Flat Cornet, 

E. L. Harmon ; 3d E-Flal Cornet, D. P. Whitmore ; 1st 
B-Flat Cornet, D. W. Shuler ; 2d B-Flat Cornet, H. A. 
Blackmer; Solo Alto, Charles W. Sherman ; 1st Alto, W. 
C. Harmon; 2d Alto, J. Willie Saunders; 1st B-Flat 
Tenor, H. L. Shepherd; 2d B-Flat Tenor, Joe W. Mus- 
grave ; B-Flat Baritone, George W. Fowler ; B-Flat Ba.ss, 
W. H. Marple; E-Flat Tuba, Frank Spaulding; E-Flat 
Tuba, Andy H. Sleater ; Snare Drum, Charles Scofield ; 
Bass Drum, Gon L. Stewart. 

Some of the members never mastered the first octave in 
the scale of C ; others succeeded " thus far, but no farther ;" 
some learned easily, but manifested no disposition to work 
up their parts, and soon dropped out. The result was that 
in one year's time twenty young men had made the attempt 
to become players, failed, and stepped back to give room for 
others. 

In May, 1876, the citizens raised a subscription to aid 
the baud in procuring uniforms, and R. C. Jones was .sent 
to New York to select and purchase them. Uniforms 
were purchased for sixteen men ; they were made to 
order, were very fine, and were the first ever owned by a 
band in Charlotte. In May, 1876, D. W. Shuler was elected 
drum-major, being the first who was elected for, or acted 
with, a band belonging in the place. 

July 27, 1880, the band was incorporated under the 
State law, changing its name to the " Charlotte City Band." 
The officers and incorporators of said association were the 
following: L. II. Shepherd, President; Frank Spaulding, 
Vice-President; A. II. Bretz, Secretary and Treasurer; 
R. C. Jones, Musical Director ; Charles K. Baughman, 
Leader; E. L. Harmon, J. C. File, Floyd J. Bowman, 
Charles E. K. Baxter, G. H. Ycrrington, C. W. Harring- 
ton, C. E. Barnes, M. W. Munson, F. G. Smith, Frank 
Spaulding. The musicians were : First E-Flat Cornet, C. 
E. Baughman ; Second E-Flat Cornet, Elza Ogdcn ; Piccolo, 
Hobert Davis ; Solo B-Flat Cornet, R. C. Jones; First B-Flat 



398 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Cornet, L. H. Shepherd ; Second B-Flat Cornet, F. J. Bow- 
man ; Solo Alto, E. L. Harmon ; First Alto, G. H. Yer- 
rington ; Second Alto, J. C. File ; First BFlat Tenor, A. H. 
Bretz; Second BFlat Tenor, F. G. Smith; B-Flat Bass, 
riinyA. Durant; E- Flat Tuba, Frank Spaulding; E-Flat 
Tuba, M. W. Munson ; Snare Drum, G. A. Parks; Bass 
Drum, Cortez E. Barnes ; Cymbals, Elmer Dalson ; Drum- 
Major, C. E. K. Baxter. 

But very few towns of the size of Charlotte can claim 
bands of equal excellence with this, and but a small pro- 
portion of all the bands in the country will stand an equal 
test with this in points of morality, order, and strict atten- 
tion to business. 

CHARLOTTE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.*" 
After the necessary preliminary steps had been taken, a cem- 
etery as.sociation was formed in Charlotte, Sept. 3, 18G7, and 
the following officers were elected : Alvan D. Shaw, Pres- 
ident; E. A. Foote, Clerk; E. S. Lacey, Treasurer; James 
O'Neil, Sexton. Grounds were purchased and laid out in 
1868, and the name " Maple Hill Cemetery" was adopted. 
In 1869 the location was changed slightly, the name being 
retained. The grounds, comprising forty acres, were deeded 
to private parties, in trust for the cemetery company, but 
the latter finally acquired the title. The cemetery is located 
a mile and a half northeast of the business portion of the 
city, and occupies a commanding and picturesque location. 
A portion of the land only has been laid out. Many trans- 
fers have been made to this from the old cemetery, and lots 
are being purchased by numerous country residents. The 
present sexton is A. H. Allen, and the officers of the asso- 
ciation are : E. T. Church, President ; L. B. Brockett, Sec- 
retary ; C. L. Pratt, Treasurer. 

SCHOOLS. 

On the 3d of May, 1841, was formed what was known 
as school district No. 10 of the townships of Carmel and 
Eaton; it included sections 11, 12, 13, 14, the north half 
of 2'.'>, and the north half of 24, in Carmel, and the west 
half of 7, the west half of 18, and the northwest quarter 
of 19, in Eaton. The first meeting of the voters in the 
district was held May 22, 1841. Martin E. Andrew was 
chosen moderator, Hannibal G. Rice assessor, and Simeon 
Harding director. The board met May 31st to take into 
consideration the subject of building a school-house, etc. 
Instead of concluding to build it was resolved to put in 
order the house which then .stood on lot 7, block 19, in the 
village, and have a three months' school that year. The 



«At a meeting of the townahi|) board of Eaton township, held at 
Charlotte, April 4, 1845, it was ordered that William Southworth be a 
committee to purchase the south h.alf of block 2S in the village, jointly 
with the township of Carmel, to be used as a public burial-ground by 
the two townships, provided Carmel would pay half and the expense 
to Eaton township should not bo more than $:)(). Carmel township 
about the same time approprhatcd funds towards purchasing, laying 
out, and fencing the cemetery, and it was at once bought and laid 
out. The Eaton township share was not entirely paid for until two 
years later, the cost to that township being $.'i3.15. The ground was 
fenced in 1851. This is what is now known as the " old cemetery " 
at Charlotte, all right to it having been relinquished to the village, or 
<^'ty. Ijy the respective townships. 



building mentioned had been erected in 1837 or 1838, and 
was the second house built on the prairie, the first having 
been put up but the day previous, and soon occupied by 
Stephen Davis and family. The building used for a school- 
house stood on the edge of what is now the Robinson 
grove, on the north side of Lawrance Avenue, and was a 
small log structure. It contained one window, which was 
a single pane of glass high and three wide. To prepare it 
for a school-room boards were nailed against the inside of 
the walls, and long seats were arranged to face the walls. 
The director, on the first day of June, 1841, according to 
instructions from the board, hired Jane Gallery to teach 
the school for three months, at the rate of $1.25 per week, 
to commence June 14th, on condition that she procured a 
certificate from the inspectors of the township of Eaton. 
It appears that she was successful, for the school was opened 
in her charge. Miss Gallery was a sister of James Gallery, 
of Eaton Rapids. 

The board met Aug. 2, 1841, and voted to raise, by tax 
on the property of the district, the sum of $100, for the 
purpose of building a school-house, to be located on lot 6, 
in block 16. It was to be eighteen by twenty-six feet in 
dimensions, ten feet high, built of "blocks" (hewed logs), 
be covered with oak shingles, have four suitable windows, 
and one door. This building was erected by William Stod- 
dard, and was not completed until May 1, 1842. Its total 
cost, together with the site, a stove, pipe, etc., was $172.25, 
but instead of building it on the ground first proposed, the 
location was changed to lots 23 and 26,f in block 24. 

Oct. 4, 1841, the number of children in the district be- 
tween five and seventeen years of age was twenty-one, and 
two were in attendance who were over seventeen. The 
books then in use in the school were Olney's Geography, 
Kirkham's Grammar, and Cobb & Webster's Spelling-Book. 
The term lasted four months. The census of the district, 
as taken Oct. 12, 1841, includes the names of the follow- 
ing pupils : Leroy Shepherd, Pllisha Shepherd, Emeline 
Shepherd, Eveline Shepherd, James Shepherd, Annette 
Shepherd, Melvina Rice, Amanda Rice, Loretta Hopkins, 
Emily Harding, Emma Stoddard, Allen Campbell, Marion 
Davis, Oscar Davis, Oran DavLs, Mary Davis, Martha 
Davis, Harriet Merrill, Leroy Worden, Sarah Worden, 
Harriet Worden, Andrew Worden. 

On the 23d of December, 1841, David Darwin Hughes, 
more familiarly known as "Dave" Hughes, was hired to 
teach the school for three months, at the rate of ten dollars 
per month, and was the first male teacher employed. He 
was afterwards admitted to practice as a lawyer, and is now 
one of the best-known members of the bar in the North- 
west. He had come to Charlotte from Bellevue in 1841, 
and acted as deputy for some of the county officers. He 
was al.so employed as a clerk by Hiram Shepherd. His 
successor as teacher of the school at Charlotte was Mary 
Fisher, who was employed March 12, 1842, and taught 
for seven mouths, at the rate of one dollar and fifty cents 
per week. Miss Nancy Sweet took charge of the school at 

f So it is stated in the record of the district, which the writer dis- 
covered in the office of the clerk of Carmel township, and from this 
record the facts thus far given are all taken, as well as some of those 
following. 



CITY OF CHAliLOTTE. 



399 



the same wages, Nov. 2, 1842. Mary A. Landers was lier 
successor, and began May 11, 1843, receiving the very 
liberal wages of one dollar and eight cents per week. 

Among the additional pupils in September, 1843, were 
Eleanor Worden, Jefferson Carpenter, Kolla Carpenter, 
Cordelia Andrew, Clarissa Richards, Mary F. Williams, 
Albemarle Williams, Homer Ells, Dennis Eddy, Cornelia 
Eddy. 

In 1843—44 the district became fractional district No. 1, 
of Carmel, and fractional district No. 2, of Eaton. In 
1852 the old school-house was sold to J. S. Opt for eighteen 
dollars and fifty cents, and a brick building erected at a 
cost of S250. In 1854 the academy building was rented 
for a dollar a week, and district school was also held in 
that. At a meeting of the board in September, 1854, it 
was resolved to raise S700 to purchase a site and build a 
new school-house. The site chosen for the same was lots 
21 and 22 in block 22. The building was to be thirty by 
forty-one feet on the ground, have stone foundation, and 
be twelve and a half feet between floor and ceiling. The 
price paid for the lots was seventy-five dollars; they were 
purchased of Harvey Williams, the deed for the same being 
dated Feb. 5, 1855. The building was erected by Thomas 
Curry, whose bid for doing the work was S695. The 
building is still in use in the fourth ward of Charlotte, 
while the first brick school-house erected was subsequently 
condemned, and is now in use as a shop. 

William Johnston, Esq., who started and published the 
famous Eaton Bugle^ besides being a printer, was an editor, 
a teacher, a lawyer, a political stump-speaker by occupation, 
and an Irishman by descent. " lie was called Printer 
Johnston, to distinguish him from Iron Johnson and 
AVoodcn Johnson (N. A.), here on the prairie, Rhode 
Island Johnson and Quarter-Post Johnson, out in Carmel, 
and Taylor Johnson, who came here some years later." 
" Printer Johnston" established a high school here in 1845 
or 184G, and was himself the teacher. Mr. Foote writes 
of the institution and its associations as follows : 

"The Eotttn Bmjte reverberated its notes over the pruirio and 
through the forest from the back end of a little wooden building 
frouUug the public square, and standing just ca-iit of the office of the 
regisrer of deeds. In the front room of this building was kept the 
Charlotte high school. The two sensations each week were the coming 
out of the liitfftr, well spiced with local squibs, puffs, lampoons, and 
home-made poetry, and the gathering of the villagers in the school- 
room to bear the declamations of the boys, and particularly the com- 
positions of the girls. These compositions usually furnished food for 
mirth and wrath during a whole week. 

"The editor «cldom spared the rod in his paper, and wherever 
among his lady pupils he discovered a talent for irony or sarcasm 
be carefully developed and fostered it, even at the expense of the 
young men, from whose ranks subjects for dissection were generally 
chosen. Yet everything bitter or malevolent was carefully pruned 
away. These girls loved to take a shining mark for their arrows, 
and the bc^t looking, best dressed, and most pretentious of the young 
men was the most likely to find himself shot fy41 of them. This drew 
in visitors, gave might to the pen, and kept the attention of the little 
community nervously fixed upon education, and especially upon the 
importance of learning how to write, which seemed to be an art of 
self-defense more necessary than boxing. This naturally culminated 
in a school exhibition, which drew in all there was of the !<urrounding 
country for ten miles away, and nearly filled the court-houfc. Mnny 
even came down from the Vermont colony. This compliment was in 
due time returned by Mr. Johnston taking his entire school one 
winter evening up to Vcrmontville to attend an exhibition there. 



"From this germ of a school finnlly sprouted and took root the 
ambitious project of organizing a joint stock company and incorpor- 
ating the Charlotte Academy. Nut only here, but in all the adjoin- 
ing townships, stock was liberally subscribed. Mr. McComh, a land- 
owner, donated the academy ground and the bell. Mr. Nathan A. 
Johnson was the fortunate bidder who got the job of ]iutting up this 
academy and of coUecdny the gubscription /or hi's jxii/. The work 
was commenced about 1816, and for years was patiently prosecuted by 
Mr. Johnson alone. I remember of hearing of his starting to slide 
off the roof while shingling, and as he got to the caves and was about 
shooting over there happened to be a solitnry stjiging-polo slicking 
up about four feet awny, against which he fortunately placed one foot 
and stopped his progress. 

"When Printer Johnston suspended his JSu>jh; nnd went back to 
Ohio to reside, the aca'lemy enterj)rise Innguishcd, the subscription 
got cold, nnd Nat found acadamy building up-hill work, much more 
80 than sliding down that roof. Just then people commenced finding 
fault because he was so slow in finishing the iicademy. I have a rec- 
ollection of going down to that building one cold forenoon during 
the winter of 1848 and 1840, after it was roofed and sided up, I re- 
member of climbing in, with no plank to walk upon, and of seeing 
windows boarded up with long boards to save spoiling the lumber. 
Joists, sleepers, nnd studding were all bare. There were just boards 
enough for the work-bench to stand upon in the middle of the lower 
room. All was silent save a long shaving hitched to a sliver by the 
side of a crevice, strenming and fluttering in the wind. There, all 
alone, sat the academy builder, Johnson, upon the workbench by the 
side of his empty nail-box, his cout on nnd buttoned up to the chin, 
his purple hnnd clinching the handle of his hammer. I couldn't see 
much sunshine in his countenance, and, am sorry to say, he found 
some fault because they were so slow in paying up their subscriptions, 
lie had been dunning away at them for weeks without raising a dol- 
lar. ' Not a board,' said he, * not a nail, not a sash nor pane of glass, 

nothing to do anything with, and those d d fuols all the while 

grumbling because I don't finish off" this academy !' This was M'oodcn 
Johnson. Printer Johnston, the instigator of what led to this, had 
deserted us and gone buck to Ohio. 

*' Somewhere about 1S5U the academy was finished; by what means 
I never learned. Several professors were at different times inveigled 
in there to teach, and found it up-hill work in collecting their tuition. 
Professor Wallace stood it as long as he could, and then went to rail- 
roading out West and got killed. Professor Loring and his wife 
taught a few pupils, and boarded themselves frugally in. a small room 
up-stairs in the academy, until they starved out and went to fanning 
over in Eaton, where the professor soon died. Professor Ingham, 
who seemed expressly constituted for such usage, browsed in this field 
of thorns and thistles until the organization of the Union School gave 
him a salary. lie subsequently became a newspaper editor in Ne- 
braska. 

"The academy has been finished. The underpinning in time 
tumbled out on the south side, letting under the hogs to rest nnd 
squeal there, and letting in gusts of southwest wind to whistle up 
through the cracks of the shrunken floor while pupils, with shawls 
and overcoats on, were shivering over their studies. The building 
leaned to the south, like a duvyhfacc during the years of slavery. It 
used to shake so during high winds that pupils in ttic upper story 
would rush out and come tumbling pell-mell down the steep, nnrrow 
stairs at the risk of all their necks. Hoys, during the long vacations, 
used to throw stones through all of the windows,* but more particu- 
larly through the front ones, and when, during school hours, for the 
purpose of severe and secluded study, they took their books and 
climbed up into the belfry, they would pass the time in removing the 
long, thin slats from the belfry blinds and sending them sailing down 
upon the wind into neighboring fields and gardens. 



* When were boys not crnzod with glee at the opportunity to break 
windows in some deserted or vacant building? The writer has dis- 
tinct recollections of passing some of the happiest moments of his 
boyhood in throwing stones through the \Tindows of a deserted hotel. 
The crash of broken glass is sweet music to the ears of the average 
American youth, and the dexterity acquired by him in throwing with 
perfect accurney is surprising. Where is the man in whose mind 
tender memories will not be awakened when he reads of the window- 
breaking experiences of the boys in the days of old ? 



400 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



" Whatiliviiiends the stockholders received upon their subscriptions 
I have never learneii. The stock was cheaply bought up by the few. 
The old academy has been sold and moved upon a front lot, and turned 
into the Peninsular boarding-house. The entire ground has been cut 
up into city lots, and the academy is probably yi/i/Wicrf." 

A graded or high school, familiarly known as a Union 
school, was organized in Charlotte, Oct. 3, 1859, when 
Henry Robinson and Joseph Musgrave were chosen 
trustees for one year, Thomas Curtis and Wolcott B. 
Williams for two years, and J. Q. A. Sessions and Joseph 
Sessions for three years. The trustees met on the evening 
of October 14th, and elected Henry Robinson moderator, 
J. Q. A. Sessions director, and Joseph Slusgrave assessor. 
The old Charlotte Academy was rented by the board for a 
high-school building. The school-children of the village 
were assigned to three departments, — the primary, occupy- 
ing the west brick school-house ; the intermediate, occu- 
pying the east brick school-house ; and the high school, 
with quarters in the academy building. The first term 
began Oct. 31, 1859, and one hundred and twenty-five 
pupils were in attendance the first week, with Oscar S. 
Ingham (formerly principal of the academy) as principal, 
Miss M. A. Delaney in the intermediate department, and 
Miss S. A. Brown in the primary. 

It was not long until the old buildings were found to be 
inadequate to their uses, and on the 10th of September, 18G6, 
it was voted to raise §10,000 to erect a central building 
thirty by sixty feet, two stories high, with wings. The sum 
voted was subsequently increased to about $14,000, and the 
north part of the present edifice, intended as a central 
building, was erected. The plan was then changed some- 
what, and the south part was built at an outlay of about 
$5000, thus making the total cost of the building nearly 
$20,000. The total value of the school property in the 
city at present is estimated at $25,000. A new school- 
house was built in the Second Ward about 1868, and one in 
the Third Ward about 1875, both of brick. Miss Julia A. 
King, who has for some time been principal of the Char- 
lotte schools, is recognized as one of the leading educators 
in the State, and under her management the school has 
arrived at a high degree of perfection. 

The following items are from the report of the school 
inspectors for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879 : 

Children in district between five and twenty 

years of age 790 

Attendance during year 724 

Days school taught during year U'o 

Volumes in district library 150 

No. of school-houses (all brick) 4 

No. of ]iupil8 who can bo seated 615 

Value of school property $25,000 

No. teachers employed (all female) Ifl 

Wages paid same $6,148.25 

Money on blind, vSept. 1, 1870 905.71 

Total e.-ipendilures for year, iucluiling same l.'!,162.58 

RELIGIOUS. 
METHODIST EP1SC0P.\L CHURCH. 
The first Methodist preacher who held services in the 
old township of Carmel was Rev. Peter Featherstone, a 
native of England, who emigrated to Canada in 18.-i3. In 
1837 he removed to Michigan and located at Plymouth, 
Wayne Co. In 1838 he became a resident of Marshall, 
Calhoun Co., and in the spring of 1840, after his marriage 



in January, he came to Eaton County. He received his 
first license from Rev. E. H. Pilcher, June 2G, 1841. He 
was accustomed to go on foot to Chester village to preacli, 
deliver two or three sermons, and return the same day. In 
January, 1843, he made a pedestrian trip to Canada after 
his nephews, and from the effects of his journey never 
recovered. His death occurred Feb. 14, 1845. Among 
others who were early pastors at Charlotte were Revs. 
Larmon Chatfield, who was here in 1854; Mr. Crittenden, 
and Isaac Bennett. 

Feb. 28, 1849, Rev. J. F. Collins, preacher in charge of 
Eaton Circuit, appointed the following persons as trustees 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Charlotte : Vincent 
Lee, Osmyn Childs, Henry Robinson, William Johnson, 
John F. Ten-ill, George P. Merrill, Isaac Turner, G. B. 
Griffin, and Joseph Gridley. The brick church owned by 
this society was dedicated Saturday, April 23, 1859, the 
dedication sermon being preached by Rev. M. A. Daugh- 
erty, of Marshall. In the winter of 1874-75 a large addi- 
tion was built on the rear of the church, and the main 
building was also reseated, recarpeted, and frescoed. The 
value of the church is at present estimated at $7000, and 
of the parsonage, which was built about 1868-70, at $2000. 
Money has been subscribed to nearly a sufficient amount to 
build a tower to the church, which work it is proposed shall 
soon be accomplished. 

In the fall of 1879 the membership of this church, as 
reported to the Conference, was 222. The present pastor is 
Rev. William Doust, who took charge in September, 1878. 
The Sunday-school has a membership of about 300, with an 
average attendance of about 225. Its superintendent is 
A. P. Green. The number of volumes in the library of 
the Sunday-school is 400. 

First Congregational Church.-r-Vvom the records of this 
church, which was originally organized on the west line of 
the township of Carmel, is taken the following account of 
the organization : 

"At a meeting appointed for the purpose of organizing an Inde- 
pendent Congregational Church in the town of Carmel, Mich., the 
following persons presented themselves, and were duly organized and 
declared to be the Independent Congregational Church of Christ of 
Carmel, by J. Dunton, a minister of the gospel : Gilbert Allen Wade, 
Sally Maria Wade, Samuel M. Martin, Harriet A.Martin, Peter Head 
Johnson, Persis Johnson, Sarah Minerva Smith. 

" In behalf of the church. 

"J. Dunton, Clei-k. 

"Jan. 26, 1851." 

Of the members here named but three are now living, — ■ 
Mrs. Wade and Mr. and Mrs. John.son. It was first voted 
to extend a call to Rev. Joseph Dunton to become their 
pastor, but upon further consideration and better acquaint- 
ance it was resolved not to do so. The place of meeting 
was changed to Charlotte, Sept. 1, 1852, and the name 
changed to the First Congregational Church of Charlotte. 
Rev. W. B. Williams first passed through the village in 
January, 1850. On the 1st day of January, 1854, having 
accepted a call to become pastor of the church, he preached 
his first sermon in the place, the congregation at that time 
meeting in the court-house. Mr. Williams was ordained 
Feb. 2, 1854, and remained as pastor until 1866. From 
1867 to 1872, Rev. B. F. Bradford was the pastor, and he 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 



401 



was succeeded in the latter year by Rev. A. F. Brucke, 
who continued in charge until Aug. 25, 1878, since when 
Rev. J. Newton Brown has been the pastor. Rev. Mr. 
Williams, after concluding his labors as pastor of this 
church, found employment with missionary societies, also 
at Oberlin College, Olivet College, and elsewhere. He has 
also aided many churches in raising funds to pay off their 
debts. 

It became, in the course of time, necessary that a church 
should be built, and subscriptions were raised for that pur- 
pose to the amount of 8700. Of that sum 8275 were 
raised in the East, and this was used to purchase the lot. 
The cost of the building was 81070, the contract having 
been given to Samuel Arnold and Mr. Slocum for SI 000. 
The house was dedicated in July, 185G, wheu a debt of 
8310 was canceled by subscription. The dedicatory sermon 
was delivered by Rev. E. Taylor, of Kalamazoo. The 
Sunday-school was also started in 18r)6, with six scholars, 
which number was increased to eighteen the second Sabbath 
and twenty-two the third, while in six months it reached 
fifty. 

The corner-stone of the fine brick church now in use was 
laid in 1872, and a portion of the building was ere long 
made ready for occupation. The main audience-room was 
not completed, however, until the summer of ISSO, and on 
the 22d of June, in the latter year, the main building was 
dedicated, the ceremonies being conducted under the super- 
vision of the pastor, Rev. J. Newton Brown. The sermon 
was delivered by Rev. Zachary Eddy, of the Fort Street 
Congregational Church of Detroit. Rev. W. B. Williams 
gave a historical account of the church, from notes and 
from memory. The cost of this building, with lot, etc., 
lias been about 835,000, and it is said that but four Con- 
gregational churches in the State have been erected at 
greater expense, — one at Grand Rapids, one at Saginaw, 
and two at Detroit. The dimensions of the church are as 
follows: outside length, 126 feet ; main audience-room, 75 
by 52 feet; lecture-room, 70 by 30 feet ; main tower, 100 
feet high. The membership of the church in the fall of 
1879 was 234. The Sunday-school had at the same time 
400 members ; its present superintendent is F. S. Belcher. 
So fine a church edifice is seldom seen in a city no larger 
than Charlotte, and it reflects credit upon the architect, 
the society, and the place. 

First Biijitist (Jhurch. — Esther Searls was the first Bap- 
tist in Charlotte, and the next two were Julia Pierce and 
Mary Rager. April 5, 1852, these three secured a visit 
from Rev. John Tompkins, who preached a sermon at the 
old Ells log school-house in Carmel township. After the 
meeting the three ladies presented their letters and were 
recognized as the Baptist Conference of Carmel. In March, 
1855, they met with others at Charlotte, when the member- 
ship was increased by five (two males and three females). 
Deacon William R. Kingman was one of the members. 
The name of the Conference was changed from Carmel to 
Charlotte, and Mr. Kingman was cho.sen clerk. Two others 
soon after joined, and a pa.stor was secured, in the person of 
Rev. John Tompkins, who gave them half his time. May 
5, 1855, a council was called, and they were recognized as 
the First Baptist Church of Charlotte, Mr. Kingman being 
51 



chosen deacon. June 18, 1755, the church became a mem- 
ber of the Kalamazoo A.s.sociation. Mr. Tompkins con- 
tinued as pastor two and a half years, and was succeeded 
by Rev. S. P. Town, who was called March 27, 1859, and 
remained three and a half years. For two years follow- 
ing the church was without a pastor. Rev. S. W. Sleater 
rendering voluntary service. He was chosen as pastor in 
July, 18G5, and remained nearly two years. Rev. J. R. Ab- 
bott was called Jan. 12, 18G8, and remained over two years. 
During his pastorate the present frame church occupied by 
the society w;us erected, the dedication occurring Oct. 13, 
18G9 ; the sermon being preached on that occasion by Rev. 
Mr. Curtis, of Hastings. April 25, 1870, Rev. L. Galpin 
became supply, and stayed six months. He was succeeded 
by Rev. A. M. Allyn, as supply, Jan. 1, 1871. 3Ir. AUyn 
became pastor June 19th, of the same year, and was or- 
dained on the 19th of the following month of July. His 
labors with this church were closed Oct. 25, 1873, and 
Rev. was called November 29th following, remain- 
ing over three years. Rev. William Tilley became pa.s- 
tor in December, 187G, continuing for nine months. 
Rev. S. W. Sleater and others supplied for the b.ilanco of 
the year, and Rev. A. Maynard was secured as supply Jan. 
2G, 1878. He was afterwards called as pastor, and closed 
his labors here early in 1880. The present pastor. Rev. 
Edwin H. Teall, was .settled March 21, 1880. The mem- 
bership of the church in July, 1880, was 134, and the 
average attendance at the Sunday-school is about 100 ; the 
superintendent of the latter is Parm. Thomas. 

The First Uuitarian Society of Charlotte was organized 
Nov. 3, 1878, under the general laws of the State. The 
first trustees were : F. W. Higby, President ; F. A. Ells, 
Secretary ; M. S. Phillips, G. W. Sherwood, Frank Mer- 
ritt. The board elected R. D. Wheaton trea.surer. The 
board is now the same, except that T. D. Green has the 
place of F. A. Ells, and is president of the society. About 
forty families are identified with the society. The present 
pastor, Rev. J. N. Pardee, who had organized a .society at 
Jackson and been afterwards engaged in missionary work, 
was first at Charlotte, in June, 1877, at which time he held 
two meetings. Several persons expressed a desire that he 
should remain and organize a society, but a press of mis- 
sionary work forbade, and he sent Rev. Daniel Rowcn to 
the place. The latter conducted meetings in private houses, 
etc., for several months, and this was the beginning of the 
work which resulted in the organization of the society. 
Mr. Pardee returned in July, 1878, and preached hero the 
first Sunday in the month, making Charlotte headquarters 
for his missionary labors in the State. When the society 
was organized he bcciime the settled minister, and has re- 
mained until the present. The audiences, which at first 
numbered about thirty individuals, have increased to 100. 
A Sunday-school was organized in May, 1880, with twelve 
children in attendance. The number is now about forty. 
Mr. Pardee is the superintendent. Meetings had been for 
some time held in the old Red Ribbon Hall, near the post- 
office, but in the spring of 1880 the place of meeting was 
changed to Sampson Hall. It is now thought expedient 
to build, and a church will probably be erected in the fall 
of the present year (1880). 



402 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Ccnteiiari/ Church, (Jniied Brethren. — Tliis society was 
formed iu 1867 by Rev. Amos Stilson, and in 1870 the 
membership was 155. Of this number many have since 
removed, and the membership in June, 1880, was but 
seveuty-si.\. One appointment, in tlie township of Carmel, 
was organized in 1877, and has a membership of about 
thirty. It is preparing to build a eliurch. The present 
brick church at Charlotte was built in 1874, — the centen- 
nial anniversary of the formation of tlie United Brethren 
Church. The pastors since Mr. Stilson have been Revs. 
G. S. Lake, B. H. Mowers, A. A. DeGroat, B. F. Hunger- 
ford, B. D. Miller, G. A. Bowles, S. Fergu.son, B. H. 
Mowers (a second time), Emmett Sly, and C. B. Sherk, 
the present pastor, who began his labors here in September, 
1878. The Sunday-school is superintended by Judson 
Terrill, and has an attendance ranging from forty to fifty. 
The parsonage is located immediately in the rear of the 
church, but is not occupied by the pastor. 

German Lutheran Church. — This society has been in 
existence only a few years. The frame building formerly 
used by the Congregationalists was purchased and dedicated 
as a Lutheran church, Oct. 29, 1876. A sermon was 
preached in the evening by Rev. August F. Bruske, then 
pastor of the Congregational Church, on the " History and 
Doctrines of the Lutheran Church." The building was 
removed to a location on West Seminary Street. The 
present pastor is Rev. G. F. Gerkensmeyer, of Marshall, 
who preaches once in two weeks during the summer, and 
once in four weeks in the winter. 

Grace Church {Episcopal), formerly known as St. John's, 
occupies tlie old court-house, which has been purchased by 
the society, and stands opposite its former location, on the 
east side of Cochran Avenue. The first services were held 
in 1872. It is at present a mission, in charge of Rev. J. 
\V. Bancroft, of Hastings. About thirty families are 
connected with it, having a niember.ship of sixty-five or 
seventy. 

A Catholic church was erected in the north part of the 
city iu 1868. It is a frame building. 



When the hot blast from the throat of the monster. 
Rebellion, swept over the laud, it at first almost scorched 
the sen.ses of the people; but when it had passed by, the 
fever of revenge for insults to the old flag and threats upon 
a grand government took the place of sudden stupeliiction, 
and everywhere the call, " To arms !" rang startliiigly 
throughout the North, and in all directions were heard the 
quick tread of patriotic feet and the mutterings of a coming 
storm of retribution. IIow well the Peninsular State re- 
sponded to the call of a wronged government is vividly 
recollected, and how well her sons fought is attested by the 
empty chairs, the maimed bodies, and the broken constitu- 
tions now seen within her borders. Eaton County did well 
her part, and Chariotte, although at the time but a small 
place, furnished true and loyal men for the fray. The first 
enlistments were in what was subsequently known as Com- 
pany II, of the Sixth Michigan Infantry (al'lerwards artillery). 
iMembers of this company hold annual reunions, and at the 
last one, held at Charlotte iu August, 1880, some forty of 



the veterans were in attendance. At a reunion in 1870, 
the following address, descriptive of the compapy and its 
campaigns, was delivered by Capt. William S. Trask, one 
of the bravest soldiers and truest citizens Charlotte ever 
furnished : 

" LiitHes imd OeiUlemeii, Feltnw-Sa/diera, hiUmore eDpeciaUy ijou, Com- 
mie, of Compa,,;/ H ■•ml of tlie Sixth Michlyin : 

" Among all nations it has been deemed well to cherish the recollec- 
tion of heroic achievements, for they are the memories which, coined 
into history, lend brilliancy to the national record. And though the 
realities of iron war may not deserve to compare with the milder con- 
quests won beneath the motto of ' peace on earth, good-will to men,' yet 
poor indeed is that country which has no rights or privileges worthy 
of defense, or, having the rights, is hacking in generoussons to venture 
liberty and life in her cause. And it is well to rescue such memories 
from oblivion; for, besides not being least among the causes which 
shape the moral and lend coherence to national purpose and national 
sentiment, they are the germs which, taking root in the minds of the 
young, will in after years furnish countless defenders for her hour of 
peril and lend a fairer lustre to her glory. 

" Besides, there are other and better reasons why wo should cherish 
and seek to keep alive these memories fast hastening into nothing- 
ness; for are they not the recollection of deeds carved out with the 
lives of comrades, — realities of which naught but the shadow remains, 
— cherished memories sacred to the young and the brave that we 
buried long ago at Baltimore, on the shore of the Atlantic, in the 
shifting sands of Ship Island, and the borders of the Gulf and along 
the ' Father of Waters' from New Orleans to Vicksburg, and the well- 
lillcd graveyards of E;iton County. Yes, comrades, you are the rep- 
resentatives of a company, the first your county furnished for the war, 
— before the days of bounties, — a company that has left a ch.tin of 
silent sentinels almost around the entire confederacy, in attestation of 
the purpose with which it went forth and the manner in which it did 
its duty. And it is not only in remembrance of ail this that we are 
assembled to-day, but it is to renew tho?e associations and to continue 
those friendships which we have shared on the march, by the bivouac 
and the camp-fire, and which were cemented by a common cause and 
common peril on the field of battle. 

** As the mind goes back to those scenes, long to be remembered, one 
can hardly realize that it is almost fifteen years since the organization 
of Company H in the spring of '61. You well remember the thrill of 
indignation that swept like an electric storm over the land when the 
news came of the firing on Fort Sumter. Then came the menacing 
of the Capital and the firing on the troops in Baltimore; and it 
dawned at last upon the minds of a peaceful people that they were 
called upon to defend by force of arms all that was dear to them, all 
that was bequeathed to them from the hard-fought fields of the Kevo- 
lution. 

'* It was an era such as a man might live a lifetime and not see. 
What a melting away was there of all partisan lines! Party spirit- 
entirely succumbed to the awakened patriotism of the country. 
Thousands oHered themselves for the preservation of the common heri- 
tage, and of that number, I need not blush to say, you and I helped 
to swell the multitude by one. Those who could not go were only 
anxious to testify their good-will to those who were going. Their 
homes, their friendships, and their purses were freely tendered us ; 
and for several weeks we availed ourselves of their hospitality, and 
drilled up and down these streets and over on the old fair-ground, that 
we might learn the rudiments in the art of war. 

"When we found we were too late for the three months' service we 
prom|itly reorganized, and on the I9thof June, 1861, we went to Fort 
Wayne to qualify ourselves to some extent for the duties that lay 
before us. AVe came home the .3d of August, and on the 20th the com- 
pany, one hundred and eleven strong, bade adieu to Charlotte, and 
ten days later was on its way to the South. 

"You will recall the many pleasant hours spent at Camp McKim, 
in Baltimore, till November 1 4th, when we went on board the steamer 
'tJeorgiana' bound for Eastern Shore, Va. You will remember with 
me the many pleasant incidents of our march through Accomack, and 
Northampton Counties, in which we had all the exciting interest 
of an advance on the enemy with none of its perils ; for they dis- 
persed at our coming without offering us battle. You will remem- 
ber our expedition to Hog Island, the turkey review, and the many 



CITY OF CHARLOTTE. 



403 



incidents of the birounc nnd the nmrch ; tul tooro than nil else the 
sail death of the umialilo Allen Kaer. 

" Wc n turned to Baltimore, und in the cnj-uing February we em- 
barked for Fortress Monroe, and pitehed our tents nt Newport News, 
having buried Whilmore and Jones while at Camp McKim. At New- 
port News jou will remember ihe ' Congrcs:*^' and the * Cumberland' 
anchored there, soon to take a tragic part in ihe brilliant buf ill- 
matched contest with the ' Merrimac,' und on the other side of 
Hampton Roads the tlaunting banners and the white tents of the 
enemy. 

*• On the 4th of March we went on board the steamship * Constitu- 
ti on,' and the next day we ran by the Sewall's Point batteries, coming 
for the first time under tiro. 

'* We were, you will remember, three full regiments on board one 
vessel, and imagination fails to picture uhat might have been our 
fate bad wo been two days later in getting out of Hampton Roads. 
As it was, we were hardly out of hearing of (he sound of the guns 
when the figb t between the ' Monitor' and the ' Merrimac* took place. 

•' You will recall the terrible t-torm off Hatteras. succeeded by the 
beautiful weather, as we ran down the Florida coast. You wHl remem- 
bi r the placid waters of the Gulf ami the white sand-hills of Ship 
Island as we saw ihem on the morning of Ihe I'Jih of March. This 
was our home till the 15th of Aprib when, after burying Lindsley^ wc 
went on board the ' Great Republic,' the largest sailing-vessel in the 
American mercantile navy, and it became our home for over two 
weeks of waiting at the Southwest Pass and in Black Bay. We were 
far-off spectators of the fall of Forts Jackson and St. Philip and the 
destruction of the rebel ram ' Manassas.' 

"On the 2d of May, 18G2, we entered New Orleans, and again, on 
the nth, we embarked on the * Laurel Hill' bound up Ihe river. You 
will remember the many haps and mishaps of that voyage on the 
g\Tollen river, and the lonely burial of Myers ten miles above Natchez, 

"On the evening of the 20ih we joined the fleet under Farragut 
just below Vicksburg. Here the prospect for a tight was good, and for 
-a few days we expected to try titles for the possession of that strong- 
hold, and that, too, with a good prospect of success. It was deemed 
inadvisable, however, and on the Sfitb of May we started down the 
river. No one who was there will forget the scene at Grand Gulf 
where our transports were fired into by a battery of four pieces and 
William Lamb was killed. We buried him on the heights that night, 
and Grand Gulf, if it now existed, would have better reasons than 
have we for holding the day in remembrance. However, the destruc- 
tion of the town was not due to us. And let me say there are few 
situations more trying to the courage and steadiness of men than to 
be cooped up on board a river steamer whose boilers present a fair 
target to the enemy's practice, and exposed to the rapid fire of a bat- 
tery of well-served field-pieces. That we were not blown into the air 
or sent to the bottom of the river is a wonder. However, while we 
could use our muskets wo did use them, und with such effect that for a 
few moments the gunners were driven from their guns. 

" The 2ltth of May wc landed at Baton Rouge. The pleasant quar- 
ters that we occupied and the great sickness which began to show 
itself among the men, the fruit of our long sojourn on board trans- 
ports, will at once fill your memories with pleasing and with sad rec- 
ollections. Here we buried Kinney, Ploof, Charter, King, Lake, 
Barrett, Fen, Bateman, nnd King. 

" You will recall how reluctantly wo left our quarters and went out 
to bivouac in the woods on the 28th of July. Here it was that the 
morning of the 5th of August found us when we marched out for the 
first time to try the realities of the battle-field. 

'* It was a day to be remembered, for, though overshadowed by other 
battles where greater numbers were engaged, few excel it in desperate 
fighting or in the importance of the results determined by the issue 
of the fight. It was the first effort of the enemy to win back the 
mastery of the river below Vicksburg, won from them by Ihe heroism 
of Farragut. 

"To capture Baton Rouge was not alone to make prisoners of the 
few sickly troops stationed there and obtain their supplies and muni- 
tions of war; it was to re establish their communications with the 
West by three important lines, — the Opelousas Railroad, Red River, 
and the road running west from Vicksburg. 

" For this purpose God. Breckenridge advance^l on the place with 
three brigades numbering nearly or quite twice our effective force. 
Our numbers and the sickly condition of our troops were well known 
to the enemy, fur their friends in the city not only kept them well 



posted as to our condition and numbers, but had actually prepared 
food for their breakfast after the brief morning exercise of whipping 
the 'Yanks.' And before making the assault, Breckenridge, in an 
address lo his troops, assured tbtni that the place was only gammoned 
by a few sickly regiments, and promised that if they would make one 
vigorous dash I hey should breakfast at the State-house. 

" How well I remember in the early twilight the scattering shots, 
hero and there, followed by the heavier voices of the cannon, that 
awoko many that morning to summon them to a deeper slumber ere 
nightfall. I can hear as tlien the shouts of Fall in ! fall in !' and the 
tumultuous rattle of the drums beating the long roll. I can see now 
as I saw then Ihe mist rising from the ground in the balmy morning 
nir, and tho blue smoke that came stealing through the woods from 
the scene of conflict. Tho firing had ceased, the Fourteenth Maine 
bad been driven from their camp in an exposed position, tho pickets 
were coming in, and the enemy were advancing. I remember tho 
first and only smile I ever saw on tho face of Gen. Williams as ho 
complimented us on the force that we mustered for battle, for many 
of us, weak from sickness, were staggering under the weight of our 
arms, and were fitter for the hospital than the fight. It was the first 
pleasant words that I had over heard from his lips, and, in my mind, 
it atoned for much of bis severity in the past. I remember the hearty 
and chcorful salutations of the Indiana ofBcers as we filod into lino 
on their right in a fog of mingled vapor and smoke, so dense that one 
could see but a short distance in advance. We were in line along tho 
edge of a wood fronting tho Magnolia Cemetery. Our right rested on 
a road where a section of artillery was posted. Wo were hardly in 
line when wo were ordered to lie down, and again the firing com- 
menced and a few cannon-shots flew over us. It was the prelude to 
the enemy's charge. A confused yelling was heard in our front. It 
was tho much-talkcd-of rebel yell. They charged up to the cemetery 
fence, only separated from us by a narrow road. Wc were expecting 
the retreat of our skirmishers nnd reserved our fire, not being able in 
the smoke to distinguish friend from foe. The battery on our right 
opened, and then came the entire storm of rebel load. We were then 
lying almost under tho muzzles of their guns, and the tempest that 
went over us was simply terrific. ' Fire !' rang along our line, and wo 
fired as we lay. There was no chance to overshoot. It was like a 
blast from the destroying angel, and the living went back faster than 
they came. Their spirit was broken, nnd Gen. Williams, a few mo- 
ments before his death, said, 'Give the Michigan regiment the praise 
of checking the enemy.' Other advances were made, but the delusive 
hope of an easy victory was gone, and they were easily repelled by 
the artillery. Here we lost Dwight and Vickery. Such was the bat- 
tle of Baton Rouge as I saw it. 

" In the mean time, on the extreme right, Capt. Cordon, with two 
or three companies, was holding in check an entire brigade, repulsing 
one charge after another, and capturing the colors of the Third 
Louisiana Regiment. 

*• On tho 21st of August wo were recalletl from liaton Rouge, und 
your memi>rics will rapidly retrace the scenes of Camp Williams, 
Camp Death, nnd the cotton-press where wo spent our second Christ- 
mas and New Years' in the service. At or near New Orleans lie the 
remains of Scott, Rogers, Merrill, Procter, Cross, Dunton, Darken, 
Barber, Ryan, Finch, Mahan, Shrum, Knapp, Clark, and Henry. 

"March 11, 1S6.3, we left our quarters for the Tcche expedition 
under Gen. Weitzcl, but I have not limo to recall the varied scenes 
which are still fresh in your memories. Suffice it to say that no regi- 
ment on the field stood higher in reputation or wore considered more 
trustworthy than the Michigan Sixth. After witnessing tho destruc- 
tion of the rebel gunboat * Cotton' wo returned to our old quarters. 
From there wo went to tho parapet at Carrolton, and from there to 
Kennervillc. 

" From this place we made our long march over the trestle-work, 
which extends almost unbrokonly from Kenncrvillo to Mancbac Pass. 
Y'ou will recall the gloomy horrors of those cypress swamps and tho 
memory of tho tcptd waters of Lake Maurepas, with which wo were 
destined to become well acquainted. 

"Our brilliant skirmish, March 2-Uh, in the advance on Pontcha- 
toula, is an occasion that recalls only pleasant memories, for wc drove 
an equal force of cavalry through those open pinc-xvoods in a manner 
that made it lively for them, and yot without the loss of a man. You 
will remember the sharp fight at the bridge, where several were 
wounded, its di-struction that night, and the manner in which wc were 
awakened the next morning. You will rcmombor tho skirmish back 



404 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



to the swamp on the advance of the enemy, and Owl Bayou will re- 
call significant memories to those who were there. 

" Our long residence at Manchac Pass was an era in our history which, 
it would seem, ought to have buried two-thirds of our number, but 
strange to say we were nearly or quite in as good health as usual. 
From the 24th of March till the lUth of May, 1S64, we were denizens 
of the swamp, with no camping-ground but a narrow railway embank- 
ment, and no drinking water but that of the swamp or the tepid and 
shallow lake. 

" We were delivered from this at last, however, and on the 21st of 
May we went on board the steamship ' Creole,' bound for Port 
Hudson, disembarking at Springfield Landing the next day. On the 
24th we closed in on the enemy's works, and from that time till 
its surrender, on the 7th of July, the fighting was constant along some 
portions of the line. 

" The 27th of May was a bloody day for us, as all can attest who 
were there. Company H furnished a large portion of the forlorn hope 
which led the charge headed by Capt. P. D. Montgomery. The storm 
of shot and shell against which we advanced was something terrific. 
Gen. Sherman, of I3uena Vista fame, acknowledged that he had never 
seen anything like it before. As it tore through our columns one 
could hear the crash as it struck the men, and the fresh earth thrown 
into the air by ricochetting shot was so dense that one could sec but 
a short distance before him. It is needless to say that we were re- 
pulsed with severe loss. 

" The 1-tth of June was a similar scene, though thanks to the pru- 
dence and coolness of Capt. Cordon, many valuable lives were saved 
that else would have been sacrificed for nothing. 

" The soldiers' truce, the sharp work in the rifle-pits, the citadel, the 
sevcnteen-gun battery, the charge of which Sergt. Walker was the 
hero, and the mine, will awaken in your minds many and varied mem- 
ories. It is impossible to do anything like justice to the scenes which 
transpired here. They are sufBcieut for a volume. 

" After the fall of Port Hudson it became our home until the 10th of 
March, 1864, when we started for home on a veteran furlough. The 
dead of Company H who were buried at Port Hudson are Bailey, 
Kimball, Bottomly, Perrine, Whiteomb, Dacon, and Kellogg, and 
while at home on veteran furlough we lost by death Blodgett and 
Saunders. They had passed the dangers of the battle-field and the 
pestilence of Southern swamps only to meet death among friends and 
relatives, 

" We returned to Port Hudson May 9th, and remained there until 
June 22d, when we went on board the ' Universe,' from Morganza Bend. 
While at this point we learned of the death of Lieut. Brainerd, at the 
Hotel Dieu, in New Orleans, and it was hard to realize that one, the 
gayest of the gay, young, active, and fearless, could be stricken down 
by disease after passing unscathed through the dangers of the battle- 
field. 

" From Morganza we went to Vieksburg, where we remained till the 
2.*>d of July, when the company went on board the ill-fated ' Clara 
Bell,' bound for White River, Ark. The destruction of the boat by 
a rebel battery was a scene which I did not witness, but it was a repe- 
tition of our Grand Gulf experience greatly intensified. Company 
H lost everything but their arms and the clothes that they wore. At 
Vieksburg the dead of Company H are represented by Vredingburg 
and Coleman. 

" Keturning from White River we went to New Orleans, and were 
sent immediately to Mobile Bay, to take part in the reduction of the 
forts. 

" We arrived at Fort Gaines in time to witness the bombardment and 



surrender of Fort Morgan. From this time to the following July, 
1865, Fort Gaines became our very comfortable home, with the ex- 
ception of a short expedition to Pascagoula, and at no time in our 
four years of service did we enjoy better quarters or maintain a more 
efficient discipline than on Dauphine Island, at the mouth of Mobile 
Bay. In the sands of Dauphine Island, Olmstead, Gillett, Sweazey, 
Shruni, Saunders, Roe, Myers, McDonald, Stowell, and Johnson 
found a last resting-place. Henry B. Dow died while at home on a 
furlough, and Flanders died on board the steamer 'Constitution' 
while en route for home. Hiram A. Dow and Levi Sprague died at 
home shortly after arriving there, and James Mann yielded up his 
life in Marshall, while trying to get home, the three having been dis- 
charged from the service. 

" We were mustered out at Greenville, above New Orleans, just four 
years to a day from the date of our muster in at Kalamazoo. 

"I have been thus prolix in furnishing a sketch of our company his- 
tory, because I deemed it advisable to awaken in your minds, though 
but by a passing allusion, the many memories which cluster along its 
course, to recall the mental picture of events which have grown dim 
by the lapse of years, and to furnish a thread which I trust you will 
amply adorn with your varied experiences in our parlor exercises of 
the afternoon. 

" Occasions like this are peculiarly sacred to memories of the past, 
and while I congratulate you on the happiness and prosperity of the 
present, I trust again and again we may be permitted to come together 
as comrades, — brothers of the same military organization, who have a 
record to be proud of, and who, I trust, have sufficient self-respect and 
friendship in their hearts to keep all bright by many reunions like 
this." 

The soldier who wrote and read the above has gone to 
meet the comrades who fell in the strife, and his bereaved 
family and friends mourn most sincerely his too early de- 
parture to the unknown realm. His deeds are told with 
pride, and his memory is fondly cherished, and this may be 
said of all who bore arms in defense of their country, and 
laid down their lives then or at a later day. The following 
is from an obituary notice* of Capt. Trask, who died of 
scarlet fever, June 11, 1880: 

" William S. Trask was born in the town of Italy, Wayne Co., N. Y., 
Sept. 6, 1837, and was therefore in his forty-third year. He came to 
Michigan with his parents about 1849 or '50, his father buying a farm 
and settling in Spriugport, Jackson Co. He first attended school at 
Lansing, then came to this place, where he was at the breaking out 
of the war. He was among the first to respond to the country's call, 
and was elected second lieutenant of Company H, Sixth Michigan 
Infantry. In 18G2 he was promoted to first lieutenant, and in 1864 
to captain. Owing to the fact that the regiment was changed from 
infantry to heavy artillery promotion was not as rapid as it otherwise 
might have been. At the time of the Red River expedition he was 
topographical engineer on Gen. Banks' staff, and made the drawings 
of the famous dam which was constructed to float ofi' Porter's fleet, 
which, owing to the low water, was unable to move. He was highly 
esteemed by his men and fellow-soldiers. He was married Dec. 25, 
1866, to Miss Lucy J. Hartson, of this city, by whom he had two 
daughters, now nine and five years of age." 

* Published in the Charlotte Republican, Juno 18, 1880. 



BELLEVUE. 



NATUUAL KEATUUES. 
GEOOKArilY, TOPO(iUAI'IIY, Ktc. 

The township of Bellevue, which ori<:inally comprised 
the whole of the county of Eaton, is now but one-sixteenth 
part thereof, and lies in the southwest corntr, being 
bounded north by Kalauio, etist by Walton, south by Cal- 
houn Countj', and west by Barry County. The township- 
lines were surveyed in 1825 by John Mullett, and the 
subdivisions in 1S26 by Musj^rove Evans. The uatnc of 
the township was doubtless uiven for the fact that the vil- 
lage of the same name was situated in a locality which pre- 
sented a most " beautiful view" to the eye of the beholder. 
Its position is elsewhere described by one of the fii'st set- 
tlers, who describes liis admiration of it upon his first visit 
to the spot. 

The surface of the township is considerably broken in 
places, while in others it is level. As a whole it is a fine 
agricultural region, and yields ample reward for the labors 
of the farmer. The soil is strong from the lime which it 
contains. The principal stream is the Battle Creek, which 
furnishes good power, utilized at the village, where a deep 
channel has been cut in its rocky bed. 

LAND ENTRIES. 

The following is a list of land entries in town 1 north, ] 
range 6 west, now constituting the township of Bellevue, | 
with section and year of entry : i 

Stction 1.— 1836, A. Sessions, P. Dubois, P. S. Spauldiiig, R. Swift; ] 

1837, W. Cummings; 1838, A. Day. i 

Stclloi, 2.— 1836, T. Scott, P. Dubois, J. Barker, W. Tillotson. 
Secliou 3.— 1836, W. Swift, P. F. Spaulding, U. Colton, A. M. .Mills, } 

D. Clark. 
Section 4.— 1836, Nobcmiah Chase, A. W. Rogers, W. Swift, David ! 

Lucas. I 

Stctiuu 5.— 1835, N. * H. Weed ; 1836, A. W. Rogers, S. Fordbam, j 

0. Cummings; 1854, D. 11. Pierce, J. Harms. 
.Section 6.— 1836, D. Judson, A. Webster, E. H. Evans, S. Fordbam ; ' 

1837, D. Mason, E. H. Evans. I 

Stclion 7.— 1836, C. Tilton, Clark A Daniels, S. Hunsiker, C. Phelps, | 

J. T. Ilajt, J. li. White ; 1837, C. Phelps. ', 

Stclion S.— 1835, N. 4 11. Weed; 1836, J. P. Woodbuiy, John 

Chase, William Kindell. S. La Bar. 
SeciioH 9.-1835, T. R. Smith; 1836, E. Follett, P. Hathaway; 1837, 

U. Jarvis, S. Sedgewickj 183i», J. Spaulding; 1853, E. Follett; 

1866, Conrad Frcund, Henry L. Robinson. 
Section 10.— 1836, T. Haskell, J Shepard, J. N. Higgins; 1837, S. 

Stoddard, David .^hetterley ; 1853, E. Follett, P. Mann : 1854, R. 

O.Russell; 1858, Jacob M. Seitlor ; 1864, R. 0. Russell. 
Section 11.-1835, J. Shepherd; 1836, R. Battcy, A. F. Fitch, P. Du- 
bois, Joel Barker; 1837, M. Leach. 
Srclion 12.-1836, R. Battey, A. Day, C. S. Grinncll, 0. A. Church, 

D. Clark, A. E. A L. L. Ives, C. H. Carroll; 1837, J. Ryan, A. 

S. Bogg. 
.V..(iV,,i 13.— 1835, .S. Hubbard, N. .1 H. Weed; 1836, P. Dibble, Wil- 

liaoi Duvall. 
Srciion 14.— 1835, G. R. Wilber: 1836, P. Dibble, William J. Del- 

aran, John Dodge and A. Filch. 



Section 15.— 1835, E. K. .t P. Howlan.l ; 1S36, K. llaakcll, T. Has- 
kell, W. Goss, I. Crary. 

Serdou 16.-1850, E. Slilcs; 1853, M. Mann, L. Pcasico, J. S. 
Spaulding; 1854, J. Crowell. William Crary, L. Pcaske, M. G. 
Stiles, J. S. Spaulding. S. Hunsiker ; 1864, J. K. Brooks. 

Section 17.— 1835, N. A 11. Weed; 1836, J. P. Woodbury, R. Sey- 
mour, J. Mc.Mlistcr, and C. Moore. 

Section 18.-1836, Clark A Daniels, J. P. Woodbury, C. Cuykend.ill, 
S. Collier, Z. Morehouse; 1837, N. Morehouse. 

Section 19.— 1835, J. Reynolds; 1836, J. P. Woodbury, John .M. Gor- 
don, J. S. Blaisdcll ; 1811-42, S. Darrow. 

.S'ec(.-ou20.— 1835, R. Bell, B. Bosworth, J. Luscomb; 1836, S. Mc- 
Camley, McCamlcy A Co., T. W. Hall. 

&c(i«,. 21.-1834, W. C. Fonda; 1835, J. Eaton, T. Caj^^adiy, A. 
Meach, S. A. Suuthwick, P. Campbell, C. Allen. 

Section 22.— 1835. S. Hunsiker, L. L. Ives, A. E. Ives, L. Rus.sell, R. 
Fitzgerald, T. Daniels, R. Slade, Jr., P. Campbell. 

Section 23.— 1835, G. K. Wilber, R. Fitzgerald, W. Goss; 1836, R. 
Batty, J. T. Hayt, W. Goss. 

SeclioH 24.-1835. G. C. Gibbs, J. T. Ellis; 1836, C. II. Carroll. 

Section 25.— 1836, M. Clarke, A. Hannibal, R. Mott, Jr., D. Judson, 
C. H. Carroll; 1837, S. Sedgwick; 1854, G. G. Woodmansoe; 
1858, Newell Thurston, William Dcmoth. 

Section 26.-1835, H. Powers, C. Sprague; 1836, C. II. Carroll, S. 
Holland; 1837, N. S. Booth, E. Y. Morton; 185 1, \. S. Booth, 
J. Grosefant, H. Hart. 

Section 27.— 1833, S. Hunsiker, I,<aac E. Crary; 1835, B. Rowley, C. 
Sprague, Hubbard A Co. ; 1836, S. Hunsiker. 

Section 28.— 1832, Isaac E. Crary, Luther Lincoln; 183.3, I. E. Crary, 
S, Hunsiker; 1834, J. Tripp. 

Section 29.— 1833, S. Hunsiker ; 1834, B. Ba.icr: 1835, S. Hunsiker, 
E. Convis, B. Bosworth. 

Section 30.-1835, W. R. Shepard; 1836, S. Reynolds, S. M. Andrus, 
S. Collins; 1848, A. Giles; 1850, 11. Gik-s; 1851, E. Giles, Rich- 
ard Muir. 

.S"ec(,«ii 31.— 1836, S. McCamlcy, E. Hussey, J. S. Blaisdell, S. Collier. 

Section 32. — 1833, .^ylvanus Hunsiker ; 1835, H. C. Hughes, S. Convis, 
Jr., C. H. Hunsiker, H. C. Hughes; 1836, Z. Osborn ; 1839, W. 
Spaulding. 

i'ec<io.i 33.— 183.), S. Hunsiker; l,S35, B. Athcam : 1836, 0. Morse, J. 
Dodge A A. Fitch, Aaron White, T. Haskell; 1837, L. Root; 
1854, R. Fitzgerald. 

Section 34.— 1835, J. Beers; 1836, L. Campbell, T. Haskell, E. Avery, 
J. R. Grosvenor; 1837, C. Parsons; 1838, E. Willis; 1854, J. 
Spieer; 1«08, Edward .M. Kinsbury. 

Section 35.-1835, C. Sprague, Charles P. Chidester: 1836, L. Camp- 
bell, J. Beers; 1854, J. Dougherty. 

Section 36.-1836, C. P. Ives, A. Ingrahani, L. Pierpont, S. .McAllis- 
ter, R. B. Way. 

EAKLY SETTLEMENT.* 

The following facts and incidents are from a " History 
of Bellevue," written by John T. Ilayt, and publi.>hed in 
the Charlotte Republican in M:iy, ISG'J : 

*' The township of Bellevue is situated in the southwest corner of 
Eaton County, adjoining Barry County on the wist, and Calhoun 
County on (he south, containing thirty-si.x sections of land. Its des- 
ignation in the original IJ. S. survey is town 1 north, of range 6 west. 
The principal stream in said township is Battle Creek, — the Indian 

* The history of the village and township can hardly bo separa.te4 
in this article, especially as Mr. Hayt has intermingled theni lu such 
an extent. 

405 



406 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



nnine ' Mejimli JCeirrippilitco,' the English of wbich is 'stone iiipe,' as 
Ihcy told me. Before the wliite ni.in ever visited the country they 
manufactured pipes out of the limestone found on its hanks. All 
north of said creek wns originally heavy timber land, consisting of 
whiteivood. cherry, hlaek-walnut, l.asswoud, white- and black-ash, 
hard-mnple, beech, ironwood, boxwood, elm, and oak: on the south 
of said creek generally oak-openings. One burr-oak ]ilain, where the 
village of Bellevuc is situated, contained about a halt-section of laud 
and, in its original state, it w.as to me the most bciiutiful spot I had 
ever seen. I visited it in .luno of 1S:M, before the white man had 
marred its beauty. The wild grass then was about a foot high, and 
interspersed with it were the most beautiful flowers that I had ever 
beheld. . . . While gazing upon its beauty and inhaling its delicious 
fragrance, I formed a resolution that. Providence permitting, I would 
erect on it a dwelling. ... At the time of this writing (1S69) I 
have resided upon it thirty-five years, and have never regretted the 
resolution then made. 

"The first location, I think, was made here by a Mr. Blashfield, in 
1829 or 1S3(I, on the northeast quarter of section 28. 

" The soil north of Battle Creek is principally clay loam, with oc- 
casional S[>ots of sandy loam and elay. It has, so far as cultivated, 
proved exceedingly fertile and well adapted to the culture of all the 
various cereals grown in the latitude, also for fruif, and very natural 
for grass culture. ... On the south of Battle Creek were oak-open- 
ings, except the burroak jjlain on which the village of Bellevuo is 
situated, — the northeast quarter of section 28. The soil is sandy 
and sandy loam. The whole township is moderately undulating." 

On porlioiis of .'Sections 27, 28,31-$, tintl 34, — itj till about 
one section of land, — 

" Was found an inexhaustible bed of limestone, of superior quality, 
on which the cities of Marshall and Battle Creek, Charlotte and Lan- 
sing, and the vilhijzes of Hastings, Olivet, and Albion, and the sur- 
rounding countr}' depend for lime. The first lime was made by piling 
the limestone and wood alternately on the ground, in a large heap, 
and burning the wood, when a part of the stone would be turned into 
lime. The first lime-kiln that was built was situated on the bank of 
Battle Creek, at the little rapid north of the then residence of Syl- 
vanus Hunsiker. I excavated the first shovelful of dirt from the 
same. Daniel Mason — then engaged in the saw-mill — and I entered 
into a contract to engage in the lime business. As he was employed 
in the saw-miil for a time, it devolved ujion me to attend to the erec- 
tion of the kiln. It was necessary to excavate a hole thirty feet in 
circumference and twelve feet deep, and, it being difficult to get help 
at that time, I commenced the work alone, and dug several days. 
Not being accustomed to such labor, my hands became sore and blis- 
tered, my back lame, and I was about sick. Fortunately, a Mr. Baker 
bad found his way to tlie settlement, prospecting for a future home, 
and, being an able-bodied man and used to labor, we engaged him to 
excavate the earth for the kiln. I commenced prying up 'hard-heads' 
to stone the kiln. Mr. Baker dug four or five days, and the bank 
caved in on the unfortunate man and killed him. He was buried on 
the bank of Battle Creek, on the spot now set apart and occupied as 
the township burial-ground, and was the first white man buried in the 
township. As Mr. Mason was still employed in the saw-mill, and no 
help could be got to assist mc, I eommcuced the digging again, and 
after great hardship succeeded in getting out the dirt, and stoned up 
the kiln with 'hard-heads' laid in mortar made of earth. I drew in 
the kiln at the top until it was but seven feet across. How I suc- 
ceeded in so dilEcult a mason-work, hi ing entirely unacquainted with 
such busines.s, has ever been an enigma to me; and how I escaped 
the calamity of poor Baker has often brought a shudder over me 
when I have thought of it. Soon after the kiln was completed, I 
succeeded in getting assistance in excavating the limestone to burn. 
I built the first arch, and piled and burned the first lime-kiln. Had 
a poor burn, yet succeeded in getting al)out 400 bushels of salable 
lime, for which we received about $11)11. We burned one more kiln, 
but succeeded no better than at first, and I gave up the busine-s in 
disgust. Soon after the kiln caved in, and at this day no remains of 
the first mason-work at Bellevue exist, perhaps to the great misfor- 
tune of the art. Soon alter, more scientific men commenced the 
erection of kilns, extensively ami successfully prosecuted the busi- 
ness, and large quantities have been burned from that day to this, 
supplying a large country with that valuable article. 

"The village at that time (183,')) was inhabited by the following 



persons; Reuben Fitzgerald, Sylvanus Hunsiker, Daniel 3Iason, Cal- 
vin Phelps, As.a Phelps, Lawrence Campbell, John llayt, James Kim- 
berly, James Hutchinson, with their wives ; John B. Crary, Benjamin 
Bador, Warren Streeter, Noble F. Blossom, Russell Slatle, and James 
Tripp, single men. Mr. Blashfield having sold his interest in the 
land and water-jiower to the Rev. John D. Pierce and Isaac E. Crary, 
of Marshall, they put the saw-mill in good repair for business, sur- 
veyed the site of the village, made a neat plat of the same, and com- 
menced the sale of village lots, the price being from five to twenty 
dollars a lot, according to situation. The village then contained the 
following buildings: Reuben Fitzgerald bad erected a new house 
opposite the present residence of Martin S. Brackett: Sylvanus 
Hunsiker, on the site where his son Sylvanus now resides ; a log 
cabin on the corner of the lot now owned by Mr. Ford, for mceting- 
and school house; a log house on the site of the house erected by 
I'arley Robinson; John T. Hayt's, on the site now occupied by the 
Methodist parsonage ; Calvin Phcl])S, on David McNamee's present 
site; a small frame house where Mr. Bowden's store now stands; 
James Kimberly's shanty, near the present burying-ground ; and 
the saw-mill. These constituted the whole village of Bellevue. 

"The original inhabitants of Bellevuo were mostly Methodists: 
there were Sylvanus Hunsiker and wife, James Kimberly and wife, 
Asa Phelps and wife, Mr. Tripp, Mr. Bador. Reuben Fitzgerald at 
that time was not a member, but his influence was in that connection. 
A few of the first settlers were Presbyterians: Calvin Phelps and 
wife, John T. Hayt and wife. The Presbyterians assembled with the 
Methodists for meetings for several years, the desk being supplied by 
Asa Phelps, a Methodist local preacher. 

"In 1S;)G Lawrence Campbell built the first hotel in the village, 
situated directly opposite the then residence of John T. Hayt, on the 
northwest corner of the lot now occupied by Mr. Albert Avery. Mr. 
Campbell kept the house a couple of years, to the satisfaction of the 
traveling public, and sold out his tavern to Ebenezer Avery, who 
succeeded him as the host of the Village Inn, as the hotel was then 
called. He kejit a good, comfortable bar, as well as the other creature 
comforts that characterize a good tavern. This was the first place 
that sold liquor as a beverage. The house was j)atronized to its 
utmost capacity for some years, Mr. Avery doing a good business. 
Unfortunately for him and the village, it was burned with all its 
contents. Soon after Mr. Avery commenced the erection of the 
Union House, opposite Messrs. Gage & Hughes' store, which bouse 
has been occupied as a hotel to this day . . . and is now considered 
the number one hotel of the village. 

" The township being organized, the people felt the need of a post- 
office, as they were dependent upon the post-office at Marshall, some 
fifteen miles distant from Bellevue, for mail facilities. A meeting 
was held to designate the person whom they would like appointed. 
John T. Hiiyt was selected, and a petition was drawn up accordingly 
and sent to Washington, to establish a post-office at the village of 
Bellevue. On the 2d day of May, a.d. 1835, John T. Hayt received 
his appointment, executed by Amos Kendall, then Postmaster-Gen- 
eral of the United States. On the 4th day of August, 1S35, his com- 
mission was received at the oflice in Bellevue, fully executed. The 
post-oBice was established, with the understanding that the mail 
should be carried from Bellevue to Marshall once a week, without 
charge to the government. Capt. Reuben Fitzgerald volunteered to 
carry the mail for four years for fifteen dollars (.$15) a quarter, or for 
what the oBice collected a quarter until that sum was collected. The 
receipts of the first quarter were $2.25. Nearly one year after the 
quarterly returns showed (March 30th to June 30th) Slfi.'JO ; from 
June 30th to September 30th, .$17.44 ; from September 30th to De- 
cember 31st, $33.29; from Dec. 31 to March 30, 1837, $55.71; from 
March 3llth to June 30th, $58.62. The last quarter I held the office, 
from Jan. 1 to March 30, 183S, the returns showed S82.05 ; and 
from a balance-sheet sent me by the Department at Washington, 
which closed the whole business of the post-ofiice up to May, 1S38, 
the net revenue due the Department was $175.20; at that time I re- 
signed in favor of Caleb Woodbury, Esq., who was appointed my 
successor. He remained postmaster for several years, and his suc- 
cessors [to 1860] were John F. Hinman, J. P. Woodbury, Henry 
Hickok, William M. Grant, Edward M. Kingsbury, Dr. Fero, and 
Granger Anson. '■^" During the time I was postmaster the postage on 



■ Mr. Anson still continues in the position (1880). 



BELLE VUE. 



407 



a single letter wns twenty-five cents; on newspapers, one cent. While 
I h III the office I lost twent^'-fivo dollars by trusting postage. 

•' In the spring of lS:i5 there was no bridge across Battle Creek at 
Bcllcvue, and there was no road on the north side of the creek. The 
whole country north as far as Ionia was one vast wilderness, and it 
wns impossible for a team to penetrate more than a few rods north of 
the creek. The citixens, feeling the importanco of opening a road 
from Bellevue to Ionia, met to decide upon some plan that would en- 
able them tu cut out a road to Ionia and open the country to settlers. 
At that meeting John T. llayt ivas appointed to solicit subscriptions 
from the citizens of Bullevue and Marshall for that purpose. The 
following shows the original subscriptions: 



Daniel Mason $0,00 

Sylvanus Hunsikor 20.00 

Abel Colister 6.00 

James Tripp 5.00 

Warren Streeter 5.00 

Koubcn Fitzgerald 15.01) 

James Kimbcrlv 10.00 

Asa Phelps :*.0n 

Calvin Phelps 2.00 

JohnT. llayt 5.00 

George Ketchuni 5.00 

Stephen Kimble 2.00 

C. 0. Vandenburg 2.00 

John B. Crary 7.00 

K. Burnett 2fi 

John Hutchison 2.00 

A. II. Haze 75 

L. W. Hart 1,00 

Daniel Hann I.:i7 

Charles F.Smith 3.00 



Marvin Preston Sl.OO 

William K. Macall 50 

H. C. Goodrich 1.00 

r. E.Crarv 7.00 

Josiah C.Clark 1.00 

IKnrv Kipp :i.00 

Thom,.s Kipp 1.00 

J. D. Pierce 7.00 

Piter Chcs;»m 2.00 

Lansing Kingsbury 2.00 

James 1», Greaves.' ^.50 

(J. W. Fish -1.00 

W. M. Pearl 5.00 

E. S. Brockway 2.00 

Abner Curtis 1.00 

James Cuvkendall 1.00 

Benjamin Baden 2.00 

L. Campbell 4,2^ 

Orders 5.00 

Mr. Havers 1.00 



Making a total of $155.62. This sum opened the road to the Thorn- 
apple River, and there the work stopped until the Vermont Colony 
settled Vermontville; they then opened it through to Ionia. 

'* The people in Bellevue, in 1S35, were few and i.«olnted from civ- 
ilization, in an Indian country, but had not forgotten the man^' cele- 
brations of the great national day, the 4th of July. They called a 
meeting to take into consideration the propriety of celebrating the 
day in Bellevue. It was unanimously resolved that the coming 4th 
of July should be celebrated, and a committee was appointed to make 
the necessary arrangements. The committee reported that on that 
day the citizens should assemble at the corn- and wagon-house of 
Reuben Fitzgerald, and listen to the reading of the Declaration of 
Independence, after which a procession would be formed and marched 
to the door-yard of John T. Hayt, where a table would be spread with 
such viands as each family in the vilhige should feel disposed tu fur- 
nish. The day was celebrated according to the order of the com- 
mittee. Rev. Asa Phelps read the Declaration of Independence, a 
good dinner was provided by the citizens, and all enjoyed this tho 
first celebration in the county. 

" The years IS36 and 1S37 brought quite a number of new inhabit- 
ants,— J. P. Woodbury, Caleb Woodbury, Dr. Samuel Clark, Robert 
Jarvis, Samuel Higgins, Ephraim FoUelt, Elial Bond, George S. 
Avery, Albert Avery, Hermon Jcrvis, Capt. James W. Hickok, Wil- 
liam R. Carpenter, Willard Davis, George S. Browning, John T. 
Ellis, Sylvester Andrews, and others not recollected. This year 
[1836] the 6r8t district school was taught by Hepsebcth Hutchinson. 
The next year (1337) the school was taught by Willard Davis, Esq., 
the first male teacher in the township. Mr. Davis not only taught 
the school, but on the Sabbath days preached to the assembled people 
at the log school-house. This township has from tho beginning been 
well supplied with local preachers. Mr. Asa Phelps, Willard Davis, 
Sylvester Andrews, Henry Robinson, and Simeon D. Bardcn, all 
officiated in holy things on the Sabbath. 

" Capt. James W. Hickok arrived at Bellevue, ch route to his farm 
about four miles east of the village. In going from tho village to his 
farm, with his wife and effi?cts in a lumber wagon drawn by an ox- 
team, a small tree by the roadside leaned across the road, and in 
passing it Mrs. Hickok put up her foot to fend it off. She came in 
contact with the tree, and the result was the breaking of her limb. 
The captain, as soon as ho ascertained the situation of his wife, hur- 
ried back to the village for assistance. Men soon collected and hur- 
ried to where the lady was; made a rude litter, and, placing Mrs. 
Hickok upon it, brought her back to the village, to the residence of 
John T. Hayt. Dr. Carpenter, an old and skillful surgeon, soon set 
the limb, and made her as comfortable as the circumstances would 
permit. She recovered in about nine weeks. In the mean time she 



was confined of a son, the Jimt male cArVrf ftori* in the cnuntif.^ Ho 
was named Isaac E. Crary Hickok, and was afterwards clerk of 
Eaton County. I forgot to mention that the first female child born 
in the county was Sarah Fitzgerald, daughter of Reuben Fitzgerald, 
now the wife of John Spaulding, — born in October or Xovember, 
1834. 

" In A.D. 1835, William C. Fonda built a largo boat, similar to tho 
canal-boats, and about as large as those used on the Ne\v York canals, 
for the purpose of boating lime down Battle Creek into the Kalamazoo 
River, and selling the same at all points on the river wherever wanted. 
The first trip down Battle Creek with the boat convinced the enter- 
prising proprietor that boating lime down the creek was a poor bu.-^i- 
ness. The boat, after incredible hardship, was navigated down stream 
into the river, when it waa capsized and the lime dej*troyed. This 
ended canal boat building at Bellevue. 

"Some of the citizens of the village were very fond of fun, and in- 
vented all manner of games to get up a good time. No matter how 
severe the pastime might be upon their mortal caskets; no matter 
how hard they kicked each other's shins with their great, heavy stoga 
boots ; even if they skinned the shin-bone from the instep to the knee- 
pan in their gentle sports, it was /iin .- the hardest and m«.-t scien- 
tific kicker would bring down the house with rounds of applause. 
After diverting themselves sufticienlly with such pastime, they would 
wind up with eating a pull of wa.xed maple-sugar, raisins, nuts, or 
raw codfish, washed down with a horn of rye; then they would sepa- 
rate for the night, slapping each other with their hard, 0at hands 
aside the head or knocking off each other's hats, bid good-night, and 
go home shaking their sides with laughter, feeling that they had en- 
joyed a nice time. About this time .1. P. & Caleb Woodbury started 
a grocery on the corner opposite the Union Hotel, ou Main Street; 
B. F. tt J. F. Ilinman opened a store on the corner where Mr. Bough - 
ton's store now stands; Abner Carpenter and his brother, William R., 
opened a store or grocery on the site of the ]»rcscnt store of Gage A> 
Hughes; Maj. Elial Bond opened a grocery near the store of Mr. 
Ford. Messrs. Woodbury and the Messrs. Ilinman erected large ash- 
eries, and manufactured saleratus very extensively for several years. 
The Messrs. Woodbury started a tannery, which was run for several 
years by John T. Hayt, manufacturing considerable leather, xvhich was 
in turn made up into boots and shoes. David Lucas commenced tho 
painting and chair-manufacturing business. His work was consid- 
ered excellent and elegant, always finding a ready market. He pros- 
ecuted the business for several years, but died suddenly. Mr. Edward 
Kingsbury continued the furniture-manufactory, carrying it on for 
several years prosperously. Isaac E. A John B. Crary erected a 
flouring-mill, with two runs of stone. Hiram Ovensbire built a steam 
saw-mill east of tho village, near the residence of his parents, and 
manufactured great quantities of lumber, which found rearlj' sale. 
Another steam-mill was erected on the bank of Battle Creek, west of 
the village, near Sylvanus Hunsikcr's residence Soon after this dry- 
goods-, hardware-, and drug-stores, and various mechanic shops were 
opened. Maj. Bond erected the Eagle Hotel, which he kept for several 
years. It was noted for its neatness and good fare. By this time tho 
village had grown considerably; the surrounding country had become 
tolerably well settled; nice, improved farms dotted the lovrnship in 
every direction ; school-houses were built and good schools were sup- 
ported in all the districts; and a general prosperity attended all 
business prudently conducted. 

" The first settlers of Bellevue were from the States of New York, 
Massachusetts, and Vermont, — a hardy, industrious, intelligent, and 
enterprising people. Being poor, they came to tho wilderness to 
better their condition and grow up with the country. Through the 
enterprise and intelligence of such people the State of ^Hchigan has 
been brought from a wilderness, inhabited by the Indians, toeiviliza- 
tion and refinement. Scattered all over the State are evidences of 
prosperity equal to any Stite in the Union. 

" The Methodist continued to be the m'>st numerous religious society, 
and had received large accessions by the immigrations to the township 
during the past years. Tho Presbyterians were increased, also, and 
organized a church of twenty-seven members. The Rev. Calvin 
Clark, of Marshall, organized the first church. Tho principal iuhab- 

« The date of this birth was Sept. 7, 1830. The son grew to useful- 
ness and held numerous important positions in the county. His death 
occurred Jan. 30, 187'.t. Capt. Hickok settle 1 on section 10, in Wal- 
ton townshij*. 



408 



HISTORY OP EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



itants of the township at this time were Ephraim FoIIet, Samuel Hig- 
gins, JaiiH'S Iloxir, Cliarlt'S Cuinmings, Michael W. Walker, Zidcx 
Morehouse, James Luscomb. Alanson Meach, George S. Avery, John 
Spaulding, Daniel SpauUling, Oliver Jennings, Ira Tillotson, Levi 
Kirkham, Eli Cuslion, Lewis L. Ives, William Viele, John Sargent, 
Samuel Campbell, Zcnin Urooks, Willard Brooks, Reuben Fitzgerald, 
Sylvanus llunsiker, James Kiinbcrly, Simeon B. Bardon, James 
Holdcn, Mr. Cook, Aaron White, Jefferson Willis, Timothy Haskell, 
Reuben Ilaskell, Chester G. Sprague, Isaac Beers, Michael Grohe, 
Horatio Hall, Herman Jervis, John Beers, Norman S. Booth, Benja- 
min Wilson, Jeremiah Woodbury, Caleb AVoodbury, Franklin F. Hin- 
man, John F. Hinman, Henry Hinman. John T. Hayt, John B. Crary, 
Dr. Seneca H. Gage, Roswcll Hughes, David Lucas, William K. Car- 
penter, Abner Carpenter, Dr. Carpenter, David Judson, Uussell Slade, 
James Dewey, Dr. Samuel Clark, George S. Browning, John T. Ellis, 
Elial Bond, Albert Avery, (Calvin Phelps, Asa Phelps, Lawrence Camp- 
bell, Stephen Woodbury, Martin S. Brackett, Henry Holden, Ezckiel 
Blue, John Evans, Harrison Spraguo, Charles Hunsiker, Hiram 
Ovenshire, Nalhan Leppcr, Jerry Spicer, James Hill, Daniel Mason, 
Edward M. Kingsbury, Peter Keed, Samuel Andrews, Sylvester M. 
Andrews, Samuel Reynolds, Abel Giles, Lewis Morgan, Norman Shum- 
way, Peter Doriemcr, Nicholas Doriemer, besides others I cannot rec- 
ollect. 

" The people of the township had no other place to meet for worship 
or for lecturi-s but the district school-house, and, although that was a 
large one, — two rooms twenty four by twenty, — it could not hold the 
people without great inconvenience, and all felt the need of a church. 
Meetings were called to devise a plan upon which all would unite and 
build a house of worship, and to accommodate the difl'erent religious 
bodies as they might occasionally need. Several plans were sub- 
mitted, but nothing definite was agreed upon, as most of them would 
give one sect the predominance. At length a plan was suggested that 
all could unite upon : it was to build by a joint stock company. Each 
stockholder was to receive the amount of his stock in pews. Out of 
compliment to the most numerous sect in the township, it was to be 
called a Methodist church. Means were raised suflBcient to build 
what is now known as the Methodist church, and complete the same, 
free from debt, by said company. The pews numbered and appraised, 
each stockholder had the privilege of bidding them in to the amount 
of his stock."® 

The villagu was wonderfully e.xcited, about 1851, over 
the perforniances of a uegro mesmerist, many ascribing his 
power to the ruler of the infernal regions, and all alike 
being influenced in some way. Not long after a young 
lady, sixteen years of age, from Augusta, Kalamazoo Co., 
created a second great excitement by her performances 
under the alleged influence of spirits, and the Devil was a 
second time brought to account. Afterwards a Baptist 
minister settled in the township, and the numbers of that 
denomination were augmented, and a church was finally 
built, costing S5000, their meetings having been originally 
held in the school-house. 

"The Episcopalians at an early day sent a missionary to preach at 
Charlotte and Bellevue. They held meetings alternately in those 
places for about two years, without much visible fruit in Bellevue."' 

During the Presidential campaign of 1840 the citizens of 
Bellevue gathered " from near and from far" on the night 
previous to the day on which Lewis Cass was to speak at 
Marshall, and the next morning wended their way in proces- 
sion to the latter city, wiiere tiiey took an active part in the 
ceremonies of the occasion. Tiie "great Democratic party" 
of Bellevue was drawn to and from Marshall by ox-teams, 
mostly from necessity, but partly, perhaps, to show to the 
world that although great they were imI proitd. 

Most of the men who established business-houses in 



* The building and grounds soon became the property of the M eth- 
odists, who have continued exclusively to occupy them to the present. 



Bellevue at an early day departed as soon as other villages 
more likely to become of importance were ready to receive 
them, and the future of the place was long shrouded in the 
uiLst of uncertainty, and it began to wear a decidedly dilapi- 
dated appearance. But the advent of the Peninsular Rail- 
way infused new life; new business-men came; the village 
prospered finely, and its future was assured. 

A fine Union school building was in time erected to take 
the place of the old structure, which was insufl5cient for the 
needs of the di.'.triet, and it was called, at the time of its 
completion, one of the best of its class in the State. About 
the .same time Messrs. Sibley & Mann, of Marshall, pur- 
chased the water-power and mill-grounds at the village, and 
erected large grist- and saw-mills.f An extensive furnace 
was also built by Harte and Henry Robinson. Mr. Wil- 
liam Viele later erected a steam planingmill. 

John F. Hinman, an early merchant in Bellevue, and 
later a resident of Battle Creek, also furnishes some inter- 
esting reminiscences, many of the facts being taken from 
his diary. His article was also published in the Charlotte 
RqiMiciin, May 28, 1809. Mr. Hinmau wrote: 

" I came to Bellevue on the 14th day of August, a.d. IS3S, and in 
company with my brother went into the mercantile business. Belle- 
vue at that time had a grist-mill, a saw-mill, and, in fact, was the 
county-seat of Eaton County, where 'His Honor, Epaphroditus Ran- 
som,' dealt out justice, as I have since learned, in small doses to some 
of the inhabitants of said county. But people in other parts of the 
county soon began to think that Bellevue was getting along too fast, 
and an effort was made which succeeded in removing the county-seat, 
togi'ther with Judge Ransom's court, from Bellevue to Charlotte, 
where it still remains. 

" In the early history of Bellevue a good many quite laughable 
things happened, and as the town was made up of funny characters 
in part, this commodity — fun — was considered nearly equal to legal 
tender." 

Mr. Hinman relates several amusing anecdotes. On one 
occasion a Methodist preacher named Reynolds, in com- 
pany with another man, went " huckleberrying" in a swamp 
near Mr. Ackley's, and returned with their receptacles well 
laden, but no one could ascertain from them the exact loca- 
tion of the bountifully-yielding bushes. Mr. Hinman and 
Mr. Brackett determined to watch them and find out, and 
followed them to the swamp, where they separated and 
went around in opposite directions. All their calls elicited 
no response, — the wily pickers were "mum." Ere long, 
however, Mr. Hinman discovered some bushes which were 
bent down with the weight of the berries upon them, and 
caught a handful and put them in his mouth. He coughed 
slightly, and some one near him called " halloo !" No answer 
from Mr. Hinman, who continued to cough in spite of all 
efforts to the contrary. The minister, for he it proved to be, 
became frightened, pounded on a tree, and shouted " sle- 
hoy !" several times, and finally broke and ran at his tallest 
speed out of the swamp and on to Mr. Ackley's, where, as 
soon as he could speak, he asserted that a very large hear 
had chased him out. of the swamp ! Brackett and Hin- 
man soon came together, enjoyed a good laugh, and secured 
a fine lot of berries. Rev. Mr. Reynolds preached else- 
where the next year. 

One of the characters of the village in 1838, and after, 

t This in 1852. 



BELLEVUE. 



409 



was a man named Lucas, who was " smart" both mentally 
and physically. He was an inveterate joker, a eraek shot, 
a sharp card-player, and a good specimen of a sporting man 
generally, and no one ever " got the belter of him." A fa- 
mous gambler, named William Thornton (afterwards hung 
in California), and known as " Lucky Hill," was at one 
time completely " taken in" by Lucas in a game of poker, 
of which the latter professed considerable ignorance, but 
which game resulted in his winning all the money " Bill" 
had, about SI 00. 

Capt. John B. Crary, Mr. Meech (a tavern-keeper), 
Sylvanus Ilunsikcr, Ks([., and " Old Esquire Phelps" were 
men of peculiar temperament, and are all recollected by 
some of their transactions in the lines of their business. 
On the 14th of December, 1839, a party, consisting of J. 
P. Woodbury, Amos A. Grant, William B. Hill, John F. 
Hinman, and others, went on a bear chase down the creek, 
and finally succeeded in treeing and killing the animal, the 
fatal shot being fired by Mr. Hill from a fine rifle, which 
Mr. Hinman afterwards won from him on the election of 
Harrison to tlie Presidency. Very many of the early set- 
tlers of the township have laid their armor by and departed, 
after years of toil and privation, reverses and successes, to 
a realm where they are no longer " pioneers." 

The records of the County Pioneer Society contain the 
following facts regarding the township of Bellevue: 

Sylvester Day, a native of Wayne Co., N. Y., came to 
Michigan in 1S3(), in company with his father, Ira Day, 
and two other ciiildren of the latter, Samuel and Asenath 
Jane Day. The latter, although not yet eleven years of 
age, was the housekeeper for her father and brothers. 
On the 2d of October, in the year mentioned (having 
left New York about the 1st of September), they set- 
tled on section 1 in Bellevue township, having been pre- 
ceded only in that vicinity by one family, that of RuloflF 
Butler. The journey from Detroit was made with an ox- 
team, and occupied eighteen days' lime. The nearest grist- 
mill was located at Marshall, Calhoun Co. 

Martin S. Brackett, an early settler of this town, was 
a native of Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. Y. When but 
eighteen years old he had charge of the construction of nine 
miles of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, in the employ of 
his brother. He afterwards became a civil engineer and 
performed valuable service in building other canals, and 
also studied law. In the spring of 1838 he settled in 
Bellevue, where he .spent his remaining days. He ofiici- 
ated as deputy clerk at the first term of Circuit Court held 
in the county (fall of 1838), Judge Hansom presiding, 
and was soon after admitted to the practice of law. He 
served three terms ;is county clerk, three years as prose- 
cuting attorney, and was prominently idjcntificd with polit- 
ical matters. His death occurred Feb. 14, 1877.* 

Capt. Reuben Fitzgerald was born in tlie State of 
Maryland, in the year 1800. His title was acquired from 
holding the position of captain in the militia. When he 
settled at Bellevue he was accompanied by his wife and 
three children. They arranged their wagon-box for a 
shelter, and fixed up an addition to it, using the whole for 



' From obituary notice in Charlotte Republic 



, F6b. 16, 1877. 



a shanty until something better could be provided. The 
old wagon with iron axle-trees used by the captain was in 
existence until within a very few years. The lumber used 
in building his barn was brought from Marshall upon it, 
drawn by four yokes of oxen. He went with two wagons, but 
one broke down, and the entire rjuantity, consisting of green 
oak boards, was transferred to the other. Numerous Indian 
huts were standing in the vicinity of Capt. Fitzgerald's 
home, covered with ehi) bark, and as the Indians were gone 
he naturally presumed they would not need them any more, 
and took off" quantities of the bark and roofed his barn with 
it. The red men returned, however, and were very indig- 
nant at his procedure. To conciliate them it w,i.s necessary 
to send to JIarshall for an interpreter, who explained mat- 
ters, and the gift of sundry provisions quieted their anger. 
The captain had unwittingly been a trespasser, but it took 
considerable time and a long argument to convince the 
Indians that such was the ca.se. 

The burial-ground of the Indians was at the western 
boundary of the present corporation of Bellevue, and within 
comparatively recent yeara boys have made excavations and 
unearthed numerous trinkets which had been buried with 
the dead warriors. The plain on which Bellevue stands 
was used by the Indians as a planting-ground, and traces 
of their corn-hills were seen for a number of years after 
the settlement by the whites. 

The pioneers of this locality, whenever a task of any 
kind was to be performed, or a birth or raising occurred, 
" made a bee" to see that everything was done in " ship- 
shape," and those days were enjoyed by all, despite their 
distance from old home scenes and the hardships of a life 
in the wilderness. 

Capt. Fitzgerald died July 20, 1873; his widow is still 
living, as are also several of his children. One son, A. E. 
Fita;erald, is engaged Ln the hardware business at Bellevue. 
One daughter is living who came to the place with the 
family in 1833. 

Sylvanus Hunsiker, from Owasco township (eight miles 
from Auburn), Cayuga Co., N. Y., visited what is now 
the township of Bellevue in the spring of 1833, and 
located land for himself, Reuben Fitzgerald, and James 
Kimberly. Fitzgerald occupied his the same year, and 
Hunsiker and Kimberly moved in the year following. The 
old farm of Mr. Hunsiker Ls now owned by his son, Syl- 
vanus Hunsiker, the father having died in 1855. Mr. 
Kimberly removed to Iowa, in which State he is now living. 
The three were all from the same neighborhood in New 
York. Four of Mr. Hunsikcr's children are now living 
in Bellevue, — Mrs. F. E. Andrews, Henry A. Hunsiker, 
Mrs. J. p. DeRiemer, and Sylvanus J. Hunsiker. One 
younger, married, is living in Kentucky. One daughter 
w.as born in, the famjly in 1836 or 1837, and S. J. Hun- 
sikcr's birth occurred in. 1839. 

The elder Hunsiker at one time procured a lot of trees 
" up north," on the Thornapple River, and took them to 
Indiana, where he traded them for pigs, chickens, etc., 
which he brought home. The chickens laid, and Mrs. 
Hunsicker u.scd some of the eggs to make a custard-pie, 
which wa-s a delicacy the family had not enjoyed since 
leaving New York. The pie was left out to cool and the 



410 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



family sat down to dinner. When ready for the pie Mrs. 
Hunsiker went out after it, and to her great dismay dis- 
covered that the old sow had found it and eaten it up. 
Then was there mourning in the household, and Mrs. Hun- 
siker " sat down and wept." They had managed to eat 
their dinner in order to allow the pie to cool, and when the 
force of their disappointment was realized it may be in- 
ferred that at the next town-meeting some votes were cast 
against allowing hogs to be " free commoners." 

Ephraim Follett, from the State of Connecticut, came to 
Bcllevuc townsliip in 183ti and located on section 9. He 
died in 1864, and the old farm is now owned by his widow 
and two sons, 0. S. and Willard Follett. 

Sylvester 31. Andrews, born in the State of New York 
in October, 1801, was early licensed as a Methodist Epis- 
copal preacher and in 1835 was oi-daincd deacon. In 1836 
he removed to Believue, where he continued to reside until 
his death, which occurred Aug. 15, 1861. 

Anson Ackley, also a prominent member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, was born in New York in 1797, 
and settled in Believue in 183-t. He died in 1865. 

James Ovenshire, from Yates Co., N. Y., removed to 
Michigan about 1832, and for several years lived on the 
line between the counties of Lenawee and Washtenaw. In 
1839 he removed with his fomily to Eaton County, and 
settled in the township of Kalamo, on a farm. He is now 
deceased and his son Charles occupies the old place. An- 
other son, Hiram, is engaged In milling at Believue, where 
he has lived most of the time since the family came to the 
county. He owns a farm north of the village, upon which 
in 1854 he built a steam saw-mill, which was burned in 
1859. 

April 22, 1838, Lewis L. Barnes and Susanna Butler 
were married by Calvin Phelps, justice of the peace, and 
on the 10th of May following, John B. Crary and Susan 
Jarvis were united in matrimony by the same man. 

RESIDENTS IN 1844. 
The following is a list of the resident taxpayers of the 
township and village of Believue for the year 1844, accord- 
ing to the assessment-roll on file in the county treasurer's 
office: 

Sylvester M. Andrews,* .Tames Andrus, James Andrews, George S. 
Avery, Albert G. Avery, N. S. Booth, Ransom Bigsbee, Joel 
Barker, Lysander Brooks, M. S. Brackett, Marcus Bingham (fur- 
nace), Lewis Barnes, Ruloff Butler, Luther Brown, S. D. Barden, 
Tobias Born, Eli Gushing, VVm. R. Carpenter, Robert Campbell, 
Sanfurd Chaffee, John B. Crary, Samuel Campbell, Wm. Collins, 
Samuel Clark, Saml. Clark, M.D., Chas. Cummings, E. B. Cum- 
mings, Leonard Cummings, Cam])bell & Grant, Otis Dye, Amaziah 
Darrow, Jr., Jacob Dcricmcr, Samuel Darrow, A,«a Day, Sylvester 
Day, Samuel Day, Levi Depuy, Isaac DuBois, Daniel Evans, 
James Evans, Ephraim Follett, John Farling, Fitzgerald & Wood- 
bury, Reuben Fitzgerald, Jost Garnus, Seneca H. Gage, Wm. M. 
Grant, DeWitt C. Griffith, Robt. J. Grant, Elliott T. Gregg, Jamea 
B. Grant, »Sylvanus Hunsiker, Henry Hunsiker, Timothy Has- 
kell, Heirs of Reuben Haskell, John Hart, Holder Hart, John T. 
Hart, Henry D. Hall, John Hackett, Henry Harris, David D. 
Hall, Henry Hughes, B. F. & J. F. Hinnans (store); Julius 
Hyde, James Hoxie, George F. Holden, Robert M. Havens, 
Lewis L. Ives, Ashley E. Ives, Claus Inselman, Jacob Inselman, 
Joseph Jackson, David Judson (turning-shop), Oliver Jennings, 

* This name appears both Andrus and Andrews. 



Robert Jarvis, Harvey Judson, James Kimberly (lime-works), 
E. M. Kingsbury, Sidney S. Kctchum, Levi Kirkhain, James 
Luscomb, David Lucas, Charles Lowell, Alanson Meeeh, Daniel 
Mason, Zadok Morehouse, John Martins, John W. Mountjoy 
(grist-mill and privilege), Emory Olgar, David Olgar, Charles 
Ovenshire, Calvin Phelps, Jonalhtin M. Parsons, John L. Reed, 
Peter Reed, John Ryan, John Reynolds, Samuel Reynolds, An- 
drew W. Rogers, Phineas Spaulding, John Sargeant, Martin 
Spaulding, Reuben Swift, John Sj)aulding, Daniel Spaulding, 
Willis Spaulding, Harrison Sprague, Chester 6. Spr.ague, Norman 
Shumway, Uriah Shapley, H. H. Thompson, Harmon Turril, Levi 
Taylor, M. W. Walker, Justin P. Walker, Harmon P. Wells, 
Aaron White, Wm. H. White, Frederick West, Thomas J. Willis, 
Caleb Woodbury, Jr., J. P. Woodbury & Co. (store, salcratus- 
shop, and shoe-shop; also, ashery and tannery), Caleb Wood- 
bury, J. P. Woodbury. 

ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIP.— LIST OF 
OFFICERS. 

" An Act to Organize Certain Townships," approved 
March 17, 1835, contains the following: 

"SeCTIOS 5. — Be it enacted by the Lcgi«latii-e Cnuilcit of the Ter- 
riturij of Mieltigaii, That the county of Eaton shall be a township by 
the name of Belleville, and the first township-meeting shall be held 
at such place as the sheriff of Calhoun County shall appoint in said 
county of Eaton, and shall bo attached to the county of Calhoun for 
all judicial purposes."'!' 

The original bill for the formation of this township, as 
it passed the Legislature and was approved by Governor 
Stevens T. Mason on the day specified, provided plainly 
that the name of the township should be Belleville, although 
it was intended by the petitioners that Believue J should be 
the name. The latter would certainly be in keeping with 
the location of the village, which was originally a beautiful 
burr-oak plain, and Dr. 0. C. Comstock, of Marshall, says, 
" I can see great significance in the name of Believue at- 
tached to such a spot." 

The second place where the township is mentioned in 
the State records is in the session laws of 1837, in sec- 
tion 36 of act number 49, approved March 17th of that 
year, and it there appears as Believue. Business has always 
been tran.sacted under the latter name, but there is no act 
or record showing that the name has ever been legally 
changed from Belleville. 

The first division of the township occurred on the lltli 
of March, 1837, when Eaton and Vermontville were formed, 
thus reducing its territory by half March 6, 1838, the 
township of Oneida was organized, leaving Believue to in- 
clude the southwest quarter of the county. The next 
division was made March 15, 1838, when Kalamo was 
formed, including what are now Kalamo and Carmel. 
March 21, 1839, Carmel and Walton were organized, and 
Believue was left to include its present territory, — township 
number 1 north, in range number 6 west. 

Previous to the fall of 1837 the county of Eaton was 
attached to Calhoun for judicial purposes, and township- 
meetings were held in Believue as a portion of the latter 

-fSee Territorial Laws, 1835, pp. 96-97, State Library. 

J The original petition of the inhabitants of the township to the 
Legislative Council, in February, 18:35, prays that the name of the 
new town may be lieltevue, but by some mistake in copying it ap- 
peared as Belleville in the bill which passed the council. These facts 
have been discovered after thorough search in the records and files of 
the secretary of state's office. — Editor. 



BELLE VUE. 



411 



county, to which its returns were made. After tlie organi- 
zation of Eaton Count}', Bellevue was for some time its 
most important and tliickly-settled township, and tlie county 
business was transacted at the village until tiie spring of 
1840, when it was transferred to Charlotte, the county-seat, 
which was beginning to attract considerable notice. 

FIRST TOWNSUIP-MEETINC. 
The following accoiint of the first township-meeting in 
the township of Bellevue, held in April, 1835, was pre- 
pared by John T. Ilayt in ISGLt : 

" The first election in Eaton County was held in the spring of 1835. 
The whole county was organized into the townsliip of lietUcUUf* 
and attached to Calhoun County for judicial purposes. The township 
election was ordered to be held in the log uiceting-housc. Keuben 
Fitzgerald, Sylvanus Hunsiker, aud Calvin Phelps constituted the 
board, and John T. llayt was appointed clerk. At that time the 
township — twenty-four miles square — contained but four legal voters, 
viz.: Reuben Fitzgerald, Sylvanus Hunsiker, Calvin Phelps, and 
James Kinibcrly. The other inbabituntj of the township had not 
lived there long enough to entitle them to vole. The board ordered 
Calvin Phelps to proclaim the polls opened, which ho promptly 
obeyed. Stepping in front of the cabin, his hat off, with a loud voice 
ho proclaimed, ' The pull of thiv elet:tiun in now open/ aud warned 
all men, under the penalty of the law, to keep the peace, which 
created a hearty laugh by the board. At that township-meeting the 
four electors voted unanimously for Sylvanus Hunsiker, Supervisor; 
Sylvanus Uunsiker and Calvin Phelps, Justices of the Peace; John 
T. Ilayt, Treasurer; Calvin Phelps, Township Clerk; Keuben Fitz- 
gerald, James Kimberly, and Calvin Phelps, Road Commissioners ; 
Daniel Mason, Noble F. Blossom, Lawrence Campbell, and James 
Tripp, Constables. The board, of course, in accordance with law, 
had to sit all day for the reception of votes, when they knew that 
only four voters constituted the whole constituency in the township, 
and they had deposited their votes within half an hour after the poll 
was opened. Nevertheless, the board performed its duty according 
to law. Thus the township had a political existence, olBcers to exe- 
cute the law.s were duly elected and qualified, and the laws could be 
enforced." 

The following account of the first township-meeting is 
from the records :t 

"At a township-meeting held pursuant to notice from the sheriff 
of Calhoun County, at the school-house in the village of Bellevue, in 
the township of Bellevue, on the 6th day of April, ISa.'), Reuben 
Fitzgerald, being an elector, was chosen moderator, and John T. 
Ilayt was chosen clerk. The following persons were elected to 
office: 

"For Supervisor, Sylvanus Ilun.nker. 

" For Township Clerk, John T. Ilayt. 

'• For Assessors, Philander Baker, Reuben Fitzgerald, Calvin 
Phelps. 

"For Collector, Daniel Mason. 

"For Commissioners of Highways, Jamos Kimberly, Lawrence 
Campbell, Calvin Phelps. 

" For Constable, Daniel Mason. 

" For Directors of the Poor, Benjamio Bad'tn, Calvin Phelps. 

" For F'encc-\'icwers, Daniel Mason, Philander Baker. 

" For Roaduiajiter, Reuben Fizgerald. 

"For Poundmasters, Benjamin Badon, Alvinza Bonner. 

" We certify that the above record is a true copy of the election of 
townwhip-meetiiif/, held, as aforesaid, the Gtb day of April, 1S35. 

" RKfllI;.S F'lTZGEHALD, 
"Joii.N T. H.tVT." 

Among the " township marks" for stock recorded in the 
earlier years were the following : 

* See account of organization. 

f This account is, of course, reliable, but docs not agree with that 
of Mr. Hayt, who wrote entirely from memory. 



John T. Hayt's mark for all animals, — a slit in the right 
ear and a notch in the left ear. May 10, 1835. 

Sylvanus Ilunsiker's mark, — a slit in the right car. 
April 9, 1836. 

William C. Fonda's mark, Dec. 18, 1836, — " the ends 
of both ears cut off" and slit inwards." 

Ebenozer Avery's, December, 1836, — " a swallow-tail (or 
fork) in each ear." 

Henry C. Hughes', — swallow's tail in the right ear. 

David Lucas', Dec. 18, 1836, — "a notch in the lefb ear, 
about the middle (under)." 

Reuben Fitzgerald's, — " slit in the left car (point)." 

Aaron White's, March 18, 1837, — W in the right ear. 

At a meeting of the township-board held May 8, 1841, 
it was 

" 1st. Hemilved, That in the opinion of the board, the public good 
does not require the licensing of three places for the sale of spirituous 
liquors in this town, and was carried. 

" 2d. Jlesotved, That the board grant no license for selling spiritu- 
ous liquors in the town, and was carried. 

" .'id. Resolved, A. Grant have license for selling spirituous liquors, 
and was lost. 

"4th. Ilcmlvcd, That licenses be granted to the stores in this vil- 
lage, with the exception of selling spirituous liquors, and was car- 
ried. 

" 5lh. Ueaolved, That A. Grant have license, if he calls for it, with 
the exception of selling spirituous liquors and wines, and was car- 
ried. 

"D.WID JuDSO.V, Toicn Clerk." 

"July lOth. — The township-board met, on the application of A. 
Grant and others, to reconsider the subject of license. 

" Ilemlved, On motion of S. Hunsiker, that Amos A. .t W. M. 
Grant have license for selling spirituous liquor in the buildings he 
now occupies, as prescribed by law. 

(Signed) "A. W. Rogers, 

"As.v Day, 
"SVLVAXCS Hc.vsikeh." 

In 1841 it was voted to raise fifty dollars to build a 
fence around the burying-ground near Bellevue, and the 
work was done by Reuben Fitzgerald. 

Feb. 8, 1842, the town board met as a board of health, 
to consider public nuisances, and examined Battle Creek 
from the mills in the village down to the county-line. 
They decided the next day that " the mill-pond, above 
the rapids, so called, is a public nuisance," and wrote a 
notice to be .served on John B. aud Isaac E. Crary to re- 
move the same in twenty hours. They also notified Peter 
Heed to remove a quantity of slabs in the stream just 
below the bridge, and ordered the commissioners of high- 
ways to prevent stagnant water between the village and II. 
D. Hall's store. 

The Messrs. Crary paid no iieed to the notice served 
apon them, and the board, on the 15th of March, assem- 
bled at the mill-dam " and took about one and a half feet 
off from the top of the dam, and about twenty feet in 
length," — or enough so no overflow was caused above the 
upper rapids. 

The records of township-meetings for 1836 and 1837 are 
not filled out, but it is ascertained that in the former year 
David Lucas was township clerk. The following is a list 
of the principal officers of the township from 1838 to 187U, 
inclusive: 



412 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, iMICHIGAN. 



SUPERVISORS. 

183S-41, Reuben Fitzgerald; 1842, Andrew W. Rogers; 1843, Wil- 
liam R. Carpenter; 1844-45, Norman S. Booth; 1846-47, George 
S. Avery ; 1848, Sjlvanus Ilunsiker; 1849, Horatio Hall : 1850, 
Reuben Fitzgerald;* 1851-52, John T. Hayt ; 1853, Horatio 
Hall; 1854, William P. Viele; 1855, James Hoxie ;t 1856, Alan- 
son Meech; 1857-58, Horatio Hall; 1859, Henry H. Hickok ; 
1860, Henry A. Hunsiker; 1861, Benjamin Evans; 1862, Henry 
A. Hunsiker; 1803-70, M. W. Walker; 1871, John A. Spaul- 
ding; 1872, Henry A. Hunsiker; 1873, David Nelson; 1874, John 
A.Spaulding: 1875, Horatio Hall ; 1876-79, John A. Spaulding. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1838-39, Calvin Phelps; 1840, Caleb Woodbury, Jr.; 1841, David 
Judson; 1842, Alanson Meech; 1843. Henry Harris ;+ 1844-45, 
Alanson Meech; 1846, Benjamin F. Hinman; 1847, R. J. Grant, 
1848, Horatio Hall; 1849. Elial Bond ; 1850, George S. Avery; 
1851, David Lucas; 1852, William M. Grant; 1853, Sylvanus 
Hunsiker ; 1854, Oscar D. Spaulding ; 1855-58, Rossel B. 
Hughes; 1859, William W. Cole ;^ 1S60-62, Wait B. Morgan; 
1863, Martin S. Brackett, Jr.; 18G4, Henry T. Stephens; 1865 
-66, E. M. Kingsbury; 1867, Norman S. Booth; 1868-71, Henry 
A. Hunsiker; 1872, E. M. Kingsbury; 1873, M. V. Avery; 
1874-75, Edwin S. Hoskins ; 1876, Daniel D. Gardiner; 1S77, 
Henry A. Huusiker;|| 1878, H. A. Hunsiker; 1879, Porter M. 
Harwood. 

TREASURERS. 

1839, Caleb Woodbury, Jr.; 1840, Stephen Woodbury, Jr.; 1841-42, 
John T. Hayt; 1843-45, George S. Avery; 1846, Robert J. 
Grant; 1847, Uri Shapley; 1848-49, Russell Slade, Jr.; 1850, 
Henry H. Hickok ; 1851, Norman P. Shumway; 1852, Sylvester 
Andrews; 1853, Michael W. Walker ; 1854-55, Henry A. Hun- 
siker; 1856-57, Simeon D. Bardon ; 1858-59, Chauncey Dun- 
ning; 1860, George F. Holden ; 18G1, Francis E. Andrews; 
1862-63, Joshua B. Hull; 1864, James Holden ; 1865-69, Simeon 
D. Bardon ; 1870, J. B. Hull; 1871-77, William Huggett; 187S, 
H. M. Allen ; 1879, David Nelson. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1838, John T. Ellis, Parley P. Shumway, Ruloff Butler; 1839, Syl- 
vanus Hunsiker, Calvin Phelps; 1840, Asa Day; 1841, Andrew 
W.Rogers; 1842, Amaziah Darrow ; 1843, Sylvanus Hunsiker ; 
1844, Asa Day ; 1845, Luther Brown ; 1846, Norman S. Booth ; 
1847, Slocum H. Bunker ; 1848, Charles E. Bcardsley ; 1849, John 
Sargent; 1850, James Kimberly ; 1851, Horatio Hall, Sylvanus 
Hunsiker, H. T. Fero ; 1852, Seneca H. Gage, Sylvester Higgins; 
1853, John Sargent; 1854, Sylvanus Hunsiker; 1855; S. Hun- 
siker, Alanson Meech; 1856, Norman S. Booth, Wm. Bonney; 
1857; Hiram T. Fero; 1858, Edward M. Kingsbury; 1859, John 
Sargent, John ILart; 1860, John Hamlin; 1861, Norman S. Booth; 
1862, William P. Viele ; 1863, E. M. Kingsbury ; 1864, John Sar- 
gent; 1865, N.S. Booth; 1866, Wm. P. Viele ; 1867, E. M.Kings- 
bury; 1868, John Sargent; 1869, Silas Anson; 1870, S.J. Hun- 
siker; 1871, no record; 1872, F. A. Ford; 1873, Enos Bough- 
ton, Ira Sargent, J. F. Sykes ; 1874, Frank A. Ford ; 1875, Jason 
B.Johnson; 1876, Francis E. Andrews; 1877, Enos Boughton ; 
1878, Frank A. Ford; 1879, M. W. Walker. 
1880.— Supervisor, John A. Spaulding; Township Clerk, Daniel D. 
Gardiner; Treasurer, David Nelson; Justice of the Peace, 
F. E. Andrews; School Superintendent, Frank A. Ford; 
School Inspector, John C.Deuel; Commissioner of High- 
ways, Sylvanus J. Hunsiker ; Drain Commissioner, George 
W. Hire; Constables, Elmer J. Holland, Charles Spaulding, 
Myron S. Anson, Charles T. Fonda. 

* Declined to serve " now and forever," and Slocum H. Bunker was 
temporarily appointed, Ira Tillotson being elected at a s)iecial meet- 
ing subsequently. 

■f Resigned, and Alanson Meech appointed. 

X D. Darwin Hughes, deputy. 

^ Removed from township, and Alanson Meech appointed temporary 
clerk. 

11 Resigned, and Hiram M. Allen appointed. 



VILLAGE PLATS OF BELLEVUE. 

The original town of Bellevue was laid out Nov. 5, 1835, 
by Isaac E. Crary and wife, and was surveyed by C. W. 
Fish, deputy surveyor. It included the northeast quarter 
of section 28, in town 1 north, range 6 west, and was re- 
corded at Marshall, Calhoun Co. An extension to the vil- 
lage was laid out Feb. 15, 1837, by Reuben Fitzgerald; 
the southeastern addition was platted by William P. Cole, 
June 30, 1858, and Barber's addition was recorded May 
14, 1870. 

INCORPORATION, LIST OF OFFICERS, Etc. 

The village of Bellevue was incorporated by the board 
of supervisors, Oct. 16, 1867, to include the following ter- 
ritory, — viz. : The east half and east half of west half of 
section 28, and the west half of the west half of section 
27. Enos Boughton, John Evans, and Henry S. Robinson 
were appointed inspectors of the first village election, to be 
held Nov. 19, 18G7, at the office of E. M. Kingsbury in 
said village. The census of the village in October, 1867, 
as taken by E. M. Kingsbury, was 98 families, or 548 per- 
sons. The following officers were elected Nov. 19, 1867 : 
President, Reuben Fitzgerald ; Trustees, R. B. Hughes, 
Wm. P. Viele, D. S. Snyder, Enos Boughton, S. H. Gage, 
Henry L. Robinson ; Assessors, Sylvanus J. Hunsiker, A. 
J. Sawyer ; Marshal, AVilliam W. West ; Treasurer, E. L. 
Snyder ; Clerk, John Evans ; Street Commissioners, Silas 
Anson, John Farlin, Seth Hall ; Poundmaster, D. B. An- 
son. J. K. Taylor and Seth Hall were appointed fire war- 
dens by the board. 

The following are the officers elected since the above 
date : 

1868.— President, Enos Boughton; Trustees, M. S. Brackett, U. A. 
Ilunsiker, Charles B. Wood,. H. L. Robinson, Seth Hall, 
Lewis Scout; Assessors, John K. Taylor, M. S, Brackett, 
Jr.; Treasurer, Reuben Fitzgerald; Clerk (two years), E. 
M. Kingsbury. 

1869.— President, Henry A. Hunsiker; Trustees, M. S. Brackett, 
Enos Boughton, Seth Hall, S. J. Hunsiker, H. L. Robinson, 
Horace Mason ; Assessors, John K. Taylor, M. S. Brackett, 
Jr.; Marshal, J. B. Hull; Treasurer, Reuben Fitzgerald. 

1870.— President, R. B. Hughes ; Trustees (two years), M. W. Walker, 
Horace Mason, Silas Anson ; one year, William P. ^'iele, S. 
J. Hunsiker, J. K. Taylor; Assessors, John N. Hall, J. K. 
Tiiylor; Marshal, J. B. Hull ; Treasurer, Reuben Fitzgerald ; 
Clerk (two years), E. M. Kingsbury. 

1871. — President, John Evans; Trustees (two years), F. A. Ford, J. 
Farlin, H. A. Hunsiker; one year, to till vacancies, George 
Huggett, S. J. Hunsiker; Assessors, II. B. Hughes, Enos 
Boughton; Marshal, S. Anson; Treasurer, Reuben Fitz- 
gerald. 

1872. — President, Enos Boughton; Trustees (two years), H. L. Rob- 
inson, Hiram Ovenshire, A. J, Sawyer; Assessors, William 
Huggett, John N. Hall; Marshal, William Huggett; Treas- 
urer, A. E. Fitzgerald; Clerk (two years), Alfred Rindge. 

1873. — Prefident, Enos Boughton ; Trustees (two years), H. A. Hun- 
siker, George Huggett, S. J. Ilunsiker; Assessors, George 
Huggett, B. B. Hughes ; Marshal, W. W. West ; Treasurer, 
A. E. Fitzgerald. 

1874.— President, Enos Boughton; Clerk (two years), Edwin S. Hos- 
kins; Trustees (two years), Henry L. Robinson, Albert J. 
Sawyer, William Huggett; Assessors, Frank A. Ford, Albert 
J. Sawyer; Treasurer, Adelbert E. I'itzgerald ; Marshal, 
William B. Buggies. 

1875.;— President, Enos Boughton; Trustees (two years), Hiram 
Ovenshire, George Huggett, Henry Hamlin; Assessors, F. 



BELLEVUK. 



413 



A. Ford, R. B. Hughes; Marshal, William W. West; Treas- 
urer, Daniel D. Gardiner. 

1 870.— President, George Iluggett : Clerk (Iwo years). E. S. Hoskins ; 
Trustees (two years), II. T. Stephens, A. J. Sawyer. II. J. 
Churchill: Treasurer, D. D. Gardiner; Assessors, Frank A. 
Ford, John Evans ; Marshal, M. S. Anson. 

1877. — President, John Evans; Trustees (two years), D.S.Snyder, 
William Dexter, II. M. Allen; Assessors, John Evans, F. 
A. Ford; Trensurer, D. D. Gardiner; Marshal, E. J. Hol- 
land. 

IS78. — President, John Evans; Clerk (two years), Edwin S. Hoskins; 
Trustees (two years), .Albert J. Sawyer, Hiram Ovcnshire, 
Henry L. Robinson ; Assessors, Frank A. Ford, J. U. Hall ; 
Treasurer, Daniel D. Gardiner; Marshal, Elmer J. Holland. 

1878. — President, John Evans; Trustees (two years), William Dexter, 
M. A. Hance, D. S. Snyder; one year, to fill vacancy, J. B. 
Hull; Treasurer, D. D. Gardiner; Marshal, Elmer J. Hol- 
land; Assessors, F. A. Ford, J. R. Hall. 

1880.— President, John C. Deuel; Clerk (two years), Edwin S. Hos- 
kins; Trustees (two years), Hiram Ovenshire, Henry L. 
Robinson, Joshua B. Hull ; Treasurer, Daniel D. Gardiner; 
Assessors, Henry A. Hunsikcr. Hiram Jl. Allen; Marshal, 
Elmer J. Holland; Poundinaster, Elmer J. Holland: Street 
Commissioners, Martin 0"Donnell, John Evans, Silas An- 
son ; Fire Wardens, Charles B. Wood, Granger F. Anson. 

The old Union Hotel at Bellevue is now known as the 
Taylor House. J. K. Taylor is the proprietor. 

The {rrist-uiill at the village was built in 1852 by Man- 
lius Mann, of Marshall. In 1871 it was enlarged and re- 
modeled by Gardiner, Mason & Co., and is now the prop- 
erty of Gardiner & Ovenshire. It contains three runs of 
stone and does both merchant and custom business. 

NEWSPAPER. 

The Bellevue Gazette was established by Alfred Rindge, 
in June, 1872, and Edwin S. Hoskins became proprietor 
May 1, 187-1. The latter gentleman has continued its 
publication to the present time, and aside from his duties 
as editor and publisher he is the secretary of the State 
Senate. His paper is independent in politics, and is a 
seven-column folio sheet, printed on a hand press. It has 
a good circulation. 

BAND. 

A band was organized in the village shortly previous to 
the Rebellion, and flourished for a time. Another sprang 
into existence about 1871-72, and "died away" like the 
strains of its music, and the present one was organized in 
the summer of 1880. It consists of ten pieces, with 
Frank Phelps as leader. 

SOCIETIES AND ORDERS. 
Bellevue Lodge, No. 83, F. and A. M., was organized 
under dispensation, March 19, 1853, with the following 
members: William Jl. Grant, W. M. ; Sylvanus Ilunsiker, 
S. W. ; Reuben Fitzgerald, J. W. ; Henry A. Hunsiker, 
Henry H. Hickok, William J. Hickok, and David Lucas. 
The members met Oct. 26, 1853, and chose the following 
officers: David Lucas, Sec; H. H. Hickok, Trcas.; H. A. 
Hunsiker, S. D. ; William J. Hickok, J. D. A charter 
was granted Jan. 10, 1856, when Reuben Fitzgerald was 
W. M.; H. H. Hickok, S. W. ; and David Alackner, 
J. W. The membership of the lodge, July 21, 1880, was 
eighty, and the officers were as follows: H. T. Stephens, Wor- 
shipful Master; S. H. Bu.«h, Senior Warden; E. J. Mar- 



shall, Junior Warden ; H. A. Hunsiker, Treas. ; A. E. 
Fitzgerald, Sec. ; James Iluggett, Senior Deacon ; William 
Dexter, Junior Deacon ; O. M. Mahan, Tiler. 

Bellevue Cli'ipter, No. 57, R. A. ->/., was organized 
Nov. 29, 1807, with the following as charter mem- 
bers: M. S. Bracket!, H. P.; James W. Hickok, K. ; 
Silas Anson, Scribe; R. B. Hughes, C. of H.; Hiram 
Ovenshire, P. S. ; William P. Vielc, G. M. 3d V. ; Henry 
A. Hunsiker, G. M. 2d V.; S. J. Hunsiker, G. M. 
1st V. ; P. F. Taylor, Sec. ; Henry L. Robinson, Treas. ; 
Gilbert Blue, R. A. C. ; Ezekiel Blue, Sentinel. The 
membership, July 20, 1880, was about thirty, and the 
officers were: Francis E. Andrews, High Priest; Silas 
Anson, King; Hiram Ovenshire, Scribe; Henry A. Hun- 
siker, Captain of the Host; S. J. Hunsiker, Grand Master 
3d Veil ; S. Bu.sh, Grand Master 2d Veil ; William Dexter, 
Grand Master 1st Veil; James Iluggett, Royal Arch Cap- 
tain; E. J. Marshall, Principal Sojourner; H. A. Hodge- 
man, Sentinel; Seneca Palmer, Treas.; J. K. Taylor, Sec. 

Bellevue Lodge, No. 307, J. 0. of 0. F., was instituted 
Dec. 25, 1876, with six charter members, — G. F. Anson, 
T. F. Hull, S. M. Abbey, J. L. Anson, A. L. Winans, 
William Johnson. The first officers were : John C. Deuel, 
N. G. ; G. F. Anson, V. G. ; E. Sackett, R. S. ; Charles 
Hull, P. S. ; S. M. Abbey, Treas. The present mem- 
bership is forty, and the officers are: Charles Hull, Noble 
Grand ; Theodore Hull, Vice-Grand ; W. H. Addington, 
Rec. Sec. ; L. B. Cook, Per. Sec. ; G. F. Anson, Treas. 

Bellevue Lodge, No. 296, /. 0. G. T., was organized, as 
it at present exists, Jan. 3, 1866, although a lodge had 
been formed previously and become extinct. JIartin S. 
Brackett was the first Worthy Chief Templar. The present 
membership of the lodge is about sixty, and the officers 
are: J. D. Grinnell, Worthy Chief Templar; Mrs. John 
Evan.s, Worthy Vice-Templar ; John Evans, Worthy Mar- 
shal ; Mrs. J. N. Hall, Past Worthy Chief Templar ; Jen- 
nie Trowbridge, Sec. ; G. F. Anson, Fin. Sec. ; Sarah Gay- 
ton, Treas. John Evans, of Bellevue, was for over twenty 
years secretary of the Grand Lodge of the State, and is at 
present Grand Worthy Chief Templar. 

SCHOOLS. 
The early schools have received mention at the hands of 
Mr. Hayt, and his notice of them will be found in another 
place. The old brick Union school building at Bellevue 
was burned in 1877 or 1878, and the schools of the village 
are now kept in the old Eagle Hotel, which quarters are 
entirely too small. It is probable that a new building will 
soon be erected, although no provision has yet been made. 
The school is conducted on the graded plan. The following 
items are from the report of the township school inspectors 
for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879 : 

Number of districts in township (whole, 5 ; fractional, 4).... 'J 

" children of school age in toivnsbip 07:) 

" " in attendance during year 'o'.',1 

" days school taught I:!01 

" school-houses (all frame) 'J 

" scatings in same OSO 

Value of school property $3-(63.0() 

Number of teachers cmplored (males, 5: females, 14) 19 

Wages paid same (males, $752 ; females, $1415) S2IC7.(IU 

Total resources for year :)89fi.9 1 

Amount on band .Sept. 1, 1879 37.1.8:i 

Total e.tpenditures, less amount on hand 3o2:i.ll 



414 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



RELIGIOUS. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, Bellevue. — The following 
sketch of this chureh is taken from the historical record in 
the church : 

The first sermon in Eaton County was delivered in 
1833, at the house of Reuben Fitzgerald, by Rev. John D. 
Pierce, of Marshall, a Presbyterian minister. In the 
spring of 1834 three Methodist families settled in the 
place, and some time in the following summer Rev. Mr. 
Hobart preached the first Methodist sermon in the place. 
In the fall of 1834, James V. Davidson was appointed to 
the Calhoun Mission, Detroit District, Ohio Conference, 
James Gilruth, presiding elder, with Richard Lawrence for 
his colleague. Mr. Davidson was the first traveling preacher 
who visited Bellevue. In the same fall (1834) he organ- 
ized the first Methodist class at the place, consisting of 
James Kimberly, Sophronia Kimberly, Sylvanus Hunsiker, 
Permelia Hunsiker, and a Mr. Vacker, — five altogether, 
— James Kimberly, leader. In the fall of 1835 the Ann 
Arbor District was formed, with H. Colclazer presiding 
elder, and E. H. Pilcher and F. A. Seaborn were appointed to 
Calhoun Mission, which included Bellevue. In the spring of 
1836 the Michigan Conference was formed. Mr. Colclazer 
continued as presiding elder of Ann Arbor District, and 
Elijah Crane ministered to the Calhoun Mission. Mar- 
shall Circuit was formed — and included Bellevue — in 1837. 
It also included nearly a dozen other charges, to which 
Elijah Crane was appointed, with one to be supplied. In 
the fall of 1838 Marshall District was formed and E. Pil- 
cher appointed presiding elder, which position he retained 
four years. Alvin Billings and Allen Staples were 
appointed to the circuit. In 1839, Benjamin Sabin was 
appointed, and James S. Harrison in 1840. In the fall of 
1841 Eaton Circuit was formed, including Bellevue, to 
which Levi Warriner was appointed. Others were: 1842, 
S. C. Stringham; 1843, David Knox; 1844, Henry 
Chapman; 1845, Reuben Reynolds;* 1846, S. A. Osborn 
and J. S. Sutton; 1847, E. L. Kellogg; 1848, J. F. 
Collins; 1849, Amos Wakefield; 1850, Amos Wakefield 
and Henry Harris. In the fall of 1851 Charlotte Circuit 
was formed, including Bellevue, and 0. D. White was 
appointed. Following him were: 1852, S. P. Barker; 
1853, E. H. Day; 1854, George Bradley. In 1855, 
G. W. Hoag was appointed to Bellevue. In the spring of 
1856 the Detroit Conference was formed, including that 
portion of the State east of the principal meridian. In the 
fall of 1856, Rev. Salmon Steel was appointed to Bellevue, 
and was succeeded by the following: 1857, J. T. Congdon ; 
1858, J. L Buel; 1859, T. H. Bignell ; 1860-61, T. B. 
Granger; 1862, George W. Sherman; 1863-64, J. E. 
McAllister; 1865, Alanson Coplin ; 1866, Wilson Gray; 
1867-69, W. M. Colby; 1870-71, I. Taylor; 1872-74, 
S. C. Woodard ; 1875-76, William Riley; 1877-80, C. S. 
Fox, present pastor, whose place will be taken, in the order 



■■=•' On the I7th day of December, 184o, Mr. Reynolds appointed as 
trustees of the "First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
Bellevue," John T. Ellis, Anson Ackley, James Andrews, Sylvanus 
Hunsiker, Robert J. Grant, Congdon Brown, and Samuel Reynolds. 
Rev. J. F. Collins also appointed trustees in lb-19. 



of regular changes, in September of this year (1880) by 
another. 

The present frame church edifice was built and dedicated 
in the spring of 1853, Rev. R. Sapp preaching the dedi- 
catory sermon. The parsonage was built in the summer of 
1861, when Rev. T. B. Granger was pastor. March 16, 
1837, the class at Bellevue numbered twenty-eight persons, 
of whom but few are now living. The only survivor of the 
original class of five members is Mrs. Permelia Hunsiker, 
widow of Sylvanus Hunsiker, Sr. 

The present membership of the church is 180. The 
Sunday-school has also a large attendance, and is presided 
over by Frank A. Ford, superintendent. 

Bajitist Church, Bellevue. — JMr. Hayt speaks of the 
organization of this church and the building of its house of 
worship, and further than this we have been unable to 
obtain data concerning its past history. The present mem- 
bership is 166, and the pastor Rev. L. E. SpafTord. A 
Sunday-school is maintained, having a large attendance ; 
its superintendent is A. J. Sawyer. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 




CAPT. REUBEN FITZGERALD. 

While history records the names and deeds of the great 
men of the past and present, it is right and proper that the 
real representatives of the people — the men who were the 
advance-guards of civilization and progress, who cleared 
away the forests, made the roads, bridged the streams, and 
built the first school-houses, churches, and villages — should 
have a prominent place in this work. Such a man was Capt. 
Reuben Fitzgerald, the first white settler of Eaton County. 
He was born in Montgomery Co., Md., Feb. 23, 1800. 
When Reuben was seven years old, his father moved to the 
town of Palmyra, Ontario Co., N. Y., where he (Redmond 



BELLE VUE. 



415 



Fitzgerald) bought a tract of wild land, on which Reuben 
grew to luanliooJ. The f'atlier being a cripple, the sons 
were obliged to clear up and work the farm. Reuben's op- 
portunities for ac(|uiring an education wore limited, result- 
ing in a loss he has sorely felt, and which has ofttimes stood 
in the way of his political advancement. Arrived at ma- 
jority, he began life for himself. He had no means, but 
was endowed with health, strength, and a determination to 
make for himself a home and competency. He worked by 
the month for a time, then for a year or two worked a farm 
on shares. He then went into a foundry and learned the 
moulder's trade, which he followed for seven years. In 
this way he accumulated a few hundred dollars, with which 
he bought a small farm in Camillus, Onondaga Co., N. Y. 
On this farm he resided until 1833, when he sold, and on 
the fourth day of July, with his family, started for Michi- 
gan, where he had the previous year bought of the govern- 
ment two hundred acres of land on sections 28 and 33 in the 
town of Bellevue, Eaton Co. On the west half of the south- 
east quarter of section 28 he built a bark shanty, or wig- 
wam, living in his wagon while it was being built. The 
bark used was claimed by the Indians, who were then en- 
camped where the village of Bellevue now stands, and who 
strenuously objected to having their old wigwams turned 
into a white man's residence. In the fall of that year 
(1833), with lumber and material bought at Marshall, Mr. 
Fitzgerald built on the site of the present residence of 
Hiram M. Allen the first frame house built in Eaton 
County. At the same time he built one for Mr. Ilunsiker, 
who had taken up land at the same time with him, but who 
did not move in until the following year. Mr. Fitzgerald 
had reached the new home with but little means, and thus 
we find him building a house and breaking up land for his 
more fortunate neighbor, Mr. Ilunsiker, to obtain money 
to buy material for his own, and for the use of a team with 
which to break up his land. 

They moved into their house before it was completed. 
Mrs. Fitzgerald was sick at the time, but they could not 
choose the time of moving, going when they must. A 
severe storm came on before the roof was on, and Mr. Fitz- 
gerald and another man held a buffalo robe over the sick- 
bed of Mrs. Fitzgerald during the storm. In the little 
house thus built he lived many years, adding to it from 
time to time, as the increasing wants of his family de- 
manded. It was finally lorn down in 1878. With energy 
and perseverance he went to work, and soon fields of waving 
grain took the place of the openings and forests. Other 
settlers came, and a settlement of whites took the place of 
the Indian village. He became ultimately the owner of 
many acres, two hundred of which were under improvement 
and very valuable, the result, not of speculation, but of in- 
dustry and good management. Mr. Fitzgerald did much to 
encourage the building up and advancement of the village 
of Bellevue, part of which was on his farm. He was, it is 
said by his old neighbors, always generous, and ever a leader 
in public enterprises and good works; a man honored and 
esteemed by all for his sterling worth and integrity, and 
one whose loss was a public calamity. He was captain of 
a militia company in New York, which title followed him 
to the new home, where he wis known as " the captain." 



In politics he was a Democrat, but never a seeker for politi- 
cal preferment. He died July 20, 1873, mourned and re- 
gretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. On 
the 23d day of February, lS2i5, Mr. Fitzgerald was mar- 
ried to Miss Judith Sweeting, who was born in Oneida Co., 
N. Y., April la, 1802. There were born to them Reuben 
E., Jan. 30, 1827 ; Leonard O., June 2, 1829, who was a 
captain in the Union army, and died from wounds received 
at Murfreesboro', December, 1863 ; Eliza J., born Oct. 13, 
1830 ; Mary A., Sept. 11, 1832 ; Sarah A., Nov. 12, 1834 ; 
and Edwin R., Feb. 13, 1837. Mrs. Fitzgerald died Feb. 
29, 1837. On the 15th day of December, 1841, he was 
again married, his bride being Miss Florinda Eldred, 
daughter of Judge Flldred, of Climax, Mich. She was 
born Jan, 12, 1818, in Otsego Co,, N. Y. Their children 
were Aristecn D., born Nov. 11, 1842; Dwight W., Oct. 
14, 1844 ; Adelbert E,, May 10, 1847 ; Louisa G,, May 8, 
1849 ; Jennie E,, Sept, 9, 1853 ; Flora C, Oct. 1, 1857 ; 
and Charlie R., April 24, ISGO. 

Mr. Fitzgerald, in selecting his second wife, could have 
made no better choice. Coming to Michigan in 1833, and 
seeing much of pioneer life, bountifully endowed with 
natural and acquired talents, .she could not but be a model 
pioneer wife and mother. Judge Eldred, her father, was 
one of the first and most honored pioneers of Kalamazoo 
County. He was a native of the Empire State, where he 
became a wealthy and prominent man. He was for two 
terms a member of the New York Legislature, and held 
other oflices of trust and responsibility. By signing with 
others he sufiered less, and after giving up his farm, for a 
time worked a rented one. In 1832 he came to Michigan, 
and settled in Comstock, Kalamazoo Co., where he built 
one of the first mills of importance in the county. In 
1833, Mr, Eldred and others made the first entry on Cli- 
max Prairie, to which his son Daniel gave the name. The 
land was bought and mills built with money borrowed from 
friends in New Yoik, Mr. Eldred became wealthy and in- 
fluential in his new home. He was for many years presi- 
dent of the Kalamazoo Baptist College, and was one of its 
founders. He was twice sent to the Michigan Legislature, 
was associate judge, and held many town offices. He died 
in 1877. 



SYLVESTER DAY. 

In the northeast quarter of Bellevue township resides 
Sylvester Day, who was among the first to settle in that 
part of the town, and is now one of its oldest living pio- 
neers. His father, Asa Day, was a Vermonter, his family 
having settled there on their arrival in America prior 
to the Revolutionary war. When seventeen years old 
Asa's father emigrated to the then wilderne.ss of Whites- 
town, Oneida Co., N. Y., where he remained until after his 
marriage to Mi.ss Nancy Snyder, when he moved into On- 
tario County, and about a mile from Lake Ontario again 
bought a new farm, which he, with the assistance of his 
half-brother. Alpha Session, cleared and improved. In 
1826 he sold out. and in Orleans Co., N. Y ., again cleared 
up a new farm. In 1836 sold out, and in company with 



416 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



his half-brother came to Bellevue, where each located gov- 
erDineiit land, — Mr. Day the northeast quarter and Mr. 
Session the southeast quarter of section 1. Mr. Session 
also bought the southeast quarter of section 36 in Kalamo. 
In October, 1836, Mr. Day with his family, consisting of 
his daughter Jane, and two sons, Sylve.ster and Samuel S., 
located on the Bellevue land, coming the entire distance 
with an ox-team. Between their land and Bellevue there 
was only the log house of Mr. Butler. They at once 
erected a shanty, in which they slept the second night after 
their arrival, though it had no cover, and their bed being 
a couple of planks .split out of a log. The roof was made 
of troughs dug out of basswood, their floor of plank split 
out of the same wood. In this shanty they lived eighteen 
months. All hands at once turned in and commenced to 
clear. The feed for their cattle during the first winter con- 
sisted of corn and browse. The following spring was a 
very wet one, so that they found it impossible to burn 
the logs, and the brush was cleared away and corn planted 
among the logs. The crop, which bid fair to be a good 
one, was cut off by an early frost while it was yet green, 
thus adding to the hard times already felt. The next fall 
they sowed seven acres of wheat, which was a good crop, 
and from that time life began to look brighter and pros- 
perous times commenced. But until the first wheat was 
harvested times were very hard. Their means were ex- 
hausted. Flour was twenty-five dollars per barrel, and 
they often saw hunger and want staring them in the face. 
After this they never knew want. The shanty was replaced 
with a comfortable log house and outbuildings, the forests 
disappeared as if by magic, while the bouses of new-comers 
arose on every hand. On this farm Mr. Day passed the 
remainder of his days, deeding before his death the south- 
east 80 of the farm to bis son Sylvester, who was the old- 
est of the family, and who was born in Ontario township, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1817. Being a lad of nine- 
teen years when his father moved into Bellevue, as above 
set forth, he was one of the main spokes in the wheel and 
did his share towards clearing the new farm. The first 
flour obtained for the family was through his efl'orts. With 
a yoke of oxen he went to Marengo, in Calhoun County, a 
distance of thirty miles, and bought ten bushels of wheat, 
paying three dollars per bushel. He then took it to Mar- 
shall to be ground. He asked the miller if he could get 
his wheat ground. The answer was, " Yes ; in about six 
weeks." He said, " What am I to do ? I am twenty-five 
miles from home, and my family are entirely out of bread." 
The miller replied that a good many said the same thing, 
but he could do no better. All he could do was to let him 
have a little flour which he had on hand. In just six weeks 
Mr. Day returned for his flour, which was ready for him 
the next morning, and he returned home rejoicing. To the 
eighty acres given him by his father he has added two hun- 
dred and twenty acres, making a large and well-improved 
farm, with good buildings, orchards, etc., the result of in- 
dustry and close attention to business. As a citizen and 
neighbor Mr. Day is .spoken of by his friends and neighbors 
as a man whom to know is to honor and esteem ; a man of 
integrity and solid worth. On the 2d day of September, 
1840, he was married to Lura Ann Woolcott, daughter of 



Cornelius and Jemima (Bradley) Woolcott. She was born 
in Oneida Co., N. Y., July 17, 1818. There were born to 
them Climena A., Oct. 29, 1842; Cornelius A., Aug. 14, 
1844; Curtis A., Feb. 14, 1846 ; and Clark, Feb. 18, 1849, 
died March 5, 1849. Mrs. D.iy died Feb. 22, 1849. 



EDWIN OSMUN. 



Among the successful farmers of Bellevue township we 
find the name of Edwin Osmun, who was born in the town 
of Jerusalem, Yates Co., N. Y., Jan. 25, 1823. His 
father, Jonathan Osmun, was born in Ohio in 1797. He 
married Miss Nancy Andrus, who died in 1867. When 
Edwin was twelve years old, his father moved to the town 
of Ogden, Monroe Co., N. Y., where he still resides, a hale 
and a hearty old man, although he has reached the age of 
eighty-three. Edwin's opportunities for obtaining an ed- 
ucation were limited to the usual winter's attendance at 
the district school. 

Arrived at majority he started in life for himself, leaving 
the old home with nothing but a willing heart and strong 
arms. For three years he worked by the month, then worked 
land on shares until 1850, when he turned his face towards 
the setting sun determined to find for himself a home in 
the Western States. He came to Michigan, and while 
visiting a friend in Assyria, bought, or traded for, eighty 
acres of land in Bellevue township. There were a few 
acres cleared and a log house, into which he moved his 
fiimily. But they soon found that life's pathway in a new 
country was not always strewn with flowers. For three 
years they suffered much with malarial fevers then so com- 
mon in Michigan. Mr. Osmun would be sick one day, 
his wife the next. The water used in the family was 
brought eighty rods from a spring which seemed in their 
weak state to be a mile away. But times changed as the 
years passed ; returning health brought strength and hope. 
The woods disappeared, and in their place appeared fields 
of grain. The log house has long since been replaced by 
a finer one, surrounded by ornamental trees, orchards, 
and good outbuildings, making one of the finest places in 
the town. The farm is now composed of one hundred and 
twenty-eight acres, one hundred of which are under im- 
provement. 

Mr. Osmun is a Democrat, but not a politician. In church 
matters he is liberal. In 1848 he was married to Miss 
Mary Jewett. Their union was blessed with the following 
children : Melinda, born Jan. 22, 1849 ; Henry, Sept. 2, 

1851 ; Charles, Sept. 2, 1858; Clarence, Nov. , 1862; 

and Mary E., Nov. 4, 1869. Mrs. Osmun died Feb. 20, 
1872. On the 4th day of June, 1873, he was married to 
Mrs. Mariette B. Luscomb, who was born in Croydon, Sul- 
livan Co., N. H., March 24, 1832, daughter of Caleb and 
Clarissa (Smith) Smart. Mrs. Osmun's first husband was 
Leonard Luscomb. Their children were Francis E. Luscomb, 
born March 3, 1856 ; Charles E., Sept. 26, 1857 ; Helen 
S., April 16, 1859; Mary, April 14, 1861 ; and AVillis D., 
Aug. 26, 1862. To Mr. and Mrs. Osmun there has been 
born one child, Jessie B., Nov. 10, 1874. 



BENTON. 



NATUKAL FEATURES. 
CEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, Etc. 
Benton township lies immediately northeast of the 
centre of the county of Eaton, and is bounded north by 
Oueida, east by Windsor, south by Eaton, and west by 
Chester. It includes survej-ed township No. 3 north, in 
range No. 4 west.* In point of agricultural resources it 
ranks high among its sister townships, as much of it has 
been but a few years denuded of the heavy timber which 
once covered it. A very large proportion of timber yet 
exists, of excellent quality. The surfiice of the township 
is gencralh' rolling, and the soil is mostly a sandy loam. A 
considerable area was originally covered with swamp, and a 
part of the well-known " Old Maid Swamp" lies in the 
northeast corner. The drainage of the township is into 
the Thornapple River, which, even as near its source as 
this, is a stream of no inconsiderable size. The Battle 
Creek and Lansing State road and the Chicago and Grand 
Trunk Kailw.iy cross the township from southw&st to north- 
east, their courses being nearly parallel. Potterviiie is a 
new and thriving village in the ea.-tern part of town, and 
the inhabitants of the township are generally in good cir- 
cumstances. 

LAXD ENTRIES. 

The following are the entries of land in town 3 north, 
range 4 west (now the township of Benton), as shown on 
the tract-book for the county of Eaton, in the office of 
the county register. Those marked thus (*) were actual 
settlers : 

Stcliu« 1.— 18.-56, C. W. Jacobs,* Lucius Abbott; 1849, D. Merrill; 

I86B-6r, Henry H. Crapo. 
Stclion 2.— ISSfi, M. Jacobs,* F. Young,* Lucius Abbott; 1837, W. 

Dallas, W. Packard, D. Hall; 1849, G. E. Kibby ; 1862, M. 

Kibby. 
Section 3. — 1836, M, Seymour, Lorenzo Sprague, F. Y'oung ; 1837, L, 

Sprague; 1S39, W. H. Palmer; 1848, S. B. Dayton. 
Section 4. — 1836, A. Mygatt, Lorenzo Sprague. 
Section 5.— 1836-37, E. G. Mygatt; 1837, Alston Mygatt. 
Section 6.— 1836, H. V. Prentice; 1837, A. Preston,* H. Fuller, C. 

Griswold; 1840, J. Ludowick.* 
Section 7.— 1836, 11. V. Prentice, Charles H. Carroll. 
Section 8.— 1S36, C. H. Carroll, McVickar A Constable; 1837, A. 

Stinson, 
Section 9.— 1836, McVickar A ConsUble (entire). 
Section 10.— 1836, McVickar i Constable; no date, J. R. Williams;* 

1854, H. Williams;* 1855, J. Blair;* 1868, George W. Swift.* 
Section 11.— 18.36, Lucius Abbott ; 1847, R.Walker;* 1848, C.Spears,* 

E. Jacobs;* 1851, Obadiah C. Champlin. 
&c(ioii 12.— 1837, Benjamin F. Bailey ;• 1342, Samuel Barstoir A 

Thomas Lockwood; 1847, E. Merrill, K. Walker, P. H. A J. M. 

Jewell ; 1848, K. Jacobs;* 1849, D. Merrill ;• 1850, E. B. Cobb.* 
Section 13.-1839, Oeorgo P. Carman,* S. H. Westfall, L. G. Rich- 
mond, S. Carman ;* 1847, Tbos. U. Brown ;• 1849, Thos. A. Ames. 

* The south boundary of this township was surveyed in 1825 by 
John Mullett; the east, north, and west boundaries by Lucius Lyon 
in the same year, and the subdivisions by Orange Risdon in 1826. 

53 



Section 14.— 133S, W. R. Richmond: 1849, R. Nixon :» 1850, II. C. 

French;* 1S51, 0. Walker,* Obadiah C. Champlin; 1852, L. 

Sloano; 1S53, T. W. W.-irrcn ;* 1858, George N. Potlcr.* 
SeriioH 15.— 1S36, J. R. Williams, J. Bordan, C. H. Carroll; 1852, E. 

Monger;* 1854, George N. Potter. 
Section 16.-1854, F. Weaver,* R. Meyers,* L. W. Hilchings,* William 

Ilitchings,* II. I. Lawrence,* 0. Merritt,* W. Gladding,* J. A H. 

Lachr,* J. Lachr.* 
Section 17.— 1837, J. Parmclce (entire). 
Section 18.-1836, C. K. Strong, McVickar A Constable. 
Section 19.-1836, McVickar A Constable; 1839, E. Bouten. 
Secdon 20.-1836, McVickar A Constable (entire). 
SeclioH 21.— 1836, McVickar A Constable (entire). 
Section 22.-1836, Charles II. Carroll ; 1846, D. Slayton,* L. Slayton;* 

1849, William Cole; 1852, Z. D. Flagler;* 1854, G. N. Potter. 
Scciirm 23.-1839, B. Shirley, Jr. :» 1844, Diana Potter;* 1846, D. 

Slayton; 1847, 0. N. Potter, Thomas H. Brown, E. Merrill, L.S. 

Mclntyrc;* 1849, William Cole,* H. Abel.* 
Secliou 24.— 1839, 0. P. Carman; 1S45, P. Reed, Linus Potter; 

1847, James Chambers,* George P. Carman, Thomas II. Brown, 

James McKibben, Thomas SjMjars;* 1852, II. Ilaun.* 
Section 25.— 1837, Wm. Frink, A. F. Fitch; 1847, James .McKibben; 

1849, Thomas Burkhcad.* 
Section 26.-1836, Charles H. Carroll ; 1837, William Frink ; 1845, H. 

Verplank;* 1847, Z. B. Searles,* W. H. Coruull ;* 1849, Nathan 

Newell.* 
SeclioH 27.-1836, Charles H. Carroll, A. A. Williams, H. T. Miles. 
.Secdon 28.— 18.36, McVickar A Constable, H. M. Smith. 
Section 29.-1836, McVickar A Constable (entire). 
Section 30.— 1836, McVickar A Constable ; 1837, W. Barnes, J. Fisher,* 

A. Hawkshurst: 1838, S. Cushing; 1841, J. G. Bellows;* 1S50, 

George Walker.* 
Section 31.— 1835, T. R.Smith; 1836, E. Waterman, J. C. Bailey;* 

1837, T. Moshier;* 1842, A. Ames;* 1845, J. Martin;* 1850, H. 

H. Hatch.* 
Section 32.— 18.36, James Gibbs, II. Smith, A. R. Fitch; 1837, A. R. 

Fitch. 
Section 33.— 1836, Hiram .M. Smith A B. F. Smith. 
Section 34.— 1830, II. T. Miles; 1845, E. A. Card; 1846, J. McCon- 

noll;* 1847, II. P. Richardson;* 1848, C. Elvert, C. Chants;* 

1849, S. E. Millett;* 1850, H. Cook,* II. Mann. 
&c((oii 35.— 1836, Charles H.Carroll; 1847, George J. Reed;* 1849, 

S. E. Millett, Ambrose Rice, H. R. Warren.* 
Section 36.-1836, C. H. Carroll ; 1848, Alex. Cole, B. T. Hall ;« 1850, 

Polly Linderman,* A. Porter.* 

From this list it will be seen that much of the land in 
the township was purchased for the purpose of speculation, 
and this in a great measure delayed settlement. Specula- 
tors, as a rule, did not settle upon land they had purchased, 
and it was often the case that persons made choice of cer- 
tain parcels of land only to find, upon arrival at the land- 
office, that they had been already taken by men residing 
in some one of the Eastern cities, — oftencr New York than 
any other, — and the same land would perhaps remain un- 
improved for more than twenty years, or has even until 
the present. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

From the Centennial address of Edward A. Foote, Esq., 
of Charlotte, read July 5, 187G, is taken the following ac- 
count of the early settlement of the township of Benton : 

417 



418 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



" Benton was not detached from Oneida until 1843. For about two 
years the town was compelled to bear the name of Tom Benton. 
AVhen the inhabitants petitioned for a sei>arate organization they 
asked the Legislature to name the new town.^^hip Benton, probably in 
honor of ' Old Bullion.' But the name having been already given to 
some other township, some wag suggested the name of Tom Benton, 
and the Legislature passed the act adopting it. The Tom Benton 
people, not liking the prolix, finally effected a change to that of Benton. 

'• The first location in that town by a settler was through mistake. 
Japhet Fisher attempted to locate his land in Eaton, on section 30, 
but by mistake located in town 3 north instead of 2 north, which 
brought him six miles farther north than he intended. For a time 
he was not aware of this mistake, and when it was discovered he had 
serious thoughts lit first of not going near it, as it was so far from his 
friends on Searls Street. But in February, 1837, he pioneered his 
way to the land, in the .southwest corner of Benton, jiut up the first 
shanty erected in that township, and was the first, and for a time the 
only, settler. Japhet Fisher, after having built his trough-roof shanty, 
eight by ten, in 18.'!7, was followed in March or .April by Mr. Moody, 
who built a shanty in the northwest part of the town. He moved in 
by the Clinton trail. In May of the same year Mr. Frederick Young 
came in by way of the Canada settlement, and built his shanty in 
the northeast part of the township. All built temporary shanties of 
poles or logs, with trough roofs. The shanty roofs pitched all one 
way like a shed. When a settlor says he put up a shanty, he does 
not mean to be understood as putting up a log house. There was in 
those days a vast difference between the two. One man could put up 
a shanty, but a lo^ house niisin^ ren[uired the united strength of a 
township, — sometimes of two or three adjoining townships. 

"As the trough roof is a thing of the past, and many of my readers 
may never see a sample, I will endeavor to convey an idea of its con- 
struction. First a row of troughs are placed side by side, close to- 
gether, running from the ridge down to the eaves. All the rain that 
fell into these troughs would, of course, be readily run ofiF. But some- 
thing must be done to intercept the rain which might fall between the 
troughs, where the sides did not fit perfectly together. By turning 
another row of troughs bottom side up over their joints, the water 
would all be shed into those which wore right side up. This made 
something like a comfortable roof, although in a high wind snow or 
rain would beat in. The shake roof was better, and was generally 
used upon the log houses. These shakes were log shingles, about 
thirty inches in length, split out of logs, and nailed tier upon tier to 
ribs placed horizontally across the rafters, each tier overlapped by 
the one next above it. This was an approach to the shingle roof, but 
not so tight. In winter snow would sift in aud whiten the beds of 
those sleeping in the rude chamber below. 

"A fair sample of a settler's log cabin, with its hewn puncheon 
floors, its door- and window-casings split out and pinned on to the ends 
of the logs, the openings between the logs chinked with split bass- 
wood and mudded up, its huge fire-place built of bowlders and clay, its 
hearth made of cobble-stones, its door loudly creaking upon wooden 
hinges, Its wooden door-latch, and its immortal leather latch-string 
hanging out, presents a study for an artist. It shows us how neces- 
sity is the mother of invention, and tells of hardware-stores, planing- 
mills, and saw-mills far beyond reach. 

'* The sight of the log cabin and its associations in the public mind 
aroused an enthusiasm for Harrison in 1840 that carried the Whigs 
into power. It was an outburst of admiration for the pioneer which 
politicians knew how to use for political ends. Upon the gable-end of 
the Harrison cabin was stretched a coon skin to cure in the sun. This 
soon became a live coon, which figured extensively as a pet at politi- 
cal gatherings and finally became a AVhig banner, — a live, tame coon 
sitting aloft on a pole carried in procession. To this the campaign 
finally added hard cider, under the mistaken belief that those who 
lived in log cabins bad orchards old enough to yield that beverage. 
This part seemed out of keci)ing, but it answered a good part until 
after election. It was in these times that Whigs favored hanks and 
paper money, and not a Democrat could be found who did not believe 
in hard money. This brings me back to Tom Benton, who claimed 
that hard money was the only kind of money that deceived no one, 
and in whose honor the sterling Democrats of Benton, such as Higby, 
Taggart, Uovey, and others, named their town. 

"Before Benton was settled there was a diagonal road m.arked 
through from Spicerville, running northwest across Eaton, across the 
southwest corner of Benton, and through Chester and Sunfield. This 



was built by the United States under Territorial rule, and was called 
the Clinton road, or old Clinton trail. The settlement of Benton was 
several years later than that of the other townships, and the getting 
in with their teams and 'housen stuff' seems to have been compara- 
tively easy. In the way of hardship and suflTering Benton has no his- 
tory. Everything seems to run to bear stories and fun at the raisings 
and logging-bees. 

"Merrills Freeman was the smallest man who attended raisings, 
and could outlift every other man there. At the raising of Emory 
Beadle's barn, in 1S44, there was a large hewn stick of green cherry 
timber forty feet long. Freeman thought he could lift it. Says Jim 
Taggart, 'Little rooster, you can't do it!' Merrills took hold and 
raised it with apparent ease. Then all the large, stout men, one after 
the other, walked up and tried, but none of them could lift it. This 
was the first frame barn built in Benton. 

" Ira Bailey, an old gander-shanked genius, who played the violin 
and was the most awkward appearing man in town, made their music 
for them at the dances and a great deal of their fun for them upon all 
occasions. With his thick, heavy, stoga boots on he could outrun or 
outjump the best of them. On election day, when the voters went 
from Benton up to the Canada settlement to vote, Tyler Cogswell was 
there, who, by his friends, was considered a fleet runner and a safe 
man to bet drinks on. The Benton boys managed to get up a race 
between Bailey and Cogswell, apparently the most ill-matched pair 
that ever ran together. Cogswell was light and quick and a fleet 
runner; Bailey, with his immense, heavy boots and long legs, slammed 
.along by the side of him and beat him. This caused much mirth and 
astonishment. Cogswell said, * This is the first time I was ever beaten 
by such a looking customer as you are.' Says Bailey, ' You consider 
yourself spry, but I can beat you in a short race as well as a long one. 
I can carry the heaviest rail on ^\'"alker Nichols' rail fence and beat 
you in a ten-rod race.' He went and pulled out the heaviest rail to 
be found, went back of the score and took a running start, and as he 
came up to the line they both went on together. The heavy rail had 
gained such an impetus that it brought Bailey and his boots out ahead, 
and ho was afterwards known in those regions as 'rail Bailey.' He 
lived awhile on section 19, a part of the Hovey settlement, but his 
clearing is now again grown up to woods. This Hovey settlement, 
commenced in 1840 by Hosey Hovey, a surveyor, was upon sections 
19, 20, 28, and 29, and was for a long time the principal part of Ben- 
ton. 

"Henry H. Hatch moved in and built on section 28 in 1840. His 
daughter, Gertrude Hatch, horn in 1841, is said to be the first white 
child born in the township. Frank Bailey, son of B. F. Bailey, born 
in 1841, was the first white mule child.* Bennjah Claflin was their 
first mail-carrier. He carried the mail from Jackson, through Spicer- 
ville and Benton, to Grand Kapids by the old Clinton trail. The 
nearest approach which this important mail made to Charlotte was 
William Southworth's post-office in Eaton, about six miles east. A 
few miles of this old Territorial road yet remain in that part of 
Eaton. Mr. Claflin carried this mail through once a week, and had 
holes excavated in the ground along the route, within which it was 
his custom to retire with the mail-bag to pass the night. 

"James Taggart, a man well known throughout the county for his 
rough frankness and honest worth, moved in during the year 1842, 
having been in and located in 1840. Although a very positive and 
decided Democrat, all parties have seemed to take pleasure in voting 
him into town offices. 

"Japhet Fisher, the first settler, being alone in his part of the 
town, erected a good-sized barn of heavy logs, every one of which 
he raised to its place alone, carrying them up on heavy ladders a 
notch at a time and laying them properly in their places. Japhet 
was fond of going barefooted, especially to logging-bees, where great 
savage thistles are apt to abound. To test the toughness of his feet, 
Jim Taggart would station or push him on a large bull-thistle. 
Japhet, with his full, rosy cheeks, laughing, talking, and lifting^ 
would seem perfectly unconscious of the fact that his bare foot was 
crushing the fangs of one of those savage thistles, and that all were 
looking to see him either wince, or look down, or move his foot to 
some more comfortable place. Those pioneers were all as tough and 



■s Asa Fisher, son of Japhet Fisher, was born in 1839 or 1840, but 
his mother went to her mother's in Chester at the time, as there were 
no neighbors to assist. 



BENTON. 



419 



hardy as Juplict's fcot, and as suashiny and unoonscious of it all the 
wbUe. 

" A portion of Benton was cleared and settled so late tiiiit it dt^rived 
valuable assistance from the portable steam saw-mill. By the aid of t bis 
modern improvement a great portion of iUs timber has proved a source 
of revenue to the township. The old pioneer method was to log up and 
burn, gather the ashes, leacli them, boil down the lye to black salts, 
and haul the salts to Bcllcvueor Eaton Rapids, where they wore man- 
ufactured into pearlash or saleratus and shipped East. Now, by the 
aid of a portable steam saw-mill, the timber on the land can be made 
to pay for the land and for clearing, and a handsome profit besides. 
Whole farms in Benton are fenced with blaclt-walnut rails, which 
timber would now be used for the manufacture of the most valuable 
furniture. A few years ago Mr. George N. Potter cut a dead old blaclt- 
walnut tree, hollow at the butt, from which ho realized over $1200, 
Tbis tree had a peculiar gnarl, or curl, which was tlio same from the 
tips of the roots in the ground to the tips of the limbs in the air. 
Even the stump and the roots were dug out, and worked into veneer- 
ing for musical instruments. Even the saw-dust and bark of black- 
walnut are now utilized by being ground up, mixed with some ingre- 
dient and pressed into moulds, forming knobs, handles, and splendid 
carving. Hundreds of such trees, because they would not split easily 
into rails, were doubtless treated as nuisances and consumed by fire. 
Mr. Potter had sold the land on which this tree stood to a settler. 
Thinking there might be some value in the tree, he had intended to 
reserve it, but forgot it. As time passed along and the demand for black- 
walnut increased, ho recollected this old dead tree and thought ho 
would try to secure it. lie went to the vendee of the land and selected 
a quantity of standing timber in its vicinity, and bantered for a 
purchase at a low price, not even noticing this old king of the forest. 
Finally the timber-seller told Mr. Potter that ho would let him have 
the timber which he had selected, if, in the bargain, he would agree 
to get out of the way that old dead black-walnut. This teemed hard, 
but George finally submitted, and the first hard work he did was to 
cut and draw out the old nuisance. In about a week he began to 
receive visits and letters from dealers, and offers of $1000 and up- 
wards for the tree. He was so faithful in the performance of his 
contract to tho very letter that he went back and took away the 
stump and large roots. 

" You will remember how Erastus Ingorsoll toiled in Delta to dam 
Grand River to gain the power for a mill. What a memorable event 
it was when they sawed the first board; the slow and painful process 
of gigging back the logs with crow-b;irs and hand-spikes; how 
eagerly Genet Brown took five slabs and carried them for miles into 
the woods to help roof his shanty ; how the next spring-frcshct swept 
away the dam and undermined the mill. It was a great event when, 
in the winter of IS.'JT-.'iS, William Wall, of Eaton, hauled through 
from Spicervillo the first load of lumber ever brought to Charlotte. 
It was for flooring tho Eagle Block Hotel, where they afterwards held 
their Circuit Court and dances, something as they do now in Sampson 
Hall. The old-fashioned steam saw-mill was hailed as a great stretch 
of improvement, because a mill could be built away from tho river 
and mill-pond. But for those they put up strong, heavy frames, with 
no idea of moving. For such a mill 3000 feet of sawing was con- 
sidered a great day's work, and earned it tho reputation of being a 
smart mill. The first saw-mill erected in Benton was a portable-mill, 
which was the first mill of the kind brouglit into the county. This 
was in 1860. Benton was then licavily timbered. The credit of this — 
then bold — enterprise is due to Mr. George N. Potter. Tho first cost 
of this mill was $3300, everything on the ground. It was warranted 
by his contract to cut 10,000 feet per day. No one believed the yarn, 
and George was considcr&l craz^'. The mill wjis in operation five 
days after it landed at Hovcy Settlement, and cut 10,600 feet tho first 
day anil 14,000 feet the second day. Ed. Snydor had charge of the 
saw, and Henry Collins was engineer. At the end of ninety-one days 
it had cut $1700 worth of lumber. Allowing S.SOO for tho cost of 
starting and running it, tho ninety-one days' work netted Mr. Potter 
$600, after paying for tho mill and expenses, besides giving the sur- 
rounding country, from trees plucked from the burning, $1700 worth 
of lumber. No man ever hewed with his broad-axe better puncheons 
for flooring than Uncle Jonathan Scarls; but the day of punclicons 
has gone. It was far loss labor to bring in and set this portable-mill 
than it was for William Wall to haul the Eagle flooring from Spicer- 
villo to Charlotte. Tho railroad now pioneers the way into the heavy- 
timbered counties north of us; next goes the portable steam saw-mill, 



rattling out lumber enough in a few days for tho building of a city. 
To the logging-bee, to tho log cnbin with its roof of shakes or troughs, 
pioneering has now forever bade good-by." 

Jiiphct Fislier, the first settler in the township, hud come 
to Micliigan directly from tlie city of New York, and 
reached Benton about Feb. 4, 1837. lie arrived in tiie 
State in September, 183C, and during tiie winter was em- 
ployed in fretting out timber by a man who had contracted 
to build a mill for John Allen at Richmond, Allegan 
Co. Mr. Fisher had no family of his own at the time. 
He earned S2GG, which he used to purchase land, besides 
paying 849.75 to one of the settlers at Charlotte for a bar- 
rel of flour and Iialf a barrel of pork. He was employed 
for a short time by Jonathan Searls in finishing the hitter's 
house. 

During the summer of 1837 Mr. Fisher raised potatoes 
and corn upon his place in Benton, although most of the 
season was spent in Charlotte. He was married in 1838, 
and in 1839 or '40 had a son born, who would have been 
tlie first white child born in the town.ship but for the fact 
that Mrs. Fisher went for help to the residence of her 
mother, in the township of Chester, where the youthful 
pioneer drew his first breath. He died at the age of four- 
teen years. 

The records of the County Pioneer Society contain the 
following facts relating to the township of Benton : 

Bennett I. Claflin, a native of Windham, Greene Co., 
N. Y., finst came to Michigan in November, 1837, and on 
the 4th of July, 1842, twelve days after his marriage, re- 
moved to Benton town.ship, Eaton Co. Mrs. Claflin was 
born in Plainfield, Otsego Co., N. Y. 

William Quantrell, a native of Norfolk Co., England, 
came to Eaton County May 14, 1841, and soon after pur- 
chased of R. T. Cushing (an early settler in Carmel town- 
ship) eighty acres of land in the northwest part of the 
township of Benton. Not long after settling upon it he 
began the manufacture of brick,* and from his yard the 
bricks were purchased which were placed in some of the 
prominent structures in Charlotte, among them the Arcade, 
Sherwood, and Saunders Blocks. Mrs. Mary A. Quantrell 
was the third daughter of Jonathan Searls, who settled in 
Eaton County, Nov. 2, 1835, and who was the first post- 
master at Charlotte. Mrs. Quantrell, when a child, at- 
tended the first school in the latter place, taught by Jane 
Gallery, of Eaton Rapids, and was one of the oldest pupils 
therein. 

George N. Potter, born in the town of Ira, Cayuga Co., 
N. Y., settled with his parents in Saline, Washtenaw Co., 
Mich., in October, 1830. His father carried him on his 
back from Detroit to Saline, and his mother followed on 
foot. In Novemljcr, 1844, the family removed to Benton 
township, Eaton Co., and settled on section 23, — the site of 
the present village of Potterville. Mr. Potter, Sr., died in 
August, 1846. While living at Saline he built the first 
frame house erected in that place. 

F. W. riigby, who was born in West Turin, Lewis Co., 
N. Y., came to Benton township with his father, John 
Higby, Oct. 14, 1841. In May, 1853, he entered the 



* This business is still continued. 



420 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



employ of David Stirling, of Eaton Rapids, as clerk, and 
in 1856 began business for himself at that place. Re- 
moved to Charlotte in 1858. 

J. 31. Taggart, a native of Sharon, Hillsboro' Co., N. H., 
came to Michigan in 18I5S), and located in Calhoun County, 
removing subsecjuently to Benton township, Eaton Co., 
where he now resides. 

Lorenzo Hatch, a native of the State of New York, 
came to the town.ship in 1840 and purchased eighty acres 
of wild land, upon which he made some improvements and 
returned to New York. In 1842 he moved upon his pur- 
chase with his young wife, who died in 1864. Mr. Hatch 
was again married, in 1866, to Miss Charlotte Childs, of 
Eaton Rapids, who .survived him. His death occurred in 
Charlotte, Feb. 25, 1876. 

Moses Fox, from Elba, Genesee Co., N. Y., settled in 
Benton township in 1840, where he still resides. 

KESIDENTS IN 1844. 

The following taxpayers were residents of the township 
of Benton in 1844, as shown by the assessment- roll for 
that year : Charles W. Jacobs, Russell Walker, Amos P. 
Nichols, John Ludowick, Orrin Moody, Benjamin F. 
Bailey, Samuel Gilbert, George Crofoot, P. G. Hough, 
William Cobb, Estes E. Mclntyre, William H. Taylor, 
Moses Fox, John Higby, William Stone, Benjamin Lan- 
ders, Elijah B. Cobb, Hosey Hovey, Daniel Slayton, James 
M. Taggart, Lorenzo Hatch, George Walker, Jonas J. 
Bellows, William Quantrell, Japhet Fisher, Samuel Stod- 
dard, Scriptcr F. Richardson, Asaph Landers, Bennett J. 
Claflin, Emery Beadle, Wilber Beadle. 

ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIP.— LIST OF OF- 
FICERS. 

The Legislature of the State of Michigan enacted, March 
9, 1843, that "all that portion of the county of Eaton 
designated by the United States survey as township No. 3 
north, of range 4 west, be, and the same is hereby, set oflF 
and organized into a separate township by the name of Tom 
Benton, and the first township-meeting shall be held at the 
house near Henry Hatch's, in said township." March 19, 
1845, the Legislature enacted " that the name of the town- 
ship of Tom Benton, in the county of Eaton, shall be, and 
the same is hereby, changed to Benton." 

From the records of the township the following facts are 
gathered : 

"The first annual meeting for the township of Tom Benton was 
held, in accordance with an act of the Legislature organizing such 
township, at the school-house near H. H. Hatch's, on the third day of 
April, A.D. 1843. Meeting called to order, and Asaph Landers ap- 
pointed moderator; B. F. Bailey, Hosey Hovey, H. H. Hatch, and 
Samuel Lamb were appointed inspectors, and Benjamin Landers 
clerk, of township election. 

" Voled, That we elect two assessors to assist the supervisor in 
taking the assessment. 

" The following were elected by ballot as officers for the ensuing 
year: 

" For Supervisor, Benjamin F. Bailey. 

" For Clerk, Benjamin Landers. 

" For Justices of the Peace, Samuel Stoddard, for the term of three 
years; Hosey Ilovey, for the term of two years; Asaph Landers, for 
the term of one year. 



"Commissioners of Highways, Hosey Hovey, Amos P. Nichols, 
Bennett I. Claflin. , 

"School Inspectors, Hosey Hovey, for one year; Estes E. Mcln- 
tyre, for two years. 

" Directors of the Poor, Asaph Landers, Benjamin F. Bailey. 

" Treasurer, John Higby. 

"Assessors, John Higby, Asaph Landers. 

"Constables, Jonas G. Bellows, Amos P. Nichols, Samuel Gilbert, 
Stephen Bavis. 

" Officers elected viva voce : 

" Overseers of Highways, Samuel Shepherd, Orrin Moody, Bennett 
I. Claflin. 

" Poundmaster, Orrin Moody. 

" Voted, That the poundmaster's barn-yard be the pound ; that we 
raise a tax of thirty dollars for the support of town poor; that we 
raise a ta.\ of ten dollars for the purchase of books and stationery; 
that we raise a tax of forty dollars for school purposes; that the super- 
visor is instructed to vote against the building of a court-house and 
jail the present year; that this meeting be adjourned to meet at this 
place on the first Monday of April next. 

"Aprils, 1843. 

"Benjamin Landers, 
"Clerk of TowtiMp Election." 

The following is a list of the principal ofiicers of the 
township from 1844 to 1879, inclusive: 

SUPERVISORS. 

1844, Benjamin F. Bailey; 1845, Benj>amin Landers; 1846, Linua 
Potter; 1847, Benjamin Landers; 1848-49, Morgan Thomas; 
1850-52, Benjamin Landers; 1853, 0. B. Green; 1854, Benjamin 
Landers; 1855-56, James M. Taggart; 1857-58, Benjamin Lan- 
ders; 1859, E. E. Mclntyre; 1860-61, James M. Taggart; 1862 
-63, Bennett I. Claflin ; 1864-65, James M. Taggart; 1866, Ben- 
jamin Landers; 1867, James M. Taggart; 1868, James MoCon- 
nell ; 1869-70, Charles H. Brown ; 18T1, Bennett I. Claflin ; 1872 
-74, Michael V. Hamill; 1875, James M. Taggart; 1876-77, J. 
F. Burked; 1878-79, W. Z. Mitchell. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1844, Benjamin Landers; 1845-47, William Hammond; 1848, Hosey 
Hovey; 1849, Philetus G. Hough; 1850-52, Estes E. Mclntyre; 
1853, Benjamin Landers; 1854, Hiram R. Mclntyre; 1855, 
Horace 0. Bickford; 1856-57, Jacob B. Cook; 1858-59, Lorenzo 
Hatch; 1860-63, Orlando Waller; 1864-66, Lorenzo Hatch; 
1867, James McConnell; 1868, Seth Ketcham; 1869, William H. 
Abels; 1870, L. M. Garlick ; 1871, I. R. Jameson; 1872, Lorenzo 
Hatch; 1873, Oscar Williams; 1874-79, Hobart D. Merritt. 

TREASURERS. 

1844-45, John Higby; 1846, Benjamin Landers; 1847, Estes E. Mc- 
lntyre; 1848-49, George P. Merrill; 1850, Bennett I. Claflin; 
1S51-52, Lorenzo Hatch; 1853, George N. Potter; 1854, Delos 
Merrill; 1855, Henry R.Warren; 1856-58, Thomas H. Brown;* 
1859, Asaph Landers; 1860-66, Edward Marshall; 1867-68, 
Lemuel Mclntyre; 1869, Bennett I. Claflin; 1870-71, Lorenzo 
Hatch; 1872-7.3, Nelson 0. Merritt; 1874-75, J. W. Gladding; 
1876-77, Thomas Spears; 1878-79, N. 0. Merritt. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1844, A. Landers, B. L Claflin ; 1845, J. M. Taggart, Linus Potter; 
1846, B. I. Claflin, Wm. H. Taylor; 1847, G. P. Carman, Morgan 
Thomas; 1848, Austin P.Walker; 1849, Asaph Landers; 1850, 
Benjamin Landers, Henry Abel, James McConnell; 1851, Wilber 
Beadle, Emanuel De Graff; 1852, Hiram R. Mclntyre; 1853, A. 
Landers, H.P.Richardson; 1854, Otis B. Green, Thomas H. 
Brown; 1855, no record ; 1856, H. R. Mclntyre; 1857, R. Walker; 
1858, Thomas H. Brown; 1859, Benjamin Landers; 1860, David 
Verplanck; 1861, Russell Walker; 1862, Edmund W. Hunt; 
1863, J. Squier; 1864, David Verplanck, J. McConnell, Abraham 

* Asaph Landers appointed to fill vacancy, Nov. 9, 1858. 



BENTON. 



421 



Do Cow, Andrew Vcrplnnok ; 1KC5, Hiram Merrill; 18B6, C. H. 
Brown, John F. Wbciilon; 1867, P. G. Ilougli, Rowland Piiinc; 
1868, llcnry Baughmnn, Delus Merrill; 1869, James O. Ford, 
Charles Street; 1870, Thomas H. Brown j 1871, John F. Squierj 
1872, AVilliam C. Nilcs, Lorenio Hatch; 1873, Anson Q.Mills; 
1874, J. B. Norton ; 1875, S. R. Fcnn ; 1876, T. II. Brown, N. 0. 
Mcrritt; 1877, 0. N. Strcotcr; 1878, Herbert Wollar; 1879, R. 
L. Pancoast. 

The following towosliip oflScers were elected for the year 
1880: Supervisor, V. D. Murray; Town Clerk, H. D. 
Merritt ; Treasurer, J. W. Nixon ; Justice of the Peace, 
Thomas II. Brown ; Superintendent of Schools, 0. N. 
Lambert ; School Inspector, Amos Claflin ; Commissioner 
of IIi<:hways, D. B. Wigeut ; Constables, Alvin Quantrell, 
J. S. Hose, George Blossom, Henry Horner. 

But few of the persons who attended the first township- 
meeting of Benton are now living, and but a very small 
number are yet residents of the township. Each year les- 
sens the number and thins the ranks of the pioneers, and in 
a comparatively short time all will have passed to the land 
whither their friends have preceded them. 

village: of pottekville. 

Mr. Foote, in bis Centennial address in 1876, thus spoke 
of this place : 

" Potterville, a new and enterprising village in Benton, on the 
Chicago and Lake Huron road, three miles cast of the Ilovcy settle- 
ment, is almost .><ole]y the product of the improved method of u^ing 
the timber of the forest, instead of working it into black .salts, to be 
hauled off by the aid of o.xcn to Bellcvuc, there to be applied on old 
store debts at Hinman's or Woodbury's. This place, platted and re- 
corded in 1868, by R. D. Phelps and Charles H. Brown,* is now 
(1876) manufacturing from natural resources, from what was once a 
dead waste, mure than any other to\vn in the county. It was named 
from Linus Potter, the father of James and (ieorge, and includes 
what was once his farm. 

"Linus Potter, having lost his property by financial reverses, in 
Saline, Washtenaw Co., instead of giving up and committing suicide, 
pushed boldly into the woods with his family of seven children, de- 
termined on pulling off his coat and going to work. This, by the by, is 
the history of some of our best pioneers and be^t blood. From wealth 
and Iu.xury they passed through the furnace of affliction, and came 
hero determined to work. Linus Potter came in 1844; his boy, 
George N. Potter, was then eighteen years of age. They came in by 
way of the Pray settlement, in Windsor, from which they cut a road 
through, four miles, to his location on section 23, the present site of 
Potterville. They had but just settled down in their log house when 
all the seven children wore taken severely sick with the measles, — all 
in one room, and no physician nor near neighbors. Eighteen months 
after moving in Linus Potter died, leaving his widow and seven chil- 
dren (five boys and two girls) upon a wild of 120 acres of heavily- 
timbered land. George, then about nineteen, was the eldest. With 
the well-known energy and courage of the Potter family, the boye 
went to work with their a:;cs, and did remarkably well. George soon 
purchased forty acres on credit, and with nothing but his axe went at 
it, cleared it, paid for it, purchased more and more, cleared and 
paid for that; always energetic, bold and enterprising, always driv- 
ing, frugal and temperate, be has become what he is to-day, as we all 
know him." 

The first start given to the village was in 1868, when 
George N. Potter built a saw-mill and a boarding-house for 
the hands. The latter was afterwards converted into a 

* The original plat of Potterville was made on sections 23 and 36, 
by these gentlemen, Feb. 12, 1868. An amended and corrected plat 
was made by them Jan. 12, 1870. Mr. Phelps laid out an addition 
April 25, 1871, and a second one was platted by William Parmeutcr 
and others, Oct. 8, 1872. 



hotel, and known as the" Gladding House." It was finally 
changed into a farm-house, and is now occupied by Mr. 
Potter as a dwelling. The saw-mill, which was in the same 
locality (soulbeast part of the village), wiis destroyed by 
fire, and a second one was built near the present railway- 
station. After being in operation but five days the boiler 
exploded, killing one man. It was again rebuilt, and the 
third mill is yet standing. Mr. Potter has been interested 
in all the manufacturing establishments of the place. 

In 1871-72, Mr. Potter built the present brick block, 
near the station. It contains three commodious store- 
rooms, and the balance is fitted up as a hotel, to which the 
name of the builder has been given. G. N. & J. W. Pot- 
ter established a general store in the south part of the vil- 
lage about 1868, and now occupy one of the rooms in the 
brick block. A man named Mills had previou.sly opened a 
small grocery, but the Potter store was the first of impor- 
tance in the place. 

The first blacksmith-shop in the village — which was also 
the first in the township — was built by George N. Potter, 
who employed a man to work in it. A planing-mill was 
also built, which was afterwards converted into a furniture- 
factory and finally burned. The factory was rebuilt, and 
is now the property of G. N. & J. W. Potter. About sev- 
enty-five persons are given employment in it, and 125 hard- 
wood bedsteads are manufactured daily from about 7000 
feet of lumber. A stave-litctory was commenced by Higby 
& Robb, but was purchased before completion by G. N. 
Potter, who sold it to Elisha H. Hudson. The latter is 
now operating it as a handle- and rake-factory, with a 
saw-mill attached, and employs fifteen or twenty persons. 

In 1874 a steam flouring-mill — frame, three stories 
and basement in height — was built by Thomas Shively, 
who, in less than a year, sold it to George N. Potter, the 
present owner. This mill was built for four runs of stone, 
but at present contains three only. It has a capacity 
for manufacturing 100 barrels of flour daily, and is con- 
ceded to be the best mill in Eaton County. Its cost was 
816,000. The fuel used is the saw-dust from the mills. 
Mr. Potter also deals extensively in wheat. 

Before the village of Potterville was in existence there 
was not a church, saw-mill, or blacksmith-shop in the town- 
ship of Benton. At present the manufactories of the place 
have a capacity for working up 5,000,000 feet of hard- 
wood lumber annually. 

Potterville po.stoffice was established about 1870, with 
J. \V. Potter as first postmaster. He held the office about 
two years. Its occupants since have been H. J. Maynard, 
E. G. Boughton, and the present incumbent, J. B. Hart- 
well. Mr. Potter received twelve dollars a year for his 
services. Previous to 1860 a post-office called West Ben- 
ton existed in the west part of the township, and mail was 
brought to it from Charlotte. It was poorly patronized, 
owing to the proximity of larger and more important offices, 
and after a brief existence was discontinued. Potterville 
post-office is the only one now in the township. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The society known as Seventh-Day Adventists began 
holding meetings in the neighborhood of Potterville, in 



422 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



private and school-houses, about 1858-60. The first 
preacher of this denomination who held services in the 
place was Rev. Mr. Prisbie. After the village was laid out 
liberal inducements were oflFered by George N. Potter to all 
societies which should build here. The Adventists were 
the first to take advantage of his offer, and in 18G9 erected 
their present frame church in the south part of the village. 
The membership is (juite small, and meetings are only held 
occasionally. 

Within two or three years after the above-mentioned 
church was built, the Congregationalists erected the present 
brick house of worship occupied by them. Tlie present 
pastor of this church is Rev. Mr. Murray. The congrega- 
tion is large, and the affairs of the church and society are 
in a flourishing condition. 

The Methodists held meetings in the vicinity for a num- 
ber of years before building a church, occupying, a portion 
of the time, the house owned by the Congregational Society. 
The present fine frame church of the Methodist Society was 
erected in 1877-78, and dedicated Feb. 3, 1878. On the 
day of dedication. Rev. B. F. Bangs, the presiding elder 
of the Lansing District, preached in the morning, and Rev. 
C. S. Fox, of Bellevue, in the evening. Rev. E. Knapp, 
who was then pastor, is now serving his third year in that 
capacity. The building is in the pure Gothic style, after 
plans and specifications by Mr. Sloan, of Philadelphia, Pa. 
It has stained-glass windows and is heated with a furnace. 
It is carpeted throughout and seated with black-walnut. 
Its seating capacity is 300. The co.st of the house and lot 
was $2750; of the bell, $216; of the church furniture, 
$250 ; of the organ, $200. On dedication day the total 
debt of the society, with interest, amounting altogether to 
$1241, was cleared. The building is a credit to the society 
and to the village. 

SCHOOLvS. 

About 1843, Japhet Fisher, Stephen Davis, and William 
Quautrell built a frame school-house, twelve feet square, on 
land owned by Mr. Fisher, in the southwest part of the 



township. Children from the few families living in the 
neighborhood attended. The first teacher was Miss Celesta 
Davis, daughter of Stephen Davis, and now the wife of 
Nathan A. Johnson, of Charlotte. Miranda Hutchins and 
others taught subsequently. At nearly the same time — 
possibly a little later — Mr. Fisher helped to build a log 
shanty, with a trough roof, in the Hovey settlement, on 
section 29, which was also used for a school-house. The 
first district in the township was organized in thijt neigh- 
borhood, and included also the families in the Fisher set- 
tlement. 

The fir.st school in the east half of the township was 
taught in the barn owned by Linus Potter, in 1845, by his 
daughter Louisa, now Mrs. John F. Carman. It was not 
used as a barn until afterwards. Seven children attended. 
A frame building was afterwards erected, and used until 
1870, when the present brick two-story school-house in 
Potterville was built, near the site of the old one. The 
school is conducted on the graded system, has two depart- 
ments, and was taught, in the winter of 1879-80, by 
Charles A. Smith, from the State Agricultural College, at 
Lansing. Miss Ida Cranston was principal in June, 1880. 

The report of the township school inspectors for the year 
ending Sept. 1, 1879, contains the following facts regard- 
ing the schools of the township : 

No. of districts, all whole 8 

" school-children in township 478 

" in attendance during year .'!'.I2 

" days school taught 1254 

" school-houses (brick, 2 ; frame, 6) 8 

" scatings in same 636 

Value of school property $6530 

No.of teachersemployed(males,4; females, 13) 17 
Wages paid same (males, $550 ; females, 

$043.60) $1403.60 

Total resources for 1879 2842.57 

Amount on hand, Sept. 1, 1879 404.54 

Total expenditures, less amount on hand 2348.03 

The schools of Benton are all in flourishing condition, 
and from the foregoing figures it will be seen that the 
buildings average well in condition and value with those 
of any township in the county. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



GEORGE N. POTTER. 

The life of George N. Potter presents one of the finest 
examples of the success which is the reward of persevering, 
untiring eff^orts, combined with the qualities of a well- 
balanced mind and sound judgment. With no advantages 
of birth or education to advance his career, he has utilized 
the natural gifts with which nature endowed him, and 
made himself a strong influence in the commercial and 
financial world. 

Mr. Potter was the son of Linus and Diana Phelps 
Potter, the former a Ponnsylvanian, and the latter a native 
of Cayuga Co., N. Y. He was born in Ira, Cayuga 
Co., Oct. 16, 1827, and when three years of age came 
with his parents to Michigan. Another child, now Mrs. 
John F. Carman, of Potterville, accompanied them. Pass- 
ing over the details of their journey, which was eventful 



only in the hardships encountered, the emigrants at length 
arrived at their destination, little George during much of 
the journey strapped upon the back of his father. The 
same fall they located at Saline, Washtenaw Co., and 
there Mr. Potter erected the first frame house in the ham- 
let. Fourteen years was spent at this point, but financial 
reverses overtaking the family they again became pioneers, 
and invaded the forests of Eaton County, — the household 
now consisting of the father, mother, and seven children, 
the eldest seventeen, and the youngest but one and a half 
years old, now George N. and James W. Potter respect- 
ively. 

A shanty of logs was erected, with a roof of troughs and 
a puncheon floor, neither nails nor boards having been used. 
The site was that now occupied by the village of Potter- 
ville. The father died July 26, 1846, and left George N. 




^ *%; - •- ^v '^,<v^""^ >'' '^*' v^ -t^qs.'j«j^ '«i.'L.'» -^ i^' 






- "\ 






i^a.^f~. ^*' 



1!S iMLra^^Pi^tBOJ^ ^^^i«~' ^tMi'"- 




'^''^jr 














..»i^ •••.». fot ^ 'tv/^Cj^'lt^fe 




Residence & Property of GEO. /i 



ij 




WTMCV^'O 










'^ n 



TER. Pomftv/u.£ Eaton Co. Mich. 



BHNTON. 



423 




JIKS. GEOKOE N. POTTER. 



MRS. GEORGE N. POTTER (DECEASED). 



at eighteen years of age to care for the family. His only 
educational advantages embraced a season of three months 
at school at Vermontville, for which he chopped ten acres 
of woodland in exchange for his board. This not hav- 
ing been deemed sufficient pay by the rapacious host, he 
returned and assisted in hoeing corn for a week in the fol- 
lowing summer. 

With thirty-five dollars given him by his mother as a 
reward for his fidelity to the family, and fifteen dollars 
earned by him, he departed soon after to locate forty acres 
of land, having previously pre-empted it. The government 
refused the paper money he offered, and which had been 
secured at the cost of infinite labor and toil, and demanded 
gold. Not having a surplus with which to effect the 
exchange he was dismayed, when a kind friend, in the per- 
son of Judge McQueen, of Katon Rapids, exchanged the 
paper for gold, and paid a high compliment to his honesty 
by being willing to wait for the difference until he was able 
to pay it. lie was from that time a land-owner, though 
not yet twenty years of age. 

Upon this he built a comfortable hou.se of logs, and on 
March 1, 1849, was married to Miss Martha L. Gladding, 
formerly of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. 



In 18.")(), Mr. I'otter was elected sheriff of Eaton County, 
which office he held for four successive years, and in 18U2 
was appointed deputy provost-marshal, in which position 
he served during the continuance of the war. He soon 
after became an extensive land-owner, and introduced into 
the county the first circular saw. 

Mr. Potter's energies were now directed to the construc- 
tion of a railroad through the county. He was one of the 
projectors of the Grand River Valley Railroad, and one of 
the original thirteen capitalists who inaugurated the Pen- 
insular Railroad, now known familiarly as the Grand 
Trunk Railroad, of which he was a director. The inception 
and subsequent growth of the village of Potterville is 
entirely the result of his energy and liberality. He first 
erected a saw-mill, and later a stave and heading factory. 
Then followed a brick block, including a spacious hotel. 
A flouring-mill was next erected, and at present an exten- 
sive establishment for the manufactureof bedsteads engages 
his attention. In all these his younger brother is a 
partner. 

Mrs. Martha L. Potter having died in 1S09, in 1870 he 
was the second time married, to Miss Mary A. Page, of .St. 
Lawrence Co., N. Y. 



424 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 






HIRAM C. FRENCH. 



MRS. HIRAM C. FRENCH. 



HIRAM C. FRENCH. 

Among the residents of Benton township who have by 
their own force of character and energy risen from positions 
of obscurity to independence and influence is Mr. French, 
the subject of this biographical notice. His father was 
Charles French, who died when his son was very young, 
and his mother Mrs. Lovisa Spooner French. 

Mr. French was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1820, 
and emigrated with the latter parent to Ohio in 1834, 
locating in Lorain County. He was at the age of twenty- 
two united in marriage to Miss Barbara Smith, whose 
birth in Baden, Germany, occurred in 1849. They soon 



after repaired to Michigan, and purchased the land upon 
which he now resides. This fiirm was on his arrival un- 
cultivated, and was by Mr. French brought to its present 
condition of productiveness. Both Mr. and Mrs. French 
have contributed to this end by their industry and frugality, 
having been among the earliest pioneers, and the first to aid 
in the settlement of the township. 

They have four children living to cheer and brighten 
their declining years. Mr. French is in politics a Repub- 
lican, though not actively interested in the political schemes 
of the day, his attention being chiefly confined to the labois 
of his own estate. 





u /, Ml K iii:i,i. 



MRS. W. Z MITCHELL 













^ 




:> 
^ 



^K^i 




Z^-^^;' 



: ^.,-tK-^U' ^ ^-a^^r ,liUb-&^;- t ,, S;i!-^«g>vW 






3- 




^.7y^;^S^ 










tl X 



— Jti 



I : t^'-- 



BENTON. 



4^5 



W. Z. MITCHELL. 

Mr. Mitcliell was a ."idii of Welcome MitclicU, a native 
of New York State and a diuninier in the war of 1812. 
The mother was Priscilla Williams, of New York. They 
became the parents of fourteen children, — twelve boys and 
two girls. The son whose biographical sketch is here 
publi.shed was born Oct. 27, 1831. He led, during his 
early years, a monotonous life upon the farm, enjoying 
during a portion of his time common educational advan- 
tages. At the age of eighteen he entered school, where he 
continued two years. At twenty-one he began teaching 
district school. At the age of twenty-two, in 18.")4, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Emily A. Elli.-'. of Orleans Co., 
N. Y. In April, 1855, they emigrated to Chester town- 



ship, Eaton Co., Mich., and here a rugged experience was 
endured by both, with little means and many obstacles be- 
fore them. Success was only achieved by ])erseveranco and 
indomitable courage. In June, 1855, he purchased eighty 
acres of wild land and erected a log house, varying tlie 
labor of the husbandman with the profession of instructor, 
and also serving as school inspector for eleven years in his 
township. In 18GG he removed to Benton township and 
purchased his present residence, to which he has added 
improvements and land until it has become one of the rep- 
resentative estates of the township. In 1878 and in 1879 
he was supervisor of this township. lie now owns three 
hundred acres of land and has three children, all at home. 
He is a staunch Republican. 







BK.N.NETT J. CL.\FL1.\. 



MRS. BKN ETT J. CL.\KLI\. 



BKNNKTT J. CLAFLIN. 

Among the pioneers of Michigan who hail from New 
York State is the subject of this memoir. Mr. Claflin was 
born in Windham, Greene Co., N. Y., and his parents were 
Cornelius and Phebe Claflin, who were both also natives of 
the State, and belonged to the farming class. 

Owing to the limited means and large family of his pa- 
rents, young Claflin's education was mainly ac(|uired after 
he went from home and had commenced work for himself. 
The lack of the necessary education has caused him in 
later years to take a deep interest in the education of his 
children, of whom three are now attending college. In his 
younger days he was something of a wanderer, and engaged 
in several kind.s of bu.«iness, including milling and boating, 
before he settled in life. 

In 1837 he visited Eaton Co., Mich., and selected land 
where he now resides, in Benton township, which he has 
cleared and improved. In 1842 he returned to New York 
State, and married Miss Harriet B. Penny, with whom he 
bad been acquainted and associated previously, and who was 
54 



born in Unadilla Forks, Otsego Co., N. Y. Mr. an<i Mis. 
Claflin lived together for a period of thirty years, until 
1872, when Mrs. Claflin was taken away by death, her 
demise occurring in Benton, Eaton Co. 

They were blessed with eight children, all but one of whom 
are now living. Amos F. has purchased the homestead, 
and with him the father, now nearly seventy years of age, 
finds a welcome home. During the whole of his active life 
in Michigan ho has never known a day's illness, having es- 
caped even the universal malady, fever and ague. Mr. 
Claflin has during this long period enjoyed the rcg-ard of a 
wide circle of neighbors and friends. Mr. Claflin is a 
staunch Republican of the Zachariah Chandler stamp, and 
very often makes the assertion that he has never mis.sed 
voting for President. 

His townsmen have honored liiin with every gift in their 
power. As evidence of his political stamina, it may be 
mentioned that he walked eighteen miles to cast his first 
vote for President, which was given to Gen. William Ilcnry 
Harrison. 



426 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





SIRS. WILLIAM QUANTRELL. 



WILLIAM QUANTRELL. 



WILLIAM QUANTRELL. 

Among tlie enterprising citizens tliat have bade adieu to 
the mother-country and cliosen homes in the county of 
Eaton the name of Mr. Quantrell stands prominent. He 
is the son of William and Ha'.riet Quantrell, both of Eng- 
lish descent, and was born in Norfolk, Jan. 14, 1816, his 
father having been by profession an actor. William, their 
son, spent his early years in a silk- and worsted-factory, 
having at a tender age realized the necessity of labor as a 
means of livelihood. 

He, with his mother and children, finally emigrated 
to the inviting field of industry America ofl^ered, and first 
settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where they remained for eleven 
years. He was, in 1840, married to Miss Esther Landers, 
of Medina Co., Ohio, whose parents were early pioneers to 



that county. They removed to Michigan in 1841, and 
located on his present farm, where he was afllicted in 1853 
in the loss of his estimable wife. He was united in mar- 
riage in 1854 to Miss Mary A. Soarles, who.se birth at 
Wales, Erie Co., N. ¥., occurred Jan. 13, 1828. Her 
parents, Jonathan and Sarah Bart Searles, were pioneers to 
Eaton County in 1836. 

Mr. and Mrs. Quantrell have both experienced all the 
vicissitudes, hardships, and trials of pioneer life, having 
arrived in the county when the lands were covered by 
forests, and by their energy and courage assisted in its de- 
velopment to its present fruitful condition. They are still 
able to bear their share of the burden and heat of the day, 
though a fair modicum of success in their undertakings has 
rendered further hard labor unnecessary. 




"hi- ' 





WILLIAM B (irri 



MRS, \VILLI.\M H. OTTO. 



BENTON. 



427 



WILLIAM B. OTTO. 
The parents of Mr. Otto were Henry and Cyrena Bryan 
Otto, tlie former having been a native of Pennsylvania and 
the latter of Oliio. Their son was born in Wood Co., Ohio, 
ia 184G, and lost his father, who combined mechanical pur- 
suits with those of a farmer, at an early age. He remained 
at home assisting his mother in the care of the farm until 
his sixteenth year, when he enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Eleventh Ohio Infantry, and served his country until 
the close of the war, participating in the following battles: 
Stone River, Hobbs' Ferry, Loudon Creek, Campbell Sta- 
tion, Knoxville, where he was taken prisoner, Strawberry 
Plains, Rocky Face, Burnt Hickory, Pine Mountain, Kenc- 
saw Mountain, Peach-Tree Creek, Atlanta, Utoy's Creek, 



Lovejoy Station, Columbia, Franklin, Nashville, and Fort 
Anderson. 

With a creditable record he returned at the close of 
the war, and in 18G6 removed to Michigan, where he 
engaged in milling and farming at Pottcrville until his 
marriage to Miss Celia Potter (daughter of George N. 
Potter, of Pottcrville) in 1873, who was born in Benton 
township in 1854, A year later he purchased the Potter 
homestead, his present residence. This estate is one of the 
mo.st higlily cultivated and attractive in the township, Mr, 
Otto pays particular attention to the breeding of draught 
horses, which he has for some time made a specialty. He 
is not only a successful business man, but a courteous and 
liberal gentleman. 





MOSES KOX, 



MRS, SIOSES FOX, 



MOSES FOX. 
Moses Fox, who was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., April 
6, 18 It), was the son of Uriah and Polly Allen Fox, the 
former of whom was a native of New Hampshire. Their 
son was early instilled with principles of industry and econ- 
omy, and taught to depend upon his own exertions for 
success. After a few terms at the district school of the 
neighborhood, he was instructed in the laborious pursuits 
of the farmer. At the age of twenty-6ve years, and on the 
3d of December, 1841, he was united in marriage at Elba, 
Genesee Co., N. Y., to Miss Julia Ann Mclntyre, who 
was a native of New England, and born April 29, 1817, 
her parents having been Amos and Nancy Mclntyre. 
Being desirous after his marriage to establish a home for 
himself, he emigrated with his wife to Michigan, and lo- 



cated in the township of Benton, upon eighty acres which 
had been purchased the previous fall. In the midst of the 
wilderness a shanty of logs was erected, which was covered 
with elm-bark. Eaton Rapids, a distance of thirteen miles, 
afforded the nearest trading-point, and their limited means 
enabled them but seldom to avail themselves of its advan- 
tages. Mr. and Mrs. Fox have by their own industry 
and frugality acfjuired a competence. Their farm of two 
liundred and eighty acres is one of the most productive in 
the township, and all their surroundings are those of CDm- 
fort and abundance. They are both members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, which they have generou.sly sus- 
tained. Two children have blessed their home, — Mary S. 
and Amos N. Mr. Fox is in his political predilections a 
Republican, though not a strong partisan. 



428 



HISTORY OF EATON COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 




LORENZO HATCH. 

Lorenzo Hatch wa.s born in Geneseo, Livingston Co., 
N. Y., in 1817. Until he was twenty-five years of age he 
lived at home, attending school the greater part of his 
youthful boyhood, and working on his father's form the 
more mature years. In 1842 he came to Michigan, and 
located in Benton township on eighty acres of land, which 
was then an almost unbroken forest, few having preceded 
him. Those days were days of trials and hardships, though 
there were spots of sunshine in the lives of those pioneers, 
though all knew the meaning of hard labor and privation ; but 
slowly under their exertions the scene changed, and forest 
gave place to field, swamp to meadow, and the log cabin 
and barn to frame or brick structures, with all the comforts 

of civilization. Mr. Hatch married in Miss Alvira 

, who died in . He married for his second 

wife Martha A. Chiids. Solomon, the second son of the 
last marriage, purchased the old homestead, where he now 
resides, having married Miss Libbie Wetmore, of Benton 
township. 

Mr. Hatch died in Charlotte in 187U. He was a man 
known only to be esteemed, possessing a large circle of 
friends, respected for his sterling virtues, and honored for 
his integrity. Such men are the woof and warp of our 
society, the woven threads of whose lives compose the fabric 
whereon rests our social civilization, our civil government, 
and the perpetuity of our free institutions. 



CHARLES H. BROWN. 

Charles H. Brown was born in Geneseo, Livingston Co., 
N. Y., on Nov. 30, 1832. His father, Avery Brown, was 
a native of Connecticut, born in 1800, and by trade a tailor. 
His mother, Matilda (Hatch) Brown, was born in Chenango 
Co., N. Y., in 1797. They were the parents of nine chil- 




CHARLES H. BROWN. 

dren, — six sons and three daughters, — Charles H. being the 
fourth son. His early life was passed at home and in 
school, attaining a good, thorough common-school educa- 
tion, engaging in farming occasionally, enough to imbue 
him with a true love of it, which he has never lost, always 
indulging in it with a zest rather than performing it as a 
duty. When he was sixteen years old his parents moved 
to Grand Rapids, locating on one of the finest farms in 
Kent County. This was eminently to the satisfaction of 
Charles, and in 1853 he purchased eighty acres of wild 
land, which he caused to be improved until it was in a high 
state of cultivation, although himself being employed as 
foreman of a large saw-mill in Ottawa County for eight 
years. He had married, in 1854, Miss Mary Ann Haire, 
of Ottawa County, a sister of John and Robert Haire, who 
were men well known in that section of the State, pos- 
sessing large property and considerable influence. Being 
bereft of his wife, who died in Georgetown, Ottawa Co., he 
sold his farm and removed to Potterville. This was before 
the village had an existence, and he assisted in laying out 
and platting it. In 1864 he married Miss Hannah Haire, 
a sister of his first wife. Although a resident of Potter- 
ville, owning a valuable farm adjacent to the village, he lias 
lived a portion of his time in Charlotte, having held the 
office of register of deeds six years, during which time he 
rented his farm, living in that village, serving one year as 
mayor. He has also been supervisor of his township three 
years in succession, besides holding several other township 
offices. Has been president of the Eaton County Agricul- 
tural Society, and in many other ways is identified with the 
public interests of the community in which he lives, pos- 
sessing great energy, force of character, and public spirit. 
Supports liberally the churches, schools, and every enter- 
prise tending towards the advancement of the community 
in which he resides and where he is highly respected, hold- 
ing a great influence and exerting it for the best interests 
of the people of his chosen village and township. 



Mp^^t-'-^^.f"^ 




BROOKFIELD. 



429 






KO\VL.VM> PAINE. 



MRS. ROWLAND I'AINE. 



ROWLAND PAINK. 

Mr. Paine's birth occurred at Martock, Somersetshire, 
Eiiiilanil, in 1820. His father was William Pipe Paino 
and his mother Mary Cox, a native of the same parish. 
Their son devoted himself to study until his fourteenth 
year, when he boc:>me an apprentice to a linen-draper, 
whom he served faithfully for seven years. He then emi- 
grated to Australia, where he remained eii;ht years, and on 
returning to England was married to Miss Elizabeth Cog- 
gan. Three months later he came to America, leaving his 
wife in England, who survived her marriage but thirteen 
months, and died leaving one child. Four years later he 
returned to his native land, and was united to Miss Sarah 
Ijock, daughter of George and Mary Lock, of JIartock, 
Somersetshire, England, whose family for successive gener- 
ations occupied their homes at this point. The families of 



both Mr. and Mrs. Paine numbered thirteen children, — a 
rather singular coincidence. 

Mr. Paine pursued the occupation of a stock-dealer in 
Ohio for four years, after which he removed to the town- 
ship of Roxand, Eaton Co. At the expiration of seven 
years he repaired to Benton and purchased the premium 
farm of the county. This fine estate embraces one hun- 
dred and thirty acres of improved and highly-cultivated 
land, with every advantage of location. Mr. Paine has not 
only demonstrated his success as a farmer, but has ever 
maintained a deserved reputation as a man of generous im- 
pulses and great excellence of character. Both arc honored 
members of the Methodi.st Episcopal Church. His con- 
nection with this church has extended over a period of 
twenty years, while Jlrs. Paine recalls double that length 
of time as a zealous Christian. Mr. Paine is in politics a 
Republican. 



BROOKFIELD. 



XATURAL FE.VTURES. 
GEOORAPIIY, TOPOGUAPUY, Etc. 

Brookfield lies in the south tier of townships of Eaton 
County, and is bounded west, north, and east respectively 
by Walton, Eaton, and Hamlin, and south by Calhoun 
County. It includes surveyed township 1 north, in range 
4 west of the principal meridian. Township-linea were 
surveyed by John Mullett in 1824-25, and the subdivisions 
by Sylvester Sibley in 1825. 

In the southern part of the township is located a sheet 
of water known as Narrow Lake, which is the principal 



source of Battle Creek. It has an area of about 250 acres, 
and to the east and south stretches an extensive swamp, 
the drainage of which gives to the waters of Battle Creek 
a color similar to that of coffee. The northern portion of 
the town is also swampy, and these swamps were a terror 
to the early inhabitants who found it occasionally necessary 
to cross them. A few smaller lakes and ponds exist in the 
township, which drain principally, through the swamps, 
into Narrow Lake and Battle Creek. The surface of 
Brookfield is in places hilly and broken, and iu others 
comparatively level. The soil is capable of yielding largely 



430 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of the various grains and fruits raised in the surrounding 
region. 

LAND ENTRIES. 

The following list includes the names of those who en- 
tered land in town 1 north, range 4 west, now constituting 
the township of Brookficld, giving also the section and year 
of, location. Those marked thus (*) became actual settlers 
in the county : 

Section ].— 183f), J. Boody,-* H. Moe,* P. Moe,» B. Knight r ' •''•'!!<. 

M. Bood>;« 1S54, B. F. Bailey ;» 186i>-67, Henry A. Shaw.» 
SecdoH 2.— 18.16. J. Boody, E. Moc ; IS.')", J. Oatley ;* 1S51, S. Moody,' 

I>. Mahan;® I8fi5-fi7, Henry A. Shaw. 
Section 3.— 1S36, P. Moe; 1837, A. F. Fitch, H. Epley;* 1850, 11. 

Kirby,* F. Foster.* 
Seclim, 4.— 1836, C. Renter,* A. Ferris; 1837, A. F. Fitch, W. S. 

Landon, C. Tefft, T. J. Pardee. 
Seclimi .').— 1836, 0. F. Hobert, James McDonald (settled by Thomas 

McDonald), S. AVortb, C. Renter. 
Section 6.— 1836, h. Ely ; 1837, T. R. Smith, J. Hart ; 1843, J. Hart ;« 

184S, Caleb Woodbury;* 1850-52, J. Huey ;« 1851, J. Hart; 

1853, 0. J. Howard : 1S67, John Laughery. 
Section 7.— 1'37, Caleb Woodbury, A. Vanive, R. T. Gushing;* 1839, 

J. Hart;* 1854, L. Landon; 1858, John Worlhington.* 
Section 8.— 1836, W. D. Thompson; 1837, J. W. Blackman (settled by 

his heirs); 1849, F. B. Donaldson;* 1851, 0. S. Goodrich,* J. 

McLaughlin, Sr.; 1866, Richard Nagle;* 1867, John Laughery, 

William Gifford.® 
Section 9.— 1836, J. R. Palmer, W. D. Thompson ; 1837, R. P. Hart; 

1852, J. Gardner; 1853, D. Goss ;« 1867, Miles Pearsons,* 
Section 10.— 1836, A. Ferris, H. Whittum;* 1848, J. Hiirt ; 1850, A. 

and Z Bccbe;* 1852, L. Land( u ; 1 865, Henry A. Shaw, Russell 

Davis, Jr.;* 1866-67, H. A. Shaw. 
Section 11.— 1836, S.Thomas; 1837, J. Winn ;* 1S47, P. Chatticld,* 

S. S. Lincoln, A. Morse; 1852, J. Barnes; 1854, H. B. Story; 

1865-67, Henry A.Shaw. 
Section 12.— 1836, B. Knight, A. Ferris; 1837, A. F. Fitch, A. Hinch ; 

1851, J. Rikendall:* 1854, L. Landon; 1858, Herbert L. Mills.* 
Section 13.-1836, J. R. Palmer, A. Denison ; 1S37, S. S. BIy,« W. 

Frink,* S. McFiirren,* T. H.^ver, J. Taber ; 1 859, Wesley Post. 
Section 14.— 1837, A. Morse, S. McFarren; 1838, S. Farnum ; 1839, 

C. Rintcr, H. N. Young; 1841, J. Brink; 1843, J. Moe; 1847, 

L. A. Wilkinson ; 1854, V. R. Wellman,* J. Chatfield; 1855, V. 

R. Wellman. 
Section 15.— 1837, R. P. Hart; 18C6, S. F. Scager. 
Section 16.— 1854, Esek Whipple,* William Whipple,* L. Disbrow,* 

C. Hamcr; 1855, John G. Estell;* 1869, Hor.-ice B. Perry;* 

1873, John G. Estell; no date, Elizabeth Elletson.* 
Section. 17.-1849, F. R. Donaldson ; 1851, Lyman Barker, S. F. Mc- 

Bride; 1854, C. P. Story;* 1858, Joseph lluey. 
Section 18.-1837, S. Powell, A. R. Adams,* J. B. Adams;* 1849, 

William C. Stevens;* 1851, A. J. Bench; 1854, J. McGahn. 
Section 19.— 1838, 0. Cooley, G. N. West; 1852, D. Goss, Jei'se 

Crowell; 1855, Albert 6. Story;* 1868, Ezekiel Ballard;* no 

date, Henry Hawley,* Wait Wright.* 
Section 20.-1837, A. F. Fitch, Green & Clapp. 
Section 21.-1837, R. P. Hart, A. Gallup, D. Crary. 
Section 22.— 1837, R. P. Hart, W. Coon; 1846, P. Southward;* 1853, 

Daniel Ball;* 1854, J. M. Brininstool ;* 1858, J. P. Henry. 
Section 23.-1837, E. H. Johnson; 1840, C. Kinter; 1851, Nicholas 

M. Rose; 1852, H. D. Pettibone;* 1853, A. F. Beach, W. Bur- 
dick; 1854, J. Chatfield, L. S. Lovell, John Rank;* 1855, J. P. 

Henry. 
Section 24.-1837, E. H. Johnson, J. Taber; 1849, John Stump;* 

1851, W. McAllister; 1853, T. Favorite, T. Betz,* A. J. Beach ; 

1854, Ira Rnight, D. Rochester.* 
Section 25.-1849, John Stump; 1850, J. Harsha, Sr. ;» 1853, A. J. 

Beach. 
Section 26.— 1841, J. Higgins; 1853, Abijah J. Beach; 1855, H. 

Sowle.* 
Section 27.-1836, G. McAllister & Co., John McLean ; 1841, J. Hig- 
gins; 1851, D. C. Wright i J. Pierce. 
Section 28.— 1836, S. Scofield, M. Scofield, W. Waur. 



Section 29.— 1836, H. Scofield, J. P. Woodbury,* W. Waur; 1837, A. 

Green i, C. W. Clapp; 1838, E. Dryer; 1853, L. Reefer; 1854, 

H. Huhbon. 
Section 30.-1836, J. P. Woodbury; 1837, A. Benedict; 1846, A. 

Galusha;* 1849, C. Waldo;* 1854, N. Ball;* 1856, E. Barnes; 

1865, Emily Burlison; 1871, James W. Ilickok.* * 

Section 31.— 1836, ,T. P. Woodbury, G. H. Baker, H. G. Folger ; 1837, I 

T. & G. Conant.* 
Section 32.-1836, J. P.Woodbury, G. H. Baker; 1837, D. Crary, 

Green & Clapp; 1838, E. Boughton; 1851, R. Green; 1854, 

Fordham.* 
Section 33.— 1836, Elijah Green, J. Crowell. 
Section 34.-1850, William Sowle; 1865, Charles F. Kinney,® Charles 

H. Wilson;* 1867, Henry A. Shaw; 1871, George Henderson; 

1879, Lucy J. Shelden. 
Section 35. — 18 — ,* Jonathan Baum;* 1867, Charles Peacock,* Henry 

A. Shaw. 
Section 36.-1838, W. Larzelear, S. G. Patterson, L. M. Pike; 1851, 

Daniel Reese;* 185.3, C. Reese;* 1867, Henry A. Shaw. 

In this, as in nearly all the townships of the county, a 
large proportion of the land was purchased for purpo.ses of 
speculation by persons who never became actual residents. 
It was a custom with the settlers, when a " land-looker" 
asked aid from them in hunting desirable tracts to pur- 
chase, to first ascertain Avhether he intended to locate upon 
them, and if not, it was little help they gave. Certain 
persons whose names appear on the foregoing list are 
spoken of by " old residents" as " speculators of the worst 
kind," and questions regarding such persons are met with 
the answer, •' Oh, he was a speculator and a rascal, and 
never settled." The purpose of the pioneers was to popu- 
late and improve the wilderness into which they had come, 
and it was hard to tolerate any one in their midst who did 
not propose to aid them in the good work. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 
The succeeding items are from the records of the County 
Pioneer Society. Jesse Hart contributes the following : 

" I was born in the township of Springfield, Portage (now Summit) 
Co., Ohio, April 27, 1814, and lived there with my father until I was 
twenty-three years of age. I then married Miss Rachel Richards, 
July 16, 1837, and .ibout the 10th day of the next October we started 
for Michigan, with two light yokes of oxen and one wagon. We got 
along well until we came to what was called the Black Swamp; then, 
of all the roads I ever saw or traveled over, that road through that 
swamp was the worst. Sufiice it to say that I worked hard for eight 
days to get thirty-two miles. We arrived at Joseph Bosworth's on 
the 6th day of November following; he lived then in what is now the 
township of AValton, Eaton Co., Mich. He had moved two or three 
weeks before, and had got him a shanty built right in the woods. My 
land was four miles from there in a northeast direction, through the 
woods, it being the north 100 acres of the northwest quarter of section 
7, in town 1 north, of range 4 west, now the township of Brookfield, 
and is a part of the farm I now own. As Mr. Bosworth was the 
nearest one to my land, I made arrangements to stay with him until 
I could build a shanty and cut a road to it, and I got him to help me. 
We got the body of the shanty up, three-fourths of the roof on, and 
the door cut out. but had no door nor 6oor; then we moved in. It 
was here, in this partly-built shanty, on the 12th day of November, 
1837, that my wife and I first commenced keeping house. It was four 
miles to the nearest neighbor, with no road but a crooked track I 
had cut through the forest, and the whole county almost an unbroken 
wilderness. The screech of the owl and the howl of the wolf was our 
music by night, and the Indians our callers by day. The first night 
we made our bed on some split pieces of basswood in one corner of 
the shanty, built a fire in another, hung up a blanket for a door and 
some on the walls around the bed, and it seemed quite like home, 



BROOKFIELD. 



431 



and we bad a good night's rest. I soon made a polo bedstead, hewed 
out and put down a puncheon floor, built a stone back and stick chim- 
ney in one corner, made a clay hearth, and the shanty was rini«hcd, 
without a nail except what were in the door. Wo lived in that shanty 
nearly two years, — yes, the happiest two years of my life were ."pent 
in that shanty. There was something grand and romantic about it I 
very much enjoyed. The grand old forest yielded up for our support 
of its wild fruits, its honey, and venison. 

" It was in this shanty that our first child was born,* March 20, 
1S39, cradled and rocked in a sap trough; and she is now the widow 
of Dr. Derby, of Eaton Rapids. It was in the fall of 1839 that said 
shanty was swapped for a new log house ; said house was built about 
fifty rods east of said shanty, and my hogs slept west of the shanty, 
next to the woods. The second night after we had moved into our 
new house, at about twelve o'clock, my wife waked me up and said she 
heard a hog squeal. I got up, took my gun and ran over to where the 
hogs slept, and a bear had caught the old sow and was about killing 
her; when I came near enough so I thought I could hit him, I fired 
at him. He let go of the hog and ran into the woods. It being 
quite dark I could not tell whether I h:id hit him or not, but went out the 
next morning and found the bear dead and the hog alive, but very 
badly bitten ; but she got over it. One more bear story, — this was in 
the fall of 1S4I : I had built a large hog-pen about eighty rods from 
the house, and made a lane west from said bog-pen to the woods, it 
being about fifty rods, and my cattle lay in said lane, near the hog- 
pen. Xot far from the middle of the night I heard a hog give a short 
squeal, and then the bells commenced to rattle that were on the 
cattle. I got up and stepped to the door, and heard something running 
in the lane west towards the woods; and it was not more than a min- 
ute before I heard a hog squeal in the edge of the woods at the end of 
the lane. It seems the bear had caught the hog near the hog-pen, 
and the cattle had driven him off; (hen he chased him in the lane 
west to the woods before he caught him again. My rifle being loaded 
I caught it and ran, just as I had got out of bed, to save my hog. 
When I reached the end of the lane I saw he had caught the hog 
under some tree-tops that had fallen out when I cleared. I got on to 
the topmost one and started out on it to see if I could not shoot him 
in that way, but, a*; I started, my dog ran under and went to barking 
at him; then the bear took the bog and started into the woods with 
him. Calling back my dog, who took his place behind me, I started 
after him. I ran as t'asi as I could in the brush and dark, and went 
some twenty or twenty-five rods before I got near enough so I thought 
I cuuld hit him ; was within ten or twelve feet of him, and I shot at 
the black spot, for that was all I could see. As the gun went off be 
droi)ped the hog and ran off three or four rods, and all was still. I 
loaded my rifle and could hear nothing of the bear ; I was so near him 
I knew if he stirred I could hear him, there being dry leaves on the 
ground. I made up my mind that I had not hit him and he was sit- 
ting and looking at me, or else I had killed him, so to find out I told 
the dog to take him. The dog went to where he was and began growl- 
ing and snuQing around, but I could hear nothing of the bear; so I 
concluded he was dead. I went to where be was, and there lay a 
mon^t^ous black bear, stretched dead enough. His fore-paw, when 
pressed down, would cover a common breakfast-plate. When I went 
back I met my wife in the lane, coming with an axe. She said she 
was afraid I bad got into trouble. 

"In the spring of 1812 I built a frame barn, thirty by forty; it 
was the first frame building erected in Urookficld; and in 1851 I 
swapped the old log house for a new framed one out on the road, — 
for there were roads laid out then, — and in the spring of 1863 I 
rented my farm and moved to Charlotte, where I have livtd ever 
since. . . ." 

In June, 1SG9, articles upon the history of Brookfield, 
written by J. C. Sherman, were published in the Cliarlotte 
JiepuhUcan, and from them are taken the following items: 

"The first settlement in Brookfield was made near the northeast 
corner, in 1837, by Peter Moc, his sons, Ezra and Henry Moe, and 
John Boody, and it was for many years familiarly known as ' Moe- 
town.' In the fall of the same year Jesse Hart moved on to the 
faru) now owned by him, in the northwest part of the town, on sec- 
tion 7. built n shanty of logs and tkintjled it with troughs dug out of 



* Her name was Rachel F. Hart. 



basswood logs, which served to keep out wolves, bears, and wildcats, 
but admitted some rain and snow and large quantities of mosquitoes. 
Although Mr. Hart whs not much of a singer himself, he had a 
great ear for music, especially vocal. He must, therefore, have con- 
sidered himself highly favored by the nightly serena^lo gratuitously 
given by the denizens of the surrounding forest, which must have 
been in excellent harmony, for while the soprano and alto were ably 
carried by the myriad of mo.^quitoes, the bass and tenor must have 
been strongly sustained by the howling of wolves and croaking of 
bull-frogs. For some time the settlers of the opposite sides of the 
town were Ignorant of the presence of the others, each supposing that 
they were the only families in the town. And this is not to be won- 
dered at when we take into consideration the fact that the hitj swamp 
and creek were between them, and no road nor bridge at all on which 
to cross. From the first settlement of the township, in 1837, up to 
the holding of the first town meeting, in IS41, but little of iiitere&t 
is known to the writer. In the mean time Moctown gre^v in impor- 
tance by the addition of the following families: Nicholas Boody, 
John S. Moe, J. Otely, and James E. Fisher. S. S. BIy settled on 
section 13, and Cyrenus Kinter on the farm now owned by E. P. 
Stuart, in what is now culled the Wilcox district. Amos Carrier 
settled upon the farm where he now resides, on the western bank of 
Narrow Lake. In the year IS^iD, Charles K. Sherman moved into 
this town and settled on the eastern bank of Battle Creek, between 
Moetown and Jesse Hart's. He got his goods as far as John Boody's 
very comfortably, as there wa« a very passable road from Jackson 
that far, * but farther there was none.* So ho got Mr. Boody and his 
boys to take his oxen and sled, load on a few goods, and draw them 
down to the swamp; then they had to unyoke the oxen, draw the 
sled over by hand, ami drive the oxen a long way up the swamp until 
they could find a fording-place, wallow them through, and go down 
the other side to where the sled was. They were then ready to yoke 
up and start again on their journey, clearing a road as they went. 
Thus, after much labor, drawing the balance of his things across the 
swamp on a hand-sled and then two miles farther with the team, he 
finally got settled, the big swamp on one side and the creek on the 
other. The nearest grist-mill or store was at Eaton Rapids, and ho 
could only get there in the winter, when the swamp was frozen 
over. 

'• Peter Williams, who came into the town in 1841, and settled on 
the farm he now occupies in Duttonville, claims the honor of having 
the firf^t temperance raising and the first shingled roof in town, al- 
though it was only a log house. 

"The first framed building in town was Jesse Hart's old barn, and 
the first frame house was built by Alexander McArlhur, which is the 
same now (18(»9) occupied by Aldro Atwood. The first school-house 
in town was built of logs, near the residence of Nicholas Boody and 
near where David Boody's barn now stands. This was for a number 
of years the only public building in town, and was used for town- 
meetings, etc. 

" The first school in the township was taught in the school-houso 
in Moetown, in the year I84I, by Miss Koxana Skinner, and the 
second term was taught by Scbra Piper, now the wife of Nelson Mc- 
Arthur. 

" The first couple married in town was Benjamin B. Snyder to 
Sarah Moe, — Rev. Mr. Bennett, of Eaton Rapids, being the officiating 
clergyman. One wedding occurred while Palmer Rose was justice of 
the peace, which occasioned no little fun at the time, and is well re- 
membered by some of the first settlers. It seems that a man by the 
name of Wickwaro was cruelly wounded by one of Cupid's dorts, sent 
from the witching eyes of one Margaret Boody. The bridegroom, 
being destitute of hat, coat, or boots suitable for the emergency, ap- 
plied to Cyrenus Kinter for the loan of a wedding-garment. But 
Kinter was, as wo are informed, nearly as destitute as himself, and 
had nothing to offer him but an old pair of slipshod shoes and a di- 
lapidated chip hat. Wickware said he thought it was a 'd d 

poor town* where a man could not borrow clothes to get married in. 
However, the matter was somehow arranged, and Esi^uire Hose was 
called upon to perform the ceremony. At first he declined, on ac- 
count of inexperience; but after some urging by his wife, who, like 
all good wive.x, wius anxious that her husband should make his mark in 
the world, he very reluctantly consented, and at the appointed time 
was on the spot {which, by the way, was the shanty of J. Otcly, on 
the place now owne<l by Benjamin Snyder, Jr.). But little prepara- 
tion was necessary to prepare the happy couple for their nuptials, and 



432 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



(hey were very soon face to face with the bashful justice. This being 
his first attempt at tying the conjugal knot, he found himself in quite 
a dilemma ; for, however well he might Iiave arranged the form in his 
own mind, all idea of a suitable marriage ceremony had left him when 
the eventful time had come, and he could only turn red, then pale, 
stammer a little, tremble a good deal, and finally, entirely breaking 
down, he told the groom that ho 'could not do it and he would have 
to get somebody else.* But the undaunted bridegroom had no no- 
tion of giving it up so, nor of leaving his blushing bride to go in 
search of another justice j so he said that he would tell him what to 
say, and if he would repeat the ceremony after him it would auswer 
just as well. This was finally accomplished, .and so overjoyed was the 
bride at the favorable turn of events that she threw her arms around 
the neck of the frightened justice and gave him a good pmacl-j ' to 
pay,' as she said, 'for doing it so nicely.' 

" This brings to my mind another incident which occurred near the 
same place, which was related to me by Peter Williams. The circum- 
stances were as follows : Some of the b'lioi/s got into a row, had a hard 
knock down, and one Peter Southard was arrested for assault and 
battery. The case was to be tried before Esquire John Boody, and on 
the day of trial lion. Austin Blair, who was then practicing law at 
Eaton Rapids, appeared as counsel for the ]>risoner. As soon as the 
case was called, Mr. Blair demanded the release of his client, on the 
ground of the illegality of the papers. But the 'squire, being pretty 
Dutch, 'couldn't see the point,' and refused to let the prisoner go. 
Finding at last that he could not convince the justice of his mistake, 
Mr. Blair turned to the i>risoner and told him he could go, that those 
papers would not hold him. 'Vat ish dat?' said the irate esquire. 
' You tell dat prisoner he can go? Py tam. Mister Blair, you let dat pris- 
oner go I sends a bench warrant for him and you too, so sure as <iot !' 

" According to the best information I have been able to get, Rachel 
F. Hart, now the wife of Dr. W. Derby, of Eaton Rapids, was the 
first child born in the township, and Eunice E. Sherman, now Mrs. 
C. H. Mills, of Charlotte, was the re.\t,— at least they were the first 
born of American parents. An incident occurred in connection 
with the birth of Mrs. Mills which seems worthy of notice. Mr. 
Sherman and wife lived alone in a little shanty on the bank of Battle 
Creek. The nearest neighbors were Jesse Hart on the west and John 
Boody on the east. At the time of which we speak the creek bottoms 
were overflowed, so that they were utterly impassable except with a 
boat, and there was no way of crossing the big swamp except on foot. 
In the afternoon a young man came along from the cast, by the name 
of Charles Barnham, wishing to cross the creek and proceed on his 
journey towards Bellevue. Finding it impossible to cross over he 
applied for help to Mr. Sherman, who told him that he had awhile- 
wood log lying on the bank of the creek, and if he would assist him 
to dig out a canoe he would ferry him across. This offer was gladly 
accepted, and to work they went. Not being able to complete their 
craft that night, Mr. Barnham was made welcome to the best accom- 
modations it was in the power of his host to supply, which kindness 
he was very soon able to repay with interest. It soon became ap- 
parent to Mr. and Mrs. Sherman that the assistance of a physiciiin 
and matrons would be necessary as soon as they could be procured. 
It seemed to them that Providence had sent this young man to their 
aid in this, their time of great need. At any rate, he was 'pressed 
into the service.' Mr. Sherman, fearing to leave his wife for so long 
a lime, sent Mr. Barnham with his o.xen and sled, telling him to 
leave them on this side of the swamp, go over on foot and get one of 
the men to come with the women and drive the oxen back, while he 
proceeded on foot to Eaton Rapids for Dr. Hart. The doctor came 
on horseback as far as Mr. Boody's, where he left his horse and came 
the rest of the way on foot. The next day the canoe was finished 
and Mr. Barnham was paddled over, and went on his journey with a 
light heart, enough good solid full cloth for a pair of pants, and the 
hearty thanks of those he had so kindly assisted, — leaving them re- 
joicing over the 'little daughter which old Dr. Hart had brought in 
his saddle-bags' to cheer them in their wilderness home." 

Four little children of John Boody (two boys and two 
girls), wliile one day hunting for leeks, in the spring of 1840 
became lost in the forest. When night came they crept into 
a hollow sycamore-log, where they remained all the next day 
on account of a snow-storm. The settlers were aroused to 
hunt for them, and built large fires in the woods to attract 



their attention. They were found near one of these on the 
morning of the third day, and weak from cold and hunger. 
They had discovered the fire the evening before, and stayed 
by it through the night. 

Frequent incursions upon the pens and poultry-yards of 
the settlers were made by the wild denizens of the forest, 
and unceasing vigilance alone prevented a complete loss of 
their stock. Wolves would even come upon the door-steps, 
and bears made forays upon the porcine inhabitants when- 
ever they craved a taste of bacon " in the raw," and that 
was much oftener tlian the settlers liked. A large bear 
helped himself to one of Esek Whipple's hogs one day, and 
coolly walked off" with him into the woods, about eighty 
rods away, and sat down to have a meal. Mr. Whipple 
followed, and a bullet from his rifle was sent home to Bruin's 
internal region, causing the shaggy brute to drop his prey 
and beat an extremely hasty retreat, Mr. Whipple trying in 
vain to overtake him. Ezra Moe lost all his fowls one 
night through the marauding of a pack of wolves, who left 
only their tracks and some scattered feathers to tell of their 
foray ; but those were doubtless sufficient, and the anger of 
Mr. Moe and his family is probably difficult to imagine. 

J. C. Sherman, from Franklin Co., Vt., settled in Brook- 
field in 1854, and states that the town then contained but 
three or four frwine houses and four log school-houses. 
Enos Button had a saw-mill on Buttle Creek, at Duttonville, 
■ — the only one in town. Roads were even then few, and 
at some seasons almost impassable. Two log bridges had 
been built. The oldest and best road was the one passing 
through Hart's Corners, and known as the Eaton Rapids 
and Bellevue road. A branch from this led northward to 
the Foster settlement, and another .southward to the Wilcox 
district. The only direct communication with Duttonville 
was by an Indian trail passing up the eastern side of Battle 
Creek. Jesse Hart was then the richest man in town, and 
offered his farm for $G0(K1 The number of voters was less 
than 100, and the township did not bear an excellent repu- 
tation ; but its growth has been remarkable since, and its 
inhabitants are now thrifty and enterprising, and prosperity 
smiles upon them. 

Peter Williams was the first settler at what is called Dut- 
tonville, having come in 1841. Enos Dutton located after- 
wards and built a saw-mill on Battle Creek. It was finally 
converted into a steam-mill. BIr. Williams subsequently 
built a steam saw-mill. He and his wife are now living on 
their old farm. Enos Dutton, for whom the settlement was 
named, finally removed from it, and is now deceased. 

Martin Fox,* a native of Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., 
settled in Michigan in the fall of 183G, and returned to the 
former State in 1842. In 1852 he came again to Michigan, 
and in the spring of 1854 located in Brookfield township, 
where he now resides. His son, Garry C. Fox, is the 
present clerk of Eaton County. 

William G. Delesdernior, a native of Cobleskill, Schoharie 
Co., N. Y., settled in Eaton County about the last of Octo- 
ber, 1845. His death occurred March 31, 1877.* 

Orrin Moody, a native of New Hampshire, came to 
Michigan in 1832 with the first portable threshing-machine 

"•^■' Items from records of Pioneer Society. 



BROOKFIELD. 



433 



ever brought to the Territory. He settled in 1833, and 
came to Eaton County in 1840.* 

Bruokfiold township seems to have been chosen as a par- 
ticular haunt for wild game, and bears, wolves, and deer 
were so numerous in its forests and swamps that every 
settler was afforded an opportunity, if he desired, of laying 
in a stock of adventures as a fund for anecdote in tlie years 
to come, when the game should have disappeared and the 
human actor in the play become aged and feeble. 

TAXPAYERS IN 1844. 
The following is a list of the taxpayers in the township 
of Brookficld in 1844. Of these a considerable number 
were non-residents :f Peter H. Fisher, Alexander McAr- 
thur, Nicholas Boody, George W. Knight, Peter Moe, 
Samuel S. Bly, Joraui CliatGeld, James Moe, Henry Potts, 
Jacob Nichols, Joseph Walworth, Daniel S. Klliott, Cyrenus 
K inter, John Boody, Peter Boody, B. B. Snyder, Esck 
Whipple, Jonathan M. Jackson, Jesse Hart, Peter Wil- 
liams, P. P. Fielding, Montgomery Crofoot, Thomas South- 
ward, John Boody, Jr., John Southward, Amos Carrier, 
John Otely, Henry P. K. Epley, Henry Moe, Peter L. 
Moe, Nelson McArthur, Erastus Sisson, Loomis & Hix 
(shingle-machine and shingles), G. Gilbert, B. Knight, 
Francis E. Knott, A. F. Fitch,* M. G. Lavallcy, W. S. 
Landon,* C. Teft, A. Ferris,* 0. S. Hobcrt,* James Mc- 
Donald,* S. Worth,* T. R. Smith,* Caleb Woodbury,* S. 
Ely,* A. Vaucleve,* K. Gushing,* J. W. Blackman,* W. 

D. Thompson,* R. P. Hart,* Charles R. Shornian, Francis 

E. Knott,* J. Palmer,* W. Frink,* F. Haven,* J. Taber,* 
J. Baiiik,* S. Farnam,* H. W. Voung,* R. P. Hart,* S. 
Powell,* 0. Cooley,* G. West,* W. Coon,* S. Scoficld,* 
H. Scofield,* J. P. Woodbury,* C. W. Clapp,* D. Crary,* 
A. Green,* E. Boughton,* G. H. Baker,* Elijah Green,* 
L. M. Pike.* 

A considerable number of tho.se marked as non-residents 
of the township were citizens of the county, and lived in 
Bellevue, Carmel, Eaton, and other townships, some of 
them being among the most prominent settlers and business 
men of the county. 

TOWNSUIP ORGANIZATION.— LI.ST OF OFFICERS. 

An act of the Legislature approved March 20, 1841, 
provided that " All that portion of the county of Eaton 
designated by the United States survey as township No. 1 
north, of range No. 4 west, be, and the same is hereby, set 
off and organized into a separate township by the name of 
Brookfield, and the Qrst township-meeting shall be hold at 
the dwelling-hou.se of Peter Moe, in said township." 

From the township records is taken the following account 
of the first township-meeting: 

"This may certify that at the annual township-meeting of the 
township of Brookficld, holden on the I'Jth of April inst., agreeable 
to an act to regulate township-meetings in newly-organized town- 
ships, there wore elected four justices of the peace, — township ofTiccrs, 
— viz. : John Boody, Palmer Rose, Charles R. Sherman, and Sidcnus 
M. Fish, Justices of ».he Peace. 

"Township CIcrk,t Sidcnus M. Fish. 

• Items from records of Pioneer Society. 

t Those marked thus (♦) were nou-re>idents. 

t The record says nothing about the election of a supervisor, 

55 



" Collector, Sylvanus Metcair.f 

"Assessors, Jesse Hart, .Samuel S. Bly, Amos Carrier. 

" Constoble-s, Stiniuol S. Bly, Peter Boody, .Sylvanus Mctcalf. 

"Treasurer, Palmer Rose. 

"Commissioners of Highways, Amos Currier, John lioody, Jesse 
Hart. 

".Scliool Inspectors, Sidcnus M. Fish, Charles R. Shermnu, ruliiicr 
Rose. 

" Directors ..f Pour, Samuel S. Bly, Cbniles R. Sherman. 

"Township Inspectors of Election, James McQueen, Jesse Hart, 
Sidcnus M. Fish, Henry Moe, Charles R. Sherman, John Boody. 

" Uetolccd iiuiiiiimoiiiili/, That there shall bo raised Gfteen dollars to 
purchase blank books fur said township. 

" liesotvcft, by the majority of said township-meeting, that there bo 
also raised sixty dollars fur the improvement of roads in eaid town- 
ship. 

" Uesolced, also, to raise twenty-five dollars for the support of poor 
in said township. 

" Votctlf That the next annual township-meeting be held at the 
school-house near Nicholas Boody's in said township. 

"Jamks McQi'ekn, 

" April 19, ISll. Clerk pro Icyn." 

The following persons were selected as jurymen from the 
township of Brookficld for the year 1841 : Grand Jurors, 
Cyrenus Kinter, Jesse Hart, Charles R. Sherman ; Petit 
Jurors, John Boody, Amos Carrier, Palmer Rose. 

In 1842 it was 

" ReHuh-t'd, That all ycca, hens, hogs (with the ejccptiong of Boars) 
be free Comincri, icaying over forty weight for the year 18-12." 

It is very likely the "^ces" and hens cackled loudly at 
being allowed such unbounded liberty. 

The following is a list of the principal officers of the 
township of Brookfield from 1842 to 1879, inclusive : 

SUPERVISORS. 

1842-46, Jesse Hart; 1847, George W. Knight; 1848, Jesse Uart ; 
184fl, Pardon II. Fisher; 1850-51, Jesse Uart; 1852, Pardon II. 
Fisher; 18.i3, Thomas McDonald; 1854, Isaac Thomas; 1855, 
Jeremiah Thomas; 185l>, Aldro Atwood; 1857, C. R. Sherman; 
1858-59, Jesse Hart ; 180U-01, John 0. Estelle; 1SC2, Jesse Hart; 
ISO:), John G. Estelle; 1804, John E. Konyon ;|| 1805, Aldro At- 
wood ; 1806-07, Isaac Stevens; 1808, Harlow L. Dcwcy; 1869- 
7f), John G. Estelle; 1871-73, H. C. Whittum; 1874-77, II. B. 
Perry;! 18"8, J- M. Peters; 1879, G. A. Perry. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1842, Charles R. Sherman; 1843, John S. Moe; 1844-45, George W. 
Knight; 1840, Jesse Hart; 1847-48, Pardon H. Fisher; 1849, 
Aldro Atwood: 1850, Charles R. Sherman; 1851-52, Thomas 
McDonald; 185.3, Pardon II. Fisher; 1854, John Boody; 1855, 
John Sherman; 1856, .Jesse Hart; 1857, Pardon H. Fisher; 1858, 
G. II. Scoficld; 1859, J. G. Estelle: 1860-61, Enos Dutton ; 1802- 
0.3, Horace li. Perry; 1804, John E. Konyon;** 1805-66, Elijah 
Sherman; 1867, Elijah Mosher; 1868-70, Horace B. Perry; 
187I-7:i, Charles Harris; 1874, William King; 1875-76, J. A. 
Vanande; 1877, Garry C. Fo.\; 1878, J. G. Estelle; 1879, Jose- 
phus Post. 

TREASURERS. 

1842-44, Benjamin B. Snyder; 1845-47, Cyrenus Kinter; 1848, Nel- 
son McArthur; 1849, Erastus K. Sisson ; 1850, Nelson McArthur; 
1851-53, E.sek Whipple; 1854, Sargent Tieknor; 1855, Esok 
Whipple; 1856, Frederick M. Rose; 1857-58, Nelson McArthur; 
1859-60, Joram Chatficld; 1801-02, T. D. Bryan; 1863-64, Ilar- 

^ Jesse Uart was appointed collector Jan. 28, 1842. 
![ Enlisted, and J, G. Estelle was appointed; resigned, and Peter 
Williams appointed. 

\ Resigned in 1877, and 0. A. Perry appointed. 
•* Resigned, and 11. B. Perry appointed. 



434 



HISTOKY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



low L. Dewey; lS65-fi7, M. M. Fancher; 1S68, J. C. Sherman; 
1869, S. W. Pearson; 1870, H. C. Whittum ; 1871, Charles P. 
Heath; 1872, Aldro Atwood; 1873-75, II. L. Dowey ; 1876, A. 
H. Fletter; 1877-78, H. L. Dewey; 1879, J. A. Vanancie. 

JUSTirES OF THE PEACE. 

1842, John Boody, Elijah Hall; 184.3, M. Crofoot, Esek Whipple; 
1844, Joseph Walworth; 1845, Jesse Hart; 1846, John S. Moo; 
1847, Amos Galusha, Cyrenus Kinter ; 1848, Aldro Atwood; 
1849, Joram Chatfield ; 1850, Cyrenus Kinter; 1851, Silas Ford- 
ham ; 1852, David H. Verplank ; 1853, Thomas McDonald ; 1854, 
Joram Ch.itfield; 1S55, W. M. Rogers; 1856, P. 11. Fisher, H. L. 
Dewey; 1857, Jesse Hart; 1858, Martin Briden.?tine; 1859, H. 
L. Dewey, II. Wilber; 1860, J. Chatfield, H. Wilber; 1861, J. 
Hart, S. S. Bly, P. Croup; 1862, Enos Dutton, Adam Knapp ; 
1863, Peter Williams, 0. S. Lamed, Andrew II. Flitter; 1864, 
George McArthur, D. R. Page; 1865, E. P. Mills, E. Calkins; 
1866, J. M. Peters, D. R. Page; 1867, Harlow L. Dewey; 1868, 
J. G. Estelle; 1869, E. P. Mills; 1870, James M. Peters; 1871, 
H. L. Dewey, J. C. Sherman ; 1872, J. A. Vanande, S. W. Pear- 
son ; 1873, J. A. Vanande; 1 874, John P. Stu.art; 1875, Peter 
Williams; 1876, 0. M. Cadwell : 1877, J. A. Vanande, E. P. 
Mills; 1878, II. Hess; 1879, T. D. Bryan. 

The following township olEcers were elected in 1880 : 
Supervisor, George A. Perry; Township Clerk, Charles 
Harris ; Treasurer, D. T. Williams ; Justice of the Peace, 
James Umbarger ; School Superintendent, Josephus Post ; 
School Inspector, C. G. Brundige ; Commissioner of High- 
ways, C. A. Spieer ; Drain Commissioner, Ira Johnson ; 
Constables, J. B. Deinier, G. A. Godfrey, George Force, 
Samuel E Ictson. 

RELIGIOUS. 

Meetings were held iu the township quite early in school 
and private houses, and for many years they were kept up 
principally by the Methodists. The Cougregationalists and 
United Brethren have also had occasional services. One 
of the most zealous Methodists among the early settlers 
was Charles R. Sherman. Some of the first meetings were 
held at the house of Jesse Hart. A Baptist Church was 
organized in the early part of 1864. No house of worship 
has been erected iu the township, but one has recently been 
built on the line between Brookfield and Walton, by the 
Methodists and United Brethren. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in the township of Brookfield was taught 
at Moetown, where the first school-house — a log building 
— was erected. This school has been mentioned by Mr. 
Sherman, whose article may be referred to. The first in 
the northwest part of the town was taught in a small log 
shanty, which stood on the northwest corner of Jesse Hart's 
farm. This was a private school, — Miss Pentha Stone, 
teacher. Miss M. Wliitehouse taught one season. She 
married a Mr. Collins, who died, and she is now the wife of 
A. Jackson, of Charlotte. The private school was con- 
tinued for two summers. Neighbors in the adjoining 
township of Walton assisted in supporting the school, 
and sent children to it. Fractional District No. 4, of 
Brookfield and Walton, was soon formed, and Mary Sexton 
was employed to teach. The district is now known as 
No. 4 of Brookfield. The following were among the early 
teachers in the township : 



1847.— Mary F. Gurley, Julia J. Baker, Stephen Cummings. 

1848.— Clarissa B. Kimble, Eliza Kelmore, Mary Wilder. 

1849.— Lydia Fitzger.ild, Cordelia Parsons, George Gallery, Miss J. 

Wright. 
1850. — Nancy Gregory, Eliza A. Elmer, Clarinda Searls, Erniina 

Oilman. 

The following items in relation to the schools of the 
township are from the report of the school inspectors for 
the year ending Sept. 1, 1879 : 

Number of districts (7 whole, 3 fractional) 10 

" " school-children in township 485 

" in attendance for year 453 

** of days school taught 1432 

" " school-houses (all frame) 10 

" " seatings iu same..... 540 

Value of school property $4375 

Number of teachers (males, 8; females, 14).... 22 
Wages paid same (males, $741; females, S780.03) $1521 .03 

Total resources for year 1989.48 

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 249.84 

Total expenditures, less amount on hand 1739.64 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



MARTIN FOX. 

The Pox family are of English origin, their ancestors 
having emigrated from England prior to the Revolution. 
Isaac Fox, the great-grandfather of Martin, was born in 
Connecticut, from whence he entered the army, serving as 
an aid on Gen. Washington's staff. 

Abram and Abraham, son and grandson of Isaac, were 
also born in Connecticut, from wlience they emigrated to 
New York, finally settling iu Oneida County, where Mar- 
tin was born Jan. 29, 1821. In 1830, Abraham moved 
with his family to the town of Palmyra, Lenawee Co., 
Mich., and located a farm of wild land, which he and his 
son Martin cleared and improved. At the age of twenty- 
one years Martin began life for himself, his wealth being 
just four dollars and fifty cents. He first worked his 
fother's farm, having all he could make. He hired his 
farm-work done and worked at basket-making himself. In 
this way he got a fine start, but three years' sickness again 
left him with scarce a dollar. In 1849 he bought his 
father's farm, paying but thirty dollars down and having 
five years in which to pay for it He was again strong and 
well, and he worked at his trade earl}' and late, the " wee 
sma' " hours often finding him in his shop. In this way 
he in four years paid up for his farm. In 1852, the Ro- 
man Catholics becoming so numerous that they controlled 
all town and school affairs, he sold and came to Brookfield 
and bought the farm of one hundred and forty acres which 
he now owns, and which was then mostly wild land. By 
industry and good management he has now one of the 
finest farms in Brookfield, eighty acres under good improve- 
ment, with fine buildings, orchards, etc., and is ranked as 
one of the successful farmers of his town. He is an ardent 
Republican and takes a deep interest in politics, though he 
has never been an aspirant for political honors. He has 
been a church member for forty years, and is now a mem- 
ber of the Brookfield Church of United Brethren, which 
he has done much to build up and of which he is a leader. 



BROOKFIELD. 



435 





MARTIN FOX. 



MRS MARTIN FOX. 



He is a man of whom it can bo said, " He never turns back 
when he has once put his hand to the plow, and who never 
takes a back seat in any good work." And he has the 
satisfaction of seeing his sons grow up to be useful and 
influential members of society. His son Edwin is a resi- 
dent of Oneida County, N. Y., where he is editing a tem- 
perance paper. He too is a church member and an active 
leader in the Sabbatli-schools. 

Garry C. Fox, another son, was town treasurer when 
twenty-three years old, and at tweuty-five was elected to the 
important ofiicc of county clerk, to which he has been the 
present year renominated by acclamation. 

Mr. Fos married, Aug. 4, 1845, ML«s Aluiira Button ; 



to them were born two children : Thaddeus, born Oct. llj 
1847, died in the army in April, 1863, and Harriet, born 
May 1, 1850. His first wife died, and on the 19th day of 
April, 1851, he was married to Phebe Jane I'urdy, born in 
Onondaga, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 10, 1832, daughter of 
Andrew and Rowena (Clark) Purdy. Their children are 
Edwin A., born Aug. 15, 1852; Garry C, May IJ, 1854; 
Rowena L., May 13, 185G ; Ida L., Nov. 20, 1858 ; Ai L., 
May 8, 1863; Wallace M., June 24, 1864 ; Earl B., March 
26, 1867; Lewis B. and Lucy B., July 11, 1869 ; Mary 
and Mina, July 18, 1871, died in infan'iy; Lee 0., Oct. 
11, 1872; and Guy M., June 25, 1874. Of these but 
one daughter, Harriet, is now living;. 



PETER WILLIAMS. 
In 1750 two brothers, Thomas and Henry Williams, 
were walking out near the city of BrLstol, England, when 
they were set upon by the press-gang with the intention of 
making them sailors in the navy. Being large, powerful 
men, they overpowered the entire gang, for which offense 
they were compelled to leave England, which they did the 
same night in an American vessel, which very opportunely 
lay in the harbor ready to sail. One of the brothers owned 
valuable property on Williams Street, in Bristol, which was 
named after him. This wealth is still unclaimed by the 
Williams heirs. The other brother had his means in money, 
which took them to America. Thomas Williams, Jr., 
was here about the time the brothers landed in New York. 
He was learning the shoemaker's and tanner's trade in the 
city of New York. At the time of Washington's retreat 
therefrom he fled with the patriot army, which he soon 
joined and in which he served three years, taking part in 
many battles. After the war he married and settled in the 
town of Coeyman's, Albany Co., then an almost unbroken 



wilderness. There were born to them thirteen children, of 
whom Samuel was the oldest. He married Miss Jane 
Hogan, finally settling near Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., 
where he lived and died. They had six children, of whom 
Peter, the subject of this .sketch, was the oldest. He was 
born in Coeyman's, Sept. 15, 1814, and grew to manhood 
on a farm, though he learned the shoemaker's and tanner's 
trades. 

Mr. Williams' first wife was Mi.ss Sophronia Morton, by 
whom he had four cliildren, viz. : S. B., born Aug. 11, 
1833; Horace, May 24, 1835; Vine, Aug. 4, 1836; and 
Sophronia A., Nov. 13, 1838. Mrs. Williams died Dec. 
19, 1838. In 1837, Mr. Williams came with his family 
to Monroe Co., Mich., where the long illness of his wife 
detained him through the summer. After his wife's death 
he worked at whatever he could got to do for three years. 
On the 10th day of January, 1841, he was married to 
Miss Mary Ann Crofoot, who was born April 9, 1821. 
Slie was the daughter of Montgomery and Lucrotia (Swift) 
Crofoot. Their children are William W., born Oct. 26, 



436 



HISTORY OP EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 






MRS. PETER WILLIAMS. 



PETER WILLIAMS, 



1841; HeIen,Fcb.2S), 1843; David, June 5, 1845; Lodema, 
Oct. 31, 1847; Mary J., Sept. 23, 18.i0; and Thomas, 
April 29, 1853. In the winter of 1841, Mr. Williams 
came to Brookfield, and bought a farm in the midst of the 
then wilderness. He built a log house, which was the 
first one put up in all the country around without whisky 
and in the midst of a snow-storm. On April 8, 1842, 
with his father and brother-in-law and his family, he 
started with a team and wagon for the new home. For 
three miles he cut his way through the woods. Arrived 
at a creek near what is now Spicerville, Mrs. Williams, 
against her father's wishes, got down from the wagon, and 
very luckily, as the wagon, goods, and all went into the 
creek wrong side up. Mrs. Williams then went on foot 



with her baby and the older children, and at dark came to 
a Mr. Ely's, where she spent the night. Mr. Williams, who 
was driving the live-stock, stayed with Mr. Kinter ; the 
other two at different places, none of them knowing where 
the others were, and thus the first night in the town was 
passed. Mr. Williams only bought forty acres at first, but 
added to them until he owned four hundred and twenty 
acres, part of which he has cleared ; and now, in the enjoy- 
ment of good health and surrounded by the conveniences 
obtained by a long life of toil and privations, Mr. and 
Mrs. Williams are passing away the evening of life, re- 
spected and esteemed by all who know them. In politics 
formerly a Whig and Republican, he is now a National. He 
has held all the town ofiices, except treasurer. 



GEORGE A. STARKWEATHER. 

George A. Starkweather was born in Burlington, Otsego 
Co., N. Y., Dec. 19, 1834. The Starkweatliers are of New 
England origin. Alfred Starkweather, our subject's father, 
was born in Connecticut, where he grew to manhood. He 
married a Miss Marilla Tanner. lie is stiil living, and 
resides in Ionia Co., Mich. George A. passed his child- 
hood in Canada, where his opportunities for acquiring an 
education were limited, yet he obtained enough to fit him 
for the active business life he has since led. In 1854, Mr. 
Starkweather came from Ohio to Charlotte, Mich., where he 
worked for a time at the carpenter's trade. Wi.shing to 
extend his business, lie, in 1859, bought forty acres of 
wild land in Brookfield, soon after adding forty acres more. 
There was a log shanty on the land, in which they com- 
menced life in a home of their own. In 1870, Mr. Stark- 
weather bought a steam saw-mill, which was burned in 1871. 
Nothing daunted, he rebuilt, and after a year moved it on 



to his farm. In 1874 he sold his mill, and built a larger 
and better one, in which he placed machinery of the late.'t 
and most improved make. In 187G, seeing the need of a 
mill for planing lumber and doing the work necessary to be 
done in building, he put in a planer, turning-lathe, and 
other machinery, and also put in the machinery necessary 
for a handle-factory. He prepared to manufacture all kinds 
of moulding and do the work in the finest manner. He 
furnishes employment for eight men, and sends his work 
far and near, shipping it to Olivet, Albion, Eaton Rapids, 
Springstead, and into all parts of Calhoun County. In the 
fall of 1880 he added to his mill Boomer & Boschert's latest 
improved double-platform cider-press, and will engage in 
making and shipping cider. He also does a large business 
in making and shipping whiflle-trees and handles to Green- 
ville and other points north. In addition to the fine prop- 
erty he now owns in Brookfield (a view of which appears 
on another page), he has a farm near Palo, in Ionia County. 



BROOKFIKLl). 



4^7 



Although Mr. Starkweather labors under the disadvantage 
of beins; away from the railroad, he has a flourishing and 
increasing business, and is doing much to advance the 
prosperity of liis section of country. On tlio 24th day 
of December, 1855, he married Miss Eliza J. Maxim, 
daughter of A. C. H. and Eleanor (Sparks) Maxiui, who 
was born in O.swogo, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1834. II*r father 



was born April 21, 1S14, in New York, and died April 2, 
1861. Mrs. Maxim Wiis born Marcli 30, 1814, and died 
Oct. 25, 1843. To Mr. and Mrs. Starkweather there have 
been born six children, viz. : Eva Jane, July 30, 1857, died 
Oct. 2, 1859 ; Emma E., July 15, 18G0 ; George W., May 
5, 18G3; Je-ssie M, July 21, 18G5; Mary J., May 21, 
1808; and llattie I., April 27, 1871. 





KELSON McAUTUUK. 



NELSON McARTIlUR. 



The JIcAnliur family is of New England stock, Alex- 
ander McAj;thur having been born Jan. I'J, 1786, in 
Acton, Mass., from whence he emigrated to Rupert, Ben- 
nington Co., Vt., where he married and remained until 
1836. when with his wife and eliildrcn he moved to Brook- 
lyn, Jackson Co., Mich., where he located on some wild 
land. This he partly improved, but thinking to better his 
situation, he sold out in 1844 and went into Eaton County, 
when he finally located in Brookfield, where he resided 
until his death, in 1870. His family consisted of eleven 
children, of whom our subject, Nel.son McArthur, was the 
fifth. He was born in Rupert, Vt., March 1, 1820. Coming 
to Michigan with his father's family in 1836, he grew to 
manhood in a new country. Arrived at majority, he em- 
barked in life for himself, his worldly possessions being less 
than one hundred dollars. lie came to Brookfield and bought 
of a Mr. Field the east hall'of the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 3, which was then entirely new. The next spring he 
commenced to clear up his (arm. He boarded about two 
miles away, walking to and from his farm every day while 
engaged in fitting the first four acres for corn. He then 
worked at his trade, that of a carpenter, thereby earning 
the means to pay the balance due on bis farm. AVe find 
him now for a couple of years working at his trade when 
not engaged in clearing bis farm. On the 17th day of 
September, 1843, he married Miss Sebra, daughter of Moses 



MRS. SEBRA Mc.ARTHUR, 

and Anna (Fa.ssett) Piper. She was born in Hancock, 
AddLson Co., Vt., Jan. 31, 1826. Their union was blessed 
with the following children : Wallace, born Feb. 14, 1845, 
died Oct. 14, 1SG4. He enlisted in Company D, Seventh 
Michigan Cavalry, Aug. 12, 18G2 ; was in the battles of 
Gettysburg and other lesser engagements ; was captured 
while on a raid with Gen. Kilpatrick, and died in Ander- 
sonville prison. Maryetle, born Feb. 22, 1848; Fremont, 
born June 16, 1854, died April 8, 1863; Nellie J., born 
Sept. 22, 1856, died April 26, 1SG4; Jay, born Sept. 15, 
1859 ; Anna, born Aug. 31, 1861, died June 5, 1862 ; and 
Minnie S., born Oct. 24, 1866. After his marriage a log 
house was built and furnished according to their means, 
and the newly-married couple commenced life in the new 
home, — the home whore they were to see many cares and 
sorrows, as well as many joys. The farm rapidly improved 
under the never-tiring industry of Mr. McArthur, ably as- 
sisted as he was by his wife, who proved herself a willing 
helpmeet. The years pas.sed ; cleared fields appeared ; fine 
buildings took the place of the log ones; the hundred dol- 
lars swelled into thousands, while Mr. McArthur took his 
place in the community as a highly-respected and honored 
business man. 

In politics he was an ardent Republican, and held offices 
of trust and responsibility. He was for many years a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died June 
13, 1878, mourned and regretted by a large circle of 
friends. 



438 



HISTOKY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



JOHN WORTHINGTON. 

John Worthington was born in the town of Boscor, 
Lancashire, England, Dec. IG, 1807. His ancestors, as 
far back as the}' can be traced, were tenant farmers, and 
had lived in Boscor. John grew to manhood on a farm, 
receiving no education but such as he has obtained in the 
school of life. Arrived at the age of twenty years, he had 
come to the conclusion that in the new world beyond the 
sea there was an opening for a young man, where he could 
pet better wages and in time could by hard work and econ- 
omy sit under his own vine and fig-tree. He left the harbor 
of Liverpool about the 1st of January, 1827, in the brig 
" Industry," and after a stormy passage of ten weeks landed 
in New York City. He obtained employment on the rail- 
road then being built west from the city, but was cheated 
out of his pay. He worked in the hay- fields around the 
city, after wliich he and a Mr. Partridge for a time owned 
and operated a threshing-machine. This he followed sum- 
mers, and chopping and clearing fur several years, his 



labor being in the forests of Ontario Co., N. Y. Mr. 
Worthington and his partner were the first men to run a 
threshing-machine in Michigan, and came in from Detroit, 
working their way west as far as Ann Arbor. After a time 
he sold out his interest in the machine, and with Mr. Na- 
than Pray came to Windsor, Eaton Co., and worked four 
years for Mr. Pray, clearing land most of the time. He 
then bought eighty acres of new land, which he partly 
cleared ; then exchanged it for another new farm in Benton, 
which he cleared ; and again exchanged for the farm he now 
owns in Brookfield, which consists of one hundred and 
twenty acres of fine land, seventy acres of which are under 
splendid improvement, with a fine house, orchard, and out- 
buildings. It does not seem possible that one pair of hands 
could accomplish so much ; nevertheless, it is true, and he 
can look back upon a life well spent, and feel that he has 
done his share in clearing up Eaton County. He was 
married after he came to Eaton County to Mi.ss Eliza 
Derby, daughter of Wait and Abigail (Emerson) Wordeu. 
She was born in New London, Conn., June 13, 1813. 



O A B M E L. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, SOILS, Etc. 

The township of Carmel lies immediately southwest of 
the geographical centre of Eaton County, and is bounded 
on the north by the township of Chester, cast by Eaton, 
south by Walton, and west by Kalamo. From its eastern 
side is taken a portion of the city of Charlotte. The 
Chicago and Grand Trunk Eailway crosses its southeast 
corner, and the northeastern portion is traversed by the 
Grand JRapid.s division of the Michigan Central. The old 
Marshall and Lansing State road crosses it diagonally from 
southwest to northeast, in a line nearly parallel with the 
Chicago and Grand Trunk Railway. 

The township is generally more rolling than its next 
eastern neighbor (Eaton) ; the soil is about the same and 
of equal value for farming purposes, while the swamp area 
is less than that of the latter-named township. The im- 
provements are generally excellent. The drainage is north 
into Thornapple River, and south into Battle Creek, which 
latter stream crosses the southeast part of town, flowing in 
nearly a southerly direction after its di'tour towards Char- 
lotte from the southeast. A considerable portion of the 
original forest of heavy timber which covered the township 
yet remains. The boundary-lines of this township were 
surveyed by John Mullett in 1825, and it was subdivided 
into sections, etc., by Sylvester Sibley in the same year. 

LAND ENTRIES. 
The following entries of land have been made in what is 
now the township of Carmel (town 2 north, range 5 west) 
by the persons and in the years mentioned :* 



® Those marked thus («) became actual residents of the township or 
county. 



Seclion ].— 18.1(1, H. Butler, Joseph Young,** E. Morgan. 

SectwH 2.— 1836, Joseph Young, D. Clark. 

Section 3.— 1836, W. Tillotson, L. Kirkham, E. Morgan, Joseph 

Young. 
Scclmn 4.— 1835, T. K. Smith; 1836, J. S. U.ayt, J. Young, S. 

Ketchum. 
Herti.m 5.-1835, N. & U. Weed; 1836, J. Young, J. R. Williams,* 

J. Stover. 
Section 6.— 1835, N. & H. ATeed ; 1836, Joseph R. Williams. 
Section 7.— 1836, J. R. Williams ; 1837, Jacob Tanner,* U. Williams.* 
^ecdon 8.— 1836, Joseph Young; 1838, Bezaleel Taft;» 1852, A. A. 

Smith; 1854, L. J. Foster,* Henry Robinson,* J. Tanner, H. 

Williams. 
Section 9.— 1839, R. Loveless,* S. J. Early; 1846, Samuel Miller;* 

1849, Lewis K. Butz; 1851, J. Mount.* 
Section 10.— 1336, Edwin M. Clapp;* 1837, W. Webster,* R. Fitz- 
gerald ;* 1839, Isaac M. Jessup.* 
Section 11. — Joseph Young {entire section). 

Section 12.— 1835, E. B. Bostwick, T. Lawrence; 1837, C. Howard. 
Section 13.— 1832, G. W. Barnes; 1833, J. Torrey, Hannibal G. Rice;* 

1835, Wm. Page, T. Lawrence. 
Section 14.— 1836, Henry L. Dwinell; 1837, C. Howard; 1841, I- 

Bennett;* 1845, S. Gushing, Jr., <fc Co.;* 1846, L. J. Foster ; 1847, 

T. Curry.* 
Section 15.-1837, W. Webster; 1839, R. Winter, Isaao M. Jessup, J. 

P. Herriok ;* 1844, Ellas Andrews;* 1846, T. N. Francis,* John 

Miller;* 1847, Gilbert A. Wade;* 1851, A. J. Chappell.* 
Section 16.— 1848, J. P. Herrick ; 1850, H. Dusenbury,* P. M. Mun- 

roc;* 1851, M. Rnger,* R. Dunn,* J. Roush :» 1854, J. Clapp, I. 

Rager,* A. Baker,* H. Smith,* J. F. Tirrill,* H. Williams; 

1S55, A. D. Shaw.5 
Section ] 7.— 1836, Wm. A. Tryon ; 1837, B. Taft; 1838, Wm. Sisson, 

B. Taft ; 1847, George Sisson; 1851, A. C. Ells,* C. Tuttle; 1853, 

A. C. Ells. 
Section 18.— 1837, 0. & M. Greenman,* E. J. Penniman ; 1838,0. 

Brooks,* Wm. A. Tryon ; 1848, J. E. i A. C. Ells ;* 1853, J. P. 

Herrick; 1854, J. M. Buttolph.* 
Section 19.— 1836, S. Hawkins:* 1837, P. Ayres ; 1838,Pl.itt Morey,* 

Wm. A. Tryon, H. Morey,* E. J. Penniman. 
Section 20.-1837, J. Perry;® 1838, Piatt Morey, R. D. Dodge,* P. I. 

Spencer, Wm. A. Tryon, H. Frink ; 1839, R. Dunn, Ransom Love- 
less,* E. Spencer.*. 



CARMEL. 



439 



Sitiion 21.— 1S3S, T. Ingersoll,* I. F. Ingorsoll ;» 1839, Robert Dunn,» 

I. Ingcrsoll; 1847, U. CooperjS 1849, Oliver Scribner; 1853, M- 

Chai)in:» 18.i4, C. 11. Case.* 
Section 22.— 1837, Chnpin Howard; 1839, J. E. Kccne;» 1841, M. 

Featherstone,' P. Fcathcrstone ;' 1S44, Joseph L. Foster;^ 1846, 

L. G. Foster;* 1847, R. Brooks, Isaac E. Jessup ;" 1849, Chapin 

Howard; 1S53, M. ,*;. l!rafkett.» 
StcliuH 23. — 1836, H. L. Dwinell, M. .Smith, X. Chidcstcr, Aurelius C. 

Howard; 1837, Win. H. Brown, C. S. Bagg. 
Secllan 24.— 1834, .«. U. .Sill ; 1835, Wm. Page, N. A II. Weed, R. J. 

Wells; 1836, W. B. Hill. 
Sccllon 25. — 1836, J. Barnes, Porter, T. Lawrence, Kings- 
bury, L. A. Mills; 1844, .John Ireland.* 
Seclioii 26.— 1836, Aurelius C. Howard, H. Austin; 1837, M. Colla- 

nier, C. Howard. 
Secliun 27.-1837, Chapin Howard; 1839, E. Jessup,* P. Simmons,* 

J. A. Simmons;* 1845, C. Howard; 1847, R. T. Gushing,* A. D. 

Shaw,* and H. H. Gale;* 1848-49, R. T. Cushiug and H. H. 

Gale; 1849, G. Mulhollen.* 
Section 28.-1838, John Newell,* Harrison Mann;* 1839, Tina 

Brooks,* H.Smith; 1847, M. W. Cooper ;* 1849, Chapin Howard; 

1850, A. R. Jones; 1851, C. Fraise;* 1852, M. W. Cooper. 
Section 29. — 1837, Reuben Graves; 1838, E. Ingalls,* Ransom Love- 
less, James Mann,* D. Love;* 1839, George Sikes;* 1841, J. 
Ells;* 1854, Wm. L. Love.* 

Section 30.— 1836, E. Newton,* W. Newton;* 1837, Reuben Graves; 

1851, N. Scribner ; 1858, Ira Arnold,* James R. Stevens.* 
.Section 31.-1836, C.S. Merrill; 1837, R. Graves, G. Peters,' Thomas 

Maguirc, Samuel Heath, T. Reed; 1851, N. Scribner. 

Section 32.— 1837, R. Graves, G. Peters, Samuel Heath; 1858, Asber 
Shepherd;* 1860, Ira Hitchcock.* 

Section 33.-1837, L. Cornwell; 1839, Tina Brooks, E. Howe, H. 
Smith; 1841, C. H. Bowen ;* 1854, M. Follick,* U. I. Law- 
rence.* 

&c<ioii 34.— 1836, S. S. Alcott ; 1S39, A. Treat; 1849, S. E. Millett,* 
L. K. Bretz;* 1850, J. Mourer.* 

Section 35.-1836, M. Rowc, C. Osgood, L. A. Mills. 

Section 36. — 1837, C. Howard (entire section). 

Many of the naiDes j^iven in the foregoinj; li.st are those 
of speculators who never settled in the county, and many 
of whom never saw the land they had purchased. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first blows towards improving this township was 
struck by Piatt Morey, of Rochester, Monroe Co., N. Y., 
who came to Michigan in November, 1837, having left 
Buffalo on the second day of the month and proceeded 
by steam to Detroit. He stopped a few weeks with his 
brother, who was living in Wayne County, and from there 
pushed on to Katon County and stayed several weeks in the 
Spaulding and Brooks settlement, in the southeast part of 
Kalamo. At that time the wilderness of Carmel contained 
not a solitary white inhabitant. Mr. Morey prospected 
until he found land which suited him, and went to Ionia 
and entered it. This was the farm he now occupies. Mr. 
Morey commenced chopping upon hi.s place in the winter 
of 1837-38, and boarded part of the time with Nathan 
Brooks, who had located forty acres opposite, and brought 
in his family in the spring of 1838. As Mr. Morey was 
the first person to make improvements in the township, so 
Mr. Brooks was the first to settle with his family. He 
afterwards became the first super\'isor of the township. 
Mr. Morey was an aspiring bachelor when he began 
swinging his axe in the woods of Carmel, but after two 
seasons of labor in the field of hire he married the niece of 
Bezaleel Taft, who had settled with his family in tlie town- 
ship, and who was originally one of the persons belonging 



to the colony from the State of Vermont, which settled at 
Vermontville in this county. Mr. Morey, since his mar- 
riage, has continued to reside on the place he first improved. 

William Webster, who purcha.sed land on section 7 in 
1837, settled soon after. A few years later — some time 
previous to 1844 — he met his death in a tragical manner. 
It was " town-meeting day ;" the snow was three feet deep. 
While cutting down a tree it fell upon him, cru.shing his 
skull and probably killing him instantly. His body was 
discovered by his wife, who broke a track through the deep 
snow for a mile and a quarter to procure help to remove 
his remains to the house. It is thought this was the first 
death in the township. 

Piatt Morey's brother, Harry Morey, came from New 
York with the former, but did not come into the county 
with him. He located his land two or three weeks later 
than his brother, and for several years had his residence in 
Detroit. He finally settled in Carmel, and in after-years 
removed to Vermontville, where he died. 

Robert Dunn, a native of Esse.Y Co., N. Y., settled early 
in Michigan, and lived in Washtenaw and Calhoun Coun- 
ties. In 1839 he entered land on section 21 in the town- 
ship of Carmel, and located upon it. His family suffered 
much from sickness, and it was long difficult to keep his 
affairs in a satisfactory condition. His struggles for forty 
years have resulted favorably, however, and he is now in 
comfortable circumstances. The town-meetiug for 1840 
was held at Mr. Dunn's hou.se, and the first vote was east 
by him. He is now one of the oldest living pioneers of the 
township, and resides on section 16. 

John Ells, from Vermont, fomerly a resident of Mont- 
gomery Co., N. Y., removed to Michigan in 1842 or '43 
and purchased the place owned by Nathan Brooks, on sec- 
tion 18. The house which had been built by Mr. Brooks 
was the first one in the township, and was a rudely-con- 
structed shanty of the simplest pattern. Mr. Ells died in 
18G4 ; was at the time living with his daughter. In the 
fall of 1844 his son, Almon C. Ells, a native of Montgomery 
Co., N. Y., but a resident of Vermont, visited his father, 
and remained in the township during the winter. He 
returned to Vermont, but in the fall of 1847 came again 
with his family, and settled on land which he had pur- 
chased adjoining his father's farm. He is now living on 
section 22. 

The first frame houses in the township of Carmel, outside 
of Charlotte, were built by L. B. Todd, a man named 
Simmons, and Almon C. Ells. That of the latter was 
erected about 1849-50, and was at the time 'the bast in the 
township. Mr. Hills had commenced hauling logs for lum- 
ber when he first settled with his family, and had them 
sawed at Hyde's mill, in Kalamo. 

George Sikes, who is still living in the town.ship, moved 
in a year or two after Robert Dunn, and was shown his 
land by the latter. 

William Johnson, who, in the winter of 1844—4.5, mar- 
ried a sister of Almon C. Ells, had settled some time pre- 
viously in the village of Charlotte. He was a blacksmith 
by trade, and .some years after his marriage moved upon a 
farm near tlie present residence of A. C. Ells. 

L. B. Todd, a native of Connecticut, and afterwards a 



440 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



resident of Cayuga and Wayne Cos., N. Y., removed from 
the latter to Michigan in IVIareh, 1841, — or arrived in that 
month, — and on the night of the ?>d stayed at the old block 
tavern in Charlotte, kept by William Stoddard, and known 
as the " Eagle." He traded his place in New York with 
Thomas Ingersoll, an old neighbor, for 160 acres on section 
21, in Carmel township (the northeast quarter of the sec- 
tion), upon whicli four acres had been chopped and a small 
shanty had been built. Mr. Ingersoll returned to New York. 
The shanty mentioned was coDStructed of small poles and 
was about six feet square. Ingersoll had boarded with 
Robert Dunn while clearing. Mr. Todd was accompanied 
into this town by his wife and three small children, and 
remarks that for a few years it took " pretty hard scratch- 
ing to get along." Mr. Todd's daughter is now deceased, 
but the sons are both living, — one at some point in the 
West, and the other, Sylvanus Todd, in the south part of 
Carmel township. The parents reside on section 15. 

H. H. Gale, from Windham Co., Vt., came to Mich- 
igan in 1840, and settled in Oakland County. In 1841 be 
removed to Eaton County, and located in the southeastern 
part of Carmel town.ship, on the same section with RoUa 
T. Gushing, after living for a short time in Eaton township. 
In 1850 he removed to Charlotte, where he has since 
resided. He was accompanied by his family when he set- 
tled in the county. His wife was a sister to RoUa T. 
Gushing. 

The last-named gentleman took up his residence in the 
township in the spring of 1839, and owned land in com- 
pany with Aurelius C. Howard. Soon after his first visit 
he went back to Onondaga Co., N. Y., — his old home, — and 
returned in the fall of the same year (1830), bringing with 
him L. H. Dunton as a " hired man." Mr. Gushing died 
in October, 1850, and his widow is now the wife of Amos 
H. Munson, of Charlotte. 

L. H. Dunton was from Chittenden Co., Vt. In 1841 
he was married, and six weeks afterwards (in the same year) 
settled upon a place of his own in Carmel township. In 
December, 1855, he moved to Charlotte, and soon occupied 
the house he now lives in, on the Eaton Rapids road, in the 
southeast part of the city. Mrs. Dunton and her sister, 
Mrs. Rolla T. Gushing (now Mrs. A. H. Munson), are 
daughters of Jonathan Searls, the pioneer of Charlotte. 

Harris Cooper, a native of Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
settled in p]aton County in 1844. 

Much of the early history of Carmel is identified with 
that of Charlotte, in the vicinity of which, for some years, 
the principal settlements were made. The " block" tavern 
of William Stoddard, in which were held courts, meetings, 
balls, and parties, and all the gatherings incident to those 
earlier years, was as familiar to the inhabitants of Carmel 
as to him who resided in the shadow of its well-hewed 
walls. It was almost a continuous settlement within a radius 
of five or six miles from the old tavern, and Charlotte was 
the place where the town-meetings for Carmel and Eaton 
were held for many years. 

E. Chappell, of the firm of Dunning & Chappell, brick 
and tile manufacturers, of Carmel, is a son of Alford J. 
Chappell, an early settler of the township of Kalamo. The 
kiln owned by these gentlemen is on section 15. Tile 



from two to eight inches in diameter are manufactured, and 
about half a million bricks are burned annually. Eight men 
find employment, including the proprietors. The machinery 
is operated by steam, and convenient and commodious build- 
ings have been erected. 

The records of the County Pioneer Society afford the 
following items regarding the settlement of the township of 
Carmel : 

Alvan D. Shaw, a native of Warren, Herkimer Co., 
N. Y., settled in Eaton County in 1840, as the following 
narrative from his pen will testify : 

** I married my present wife in Onond.iga Co., N. Y., on the 0th 
d.ay of February, 1838; left that county soon tliereaftcr, witli my 
wife, to settle in this State; visited some relatives on the way, and 
arrived at Homer, Calhoun Co., in the month of Mareh, 1838, where 
we commenced keeping house. In the month of February, 1840, I 
left said town, with my family, to settle in this county, and on the 
20th day thereof we landed in the town of Carmel. At that time the 
county was only sparsely settled. The town of Oneida embraced four 
surveyed townships, to wit: Oneida, Delta, Windsor, and Benton. 
The settlement in which I lived contained only five males and one 
female,* to wit: R. T. Cushing, S. N. Dunton, John Dunton, H. 
Woods, myself, and my wife. When the day of the annual township- 
meeting came, I thought that we ought all to attend election; they 
thought so too, and early in the morning we all started for what was 
then called Hyde's Mills, a place seven miles distant, in the town of 
Kalamo. When we got there we were told that we did not belong 
with them any longer; that our town had been set off and organized 
into a town by itself. We were then in a dilemma. We <iid not know 
the name of our town, nor the place where we were to hold our first 
meeting. We knew that Mr. Daniel Barber, of Vermontville, was our 
representative in the Legislature, and we clubbed together and raised 
a dollar and hired a boy by the name of Charles Herring to go to 
Vermontville and see Mr. Barber. Said boy, anxious to get the dollar, 
pulled off his coat and hat and shoes and stockings, and with head up 
started on a run tiirough the woods, and after about two hours 
returned with a line from Mr. Barber, stating that our town had been 
organized into :i township by the name of Carmel, and the first election 
was to be held at the house of Robert Dunn.f We knew where that 
was, as we had passed it only a few hours before, and we turned our 
course thitherward. Arriving at said house, we found it to be a low 
shanty, shingled with hollow logs split in two and laid on so as to 
convey the water off. I had to get on the tallest side of the shanty 
before I could stand erect. We then and there made our nominations 
and prepared our ballots; made a ballot-bo.'i, and organized our board 
of inspectors. Between two and three o'clock in the afternoon we 
commenced depositing our ballots. Every elector in town voted, — 
eighteen in all. We closed the polls at the hour of four o clock p.m., 
canvassed the votes and made statements, as required by statute. Got 
home late in the evening; found my wife anxiously awaiting our 
arrival ; she had called the dog into the bouse with her, and fastened 
the door, — the only entrance to the house. The politics of our town 



*■ It is stated elsewhere that William Love settled in this town in 
1839, and resided here until his death, which occurred in 1877. Alvan 
D. Shaw died Dec. 17, 1879, at the age of seventy-two years. He had 
been one of the most prominent men in the county, and was honored 
and trusted by all. He held the position of county commissioner in 
1840-42; was afterwards supervisor of Carmel town.ship, and was 
county clerk in 1844-45. Was an extensive dealer in real estate. Mr. 
Shaw speaks here only of the settlers in his own neighborhood. (See 
account of settlement of Brooks, Morey, and others.) 

t This statement is not in accordance with the laws of Michigan for 
1839. in which, by an act approved March 21st of that year, the town- 
ship of Carmel was erected, and the first township-meeting directed to 
be held at the house of Benj.amin Knights. There can be no disputing 
this evidence. Mr. Johnson, editor of the Eaton Jittyle, published at 
Charlotte in 1845-46, states, however, that the people had not learned 
of the erection of the new township, and actu;illy went to the old jihice 
of holding township-meetings to vote, and there learned the fact that 
they had been set off into a new township named Carmel. 



r>i 




CARMEL. 



441 



w«s largely Whig, — only throe Democrats in town. I was with tho 
niiijority. I always voted the Whig ticket until the year IS54, . . . 
since which tiiuc I have voted with the DciuoLraliu jmrly." 

Bcnajali W. Warren, a native of Clarendon, Orleans 
Co., N. v., settled at Battle Creek, Mich., May 17, 1833. 
He purchased land on section 14, in Cariuel township, Eaton 
Co., Feb. 22, 1843, and on the 7th of February, 1847, 
made his first settlement in the county, locating at Olivet. 
P. 11. Johnson, a native of Fabius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., 
came to Michigan in November, 1844, and settled in the 
township of Carmel, Eaton Co. Served one year in the 
Union army during the llebellion, and was discharged for 
disability ; had enlisted for three years. Mrs. Johnson 
was an early school-teacher in the township, and both her 
husband and herself were among the original members of 
the First Congregational Church at Charlotte, in 1852. 

Mary A. Baird settled with her hu.sband northwest of 
Charlotte in September, 1853, and even at that late day 
but one house was in sight of their humble log cabin in 
the woods. Deer would frequently come close to the house 
and browse from the heaps of brush. 

William Love was among the early .settlers iti this town- 
ship, having arrived in 1839 and settled on a I'ariu, which 
he occupied until his death, which occurred March 29, 
1877. Mr. Love was a respected citizen, and left a wife 
and five married children, all living in Carmel township. 

George Holden settled on a farm in this township in 
1847, and continued to reside upon it until his death, which 
occurred Feb. 17, 1880, when he had reached the age of 
seventj'-two years. 

Among other names of residents which appear on the 
early records of the township are those of the following 
persons, viz.: 

Henry J. Robinson, A. B. Waterman, James Mann, 
John Jessup, Harvey Williams, M. E. Andrews, James 
Foster, Thomas Cooper, H. Whitehouse, J. P. llerrick, H. 
M. Munson, J. E. Sweet, Eli Spencer, A. C. II. Maxon, 
Abel P. Case. 

These are among the office-holders of the township for 
the years 1844 — IG. At that time the dwellings of the in- 
habitants were of the log type common to the backwoods, 
and clearings from which the stumps had not yet been re- 
moved were most common, while the great forest, but a 
few years previously invaded by the white settler, was full 
of wild game, affording tempting marks to the rifle of the 
liutiter and most acceptable morsels for his larder. 

RESIDENTS IN 1844. 

The following list of resident taxpayers for 1844 in the 
township of Carmel is taken from the as.sessment-roll for 
that year : J. F. Gains, Caleb Robinson, Samuel Hawkins, 
Gordon B. Griffin, Bezaleel Taft, Harry Jlorey, John Ells, 
Piatt Morey, Simeon Harding, Robert Dunn, Thomas 
Spencer, James Mann, Cyrus Bowcn, John Newell, George 
Sikes, Ira G. Hitchcock, George Peters, Daniel Worden, 
John Creller, Jr., II. M. Hitchcock, William Love, James 
Cunningham, L. B. Todd, Daniel Smith, James Brown, 
Peter Featherstone, Henry Jessup, Ezra Sweet, L. II. Dun- 
ton, A. D. Shaw, H. H. Gale, R. T. Cushing, Erastus 
Whitcomb, Erastus Robinson, Henry Showers, Palmer 
56 



Whitcomb, James Worden, Elijah Hall, Frederick F. 
White, William Johnson, Melinda Webster. 

CIVIL ORGANIZATION.— LIST OP OFPICEKS. 
On the 21st of March, 1839, the Legislature of Michi- 
gan enacted as follows : 

"That all that portion of the county of Eaton designated in tho 
United States survey as township 2 north, of range 6 west, he and 
the isumc is hereby set off and organized into a separate township by 
the name of Carmel, and that tho first township-meeting shall be held 
at the office of Benjamin Knights in said township." 

For the years from 1839 to 1844 inclusive the records 
of town-meetings arc mis.sing. Alvan D. Shaw was town- 
ship clerk in 1840-41, II. H. Gale in 1843, and J. P. 
llerrick in 1844. At a special election in September, 
1844, Gordon B. Griffin was chosen supervisor, Caleb A. 
Robinson justice of the peace, and J. P. llerrick director 
of the poor. From 1845 to 1879 the following were the 
principal officers of the township : 

SUPERVISORS. 
184i-46, Rolla T. Cushing; IS47, Alvun D. Shaw; 1818, Rolla T. 
Cushing; 1849, John F. Tirrill; 1850, Almon C. Ells; 1S51, 
Caleb A. Robinson ; 18J2-o:!, T. D. Green : lSi4-56, A. C. Ells; 
1857, Harvey Williams; IS.'iS, Abel P. Case; ISS'J, Almon C. 
Ells; 1860, Harvey Williams; 1861-62, John li. Burchard ;» 
1863, F. n. Kilbournc; 1864, Calvin Clark ; 18«.')-6S, Gardner T. 
Rand; 186», Jerrie Mikcsell; 1870-71, James G. I'ollard ; 1872- 
7.^, John Q. Thomas; 1876-77, Charles E. Chappell; 1878, J. h. 
Whitford; 1879, John Shaver. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 
1845-47, 11. J. Robinson; 1848, Harvey Williams; 1849, William 
C. Foster; 1850, Alford J. Chappell; 1851, John F. Tirrill; 
1852, P. Warehain; 1853, A. W. Dean; 1854, U. Williams; 1855, 
M. W. Robb; 1856, A. J. Ives; 1857, John Morris; 1858, John 
H. Ray ; 1859, Peter KaulTman ; 1860, Charles A. Merritt ; 1861- 
62, Launcelot H. Ion ; 1863, C. J. Piper; 1864, George Collins; 
1865, F. H. Kilbourne; 1866, E. A. Kcsler; 1867, Adrian B. 
Coulter; 1868, J. Q.Thomas; 1869-70, L. H. Ion; 1871, George 
H. Wado; 1872-75, Charles E. Ells; 1876-77, F. B. Cushing; 
1878-79, Nelson E. Gibbard. 

TREASURERS. 
1845-48, Gordon B. Grimn ; 1849, Almon C. Ells; 1850-51, Harris 
Cooper; 1852, 11. M. Mun.son; 1853-50, Philip Wareham; 1857- 
60, Gilbert A. W.adc; 1861-64, Peter Horn; 1865-66, J. W. 
Ames; 1867-69, John H. Mygrant; 1870, Samuel C.Sherwood; 
1871, William H. Griffin; 1872-74, Charles E. Chappell ; 1875, 
Evander Dunning; 1876-77, Wnrren Davis; 1878, Jacob .Sehneck- 
cnburger; 1879, William U. Griffin. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 
1845, ('. A. Robinson; 1846, II. 11. Gale; 1847, Wm. Stoddard, A. P. 
Case; 1848, A. P. Cose, J. P. Hcrrick ; 1849, I,orin li. Todd: 
1850, John E. Ells; 1851, Luman Foote, John P. llerrick; 1852, 
C. F. AVallacc; 185.-), M. W. Cooper, James Gallery; 1854, L. B. 
Todd, A. L. Baker; 1855, J. M. Ha^lctt, John H. Dorland, L. J. 
Foster; 1856, U. Baughman, Luman Foote, Ward Lampson ; 
1857, none elected; 1858, Andrew J.Ives; 1859, Calvin Clark, 
Matthiiui Cooper; 1860, Luman Foote; 1861, Abel P. Ciisc; 1862, 
Samuel P. Jones; 186,3, S. C. Sherwood; 1864,11. Baughman, A. 
C. Ells, John F. Tirrill; 1805, Abel P. Ciise; 1860, Luman Foote; 
1867, Roswell A.Sampson; 1868, P. T. Van Zile, Peter Horn: 
1809, Isaac E. C. llickok, A. P. Case; 1870, Johnson W. Ames; 
1871, Abel P. Case, Wm. Love, M. W. Cooper, L. J. Foster: 1872, 
A. C, Ells, J, F. Tirrill; 1873, John F. Tirrill; 1874. M. W. 
Cooper; 1875, James McLaughlin, D. Charles; 1876, A. C. Ells, 

• Resigned, and F. H. Kilbourne appointed. 



442 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Horace Cortriglit; 1877, Amos Dillon, A. C. Ells; 1878, Charles 
E. Chnpiiell; 1879, Peter Horn. 

The followiiif; officers were elected for 1880, viz. : Super- 
visor, John Shaver; Township Clerli, E. Dunning; Treas- 
urer, William H. Griffin ; Justice of the Peace, James 
Griest ; School Superintendent, B. F. Taylor ; School In- 
spector, Frank King ; Commissioner of Highways, William 
H. Pollard; Drain Commissioner, Joseph Maurer; Con- 
stables, Daniel S. Miller, George Bissell, L. S. Stealy, Peter 
Horn. 

EARLY ROADS. 

The following are among the earliest roads laid out in 
the township, as is shown by the record of highways : 

May IG, 1838. — Surveyed by A. C. lloberts : beginnii g 
at southeast corner of section 13 and northeast corner of 
section 24; ihence west and southwest, with variations, to 
the southwest corner of section IS and northwest corner of 
section 19. 

Aug. 31, 1839.— From corner of sections 20, 21, 28, 
and 29 ; east, on section-line, four miles, to township-line. 

Town-line road, between Kalamo and Eaton. Beginning 
at south line of said towns and running north, with varia- 
tions, one mile and 17G rods. Surveyed April 24, 1839, 
by A. Jackson. 

Same date, by A. C. lloberts. — lload on town-line be- 
tween Eaton and Carmel, had numerous angles, which were 
straightened March 6, 1841. 

June 3, 1840. — A road on the east line of section 21. 

Aug. 20, 1840. — Beginning at the northwest corner of 
section 5, town 1 north, range 5 west, and southwest corner 
of section 32 ; thence east 160 chains to the corner of sec- 
tions 4 and 33 in said towns respectively. Surveyed by 
James W. Hickok. 

Nov. 10, 1840.— Beginning 140 rods south of the 
northeast corner of section 24 ; thence in a southwesterly 
direction, with variations, 362 rods. Surveyed by Harvey 
Williams. 

Same date, by same man. — Beginning at southeast corner 
of section 33 ; thence north, with variations, to northeast 
corner of section 28. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in the township of Carmel, outside of 
the then village of Charlotte, was taught by a Miss Childs 
in a small shanty which stood on the corner of Robert 
Dunn's land, on section 21. This was about 1841—12. 
Five or six families resided in the neighborhood, and sent 
their children to the school. The district was the first one 
organized in town, and was called No. 1. It has since 
been divided, and that part including the site of the old 
school-house is now in District No. 3. In this building 
(which has long been removed from the spot) was also 
held the first circuit preaching* in Carmel, by Rev. Mr. 
Bennett. 

Families living in the eastern part of the township sent 
their children to school at Charlotte, in the old " District 
No. 10, of Carmel and Eaton," afterwards " Fractional Dis- 

® A Protestant Methodist Church is now in existence in this town- 
ship, in charge of Rev. L. De Pew, of Charlotte. 



trict No. 1, of Carmel, and 2 of Eaton." From the re- 
port of the school inspectors for the year ending Sept. 1, 
1879, are taken the following items: 

Number of diftricts in township (whole, 7; fractional,!) 8 

" school-children in township 327 

" attending for year 242 

*' days school taught during year 1252 

" school-houses ibrick, 1; frame, 7 J 8 

" seatings in same 395 

Value of school property $3025.00 

Number of teacliers employed (males. 4; females, 14) 18 

Wages paid same (males, $500; females, $598.80) $1098.80 

Total resources for year 2035.51 

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 598.95 

Total expenditures, less amount on hand 1436.56 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

JOSEPH MIKESELL. 

This gentleman was born in Indiana Co., Pa., April 
18, 1802, and was the seventh in a family of ten children. 
His parents were both natives of the State named, and 
belonged to the sturdy yeomanry of that mountain region. 
The young man assisted his parents on the farm until he 
arrived at the age of twenty-one years, when he took advan- 
tage of an opportunity which offered to learn the trade of a 
mason. At that business he continued for fifteen years, 
gaining his start in life in that manner. In November, 
1828, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Praze, who was 
born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., Aug. 30, 1808. Her 
parents were also natives of that State. In the spring of 
1830, Mr. Mikesell removed to Ashland Co., Ohio, and 
purchased forty acres of land. Fourteen years later he 
changed his residence to the town of Troy, in the same 
county, where he purcha.sed one hundred and thirty-seven 
acres. He cleared and improved the latter farm and resided 
upon it until 1853, when he removed to Michigan and 
purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the 
town of Carmel, where he is now living. The place had a 
small clearing upon it, and a small log house had been 
erected. In the latter he lived about two years, when he 
built and moved into the dwelling he now occupies. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Mikesell have been born eight sons, of whom 
five are now living, — all settled in Eaton County. Mr. and 
Mrs. Mikesell have been members of the Lutheran Church 
since 1850. Mr. Mikesell's politics are Democratic, although 
in matters of that nature he has never been an active par- 
ticipant. He has always been possessed of great public 
spirit, and has sought to further in all respects the best 
interests of his township. 



J. F. TIRRILL. 



The subject of this sketch is a native of Bristol, N. H., 
where he was born July 24, 1817. When he was twenty 
years of age he emigrated to Michigan, and the following 
year (1838) settled in Sebewa, Ionia Co. In October, 
1841, he was married to Miss Sarah Ann Leavitt; in 1845 
he was afflicted with the loss of his companion. In Octo- 



-3C! — rT~ 




CHESTER. 



443 



ber of the following year he married his second wife, Mrs. 
Mary Featherstone. They removed to Eaton County, in 
July, 1847, where this lady owned a farm, and upon 
which they settled. In September, 1851, this wife died) 
and in October of the same year he was married to 
Miss Maria Robinson, a native of Camillus, Otiondaga Co., 
N. Y., born Oct. 4, 182:]. She came to Cannel township in 
1854. 

Seven children have been born of these unions, six 
of whom arc living. The oldest daughter, Olive M., was 
born in Sebewa, Ionia Co., in 1843; the second child, 
Sarah Elida, was born in Paris, Kent Co., Mich., Dec. 7, 



1844. The next child and eldest son, Judson E., was born 
in Eaton County, Sept. 15, 1852. The second .son, Frank 
I., was also born in Eaton County, on the 28th cf Au- 
gust, 1854. The fifth child, Alice S., was born on the 
4th of January, 1857, and died in August, 1870. The 
sixth child, Mary E., was born May 31, 1859, and the 
youngest child, Frederick C., Nov. 18, 18G2. 

Mr. Tirrill is in politics a zealous Prohibitionist, and 
an active member and participant in the first organiza- 
tion of the party at Jackson, Mich., in 1809, and has 
always cast his vote for that party. In religion .Mr. Tirrill 
is an earnest, life-long Methodist. 



CHESTER. 



NATUKAL FEATURES. 
OEOlJH.^l'IIY, TOPOOKAl'HY, En-. 

Chester township lies near the centre of the county of 
Eaton, and is bounded north by Roxand, east by Benton, 
south by Carmel, and west by Verraontville. It includes 
congressional township No. 3 north, in range 5 west. 
The south boundary was surveyed by John Mullett, in 
1825; the east, north, and west boundaries by Lucius 
Lyon, in 1825 ; and the subdivisions by Orange Risdon, 
in 1826. 

This township is one of the best improved in the county 
of Eaton, and contains many excellent farms. The surface 
is high and rolling, admitting of good drainage. In some 
portions are level plains, but these are not extensive. The 
Thornapple River drains the township, and is a rapid 
stream. In the eastern part of town it enters between the 
highlands which line it the remaining distance through the 
county, and which approach to the dignity of hills. In 
the northeast corner of town, lying partly in Roxand, is a 
settlement known as Mason's Corners, and in the southern 
part, on the Grand Rapids division of the Michigan Cen- 
tral Railway, is Chester Station. Chester Centre is also a 
considerable hamlet. The county poor-farm is located on 
section 3G. 

LAND ENTKIES. 

The following is a list of the land entries in what is now 
Chester township (town 3 north, range 5 west), as shown 
on the county tract-book in the register's office : 

StctioH 1.-1830, Herman V. Prentice; 1837, R. R. Maxson, H. A. 

Moyer. 
Sfction 2.— 1836, S. and E. IJlisa, S. L. Stoddard; 1837, C. Olin. 
Section 3.— iSM, Daniel Lord, A. Sumner. 

Section 4.— 1836, J. Dean, 11. V. Prentice; 1837, L. G. Miclslcs. 
Section 5.-1836, H. V. Prentice, J. U. Williams. 
Section 6.-1836, J. TilloUon, C. A. Cliurcli, H. V. Prentice, C. H. S. 

Williams. 
Section 7.— 1836, William 0. Henry, J. R. Williams, D. A. Mills. 
Section 8.— 1836, Josejih R. Williams (entire). 
Section 9.— 1836, J. T. Hayt, S. L. Stoddard, Dodge <t Fitch, J. 

McDonald. 
Section 10.— 1836, U. V. Prentice, J. Dean, C. S. Osgood. 



Section J\.—18Z6, U. V. Prentice, S. L. Stoddard; 1837, L. Q. 

Mickles. 
Section 12.— 1836, MeVickar A Constable, S. A E. Bliss, C. Hill. 
Section 13.-1836, MeVickar i. Constable, J. Ronton, C. Hill. 
Section U.— 1836, MeVickar A Constable, J. L. Lord; 1837, L. Q. 

Mickles, 
Section 15.— 1836, W. G. Henry, W. M. Beach. 

Section IH.— 1S5I, S. Buckley, A. Allen; 1854, Peter I'hl, E. Whit- 
comb, Jonathan Lord, B. Dickinson, J. R. Wright, L. Wright, 

W. Dean. 
Section 17.-1836, William M. Bench; 1837, Miles N. Stanley. 
Section IS.— 1836, Joseph R. Williams (entire). 
Section 19.-1836, Joseph R. Williams, S. L. Stoddard. 
Section 20.-1836, A. Goddard, S. i, E. Bliss, U. Hcwctt. 
Section 21.-1836, William G. Henry (entire). 

Section 22.— 1836, W. G. Henry, A. Sumner; 1846-51, H. Williams. 
Section 23.— 1836, S. Clark, Vf. G. Wheaton, W. G. Henry, W. Davis. 
Section 24. — 18.36, A. Ronton, J. Bouton, MeVickar A. Constable; 

1837, J. H. Hollonbeck, 0. Hough; 1852, H. I. Lawrence, M. A. 

Ilackett. 
Section 25.— 1836, MeVickar A Constable, J.J.Adam, J. Romaly, H. 

L. Whitney, A. Fuller, W. J. Squier ; 1837, G. Peters, H. J. 

Priitt. 
Section 26.-1836, L. Wheaton. Z. T. Wheaton, M. A. Wheaton, 

Robert M. Wheaton ; 1839, S. Wheaton, Jr. 
Section 27.-1836, William G. Henry (entire). 
Section 28.-1836, William G. Henry; 1837, 0. W. Codding. 
Section 29.-1836, W. M. Beach, C. P. Dibble, D. M. Jowett. 
Section 30.-1836, William G. Henry (entire). 
Section 31.— 1836, William G. Henry (entire). 
Section .32.-1836, W. G. Henry, P. C. Hopkins, E. Morgan; 1837, 

W.J. Squier, H.Williams; 1851, J. S. Opt; 1854, II. I. Law- 

Section 33.-1836, William G. Henry (entire). 

Section 34.-1836, W. G. Henry, D. Clark, M. Enos, E. Morgan. 

Section 35.— 1836, W. Cummings, C. Cummings, William G. Henry; 

1837, S. H. AVells. 
Section 36.-1836, Isaac Turner, Wait .1. Squier. 

The fact is very evident, from a perusal of this list, that 
the greater portion of the lands in the township was pur- 
chased by speculators who did not intend to become actual 
residents. 

EAULY .SKTTLEMENT. 
The following items were taken from a copy of the Eulon 
Bityle, published in Charlotte, and dated Feb. 4, 184C: 
The firat cabin in Chester township was built by U, and 



444 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



0. WiHiams, in September, 1836. The only path then in 
use led, via Kalamo Mills, to Bellevue, — eighteen miles, — 
without a bouse on the way. In October or November, 
1836, a wagon-road was cut through to Bellevue, princi- 
pally by the Messrs. Wheaton. Messrs. Fuller and Wheaton 
were the first families who moved into the township. Mr. 
Bouton followed in March, 1837. The Messrs. Williams 
came in June of the same year, and other families arrived 
in July. 

Had nothing been known of the former inhabitants of the 
township, light would have been thrown upon the subject by a 
discovery which was made in the spring of 1878 on the farm 
of E. L. Chamberlain. A number of stones had been long 
noticed standing upright in the woods, and on digging be- 
tween them there were found a number of copper and brass 
kettles, tin pails, axes, hoes, dishes, spoons, forks, powder- 
cans, gun-ornaments, etc. The kettles and axes were of 
patterns which had not been in use for at least fifty years. 
It seems improbable that tin utensils would have lasted so 
long, but it would not be singular to find those of the other 
materials. The place was supposed to have been the site 
of an old Indian sugar- camp. 

The first persons who arrived in the township of Chester 
with the view of making a permanent settlement were 
Harvey, Isaac, and Orton Williams, who purchased land 
on sections 21 and 22, at the centre of town. A mile 
farther south a man named Bell, from the State of Ver- 
mont, had built a shanty, and afterwards removed to Ver- 
montville, and the shanty was occupied by the Messrs. 
Williams while making improvements upon their own place, 
in 1836. Robert M. Wheaton stopped with them while 
looking land. Harvey and Orton Williams were manied, 
and settled with their families. Their mother and brother, 
Isaac, afterwards built a short distance farther south, and 
John, another brother, built a mile south of them. The 
latter is now living in California. Isaac Williams died on 
the old farm, Orton in Ingham County, and Harvey at 
Charlotte, where he had lived and occupied the position of 
county treasurer. 

An item furnished to the secretary of the Eaton County 
Pioneer Society, and placed on the records, states that Isaac 
C. Williams, a native of Granville, Washington Co., N. Y., 
settled in Eaton County July 12, 1837. As will be seen, 
by reference to the list of township ofiBcers, the Williams 
brothers all held more or less important positions. 

Jared Bouton, who died in Charlotte, May 25, 1SG5, was 
one of the early settlers of the township of Chester. 

" Mr. Bouton came to this State from Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in the 
fall of 1337. Wintering in Calhoun County, early in the spring of 
1838, with hi.s wife, two little boys, and all their personal effects, with 
an ox-team, they started for their new home in the township of Ches- 
ter, in this county. Following an Indian trail in a northeast direc- 
tion, they passed the home of Phineas Spaulding, in Kalamo, their 
». last and nearest neighbor. For several miles Mr. Bouton had to 
underbrush for the passage of his team and wagon, bis wife cheer- 
fully assisting as best she could in the labors of their advance."* 

^ From obituary notice in Eaton County Repnhtican, Mr. Bouton 
and his two brothers, Israel and Aaron, moved into the township, t-fVi 
Bellevue, in February, 1837, according to other information. They 
reached the Bell shanty, in this town, and for several weeks were not 
able to cross the swollen Thornapple River, and it was not until April 
that thev went on to their farm. 



Isaac Turner, Esq., who died in Mankato, Minn., April 
28, 1868, was one of the earlier settlers of Chester town- 
ship, and had lived in Minnesota about two years at the 
time of his death. 

Robert M. Wheaton, a native of Bath, Steuben Co., 
N. Y., came to Michigan in 1829, when twenty years of age, 
and located in Washtenaw County, where, in 1833, he pur- 
chased land on the banks of the River Raisin. In 1834 
he located land at White Pigeon, St. Joseph Co., and the 
next year at Emmett, Calhoun Co. He purchased land in 
Chester, Eaton Co., and moved upon it in 1836. 1 He cut 
his way to it from Bellevue with Willard Davis, of Ver- 
montville, and Asa Fuller, afterwards of Charlotte. Mr. 
Wheaton was the first sheriiF of Eaton County, and held 
many other responsible positions. He died Jan. 17, 1876. 

The following information is derived from the pages of 
the Pioneer Society's record : 

A. W. Slitchell, a native of Byron, Genesee Co., N. Y., 
settled in Chester July 20, 1842. His wife, Mrs. Lydia 
L. Mitchell, relates the following incident as one among 
many which occurred during their days of pioneer life : 

" In 1842 we started with an ox-team to go forty-five miles to 
attend quarterly meeting. My little girl was taken sick that day 
after we left home, and we thought she must die : but, fortunately for 
us, we got lost in the woods, and, in our wanderings, found some 
blackberries, which checked the disease and she recovered." 

Loren H. Turner was born in Chester township, Sept. 18, 
1843. 

Benjamin E. Rich, a native of Washington Co., N. Y., 
and for some time a resident of Cayuga and Genesee Coun- 
ties, removed from the latter to Michigan in 1833, and lo- 
cated at Adrian, Lenawee Co., where he purchased a house 
and lot and also some farm property. He arrived late 
in the fall, and in June of the following year (1834) 
moved in his family, consisting of his wife and one son, 
William M. Rich. A daughter had died in Genesee Co., 
N. Y. Mr. Rich thinks Adrian contained but one frame 
house upon his arrival in the place. He was by trade a 
carpenter and joiner and a millwright, and, besides work- 
ing as a carpenter in and around Adrian, he assisted in 
building the first grist-mill at Homer, Calhoun Co. In 
March, 1837 or 1838, with his wife and three children, and 
a wagon, a yoke of oxen, five sheep, and a few hogs, he left 
Adrian, and proceeded by way of Jackson and the old 
Clinton trail to the place he now occupies on the southeast 
quarter of section 15, in Chester. He had traded for the 
land while in Adrian, and had never seen it until he moved 
upon it. When he arrived he was $400 in debt, and had 
in his pocket a two-dollar bill on the " Erie and Kalamazo 
Bank," of Adrian. He sent this to Bellevue to pay for 
getting his deed recorded, and found the money was good 
for nothing. His neighbor, Robert M. Wheaton, happened 
at Bellevue, and told the register to record the deed, and if 
Mr. Rich did not pay for it he would. The deed was duly 
recorded, and about a month later, the above-mentioned 
bank having straightened its affairs, and its bills having 
again become valuable, the same money was again sent to 
pay for recording, and was not refused. No imjirovements 
had been made on Mr. Rich's place, and he moved in with 

t Mr. Wheaton settled Oct. 20, 1836. 



CHESTER. 



445 



Harvey C. Williams, where he remained until he could 
clear four acres and build a house. Williams lived half a 
mile farther west, near the centre of town, as before 
stated. 

At Maxson's Corners, in the northca.st part of the town, 
the first settler was Roswell K. Maxson, from Genesee Co., 
N. Y., who had moved to Michigan and located in Jackson 
County in 1837. In the same year he purchased land in 
Chester and Koxand townships, and intended to settle at 
once ; but his family were all sick and could not be moved 
from Jackson. lie had lived alone in the woods for three 
weeks, looking land, and forded Grand River nine times in 
coming from Jackson to this place. At^er the Presidential 
election in 1840, — when he cast a vote for "old Tip," — he 
moved with his family to his land in Chester. lie had pre- 
viously iiired a man to cut 100 acres of timber for him, but 
little had been done. A small log shanty was erected, which 
had neither doors, windows, nor chimney, and was roofed with 
troughs. To get in it was necessary to step over a log two 
feet in diameter. The family lived in this shanty through 
the winter, which was a severe one, and built a log house 
the next season (1841) where tiie orchard of Elder Fer- 
guson now is, a short distance south of the Corners. When 
Mr. Maxson moved in but one family was living in this part 
of Chester, and that was Leonard Boyer, who had settled 
about 1837. A man named Cummings had come at about 
the same time. A sister of Mr. Maxson is now Mrs. John 
AV. McCargar, of lioxaud. 

About 1SG5-66, Mr. Maxson's sons, Roswell and Theo- 
dore, established a store at the Corners, which was after- 
wards owned by Roswell and Wilbur Maxson. They 
finally sold to their father. The fii-st store was destroyed 
by fire, but a new one — that now standing — was erected. 
David Ilollenbeck* also built one, which was burned. The 
Messrs. Maxson subsequently purchased a steam saw-mill, 
which had been built by a man named Starkweather ; that 
too was burned. William McCargar, son of John W. 
McCargar, a pioneer of Roxand, has a grocery- and drug- 
store on the Roxand side of the line. 

Amasa L. Jordan, from Hubbardton, Vt., settled in 
Chester about 1840, and lived in a log house on the place 
now occupied by his son, F. S. Jordan, south of the centre 
of the township. Mr. Jordan died in 1852 ; his widow 
resides with her son. Mr. Jordan was elected associate 
judge in 1846, in the days of the Eaton County Court. 
The locality in which he settled became known as Jordan's 
Corners. He was a tanner, currier, and shoemaker by 
trade. The lumber used in building the present frame 
house on the old place was procured at Bellevue, Marshall, 
and Buttle Creek. 

The Corners now contain a saw-mill, one store, and a 
blacksmith- and wagon-shop. The first saw-mill was built 
about 185G, by John Williams, one of the first settlers in 
the township. The first store was established about 1866, 
by Shaw & Bottomly ; the present one is owned by Wil- 
liam Wilson, who came here in 1865. Tlie saw-mill is the 
property of L. VV. & H. O. Hildreth. 

Henry Cook, a native of Painted Post, Steuben Co., 

* Mr, Uollenbeck ia now at Fojtville, in Roxand township. 



N. Y., settled in Eaton County, Oct. 1, 1837, the old farm 
being on the east line of the township of Chester. 

JURORS FRO^I (•IIKSTP:K, 1830. 

The following is a list of jurors chosen from the town- 
ship of Chester, May 18, 1839: Henry Clark, Orrin Row- 
land, Henry A. Moyer, John Dow, Leonard H. Boyer, 
Lemuel Cole, William Tunison, Harvey Williams, Jared 
Bouton, Aaron Bouton, A.«a Fuller, Zebulon Whcalon, 
Benjamin E. Rich. A portion of these lived in what is 
now Roxand, then a part of Chester. 

CLINTON ROAD. 
A resurvey of this road was made Dec. 12 and 13, 1838, 
across Chester township, by W. R. Martin, of Vermont- 
ville. The road is described as " leading from the village 
of Clinton, Lenawee Co., to Grand River Rapids, Kent 
Co." It entered Chester twenty chains south of the north- 
east corner of section 36, and passed in a diagonal course 
across the township, leaving it one chain and seventy links 
east of the north quarter-post of section 6, and thence 
passed across the southwest corner of what is now the town- 
ship of Roxand, into Sunfield. Considerable portions of it 
are still in use. 

RE.^IDENT.S IN \Mi. 

The following persons were resident taxpayers of Ches- 
ter township in 1844, according to the assessment-roll for 
that year : Roswell R. Maxson, Caleb M. Etson, Allen 
Jenne, Parley Worden, Perry Z. Skinner, Martha Beek- 
man, Shubael Palmer, Leonard H. Boyer, Martin Beek- 
man's Executors, John Warner, Asa W. Mitchell, 0. W. 
Mitchell, Amasa L. Jordan, William Crowther, Asenath 
Codding, Isaac C. Williams, Ruth Williams, John Shaw, 
Harvey Williams, L. W. Hildreth, Benjamin E. Rich, 
Jared Bouton, Thomas W. Hackctt, Marcus Rowley, Henry 
Cook, Peter I)e Rien)er, Asa Fuller, Roswell P. Paine, 
Isaac Turner, Robert Wheaton, Samuel Wheaton, Jr., Zeb- 
ulon T. Wheaton, Levi Wheaton, James Hubbard. John 
S. Williams, Hiram Ilutchius, Charles Codding, David 
Joslyn, James II. Lobdell. 

TOWNSUIP ORGANIZATION. —LIST OF OFFICERS. 

The township of Chester was organized by an act of the 
Legislature approved March 21, 1839, which act reads as 
follows : " All that portion of the county of Eaton desig- 
nated in the United States survey as townships No. 3 and 
4 north, of range 5 west, be and the same is hereby set off 
and organized into a separate township by the name of 
Chester; and the first township-meeting shall be held at 
the house of Harvey Williams in said township." 

After the first township election had been h';ld in Ches- 
ter, it became necessary for the supervisor and directors of 
the poor to settle with Vermontville township, from which 
Chester had been set off, and ascertain how they stood 
financially. It was discovered that Vermontville had used 
about S300 of highway money which really belonged to 
the Chester portion, although the step was justifiable by 
law, as the amount had been raised before the township 
was divided. John Dow, supervisor, and Benjamin E. 



446 



HISTORr OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Rich, director of the poor, of Chester, strove vainly to 
have the atuount returned to their township, and the Ver- 
mont ville people were well pleased with the joke they had 
perpetrated on Chester. They took no pains to conceal 
their exuberance of spirits, and were anxious to remind 
the disappointed citizens of Chester of it at every opportu- 
nity. Mr. Rich happened one day at Bellevue, and a cer- 
tain gentleman from Vcrraontville was there the same day. 
Meeting Mr. Rich, he spoke of the matter in the presence 
of a number of persons and enjoyed a good laugh over it. 
Mr. Rich bore it some time, but finally told the man to go 
home and look the record over carefully, and he would find 
that the §300 had been counted in by manipulating the 
figures or he would pay him the whole amount out of his 
own pocket. Mr. Rich added, " I know you Presbyterians 
— deacons, ministers, and all — would take $300 out of us 
and chuckle over it, but you couldn't do it that time!" 
The fact was that Messrs. Dow and Rich had so duclored 
the figures as to make them cover the sum in dispute, and 
agreed between themselves to pay the amount back out of 
their own pockets if trouble was likely to occur over it. 
The next time the Vermontville man saw Mr. Rich he 
said, " Rich, yoa cheat!" and that was the last of the 
matter, it being taken as a good joke. 

The following account of the first township-meeting is 
from the records : 

"At an election held this 11th day of April, A.D. 1839, for the 
township of Chester, pursuant to previous notice, according to an act 
approved the twelfth® day of March, a.d. 1S39, to regulate township- 
meetings in newIy-organizeJ townships, the electors organized said 
meeting by choice of Levi Wheaton as moderator, and Robert 
Wheaton, John Dow, William Tunison, and Harvey Williams, in- 
spectors of election, who, being duly qualified, appointed Harvey 
Williams clerk, who took the oath of office, and the moderator there- 
upon declared the polls to be open for the reception of votes for the 
election of township officers for the township of Chester for the pres- 
ent year, ending on the first Monday of April, A.n. 1840. 

** On motion, the electors ordered the election of two constables for 
the present year. The electors then proceeded to ballot for township- 
olEcers, and at ten minutes past two of the clock, p.m., the moderator 
gave notice that the polls would be closed in one hour. 

"After the close of the polls, on motion, Voted, That the inspec- 
tors proceed to canvass the ballots before the transaction of other 
business. After canvassing the ballots, on motion, 

" Voted, That sections I, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 
the east half of 22, and the southeast quarter of 33, in town No. 3 
north, of range No. 5 west, be set off into a separate highway dis- 
trict, numbered one, in the township of Chester, and Robert Wheaton 
appointed overseer of said district. 

"On motion, Voted, That sections 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 
31, 32, the west half of 22, and the west half and northeast quarter 
of 33, in town No. 3 north, of range No. 5 west, be set oflF into a 
separate highway district, numbered two, in the township of Chester, 
and Harvey Williams appointed overseer of said district. 

" On motion, Voted, That sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, In town 
No. 3 north, of range No. 5 west, and sections 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 
36, in town No. 4 north, of range No. 5 west, be set off into a sepa- 
rate highway district, numbered three, in the township of Chester, and 
Parley Worden appointed overseer of said district. 

" On motion. Voted, That sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, and 30, in town 
No. 4 nsrth, of range No. 5 west, be set off into a separate highway 
district, numbered four, in tho township of Chester, and John Dow 
appointed overseer of said district. 

" On motion. Voted, That sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, in 
town No. 4 north, of range No. 5 west, be Bet off into a separate high- 

* March 21, 1839, according to the session laws. 



way district, numbered five, in the township of Chester, and Lemue 
Cole appointed overseer of said district. 

"On motion, Voted, That sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, and the 
west half of sections 3, 10, and 15, in town No. 4 north, of range No. 
5 west, be set off into a separate highway district, numbered si.\, in the 
township of Chester, and Benjamin French appointed overseer of said 
district. 

"On motion, Voted, That sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, and the east 
half of sections 9, 10, and 15, in town No. 4 north, of range No. 5 
west, be set off into a separate highway district, numbered seven, in 
the township of Chester, and Henry Clark appointed overseer of said 
district, 

" On motion. Voted, That horses, neat cattle, swine, and other 
animals run at large. 

" On motion, Voted, To raise $150 on the ta.xable property of the 
township of Chester, for the purpose of building bridges and making 
roads, to be expended in each highway district in proportion to the 
amount raised therein, 

" On motion, Voted, To raise ten dollars on the ta.\able property of 
the township of Chester for buying suitable books to keep the records 
of said township. 

" On motion. Voted, To hold the next township-meeting at the 
bouse of Henry A. Moyer. 

" HiitvEv Williams, Clerk of Election." 

At this first election thirty-two votes were cast, being the 
combined voting strength of the territory now embraced in 
the townships of Chester and lloxand, and the following 
ofiicers were chosen, viz. : 

Supervisor, Robert Wheaton ; Township Clerk, Harvey 
Williams ; Treasurer, Levi Wheaton ; Assessors, Lemuel 
Cole, William Tunison ; Collector, Henry Cook ; School 
Inspectors, Orrin Rowland, Levi Wheaton, John Dow ; 
Directors of the Poor, Benjamin E, Rich, Leonard H. 
Boyer ; Commissioners of Highways, L. H. Boyer, Wm. 
Tuni.TOn, Jared Bouton ; Justices of the Peace, John Dow, 
Levi Wheaton, Lemuel Cole, Jared Bouton ; Constables, 
Henry Cook, Caleb Edson. 

Soon after election it was found that Robert Wheaton 
was not eligible to office under the State constitution, and 
a special election was held May 4, 1839, at which John 
Dow was elected supervisor in his place. 

Among the votes passed in 1841 were the following : 

" All swine are not free commoners in time of making sugar. 
" Voted, That three cents fine be imposed on each swine that is not 
free commoners for each offense." 

A bounty of five dollars each was voted on all wolves or 
bears killed in the township, and it was also voted to raise 
eighty doUai's to build a bridge over the Thornapple River 
on the Clinton road. 

In 1844 it was 

" Jieeolved, That if any person shall leave airnip in their sap-bushes 
in the time of sapping, anyways exposed to cattle, and should cattle 
get thereto and by so doing injure themselves, the person owning or 
leaving such gimip so exposed shall be liable to pay all damages to 
tho owner of such cattle so injured." 

The same resolution was adopted also in 1845. 
Beginning with 1840, the following have been the prin- 
cipal officers of the township of Chester to the present : 

SUPERVISORS. 

1810-42, John Dow; 1843-45, Robert M. Wheaton; 1846-48, Ros- 
well R. Maxson; 1849-52, Hiram Hutchings; 1853-54, R. R. 
Maxson; 1855-56, R. M, Wheaton ; 1857-59, Samuel M. Mar- 
tin; 1860, E. R. Martin; 1801, R. R. Maxson; 1862-03, R. M. 
Wheaton; 1864, R. R. Maxson; 1865, W. I, Moyer; 1866-68, 



CHESTER. 



447 



E. R. Mnrtin; 1869, Albert G. Huol ; 1870-73, E. R. Marlin; 
1874-76, W. I. Mojer; 1877-79, E. R. Martin. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1840-42, Harvty Willinms ; 184,3-44, Levi Wheaton ;• 1845, Zebulon 
T. Wheaton; 1846, Martin Bcckman ; 1847, T. A. De Ricmer; 
1848, Alouzo 0. Jennc; 1849, T. A. De Ricuicr; ISjO, Joseph 
1*. BoDcdict: 1861, J. S. Williams; 1852, T. A. De Ricmer; 
1853-54, Edwin R. .Marlin; 1855-56; Joseph Wells; 1857-59, 
E. R. Martin; 1S60-01, R. Duanc Wheaton; 1S62-64, Edwin 
Rover; 1S65, II. R. Field; 1806, A. S. Dayton ;t 1867-68, Wil- 
liam Wilson ; 1SC9-71, F. S. Jordan; 1S72, H. R. Field; 1873, 
William Wilson; 1874-76, H. B. Field; 1877, R. N. Wilson; 
1878-79, F. S. Jordan. 

TREASURERS. 

1840, Henry A. Mover; 1841, Lemuel Cole; 1842, Henry H. Boyer; 
1843-44, L^aac Turner; 1845-47, Hiram Hutchings; 1848-49, 
Leonard 11. Boyer; 1850, John S. Williams; 1851-52, .Amos 
Allen; 1S53, E. A. Green ; 1854-55, Amos Allen ; 1856, Daniel K. 
Dibble; 1857-61, Hiram Hutchings ; 1862-64, J. C. Harmon; 
1865, Amos Allen; 1866, John Bcti; 1867, J. E. Sharp; 1868, 
John Betz; 1869, R. M. Wheaton ; 1870-73, James MeConnell ; 
1874, William Wilson ; 1875, J. F. Campbell ; 1876-77, J. H. Dor- 
man ; 1878-79, George A. Williams. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1840, John Dow; 1841, Harvey Williams, Henry A. Moyer; 1842, H. 
H. Boyer, Isaac Turner; 1843, Martin Beekman, Isaac Turner, 
Jared Bouton, Roswell R. Ma.xson ; 1844, Martin Beekman ; 1845, 
Amasa L. Jordan ; 1846, Isaac Turner; 1847, Benjamin E. Rich ; 
1848. Eri Green ; 1849, Amasa L. Jordan ;* 1850, J. Lumbard ;J 
1S5I, Isaac C. Williams; 1852, E. A. Green, A. 0. Jcnne, E. R. 
Martin;! 185.3, Benjamin £. Rich ; 1854, John Retz ; 1855, Ros- 
wcll R. Maxson; 1856, A. S. Uarman; 1857, B. E. Rich, P. P. 
Moore; 1858, John Bcti; 1859, Roswell R. Maxson; 1800, R. M. 
Wheaton; 1861, Ebenezer Whitcomb; 1862, Marlin Beekman; 
1S63, G. II. Bccman, T. F. Pierce; 1864, John Betz, J. C. Har- 
mon ; 1865, DO record ; 1866, M. Beekman, Elijah Bottomly ; 1867, 
Emory Maxson, T. F. Pierce ; 1868, Allen Cole, W. H. H. Row- 
ley ; 1869, Martin Beekman, H. B. Field, Robert Wheaton ; 1870, 
M. Bcckman, E. B. Seelcy ; 1871, E. Maxson, II. B. Field, S. 
Arnold ; 1872, Kelly Bosworlh, Ephraim Whilwright ; 1873, J. C. 
Beekman, A. G. Buel ; 1874, R. M. Wheaton,'' Charles Dean, J. 
L. Santec, Jesse Beli ; 1875, 0. J. Markham ; 1876, Orriu Turner, 
G. II. Beeman, C. A. Robinson ; 1877, 0. W. Dean, J. L. Santee, 
S. W. Harmon, Alvau Fleury ; 1878, T. W. Anderson ; 1879, S. 
W. Harmon. 
1880.— Supervisor, E. R. Marlin; Township Clerk, F. S. Jordan; 
Treasurer, D. H. Dorman ; Justice of the Peace, Orin 
Turner; School Superintendent, B. F. Beekman; School 
Inspector, Edwin Boyer; Commissioner of Highways, 
Kelly Boswortb ; Drain Commissioner, I. P. Perkins; Con- 
stables, Charles Hampton, Levi Williams, Arthur SpafTord, 
William Titus. 

SCHOOLS. 

In ihe fall of 1838 or 1839 a school district was formed 
in tlie centre of the township, and a frame school-house 
was erected. This was the first district organized in town, 
and the school-house was the first one built. A winter 



* Mr. Wheaton died in office in 1844, and Zebulon T. Whcnion was 
appointed to 611 vacancy Sept. 23, 1844. 

I Resigned, and Edwin Boyer appointed. 

X Mr. Jordan died in office in 1852. 

g Removed from township in 1852. 

1! A special meeting was held Nov. 2, 1852, when the following jus- 
tices of the peace were elected to till vacancies occurring: J. S. Wil- 
liams, R. R, Maxson, and Marlin Beekman. 

•" Mr. Wheaton died in office. 



term of school was taught by a man who lived on the 
Clinton road, in Jackson County, and whose name is not 
now recollected. He boarded with Benjamin E. Rich most 
of the winter while teaciiing. lie was formerly a resident 
of the State of Vermont. This district was numbered 2, 
and the one next east, though organized a short time later, 
was numbered 1. The latter included the Wheaton neigh- 
borhood. The old school-house in District No. 2 served 
numerous purposes. 

The following items are taken from the report of the 
township school inspectors for the year ending Sept. 1, 
1879: 

Number of districts in township (all whole) 8 

" of school. children in township 420 

*' in attendance for year 358 

" of days school taught in all districts 1124 

*' of school-houses (all frame) 8 

" of seatings in same 314 

Value of school properly $2505.00 

Number of teachers employed (males, 4; females, 12) 16 

Wages paid same (males, $395; females, $820.10) $1215.10 

Total re.iourees for year 1770.68 

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 381.86 

Total expenditures, less amount on hand 1388.82 

CHESTER GRANGE, No. 3G1, P. OF H., 
was organized March 12, 1874, with eighteen or twenty 
members. The first Master waa Anson Scott. The grange 
meets at Jordan's Corners, where a hall for its use has 
been erected. The present membership is in the neigh- 
borhood of forty. Anson Scott is Master, and S. W. 
Harmon Secretary. 

RELIGIOUS. 

A Methodist class was formed in the Wheaton neighbor- 
hood about 1838-39, and the following season a Haptist 
Church was organized in the same locality. Both were 
finally discontinued. A Methodist class now e.xists at the 
centre, with Rev. Mr. Wallace as pastor. No church 
building has yet been erected. 

A Congregational church, located southwest of the 
centre, was built in 1879 ; is a frame edifice, well finished. 
Regular meetings are held, and had been for a year pre- 
vious to building the church, an organization having been 
effected in the (Jrange Hall, at Jordan's Corners. 

Rev. Perry Z. Skinner, a Free-Will Baptist minister, 
and brother-in-law to Roswell R. Ma.xson, whose sister he 
had married in Jackson County, came to the vicinity of 
Ma.xson's Corners in 1841, and did some chopping for 
Henry A. Moyer, who lived on the south line of Roxand 
township. Not long afterwards he (Mr. Skinner) pur- 
chased a farm in Chester township, and located upon it. 
The Frce-Will Baptists effected an organization soon after 
his arrival, and he acted as their preacher. The only 
members were Mr. Skinner and wife and Mr. Maxson and 
wife. 

The Methodists first held meetings in the neighborhood, 
and all joined with them. 

About 18G1-G2 the Close-Comraunion Baptists com- 
menced a frame church at Moyer's Corners, but did not 
finish it, and it was purchased by R. R. Maxson, who 
moved it to a location in Chester half a mile cast of the 
corners, finished it, and prepared it for use as a church for 
the United Brethren, who organized about that time. This 



448 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



church was formed mostly of memhers from the old Free- 
Will Baptist organization, and at present occupies the 
entire field. The pastor is liev. David Buck. The mem- 
bership, together with that of a class of the same denomi- 
nation in the Moyer locality, is about thirty. Meetings are 
held once in two weeks, and a Sunday-school is main- 
tained, with Wilbur Maxson superintendent. Mr. Buck 
preaches at Ciiester, Sunfield, Moyer's Corners, Sebewa, and 
Danby. 



CHESTER STATION 
is located in the southwest part of the town, on the Grand 
River Valley Railroad, or Grand Rapids division of the 
Michigan Central. A village plat was laid out March 30, 
1870, by Jesse Betz, to which an addition was made June 
8, 1870, by George Brenner. In April, 1871, Messrs. 
Garton & Davenport commenced operating a steam saw- 
mill at the place, and Thomas Anderson and E. J. VVhit- 
wright established stores. 



BIOGEAPHIOAL SKETCHES. 









ASA W. MITCHELL. 



MRS. ASA W. MITCHELL 



ASA W. MITCHELL. 

Welcome and Priscilla Mitchell, the parents of Asa W., 
were both natives of New York State, the former having 
resided in Ontario, and the latter in Monroe County. Their 
son was born in 1815 in Genesee County of the same State, 
and remained at the parental abode until his twenty-first 
year, having meanwhile acquired and followed the trade of 
a carpenter and joiner. 

lie married Miss Lydia L. Wright, of Montgomery Co., 
N. Y., who was born in 1817, and whose parents were 
among the early settlers of the beautiful Orleans County. 
He emigrated five years after his marriage with his family 
to Michigan, and repaired to his present residence in the 
township of Chester, having but four dollars as his cash 
balance on arrival. The land, a portion of which was pre- 



sented to him by his father, was entirely unimproved, and 
required much labor and the exercise of considerable pa- 
tience to make it productive. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have five children, Favay I'., 
Lucy A., Sylvia C., David M., and Chauncey R., each of 
whom is married and comfortably settled in life. 

Mr. Mitchell enjoys the reputation of being a model 
farmer. He has one hundred and twenty acres under a 
high state of cultivation, with many modern appliances for 
aiding the labor of the agriculturist. He possesses in an 
eminent degree the esteem of the community in which he 
resides, and bears an unquestioned character for probity and 
integrity. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are both members of the 
Free-Will Baptist Church, in which he has been for thirty- 
two years a deacon. 





-7/1 Wt--^ -■ 







KELLY BOSWORTH 



M^f K. BOSWORTH 




Res. of KELLY BOSWORTH , Chester^Mich . 



CHESTER. 



449 





MAKTIN BEEKMAX. 



MRS. MARTIN liEEKMAN. 



MARTIN BEEKMAN. 

Henry Beekman, the father of the subject of this biog- 
raphy, was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Dec. 25, 1764, 
and his mother, Rachel Brewer Beekman, was a native of 
the same place, where her birth occurred November 17th 
of the previous year. 

The birth of their son Martin occurred Nov. 18, 1806, 
and his life until his twenty-sixth year was uneventful, — 
much labor during the summer and a moderate amount of 
study in winter serving to fill the time. Having lost his 
mother in 1830, the father with his son removed to New 
York State five years later, and in 1837 the family re- 
paired to Michigan and located upon his present residence 
in Chester township. There were then no highways, and 



travel wa.s very difficult, even with the stout ox-teams then 
in general use. Perseverance and courage were in those 
primitive days necessary qualities to the pioneer, and these 
Mr. Beekman possessed in an eminent degree. lie was in 
1840 married to Miss Mary V. Minor, of Lodi, Seneca 
Co., N. Y. ISlr. and Mrs. Beekman have had four sons: 
Henry Minor, William M., John C, and B. F., the latter 
two being the present owners of the homestead. These 
children have been reared to habits of integrity and in- 
dustry, and have in their separate careers exemplified the 
result of their careful home-training. Mr. and Mrs. Beek- 
man are and have for years been active members of the 
Presbyterian Church, and consistent exemplars of the faith 
tliey espouse. 



KELLY BOS WORTH. 
Luther and Lonigra Kelly Bosworth were both citizens 
of New York State, the former having been born there 
in 1798. Their son Kelly was a native of Ohio, where 
his birth occurred in 1824. The parents of the lad were 
industrious, and, from choice as well as necessity, educated 
their son in habits of industry, which enabled him in after 
years to attain success by his own cfforta. He remained 
under the parental roof until he had attained majority, when, 
after an interval of two years of labor at the East, he sought 
a home in the wilds of Michigan, and purchased one hun- 
dred and thirty-three acres in Chester township. Return- 
ing to Ohio, he married Miss Almira, daughter of Francis 
and Lucina Bark, who united with him in the task of 
making a home in the Slate of their adoption. Mr. Bos- 



worth was noted as a skillful hand with the axe. He 
chopped during the fir.st four years of his residence in 
Michigan two hundred acres, and has never, while at tliis 
branch of labor, averaged less than half an acre per day. 
His only tools on starting were an axe and shovel, with 
which he has hewn and dug his way to 8ucces.s. He has 
now two hundred and eighteen acres, most of which is 
highly improved. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bosworth have five children living : 
Granger F., Francis F., Lucina L., Myron K., and Edwin 
L., the first of whom is married to Miss Eva Town, of 
Illinois, and now resides at Sunficld. Mr. Bosworth enjoys 
a wide reputation for integrity in the township of his resi- 
dence. His preferences in politics are with the Republican 
party. 



57 



450 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



HIRAM HUTCHINS. 

Hiram Ilutchins is a native of Pennsylvania. His 
fatlier, Henry Hutchins, bein^ a carpenter by trade, and 
his mother dying when he was but four years of age, Hiram, 
at the early age of seven, was bound out for ten years. At 
the expiration of this term he had, to begin the battle of 
life with, only the clothes on his back, good health, a 
strong constitution, and a stout heart. Walking to Tomp- 
kins Co., N. Y., he attended school when the opportunity 
was afforded, and worked on the Erie Canal the greater 
portion of the time until 1828, when he was married to 
Miss Roxana Church. The succeeding fifteen years he 
engaged in milling in Cortland Co., N. Y. His wife 
having died in 1830, he was again married in 1832, tak- 
ing for his second wife Arabella Stanton. In 1843 he 
came to Michigan, locating in Chester township on two 
hundred acres of wild, unimproved land, which he had ob- 
tained in trade for his mill in New York State. Being 
bereft of his second wife in 1846, in 1848 he married Miss 
Phebe Searles. He has been the father of nine children. 

He filled the office of supervisor four years and of town- 
ship treasurer several years, occupied the position of super- 
intendent of the poor ten years, and is an active participant 
in school matters and all public improvements. He is noted 



for square dealing, good common sense, energy, and direct- 
ness of purpose in all his undertakings. 




11 III IClllNb 



DELTA. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 

GEOORAPIIY, TOPOGRAPHY, SOILS, WATER-COURSES, Etc. 

The township of Delta occupies a position in the north- 
east corner of Eaton County, and is bounded north by 
Clinton County, east by Ingham County, south by the 
town.ship of Windsor, and west by Oneida. It was named 
from the bend of Grand River, in which it lies, and which 
re.senibles somewhat the fourth letter of the Greek alpha- 
bet (J). A large portion of the " Old Maid Swamp" lies 
in this township, and has lost few of the terrors it pos- 
sessed in the days when settlers became lost in it. This 
swamp is filled with a dense growth of tamarack, and ex- 
tends into the adjoining townships of Oneida, Benton, and 
Windsor. It drains into the Grand River at Dimondale, 
and in an opposite direction into the Thornapple, and is a 
prolific source of agues and malarial fevers. The principal 
stream of the townsliip is Grand River, which affords a fine 
power at Delta Mills. The waters of all the streams, coming 
from tamarack swamps largely, have the rich brown tinge 
imparted to them at their .sources, and rapid currents. In 
an agricultural view the township is excellent, and is gen- 
erally well improved. Its surface is rolling, and pleasing 
landscapes are presented in nearly all localities. The boun- 
daries of this town.ship were surveyed in 1825 by Lucius 
Lyon, and the subdivisions in 1827 by Musgrove Evans. 



LAND ENTRIES. 

The following is a list of land entries in town 4 north, 
range 3 west (township of Delta), as shown on the tract- 
book in the office of the county register : 
Seclinn 1.— 18;iC, R. G. L. De Peyster, William Thompson, M. B. 

Martin. 
Seclinn 2.— 1836, William Thompson, C. Smith, M. B. Martin. 
Section 3.— 1836, P. Davis, F. Reed, W. Thompson, M. B. Martin, 0. 

Rowland. 
Section 4.— 1836, H. H. Comstock, M. li. Martin, J. R. Williams. 
Section S.— 1836, V. Ellsiyorth (entire). 

Section 6.— 1836, W. Thompson, C. Zabriskie; 1837, S. G. Nichols. 
Section 7.— 1836, C. Zahriskie, W. Thompson, J. R. Williams. 
Section 8.— 1836, C. Zabriskie, H. Butler, P. Paine, G. B. Chandler, 

J. R. Williams. 
Section 9.— 1836, J. R. Williams, P. Paine. 
Section 10.— 1836, H.Butler, S. Teal, h. Merrill. 
Section 11.-1836, J.R. Williams (entire). 
Section 12.-1836, William Thompson, J. R. Williams. 
Section 13.— 1836, J. R. Williams; 1847, D. R. Ban 

Dayton. 
Section 14.— 1836, J. R. Williams 

Dayton. 
Section 15.— 1836, D. Merrill, S. A. Hubbard. 
Section 16.— 1849, J. Sheets, J. F. Dorrell; 1850, J. E. Sheets ; 1851, 

J. Sheets, A. Meyers; 1853, Charles Burr, A. C. Kent; 1854, H. 

McCormick, B. Walton. 
Section 17.-1836, J. R. Williams ; 1840, T. W. Willcy, James Nixon. 
Section 18.-1836, J. R. Williams; 1839-51, John Ni.Kon. 
Section 19.— 1836, J. R. Williams; 1839, John Nixon, R. Nixon; 

1847, C. Hildreth; 1847-48, James Huddleson. 



1848, S. B. 



D. Chadwick; 1848, S. 



DELTA. 



451 



fkctiim 20^-1g3K, J. R. WillUms; 1847, 8. Nixon ; ISil, E. Bjxbc*. 
Seclirm 21.— 183ft. 8. A. Ilabbar<l, O. B. f'handler. 
Steii'.ti 22.— I8.1H, a. A. Hobbarl, J. R. Wllliami; 1840, S. S. C«rr. 
*clrV>» 23.— 18.16, .1. R. Willi.m. ; 183H, R. Bacon ; 1839, II. O. Il»l- 

«ey ; 1.847, J. Krown, S. B. bajton. 
Serli'm 24.— 18.36, J. R. WilliaDu ; 1840, J. A. Bagley ; 1847, .V. 

Carrier. 
SkUor 26.— 183«, M. 6. Martin, J. R. Willianin. 
Strlioa 2*.— 183«, J. R.Williams; 1838. E. Ingerioll ; 1839, C. Ewer, 

E. Ingenoll: 1847, S. B. Dayton; 1849, E. Moore, Thomaa Par- 
sons, Jr. 

,«!<rfi«n 27.-18.3(1, J. R. Williams; 1838, 0. Faller. 

^«(i-ni 28.— 1836, J. R. Williams; 1847-J3, .J. Reed; I8.M-i8, O. D. 

Parker. 
&«(iV»i 29.-18.36, J. R. Williams ; 1847, John I,. Bnsh, .J. H. A L. M. 

Parker, Benjamin H. Byxbee; 1848, A. Holleostein, Sr.; 1864, 

F. Bingley, Alden A..Icnne. 

Sfcli'm .30.-18.36, J. R. Williams; 1848, Irs Byxbee, I-eri B. Hare. 
jr<rii'>M31. — 1859, Jami>s Foster; 1 86 j, James Foster, James Easterly; 

1867-68, Henry H. f.'rapo. 
Stetii.n .32.-1836, J. R.Williams; I8a6, Valentine Wright; 1861, L. 

C. Holly; 1865, P. M. Cowlea and M. A. Howell. 
Striion 3.3.— 18.36, J. R. Williams; IS.'.O, h. M. Lanphere. 
.%c(>V>fi34.— 18.36, J. R. Williams fenlire). 
SeetiomZi and 36.— 18.36, R. 0. L. I>e Peyster (entire). 

Many of thoee entering land in thiii township did so for 
pnrpoees of speculation, as was the ca.se in most of the town- 
ships in the West, and the actual settlers among the fore- 
going naues were comparatively few. 

EARLY SETTLKilEXT. 

The first settler in the town.ship of Delta wa.8 Eraatos 
Ingersoll, and his son, Erastns S. Ingersoll,* Esq., wrote 
as follows of the circumstances in 1869 : 

"The first settlement in the township of DeltA was made on sec- 
tion .3, at the point now and long known as ' belta .Mills.' Erastns 
Ingenoll was the first .^etder. tie purchased of the United Htates 
gOTemment ten lots, embracing in the aggregate 80u acres of land, 
lying on V,th sides of Grand River, and extending northward into 
the adjoining township of Watertown, in Clinton Connty. This par- 
ebase was made in the snmmer of 1835. In the spring of 1836, Mr. 
Ingersoll employed Anthony Xiles and Heman Thomas, residing in 
the township of Eagle, to boild a log cabin on his newly-pnrcha.^ed 
lands. This cabin ^&a located on the north bank of Grand River, 
and apon the east divi;«ion of section 3. In the month of Aagnst or 
September, 1 8.36, Mr. Ingersoll, in company with Clinton Bamet (now 
of Windsor, Eaton Co.) and a man by the name of Avery, went on to 
the tract of land, taking with him his family. .Mr. Burnet was the 
first hired man in the township of Delta. Mr. Ingers^<ir.'< outfit left 
Farmington, in the connty of Oakland, and followed the Grand Ri»er 
Tampike to Howell. From Howell he tomed north to Sbiawas.«e« 
Connty, thence down the Looking-Gla.<s Rlrer to CapL .'Scott's tarem, 
BOW the site of the village of De Witt. Prom this point he cot bis 
way in a soothwesterly direction, without section-lme, trail, or any 
other goide, to the log cabin above mentioned, a di.'tance of ten or 
more miles. So adequate idea of the lab^ir and trial of such an under- 
taking can well b« formed from any other 'tandpoint than that of 
actoal experience, 

" Having established himself at his new home on Gr«nd River, th« 
first work was to erect a dam preparatory to bnilding % saw-mill. 
Formidable as was this undertaking, in the midst of a great wilder- 
neaa, it was accomplishe'l, a mill was built, and one board duly sawed on 
the last day of December, 1836. Not that the mill was folly com- 
pleted at this time. ' Gigging back,' as it was termed, had (till to b« 
performed by the ose of crowbars and handspikes. Bat notwitbftaod- 
ing this triamphant feat, be had yet Ia learn that in hoppling the prood 
earrcDtof Grand River he had a more formidable task than was at 



• Erastus .?. Ingersoll died Joly 26, 1880, aged seventy-two years. 
The Ingersolls were originally from Victor, Ontario Co., S. T., and 
settled in Oakland Co., Mich., in 1826. 



first anticipated. Fancy might say Ibat the free waters of this noble 
stream has so long reveled in their own wayward course that they 
would hence be indisposed towards lb<> unusual restraint U, be put upon 
thi-m. Be this as it may, the succeeding spring fr'shet swept away 
the frail dam, undermineil the mill, and thus greatly augmented the 
labor of making reparation of this disparaging |f#ss. Addison Hay- 
den was the principal artificer of Ihis first mill. 

" The next settlers afur .Mr. Ingersoll were a .Mr. Lewis and bis 
son-in law, Kzra Billings. They came from 'ihio, and in passing 
through the wilderness from Eaton Rnpids to Delia Mills, a distance 
of some twenty miles, without path or line, these por,ple encountered 
perils and endured much suffering, .Mrs. Lewis, a very »ge<l la/ly, fell 
sick on the way, probably from trials and extreme exposure exf*- 
rienced on the journey, and died soon after their arrival. A rough 
coffin being made from a wagon-box, she was buried on the brink of 
Grand River. No monument or other evidence exists to mark her 
last resting-place.t Thus pass the lowly away. 

"On the 27th day of February, 1837, I moved my own family to 
Delta, having contract«<i to work for my father. Erasins Inger<oll. 
We came in from Pannington by way of .^hiawa'<en and U- Witt 
with sleigh and horses. We wcupiH the log house. .Mrs. Ern«t.i. A. 
Ingersoll t>eing duly installcfj ' ini'tress of the mansion' and niai>l of 
all work. Our supplies were tran«p<.rte<l by ox. teams fp.in Ileiroit. 
The price of pro»i,-ioi,s nece-sarily ruled \„fh, y,rk being worth forty 
and floor fourteen dollars f*r bun.lred. We were totjilly deprived of 
all vegetable supplies until the opening of the ensuing spring. For- 
tunately for us, a .Mr. Butterfield came down the river in the e«rly 
spring with a boat lailen with the much needd an: ' 

.My father purchn^cl ^e,th the cargo and ve^.^el, pa; 
for the b».at and two dollars per bushel for the p ■ 
bushels in all. 

'• AW.ut the first of June, 1837, my father, his brother, the Rev. E. 
P. Ingersoll, Dr. Jennings, of Oberlin. Ohio, two .Messrs. Bra/lley, 
their two sons, a .Mr. I.yman and son, from .M.i'sa<hu«eit.'. and two 
hired men, all came through from Howell, bringinif wifV. 'h-^f. two 
yokes of oxen and four cows. In this journey of f<,ri 
the dense forfeit they cut their own roa/ls, built Kr 

hillsides, and removed numerous oli«lructions, exj»eri' ^ ... 

barrassments, and enc/inntering many trying delays. At the approach 
of .Saturday night the party encampd on the bank of Cellar River, 
spending the ,"!abbath as a day of rest and religious worship. On the 
arrival of Ihis party .Mr. Ingersoll's family was increased to eighteen 
in number. 

"Two weeks after the arrival of the above-named party, myself 
and Edward Ingersoll, with two wagons, two yokes of oxen, and a 
spian of horses, freighted with the househol'l goods of Thomss f"^,\-\ 
wick, followed the aforementioned winding path from I!'.-* 
Delta. In our company were Hamuel Chadwick, brother of Tr. .-ra* 
and Daniel Chadwick, Thomas Chadwick and wife, .^ally Cha/Jwick, 
afterwards the wife of D. S. Ingersoll, and my brother Egbert. To- 
wards night of the first day after entering this new and tortooiia 
route we came to an open marsh, and, having car* fully examined tb« 
strength of its turf, it was decided ihs' 'he hof>e* .H'.nM '-.e the Urst 
Ui lest iU capabilities. Bnt < 
away went the treacherous c'. 
the mire. By prompt and w 

the sinking animals from the w>*g',n, when to*-y went ashore on toe 
opposite side of Ibis misebievoos slough of despr.nd. After selecting 
a new route we pnt oor good oxen on their fr ' / V. .' 

before reaching even the middle of this *. 
wagon was resting its axles sr|narely Tip n ■' 
loosing our oxen, they also went to t ■■ 
wagons fully installerl, far out in tt. - 

Mrs. Chadwick, an aged lady of nnujua , > -^ 

one of oar iDtreaeb«d vehicles. ' Now,' esclaiaMd this lady, ' bow am 



t This party bad been lost in "Old Maid's .■'wamp,"and wandererf 
for several days before they finally found r^r.-'. -n 1 'hf t.Jt if'criftme 
of their number had bante>l for it. ' 
north bank of the river, jost below 
When his wife died their daughter, .M 

prepared her for burial. The highway now passes over tne spot wnera 
her remains were depo«l«d, " aod pass«rt-by are as aDeoBseioas of 
the presence of daatb a* the rivar Ibst roll* al bar feat." 



452 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MI.CHIGAN. 



I to get ashore V a question we thought far more easily nsked than 

answered. This agod matron dared not trust her weujht upon the 
flimsy turf, and hero wo were, surrounded by a dreary, inhospitable 
wilderness, deeply involved in an implacable morass, and not a little 
puzzled with a dilemma which seemed likely to prove too much either 
for our patience, our ingenuity, or our endurance. Our sympathies 
for good Mrs. Chadwick were at their highest pitch, and we were not 
a little perplexed by our novel and distressing condition. At length 
Edmund said, 'Mother, let me carry you ashore on my back.' * AH 
right/ said the old lady ; * back up here, boy.' No sooner said than 
done, and thereupon we had the ludicrous but gratifying scene of 
seeing what good service a strong and resolute young man could do 
for age and helplessness. Trying as our condition was, we were 
wholly unable to repress the power of mirth while watching our hero 
as he staggered through the deep mire, bearing his precious, ponder- 
ous charge safely to the welcome shore. We soon had evidence that 
this trial had not wholly dissipated the ready stock of Mother Chad- 
wick's characteristic humor, exclaiming as she did on alighting from 
her bearer's back, * There, that is the first time I ever rode a. Jackass !' 
Having iinishcd our laugh over Mother Chadwick's comical transit, 
our attention was brought to the more serious business of extricating 
our wagons from their miry beds. Having carried everything we 
could handle to the nearest shore, we cut several long poles, and hav- 
ing united them with a few ropes and chains, and attached this hetero- 
geneous hawser successfully to the end of each wagon-tongue, apply- 
ing our teams we finally brought them both again to a stand on terra 
Jirma. This toilsome job lasted to the setting in of night, and we 
were compelled to make our beds in the presence of this now loathsome 
slough, amid the roar of rollicking frogs and marauding gallinippers. 
The next day, one of our hortes giving out, we were compelled to 
leave a portion of our lading in the wilderness and drag along with 
impaired teams as best we could, encamping for the second time on the 
banks of Cedar River. While »t dinner on this day we were unex- 
pectedly visited by Mr. John Stanley, of Canada settlement, in the 
township of Oneida, looking for lust oxen. By him we sent advice of 
our necessity for more provisions, and were happy to find, through the 
faithfulness of this kind messenger, a goodly supply of pork and 
beans sent on the next day, brought through on the back of a man 
dispatched by Mrs. Ingersoll for the express purpose. We got through 
to Delta Mills at night of the third day after leaving Howell, and all 
found room in the spacious log house to eut and lie down. The log 
cabins of those days possessed a wonderful capacity for sheltering 
and feeding hungry adventurers. 

"Our family now numbered twenty-six persons, besides occasional 
companies of land-lookers and other rambling adventurers, and such 
as had decided to make their homes in this new region. About the 
2Uth day of March of this year, as our large family was at supper, we 
were aroused by the sound of several voices down at the river side, 
and soon heard the call of some person at our door. Prompt to give 
our attention to this unexpected visit, we were much surprised, as well 
as interested, on hearing the cry of a child and much loud talk down 
at the river. Hastening down to the shore as fast as we could by the 
twilight, we there found a company of men, women, and children, with 
teams standing upou the ice some distance from the river-bank, in 
anxious feeling about their seeming perilous situation, the ice having 
melted away from the north shore of the river, leaving an open space 
of deep water, some ten feet in extent, between the main body of the 
ice and land, making it wholly impracticable for teams to cross. With 
characteristic promj)titude all hands set to work building a bridge from 
the ice to the shore, and, having effected our purpose, we very soon 
had the satisfaction of leading the two imperiled teams from their 
critical situation on the dissolving ice to a ?afer standing on the solid 
earth, and found by so doing we had rescued the persons and property 
of two worthy emigrants, a Mr. Compton and a Mr. Cronkite, and their 
families from imminent danger, if not from actual destruction. This 
company had traveled from Katon Rapids on "the ice, and they related 
to us their trials and many hairbreadth escapes previous to that from 
which we had here the gratification of having aided them to escape. 
They afterwards settled in the township of Eagle, near Grand River. 

"One morning in April following the above-mentioned occurrence 
we heard a loud call from the south side of the river. A boat was 
immediately dispatched and soon returned bringing over four young 
men who had remained out all night in the woods without food, tire, 
or covering, throughout a violent storm and upon a heavy depth of 
snow. So thoroughly drenched were they that wlien they reached our 



fireside the water was freely wrung from every part of their several 
garments. Two of these men, John Houston and James Wright, tar- 
ried and worked several months in the employ of my father. 

*' Not long after the foregoing incident, we were again saluted with 
a loud halioo immediately at our door. The frequency of these evening 
surprises had served to increase rather than diminish our interest in 
them ; so rushing in a body to the door, we there found a boy on 
horseback, around whom our eager company crowded somewhat un- 
ceremoniously near, as our visitant thought, for he presented his 
pistol, vociferating, 'Stand back! I'm in Uncle Sam's employ!' 
AVe then discovered that he had a tiny mail-bag strapped upon the 
rear of his saddle, thus verifying what he had so arrogantly asserted, 
that he was really an employee of the United States of America. By 
this enterprising youth we got intelligence that a 7nail-roHte had been 
established from Jacksonburg to Ionia; but owing to the extremely 
bad condition of the roads it fuiled to be continued after a few trials. 

"Among our early settlers in Delta at this time I can joyfully 
enumerate Thomas Chadwick and Samuel Chadwick, Addison Wood- 
ruff, Ansel Mascho, George Smith, John Reed, Genet Brown, Richard 
Lewis, Moses Ingersoll, and several others, some of whom are de- 
ceased, while others have been scattered abroad over other fields of 
action. Ansel Mascho went to California about 184:9, and was not 
afterwards heard from. 

" I will here state that motives other than those of mere pecuniary 
acquirement seem to lie at the foundation of the first settlement in 
Delta. A higher interest than the bare acquisition of houses and 
lauds seemed to have actuated the adventurous few in pushing so far 
back into an unbroken and greatly isolated region, as was the general 
territory hereabouts at so early a period of western enterprise. Some 
few men, among whom was my father, Erastus Ingersoll, having a 
desire to form a self-suttaining literary instil ution, and proposing to 
build upon the manual-labor principle, similar to that of Oberlin, 
sought for a location abounding in the article of cheap and ample 
lands for its fundamental dependence. Accordingly, the Rev. John 
Shepherd, the enterprising founder of Oberlin and Olivet, in company 
with Rev. E. P. Ingersoll, brother of Erastus Ingersoll, came on with 
my father, as before related, to visit the land he had purchased in 
1835. Mr. Shepherd, being sanguine that the site was a good one for 
the purpose contemplated, to some extent entered upon an agreement 
with my father and his brother Edward to commence work at once; 
whereupon the Rev. Mr. Ingersoll visited the Eastern States in the 
fall and winter of 1836 for the purpose of soliciting funds in support 
of the undertaking. The object of his mission received so much favor 
in the form of large subscriptions to the fund, that a large building 
for the accommodation of pupils was formally commenced, and the 
object seemed for a time to be in a fair way to be speedily and 
thoroughly accomplished. But the general crash that fell so heavily 
upon the financial world in 1837-38 rendered the collection of the 
funds pledged at the East wholly impracticable, and the work of 
building, and eventually the whole undertaking, sank gradually into 
decay. Mr. Ingersoll persisted in his attempt, opening a school in 
1841, which he continued about a year. But the work seeming to 
have lost its prestige, he became disheartened, finally abandoned it 
and left the woods of Delta for some more genial fate. 

"As way-marks of social and political improvement, I will here 
mention the following statistical occurrences in the order of their 
succession : 

" 1. The. first settler was Erastus Ingersoll. 

"2. The first employee was Milton Burnet. 

"3. The first dwelling, the log cabin of Erastus Ingersoll. 

"4. The first improvements, IngersoU's dam and saw-mill. 

"5. The first public-house kept by E. S. Ingersoll. 

" 6, The first postmaster was E. S. Ingersoll. 

" 7. The first political meeting, fall election in 1838. 

" 8. The first minister of the gospel, Rev. E. P. Ingersoll. 

"9. The first child born (a female) in 1838. 
" 10. The first church organized in 1851. 
" II. The first permanent pastor, Rev. William P. Esler. 
"12. The first school-house built in 1839. 
" 13. The first school-teacher, Miss Sally Chadwick.* 
"Religious meetings were commenced at the earliest date of settle- 
ment, and have been continued without interruption to the present 

'"- In the spring of 183S a private school had been taught by Lydia 
Ingersoll, daughter of Moses Ingersoll. 



DELTA. 



453 



time. The first Sunday-school was organized in our log cabin in 1S38, 
aud has continued with very few interruptions to the present date." 

Durinj; the summer of 1837 a grist-mill, a frame barn, 
and two frame houses were built, the latter belonging to A. 
Hayden and K. S. Ingersoll. Thomas Chadwick died ia 
October of that year. The first marriage occurred in the 
summer of 18."i8, when Addison Hayden and Miss Mary 
Chadwick were united in matrimonial bonds at Grand River 
City, by Samuel Preston, Esq., at the house of the bride's 
father. An incident occurred in connection with this 
event which is worth preserving, and is related by the wife 
of Esquire Preston, as follows : " Mr. Hayden called and 
inquired for the 'S({uire. I told him he was gone to Mr. 
Nichols'. By and by he came home and told me that Mr. 
Hayden wanted him to marry him. ' Well,' I said, ' you 
can't go, for your clothes are too ragged.' But the boys 
came to the rescue and brought out their clothes, and Mr. 
Preston tried them on. One could supply a coat, another 
pants, another a vest, and the outfit was complete excepting 
a hat. Jason was a pretty spruce young man, and had a 
fur hat which he kindly loaned. This put on the finishing 
touch. On his way to the house Mr. Preston thought of a 
second dilemma, worse than the first. He was not a pray- 
ing man, and how could he perform the marriage ceremony 
without prayer? After a while he hit upon a plan; he 
would invite E. S. Ingersoll to assist in the services. All 
passed off plea.santly, no one suspecting the perplexities 
the justice had labored under." 

On the 11th of June, 1841, a village plat was laid out 
by E. S. Ingersoll, 0. B. Ingersoll, D. S. Ingersoll, Elicl 
Ingersoll, and Alexander Ingersoll, and given the eupho- 
nious title of the " City of Grand River," destined, how- 
• ever, never to become the important mart which its found- 
ers hoped for. Whitney Jon&s* established a store at the 
place quite early, but finally removed to Lansing. The 
survey of the village was made by John Thayer, from 
Farmington, Oakland Co. The plat extended from the 
river to the turnpike. 

In that portion of Delta township south of Grand River 
Genet Brown was the first settler. In January, 1835, he 
left Worcester, Mass., with his wife and two children, and 
came to Michigan, settling in Lenawee County, where he 
remained four years. Desiring a more favorable location, 
he purchased 240 acres of land in Delta, Eaton Co., on sec- 
tions 21 and 22, and on the 8th of February, 1839, started 
to make an inspectioD of his purchase. His route lay via 



* Col. Whitney Jones came to Detroit in the summer of 18.'i9, with 
a stock of cloths he had brought from Jamestown, N. Y., having taken 
them in trade. He afterwards traded a portion of them for land in 
Michigan. He remained in Detroit but a short time, and in August, 
1839, removed to Marshall, Calhoun Co. In the early part of March, 
1842, he left Marshall with a i^tock of goods, and transported them by 
team to Eaton Kapids. At that place he built two boats, twelve feet 
wide and sixteen feet long, and flanted his goods down tu IngcrsolTs 
Mills (Grand River City), where be opened the first store. Uis second 
stock was boated all the way from Jackson. The colonel purchased 
part of the plat of lirand River Ciiy before locating there. He re- 
mained in business at the place until 1846, having in the mean while 
been elected township supervisor and representative in the Legisla- 
ture. In 1840 he removed to Detroit with his family, but immedi- 
ately after the capital was located at Lansing he removed to the latter 
place, where he yet resides. 



Jacksonburg (now the city of Jackson) and Eaton Rapid.s. 
He stopped at the hou.ses of John D. Skinner and Mr. 
Towslee, in Windsor, and finally reached " Delta Mills," 
where he was kindly received and himself and hor.se cared 
for. Mr. Brown wrote in 18l!9: "The Rev. E. P. Inger- 
soll, formerly from my own native Uxbridge, gave me a 
cordial welcome to the use of his cabin home for my per- 
sonal accommodation. Here I made myself at home dur- 
ing my exploring tour, having the entire margin of my own 
luncheon to myself, Mr. Ingersoll being a rigid Grahamitc, 
of the bran-bread and cold-bean school." 

Mr. Brown had been employed in factories before leaving 
Massachusetts and knew very little of otlier life, and the 
various kinds of forest-trees, methods of farming, etc., were 
a confusing mixture in his understanding. He says, " On 
taking the kind advice of Mr. Surveyor Hayden, I found 
I had passed my land some three or four m'les back. At 
least it was probable that I had been somewhere in the vi- 
cinity of it. So, with a description of some of Nature's 
' finger-boards' on the route to the spot, I proceeded the 
next morning in search of tho.se ' beautiful, sloping wood- 
lands,' so vividly described by ray good salesman, Mr. Ful- 
ler. Not being yet accustomed to such guides as were given 
me, I mistook another kind of tree for cherry^ and soon 
brought up in the middle of an alder swamp of rather for- 
midable dimensions, — an article not found in my code of 
instruction. I deemed it the better part of valor to back 
down, believing that I mu-st have switched off from the 
main track. Having at length found that 'cert;iin cherry- 
tree,' I soon reached the ' old half-burned log-heap' that 
marked the veritable centre of the township of Delta, and 
about half a mile farther on came plump upon the corner 
of Mr. Brown's future home, certainly beautiful enough 
as a first moulding from the hand of Nature. Earth 
enough, enough of wood and water, brambles, boughs, and 
bushes in luxuriant abundance, — but how different from 
dear old Uxbridge. No lofty, symmetriciil hills, no busy 
hum of industry, — alas ! no pleasant cottage homes. No 
reverent towering spires ; all solitude, — noonday stillness, — 
dreary, unvarying solitude of silence and inactivity. But the 
die was cast, and as this was neither the place nor the time 
for sentimentalizing, and recollecting the kind act that had 
furnished me with an axe, I resolved to u.se it; and ere the 
night fell poor Brown had laid the foundation for a ten by 
fourteen cabin, and was again safely baek with his good 
Grahamite friend at Delta Mills. After a few days' further 
labor the enterprise was found to be in a sufficient state of 
forwardness for a ' raising;' so, with the only yoke of oxen 
in Delta, one ox-sled, five slabs from the saw-mill, and some 
five or six good-hearted and strong hands, Brown's house 
went up, with the roof and floor as far completed as five 
basswood troughs and five good slabs would make them." 

The highway commissioners laid out a road from Grand 
River to Brown's shanty on the same day the latter was 
raised, and this was the first public highway established in 
the township. 

Aller erecting his shanty, Mr. Brown returned home tii'a 
Marshall, and in the latter part of March set out, with his 
family, Mr. John Reed, and an additional team of horses, 
for the new home in the wilderness of Delta. At Eaton 



454 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Rapids they changed their horses for ox-teains, and, after 
several days of most trying experience, arrived at their 
destination. Reed slept that night in a large box, which 
was emptied of its contents especially for his benefit. The 
family arranged a bed on the .slab floor. An Indian named 
Jackson visited them that night, being the first one Mr. 
Brown had ever seen, and became a frequent caller after- 
wards. Mr. Brown had numerous adventures in his forest 
home, being once nearly caught by a large pack of wolves 
while on his way home in the evening after a day's duty as 
highway commissioner. At the end of his race he gave his 
wife a sudden surprise by falling at full length upon the 
floor of his cabin. He was safe, however, and by examin- 
ing the tracks the next morning he* was satisfied that 
" forty such Browns" as he would not have been sufficient 
to appease the appetites of that awful pack of wolves! 

Thomas Parson, who lived in the southeast corner of 
the township, was one of its pioneers. He had a son 
who was called Tom, and whose wits were not the bright- 
est. "Tom" had one day been out after sap, and finally 
started for home with two buckets filled, but lost his way, 
and is said to have traveled forty miles with them hanging 
to a yoke upon liis shoulders, without once resting, suppos- 
ing he was on his way homo. At another time he was out 
with others of the family picking berries, and was suddenly 
missed, and could not be found. When the family arrived 
at home there was Tom. He was asked where he had 

been and replied, " By G d 1 I saw the tracks of a 

d d big bear up there in the snow, and it scared me 

and I run home I" Tom's ideas of snow and berry-picking 
were sadly mixed up. He is still living. 

The change which has been wrought in the appearance 
of the face of this township, as well as its surrounding 
sisters, in the comparatively short space of time since its 
settlement is almost marvelous. Where the Ingersolls 
found a mighty forest liemming in a rapid stream — whose 
waters could scarcely brook the restraint placed upon them 
by the rude pioneer dam — is now a fair village, while an 
aspect of comfort and prosperity causes the beholder to 
note, almost with surprise, the resemblance of the region 
to the older settled portions of the far East. " Delta 
Mills," or Grand River City, as it was called, has the ap- 
pearance of a New England village, and the swift river, 
with its brown waters and its flecks of foam, resembles in 
all except size the " broad Connecticut" in some portions 
of its course. Truly, here is a thrifty community, and the 
entire township is marked with as great a change except 
where swamps render improvement at present impracticable. 

KESIDENTS IN 1844. 
The following were resident taxpayers in the township 
of Delta in 1844, according to the assessment-roll for that 
year: Alonzo Baker, Remember Baker, Thomas Bobbins, 
William Lee, Erastus S. Ingersoll, Alexander Ingersoll, 
Daniel S. Ingersoll, Samuel B. Dayton, Whitney Jones, 
Philip Phillips, David Phillips, Emerson Frost, W. J. 
Halsey, John Reed, Orin Fairbanks," D. R. Carpenter, 
Thomas Parsons, Edwin Moore, John Nixon, Norman 
Carrier, Samuel Nixon, Addison Ilayden, Daniel Chad- 
wick, Ansel Mascho, Seers Mascho, Charles Mascho. 



VILLAGE OF GRAND RIVER CITY. 

William Lee, Erastus S. Ingersoll, Whitney Jones, Alex- 
ander Ingersoll, Remember Baker. 

The village now (June, 1880) contains a saw-mill, a gri.st- 
mill, several mechanic-shops, and three churclies. Of the 
latter, the Congregational is the oldest, as mentioned by 
Mr. Ingersoll and given on a previous page. The others 
are Methodist Episcopal and Free Methodist. The Con- 
gregational and Methodist Episcopal societies have recently 
erected new houses of worship, the former brick and the 
latter frame. The Free Methodist organization is of a 
comparatively recent date. At Delta Centre, three miles 
from the village, is also located a Methodist church — a 
substantial frame structure. The several churches in the 
township have a respectable membership. 

Millett's Station is a small hamlet in the southeast part 
of town, containing a saw-mill (or oar-factoryj, a post- 
office, and a few dwellings. A village plat was laid out 
here Dec. 3, 1874, by Silas E. Millett and others. It is 
on the line of the Chicago and Grand Trunk Railway. 
Trains stop only on signal. 

In October, 1857, the board of supervisors authorized 
the township of Delta to raise by tax a sum not exceeding 
SlUOO, to build a bridge across Grand River, in said town- 
ship, at or near the quarter-line of section 3. In January, 
1859, the board authorized Alonzo Baker, a citizen of 
Delta township, to build a dam across Grand River, on the 
northwest quarter of section 5, in Delta. 

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.— LIST OF OFFICERS. 

Feb. 16, 1842, the Legislature of the State of Michigan 
enacted as follows : That " all that part of the county of 
Eaton designated by the United States survey as township 
No. 4 north, of range 3 west, be and the same is hereby 
set off and organized into a separate township by the name 
of Delta ; and the first township-meeting shall be held at 
the red school-house near IngersoU's mills in said town- 
ship." The following account of the first election in the 
township of Delta is from the township records ; 

"Delta, April 4, 1842. 
"The electors of the township of Delta (the same being township 
No. 4 north, of range No. 3 west) met (agreeably .to an act of the 
Legislature entitled * An act to organize certain townships') at the 
school-house near IngersoU's mill, for the purpose of electing town- 
ship officers; whereupon E. P. Ingersoll was appointed moderator, 
and Daniel Chadwick, Samuel B. Dayton, E. S. Ingersoll were ap- 
pointed inspectors of election, when, by a vote of the board, E, S. 
Ingersoll was appointed clerk. A vote of the meeting was then taken 
relative to election of assessors, and it was decided that there be two 
assistant assessors elected. Also voted that there be two constables. 
Proceeded to ballot for township officers. A motion was made and 
seconded to raise $100 for roads and bridges, and that tirst the bridge 
debt be liquidated and the balance appropriated by the highway 
commissioners ; carried. Votetf, That boar-hogs be restrained from 
running at large; also that all bulls over one year old be restrained ; 
also, Voted, That twenty dollars be raised for the support of the poor; 
also, V'otetly That twenty dollars be raised for the purchase of town- 
books ; Voted, That there be a board of health appointed, to consist 
of three. E. P. Ingersoll, Russell Walker, and Samuel Ni.Kon were 
appointed. The polls were then closed and the board ])roceoded to 
canvass the votes; whereupon it was found that the following men 
had received the greatest number of votes for the following town 
offices, vi/,. : For Supervisor, E. S. Ingersoll; Town Clerk, Alexander 
Ingersoll; Treasurer, 0. B. Ingersoll; Justices of the Peace, William 







'^M. 



"k' 









y-f-'fir-i'.-^ 



DELTA. 



455 



Leo, Samuel Nixon, Remember Baker; Aftsistant Assessors, John 
Reed, Remember Baker; Uigbway Coininissioncrs, D, S. Ingcrsol), 
Russell Walker, Elicl Ingersoll; School Inspectors, 0. B. Ingcrsoll, 
Samuel Nixon, E. P. Ingersoll; Overseers of tbe Poor, Uiinicl Chad- 
wick, Philip Phillips; Constables, Philip Phillips, D. S. Ingersoll. 
The meeting then proceeded to elect the following men for overseers 
of highways, to wit; In Uigbway District No, 2, Samuel Nixon; in 
District No. 1, D. S. Ingcrsoll ; in District No. :i, John Reed. The 
toivD clerk then took Iho oath uf ofBce. 

** K. .S. I.NGKUSOI.I., 

'* Cierf,; pro tern" 

A speoi;»l election was held Maj' 14, 18i2, when the 
following officers were chosen : School Inspectors, E. P. 
Ingersoll, Samuel Nixon, 0. B. Ingersoll ; Constables, 
Philip Phillips, D. S. Ingersoll ; Directors of the Poor, 
Daniel Cliadwick, Philip Phillips. 

The following is a list of supervisors, town clerks, treas- 
urers, and justices of the peace of Delta, since 1843, up to 
and including 187!) : 

SUPEIIVISORS. 

1843, Whitney Jones; 1844, Samuel B. Dayton; 1345, Whitney Jones; 
1846, Addison Ilayden ; 1847, no record; 1848-51, Addison Ilay- 
den: 1852-53, J. T. Dorrel ; 1854, A. Hayden ; 1855, C. Burr; 
1856, J.T.Dorrel; 1857, Charles Burr; 1858-60, Chauncey Good- 
rich ; 1801, Charles Bull; 1862, Fernando Ward; 18G3, Chauncey 
Goodrich; 1864-65, J. R. llinesj 1866-68, A. Ingersoll;* 1869 
-73, Rodney W. Choate; 1874-76, Charles Slocum; 1877, no 
record; 1S7S, Zenas Cook; 1879, Samuel Nixon. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

184.'!, Addison Ilayden; 1844, William Lee; 184.5-46, Alexander In- 
gersoll ; 1847, Daniel R. Carpenter; 1848, Charles W. Butler; 
1849-50, Norman Carrier: 1851, Albert T. Parsons; 1852-56, 
(ienct Brown; 1857, Chauncey Goodrich: 1858-60, Albert T. 
Parsons; 1861, Genet Brown ; 1862-65, A. T. Parsons; 1866-67, 
R. W. Choate; 1S68, no record; 1869, A. T. Parsons; 1870, Ben- 
jamin C.Maoumbcr; 1871-75, A. W. Moon ; 1876, A. T. Parsons; 
1877, no record; 1878, Elmer Waterman; 1879, Albert T. Par- 
sons. 

TREASURERS. 

1843, E. S. Ingersoll ; 1844-46, Samuel Nixon; 1847, Samuel B. Day- 
ton ; 1848-49, Samuel Nixon; 1850, Alexander Ingersoll; 1851 
-52, Alphonzo Hally; 1853-55, C. C. Par-sons ; 1856-64, Daniel 
Barnard: 1865, Samuel Nixon; 1866-67, Albert T. Parson.* ; 
1868, no record; 1869, Fernando Ward; 1870-76, James S. Bull; 
1877, no record; 1878, Aaron T. Crane; 1879, James 8. Bull. 

JUSTICES OF TUE PEACE. 

1843, Samuel Nixon, D. R. Carpenter; 1844, Samuel B. Dayton ; 
1845, William Lee; 1846, Erastus S. Ingcrsoll; 1817, Daniel 
Chadwick; 1848, Daniel R. Carpenter; 1849, William Lee; 1850, 
E. S. Ingcrsoll; 1851, Allen Whitney, J. T. Dorrel; 1852, D. R. 
Carpenter, A.Whitney, C. C. Parsons; 1853, S. Nixon, II. W. 
Wood ; 1854, Charles Burr, Warren Tallman: 1855, L. M. Dom- 
ing, E. S. Ingcrsoll; 1856, Genet Brown; 1857, S. Nixon ; 1858, 
D. T. Lawrence; 1859, J. R. Ilines; 1860, C. Burr; 1861, A. J. 
Hamilton, S.Nixon; 1862, Levi Lazell, David R. Gunson ; 1863, 
J. R. nines, Warren Paine; 1864, William L. Burlingame ; 1865, 
Samuel Nixon; 1866, D. R. Gunson; 1867, J. R. Ilines; 1868, 
no record; 1869, Samuel Nixon; 1870, Horace L. Alcott; 1871, 
J. R. nines, D. R. Gunson; 1872, Thomas lluxtablo; 1873, Geo. 
D. Hart; 1874, Samuel Nixon, H. Shipman; 187.5, Amos Smith ; 
1876, Thomas Iluxlable; 1877, no record; 1878, II. E. Porter, 
N. Space; 1879, C. E. Parmelee, Uriah Lazell. 

The following officers were elected for 1880, viz. : 
Supervisor, George D. Ilart; Township Clerk, Albert T. 
Parsons; Treasurer, Hodney \V. Choate; Justice of the 

* Resigned in 1868, and Fernando Ward appointed to fill vacancy. 



Peace, 11. Burlingame; Superintendent of Schools, George 
Decke; School Inspector, Charles A. Kent; Commissioner 
of Highways, John J. Smith; Drain Commissioner, Josiali 
B. Munson; Constables, Wilfurd Wright, Waterman Lazell, 
J. Ma.son Sopcr, John >li;CaIpin. 

SCU(X)LS. 

The earliest schools in the township are mentioned in 
Mr. Ingersoll's article. From the report of the school in- 
spectors for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879, the following 
statistics have been gathered : 

Number of districts (whole, 8; fractional, I) 9 

" school-children in township 4S8 

" " in attendance for year 452 

" days school taught 1446 

" school-houses (i'ramo, 8 ; log, 1) 9 

" sealings in same 553 

Value of school property $5675.00 

Number of teachers employed (males, 8; females, 12) 20 

Wages of same (males, $964; females, $679) $1643.00 

Total resources for year 2449. ()2 

Amount on hand Sept. I, 1879 569.95 

Total expenditures, less amount on baud 1879.67 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

JOSEPH BANK. 

Joseph Bank was born in Elba, Genesee Co., N. Y., Dec. 
9, 1812. His father was among the pioneers of Western 
New York, and was a captain in the army during the war 
of 1812-15. Joseph was an active, industrious, and jolly 
lad, as many will testify. In August, 1838, he married 
Sarah L. Edgartou, who was born Sept. 16, 1819. In the 
fall of the same year they removed to Maple Grove, Barry 
Co., Mich., where they arrived on the 5th of October. Mr. 
Bank erected a dwelling on his land, which he paid for by 
his own industry. On this place wore born to them three 
sons, two of whom arc still living, — one at lionie, and the 
other in Columbia Co., Oregon, where he is extensively en- 
gaged in stock-raising. 

The materials for their new dwelling in the wilds of 
Michigan were found on the ground, with the exception of 
glass for the windows and a dry-goods box, out of which a 
door was constructed. His wife assisted even in the manual 
labor when tbe dwelling was being erected. Indians were 
their only neighbors, and often Mrs. Bank was compelled 
to remain alone during her husband's necessary absence. 
At one time she was nineteen days without seeing a human 
being excepting two squaws. 

The nearest post-office was Battle Creek, twenty-five 
miles away. During the first winter, Sir. Banks had the 
misfortune to break his axe, and to obtain another he was 
obliged to go on foot twenty miles, and for the new imple- 
ment he paid three pairs of socks, which his wife had knit- 
ted in the winter evenings. In the winter of 1839 he was 
engaged in building a causeway, eight miles from home. 
He carried his bed and board on his back, " shantied out," 
and took his p;ty in Michigan " Wild Cat"' money, which 
depreciated on his hands until he realized only twenty-five 
cents upon the dollar. 

In November, 1840, he walked uine miles to deposit a 



456 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



vote for Harrison, and on his return had a lucky escape 
from death at the jaws of a gray wolf The Fourth of July, 
1840, he celebrated by goinp; on foot and alone to Marshall, 
thirty-five miles away, where he says they had a " grand 
celebration." 

When liigbway commissioner he walked thirteen miles 
and back, through deep snow, to make the necessary re- 
turns incumbent upon his office. 

The land upon which he settled was heavily timbered. 



but he made it by his hard labor one of the finest farms in 
the township. In 1866 he removed to the farm he now 
occupies, in Delta township, which was also in the wilder- 
ness ; but here again his energy and perseverance have made 
a beautiful home, where, surrounded by the comforts and 
luxuries which their own hands have won, the worthy 
couple are passing the evening of their well-spent days, and 
still retaining, in a remarkable degree, the vigor and elas- 
ticity of youth. 



" > ca ^ t >■ 



EATON. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGRAPny, TOPOGRAPHY, SOILS, Etc. 

The township of Eaton occupies a position immediately 
southeast of the centre of the county, and is bounded 
north by Benton, east by Eaton Rapids, south by Brook- 
field, and west by Carmel.* A small portion on the west 
side is included within the limits of the city of Charlotte. 
The township is crossed by the Grand Rapids division of 
the Michigan Central Railway and the Chicago and Grand 
Trunk line (formerly the Peninsular), and nearly parallel 
with these are the Clinton Road (formerly known as the 
"old Clinton trail"), and the Marshall and Lansing State 
road. 

The surface of the township is generally level, with oc- 
casional rolling ground. The soil is a sandy loam, with 
clay in places. Extensive swamps abound, which drain into 
both Battle Creek and the Thornapple River ; the former 
stream flows across the southwest corner of the township. 
These waters, coming from the midst of tamarack swamps, 
are of a yellowish-brown color, and the streams are quite 
rapid ; the banks are generally low. The township of 
Eaton was originally very heavily timbered, and enough 
remains standing to insure a full supply for many years to 
come, unless it is, as in some localities, wantonly wasted. 

LAND ENTRIES. 

The following is a list of those who entered land in what 
is now Eaton township (town 2 north, range 4 west), with 
the year of entry and number of section ; those marked 
thus (*) settled in the township or county : 

Section 1.— 1836, B. B. Kerchoval, J. K. Gueinsey, J. Dates; 1860, 

D. Munger; 1852, T. McConnell.* 
Section 2.— 1836, R. Landon ; 1838, George Wilson;* 1847, Thomas 

H. Brown; 1848, Jacob Estcp ; 1850, D. Colo. 
Section 3.— 1836, R. Landon, R. Nichols, E. Cransoo ; 1839, E. Card;* 

1840, E. A. Southworth;® 1844, William Fo.t ;» 1845, William 

Fo.':, E. H. Collar;* 1848, G. A. Southworth. 
Section 4.— 1836, A. Spicer,» II. Janes, W. Wall ;» 1837, A. F. Fitch ; 

1838, J. S. Moe,« E. Valentino. 
Section ».— 1835, S. Hamlin,* 1836, A. R. Fitch, A. F Fitch, W. 

* The boundary-lines of this township were surveyed in 1825 bj 
John Mullett, and the subdivisions the same year by Sylvester Sibley. 



.James; 1842, E. Casey ;® 1846,0. Childs ;S 1850, 11. H. Hatch;'* 

1868, William Roberts, S. P. Webber.® 
Section 6.— 1835, T. R. Smith; 1836, J. Young,* D. Clark; 1837, 

Chapin Hovtard; 1838, J. De Land; 1844, Thomas Plnmer. 
Section 7.— 1835, G. W. Barnes; 1836, J. Torrey, W. Tousley,* T. 

Lawrence; 1837, Chapin Howard; 1850, R. T. Cushing* and 

II. II. Gale;* 1860, Charles Brooks.* 
Section 8.— 1838, N. Pray, William Johnson;* 1839, G. Rathbnrn ; 

1847, C. Riley ;■» 1848, R. Davis;* 1852, Abram Britan ; * 1858, 

A. D. Shaw;» 1860, Charles Brooks, A. D. Shaw; 1870, I. D. 

McCutcheon.*' 
Section 9.— 1838, W. Alderman, M. Freeman ;» 1S40, E. Kcyes ; 1844, 

E. A. Card; 1846, S.Baker; 1852, J. Young, H. Williams;® 1865, 

Henry Casler."* 
Section 10.— 1836, R. Barnes, H. Moe,* E. Moe,» J. Hawley ; 1845, 

G. W. Allen;* 1850, C. Young,® Amos II. Munson. 
Section 11.— 1836, L. P. Brown, G. Manchester; 1838, Peter Grant. 

John Weaver, Daniel Bryant;* 1847, J. McLun ; 1818, A. B. 

Bailey; 1850, Charles Cook. 
Section 12.— 1836, J. Dates, E. Strong; 1838, John Weaver, D. 

Bryant. 
Section 13.— 1836, H. Burr, C. Burr, Thom.as Wardle; 1852, L. M. 

Ailport,* C. Taylor.® 
Section 14.-1836, James Dean, E. Daniels, R. S. Parks; 1839, .S. 

Churchdl; 1851, Daniel Bryant. 
Section 15.— 1836, John Graham, W. Tousley,® A. Moe,» 0. D. Butler,* 

J. J. Knapp; 1841, M. Holoomb;* 1849, E. H. Collar; 1850, J. 

G. Bellows.® 
Section 16.— 1851, J. Riley, 0. J. Holcomb;* 1854, J. Smith;® 1859, 

H. Perkey ;* 1865, Alvan D. Shaw;® 1874, L. Shepherd.® 
Section 17.-1835, S. Scarls)® S. Aulls,® T. Lawrence, R.J.Wells; 

1836, P. Mitchell; 1837, A. C. Howard, M. Carpenter. 
Section 18.-1832, G. W. Barnes; 1833, Joseph Torrey, H. G. Rice;® 

1835, J. Searls,® C. E. Stewart, L. H. Sanford ; 1836, P. Mitchell. 
Section 19.-1833, H. G. Rice, G. W. Barnes; 1835, J. Searls, C. E. 

Stewart, T. R. Smith; 1836, Kellogg, J. Dewey, Jr. 

Section 2i).~1S:'.o,S. AuWs, Searls, B.J.Wells, T. Lawrence; 1836, 

J. Dewey, J. Young. 
Section 21.-1836, • Graham, W. Smith, Bouker, McVickar 

A Constable; 1840, J. Searls; 1848, A. Searls; 1851, S. Turner,* 

Jacob Bishop ;® 1866, James Harned.® 
Section 22.— 1836, W. Tousley,® John Graham, J. J. Knapp; 1837, 

D. Green, H. D. Miller; 1842, S. Holcomb; 1845, L. J. Hale;® 

18G6, James Harned. 
.Section 23.— 1836, J. F. Pixley,® R. S. Parks, J. Graham, W. D. 

Thompson ;» 1837. H. D. Miller, A. F. Fitch. 
Section 24.-1836, W. Southworth,® J. Southworth,® E. Southworth,® 

John Riley, J. P. Pixley, J. R. Grosvenor; 1852, J. Lahr ;* 

1854, H. I. Lawrence.® 
Section 25.— 1836, William Wall,* J. S. Pi.xley,® A. Smoke;* 1838, 

J. Arnold, W. Frink. 



EATON. 



457 



Stclloii 26.— 1836, A. Smoke, W. D. Thompson, F. .Spears; 1837, S. 

Miller. 
Stctinn 27.— 1836, W. Whclon; 1837, D. Grocn, A. French; 1850, 

Charles Foster;* 1853, E. Smith, J. W. Ilolmfs. 
Section 28.— 1836, McVickar A Const-ilile, A. MeVickar, J. Dewey, 

Jr., A. Sumner; 184», Christian IJush.» 
Seclitm 29.-1835, T. R. Smith; 1836, A. MeVickar, A. Sumner, J. 

H. Dewey. 
Stctiun 311—1836, .1. Dewey, M. Enos, Amos Kinnc,« P. Whilcomb,', 

J. Crowcll, J. Crowell, .Ir. 
Scclioii 31.— ISIO, A. L. Baker;' 18-13, J. B. Cochrnn ; 1844, Solomon 

Markell, James B. Adams ;S 1850, A. I,. Baker; 1S52, C. Smith. 
Section 32.— 1S36, T. Woodward; 1843, John Sulzer, William T. 

Cooley,* C. Gurner. 
5«(mi. 33.— 1833, T. R. Smith; 1836, A. Dewey, 0. C. McCaoker; 

1849, William T. Cooley, Christian Bush. 
Section 34.— 1835, T. U. Smiih ; 1839, E. II. Hawkins; 1847, William 

Johnson, Sr. ;« 1849, William Alspach;*^ 1851, J. Mahan;» 1852, 

L. Ilolcomb ; 1854, L. S. Lovcll. 
SeclioH 35.-1836, G. Southworth ; 1850, E. Mann ;» 1805-67, Henry 

A. Shaw.* 
Section 3i;.— 1836, X. Van Blarcom, James Voorhois ; 1837, E. II. 

Hawkins; 1S5:., J. W. Koline; 1807, Henry A. Shaw.» 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

E.xtending ea,sterly from the southern portion of the city 
of Charlotte, and passing north of the fair-grounds, thence 
away into the towii-ship of Eaton, and finally reaching 
Eaton Uapids, is a road which for many years was known 
as " Searls Street," Dumcd from the families of Samuel and 
Jonathan Searls who settled upon it. Samuel Searls was 
the first settler in the township, and an extended account 
of the arrival of the momhers of the family, of the subse- 
quent death of Mrs. Searls and of her burial at Bellcvue, 
and of the parts the Jlcssrs. Searls took in the early affairs 
of what is now the city of Cliarlottc, will be found in the 
history of that place, where they more properly belonged, 
although inhabitants of the township of Eaton. 

It was stated by William Wall, while living, that Sam- 
uel Searls was the first settler of the four towns comprising 
the southwest quarter of the county. John Montgomery, 
whose house was built in what is now Hamlin, and who, by 
his own statement, settled Jan. 1, 1830, also claimed to 
have been the first white inhabitant of the territory men- 
tioned. Jlr. Searls, however, came with his brother Jona- 
than in October, 1835, nearly three months before Mr. 
Montgomery arrived. It is not strange that persons living 
80 far apart, and in the depths of an unbroken wilderness, 
should be unaware of each other's presence, and in case of 
dispute over matters of settlement it is only necessary to 
ascertain the dates of the various arrivals to decide which 
is the just claim, — and these dates are here given. 

In the southeast part of the township of Eaton, about 
six miles from Charlotte and four from Eaton Rapids, is a 
locality which, in the early days, was known throughout 
the entire county as the " Wall Settlement." It was lo- 
cated principally upon sections 23, 24, and 25, and was on 
the mail route which passed northwest from Jackson, tlirough 
Spicerville, and along the " Old Clinton Trail" to Grand 
Rapids. Before Charlotte was hardly in existence a post- 
office was established* at the Wall settlement, with Wil- 
liam Southworth as postmaster. 

This settlement was named from William Wall, a true 



58 



« This was in 1S3S. 



specimen of the pioneer, who is credited with having 
owned the first span of horses brought by a white man 
into the town.ship. To Edward A. Foote, Esq., of Char- 
lotte, who, during the later years of Mr. Wall, gathered 
from him many incidents and anecdotes of the early days of 
Eaton township, we are indebted for much of interest that 
is here given. 

** William Wall and James F. Pixley moved west from Niiigara Co., 
X. Y., in June, 1836. Leavinj^ their families for a time at Sanil- 
stone, in Jackson Co., the two men came into Eaton, up<m section 25, 
on the Euton Kapi'ls town-line. Mr. Pi.xicy's loj house was built 
about one mile farther west. About the first of July following they 
moved in their families, and it was ten weeks before Mrs. Wall and 
Mrs. Pi.vley saw a white person not belonging to their own families. 
In October, 1836, four months after locating si.": miles cast of Char- 
lotte, Mr. Wall lirst became aware of the existence of the prairie upon 
which Charlotte is located. His horses having strayed west through 
the woods, he followcii the section-line by the surveyor's marks uj)on 
the trees until he came upon a man engaged in digging potatoes uj>un 
the present site of the fair-ground, near the Buttle (7reck. This man 
ivas Amos Kinney. f Mr. Wall now learned for the first time that 
Samuel and Jonathan Searls, and Amos and Stephen Kinney had 
moved in. These four pioneers constituted the nucleus of the present 
city of Charlotte, and they and Mr. Wall and Mr. Pixley were the 
only men in the township of I'^'atun. During this same month of Oc- 
tober, James Southworth, (Jcorge Southworth, and William Southworth 
moved in from Orleans Co., X. Y., and built on section 24, near Mr. 
Wall's. From that time the neighborhood was known as the Wall 
settlement. The first school-housej of the four townships was built 
in this settlement, and was subsequently known as the ' Wall school- 
house.' In August, 1830, Mr. Wall went to Spicerville and helped 
raise the first saw-mill erected in the county of Eaton, J and during 
the following winter he took Mrs. Wall and Mrs. Pixley on a saw-log 
to visit Mrs. Benjamin Knight and Mrs. Amos Spicer, at Spicerville. 
These women had been shut up alone iu the wilderness since the first 
of July. Only think what an event that first visit must have been, 
and what a time they must have had talking about the affairs of their 
neighbors — mostly wolves and Indians! 

" During the same winter Mr. Wall went with an ox-team to 
Swainsville (twenty miles beyond Jackson), fifty miles, to mill; but 
during the next summer the march of improvement started a grist-mill 
to running at Jackson, only thirty miles away. Before the Jackson 
mill was started, the Montgomerys, of Eaton Rapids, had their milling 
done at Dexter, within ten miles of Ann Arbor, going sixty miles. 
A grist-mill began operations at Eaton Rapids in 1838. This starting 
of a saw-mill or a grist-mill was the greatest kind of a pioneer event. 
It was a battle fought and a victory gained in the march of civiliza- 
tion ecjual to the opening of a railroad now. . . . 

" Next to getting the grist from the grist-mill was the value and im- 
portance of a few sawed boards from a saw-mill ; for, although the keen 
broad-axes of ITneles Jonathan and Samuel Searls and Dave Kinney 
coulil roll off broad shavings thin as paper from the surface of the 
puncheon flooring, and these puncheons could be laid down for a 
smooth, solid ground-fioor; although fhey could split out and face off 
window-casings and door-casings, which with wooden pins were fast- 
tened to the ends of the logs where the doorway or window-hole had 
been sawed out, yet it was a great comfort to have a board or two 
with which to make a shanty door light enough to awing on wooden 



f It is stated by others of the Kinney family that Amos did not 
arrive until January, 1837 ; therefore their statement or that of Mr. 
Wall is wrong. Mr. Foote is inclined to the belief that he was here 
in the fall of 1836, and had come the January previous instead of a 
year later. 

X The first school in this township was taught by Joanna, now tho 
wife of John Riley, probably in 18:i9, at her house. The school-houso 
was built in 18.'>9. 

^ This statement is a little wild, for a saw-mill was in operation tho 
previous year ( I8.*{5) at Bellevue. (.Sec history of said town and notes 
by Mr. Ilayt.) The one at .'*]Mccrvillc was the first in the oa,«tcrn por- 
tion of the county, although but a short time ahead of the Ingersoll 
mill in Delta, which was erected in the fall of tho same year (1836). 



458 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



hinges, to have a neat board shelf where pons of milk nnd baked beans 
could be curtained away from the dust, to have a few boards to be 
loosely laid down overhead, where the older children could be shelved 
snug in their beds under the shako roof. This teaches us the comfort 
of having a few sawed boards, nnd the i=<nsalion it caused when the 
news traveled through, from family to family, that some enterprising 
new-comer was going to build a saw-mill on some creik eight or ten 
miles away. 

" It was an event when the Ingersolls came into Delta and built a 
saw-mill on Grand liiver. Although, after the saw had cut the length 
of a log, the latter had to be slowly gigged back by the aid of crow- 
bars, yet Genet Brown w.as glad to take five or six of the slabs and 
carry them on his shoulders five or six miles through swamps, to be 
used as a covering for his shanty, and no one made fun of that slow 
saw-mill. Of course Mr. William Wall was at the raising of the 
Spicerville saw-mill, in August, 1S36. 

"In the fall of lSa7 a compary of surveyors passed through this 
county, engaged in the survey of a route for a canal through Windsor, 
Benton, and Chester. Mr. Wall drew their provisions through from 
his settlement to Scarls Street, where Japhet Fisher took them and 
hauled them to some point in Chester. 

" In the fall of 1838, Mr. Wall had a narrow escape from falling a 
victim to that terrible disease known as hydrophobia. A large rabid 
wolf passed through from the north during the night, biting every 
animal that w.as within its reach. It bit a hog on the Childs place in 
Eaton belonging to Benjamin Claflin. It next bit a hog belonging 
to James Pixley, for which he had paid twenty dollars in Jackson 
County. The wolf then visited William Walls' place about midnight 
and bit three hogs belonging to him. Mr. Wall, not suspecting that 
the wolf was rabid. ]>ut his valuable dog on his track for pursuit. The 
dog was one which he valued at fifty dollars. He followed with an 
axe and soon found the dog and wolf clinched in a terrific encounter. 
Mr. Wall took the wolf by the tail preparatory to dealing him a blow 
with the axe, but the wolf instantly Ut go his hold of the dog and 
furiously attempted to turn and bite Mr. Wall. This compelled him 
to drop his axe and give both hands to the business of holding the 
animal by the tail. This rendered necessary a series of rapid evolu- 
tions, such as baoking.jerking, twisting, straightening up, and swing- 
ing the monster rouud and round, sustaining him in the air by cen- 
trifugal force. Finally the dog caught the wolf again by the head, 
and Mr. Wall, retaining his hold, moved the combatants along within 
reach of bis axe and dealt the animal a finishing blow. Fortunately 
Mr. Wall did not receive a scratch from his fatal teeth, although he 
spent an hour in the struggle. 

" Mr. Pixley's hog went mad in about a week ; after that Mr. 
Wall's hogs and the dog all had to be killed. Mr. Wall received a 
bounty of eight dollars on the wolf's scalp, in exchange for about one 
hundred dollars worth of property lost. 

" Mr. Wall was a good specimen of the Eaton County pioneer and 
farmer. He had the energy which led him to encounter the hardships 
of pioneer life in the dense, wild forest, and to clear up a heavily- 
timbered farm. Ue was a good farmer, a good father, a good neigh- 
bor, a valuable citizen, and in every sense of the word a good man." 
The first religious meeting in Eaton township was held 
in the Wall settlement, the sermon being delivered by Rev. 
Mr. Jackson, at Mr. Wall's hou.se. In the .same building, 
some time in the year 1837, the first marriage in town was 
celebrated, the parties united being Otis V. Cranson and 
Miss Elizabeth Babcock ; the ceremony was performed by 
Judge Adams, of Jackson County. The first white female 
child born in the township was Mr. Wall's daughter, lluth 
F. Wall.* 

« The date of this birth was Feb. 18, 1S39. The first male child 
was Allen, son of James Southworth, whose birth occurred Jan. 13, 
1838. The wife of Samuel Searls was the first person who died in the 
township. The family of James Southworth came in the early spring 
of 1837, and in the summer following William Southworth brought 
in his wife nnd children. Other early nuin-iages in town were those 
of Willis Bush and I'uella Banker, by Benjamin Knight. Esq., Ajiril 
14, 1838, and Pierpont E. Spieer and Mary Winn (latter only of 
Eaton township), by the same man, on the 20th of the same month. 



It was a long time before the road along the section-line 
was worked through to Searls Street so that loaded teams 
could pass thither from the Wall Settlement. Searls Street 
was all there was then of Charlotte, and the only route to 
it for three years from outside was by way of JIarshall, 
Bellevue, and Walton, and across a pole bridge over Battle 
Creek, southeast of the present fair-ground, and acro.«s the 
latter to the log house of Samuel Searls. Soon after Jona- 
than Searls built his house near to that of his brother. 

The first frame barn in Eaton township was built by 
James I'ixley •,'|' tlie second was erected by Amos Kinney 
soon after, and men came from the Wall settlement to help 
raise it. Samuel Searls was the " boss" workman, and 
ordered them to set up the bent ; they supposed it was up 
and did not move. Uncle Samuel spoke again, " Set it 
up !" No move. " G — d — it, J sat/ set it vp there .'" 
The Wall settlement exerted its strength and the bent went 
clear <')vcr. 

A. L. Baker settled in Eaton, south of the Kinneys, in 
1841. Benajah Claflin came also early, and in 1840, I 
Nathan P. Frink, afterwards sheriff of the county, located T 
in the Wall settlement. Sidney and Harry Allen came 
also in 1839, and their father, George Allen, in 1840. 

During these two years David Southard, Hurlburt, 

Jonas Childs, and John Childs became residents of the 
township. 

In December, 183G, William Wall, accompanied by two 
other men, went south into Brookfield to hunt land, and 
returning came up on the line between the townships of 
Carmel and Eaton. They found a party of Indians en- 
camped on the banks of Battle Creek, south of Charlotte, 
and the two men stopped with them while Mr. Wall pro- 
ceeded across to the house of Samuel Searls, whom he had 
not before seen, and remained with him over-night. He 
had only met Amos Kinney on his trip in the previous 
October after his horses. 

In the fall of 1837, William Wall, Chauncey Freeman, 
James Pixley, and George and James Southworth went on 
a deer hunt in the north part of the township, on a branch 
of the Thornapple River. James Southworth stationed 
himself on the run-way, while the others separated for 
the purpose of driving in the deer. Ere long they heard 
the report of James Southworth's rifle, followed quickly 
by a second, and next they heard him cull. They returned at 
once, and found he had been beset by two large gray wolves. 
He had seen three of them passing and shot one, where- 
upon the others turned and came close to him, one on each 
side, before he had time to reload. As one of the animals 
stepped back a little Mr. Southworth poured some powder 
into his rifle and rolled a bullet down, and shot the brute 
in the neck, but did not kill him. At that juncture Wil- 
liam Wall appeared, and the wounded wolf went into a 
thicket. Messrs. Pixley, Freeman, and Wall followed, to 
drive him out, while the two Southworths stood ready to 
shoot. Mr. Freeman came upon the wolf lying down, and 
looking him in the face, and forgot to shoot. The animal 
ran out of the thicket, and George Southworth shot him. 



t Nathan P. Frink, now of Nashville, Berry Co , also cla 
honor. 



EATON. 



459 



I^Ir. Wall, who was a tall man, said the wolf was the larjrest 
he ever saw, standing as hij;h as his waist. The wolves 
wniilj iiiohably not have come nearer to James Southworth 
if he had refrained from shooting. His temerity cost him 
a frood scare, for he wa.s " white as a sheet," said Mr. Wall, 
in relaling the circumstance, " when I got to him." 

Rufus Bigelow, now of Charlotte, moved from Novi, Oak- 
land Co., Mich., in the spring of 1848, and located in Katon 
township, about two miles east of Shepherd's Corners. 

The members of the Southworth family were originally 
from Genesee Co., N. Y. James Southworth left New 
York in the fall of IS."!5, and came to Michigan, locating 
on the River Raisin, in Monroe County, where a brother 
was living. The latter, Elijah Southworth, purchased land 
in Eaton County, and intended to settle here, but his wife 
died, and he did not come. Other members of the family 
.soon after came to the State, and in October, 18i56, James, 
William, and George made a pro.specting trip to Eaton 
County, where they finally purchased land and settled. 
James was the first to move into the townsliip, settling with 
his family in February, 1837. He had built a log house 
during the winter, heating the stones for the chimney-back 
in the fire, in order to have the mortar stick to them ; the 
balance of the chimney was built of sticks. This house 
was fairly comfortable when first occujiied, as both windows 
and doors had been put in, a puncheon floor laid and part 
of a chamber-floor. William Southworth, who had been 
in Jlonroe County since the spring of 1S3G, moved his 
family into Eaton township on the second day of August, 
18.'i7, and the township has been the home of the South- 
worths since their first arrival in it. In 1839, James 
Southworth removed from the Wall settlement to the 
Hiram Shepherd place, near Charlotte, and on the first 
of June, 1840, he occupied the place where his widow 
and son Allen now live. He died June 11, 1867. George 
Southworth and his brother, Alonzo (who came with liis 
father, Orrin Southworth), were unmarried at the time of 
their settlement. 

Jumcs S. Pixley was from Shelby, Orleans Co., N. Y. 
His widow and two children — a son and a daughter — are 
now living in the town.ship. The first settler between the 
Wall settlement and " Searls Street" was Nathan P. Frink,* 
who was soon followed by Leonard Holcomb. Mr. Frink 
is now residing at Nashville, Barry Co. 

The following facts relative to the early settlement of 
this township have been gleaned from the records of the 
County Pioneer Association : 

Alonzo L. Baker, born on Long Island, N. Y^., in the 
county of Suffolk, settled with his family at East Bloom- 
field, Oakland Co., Mich., in May, 183(3. In March, 1841, 
he removed to Eaton County, and settled in Eaton town- 
ship, three miles south of Charlotte, which place is alleged 
to have contained at that time but one frame house. Mrs. 
Buker relates to the Pioneer Society that their nearest 



• Mr. Frink, who was formerly from Saratoga Co., N. Y., removed 
to Jackson Co., Mich., in 18;14, and in 18-10 purchased eighty acres of 
land in Eaton toxvn^hip, Eaton Co. This was entirely unimproved, 
and on his way to it, with o.\-teams, ho was obliged to clear a road 
before him. lie was prominent during his residence in the couuty. 
lu ISJU he removed to Marshall, and in 1S7:! to Nashville. 



neighbors lived three-fourths of a mile north ; other fam- 
ilies resided two miles south, and four miles east and west. 

Black snakes twelve and fourteen feet long abounded, 
and the angry bizz of the rattlesnake was also occiusionally 
heard. Bears were venturesome enough to come three at 
a time into the very door-yard, but when Mr. and Mrs. 
Baker armed themselves respectively with rifle and as.e and 
sallied forth on the shaggy brutes, they betook tliemselvea 
to their dwelling-place in an adjacent swamp. Mrs. Baker 
considered her pioneer days, with all their hardships and 
trials, as among the happiest days of her life, and some- 
thing in the novelty of life in the backwoods dispels anxi- 
ety and keeps the spirit of the toiler at a wonderful pitch. 

Alpheus Porter, a native of Green, Chenango Co., N. Y., 
visited Eaton County in June, 1845, and settled in this 
township September 13th of the same year. 

i;k.-!10KNTS in 1844. 

The following were residents and taxpayers of the town- 
ship of Eaton in 1844, as shown on the as.sessment-roll for 
that year: George Wil.son, Daniel Slaughter, G. A. South- 
worth, Hiram Weed, Ichabod Paine, R. B. Nichols, Wil- 
liam Pegg, Samuel Mattison, Orrin Southworth, J. F. 
Babcock, A. Baraga, Horace Fuller, H. H. Hatch, Osmyn 
Childs, John Delana, Eber Card, Merrills Freeman, Henry 
Allen, C. Freeman, A. F. Babcock, D. Bryant, W. P. 
Wales, John Durlin, N. P. Frink, Orman Butler, Leonard 
Holcomb, G. B. Tripp, Samuel Anils, Samuel Searls, 
Jonathan Searls' administrators, Stephen Searls, H. G. 
Rico, Allen Searls, James Southworth, Ira B. Shepherd, 
Isaac W. Hill, Hiram Wood, Charles Walters, Amos Kin- 
ney, Stephen Kinney, A. Baker, Sidney Allen, David 
Southard, Levi Hall, Elbert Smith, Truman Hinckley, 
Asa Gibbs, Jacob II. Steel, A. Smoke, William Stoddard, 
William Wall, John Strickland, James S. Pintey, William 
Southworth, Duncan JIcNaughton, John Riley, John 
Childs, Peter Britton. " 

TOWNSHIP olKiAXIZATIOX.— LIST OF OFFICERS, 
Etc. 

The township of Eaton was organized by an act of the 
Legislature approved March 11, 1837, said act being as 
follows : 

'* All that portion of the county of Eaton designated by the United 
States survey as townships I and 2 north, of ranges 3 and 4 west, ba 
and the same is hereby set off and organized into a separate town- 
shi]> by the name of Eaton; and the first township-meeting therein 
shall be held at the dwelliug-house of Spicer, in said township." 

March 20, 1841, Brookfield and Tyler were set off from 
Eaton. Eaton Rapids was organized Feb. 16, 1842, wheq 
Eaton was reduced to its present limits, including towur 
ship 2 north, in range 4 west. 

The earliest record of a town-meeting in Eaton, whicl\ 
lias been preserved, is that of 1839, there being nothing it\ 
the township books to show the proceedings of the meet- 
ings for 1837-38. In the latter year a portion of the 
officers were Benjamin Knight, Town Clerk ; Simeon Hard- 
ing, Treasurer ; Warren Prescott and David Dunham, As-sest 
sors ; Amos Spicer and Simeon Harding, School Inspectors; 
Johnson Montgomery and Rufus II. King, Commissioners 



460 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of Highways. In 1839 it was voted to raise $250 to build 
a bridge across Grand Iliver, where the south line of sec- 
tion 34, town 2 north, range 3 west, crosses it ; also voted 
to raise fifty dollars for the support of the poor ; also that 
hogs, horses, and horned cattle should be permitted to run 
at large without restraint. In 1840 it was voted to raise 
$150 in the township, to be distributed among the several 
school districts " according to the number of scholars, for 
the support of primary schools." 

The following is a list of the principal officers of the 
township from 1839 to 1880, inclusive: 

SUPERVISORS. 
1839-40, Samuel Hiimlin ; 1841, James I. Rogers; 1842-43, Aloiizo 
Baker; 1844-45, William Southworth ; 1846-49, Joseph P. Hall ; 
1830, William Southworth; 1831-54, Joseph P. Hall; 1855, 
Henry Robinson ; 185B, Henry Perkey ; 1857-59, Joseph P. Hall ; 
1860, Thomas W. Loring; 1861-62, Joseph P. Hall; 1863-64, 
Alvan D. Shaw; 1865, S. P. Webber; 1866, A. D. Shaw; 1867, 
Benajah W.Warren; 1868-70, Earl T. Church; 1871, Harlow 
Billings; 1872-77, Philip E. Pennington; 1878-7'J, James 
Murray. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

1839-40, Benjamin Knight; 1841, Horace Hamlin; 1842-43, N. P. 
Frink ; 1844, Ormond Butler; 1845-49, Nathan P. Frink; 1850, 
Joseph P. Hall; 1851-53, Henry Perkey; 1864, Samuel Aulls; 
1855, Joseph P. Hall; 1856, E. T. Church; 1857, F. E. Leitcr; 
1858, E. T. Church; 1859, J. Q. A. Sessions; 1860, Ellzey H.iy- 
dcn; 1861-65, Earl T. Church; 1866, Andrew J. Ives; 1807, 
Alfred A. Wood; 1868, A. L. Wheaton ; 1869, Rollin C. Jones; 

1870, Frank A. Hooker; 1871, Joseph Summers; 1872-77, Henry 
IV-rkey, Jr.; 1878-79, Danii-l Curry. 

TREASURERS. 
1839, Samuel Hamlin; 1840, Simeon Harding; 1841, Benjamin 
Knight; 1842, William Wall ; 1843, William Southworth ; 1844, 
Samuel Auils; 1845, Sidney Allen; 1846-49, William South- 
worth; 1850-51, J. G. Bellows; 1852-53, Rufus Bigelow ; 1854- 
58, Christian Bush; 1859-60, Henry Perkey, Sr.; 1861-63, James 
Southworth: 1864-65, Joscjih Perkey; 1866-67, Rufus H.Kin- 
ney; 1868-70, Frederick E. Leiler; 1871, Harry Allen; 1872, 
Almon P. Hartson; 1873-74, Henry Perkey, Sr. ; 1875, Sidney 
Allen; 1876-77, James Murray j 1878-79, Josiah Wickard. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 
18.39, Benjamin Knight; 1840, James Collins, George Y. Cowiin ; 
1841, P. E. Spicer, James McQueen, David Barr; 1842, A. Baker, 
U. Shepherd, E. Beadle, A. Smoke; 1843, Abraham Smoke; 
1844, Henry H. Hatch; 1845, John Flora, Merrills Freeman; 
1846, John Flora, Allen Searls; 1847, Richard McFarlane, Sidney 
Allen; 1848, A. Smoke, James Greenman, Damon A. Winslow ; 
1849, J. G. Bellows; 1850, Samuel Aulls, Erastus Field, Nicholas 
Kcstler; 1851, Watson P. Wales, William Reed: 1852, Henry 
Perkey; 1853, Cyrus Cummins; 1854, William Southworth; 
1855, Alexander Laverty; 1856, Watson P. Wales; 1857, Alvan 
D. Shaw; 1858, S. Allen, H. Robinson; 1859, A. A. Laverty, 
William Southworth; 1860, Watson P. Wales; 1861, Henry 
Robinson; 1862, William Southworth ; 1863, Anson A. Laverty ; 
1864, Christian Bush; 1865, Henry Robinson ; 1866, Watson P. 
Wales; 1867, William Wall, Mason H. Bacon; 1868, Daniel 
Diekinson; 1869, Frank A. Hooker; 1870, Mason H. Bacon; 

1871, William Wall, William Southworth; 1872, Joseph Perkey, 
Samuel Aulls; 1873, Josiah Wiokhard; 1-874, Solomon S. Pen- 
nington; 1875, William T. Coolcy; 1876, Joseph Perkey ; 1877, 
Solomon Conrad; 1878, S. S. Pennington; 1879, James F. Pixicy. 

1880. — Supervisor, James Murray ; Township Clerk, Henry J. King; 
Treasurer, James McConncll ; Justices of the Peace, M. T. 
Coulpy, Joseph Perkins; School Superintendent, Harry 
{lolcomb; School Inspector, Daniel Wickard; Commis- 
sioner of Highways, William Mikesell; Drain Commis- 
sioner, Hcpry Lage; Constables, Myron Southworth, Frank 
Rochester, Gporge Michaels, MerrUt Cox. 



EARLY ROADS. 

Among the roads laid out during the earlier years of the 
settlement of this township were the following : 

Childs Road. — Surveyed May 2, 1839, by Ansou Jack- 
son : beginning at the north quarter-post of section 35 ; 
thence east and southeast, with variations, to the township- 
line, 35 links south of the corner of sections 25 and 30 ; 
total length, 1 mile, 130 rods, and 4 links. 

Hulhert Road. — Surveyed in saniemonlh,by same man : 
beginning at north quarter-po.st of section 27 ; thence 
north to north quarter-post of section 22; length, 322 
rods. 

Regg Road. — Surveyed by same : beginning at the Clin- 
ton road, on the north line of section 9, 102 rods west of 
north quarter-post of said section ; thence east 902 rods to 
the corner of sections 1, 2, 11, and 12 ; afterwards continued 
eastward to the town-line. 

Town-Line Road between Eaton and Cannel. — Sur- 
veyed by same man, April 21, 1839 : originally had nu- 
merous angles, which were straightened in March, 1841. 

Clajlin Road. — Surveyed by same man : length, 2 miles, 
131 rods, 19 links; beginning on township-line, 80 rods 
west of corner of sections 4 and 5 ; thence, with varia- 
tions, to a point 43 rods west of the south quarter-post of 
section 7. 

WdsoH Road. — Commencing at west quarter-post of sec- 
tion 2; thence south to east quarter-post of section 15; 
thence south to Clinton road ; total length, 2 miles, 59 rods. 

Bryant Road. — Surveyed by A. Jackson : length, 2 
miles, C links ; beginning at corner of sections 10, 11, 14, 
and 15, and running thence, with variations, to the town- 
ship-line, 43 links south of corner of sections 12 and 13. 

RELIGIOUS. 
The first religious services held in the township (at the 
Wall settlement) have been elsewhere mentioned. Two 
churches at present exist in town, both in the neighborhood 
above named. The United Brethren have a neat frame 
church, which was erected in 1871, and meetings are held 
regularly, with Rev. William Duryee as pastor. Meetings 
have been held a short time in the locality by members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, who until recently occu- 
pied the United Brethren's building. In May, 1880, how- 
ever, a frame building, which had been erected on the town- 
line by the Methodists, was dedicated, and is now used by 
them. Rev. Mr. Knapp is the present pastor. 

SCUOOLS. 
The first school in the town,ship is also mentioned in Mr. 
Wall's account of the early settlements. The present stand- 
ing of the schools of the township is shown in the report 
of the inspectors of schools for the year ending Sept. 1, 
1879, from which the following summary is made: 

Number of districts (whole, 6 ; fractional, 4) 10 

'* school-children in townshij) 438 

" " " attending during year 396 

Total number of days school taught during year 1451 

Number of school-houses (frame,9; log, 1) 10 

" seatings in same 497 

" teachers (males, 5; females, 14) 19 

Wages paid same (males, $495 ; females, $799.40) $1294.-I0 

Total resources for 1879 21)71.13 

Amount on hand, Sept. 1, 1879 018.44 

Total expenditures, less amount on hand 1452.69 



EATON EAPIDS. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGHAPIIY, Etc. 

The township of Eaton Rapids, including congressional 
township 2 north, in range 3 west, occupies a position 
on the east side of Eaton County, south of the central di- 
viding-line. It is bounded north by Windsor township, 
east by Ingham County, and south and west respectively 
by the town.ships of Hamlin and Eaton. 

The eastern portion of Eaton County abounds in exten- 
sive swamps and marshes, and the township of Eaton Rapids 
has its full share, although the cultivable land is in by far 
the greater proportion, and is generally very fertile. The 
principal crop raised is wheat, which generally yields 
largely. Grand River flows in a general northeasterly 
direction across the southeast part of town, after making a 
sharp bend from a westerly course at Eaton Rapids, where 
Spring Brook enters it from the southwest. Both streams 
furnish good power, which is utilized at the village. Two 
railways cross at Eaton Rapids, — the " Grand River Val- 
ley," or Grand Rapids Division of the Michigan Central, 
and the Lansing Division of the Lake Shore and Michigan 
Southern, or "Rauishorn," as it was originally called. The 
surface of the township is rolling. The town-lines were 
surveyed in 1825 by John Mullett, and the subdivisions in 
1826 by Harvey Parke. 

LAND ENTRIES. 
The following persons entered land in what is now the 
township of Eaton (town 2 north, range 3 west) in the 
years and on the sections given : 

.fecllon I.— 18.36, W. Page, R. W. Branch, C. Munger; 1837, S. Lee, 

A. Morrell. 

Stcliou 2.— 18:i7, A. Morrell, A. Lamb; 1846, N. J. Seeley & A. Mest, 

U. AVolley; 1SJ8, E. Terry I, A. Meat; 1S49, John Howard, E. 
Tcrrjl, A. Mest, S. Mest. 
ScclioH 3.— 18,'iG, Aaron Kendall; 18.37, W. S. Hutchinson, M. P. 

Wade; 1851, F. C. Ferris; 1852, S. N. Nichols, U. Purdy, C. 

Purdy ; 185.3, Benjamin Nelson. 
Section 4. — 18X7, Peter Hobini-on and John S. Holden, J. Voorheis; 

184.3, Thomas Grinncll ; 1853, B. Nelson ; 1854, N. Root. 
Section 5.— 1837, Stephen H. Ludluw, J. Taber. 
Section 6.— 1836, J. Dates, U. Williams; 1850, J. Batchelcr, S. Lindey, 

B. Root. 

&c(iV.» 7.— 1836, H. Lewis, J. Dates; 1837, D. Frink, U. Boody; 
1841, A. Gillett; 1858, Josiah M. Milbourn. 

Section 8.— 1837, P.Robinson and J. S. Holden, H. Boody ; 1849, J. S. 
Pangburn, A. D. Lent; 1850, Daniel Young, S. B. Dayton; 1858, 
Henry Boody, William 11. Boody; 1865, William Allen. 

Section 9.— 1837, Robinson & Holden, .S. Fowler, C. Davis. 

Section 10.— 1836, Aaron Kendall; 1837, Robinson i. Holden, C. 
Smith, George C. Beckwith, 

Section 1 1.— 1836, L. Munger ; 1837, H. B. Webster, G. C. Beckwith ; 
1846, N. J. Seeley and A. Mest; 1854, N. Flander. 

Section 12.— 1835, N. Silsbee; 1836, S. W. Clark, C. Munger, .S. Dar- 
ling; 1833, D. Bond. 

Section 13.-1835, N. Silsbee; 1836, W. Page, T. Woodward. 



Scriion 14.— 1830, R. Whitmarsh, L. Monger, J. MarKhall; 1838, G. 

W. Logan, A. Rogers; 1847, J. Ph.lps. 
Section 15.— 1837, H. E. Kent. Daniel Clark; 1838, J.J. Rogers; 

1841, J.J. Rogers; 1847, D. Thompson; 1849, P. W. Rogers; 

1854, M. M. Piper. 
Section 16.-1854, Wm. Streeter; 1862. Marcus D. Boody. 
Section 17.-1836. Jacob Rhincs; 1839, A. Powell, G. W. Peters; 

1845 and 1859, W. B. Clark. 
Section 18.— 1836, G. Johnson, C. and W. H. II. Roberts, C. Burr, 

J. Rhines; 1852, 0. C. Buck. 
Section 19.— 1836, C. Burr, F. Spears, T. T. Ru.lger. 
Section 20.— IS36, L E. Clark; 1837, D. Foolc, A. Dibble, S. Har- 
rington ; 1839, J. Oalley. 
Section 21.— 1836, C. Burr; 1837, D. Foote, A. .«picor, C. Babcock ; 

1840, J. IL Arnold, N. Casler; 1841, J. M. Bentley ; 1852, S. 

Clark. 
Section 22.-1837, H. Lobdell ; 1846. Wm. E. Bigelow ; 1850, J. 

Fowler; 1850, P. W. Rogers; 1853, C. C. Chatfield ; 1805, Henry 

A. Shaw; no d:ite, Betsey Lader. 

Section 23.— 1836, R. Whitmarsb, C. Burr, A. Sumner. 

Section 2J.— 1836, C. Burr, R. Whitmarsb; 1837, J. Bunker, J.J. 

Adam; 1838, S. M. Puffer; 1839, G. Mandcville; 1S41, A. 

Phelps. 
Section 25.— 1836, A. Carrier, C.Townlcy, C. Burr; 1837, T. C. Adam ; 

1848, Wm. Anderson. 
Section 26.-1836, C. Burr, J. Penfold, A. Sumner. 
Section 27.— IS36, J. Penfold, C. Burr; 1837, S. Miller, A. Spicer, W. 

Winn, J. Winn; 1839, W. R. Beadle. 
Section 28.-1836, C. Burr, D. Foote, W. D. Thompson; 1837, U. D. 

Miller; 1839, J. Casler; 1851, J. Rorabeck ; 1852, B. Mason. 
Section 29.-1836, C. Burr, P. Gallery; 18.38, J. Casler, W. Bradley; 

1851, B. Petty; IS54, J. Knight; 1858, William Havens, H. A. 

Shaw. 
Section 30.— 1836, H. Ackley, C. Burr, A. Hyde. 
Section 31.— 1836, J. & J. H. Allen, A. Hyde; 1838, D. Bnrr; 1S.39, 

J. S. Moe; 1854, C. C. Chaineld; 1S58, A. F. Gaylord, Ed. Kelly. 
Section 32. — 1836, James McQueen, A. Spencer; 1837, James Mc- 
Queen ; 1839, A. Skinner; 1847, J. McQueen ; 1853, N. Withercll, 

B. F. Mills. 

i'ec//«ii 33.— 1835, A. Spencer; 1836, Dyer Foote, James McQueen; 

1837, J. Rhend. 
Section 34.-1835, A. Spicer; 1836, John Penfold, (!. Ward, A. 

Shcpard. 
Section 35. — 1835, R. Montgomery; 1836, J.Turney, J. Montgomery; 

1837, H. Potis, S. Miller, S. Fowler, A. F. Fitch ; 1843, B. Binks ; 

1850, R. Montgomery; 1858, R. Montgomery. 
Section 36.— 1835, Johnson Montgomery, John Montgomery; 1836, 

G. Scovell, W. Bush; 1837, C. W. Bush, R. Montgomery; 18.38, 

W. Montgomery; 1848, J. Phelps; 1861, Alfred Skinner (M. W. 

Chase). 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Johnson Montgomery,* a native of Johnstown, N. Y., 

came with his wife and three children to Michigan in the 

fall of 1830, starting from Attica, Tompkins Co., N. Y., 

where they were then living. The outfit was composed of 

* Mr. Montgomery made the first improvements in the township, 
but did not get his house fini^hcd ready for occupation unlil the spring 
of 1837, in February of which year John E. Clark had moved into a 
small shanly in the north part of town. Mr. Montgomery settled on 
section 36, where he resided unlil about 1870, when he removed to his 
present locution, immediutcly west of the village of Ealun Rapids. 

401 



462 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



two yokes of oxen and a lumber-wagon, in which latter 
were the family and the household jroiids. A steamer was 
taken at Buflalo, which conveyed them to Detroit, and after 
leaving the latter city the real toil of the journey began. 
The roads were in terrible condition, and it was almost 
impossible to proceed. About five days after leaving De- 
troit they arrived at Dexter. While fording the Portage 
River the wagon became fast in the mire, and Mr. Mont- 
gomery's brother, Robert, went two miles after a team to 
help them out of their difficulty, ^r. Montgomery having 
in the mean while waded through mud and water waist deep, 
and carried his wife and children and some of the goods to 
" dry land." They finally extricated the wagon, with the 
aid of the borrowed team, and proceeded on their way. 
The second night afterwards they " camped out," turning 
the cattle loose to feed. In the morning their dismay was 
great at finding those useful animals had disappeared. 
Upon examining their tracks it was concluded they had 
gone back over the trail, and Mr. Montgomery .set out to 
find them, and finally discovered them after having traveled 
fourteen miles. The sun was scarcely two hours high when 
he returned, but he found that his brother John, who know 
they were coming, had gone out to meet them, and taken 
his family and a portion of his goods back with him to his 
house. About eleven o'clock at night the " cattle-hunter" 
also arrived at his brother's. He had previously purcha.scd 
three lots of land near his brother, on section 3G, and the 
day after his arrival he moved with his family into a shanty, 
about 10 by 14 feet in dimensions, which had recently been 
vacated by Mr. Tolles. Blankets were bung up in lieu of 
doors, and greased paper took the place of window-glass, 
and in this situation they were obliged to remain until 
nearly spring before they could obtain boards. They bad 
arrived in the latter part of September, 183(5. Mr. Mont- 
gomery found it necessary, as soon as he had his family 
.settled in the shanty, to return to Dexter for provisions, 
which were very scarce, and difficult to obtain at any price. 
He writes as follows : 

" It is hardly necessary to go through a long detail of events con- 
nected with tlie hardships and discouragements of settling a new 
country, but briefly to say it is hard enough cutting roads, building 
bridges across mire-holes, prying cattle out of the mire, going sixty 
miles to mill, paying very high prices for jirovisiuns, sometimes going 
several miles to help a neighbor raise a building, ami cleaning out 
our mill-pond, which we did with a very good will, expecting to reap 
benefit from it at some future time, — and which I did, for I got my 
wheat floured and took it East to Troy, N. Y., several year.s, where I 
received a reasonable price; here we could get only 44 cents per 
bushel, and not cash at that. Corn was about 15 cents, buckwheat 
12i cents, pork li cents per pound. This was mostly ia consequence 
of the falling off of emigration, and the people had made improve- 
ments_and were raising a surplus, and there was no home market. 
It is well knowu that in plowing up a new country the decaying vege- 
table substances produce sicknes.*, and but very few were fortunate 
enough to escape the fever and ague. We could generally tell how 
long a man had been in the State ; the second year he was obliged to 
wear his best coat every day, and the third year he w.as obliged to cut 
ofi' his coat-tail to mend the sleeves. It was often said, with truth, 
that the first settlers wore themselves out to prepare the way for cor- 
porate bodies, speculators, and loungers. At this time we found our- 
selves in a new country without any school-district or school-house, 
80 a few of us joined and built a small shanty and supported a school 
without any public aid. It was four or five years before wo had a 
district organized and a school-house built. Our schools then were 
mostly supported by rate bills, with the aid of a little public money, 



and having a large family it cost me considerable. My children all 
received a good common-school education. After a while we got a 
])lank-road. I took some stock in that, thinking it would help save 
Eaton Rapids; but we found it did not help us much. In a few years 
there came up an excitement about the * Ramshorn,* tliat went just far 
enough to benefit a few and then died away. Two or three efforts 
were made to revive it, and once it went so far thiit considerable was 
subscribed; I was among those who subscribed. It gave employment 
to a few who liked good pay and easy work, and finally ' flashed in 
the pan.' After a while we got the Grand River Valley Railroad. 
Reing badly involved at that time I did not take any stock in it. 
But it did not save Eaton Rapids, although we had the promise it 
would. Soon after this Mr. Frost discovered the artesian water, 
and that did not prove a saving element as was anticipated, for it was 
soon ascertained that a more commodious hotel was necessary for the 
entertainment of strangers. Well, they got up a stock company, 
calling the capit.al stock $25,000, and after that was subscribed they 
raised the stock to $100,000, thereby destroying the value of the 
shares; so I, with others, lost the greater part of the stock we took. 
A few years later the Michigan Northern Central Railroad began to 
bo discussed. We were told that all Eaton Rapids would be saved 
if we would go in for that. The company claimed to bo worth 
$00,000,000. I could not conscientiously give aid to such a com- 
])aiiy ; I thought if they were worth that amount, what Esiton Rap- 
ids could do would make but little difference. . . ." 

Jlr. Montgomery lost a son in the battle of Chickamauga 
during the Rebellion, and another was killed when a lad by 
the wheels of a wagon passing over him, he having fallen 
from the vehicle. His wife died in June, 1863, and in 
1871 he was again married, to Mrs. Nancy Kingman, who 
was then living in Attica, N. Y., but who had taught school 
in her earlier years in Mr. Montgomery's and other neigh- 
borhoods in Michigan. 



" lJenj:y_A. Shjiw was born June 21, 18IS, in the town of Benson,' 
Rutland Co., Vt. His ancestors were pioneers. John Shaw, his 
grandfather, was among the first settlers of the town of Benson, to 
which place ho migrated from Berkshire Co., Mass., when his iiither, 
Cheney Shaw, was two years of .age. 

'• Here, in a valley in the southwest part of the town, nine miles 
from Whitehall, and one and a half miles from Lake Champlain, upon 
the same farm first occupied by his gr.indfather, he remained until 
sixteen years of age, when he removed, with his parents, to Portage 
Co., Ohio, where, at Ravenna, in the office of Francis W. Tappen, he 
completed the study of the law, already commenced in Vermont, hav- 
ing received an academic education under the popular teacher of those 
times, the Rev. Samuel Bissell, of Twinsburg. 

" Prior to his admission to the bar he was engaged several terms in 
teaching school in Charleston and Edinburg. 

" In the fall of 1S42, in consequence of a too sudden change from 
an active to a sedentary life, his health failed, and under medical ad- 
vice he started on a tour to the West, with 850 sheep and a wagon- 
load of goods. These sheep were sold out during the fall and winter 
at Eaton Rapids, Charlotte, and Vermontville, in Eaton County. 
Not 200 sheep, prior to this, were owned in the counties of Eaton and 
Bariy. Mr. Shaw, before his return, purchased lands in Eaton Rap- 
ids, and has ever since looked upon that place as his home. Few 
enterprises that have developed the country but have received his 
active co-operation, and he has shared in a large degree the confidence 
of his neighbors. With an extensive practice in the law, he has 
nevertheless found time to look after and carry on a good farm, 
mostly in the village of Eaton Rapids; and he aided largely in the 
building of the two railroads that afford such ample means of 
shipment. In 1855, Mr. Shaw became a member of the Legislature, 
and, by his untiring industry, at once took and held a prominent 
position in the legislative halls. Few men have been instrumental 
in placing and retaining upon our statutes more measures of impor- 
tance. It was during that session that Mr. Shaw introduced and pro- 
cured the passage of several important measures, among which was 
the bill creating an independent Supreme Court ; making the Probate 
Court a salaried office; a bill for the relief of religious societies ; a bill 
to authorize the laying out of highw.ays, under the constitution of 
1857, which had not, prior thereto, been provided for; audabill provid- 



>- 



EATON RAPIDS. 



463 



ins f^r t**® intervention of granii juries. At this nnd the yjicciftl ses- 
sion of the Legislature in 1S58, Mr. Shaw occu|)iort the ]>os^iti»»n of 
cbiiinuHn of the judieinry eomniittee. In ISo7, Mr. Shaw was again 
elected by a larger majority tlian was ever given to a member from 
the first di?trict uf Eaton. On the as^'enibling of the Legislature he 
was elected Speaker, which position he filled to the entire satis- 
faction of all. Subsequently, Mr. Shaw served tho people of Katon 
County eight years as judge of Probate, doing much to place the pro- 
bate office of this State in a more ])ractieable and useful po>ition. 
Again, in 1865, the people returned the subject of this article lo the 
Legislature, where again he was assigned the chairmanship of tho 
judiciary committee, and few if any bills got farther that did not 
tend to the growth ;ind prosperity of the State. Few men enjoyed 
mure hirgely the confidence of their associates than Mr. Shaw, 
and aside from the several positions hero referred to, ho has held the 
])ositions of trustee, attorney, and president of the village of Eaton 
Rapids. He also served with distinction in the war of the Uehidlion, 
as first major of the Second Michigan Cavalry. Mr. Shaw has had 
great success as a teacher, and often refers with pride to the large array 
of eminent lawyers who have studied their profession with him, among 
whom are such men as 0. M. Karnes, L M. Crane, and M. V. Mont- 
gomery, of this State; 0. F. Uice, of Illinois ; and Anson Hronsou, of 
California."* 

John K. Clark, still livirtg in tlte township, was its first 
actual resident, and occupies the farm he ori«:inally settled. 
Mr. Clark was from Middlesex Co., N. J., and located on 
section 20, Feb. 11, 1 837. Johnson Montgomery was 
building a house on section 3G, but did not occupy it until 
a short time later, living in the mean time with iiis brother, 
on the south side of the line, iu what is now the township 
of Hamlin. Mr. Clark found no road to guide hiiu, nor 
iiad he a neighbor nearer than the Wall settlement, in the 
township of Eaton. He recollects that wild game was 
exceedingly plenty, and relates a few incidents indicative 
of that fact. Among them is the following: One day, while 
hoeing corn, five or six years after his arrival, he heard a 
hog squeal, and hastened to see what was the matter. He 
found the "porker" in the embrace of a large bear, whioh, 
on seeing Mr. Clark, dropped the hog and retreated, but 
soon turned upon his human enemy, who sprang into a 
small tree, kicking the bear on the nose as he caught a 
limb, and climbing upon the latter while the bear attended 
to its nose. Clark then shouted to his hired man, who 
came with a rifle and shot the animal. Bruin, who was 
only wounded, ran off, and Clark came down from the tree. 
Shortly after (on the 3d of July) he heard a hog squeal 
again, and taking down his rifle went out, in company with 
Daniel Champlin,"j" now of Lansing, and killed the bear, 
whose love for fresh pork had induced him to run again 
into danger, — it proved to be the same which had treed 
y\r. Chirk, was old, and its head was gray and its teeth dull. 

The iullowing reminiscences were related by Simon Dar- 
ling, Sr., in 1875, and published iu the Eaton Kapids 
Jouru'il. Mr. Darling entered his land, on section 12, 
in 183G: 

"In the fall of 1829 I left my native State, Massachusetts, for the 
Territory of Michigan, which was reached after a journey of about 
two weeks. I stopped in a little village called Dexter, where I re- 
mained about two years; then I returned to tho 'Bay State.' Was 
married in April, lS;j.t, and we immediately set our faces westward. 
We settled in Dexter, which was at that time a decidedly new country 
compared with the one we hud left. Having beard much about (he 

^ This article is copied from Pioneer Records. 

t Mr. Champlin settled first in Jackson County, but lived after- 
wards near Mr. Clark. 



' Grand River' country, I resolved to see if it was as fine as it was 
reported to be. So. with a companion (Branch by name), we started 
westwiird in the fall of IS.'ifi. After mature deliberation, we bought 
land which was contiguous, and the last of November, IS.'iT, with my 
wife and three children, Allen, Albert, and Alva, we left Dexter for 
our future home in the wilderness. I had agood yoke of oxen (which, 
by the way, were the first ever driven on what is known as the Lan- 
sing mild). The day we started was a beautiful one, and when night 
had folded her sable garment wo had accomplished about nine miles 
of our journey. The second and third days were not so propitious 
for emigrants. The rain fell copiously, but we pursued our journey, 
with our ardor somewhat dampened. I must confess, for our garments 
were completely saturated; and after crossing streams which were 
much swollen by tho rfiins that had prevailed throughout the States 
that autumn, we came to one that seemed more formidable than any 
preceding stream. It was in Leslie, known then as the Whitner Creek. 
A man had told me tho best place to ford it, but I had forgotten his 
instruction, and knew if we crossed it would be with ditficulty. But, 
true to Yankee foresight and ])recaution, we prepared for emergencies, 
and, after telling my wife to mount a chest which was quite high, and 
putting the little boys in a wash-tub on the summit of the load, we 
plunged into the angry stream. The oxen swam and I waded, and 
we finiiUy reaehed the opposite bank. Nothing dnnnted, we pushed 
onward. The next night but one we reached John Montgomery's, 
being the seventh one since we left Dexter. We were most hospitably 
entertained. Tlie next morning, being refreshed and invigorated by 
our night's lodging, wo started down the river for our place, which 
was on section 12, where I had erected a commodious shanty, twenty- 
two by sixteen feet. It had an old-fashioned Dutch fireplace, with a 
good stick chimney. And there our life of toil, sunshine, and shadow 
commenced in good earnest. My first employment was felling trees, 
as my farm was a dense forest, having previous to this cut only 
enough for a site to build my cabin. Mrs. Darling, too, was no 
great votary of fashion, or much given to visiting, and her time was 
exclusively given to her family. She was in the woods six months sind 
never saw a white woman. The Indians were settled in all around 
us, but were quiet, and incsliued to be very social, especially their 
squaws. The wolves oiten regaled us with their musical talent, 
which was extremely wonderful at times. 

'* Very iniportiint days were those that I had to go to mil!, which 
was located in Eaton Rapids. But the way we went it was seven 
miles. And about four o'clock a.m., alter a great deal of bustle and 
parudc, I started, and would usually reach home by dark. Judge 
Si)icer was at that time proprietor of the mill. Our first little girl, 
Olive, was born in ISui), and my wife wished very much to return to 
her native State to visit her parents, who were quite advanced in 
years. And in the spring of 1840 she went Eiist, taking two children 
and leaving the two oldest, who were quite boys, with me. She was 
gone three months, and I had my hands full. One night I was 
awakened by the Indians, who were making a terrible fuss. I was 
somewhat frightened, but knowing there was no hostility between 
them and the whites their pow-wow was inexplicable, to say the least. 
I dressed myself quickly and went out to ascertain the cause. I 
whooped and was promptly answered by an Indian, who said tho sol- 
diers were after them to take them away off. (ien. Cass had made a 
treaty with the red men, wlio were to leave and go beyond the Missis- 
sippi River. But when the time cnme they refused to budge, and tho 
soldiers had come to compel them to go. Some ran away, and some 
went peaceable, and others fought. 

" We had prospered as well as could be expected, and we began to 
think of a school for our children. There were at that time two or 
three families who had children old enough to attend school, and after 
a year of agricultural prosperity, in 1S41 we put up our school-house. 
It did not closely resemble the more modern seminaries of learning, 
but was strictly in keeping with our simple, homely ways. It was 
built of logs, and tho roof was of troughs which were laid slanting, 
and formed excellent conductors for the rain. The favorite pastime 
of the young hopefuls was chasing woodchucks from the excavation 
of those same troughs. We hired a Miss Cornell, and paid her a 
salary of one dollar per week. Our oldest boy was seven years of 
age, and was a very good scholar, — as good, or perhaps better than 
children of the same age nowadays. My wife had been a teacher 
before our marriage, and Iiad taken considerable pains to instruct the 
children, not only in reading, but in figures, etc. 

"Bears were quite plenty, and we nseil to tr-Il tho bnys thoy must 



464 



HISTORY OP EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



make »II the noises they could going to and from school to frighten 
the bears. It is sufficient to say that our injunctions were not dis- 
regarded. After the Indians left we were annoyed often by the bears, 
that killed our hogs, which were ranging in the woods to get their 
living. There was a man who had made himself famous by setting a 
large trap which would invariably ensnare them. His name was 
Grovenburgh. lie was clearing off twenty acres of land where the 
'Valley Mills' are now. lie would come and set the trap in a place 
which was marked ; and if the trap were gone we would instantly 
start for this man, who would track the bear and dispatch it with his 
gun. The trap weighed nearly eighty pounds, and the unfortunate 
bear would often drag it many miles. But we )iioneers were very 
acute and vigilant, and could track as well as the ' red men,' and poor 
Bruin suffered. On one occasion I heard a faint squealing from a 
pig, as I thought, and I ran to see where the noise came from. I 
thought it was at some distance from mo, and I was running quickly 
along with a club in my hand, and stood for a second on an eminence 
of ground, and started forward again, but stopped, horror-stricken, 
for a moment would have brought me spat upon the bear. He saw 
me, and reared up on his hind feet. I struck him with my club, 
jelled most terrifically, and sjirang behind a huge beech-tree. The 
bear turned and fled. 

"I could hardly comprehend the situation so sudden was my 
delivery, and it was with feelings of the deepest gratitude to Provi- 
dence that I found myself alone. The bear was of an enormous size, 
of a brown color, and long legs. I would have been an infant in the 
paws of that voracious animal had he chosen to attack me, for I was 
totally unprepared for an encounter. I ran with great haste to Mr. 
Grovenburgh. The trap was set and the bear caught. He disengaged 
himself from it, and dogs were then put on the track. The bear was 
much wearied, and was shot by Mr. Groveutiurgh. At one time myself 
and little boys were going to the river and espied five bears quietly 
feeding upon acorns. When going at nrght for my cows I would take 
my rifle, and would very often shoot a deer, which when carefully 
dressed and served ujion the table would make very nice meat. At 
one time I found a fawn in the woods, whose mother had been shot by 
a hunter. I took it home, and the children petted and tamed it. It 
would be off iu the fields with the children, but if a strange dog 
chanced to pass it seemed to know instinctively that its most dreaded 
foe was at hand, and before it could be restrained it would be bound- 
ing away into the forest. Our early life was not all hardship. We 
were a very warm-hearted and social people, and clung to each other 
through jirivation and plenty. I remember when I first came to this 
county I had no potatoes. Branch and myself were at John Mont- 
gomery's, and he said we might each have two bushels if we could 
carry them home. We eagerly took him at his offer and started joy- 
fully home with them on our backs, a distance of six miles. I don't 
think they seemed very heavy, for we were so glad to get them. Our 
family steadily grew in numbers. In 1841 we had a pair of twin boys 
given into our keeping. They did not resemble each other in the least, 
so we named them Simon and Fisher. The last mentioned did not live 
to attain his eleventh year. Our relatives in the East used to pity our 
forlorn condition, and thought we endured untold privations, yet our 
children never went hungry or supperless to bed. Indeed, I recollect 
Mrs. Darling's brother, Daniel Allen, visited us in 1839, and in a 
letter home to his friends he says, * I was most agreeably surprised to 
find our sister in so good cheer and plenty. My imagination had 
pictured them in abject poverty, not knowing where food for the ne.xt 
meal would be obtained, but, in addition to the necessaries, I found 
lu.\uries, — honey, maple-sugar, etc.' 

*' Everything, all fabrics especially for clothing, was sold at high 
prices. Prints, poorest kind, wore eighteen cents per yard, thin cot- 
ton cloth eighteen or twenty cents. Six yards of prints would make 
a dress for my wife, of ample, proportions, but I don't think she put 
on many flounces. We men would buy buckskin of the Indians and 
make them up into breeches. They were very durable, and would 
have given satisfaction had it not been for some peculiarities in the 
' buckskin.' To illustrate: a good neighbor had a pair and was work- 
ing in the woods in a soft snow, when he found that his pants had 
elongated to such an extent that they retarded his progress. To ob- 
viate the difficulty he cut them off. In the evening as he was sitting 
before a blazing fire they shrunk up beyond all account, and his 
worthy helpmeet, upon learning the facts in the ease, made him take 
a pilgrimage in the woods. And the pants were spliced and became 
of a suitable length. I have digressed somewhat from the story of my 



life. To resume: In 1844 another child was born to us, whom we 
called Elsie, for one of our earliest and most esteemed friends, whom 
many perhaps know, Mrs. Rogers. In 1849 we moved into our new 
framed house, which was quite large and afforded more room for our 
family. In 18o0 our last child was born, whom we christened Mary. 
"As we look back over our early life in the woods, we realize that 
we have been wonderfully kept all the way along by our kind * Father,* 
and now, as we are 'growing old together,' we can claim perhaps as 
much of sunshine as shadow in the past." 

Aaron Mest, a miller by occupation and a native of Le- 
high, Berks Co., Pa., settled at Eaton Kapids iu 1844 or 
184G. His death occurred Feb. 8, 1879. 

Isaac M. Crane, who was boru in Superior, Washtenaw ! 
Co., Mich., in 1838, came to Eaton Kapids iu the spring 
of 1847, in company with his brother-in-law, Hill K. 
Kearney. His mother settled in the place the following 
spring. Mr. Crane was for several years employed in the fl 
store of Amos Hamlin. In 1858 he commenced to study 
law with Henry A. Shaw, and was admitted to practice in 
1861. He is now a prominent attorney of the city of 
Lansing. j 

Russell D. Mead, a native of Kiiiderhook, Columbia Co., | 
N. Y., settled at Eaton Rapids, with his family, in June, 
1845. 

N. J. Seelye, who was born in the town of Black Rock, 
Erie Co., N. Y., settled at Eaton Rapids in September, 
184'2. 

William Frink, who settled early in the north part of 
the village of Eaton Rapids, was a noted hunter and 
trapper, and the streams and forests could testify to his 
skill in those pursuits. He had two sons, Amos and Cal- 
vin. The former and his father are now living in the 
township of Windsor. 

Nehson Wood, from Ontario Co., N. Y., settled in Eaton 
Rapids township, Oct. 18, 1838. He subsequently married 
Mi.ss Julia Piper, who came with her parents also in 1838. 

Ira Dasett, from Orleans Co., N. Y., settled in 1840, 
and William P. Geen, from the same county, in 1846. 
The hitter's father, Pardon Geen, came in 1854, and died 
at the residence of his son. 

B. F. Mills, a native of Hartland, Windsor Co., Vt., 
settled in Eaton Rapids township, Aug. 12, 1837, when the 
village contained but three shanties. 

Morris Annis, from Ohio, settled about 1844. 

John Bentley,* also from Ohio, settled with his family 
in 1839, on section 31. His children were John M., Eliza- 
beth, Joseph, Benjamin L., and Cordelia D., all living hero 
but Joseph, who is in Illinois. 

Job R. Wood settled in 1838, and his son, Tillison Wood, 
in 1840. 

Daniel J. Roe, from Wayne Co., N. Y., now of Eaton 
Raj)ids, .settled in Macomb Co., Mich., in 1843. 

I'ranklin Spear removed from Washtenaw County to 
Eaton Rapids about 1840. 

Theron Smith, a native of Monroe Co., N. Y., settled in 
Lyons, Oakland Co., Mich., in 1833, and in 1865 removed 
to Eaton Rapids. 

J. H. Arnold, also a native of Monroe County, came to 
Detroit iu 1827, when a lad, and lived with his grandfather 

* Mr. Bentloy had located in Wayne County in 1836. 



EATON RAPIDS. 



465 



until he became of age. He was married in 1838, and in 
1840 removed to Eaton Rapids and located on the place he 
still owns. 

Solomon E. Norton, from Onondaga Co , N. Y., settled 
in 1S45. 

Among later arrivals were David B. Fancher, from 
Oneida Co., N. Y., and James M. Depue, from Ohio, both 
of whom settled in 1854. 

Philip Oilman settled in 1838. 

George Gallery, from Livingston Co., N. Y., became a 
resident in 1839. 

Benjamin Covey, a native of Oswego Co., N. Y., re- 
moved to Michigan in 1835, and in 1844 settled in Eaton 
Rjipids. 

Nelson II. Gould, a native of Monroe Co., N. Y., settled 
first in Calhoun Co., Mich., in 183(5. 

Willis Bush, a native of Genesee Co., N. Y., settled in 
E.iton Rapids in 1S3U. 

Harry Ford, a native of Byron, Genesee Co., N. Y., 
came to Eaton County in 1840. 

H. B. Marvin, of Stafi'ord, Genesee Co., N. Y., settled 
in Michigan in 1833, and in 1867 came to Eaton County. 

David Osborn, a native of Somerset, Me., settled in 
Eaton County in 1838. 

The township and village of Eaton Rapids were in a few 

years filled with an enterprising class of settlers, and the 

locality was an important one in the newly-developed 

region. Immigrants on their way down Grand River 

stopped at the village for provisions and help, and the place 

became widely known. People at present living in various 

parts of the State recollect Eaton Rapids as one of the 

prominent points on their by-gone journeys into the 

wilderness. 

UE.SIDENT.S IN 1844. 

From the assessment-roll of Eaton Rapids township for 
the year 1844 the following list of resident taxpayers has 
been copied : Benjamin Petty, Erastus Willi.ston, John M. 
Bentley, David Barr, Joel Skinner, Samuel Ferris, John E. 
Clark, George Ashley, Henry Boody, Allen Gillet, William 
Roe, Isaac Ashley, William Jeffrey, Erastus Wright, Thomas 
Jeffrey, Thomas Gunnel, Lawrence Brink, Daniel Young, 
William Briggs, Oliver Collins, Franklin Mills, Patrick Gal- 
lery, John Daley, Marcus Bald, H. C. Champlin, Daniel 
Champlin, Edward Oalley, Matthew Gillet, Jesse Miller, 
Franklin Spears, Spicer & Co. (grist- and saw-mills), Alex- 
ander Anderson (wool-factory and carding-machines), Ira Du- 
sett, Nathan Leader, Justin Skinner, S. Casler, William R. 
Wright, James H. Arnold, John M. Hatch, Patrick How- 
ard, Nicholas Casler, Hiram Lobdell, Tillot.son Wood, 
James McQueen, William Stirling, James Lobdell, N. B. 
Darrow, J. M. Collier, Phillips & Collins, S. S. Noyes, P. 
Hart, Rufus Hyde, Horace Hamlin, Seelcy & Atwood, C. 
W. Childs, Levi Frink, L. B. Read, Amos Hamlin, P. E. 
Spicer, William Snyder, Alanson Osborn, Spicer & 0.sborn 
(cabinet-shop), Julia Rand, G. Blackman, R. L. Spear, 
Benjamin Knight, C. Skinner, Jo.seph Phillips, G. T. Rand, 
William Frink, G. H. Gorhara, J. J. Rogers, Orin Rogers, 
Simon Darling, R. W. Branch, Jub Ferris, Philo Norton, 
Dexter Munger, Cyrus Munger, Giles Mandeville, Amos 
Phelps, John Bunker, Edwin Maxson, William Montgom- 
59 



ery, Johnson Montgomery, Willis Bush, Joshua Hamilton, 
Binks, Chauncey Butler. 

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.— LIST OK OFFICERS. 

An act of the Legislature of Michigan, approved Feb. 
16, 1842, provides that 

"All that part of the county of Eaton designated by the llnitoil 
States survey as township No. 2 north, of range .I west (now a part of 
the township of Eaton), be, and the same is, hereby sol off and organ- 
ized into a separate township by the name of Eaton llapids; and the 
first township-meeting shall be held at the house of }I. Hamlin, at the 
village of Eaton Rapids, and the nc.\t townahip-niccting in the town- 
ship of Eaton shall be holden at the house of William Stoddard."- 

The township of Tyler, which had been formed in 1841, 
was made a part of Eaton Rapids in 1850, but in 1869 
was again set off and organized as Hamlin. 

The records of the township of Eaton Rapids for the 
years 1842 to 1849, inclusive, are not in the office of the 
town clerk,! but beginning with 1850, the following is a 
list of the township officers to 1879 : 

SUPERVISORS. 

1850-52, James Gallery; 185.-?, William W. Crane: 1854, R. H. King; 
1855, Rufus Hyde; 185fi-5S, Nehemiah J. Seelye : 1859, David 
B. Hale; 1860-61, N.J.Seelyc; 1S62, David B. Hale; I86.V67, 
X.J. Seelye; 1868, George W. Knight; 1869, James Gallery; 
1870-72, N. J. Seelye: 187.'!-75, Benjamin L. Bentley; 1876-77, 
James Gallery; 1878, J. W. Knapp; 1879, James Gallery. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1850, Alanson Uarwood; 1851, Leonard W. McKinncy ; 1852, James 
Stirling; 1853, C. C. Chatfield ; 1854, P. W. Rogers; 1855, Isaac 
S. Smith; 1856-57, Francis W. Higby ; 1858, Dan W.Gould; 
1859, M. D. Vaughan (Isaac M. Crane appointed to till vacancy, 
Dec. 15, 1859); 1860-61, Isaac M. Crane; 18C2, Alanson Har- 
wood ; l86.i-«4, Martin V. Montgomery ; 1865, Wm. D. Brainerd . 
1866, Wm. F.Stirling; 1867, Richard A. Montgomery ; ISCs' 
William D. Brainerd; 1869, .lohn M. Corbin : 18711. William H. 
Dodge; 1871, II. H. Hamilton; 1872-77, William F. Siirling: 
1S78, C. F. Phillips; 1879, William F. Stirling. 

TREASURERS. 

1850, Gardner T. Rand; 1851, N. J. Seelye; 1852-53, R. H. King; 
1 854, William Gallery; 1855, Gardner T. Rand; 1S56, Rufus H. 
King; 1857-58, David B.Hale; 1859, D. W. Gould ; 1860-61, 
David B. Ilumlin ; 1862-64, Benjamin L. Bentley; 1865, G. W. 
Knight; 1866-67, Aimer H. Brainerd; 1868, William Gallery; 
1869, Frank Rogers; 1870, William Gallery; 1S71, B. L. Bentley ; 
1872, LorinHarwood; 1873, N, Doak ; 1874, N. J. Seelye: 1875- 
76, Lorin Uarwood; 1877-78, K. C. Wright; 1879, K.B. Gannon. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1850, Samuel Ferris, Joshua Slaylon, James J. Rogers; 1851, Hiram 
Hammond: 1852, Joseph Phillips, John II. Kimball; 185.3. John- 
son Montgomery, Bird Norton; 1854, Horace Hamlin, Diioiel 
Palmer: 1855, Albert O.Stone; 1856> Joseph Phillips, Garrett 
Rogers; I857„ Daniel Palmer; 1858, Garrett Rogers; 1859, 
Daniel Hosier; 1860, William M. Tompkins; 1861, Alviu Leigh- 
ton ; 1862, C. Goodnoe: 1863, Oscar M. Frost ; 1864, William .M. 
Tompkins; 1865, D. B. Bradford; 1866, Garrett Rogers, Morgan 
Vaughau, Lorin Uarwood; 1867, Isaiah U. Corbin ; 1868, Mor- 
gan Vaughan ; 1869, B. L. Bentley, Charles B. Dean ; 1870, Gar- 
rctt Rogers; 1871, A. N. Hamilton; 1872, D. B. Hosier, Asber 
B. Clark: 1873, Charles B. Dean; 1874, George Gallery, J. H. 



» This was the old " Eagle Hotel" at Charlotte, 
f In 1849, James Gallery wa< supervisor and Bird Norton justice 
of the peace. 



466 



HISTOKY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Kimball; 1875, A. D. Saxton; 1876, J. H. Hamlin, Daniel 
Hammond ; 1877, B. L. Bentlcy, Thomas G. Colo ; 1878, GanTtt 
Kogers, J. S. Cowdcn ; 1S79, D. B. Hosier. 

The following; officcra were elected for Eaton Ilapid.s 
townsliip in 1880: Supervisor, Albert I). Saxton; Town 
Clerk, William F. Sterling; Treasurer, Fred. Z. Hamilton ; 
Justice of the Peace, Loren Harwood ; Superintendent of 
Schools, George Gallery; School Inspector, Seth Rogers; 
Commissioner of Highways, William Spicer ; Drain Com- 
missioner, Charles I. Barrett ; Constables, George B. Ham- 
lin, John Pihuorc, Carlos M. Smith, Daniel Young. 

Many of the names in the foregoing list, in the years 
from 1850 to 18G8, are of men who lived in what is now 
the township of Hamilton, then a part of Eaton Rapids. 

VILLAGE OF KATON KAPIDS. 
The following bit of pioneer history is from the pen of 
James Gallery, of Eaton Rapids, and was published in the 
Eaton Rapids Journal (Frank C. Culley then editor) in 
1875: 

" FriiKNT) Cui.i.KV, — As you wish to know sometliing of my early 
history, and experiences in Eaton County, I would say that I was 
born in Caledonia, Livingston Co., N. Y., on the Utday of June, 1817. 
My father and mother had a family of seven children, — five sons and 
two daughter.", — of which I was the oMest. Father was considered 
skilled in two trades, — one as a weaver and the other a miller, — and 
by industriously working at those trades he managed to support and 
rear his family until the fall of 1S;^0, when be anticipated the advice 
of lluiace (iteeley and ' moved We^t.' 

'• Wu fii>t landed at Detroit, Out nut admiring the surroundings 
there we went hack to Toledo; from there to Adrian, and finally 
about the Ut of November secured winter quarters near Clinton, in 
Leniiwce County. After getting the family properly settled, father 
and I started out to look for government land, that we might secure a 
pL-rmancnt home, and thereby reap the full benefit of our change of 
country. We were advised and directed to what was then known as 
the Grand River country, and on arriving near Jacksonburg (as it was 
then called) wo met one A. F. Fitch, afterwards notorious as a rail- 
road conspirator, who then made a business of selecting and locating 
lands. With him we made an arrangement, leaving the money to buy 
one quarter-section, which it was agreeil sbould be good timbered 
land, — which promise, as far as the timber was concerned, was well 
fulfilled, as I had reason to think many a day while swinging the axe. 
Having made this arrangement we returned home, and my brother 
John and I hired out to shovel and drive team on the mill-dam and 
race which was thtn being constructed for the Globe Mills at Tecum- 
seh, and my brother William obtained employment at a clothing-mill 
near the same place. This was our first winter in Michigan, and it 
was a long, cold, and dreary one, waiting anxiously to hear where 
our land would be found, while living in a shanty with about twenty 
other coarse laborers and coarser fare. Finally, late in the spring we 
received a duplicate for one quarter-tection of Uncle Sam's domain, 
and which read the 'southeast quarter of section 29, in town 2 north, 
of range 3 west,' and was said to be about two miles from a place 
called Spicer's Mill. So, as soon as we could get the conditions all 
right, father and I started out again, and "arrived at this place — now 
called Eaton Uapids — on the 17th day of August, 18^7. The fiist 
blow had been struck here that summer, by the firm of Spicers, Ham- 
lin & Darling, who had the year before built the saw-mill at what is 
now called Spicorvillo. 

*' There were then throe dwelling-houses in the place j the dam 
across Spring Brook was built, but the water had not been raised. The 
grist-mill frame was up (a part of the present one) and partly inclosed. 
There was not a bridge across any stream here; no farms or cultivated 
ground, Or hardly anything except the four little buildings to toll that 
civilization was trying to gain a foothold and drive tiie poor Indian, 
who was continually puddling his canoe up and down the river, into 
the darker forests. 

" The families living here at that time, I think, were those of Amos 
irpicer,. Benjamin Knight, and C. C. Darling, Samuel Hamlin then 



living at Spicerville. We met with a cordial welcome and a hospi- 
tality which is common to new places, and all were ready to show us 
our land, which we found about one and one-half miles northwest of 
here, and after following the lines around it as well as we could, and 
being fully satisfied with it, we returned home. 

" About the 1st of November we started with our household goods 
and a ])art of our family with one team. The family consisting of 
father, Patrick Gallery, John, the one ne.\t in age to me. and my sis- 
ters, Mary (now Mrs. B. B. Hamlin) and Jane, who died in 1859, 
coming here, and my mother. The two youngest boys, George and 
Edward, returned to the State of New York, where they remained 
one year. My brother William remained at Tecumseh until about the 
middle of January, 1838, when he came here also. AVe arrived here 
in due time, and weijt into the house with Lawrence Howard and 
family, about a mile west of this place, on the town-line. W^e re- 
mained there about a week, while we cut logs and rolled up a shanty, 
twelve by twenty-four feet, and drew some while-wood boards from 
Spicerville for roof and fioor. I remember building the door. With 
me then the sash-and-door business was in its infancy. Then I also 
built a chimney of stones, sticks, and clay, and although the work- 
manship would not be considered very ornamental now, I think we 
took as much comfort in that shanty as the average man (njoys any- 
where. 

"At this time (November, 1837) I found here Amos Hamlin and , 
family, who had erected a slab blacksmith-shop, and was building a 
jilank house, as all the dwelling-houses were then built. There may J 
have been some other family in the village, but I do not remember. I 
My impression now is that there is but cne man now living in the I 
village that lived here then, being William Winn, and of women, ' 
Mrs. Waldron, Mrs. Hamlin, and possibly Mrs. P. Conley. There ^ 
are quite a number of the farmers around us now that were here ■ 
then, but fearing that I would not enumerate them correctly I will 
not attemjit to name them, and they will probably tell their own story. 
I will say, however, that John Montgomery had laised one crop of * 
wheat, and of him we purchased twenty-live bushels, thinking it 
prudent to secure it when it could be found, and we had the money 
to buy. For this we paid one and one-quarter dollars per bushel. 
There wore no grist-mills nearer than Jackson, but about the 1st of 
January, 1838, our mill was started, my father a^sisting. There was 
but one run of stone, commonly called rock, and they now He between 
the mill and the river as relics of the past. That fall and winter I 
took my first lessons in felling the tall forest, and towards spring 
found the supplies getting low, and started south to look for work, 
which I found in drawing mudsills on the Palmyra and Jacksonburg 
Kailruad. The month of February of that year seemed to me the 
coldest I ever knew, but March warmed up beautifully, and on the 
last day of that mouth 1 planted potatoes at Tecumseh. About the 
middle of April I returned home, and found our folks winding up on 
' sugar making.' They had about a half-barrel of syrup, which they 
said would not grain, but 1 thought I could conquer it, and the result 
was ' burnt,' only fit for vinegar. April and May were cold, rainy, 
and backward months, and it was tedious business to burn and clear 
oft' a patch for corn, potatoes, and all the other trash that was con- 
sidered necessary to supply the wants of a family. But patience and 
perseverance is always rewarded, and our eflurts were crowned with 
very satisi'actory results. And now, as the crops were coming u]) with 
astonishiug rapidity, my brother John and I started out to work in 
haying and harvest, and were gone thirteen weeks. We received 
good wages, clothed ourselves well, and brought home a cow and some 
of the • wild-cat' of the times, which had been considered as good as 
greenbacks now are, but was then getting shaky, and we sufl'ered 
some losses by it that year and I think the year after, 

*' During the summer the first store was built by Benjamin Knight, 
on the corner where the Anderson House now stands, and though 
tniiill at first it was afterwards enlarged, and an independent ware- 
house built and became a business house of large capital and busi- . 
ness influence, always sound and healthy while under bis control. 
The winter of 183S-3U I ran thegritt-mill in this place, boarding with 
the family of Benjamin Knight. This was the first residence in the 
village, and although our numbers were few, we felt the dignity, and 
put on the airs of much larger places, as we had a name and a post- 
otfice, and 1 think at this time set ofl" in single townships. At first 
ihe county was divided into four townships, our quarter being called 
the town of Eaton. As harvest time approached my brother and I 
again went out where they had more money; again devoting about 




^^. /to^w,/, 'hc,^ 



This ijcntlemaii is descended fi-om patriotic and distinguished 
ancestors. His parents each had a grandfather in the Continental 
Congress. His grandfather, John Wilkins, served three years in 
the army during the struggle for independence, familiarly known 
as the Revolutionary war. His father, Samuel Wilkins, fourth 
son of John and Catharine (Edgar) Wilkins, was born in Smith 
township, Washington Co., Pa., July 31, 1796, and grew to man- 
hood in that locality. At the age of eighteen years he volunteered 
as a soldier in the second and last war between the United States 
and England. Aug. 31, 1819, he was married to Anne Stevenson, 
and for a time subsequently lived on and conducted the affairs of 
the farm of his widowed mother. In 1821, Samuel Wilkins and 
wife left their old home and removed to Baughman township, 
Wayne Co , Ohio, which was then a wilderness. There they im- 
proved a farm and continued to reside, raising a family of six sons 
and two daughters. Samuel Wilkins was a man of sterling char- 
acter, and much more than ordinary ability, and his wife, who 
was born Dec. 2, 1799, combined with great personal beauty all 
the attributes of a true gentlewoman. 

Samuel M. Wilkins was born at the old home in Baughman, 
Wayne Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1836. When thirteen years of age his 
parents died, and he was taken charge of by his relatives, going 
to district school in winter and working on the farm in summer. 
At fifteen years of age he removed to Dimmick, La Salle Co., 111., 
to live with his brother, W. A. Wilkins. Here he worked on 
the farm in summer and attended the district school in winter 
until his seventeenth year, when he returned to his former home 
in Ohio. He attended a summer term of five months at the 
union schools. Canal Fulton, Ohio, teaching the following winter. 
His education was supplemented by a two years' course at Ver- 
million Institute, at Haysville, Ohio, after which lie returned to 
Illinois to teach school for eighteen months. His health failing, 
and he being desirous of visiting California, Mr. Wilkins crossed 
the plains with an ox-team, accompanied by his brother, T. J. 
Wilkins, during the summer of 1S59, arriving in California in 
September following, five months and ten days from date of de- 
parture, narrowly escaping starvation and the tomahawk and 
scalping-knife of the Indians. He followed mining from Septem- 
ber, 1859, to November, 1861, when he returned to Canal Fulton, 



Ohio. Here he pursued his medical studios, which had been begun 
five years previous, in the oifice of A. Hontz, M.D. Mr. Wilkins 
enlisted Aug. 8, 1862, in the One Hundred and Second Regiment 
Ohio Infantry, participating in all its campaigns up to the battle 
of Stone River, when he was detached from the regiment and as- 
signed to hospital duty as assistant surgeon, which position he 
occupied until mustered out, June 6, 1865, by order of the secre- 
tary of war. Since the close of the war he has attended two full 
courses of lectures at Starling Medical College, one course at 
Charity Hospital, Cleveland, in 1866, receiving the degree of 
M.D., and again receiving an ad eundem degree from the Univer- 
sity of Wooster, in 1871. He removed to Eaton Rapids, 3Iich., 
in March, 1866, where he has since been engaged in the practice 
of medicine and surgery. Dr. Wilkins has served as president 
of the village of Eaton Rapids, and is now a member of the com- 
mon council and village school board of that place. He has also 
long been president of the Eaton County Medical Society, and is 
surgeon for the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern and Michigan 
Central Railways. In 1878 he was elected to the lower house 'of 
the Legislature by a gratifying plurality, and at the election of 
Nov. 2, 1880, was re-elected over Henry A. Shaw, also of Eaton 
Rapids, by a plurality of eight hundred and eighteen votes, and 
had a clear majority over all of five hundred and fifty-four. This 
is sufficient to show the esteem in which he is held, and his elec- 
tion by so pronounced a majority is a souvenir from an admiring 
constituency. 

Oct. 28, 1869, Dr. Wilkin.s was married to Mrs. Frances G. 
Montgomery, widow of Lieut. E. A. Montgomery, who fell in 
defense of his country on the bloody field of Chickamauga. 
Mrs. W^ilkins was born Aug. 1, 1844, in Smyrna, Chenango Co., 
N. Y., and in 1851 emigrated with her parents to Eaton Rapids, 
Eaton Co., Mich. Her father, Abner K. Marsh, was born in' 
Shorehani, Addison Co., Vt., in 1808, and her mother, whose 
maiden name was Dolly A. Wales, was born in Staftbrd, Tolland 
Co., Conn., in 1813. Miss Marsh was married, at sixteen j'ears of 
age, to Lieut. Montgomery, whose life was so nobly yielded up 
in a great cause. Dr. and Mrs. Wilkins are the parents of two 
children, — Lizzie G., a bright girl of eight years, and C. M. 
Vance, a promising boy of three years. 



# 



-?i'^: 







Residence of the HON. S M WILKINS M D. Eaton Rapids, Mich 



EATON IlAl'IDS 



'JOT 



three inanlbs to harvesting and railroniliiig; ngnin clothing nurKclvcj! 
anil bringing bock soino of the ncedTuI to pny tnxi-s nn<i farh other 
purposes OS only moncjr coulil fnliffy. From this time until August, 
18JII, I chopped, logged, epiit rniN, and all kinds of ginurul bibor. 
During the latter part of IS 10 the sanr-niill race was dug ami the 
taw-mill built ; and about this time the fir.'t house was built north oT 
Spring Brook, by William Frink, near where Mr. Jopp's house now 
stands. 

"About this time I came to the conclusion that clearing land was 
not the vocation that agreed with my tastes and inclination, although 
it did agree with my health much bot'or thai) milling, at which I was 
consiilered a fair workman, .So I concluded that I would sUirtout to 
Bcek ray fortune making milling the busint-ss of my life, and n<>t stop 
until r found a place that suited me, with a prospect of a permanent 
place where I might build up a character us a Rrst-class miller and 
qualify myself as a business man. 

" I left here on the lust day of August, 1840, with live dollars in 
my pocket, not knowing where 1 would stop nor how far that would 
carry me. However, I brought up at Clinton, where there was a new 
Souriug-mill, one of the finest in the State. I crowded myself in 
(although they did not want help) on trial, without any agrccimnt 
about wages, and there I labored eight years and made it pay well. 

" r might here note a few of the events wliich transpired durin;^ 
the time I was absent, coming homo once or twice each year. 
On the 17th of September, ISI2, my mother dierl of asthmatic con- 
aumptiou. Her funeral was held on .Monday, 'he I'JIh, at the school- 
house in this village. At the same time and place occurred the funeral 
of John Bentley (whose history you gave some months ogo), who died 
about the same time unci of the same disease, and also the funeral of 
the child of a blacksmith, whose name I do not know. This was a 
very unusual circumstance, three funerals and three families of 
mourners under one sermon. The sermon was preiiciied by the Rev. 
W. \V. Crane, the pioneer clergyman of this section, a very excellent 
man, whose ear was always opened to the call of the distressed, and 
his words of wisdom and kindness comforting to the mourning soul. 
lie was a man of education, and a great historian. Ho delivered a 
course of 8i.\ lectures here about ten years since, at the close of which 
the citizens, through the Rev. J. R. Stevenson, furnished him with a 
check for.$IOO. The people always heard him gladly, lie has gone 
to his reward, and the call found him with the harness on, although 
very aged and infirm. 

" In the summer of 1842 our village took its first important stride 
to greatness. During this year the dam was builtacross Grand Kivcr, 
and the race dug connecting and consolidating the river and Spring 
Brook into one power, and an addition built on the north side of the 
grist-mill. I think there were added, also, two runs of buhr-stone^, 
and a set of merchant bolts. 

" The two churches, Methodist and Congregational, were erected, 
although not finished inside until tS.^o. This year also, I think, Ham- 
lin's Hotel, now called the Mitchell House, on Main Street, was en- 
larged to its present proportions. The north addition to the village was 
laid out, and I think that year the cabinet-shop was erected at the 
head of the sawmill race by Alanson Osborn, who carried on a very im- 
portant business there while be lived, anrl it continued to be of great 
benefit to the place until it was burncil down in ISfiS. During these 
years we had two or three asheries, which did a large business in 
black galls, pot and pearl ashes, and sometimes in salcratus. This 
was a very important interest to the farmers at that time, as almost 
every one had ashes to sell after burning olT a fallow ; and, although 
they would -not often bring money, they would always exchange fur 
groceries and other necessaries. 

"In 1844 the carding-shop was erected by the mill company, and 
fully equipped with all the necessary machinery for wool-carding and 
cloth-dressing. In the spring of 1845 my brother William rented it 
for one year, and in the spring of 1 84'! he and brother John purchased 
it, paying $2000 for it.* In the summer of 184fi the foundry was 
started by Geo. W. Spencer and Benjamin 0. Davis, they using power 
from the carding-shop to drive it for about two years. 

"In the spring of 1817, finding my health failing rapidly and 
knowing that the Oouring biuiness did not agree with mc, I began to 
■tad; the question of health in occapation, and came to the conclu- 



* The original building occupied a« a woolen-factory was destroyed 
by fire, and the present one was built at a comparatively recent date 
by Samuel Homer. 



sion that there was none better suited to iny eonpliluti.^n than a 
foundry, and I immediately bought out (J. W. S(.eri<er. I, however, 
could not easily get released from my position in the mill until one 
year later, and rented my share of the shop to II. II. Davis for one 
year, during which time we |iut up a second building and put in a 
water wheel. 

"Those three shops ivcre the first and only ones of the kind in the 
county for several years, and were of great importance in giving 
character and business to the place. Hut now how changed! Any 
manufacturing interest of less than $1110,000 capitil and a dozen 
traveling canvassers is not worthy of notice. 

'• The fall of 1847 was a season of peculiar and fiital sickness in onr 
place; the disease was generally called brain fever. It carried ofl" 
some six or seven of our most robust and substantial citizens, among 
whom were brother .John and Alanson Dsbom. 1 have always felt 
that our physicians did not understund the disease; however, that 
had great influence in giving us the character of a sickly place. 

"The 1st of .June, 1888, I returned an.l look charge of the foundry, 
without any experience in the business; since which time, however, 
I have learned considcrahle.f 

".l.oiKs OAi,i,i;itv." 

Ill llio viilley of tlie Sauquoit Crcuk, in OneiJa Cd., N. 
Y., is a wellkiiown m-inuraclnry of cotton fai»ric!S, known a.s 
the " New York Mills," Walcott & (Jainfibfll pioprictoni. 
.Around the mills h;ive spriin;^ up thriving villii<i;es, hearing 
tlie names of" Upper" and '■ Lower" New York Mill.s. A 
venerable minister, who live.s at the Upper Mills, hits resided 
there for fifty-three years, and during most of the time 1i;ls 
been an employee of the factory. This is Rev. John Har- 
vey, who.se dauf;hter is the wife of David Stirling;, of p]aton 
Kapids. Mr. .Stirling is a native of Glasj^ow, .Scotland, and 
after coming to America learned the trade of a machinist 
in the shops of the Sauquoit Valley. In July, 1839, Mr. 
Stirling visited Katon Rapids, being then twenty-one years 
of age. The place was then of very small proportions. 
The frame of the old " Eaton Rapids Ilolel" was built 
that season, on the site now occupied by the " Morgan 
House," by Horace Hamlin. It was afterwards removed 
from the spot, and was destroyed in a heavy fire which oc- 
curred in 18G4. Amos Spicer was also probiibly interested 
in its erection. The present " Morgan House" was built 
about 1841-42, by Horace Ilamlin, and first called the 
" Hamlin House." It was afterwards known as tlie " Eaton 
Ra|)ids Hotel," •' Mitchell Hou.se," " .Mineral Spring House," 
and finally as tlie "Morgan House." Its present jiroprie- 
tor is Joseph Morgan. 

Mr. .Stirling visited the place again in 1847, the year 
the Slate capital was removed to Lansing, and in 1849 
located here, entering the mercantile business in company 
with Mr. Seelyc. The firm had erected a large frame store 
in 1848, on the site of the present "Union Block." It 
was burned in March, 1879, and the block named was 
built the same year by Brainerd & Carr, who now occupy it. 

The first store in the jihicc was built by Benjamin 
Knight, where the Anderson House now stands. He had 
first opened his goods at his hou.se. Mr. Stirling recollects 
that, when he was here visiting in 1839, C C. Darling had 
a small grocery in a shanty, near the present location of 
the Congregational church. He sold whisky, but was 
very cautious about disposing of it to the Indians, who 



t .Mr. (Jallery is now the proprietor of the foundry, a i 
nd blind-factory, and a plow-shop. 



468 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



were at that time encamped where James E. Smith now 
lives. 

Mrs. G. T. Rand, of Charlotte, is a sister of Mr. David 
Stirling, though much younger. She lived with Mr. 
Stirling in 1849, being then a young girl, and some time 
in that year she counted all the shingle-roofed buildings in 
the village, in order to send a description of the place to 
friends in the East. The total number of all descriptions 
was thirty-six. Dr. G. T. Rand, the husband of the lady 
mentioned, was an early merchant at Eaton Rapids, subse- 
quently entering the medical profession, and now residing 
at Charlotte. , 

VILLAGE PLAT AND ADDITIONS. 

The original plat of the village of Eaton Rapids was laid 
out July 19, 1838, on section 3, in town 1 north, range 3 
west, and section 34, in town 2 north, range 3 west, by 
Amos Spicer, Pierpont E. Spicer, Christopher Darling, and 
Samuel Hamlin. On the 28th of July, 1845, and the 
6th of February, 1846, the same parties laid out the North 
Addition, and the following additions have since been 
platted : 

Hammond's Addition, June 1, 1846. 

Mcintosh & Frost's Addition, Aug. 3, 1855, by Lucius 
\V. Mcintosh, Eunice G. Mcintosh (by C. C. Chatfield, 
their attorney), Issachar Frost, Polly Frost, James I. 
Frost, Lodema Frost (by Lysander Morse, their attorney). 

East Addition, by Issachar Frost, Aug. 10, 1857. 

Mrs. Waldron's Addition, Nov. 20, 1865, by Wm. M. 
Tompkins and Alathea Waldron. 

Thomas S. Havens' Addition, April 2, 1866. 

Dutton & Leonard's Addition, June 18, 1866, by Allen 
C. Dutton and Philip Leonard. 

Lcisenring's Addition, Nov. 19, 1866, by Peter C. Leisen- 
ring, Augustus Hoppas, Elbert L. Jopp, Homer M. Benja- 
min, Catharine Worden. 

Stowell & Wilder's Addition, Dec. 9, 1868, by Victor 
R. and Mary S. Stewart, and George W. and Melissa S. 
Wilder. 

West Addition, May 2, 1870, by Philip Leonard, Mor- 
gan Vaughan, 0.scar M. Frost, Eunice Tompkin.s. 

Isaac N. Reynolds' Addition, May 2, 1870. 

R. B. Montgomery's Addition, March 8, 1871. 

Tompkins' Addition, March 27, 1871, by Eunice Holmes 
(formerly Tompkins). 

Vaughan's Addition, May 23, 1871, by G. Y. Cowan, 
M. Vaughan, Catherine L. Blake. 

Frost & Marvin's Addition, Aug. 7, 1871, by 0. M. 
Frost, H. B. Marvin, ct al. 

Riverside Addition, Aug. 10, 1871, by I. H. Corbin 

€t III. 

Leonard & Crane'.s Addition, May 13, 1872. 
Harris & Sawyer's Addition, Dec. 24, 1873. 

VILLAGE INCORPORATION.— LIST OF OFFICERS. 

The board of supervisors of Eaton County, on the 14th 
of October, 1859, upon receipt of a petition for village 
incorporation from eighteen legal voters of Eaton Rapids 
pursuant to an act of the Legislature, approved Feb. 17, 
1857, entitled " An Act for the Incorporation of Villages," 



granted the prayer of the petitioners and issued the follow- 
ing order : 

" It is hereby ordcretf^ Thnt the following-described territory, viz., 
the northwest three-fourths of the north half and the north half of 
the southwest quarter of section three (.3), nnd the east half of the 
northeast quarter of section four (4), jn town one (1) north, of range 
three (3) west; also, the east half of the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion thirty-three (33), and the west three-fourths of the south half 
and the south half of the northwest quarter of section thirty-four 
(34), in town two (2) north, of range three (3) west, be, and the same 
is hereby, incorporated under the naiue and style of 'The Village of 
Eaton Rapids ;' and the following persons, viz., James Gallery, Daniel 
Hosier, and Alanson Harwood, are hereby api)ointed the three in- 
spectors of election of the first election to be held in said incorporated 
village. 

^* And it is hereliy ordered, That the first election in said incor- 
porated village shall be held on the last Monday of November, 
eighteen hundred and fifty-nine, between the hours of nine o'clock 
A.M. and four o'clock r.jf., of said day, nt the usual place of holding 
township-meetings heretofore held in the township of Eaton Rapids." 

The village was incorporated by the Legislature, April 
15, 1871, to include section 34 and the east half of section 
33, in town 2 north, and the north three-fourths of section 
3, and the north three-fourths of the east half of section 4, 
in town 1 north, all in range 3 west. The village charter 
was amended March 12, 1873, and Apiil 29, 1875. 

The first election records of the village were not found 
upon search for them, and it is therefore only possible to 
give a partial list of officers. In 1861, James Gallery was 
president, and J. Phillips clerk. In 1871, P. Leonard 
was president, W. D. Brainerd clerk, and A. Braiuerd 
treasurer. 

1872. — President. Henry A. Shaw; Trustees (two years), II. M. Ham- 
ilton, James Sterling, Isaac N. Reynolds; (one year), D. B. 
Hosier, P. C. Leiseuriug, George La Fever; Clerk, H. H. 
Hamilton; Treasurer, Elbert L. Jopp; Assessor, Wesley' 
Vaughan; Marshal, G. B. Hamlin. 

1873.— President, Philip Leonard; Trustees (two years), J. C. Shaw, 
J. Slayton, Charles E. Merritt; (one year), 0. M. Frost; 
Clerk, 'W. F.Sterling; Treasurer, Alanson Osborn ; Marshal, 
J. K. Morgan ; Assessor, John H. Hamlin. 

1874. — President, L. A. Giddings ; Trustees (two years), Frank Rog- 
ers, James E. Smith, James Stirling ; Clerk, 'W. F. Stirling ; 
Treasurer, Alanson Osborn. 

1875.— President, W. D. Brainerd; Trustees (two years), H. B.Mar- 
vin, H. C. Whittum, T. 'VV. Daniels; Clerk, W. F. Stirling; 
Treasurer, H. Z. Williams. 

1876. — President, Philip Leonard; Trustees (two years), C. A. Brown, 
G. T. Sprague, Joseph Carr ; Clerk, John H. York ; Treas- 
urer, L. A. Bentley. 

1S77.— President, S. M. Wilkins; Trustees (two years), P. Leonard, 
T. W. Daniels, W. D. Brainerd; Clerk, AV. F. Stirling; 
Treasurer, H. H. Hamilton. 

1878.— President, II. H. Hamilton ; Trustees (two years), C. A. 
Brown, J. R. Hyde, J. F. Knapp; Clerk, K. C. Wright; 
Treasurer, F. Z. Hamilton. 

1879.— President, W. D. Brainerd; Trustees (two years), F. H. De 
Golia, C. S. Dunbar, C. F. Phillips; Clerk, K. C. Wright; 
Treasurer, W. S. Henderson. 

18S0.— President, C. A. Brown; Trustees (two years), S. M. Wilkius, 
J. R. Hyde, I. P. Roberts; Clerk, K. C.Wright; Treasurer, 
L. A. Bentley. Officers appointed by board ; Marshal, 
George B. Hamlin; Night Watch, James Humeston; En- 
gineer, F. M. Brainerd ; Overseer of Highways, Birney E. 
Shaw; Health Officer, A. C. Dutton. M.D. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The Eaton Rapids Fire Department was organized in 
November, 1874, principally through the instrumentality 



EATON RAPIDS. 



469 



of L. A. Bentley and Frank C. Culloy, tlie latter bein<; 
chosen its first chief enj;ineer. Mr. CuUey is now pub- 
lishing the Dfjiaiice Express at Defiance, Oliio. A 
No. 4 Silsby steam fire-euj^ine was purchased in the fall 
of 1874, after a heavy fire, and cost, with hose-cart and all 
appurtenances, 65250. Hand fire-extinjiuishers had been 
previously in use. July 13, 1875, the village board ordained 
that the fire department should consist of a chief engineer, 
an assistant engineer, one fire warden in each ward, and so 
many fire-engines, hook-and-ladder, hoseand-bucket com- 
panies as the board of trustees should from time to time 
direct. The present departmeut is composed of three com- 
panies, as follows : 

Ealon Rapids Engi'iie Compani/, Xo. 1, ten men. — 
Thomas J. Bromeling, Foreman. 

Eiilon Jiapiih Hose Company, No. 2, fifteen men. — 
John Wortz, Foreman. 

•' Bessie K" Hook-mul- Ladder Company, No. 3, fifteen 
men. — H. S. Maynard, Foreman ; Michael Kinney, As- 
sistant Foreman. 

Another hose company is soon to be organized. L. A. 
Bentley, who has "been a fireman all his life," is the 
present chief engineer of the department, and C. A. Brown 
is assistant. 

Eaton Rapids has suffered from numerous disastrous 
fires, the heaviest occurring in 18G4, when nearly all the 
business establishments in the place were destroyed and 
the prospects for the future of the village appeared dis- 
couraging. But, notwithstanding it has received like 
checks since, it has continued steadily to grow, and it is 
hoped that the sites now covered with ruins may soon be 
made more pleasing to the eye by the erection thereon of 
new buildings, to be occupied by enterprising and active 
business men, as those of the place are in general. 

I'OriT-OFKICK. 

The post-oiEcc at Eaton Rapids was established about 
1837-38, with Benjamin Knight as postmaster. The 
office is thought to have been called Eaton at that time, — 
being subsequently changed to Eaton Rapids. Tho.se who 
have held the office since Mr. Knight are Amos Hamlin, 
William M. Tompkins, Henry Jack.son, J. B. Ten Eyck, 
and the present incumbent, Horace N. Hamilton, appointed 
in 18GS. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

From an old record it is learned that John H. Childs 
was a printer at Eaton Rapids in 1843. A recently pub- 
lished historical account states that the first newspaper at 
Eaton Rapids, called the Ealon Democrat, was established 
in 1847, and published by L. W. McKinney, of Lansing, 
the main object being to secure the publication of the tax 
sales. The paper afterwards became the property of Judge 
Ezra D. Burr, who conducted it in the interests of the 
American, or Know-Nothing party, until the fall of 1854, 
when it was sold to the founders of the Eaton Republican, 
and the material removed to Charlotte. Soon afterwards a 
Mr. Sanford revived the Democrat at Eaton Rapids, pro- 
curing a press and printing-material at Detroit. He .soon 
sold to C. C. Chatfield, who changed its name to the Ealon 
County Argits, and placed it for a short time in the hands 



of a man naiued Burrell as editor and publisher. Dr. Ezra 
D. Burr jiurcliased it shortly afterwards, and conducted it 
as a Democratic sfieet. In the summer of IHtJO it pa.ssed 
into the hands of the Thornton Brothers, and was removed 
to Charlotte, with F. W. Higby as editor. It is now known 
as Tlie C/iarlolle Leader. 

In ISGd, J. B. Ten Eyck estublished the Eaton Rapids 
Journal, publishing it until the spring of IHtiU, when he 
sold to Frank C. Culley, who in 1874 changed its name to 
the Saturday Jonrmd. In September, 187(3, Mr. Culley 
sold to E. O'Brien, who continued the publication of the 
paper until the 1st of January, 1879, when he sold to K. 
Kitlredge, the present publisher. Mr. Kittredge has given 
the paper its original name, — the Eaton Rapids Journal, — 
and issues it in the form of a si.x-colun)n quarto. It is 
printed on a cylinder hand-press, made in Indianapolis, and 
has a circulation of 950 ; is independent Republican in 
politics. 

D.\NIv. 

The First National Bank of Eaton Rapids was organized 
in the beginning of July, 1877, at the private bank of 
Bowne, Combs & Co., with the following officers; A. J. 
Bowne, President; F. H. De Golia, Cashier; II. Z. Wil- 
liams, Teller; A. J. Bowne, Daniel Striker, George E. 
Goodyear, F. H. De Golia, A. C. Dulton, P. Leonard, Allen 
Crawford, Directors. The capital of this bank is §50,000. 
Its present (1880) officers are: A. J. Bowne, President; 
F. H. De Golia, Ca.shier; A. J. Bowne, P. Leonard, John 
M. Corbiu, Allen Crawford, George E. Goodyear, Daniel 
Striker, F. M. De Golia, Directors. 



A band was organized in the village about 1858-60, 
which had a limited existence. The present one w;is or- 
ganized in the summer of 1879, and numbers about twenty 
pieces. The director and leader is H. S. Maynard, who was 
chosen in June, 1880. W. F. Stirling was his predecessor. 
The remaining officers of the band organization are : W. 
F. Stirling, Secretary ; W. L. Clark, Treasurer. The band 
is neati}' uniformed, and is a creditable organization. At 
the annual State Band Tournament, held at Flint, June 9 
and 10, 1880, it took the first prize in the contest among 
bands of the third class, and thus established a claim to 
distinction among the bands of the State. 



Kalon Rapids Jj/nlge, No. 63, F. and A. J/., was or- 
ganized under dispensation in January, 1853, and chartered 
Jan. 13, 1854. Its charter members were Amos Hamlin, 
W. M. ; Ezra D. Burr, S. W. ; Leonard W. McKinney, J. 
W. ; and James I. Rogers. Two visiting members were 
present, — C. C. Darling and Benjamin E. Rich. The 
membership of the lodge in July, 1880, was seventy-eight, 
and its officers were: C. A. Brown, Worshipful Master; 
Leonard Hicks, Senior Warden; II. II. Hamilton, Junior 
Warden ; Philip Leonard, Treas. ; L. A. Bentley, Sec. ; 
E. D. Spears, Tiler ; Birney E. Shaw, Senior Deacon ; 
Richard Blodgett, Junior Deacon. 

Eaton Rapids Chapter, No. 24, L'. A. M., was chartered 
Jan. 7. 18ti0. with the following officers: Ezra D. Burr, 



470 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



High Priest; Thomns S. S. Havens, Kinir; Amos Hamlin, 
Scribe. Aller oriranizing, the chapter chose P]. D. Burr, 
High Priest; L. B. Willis, King; Amos Hamlin, Scribe; 
G. Hutchings, Captain of the Host ; M. Carpenter, Prin- 
cipal Sojourner; J. R. Stevens, Royal Arch Captain ; J. I. 
Rogers, Sec.; A. Moore, Treas. Its ofEcers for 1880 are 
as follows: Isaac N. Reynolds, High Priest; C. A. Brown, 
King; G. B Hamlin, Scribe; B. E. Shaw, Captain of the 
Host; John H. Hamlin, I'rinoipal Sojourner; H. H. Ham- 
ilton, Royal Arch Captain ; L. A. Bentley, See. ; Philip 
Leonard, Treas. ; W. S. Mest, Grand Master 3d Veil ; C. 
S. Dunbar, Grand Master 2d Veil ; G. L. Booth, Grand 
Master 1st Veil; B. D. Speers, Sentinel. 

ODD-FELLOWS. 

Eaton Kapi'ds Lodge, No. 114, was instituted Feb. 15, 
1866, with eight members. Charles Dean was its first 
Noble Grand. In July, 1880, the lodge had a member- 
ship of eighty-three, and was officered as follows : C. L. 
Powers, Noble Grand; Oirin Rose, Vice-Grand; H. H. 
Spencer, Rec. Sec. ; A. K. North, Per. Sec ; C. S. Dunbar, 
Treas. 

Eaton Rapids Encampment, No. 34, was instituted in 
1868, with eleven members, its first Chief Patriarch being 
H. H. Spencer. Its present meujbership (July, 1880) is 
eighteen, and its officers the following,— viz. : James Van 
Osdell, Chief Patriarch ; C. S. Dunbar, High Priest; Cor- 
nelius Seager, Senior Warden ; Milo Thompson, Junior 
Warden; T. J. Milburn, Scribe; S. R. Fuller, Treas. 

IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN. 
Olcemos Tribe, No. 8, was organized in 1874, and had 
ten charter members. Its first Sachem was Henry A. 
Shaw. The membership in July, 1880, was thirty, and 
the officers as follows : Charles Dunbar, Sachem ; J. Z. 
Brainerd, C. S. ; S. R. Ferris, J. S. ; Sol. Middleton, 
K. W.; B. E. Shaw, C. of R. ; C. McCarty, P.; F. M. 
Brainerd, District Deputy Sachem. 

OUR COUNTRY'S DEFENDERS. 

This body is an outgrowth from the old Grand Array of 
the Republic. Political matters are not allowed to enter 
into its business nor be discussed in its branches. It is 
in a measure a secret organization. Soldiers of the late war 
(1861-65) who were honorably discharged, and their sons, 
are eligible to membership. The National Encampment 
has its headquarters at Chicago, where the order has a 
strong membership, and has in a great measure taken the 
place of the Grand Army posts. 

Mintcy Encampment, No. 31, was organized at Eaton 
Rapids about the 1st of May, 1880, with twenty members. 
After very little work more than the labor of organizing, 
its membership had increased in July to about forty. Its 
principal officers are : N. A. Merritt, Commander ; W. 
Reaves, Lieutenant- Commander ; A. Black, Adjutant; 
William Spicer, Quartermaster. 

TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS. 

Eaton Rapids Lodge, No. 840, 7. 0. G. T., is the third 
lodge of the kind which has been formed in the place, and 



was organized about 1873. The original lodge grew to 
such proportions that a second one was formed, which 
finally absorbed the parent lodge, and the third one was 
organized under a new charter. The hitter has a present 
membership of about forty-five, and the following officers,— 
viz. : H. A. Swift, Worthy Chief Templar ; Nellie Tonkin, 
Vice-Templar; J. Stirling, Lodge Deputy; E. P. Rose, 
Sec. ; P. W. Conley, Treas. 

The Eaton Rapids Temperance Reform Club was organ- 
ized JIarch 21, 1877, and incorporated in December of the 
same year, with about thirty members.* The total number 
of members on the rolls of the club at present is over 1600, 
although of these many have moved away and others have 
again wandered from the paths of temperance. In point 
of general results the work of the club has been well and 
faithfully performed. The officers are: Isaac N. Reynolds, 
I'residcnt; George B. Hamlin, First Vice-President; James 
Stirling, Second Vice-President; E. Cowles, Third Vice- 
President; A. P. Ball, Fin. Sec; Jennie Frost, Sec; 
L. T. White, Treas. In December, 1877, the club began 
the erection of a hall, which was opened Jan. 13, 1870. 
It is built of white brick, made at Lansing, is fifty by ninety 
feet in dimensions, and the auditorium is twenty-seven feet 
high. A fine stage has been constructed, twenty-four feet 
wide at the opening and twenty-three feet deep. The hall 
is provided with 528 chairs, but will comfortably seat 700 
persons. The first entertainment in the building was a 
lecture by Hon. Schuyler Colfax, upon his favorite sub- 
ject, — " Lincoln." Before the roof was completed a polit- 
ical discussion was held in the hall between " Sam" Cary 
and " Billy" Williams (of Indiana). The hall is a decided 
credit to the village, adding one to its many attractions, and 
is a worthy testimonial to the earnestness of the laborers in 
the temperance cause in Eaton Rapids and vicinity, where 
" the good work goes bravely on." 

MINERAL SPRINGS AND WATER-CURES. 

Within a period of ten years Eaton Rapids has become 
famous on account of her mineral wells and the wonderful 
cures which their waters have wrought, and, to judge from 
the testimonials volunteered, some of them were indeed 
wonderful. Some account of the discovery of these waters 
is necessary in this connection. 

The north part of the present " Frost House" was built 
quite early for a hotel by E. B. Frost. The south part of 
the .same building was erected in 1852 and occupied by 
Frost & Daniels, dry -goods merchants. In 1869 a well 
was sunk for greater convenience in obtaining a water sup- 
ply, and in a short time it was discovered that the water 
from this well was both magnetic and possessed of me- 
dicinal virtues, several being benefited by its use. This 
at once created an excitement and appeared to open a 
way to the future prosperity of the proprietor. Mr. Dan- 
iels retired from the firm, and in 1870 the entire building 
was opened as a hotel and bathing establishment. In 1875 
Dr. Morris Hale came to the village, and after running the 
Anderson House one year took the Frost House, of which 



* This number includes the incorporators only. The entire mem- 
bership was much greater. 



EATON RAPIDS. 



471 



lie is still the proprietor. He lias established a water-cure, 
the first ill the |pl:ice, and won sueii a reputation for his treat- 
ment that his patient.s now number about ;:J()0 annually, com- 
iu;,' from Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, New York, Pennsylvania, 
and all parts of the country. Dr. Hale was a graduate from 
the University of Michigan in ISCl, having studied with 
Dr. J. S. Love, of Philadelphia. He was born in Colum- 
biana Co., Oliio, in 1838. After leaving the university 
he entered the army, and served as assistant surgeon at 
Rook Lsland Pri.son Barracks, Illinois. In 1870 he was 
graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadel- 
phia. 

Tlie well sunk by Mr. Frost was 1(50} feet in depth. 
As soon as its curatii'e properties became known a second 
was sunk at the Katon Kapids House by James Mosher, 
followed in the same sumiuer (181)9) by another, sunk by 
Hon. Henry A. Shaw on the corner west of the Frost well ; 
the latter was 162 feet deep. In 1870 a fourth well was 
sunk by David Stirling to the depth of 184 feet. The 
fifth was at the Central House, by S. W. Bordinc, tlie sixth 
by Mr. Smith, the seventh by Jlr. Slayton, the eighth by 
Mr. Bentley, and the ninth by Mr. Mest, all flowing strong 
streams. The only hotels when the first well was sunk 
were the Frost House and the Eaton Kapids Hotel. The 
Central and Montgomery were opened in 1870, and the 
Knowles in 1871. In 1870-71 a stock company was 
foriued, with a capital of 8100,000, for the purpose of 
building a large, first-chiss hotel , and the Vaughan House 
was erected. It was a fine, sightly building of brick, three 
stories high, eighty-one by one hundred and thirty-six feet 
in dimen.sions, with a basement under the whole, and con- 
tained 125 rooms. It was located on the northwest corner 
of Main and Knight Streets, opposite the Frost House, and 
was opened about tlie middle of May, 1872, by M&ssrs. 
Pantlind fi Pickering, former proprietors respectively of the 
Ilibbard House at Jackson and the Burdick House at Kal- 
amazoo. The Vaughan House was totally destroyed by 
tire in 1874, and has not been rebuilt. 

The Anderson House, an elegant four-story and base- 
ment brick hotel, was built in 1874, by W. H. Dodge. 
Tiic sum of SSOOO had been raised by subscription towards 
its construction by Col. George M. Anderson, a gentleman 
well known iu most parts of the Slate, and the house was 
named for him. Col. Anderson is now in the employ of 
the Grand Tiunk Railway Company. The building has a 
front of fifty-two feet, and is one hundred and forty-three 
in depth ; it is finely furnished, fitted with an elevator, 
and has balconies on every story. The house has a large 
custom through the season, and is now managed and owned 
by Jason Stebbins, of Detroit. Its cost was $05,000. 
The " Arcana Spring," at the Anderson House, was sunk 
after the building was erected, and is 192 feet in depth, 
with a flow greater than most of the others in the place. 

David Stirling is the proprietor of a popular and well- 
patronized batiiing establishment and boarding-house for 
patients. His manner of administering the baths has been 
secured by letters patent. The flow is so great from this 
well that baths are supplied direct froiu it ; they are given 
both hot and cold. Mr. Stirling ships large quantities of 
the water to various portions of the country. 



Prof. Alexander Winehell, formerly State geologist of 
Michigan, after a careful exaiuination of the Eaton Kapids 
mineral waters, gave them very complimentary mention. 
The following analysis will give an idea of the mineral 
properties of the water from several of the wells: 

Frost Spriiif/. — Analy.sis by Prof. Samuel P. Dufficid, 
professor of chemistry in the Detroit Medical College. 
After evaporating a gallon of water from this well, the 
solid residue was found to consist of 88.22 grains, divided 
as follows : 

SuIpliiitD of limo .|.f,| 

('uriioniitti of iiiiignosiu !i.M 

Curlicjimlo ol' imu L'..is 

Carbunato of liino Jfi.'.'l 

Cliloridc of sodium U.'it 

Silicin 15.74 

Orgiiiiio iiuitlcr and loss <J|) 

SS.'J2 

Cubic incties of carbonic ncid gas to gallon of 

water 22.22 

Vaugluin Umise Spring. — Analysis by Professor K. C. 
Kedzie, professor of chemi.stry in the State Agricultural 
College at Lansing:* 



PnOTO-CARBONATE.* 

Per finllon 

Cubic inches of carbonic acid gas I5.U7 

Solid residue, in gruios, Ictt ou evaporating a 

gallon of water 901.) 

ANALYSIS OK KESIDI K. 

Graina. 

Suli.liatc of lime 4S.I;i 

Carbonate of lime 20.74 

Carbnnnte of nmgnesia :i.S4 

Carbon.ite of iron ; ].2;t 

Carbonate of soda 11.67 

Carbonate of jtolaissa 1.27 

Chloride of sodium .9(1 

Silicic acid I.IU 

Nilrjite of ammoniii, h^'dro 

Sulphuric acid Truces 

Organic matter and loss 911 

Total '.M}.45 



ANALYSIS liV SOLID MATTKK. 

The alkaline substances reckoned as bicarbonatas, in 

grains : 

Sulphiite of lime 48.1.3 

Bicarbonate of lime 29.88 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 0.86 

liicarbonutc of iron 1.70 

Bicarbonate of soda 16.:il 

Bicarbon^ite of potassa 1.6(1 

Chloride of sodium 99 

Silicic acid I. Ill 

Nitrate of ammonia Trace 

llydro-sulphurie acid Traco 

Organic matter and loss ..'17 

Total 197.20 

Mitchell (now Morgan) House Spring. — Analysis also by 
Professor Kedzie. Alkaline substances reckoned as bicar- 
bonates : 

Cubic inches of carbonic acid gas in gallon 15..t(^ 

tjrains of solid mailer in gallon 9.1.92 

Latter divided as follows : 



* These figures arc copied from a printed analysis furnished ; they 
do not correspond, in some things, with Iho statement at tho begin- 
ning. 



472 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ANALYSIS OF SOLID MATTER. 

yiilphatcof Iinn> S.K, 

Bicarbonate of lime 27.S;{ 

Bicarhonutc of magnesia 0.S8 

Bicarbonate of iron I.-iS 

Carbonate of pota^sa l.iiO 

Bicarbonate of soda ".."JS 

Chloride of sodium ilO 

Silicic acid 2.54 

Nitrate of ammonia Trace 

Hydro-sulphuric acid Trace 

Total .solid matter 93.02 

TABLE SECOND. 

Alkaline substances reckoned as proto-carbonates : 

Sulphate of lime 45.16 

Carbonate of lime 19.4:) 

Carbonate of magnesia 4.. 12 

Carbonate of iron 1.00 

Carbonate of potassa 1.15 

Carbonate of soda 5.:!.S 

Chloride of sodium 110 

Silicic acid 2.54 

Organic matter and loss .85 

Nitrate of ammonia Trace 

Hydro-sulphuric acid Trace 

Total solid residue or evaporation, in grains.. 70.2-J 

Stirling Spring. — Analysis by Piofessor Jackson, State 
Assayer to the Coiiimonwealth of Massachusetts: 

" BoSTOs, Oct. 15, 1870. 
"One imperial gallon of the water, or ten pounds avoirdupois, 
evaporated to entire dryness, yields of dry solid matter of a drab 
color 85.20 grains, which, separated into its constituents, was found 
to be composed of 

" Carbonic acid 2.72 

Chlorine 20 

Sulphuric acid 45.84 

Magnesia 3.20 

Soda, grains 5.50 

Peroxide of iron (or carbonate of iron), grains.. 2. SO 

Volatile matter and loss 2.08 

85.20 
** These constituents are undoubtedly combined as follows, in ac- 
cordance with the laws of solidity in an aqueous solutiim, and of 
atomic proportions of acids to the bases : 

"Sulphate of lime 55.20 

Sulphate of soda 12.50 

Sulphate of magnesia 9.40 

Carbonate of soda \ , ., , 

Chloride of sodium ) ^-' 

Carbonate of iron 2.80 

*' A water of this combination is decidedly an active medical agent, 
having alterative and aperient qualities, useful in many forms of dis- 
eases, as will be perceived by all physicians who e-xamine this an- 
alysis. 

" Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

"C. T. Jackso.v, M.D." 

The flict cannot be disputed that the waters from these 
various springs have been of vast benefit to hundreds of 
persons. To the taste they are very pleasant, and any 
quantity can be taken, on the warmest day, without harm- 
ful results. There is little doubt that Eaton llapids must 
continue to be a place of note so long as its springs con- 
tinue to yield their health-giving waters. Its excellent 
water-power and advantages for manufacturing will also be 
factors in its future prosperity, but its citizens must not be 
weary in well-doing. 

SCHOOLS. 

The earliest schools in the townsliip have been men- 
tioned in the articles from old settlers which are here in- 
cluded. From the records the following facts are learned : 



District No. 1 was formed July 19, 1842, to include the 
following teriitory : " Commencing at the southeast corner 
of section No. 31, township 2 north, range S west; thence 
north to the northeast corner section No. 30 ; thence 
east to the northeast corner section No. 28 ; thence south 
on the section-line to the east quarter-post of section No. 
33 ; thence west 240 rods ; thence south 1 GO rods to the 
town-line; thence west to the place of beginning." 

District No. 2 was formed at the same date, "commenc- 
ing at the northeast corner of section No. 1 ; running west 
on the township-line to the north quarter-post of section 
No 3 ; thence south to the centre of section No. 21 ; thence 
ea.st to the county-line ; thence north to the place of be- 
ginning." 

Districts 5, 0, and 7 were fractional. The following was 
the apportionment of school-money to the districts in the 
town.ship of Eaton Rapids in 1843: 

District No. 1, 30 pupils $31.25 

2, 14 " 14.58 

5,32 '• 3:i.:i3 

" 0, 9 " 9.38 

" 7, II " 11.4(> 

$100.00 

Among the early teachers these names appear : 

1S44.— Miss E. Noyes, Miss Jane Gallery, Miss Rosana Skinner. 

1845.— Miss Ursula Harris, Miss Emily Kuss, Samuel P. Town. 

1847.— Alvira Field, Maryctte Beebe. 

1848.— Lucy Towsley, Lydia Reeves, Susan Skinner. 

1849.— Cornelia Walker, Martha Barr, Caroline King, Eunice M. 
Wright. 

1850.— Maria Crane, Jane Wright, Lydia Fitzgerald, Nancy Pierson, 
C. C. Perrine, Jeannette E. Emerson, Clarinda E. Uilman, 
Mary M. Miller, George Gallery, Benjamin Darling, Eliza- 
beth llolcomb, L. A. Stone, Clarissa J. Ford, S. P. Town, 
B. L. Bentley. 

The village of Eaton Rapids was formerly included in 
" District No. 5 of Eaton and Tyler." The following are 
items from the old records of the district : 

" Nov. 4, 1841. — Hired Henry Frink to teach school 
four mouths, — twenty-three dollars per month, amounting 
to ninety-two dollars." April 13, 1842, voted to have 
summer school, five and a half months, by female teacher. 
J. D. Conklin notified to finish school-house, according to 
contract, or be prosecuted. B. Knight, director ; J. M. 
Collins, moderator. In the summer of the year last named 
Harriet Dixon taught fifteen weeks, at one dollar and a half 
per week. Sept. 30, 1842, the Eaton Rapids portion of the 
district contained thirty-two schoolchildren, and the Tyler 
portion twenty-five. The sthool-house was repaired in the 
fall of that year. Nov. 21, 1842, Bird Norton was hired 
to teach the school four months, at fifteen dollars a month 
and board. May 8, 1843, Eliza Goodspeed was hired to 
teach five months, at eleven shillings a week. Other early 
teachers were : winter of 1843-44, A. N. De Witt; 1844, 
Luther 8. Noyes, Roxana Skinner; 1845, L. S. Noyes, 
Elizabeth D. Noyes ; winter, 1845-46, Samuel P. Town ; 
summer 1846, Cynthia B. Taylor ; winter 1846—47, Daniel 
Palmer; summer 1847, Roxana Skinner. 

By 1850-53 the number of pupils had so increased that 
it became necessary to provide extra room, and the Meth- 
odist and Congregational churches were used. The subject 
of building a new school-house was agitated in 1852, but 



EATON RAPIDS. 



473 



it was not unlil the next year that a decisive step was taken 
ill that direction. Sept. 26, 185.S, at the annual scliool- 
mceting, a motion to raise S25C0 to build a new school- 
house was carried by a vote of thiity lo twenty, and on 
the 11th of March, 1854, tlie contract for building it was 
let to Jotliua Slayton, for S^riOO, with 8315 allowed for 
extras. The material used was brick. The directors of 
the district at the time were A. Hamlin, A. llarwood, 
"William M. Tompkins, and B. F. Bailey. 

In 1851 the district was reorganized as District No. 
12 of Eaton IJapids, the two towns — Eaton llapids and 
Tyler — having been consolidated. It is now known as 
Fractional District No. 12 of Eaton Rapids and Hamlin. 
In 1857 the number of children in the district between the 
ages of four and eighteen 3'ears was 189. 

At llie annual meeting held Sept. 5, 1870, it was voted 
to raise §25,000, the sum of §20,000 to be expended in 
building a new school-house on the grounds belonging to 
the distiict (blocks !• and 10, original village plat), and 
§2000 to be expended in building an auxiliary school- 
house on lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, block 7, Mcintosh & Frost's 
addition. Both buildings were erected in 1871, brick be- 
ing the material used in their construction. The central 
building is three stories high, and will accommodate about 
450 pupils ; the ward building is a single story in height, 
and has aecommodations for about fifty pupils. The 
teachers employed in 1880 arc: Principal, Orr Schurtz; 
Preceptress, Nettie Hosier ; First Grammar Department, 
Sarah Gannon ; Second Grammar, Nina Van Buskirk ; 
First Primary, Clara Rogers ; Second Primary, Celeslia 
Leonard; Ward School, Emma Gallery. Mr. Schurtz is 
a graduate of the Michigan University, and previously 
taught at Dansville, Ingham Co. The school board for 
1879-80 is composed of the following persons, viz. : John 
M. Corbin, Moderator; K. Kittredge, Director; A. C. 
Dutton, Assessor ; Dr. S. M. Wilkins, T. W. Daniels, E. 
Dunbar (time of last two expires in July, 1880). 

The report of the school inspectors for the year ending 
Sept. 1, 187'J, presents the following items regarding the 
schools of the township : 

Number of districts (whole, 8; fractional,!) 9 

" of sclioul-ctiildrcn in townithip 823 

" in attenrlnnce during 3'ear 714 

" of dftjs school tauglit 1404 

" of echool- houses {brick, 3 ; frame, 7) 10 

" of seatings in same 958 

Value of school property $36,250.00 

Number of teachers (males. 5; females, 20) 25 

Wnge-s paid same (males, $1140; females, $2342.50) $.1482.50 

Tolal resources for year 7373.44 

Amount on hand Sept. I, IS79 293.04 

Total expenditures, less amount on hand 70SU.40 

KELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
First Congrrgntionnl Church, Eaton Jinpit/s. — This 
church was organized July 13, 1843, and on the 25th of 
October, following, a " meeting of the friends of religion" 
was held at the house of J. W. Smith, at Eaton Rapids, 
for the purpose of organizing a religious society. Rev. J. 
W. Smith was called to the chair, and David Bradford was 
chosen secretary', while David Barr and David B. Bradford 
were cho.sen to receive votes. Thomas Jcwclt, David B. 
Bradford, and David Barr were chosen trustees for one, 
60 



two, and three years, respectively, and it wiis resolved that 
the .society be called the " First Congregational Society of 
Eaton Rapids." The original membershi)) of the church 
was seventeen. A frame church was finally begun, but was 
not finished until the spring of 1855. It continued to do 
service until 1877, when it ffas burned. The foundation 
of the present fine brick edifice was laid the same year. 
Rev. R. C. Bedford, the pastor at the time, labored earn- 
estly in the matter of building, and to him great credit 
is due for its construction and for its style and appointment. 
It was completed and dedicated early in 1879, with five 
cents left in the treasury, and the society free from debt.* 
The pa.stors of this church since its organization have been 
Revs. Joseph \V. Smith, Moses H. Smith, John S. Kidder, 
John R. Steven.son, N. D. Gliddcn, R. Hovenden, J. S. 
Edwards, Iliram S. Hamilton, P. R. Huid, R. C. Bedford, 
— who left in October, 1879, and is now at Rockton, 111., 
— and the jircsent pastor. Rev. D. Payson Becbe, who has 
been in ch:irge since jMay, 1880. The membership of the 
church, July 8, 1880, was 100. The Sunday-school has 
an average attendance of 80 to 100; K. Kittredge, super- 
intendent. 

The church building occupies a prominent location on 
Main Street, and is a source of pride to the society and to 
the citizens of the village. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, Eaton Rapids. — Rev. 
David Knox, preacher in charge of Eaton Circuit in 1843, 
appointed as trustees of the " First Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Eaton Rapids, in said Eaton Circuit," Tyler 
Blodgett, Andrew De Witt, Luther S. Noyes, Ira Turney, 
Luther Blodgett, John Montgomery, Pierpont E. Spicer, 
Benjamin Knight, Chauneey Butler. Meetings were first 
held by the Methodists iu the " old red .school-house," 
which is now used by Daniel Gould for a barn. A frame 
church was commenced not long after the organization, but 
was not completed until 1855. It is still in u.se, although 
the material is on the ground for a new building, to cost, 
ready for seating, 88000. The membership of this church 
in July, 1880, was about 275. Rev. James Hamilton is 
the pastor, succeeding Rev. J. S. Warner. A Sunday- 
school is maintained, with a large attendance ; W. D. 
Brainerd is its superintendent. 

Baptist Church, Eaton Jiapids. — The records of this 
church state that "at an informal meeting held at the 
hou.se of Brother Henry R. Jcfl'rics, in Eaton Ra|iids, on 
the 25th day of January, 1845, several brothers and sisters 
were present holding letters from various Baptist Churches, 
and after mutual consultation it wjls agreed to hold a meet- 
ing on the 22d of February to consider the propriety of 
organizing a Baptist Church in this place." The meeting 
was held pursuant to appointment, and the following per- 
sons who were present Ibrined themselves into a church 
known as the " First Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids," 
and adopted articles of faith and church government : Cal- 
vin Race, Ann Race, Henry R. Jeffries, Mary L. Jeffries, 
Timothy Wheeler, Asenath Wheeler, Ann Arnold, Samuel 
Ferris. A council convened April 17, 1845, consisting of 
delegates from churches at Springport, Aurelius, and 

• The cost of thiB church «a< between $4000 and $5000. 



474 



HISTOIir OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Vevay, and constituted the church. The first preaching 
was by Bishop J. C. Post, who was succeeded by Elder 

Hill. In November, 1848, Elder John Tampkin 

took charge. He was granted letters of dismission Dec. 
21, 1850, and was succeeded in October, 1852, by Rev. 
J. C. Covey. Nov. 2(5, 1853, it was voted to settle Rev. 
Charles Clutz as pastor, and he was rciceived into the 
church by letter April 29, 1854. During 1856 the pulpit 
was supplied by various persons. A call was extended to 
Rev. D. Davis in June, 1857, but Rev. David Hendee was 
settled instead, relieving him in February, 1858. Rev. 
H. G. Mosher commenced his labors with this church May 
3, 1858, and continued as pastor several years. His death 
occurred in October, 18C9. Rev. J. G. Portman was 
engaged as pastor Jan. 10, 1867, and resigned in the fall of 
1868. He was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Rees, who was 
ordained March 17, 18G9, and resigned Oct. 30, 1870. 



Rev. James Mallery was settled in February, 1871, and 
was succeeded in 1872 by Rev. P. Van Winkle, who 
resigned in July, 1876. The present pastor. Rev. J. M. 
Titterington, took charge Jan. 1, 1877. He preaches also 
in three " out-stations." 

The first building occupied as a meetinghouse by the 
Baptists is now the upright part of the dwelling occupied 
by Dr. S. M. Wilkins. The present frame church was 
built in 1859 ; extensive repairs were made upon it in 
1878. The present membership of the church (July, 
1880) is 210. The Sunday-.school was also organized in 
1845, and in June, 1879, had a membership of 224, with 
an average attendance of 150, and 400 volumes in the 
library. The present superintendent is Scott Rorabeck. 

There are also small congregations of Adveiithts and 
Episcopalians. The pastor of the former is Rev. Mr. 
Lewis. The latter is practically disbanded. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 






NELSON WOOD. 

Nelson Wood comes of patriotic stock, his grandfather 
having been a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and his 
father, Job R., in the war of 1812. Job was a Green 
Mountain boy, and Nelson's mother, Mary Wood, was also 
a native of Vermont, though both families having removed 
to New York, their marriage occurred in that State, where 
Nelson was born, June 28, 1819, in Richmond township, 
Ontario Co. His mother liaving died when Nelson was 
about two years old, the father in the course of a couple 
of years married again, keeping his family together. Nel- 
son, after the common manner of farmers' boys, attend- 
ing district school, and assisting on the farm, passed the 
years away until nineteen, when the family removed to 
Michigan, settling down in the wilderness. Only six fam- 
ilies were then living in Eaton Rapids, and three between 
their home and Charlotte. This was in 1838. In 1842 his 
father died, and on Sept. 17, 1843, Nelson married Miss 
Julia, daughter of Moses and Anna (Passett) Piper, the 



MRS. N. \vuoi>. 

former being a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of 
New Hampshire, where she mai'ried Mr. Piper. They were 
farmers, and the parents of six children, Mrs. Wood being 
the third, and born in Vermont, Feb. 20, 1821. This 
family also came to Michigan in 1838, where the mother 
died in 1843, and the father in 1847, Mrs. Wood and two 
brothers and two sisters surviving. 

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Wood are the parents of the fol- 
lowing children : Marshall, born Oct. 23, 1845 ; Mary 
Ann, born Aug. 18, 1848; Sebra, born March 25, 1852; 
Julia M., born July 16, 1856; and Agnes A., born Nov. 
13, 1860. Mr. Wood has always followed farming, and is 
now the possessor of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres, though a wilderness when first occupied by him. 

Politically, he acts with the Republican party, though he is 
not what is termed an active politician nor an office-seeker. 
His religious views are liberal. In the schools of his town 
he takes great interest, advocating every measure looking 
towards their advancement. 






BENj. F. Ml LLS. 



MRS. BENJ . F. MILLS. 




flesiDENcc or THE Late B. F. MILLS . Eaton R/*pids, Mich. 



HAMLIN. 



475 



B. FRANKLIN MILLS. 

Stephen Mills was a native of Massachusetts. He moved 
when a young man to the State of Vermont, where he mar- 
ried Miss Mary Jenne, a native of that State. To them 
were born two sous, of whom B. Franivlin was the younger, 
boru March 20, 1813. Wlien a lad of ten his parents re- 
moved to New York, where they remained until the fall of 
1837, B. F. being then twenty-four years old, when they 
all emigrated to Michigan, and settled in what was then 
called Tyler township, now Haniliu. In 1842 Franklin 
made his first purchase of land, consisting of eighty acres. 
This is their present home, a view of which is given upon 
another page. Up to 1844 he made his home with his 
parents, working out some of the time and clearing and 
improving his own land. Feb. 5, 1844, he married Miss 
Lois Piper, of Hancock township, who was also a native of 
Vermont. Her parents were early settlers in this county, 
coming here in September, 1S38. After their marriage they 
commenced keeping house in a small log house erected 
upon the land which Benjamin had purchased. Jlr. and 
Mrs. Mills were the parents of seven children, viz.: Stephen 
A., born April 3, 1845 ; James A., born April 11, 1847 ; 
Lois L., born. April 17, 1849; Alonzo J., born Aug 16, 
1851 ; Mary L., born April 3, 1853, died June 4, 1858; 
Benjamin F., born Nov. 8, 1858; and Anna M.,born April 
16, 1861. 

The father of Mr. Mills died in March, 1848, and his 



mother March 20, lSfi2. During their last years they re- 
sided with Franklin, his mother living with him some four- 
teen years. Ilis only brother, Kzra, resides in Ohio. Of 
the father and mother of Mrs. IMills, both died in ^lichi- 
gan also, Mrs. Piper Jan. 3, 1S44, and Moses Piper in 
December, 1847. 

Mr. Jlills was a successful farmer, additig to his original 
purchase until, at the time of his death, which occurred Feb. 
1, 1880, he owned one hundred and sixty acres of fine farm- 
ing land in good condition. He always carried on the farm 
until his death, since which time the youngest son has 
taken charge, with Mrs. Mills and the youngct daughter 
occupying the homestead, three of the other children being 
married and settled near them. 

Mr. Mills was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and steward at the time of his death. Mrs. 
Mills and every other member of the family are also mem- 
bers of that church. Mr. Mills was also a strict advocate 
of temperance, and though, like most men of his day, pos- 
sessed of only a common school education, was a great 
reader, and interested and versed in all the leading f|ues- 
tions of the day. He was an active member of the Repub- 
lican party, a respected citizen, and a thoroughly self-made 
man. Commencing with empty hands, at the time of his 
decease he possessed a fine farm, well stocked, and con- 
siderable personal property. His mi.ssion filled, he sleeps 
the sleep of the just. 



HAMLIN. 



NATUH.\L FEATURES. 
GEOGRAPHY, TOPOliUAPIlV, WATER-COURSES, Etc. 

The township of Hamlin lies in the southeast corner of 
Eaton County, and is bounded west by Brookfield, north 
by Eaton Rapids, east by Ingham County, and south by 
Jackson County. The south boundary of the township 
was surveyed in 1824. by Joseph Wampler ; the east, 
north, and west boundaries in 1824-25, by John Mullctt; 
and the subdivisions by Hervey Parke, of Pontiac, in 1826. 
Mr. Mullett was a prominent surveyor, and was employed 
in several of the Western States. 

The surface of this township is considerably diversified, 
and there are found hill, plain, ravine, and swamp, while 
that portion devoted to agriculture possesses a generally 
excellent soil, which yields a large return for the labors of 
the husbandman. Grand River flows in a northwesterly 
direction across the northeast corner of the town, and unites 
at the village of Eaton Rapids with Spring Brook, which 
has come in a general northern direction, draining several 
swamps and marshes. Both streams furni.sh good power, 
and a petition of James H. Sprague to build a dam across 
Grand River, on the northeast fractional quarter of section 
1, was granted by the board of supervisors, Oct. 15, 1861. 



The power has been improved at Spieerville and Eaton 
Rapids. 

LAXD ENTRIES. 
The following is a list of land entries in town 1 north, 
range 3 west, now constituting the township of Hamlin : 

Section 1. — 1835, R. Pcrrinc, J. Montgomery; 18.30, Cooper t Co., 

Daniel Coleman, Oliver Johnson. 
Section 2.— Wirt, R. iMontgomcry ; 183G, Cooper & Co., J. Ford, J. 

Shcpnrd, Coleman A Johnson. 
Section 3.— 1835, A. Spiccr ; 1836, J. Ford, Coleman .t Johnson. 
Section 4.— 1836, Coleman A Johnson, E. S. Coats, William Briggs, 

J. and G. H. Allen, J. Brown, C. S. Palmer. 
Section 5.— 1836, A. Spiccr, J. K. Grosvcnor, J. C. Bniley, A. F. 

Fitch; 1837, C. Tcft. 
Section 0.— 1836, B. Knight, D. Batcman, G. B. Cooper, S. Hamlin ; 

1837, W. Frink; 1852, M. Oilman; 1858, James R. Haines. 
.S'«(io« 7.— 1836, P. E. Spiccr, A. Spiccr, E. Prescolt, B. Knight, J. 

R. Grosvcnor, James II. Miller, G. W. Bentloy ; 1837, C. Darling. 
Section 8.— 1835, J. Vorce, A. Spiccr, D. Batcman ; 1836, J. Allen A 

Co., D. Batcman. 
Section 8.— 1836, G. W. Wright, J. Carrier, S. Hamlin, P. E. Spiccr, 

C. C. Darling. 
Section lU.— 1836, Coleman i Johnson, 0. W. Wright, S. U. Mills, C. 

Osgood. 
■Section 11.— 1836, Coleman <t Johnson, P. Taylor, C. Osgood, U. B. 

Barr, J. P. Hall; 1837, J. Read. 
.Section 12.— 1835, N. S. Glosior; 1830, J. S. Fifield, S. Thomos, C. 



476 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



T. S. S. Havens; 1837, S. 
ir, A. Iloupt, T. S. 



Lyon, Spiccr & Co., C. G. Ha 

Coburn. 
Scclio7t K!.— 1836, C. Hill, S. Pierson, M. 0. Sjx 

Havens. 
Section M.— 1836, S. I'ieison, M. Osborn, T. B. Bull, J. Piorson. 
SectuM 15.— 1836, J. MeDiinald, Uojgc & Fitdi, D. Osborn, T. B. Bull, 

H. I,. Boom. 
Section 16.— 1845, Joseph D. Noble, C. Race; ISI6, Joseph D. Noble; 

1847, C. Race, Jr., E.Walker; 1849, D. Walters, S. Hamlin; 

1851, A. Stone, E. Swift, D. Walters; 185.3, S. S. Brown, S. Wal- 
ters, 0. P. Hale, C. Race, Jr., David Howe. 
Section 17.-1835, J. Houston, P. E. Spicer; 1836, S. Loomis, Jr., J. 

Allen & Co.; 1837, J. Marvin. 
Section 18.- 1837, J. Marvin, W. A. Anderson, T. N. Stringham, F. 

Haven; 1S54, J. M. Allen; 1855, P. Rose. 
Section 19.— 1837, Cohoon A Reed, A. Dibble; 1839, E. Whipple; 

1849, John Stump; 1851, W. McAllister, James P. Kikendall; 

1850, Wm. P. Kikendall; 1853, S. Comstoek, F. B. Comstock, J. 
Livingston. 

&c(i'<jH 20.— 1836, L.I.Lansing; 1837, J. Read; 1844, N. Sayre ; 

1850, Wm. P. Kikendall; 1854, N. Sayre; 1855, J. P. Kikendall. 
Secliun 2!.— 1836, J. Smith, C. (J. Havens; 1837, B. B. Bjadford, A. 

R. Frisbee. 
Section 22.— 1836, S. Reynolds, G. W. Cowan, W. Ferris; 1837, L. S. 

Acker, R. BLackmer; 1838, B. Austin. 
Section 23.— 1836, D. Osborn, A. AVillis, James Rice; 1837, J. Read, 

L. Sackett; 1848, W. H. Tray. 
Section 24.-1836, D. Coleman, A. Fawcett, J. Taylor, E. Jones; 1837, 

A. Faucet, B. Petty, L. Sackett; 1847, P. Waggoner. 
Section 25.-1835, J. F. Fuller, R. Green, P.P.Baldwin; 1836, A. 

Houpt, J. F. Fuller, W. W. Crane, C. Osgood. 
Section 26.— 1836, W. W. Crane, G. Y. Cowan, C. H. Dunliam; 1837, 

A. Fitch, D. Dunham: 1854, S. F. Marshall; 1851, J. P. Abbey; 

1865', J. G. Kettler. 
Section 27. —1SX6, H. P. Onderdonk, Gecrge Y. Cowan ; W.Ferris; 

1838, J. W. Cowan ; 1850, J. Giddings. 
Section 28.— 1836, H. P. Onderdonk; 1837, D. B. Bradford; 1851, E. 

Lee; no date, James Kennedy; 1858, David J. Bradford, 
^cdon 29.— 1839, 0. Tilton, J. Kikendall, Z. Root; 1844-45, J. Ki- 
kendall; 1848, S. R. Loomis: 1850, J. Kikendall; 1852, J. Pea- 
cock; 1854, H. Williams; 1858, Peter lleiser, John Kikendall. 
Action 30.— 1849, John Stump; 1850, Joseph Harshey, Sr. ; 1851, 

J. P. Kikendall; 1853, J. Slayton, AVm. P. Kikendall; 1854, R. 

Hyde. 
iVecfioK 31.— 1839, S.M.Pike; 1849, Stephen R. Loomis ; 1852, J. 

Peacock; Wm. Lincoln; 1853, A. J. Beach. 
Section S2.—18S6, H. James; 1844, F. Hes.s, Stephen R. Loomis; 

1849, Stephen R. Loomis ; 1852, J. Peacock, S. Loomi.><, Jr. ; 1854, 

E. Bradford. 
&c(ion33.— 1835, N.Aker,M. House; 1836, H. P. Onderdonk ; 1845, 

N. Aker; 1848, P. Hess; no date, James Wheeler. 
Section 34.-1835, A. Hammond, G. Y. Cowan; 1836, G. Y. Cowan; 

1844, Joseph Knight; 1846, M. Czarieski. 
Section 35.— 1835, II. Hammond, G. Y. Cowan; 1836, S. Reynolds; 

1837, 0. D. Dunham. 
Section 36.— 1835, W. W. Wolcott, T. P. Baldwin, S. Warlen, G. Y. 

Cowan; 183-, H. Coleman; 1837, T. S. S. Havens; 1838, W. W 

Wolcott. 

EARLY SETTLKMENT. 

"Ye banks, and braes, and streams around 
The castle o' Montgomery, 
Green be your woods, and fair your Oowers, 
Your waters never drumlie !" 

A descendant of the proud and ancient Scottish family 
of Montgomery was the first settler in the territory in- 
cluded in the present township of Hamlin. An excellent 
sketch of this gentleman and iiis settlement in the wilder- 
ness of Michigan was prepared by the late Capt. William 
S. Trask, of Charlotte, and is given here nearly entire. The 
pioneer and veteran, Col. John Montgomery, is still living, 
a short distance east of liis old home, in Ingham County. 



"'It was a' for our rightful king 

That we left fair Scotland's strand ; 
It was a' for our rightful king 
That we e'er saw Irish land. 

My dear. 
That wo e'er saw Irish land. 

" ' Now all is done that man can do. 
And all is done in vain ! 
My love, my native land, adieu ! 
For I must cross the main, 

My dear. 
For I must cross the main.' 

" The words of the old Scotch song, the sad refrain of some follower 
of the house of Stuart, might equally well have been breathed by the 
ancestors of Col. Montgomery, fur they, too, took up arms in the 
cause of the Pretender, and when the fortunes of that prince went 
down many of the Montgomeries crossed the sea and became settlers 
in the north of Ireland. 

" The name Montgomery is, doubtless, of French origin, though at 
what time it became translated to ' auld Scotia's hills' we have been 
unable to learn. Certain it is that it still thrives there and stands 
high among the peers of Great Britain. A love of liberty and a dis- 
position to come to the front in times of difficulty and danger seems 
to have characterized the race. Richard Montgomery, who fell at 
Quebec, was of the same stock with Col. Montgomery, from the north 
of Ireland ; and, despite the fact that he had been bred to arms in the 
British service, was an ardent, able, and trusted champion of America 
and her institutions. Hugh Montgomery, tw'elfth ear! of Eglintown, 
was an otficer in the same war, though doubtless on the side of the 
king. If the impression of Burns is to be followed, the family was 
renowned for its warlike qualities, for he sings, — ■ 

" ' .Mas ! I'm but a nameless wiglit. 
Trod i' the mire out o' sight ; 
But, could I like Montgomeries fight, 

Or giib like Boswell, 
There's some sark-necks I wad draw tight 

\ud tic some hose well.' 

" Of the martial qualities of the Eaton County brancli of the family 
I can bear witness of one instance at least. It will be remembered 
that Capt. P. D. Montgomery led the charge, on the slaughter-Held 
in front of Port Hudson, against a fearful storm of bullets, and re- 
ceived a wound that would have killed any one but a man of iron. 

" In France the name has also recorded itself on the i)ages of his- 
tory. Gabriel, Count de Montgomery, was a French kniglit cele- 
brated for his valor and his fate. In his youth he was the innocent 
cause of the death of Henry II. That prince had already broken 
several lance.'i at a tournament held in 1559, when he desired to run 
a tilt with young Montgomery, then lieutenant of the monarch's 
guard. The latter consented with great reluctance, but finally yielded 
when he saw that Henry was displeased with his refusal. In the en- 
counter his lance struck with such violence on the visor of the king 
as to raise it and pass through his head just above the right eye. 
The knight afterwards took a leading part in the civil wars of his 
country, espousing the cause of the Protestants against the Catholics, 
but finally fell into the bands of the latter, and died on the seatl'old 
at Paris, June 26, 1574. 

" John Montgomery was born in the county of Fermanagh, in the 
north of Ireland, March 22, 1804, and was brought to this country 
when but a year and three months old. He is the only son of a large 
family not American born. They lived for some time in Oneida Co., 
N. Y., and when the subject of our sketch was ten years old they 
moved to Genesee. In his youth he had but little chance for educa- 
tion, but a large fund of native good sense, extensive reading, and 
close observation of men and things has enabled him to till many high 
positions with credit to himself and the State. He worked for his 
father till the age of twenty-one, and then hired out to a farmer by 
the name of Robert Earll, for whom he worked for three years with 
excellent satisfaction on both sides. He was married Feb. 17, 1828, to 
Miss Amanda Rorabeck, and he found in her a faithful and loving 
companion through a long and eventful life. Desiring to make a home 
for himself and newly-acquired blessing, ho exchanged a piece of land 
already owned in Chautauqua County for one-half of his father's farm 



HAMLIN. 



477 



in Genesee, and lived there three years. The land was what was 
known as article-land, being a part of the Holland purchase ; and, 
desiring lo hold what ho possessed by a more secure tenure, young 
Montgomery tohl his wife that he was going tu try to lind some land 
that he could own. AVith that, object in view he settlctl up his busi- 
ness, kissed good-by to his wife and first-born child, and, on the 2d 
of March, 1S31, set out on foot for Michigan, lie walked all the way 
through Canada, and back again, roacliing home the last day of March. 

•* While traveling near the town of De.\ter, in Washtenaw County, 
he overtook a man by the name of Doyden, a well-to-do farmer of that 
section, who wa^ journeying leisurely along with his o.xcn and cart. 
In riding with him Montgomery disclosed his purpose to purchase 
land, and as they were piuising a piece of burr-oak plains which 
chanced to belong to his companion, he volunteered the further infor- 
mation that he would not have such a i>iec€ of land as that; that he 
wanted some land that would grow trees. Then, observing the farmer 
looking at him with a half-smile, he thought, • Well, I know wluit 
kind of laud 1 want as well as you do.' His companiim made no 
remark, except to inform him that there was a variety of land in the 
vicinity, and that, doubtless, he couhl find such as he preferred. A 
few days later he had found and purchased lliO acres of heavily-tim- 
bered land. After building himself a house and getting his family 
into it, he took a piece of this same burr-oak plains to plant on shares, 
and he also worked for Mr. Boytlcn in harvest, and when he saw the 
fruit of the soil he began to suspect tluit he had deluded himself in 
buying a heavily-timbered farm. He went to work with characteristic 
energy, however, clearing and improving, and at the end of about five 
years was able to sell it for $2160, with u view to finding some land 
like that of his neighbor Boyden. With this object he started into 
the woods in December, IS.'io. He set out with Clark Sill, a profes- 
sional land-looker. They came into Eaton County from the southeast, 
all being wilderness after leaving Baptistc's pl.ice in Henrietta, Jack- 
son Co. When they came on the rise of ground south of the plains, 
Montgomery said, * There is some land that looks like what I want;' 
they laid off their packs and went forward to examine it, and he located 
nearly 500 acres. On getting home he set out almost immediately on 
his return, taking with him a yoke of cattle and being accompanied 
by his brother Uobcrt and a Mr. .Shepherd. From Baptiste's they 
had to cut their road for twenty miles, and they s])cnt three days in 
building a shanty, which they partly covered with hollowed logs. 
Their provision giving out, they left the new residence incomplete and 
went back to AVashtenaw for the family. In January, 18.16, he moved 
in, having hired a Mr. Nobles to come with one team, while his brother 
Robert and his neighbor, Mr. Bush, started on ahead to finish the 
shanty and get a fire started, ready for the arrival of the family. 
These friends got lost, and when the family came up matters looked 
rather unpromising for a home. However, they moved in, got uj) a 
etovc, anil made things as comfortable as possible. 

**Once in their new home in the wilderness, the roof was soon fin- 
ishcd, the crevices mudded up to keep out the cold wind, and things 
began to wear a more promising prospect. Deer, wolves, and In- 
dians were plenty, and were seen almost every day. AVith his Indian 
neighbors Mr. Montgomery got along well, and through constant 
intercourse he became able to converse with them, to some extent, in 
their own language. He never gave them, liquor, and if an unde- 
sirable customer came along, the words 'Quick niurchee.' c<i-tpiH 
nich-e-twb-bt/ !' sent the red-skin on his way without loss of time. 

" During the winter Col. Montgomery went to Jackson to procure 
potatoes, following the course of the river on the ice, and on the way 
he passed the remains of many deer that bad been prilled down and 
eaten by the wolves. The same winter Mr. Caleb Chapcll, of Sand- 
stone, came down, and Mr. Montgomery went out with him to look up 
a piece of land. In approaching the river something was seen on the 
ice, and on closer investigation it was found to bo a number of 
wolves, which had killed ond were eating a deer. The question 
arose as to what they should do. Col. Montgomery was in favor of 
taking the initiative, and advised that they should charge upon the 
pack suddenly ond raise as much of a shout as possible. They did 
so, and bad the pleasure of seeing the animals scamper into the woods 
on the other side of the stream. Under the circumstances, a less ag- 
gressive policy might have resulted in an attack from these scaven- 
gers of the forest. 

" The colonel's first neighbor was Silas Lcomis, six miles away, 
with whom ho always maintained close relations of friendship. Then 
came Mr. Ira Turney and Jehicl W. Toles at the same time. Still 



later Mr. Elijah Wilcox came in, and in September following Mr, 
Johnson Montgomery, for whom the colonel had purchased the plains 
farm formerly owned by that gentleman. Of .Mr. Turney, Col. 
Montgomery says, ' He is a very exemplary man and an excellent 
neighbor. I have known him thirty or forty years, and never saw 
him out of humor.' 

"The selection of a plains farm was amply justified, for the col- 
onel was enabled to sow sixty acres of wheat the first year, which 
produced a good crop, all of which was sold off at his barn at a 
dollar per bushel, and proved a source of supply to the incoming set- 
tlers. 

"The first town-meeting was held at Spicerville, in a log house on 
the banks of Spring Brook. The house has since been torn <lown. 
About this time, to use his own expression, the colonel began to 
dabble in politics. Before the days of supervisors ho was for three 
years one of the county commissioners. During this lime he worked 
hard and successfully to get a bridge built in Katon Kapids. Bcllcvuo 
was the ciipital of the county in those days, and Cid. Montgomery 
was one of the commissioners when the capital was changed to Char- 
lotte. Rev. William W. Crime was the first supervisor of the town- 
ship, and afterwards Col. Montgomery held the office for a number 
of terms. In the full of 181!) he was elected re|ircsentntivo to the 
Legislature, beating his old friend, lilder Crane, by only six votes. 
Neither party did any electioneering for himself, and in fact the 
colonel, when put in nomination, did not expect the oflice, and did 
not want it, having doubts as to his qualification. In truth he was 
inclined to bo frightened at bis success; however, he went to Lan- 
sing, and by taking a conscientious course served his constituents 
acceptably and well. In regard to his jiolitical life the colonel ex- 
presses himself very modestly, deeming his success due rather to 
good fortune than merit, and feeling profoundly grateful to those 
who made him their standard-bearer. If we may presume to express 
an opinion on so short an acquaintance, the colonel has been a thor- 
oughly practical man, with more than the usual share of executive 
ability, and when ho says, MVhatever I tried to do, I strove to carry 
through to a successful issue,' we think ho betrays at once the secret 
of his success and the reason for the preference of bis friends. 

" From the State he has received even higher marks of confidence. 
He began his military career soon after coming into the country, in 
Washtenaw County, as a minute-man. He had been there but one 
year when the Black Hawk war broke out. He was then orderly 
sergeant in Capt. Loomis' company. The Indians were numerous, 
and people becoming fearful many returned to the East. So general 
was the alarm that the authorities stopped navigation on the lake 
for the time being to prevent settlers leaving. In line of his duty as 
orderly sergeant be warned out the men from four townships, and 
the companies were marched to .\nn Arbor. In anticipation of 
leaving for the seat of war, Montgomery had arranged to have his 
wife return to her parents; but the celebrated chief was defeated, and 
the men returned in peace to their firesides. 

" Previous to the Toledo hostilities, Montgomery had been com- 
missioned as major, and at the breaking out of that demonstration 
he was promoted to the ronk of lieutenant-colonel, and was chosen 
by the general voice of the troops to be their leader in the campaign. 
They marched to Toledo, then consisting of a few scattering houses, 
remained there three days, fired some shots into the river, and, as 
no more rampant foe put in an appearance, they marched homo 
again. 

" While in the Legislature he was commissioned by Governor Barry 
as brigadior-gcncral, ond set about organizing the militia. In Eaton 
Itapids they wore just getting ready to form a company, and Mr, 
Tompkins and some others were commissioned, when, by general 
consent throughout the Stole, the system was suffered to fall into dis- 
repute, and at the outbreak of the late war Michigan was almost with- 
out troops. 

"The 26th day of August, 1S7S, death removed from his companion- 
ship his faithful and devoted wife, who had followed him willingly to 
the wilds of the new country, and always did her part in sharing the 
difficulties and hardships incident to pioneer life. AVhen he announced 
his determination to leave Washtenaw County and plunge deeper into 
the wilderness, her reply was characteristic. She said, 'Go where 
you like, John; I will go with you.' She was a person of unusual 
sweetness of disposition, ami in speaking of her her companion said, 
'She was a woman who had no enemies.' They had six children, all 
of whom pro living, except two. Their eldest son, Johnson, who wa" 



478 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



born Feb. 16. 1831, died July 29, 1S51. Anolher son, Melvin, bDrn 
March 10, 1842, died August 13lh of the same year. . . ." 

Silas Looniis, from Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., settled 
in Jackson Co., JMicli., Nov. 5, 1830, and in the early part 
of Marcli, 18;JC, removed to Eaton County and settled on 
section 17, iu tlie township of Hamlin. He was the second 
person who made iiis home in town, luiving been preceded 
but two months by John Montgomery. 3Ir. Loomis is now 
living at Eaton Ilapids. 

The first settlor in the southeast part of the township 
was Stephen lleynolds, who came from Genesee Co., N. Y., 
and purchased land on section 35 in December, 1835, or 
early in 1836. In May, 1836, he came on with a brother 
and began improvements, the remainder of the family (wife 
and ten children) following in September. Five children 
were born to them in this town, the birth of Rufu.s H. 
Reynolds, now in business at Eaton Rapids with his brother, 
Isaac N. Reynolds, occurring April 13, 1838. Stephen 
Reynolds, who was a farmer by occupation, worked consid- 
erably also in saw-mills. He is now deceased. He was the 
first justice of the peace in the old township of i^atou. 

The firet religious service in tb.e township was held at 
the house of IMr. Reynolds, in February, 1837, when a 
sermon was preached by Rev. William W. Crane, a Meth- 
odist minister, who was also the first supervisor of the 
township. 

The first white child born in what is now the township 
of Hamlin was Edwin P., son of Benjamin Knight, whose 
birth occurred at Spicerville, March 22, 1837, his father 
being one of the pioneers of that place and of Eaton Rap- 
ids, and a prominent citizen. He settled at Spicerville in 
1836, and in the following year moved to Eaton Rapids, 
where ho opened the first stock of goods ever ofiered for 
sale at the latter place. 

Daniel Bateman, who settled near Spicerville in 1836, is 
living upon the farm where he then located. 

Alanson Harwood, a native of Massachusetts, and later 
a resident of Wyoming Co., N. Y., came from tlie latter to 
Michigan in 1838, with his wife and three children, reach- 
ing Dexter, Washtenaw Co., in March of that year. He 
lived for a short time also in Ann Arbor, and in 1839 
removed to Eaton County. After remaining a few months 
three miles south of Eaton Rapids, he removed in 1840 to 
the village, settling in that portion lying in what is now the 
township of Hamlin. He built the first house which was 
erected in the village south of the race bridge, raising the 
frame by moonlight. That house is a part of his present 
residence, an addition having since been built to it. At 
the time Mr. Harwood located at Eaton Rapids it contained 
but six or eight houses. Benjamin Knight was building a 
store when Mr. Harwood first saw the place (in 1839). 
Mr. Harwood has been identified with the government of 
the township and of the village in a prominent manner, 
and is at present in business in the latter. 

The following article by Frederick Spicer, of Eaton 
Rapids, concerning the settlement of Spicerville, was pub- 
lished in 1875, in the Eaton Rapids Journal: 

"Frie.-id Cui.i.ky, — Learning that you desired the old settlers of 
Eaton County to give a brief hL-^tory of early days and the settle- 
ment of our county, I will attempt to pen what 1 luiow in the matter 
in my humble way. I oaine to Eaton County with my father (Amos 



Spicer) and mother and two sisters, Mrs. Benjamin Knight and hus- 
band, Eunice J. Spicer, now wife of J. L. HoIme.», of Jackson; my 
uncle, V. E. Spicer; and cousin, Daniel Bateman, all from Middle- 
bury, Portage Co., Ohio (except Benjamin Knight and wife, who were 
from Coshocton, Muskingum Co., Ohio). On the .Sd day of June, 18.56, 
landed at Spicerville .about eight o'clock p.m., and found a double log 
hou,«e, wliich my father and uncle, P. E. Spicer, Daniel Bateman, 
Benjamin Knight, Charles Uanchett and son, and othcriJ, had built, 
without a door or window, with puncheons for a floor below, and bo.x- 
wood bark for the upper floor, which material they procured from 
the forest without the help of a saw-mill, for there was no mill of any 
description nearer than Clinton, about fifty miles from us, nor even a 
neighbor nearer than twelve miles, save the red man's wigwam. 

" Michigan was then a Territory, and without a road, except the 
old Clinton road, which my uncle, Samuel Hamlin, and C. C. Darling 
had cut through from Clinton to the Thornapple River, in the north- 
west part of our county, the fall before, for the government, which 
had just been completed and accepted when father, P. E. Spicer, and 
Daniel Bateman arrived at Jackson, in the fall of I8ilo. 

" Father told my uncle he had come out to look out a home, and 
would like to find a good water-power, as he proposed to build asaw- 
and grist-mill if he could find a desirable spot. Uncle Samuel and 
Mr. Darling told him that Grand River and Spring Brook were both 
good powers. So as soon as Aunt Lydia Holmes could bake some 
jtork and beans for the journey, each took his grub and knapsack and 
started for the north woods, without any guide save the blazes the sur- 
veyor had made when the country was cut up into counties and towns. 
The party consisted of Amos S]»icer, P. E. Spicer, Samuel Hamlin, 
Daniel Bateman, and C. C. Darling,-'-" now of Lansing, ami Daniel 
Bateman, who lives at Spicerville, on the land he located about forty 
years ago. 

" They spent over a week wandering around the country, and looked 
over 1000 acres of land, making many pleasant farms, around Eaton 
Rapids, together with about 400 acres where Eaton Rapids now 
stands. Father being a little more fortunate than the rest of the 
party, being a master millwright, had earned quite a little lump of 
money at his trade, so you will find that where Eaton Rapids now 
stands considerable portions of the lands they selected were located 
by him, as the records will show. AVhile wandering here in the wilds, 
with no knowledge of the country only as they found it out by tracing 
the surveyor's trail, when their grub was about all gone they were 
wandering on the lands now the farm of James I. Rogers, near the 
close of the day, when C. C. Darling, seeing a white-ash tree that had 
fallen by the wiuds and splintered up some, invited them to stop 
and camp. They did so; and while they were fixing the fire and 
tent father said he would take the rifle and go over the hill and kill 
a turkey for supper, and, as good luck favored Lim, in a very short 
time they heard the crack of the rifle, and soon be returned with a 
nice wild turkey. In the mean time the rest of the party were gather- 
ing wood from the top of the tree, and found the tree, in falling, had 
broken off just above a nice swarm of bees, and that the honey lay 
inviting them to help themselves. Uncle Samuel, being a good cook, 
served up the turkey in good style, roasting it by the fire and swab- 
bing it with salt and water until it was seasoned and looked nicely. 
Thus you see when the ])rovisions were nearly all gone, and on the 
last night of their soldiering, God in his goodness gave them a sump- 
tuous supper. And they began to think that this was the land where 
milk and honey flowed so freely. 

"On the following morning the party started for Jackson, and late 
at night they reached William Lyons', about two miles this side of 
Tompkins Centre. P. E. Spicer got foot-sore and brought up the 
rear about ten o'clock at night, and after taking some pork and beans 
for supper they retired for the night. One more hard day's march 
brought them to Jackson, and the ne.xt day father and Mr. Bateman 
started for Kal.amazoo to locate the lands they had selected before 
the speculator should get ahead of them and jump their claims, 
which in those days was often done by a set of hawk-eyed fellows who 
hung around the land-ofiice. But I believe they secured all the land 
they selected, and got back to Jackson the next day, which was then 
about the 1st of December, 1835. The next day father, P. E. Spicer, 
and D. Bateman started for home in Ohio. On arriving home father 
secured thirteen pounds of pork to take to Michigan in the spring, 
for be found it quite a scarce article, and worth twenty-five dollars 



' Mr. Darling died iu Lansing, May 20, 1880. 



HAMLIN. 



479 



per hundred in the hog. He ordered a large, sirong wngon for the 
trip, bought four yoke of o.\en to draw it to Micbigiin, and employed 
Daniel lintcman and Charles Ilanchett to drive the Icain through 
with a load of hou.-'ehold goods such as he thought would lie needed 
in a new country. Aliout the 10th of May, 18:!6, he started the ox- 
teams with P. E. Spiccr and old Gray, with the one-horse wag"n, 
two cows, and a calf fur the escort. They reached Jackson about the 
23th of May. Father and the family and Benjamin K highland f.imily 
started about two weeks after the o.\-tcani, coming by canal-boat to 
Cleveland, steamboat to Detroit, and lumber-wagon from Detroit to 
Jackson, following the old Territorial road to Jackson, making the 
trip from Detroit to Jackson iu three day?, and arriving at Jackson 
the next day after the ox-teams. >Vc found Uncle Ijateman and Mr. 
Uanchett all in good spirits, with many interesting accounts of their 
journey, having to milk the cows and drink the milk for food. Some 
days the teams and cows fed on the roadside. 

"The nest day they started for the woods to build the old cabin in 
Spiccrville, which (I have heretofore mentioned) we reached on the 
3d day of June, a.d. 1836, and as soon as possible father commenced 
to build a saw-mill on the same site where my saw-mill now stands, 
it being the third frame the old site has worn out in thirty-nine years. 

*' Our family consisted then of father, mother, Benjamin Knight and 
wife, one child, Amos Knight, E. J. Spicer, and myself, with P. K.Spicer, 
Daniel Bateman. C. C. Darling, Charles Uanchett, and tieorge Allyn, 
and about fourteen new hired men. .^oyou see my dear old mother and 
sisters did not have much time to play in those days between meal- 
time. And above all this, we kept from two to four land-lookers every 
night, for they h.id nowhere else to staj'. With this small party of 
men and women father commenced the building of a satv-mill, with 
none of the improvements of to-day to help them : with only the ma- 
terial which nature's God bad placed here in ib* native wildncss. With 
broad-axe, ])luuib, and square be commenced the task, having to hew 
every plank and timber from the water-wheel to the rafters, and after 
a long summer's work, fighting mosquitoes by night and working hard 
by day, in October the mill began to roll its watcr-wheel around, and 
you could hear the saw go crash, crash, by night and by day. P. E. 
Spicer and Benjamin Knight were boss sawyers. They found ready 
sale for all the lumber they could spare at $10 per thousand, but used 
a great deal of it in preparing for the building of the grist-mill that 
now stands in the lower part of Eaton Rapids, and the bouse opposite 
David Stirling's springs, the grocery-store of Mrs. N. C. Merritt, near 
Morgan Vaughan's bank, and one other building (a tavern) that stood 
on the grounds where the Mitchell House now stands. Those three 
houses were framed in Spicerville of plank, and drawn and raised in 
the village, being the first rude cottages that ever broke the monotony 
of nature's wilds, and told }>co|>le there was a village sprouting in 
Eaton County. The town was laid out early in the spring of lSoO,» 
and well do I remember the first time I saw the grounds Eaton Rajiiils 
now stands ou. It was in January, 1836. Chas. Uanchett, Daniel 
Bateman, father, and some others, besides m3*self, with two ox-sleds and 
four yoke of oxen, drew the two run of millstones that have ground 
flour for the bread for almost forty years. We left them on some poles 
about where David Stirling's house now stands, and they remained 
there till September 1st, and long before father had got the grist-mill 
ready to bolt flour we got out of Hour, and there w;is no mill nearer 
than Clinton i so we lived on johnny-cake until we got tired of it. 
One day my mother told me to go down to the mill and have father 
grind some wheat aj he did corn (tiraham we would call it now), and 
she would make some biscuit of it; and 1 shall never forget bow good 
they tastctl, — to me at least. 

'* When we raised the mill^ people came twenty miles to help. 
Daniel Bateman and Benjamin Knight spent over two days inviting 
men to the raising. They came the tlay before; heljicd raise the 
next day; bad a dance that night, and went home the third day. 

" It might be interesting to some to know how we found we had 
neighbors. The first we knew we had neighbors on Montgomery's 
plains, one of our cows strayed away, and Daniel Bateman, while 
looking after it, came to the river, and hearing some cow-bells on 
the east side, pulled off bis boots and pants and crossed over. 



* The recorded plat was made Nov. 1, 1854, on the north half of sec- 
tion S, in town 1 north, range 3 west; Lucretia .Spicer, proprietress. 
Description says Spiccrville is " lucatoi where the State road from 
Marshall to Lansing crosses Spring Brook, two and a half miles from 
Eaton Rapids and nineteen from Lansing." 



and followed on until be found tho catllc, and hearing some one 
pounding a little farther on went on to where he r.uiid John .Mont- 
gomery splitting poles on the farm where the st'>iic house niw stancs ; 
and we would meet a stranger in the woods while out hun!in.', and 
after lusking a few iiuestions and answering a few, would tin 1 we were 
neighbors, getting at facts by learning the section, number of section, 
and range of the lots they livid on, and from that actiuainlilncc they 
became neighbors, brothers, and sisters, tried and true, who felt for 
e.ich other's intercsis and comfort" next to their own homes and fami- 
lies; helping each other in divers ways by making logging-bees for 
those who had nothing, and thus ai.ling to hew out happy homes in 
the wilderness, all of which ha<l a ten lincy to bind them togeiher as 
one family, liut I am sorry to s.iy it is fast fading out in these days. 
And when I look over this country and the many l*ow who people 
the lands, I see but very few of those old veterans' landmarks iu 
fathers and mothers left. My dear old mother left us one year ago 
last October, at ihc ri|ic old age of seventy-eight years, and has gone 
to reap her happy reward in Heaven. And 1 trust there arc many of 
the yet surviving pioneers who often ate at her table, and shared 
her hospitality in divers ways, who will ever cherish her memory 
for those early days of our country's history. And we, their sons 
and daughter.*, when we look around over the happy homes we euyty, 
don't let us forget what it cost our de.ir parents in the hardships and 
deprivations they en lured to make our homes so pleasant, with lino 
orchards and wide fields, all of which took patience and great toil 
to procure for our benefit and enjoyment. No, let us cherish their 
memories and tell them to our children, so that their noble trails of 
character, their benevolent and virtuous brotherly love, may live in 
the hearts of our children to pattern from long after we are gone to 
that land to which we are all fast hastening. 

"Truly yours, 

" FitED. Spicer." 

Ilarvcy L. Boorn, from Genesee Co., N. Y., pureliased 
land in tlii.s township in IS^G, and settled upon it in 1841 
with his family. His son, George W. Boorn, was but a 
babe at that time. Mr. Boorn died May 21t, 1877, after 
an eventful and successful life. His children were George 
W., Schuyler S., and Ellen A. Schuyler was a member 
of Company F of the Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and 
was wounded in the service. 

Parker Taylor, from Niagara Co., N. Y., settled with 
his family in Eaton County in 1843. 

James Ilice, I'rom Genesee Co., N. Y., purchased laud in 
this township in 1836, and settled upon it in 1839. 

Henry Perrine, from Wayne Co., N. Y., emigrated to 
Jlichigan with a family of eleven children — eight sons and 
three daughters — in 1833, and located in Jackson County. 
He is now deceased. His childreu are all living, except 
one (Jacob) who died in Kaii.sas. Sol. C. Perrine, another 
son, settled in Ingham County in 1840, and in Eaton 
County. He is living at present iu the township of Hamlin, 
but owns land in both counties. 

Truman Fuller, from Orleans Co., N. Y., on 6rst coming 
to Michigan made a location in Jackson County, but in 
1839 removed to Eaton. 

Reuben Swift, from Mouroe Co., N. Y., settled in Wash- 
tenaw Co., Mich., in 1835, and in p]aton County, in 1837. 
One season he raised a good crop of pumpkins. A squaw 
rode along one day begging for aid. Mr. Swift told her 
she might have a pumpkin if she liked. .She took some 
strips of wood and strung them with the golden beaulias 
and hung them around her horse like a string of beads. Mr. 
Swifl thus discovered a very novel and cffeclual manner of 
disposing of his pumpkins. 

Charltis P. Kice, a native of Seneca Co., N. Y., removed 
here in 1 839, when the wilderness was scarcely broken. 



480 



HISTOKY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Allen Conklin, who was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., 
lived for .some time in Huron Co., Ohio, and in 1843 
came to Hamlin. He aided in building the first bridge 
across Grand River, at the county-line. His neighbor, a Mr. 
Houck, had a dog, which one night treed a bear, and the 
two men went out in the darkness and put a damper to 
Bruin's aspirations, doubtless saving their .stock of pork 
from being largely diminished before morning. The bear 
is a well-known lover of I'resh pork, and will run almost as 
great risks to get it as he will to place his nose in a deposit 
of wild honey. 

Rev. William W. Crane, who has been previously men- 
tioned, was the first resident minister in the township, and 
is said to have " married all the people and preached all 
the sermons." The first death was that of Simeon Fowler, 
and it is thought Mr. Crane preached the funeral .sermon. 

Tyler and Luther Blodgett, from Genesee Co , N. Y., 
settled in this township in 1838. 

H. P. Onderdonk, from Rockland Co., N. Y., purchased 
land in Hamlin in 1836, and settled in 1838. 

Thomas H. Cowan, a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y., set- 
tled in 1838, and Andrew Winn, from Jefferson Co., N. Y., 
came the same year. 

Jacob Gilman, from Livingston Co., N. Y., removed to 
Washtenaw Co., Mich., in 1834, and in 1849 to Hamlin, 
bringing his family in 1852. Michael Gilman, who also 
lived in Washtenaw County, '•emoved here in 1848. 

I. M. Allyn, from Summit Co., Ohio, settled in 1840 ; 
A. B. Slunn, from Yates Co., N. Y., in 1838 ; John Ki- 
kendall, from Wayne Co., N. Y., with his ftjmily, in 1838, 
— one son, James P., being at the time but nine years old ; 
H. Wilber, from Wayne Co., N. Y., in 1849 ; J. D. No- 
bles, fron. Ohio, in 1845. 

Hon. Amos Snicer, a sketch of whose .settlement is else- 
where given, as prepared by his son, Frederick Spicer, was 
a native of Groton, Mass. He had purchased his land 
some time before coming to the township. His children, 
who came with him, were Eunice, Frederick, and Althea. 
Mr. Spicer was one of the most prominent and respected 
citizens of the township. 

ITEMS FROM THE RECORDS OP THE PIONEER 
SOCIETY. 

The following names of early settlers are taken from the 
above-mentioned records : 

George W. Bentley, a native of Petersburg (now Smith- 
field), Madison Co., N. Y., first came to Michigan March 
1, 1830, and lived four months in Jackson County. Re- 
turned to New York; was married Oct. 16, 1834, and 
came with his wife to Michigan, locating again in Jackson, 
where he remained until Jan. 14, 1837, when he removed 
to a farm in Ilamlin township, Eaton Co. In the fall 
of 1871 he located in the village of Eaton Rapids. Two of 
Mr. Bentley's sons were killed in the service during the 
war of the Rebellion. 

Jacob Gilman, a native of Sparta, Livingston Co., N. 
Y., first settled in Michigan in October, 1833. Came to 
Eaton County in January, 1839, and in 1840 was present 
at the erection of the Harrison " log cabin" at Eaton 
Rapids. He first lived in Lyndon, Washtenaw Co. ; on 



the 5th of May, 1852, moved his fomily to Hamlin town- 
ship, Eaton Co. 

Thornton N. Stringham, a native of Ulster Co., N. Y., 
settled in Manchester, Mich., in June, 1836 ; in March, 
1840, came to what is now Hamlin township; removed to 
Tompkins, Jackson Co., in February, 1856 ; and from there 
to Onondaga, Ingham Co., in May, 1867. 

LIST OF RESIDENTS IN 1844. 

The following list from the assessment-roll of the town- 
ship of Tyler (now Hamlin) for the year 1844 includes 
those who were at that time residents of and taxpayers in 
the township: Andrew Houpt, James Rice, Charles Rice, 
Truman Fuller, John Smith, Samuel Sherman, Stephen 
Farnam, Philip Gilman, Joel Latson, Robert Montgomery, 
Josiah J. Williams, Luke Emerson, Moses Piper, Parker 
Taylor, Sheldon Pierson, John T. Pierson, Josiah D. Pier- 
son, John Goodspeod, Ransom Goodspeed, Calvin Hale, 
Andrew N. De Witt, John Montgomery, John Gallery, 
John S. Fifield, John S. Fifield & Co. (saw-mill and lot on 
section 1), Joshua Jenne, David Jenne, Ira Turney, George 
Fowler, Allen Conklin, Peter Wagner, Asa Fish, Azariah 
Willis, Truman B. Barr, Harvey L. Boom, Timothy Whit- 
comb, David Osborn, Luther Whitcomb, Caleb Tilford, 
Benjamin Austin, Tyler Blodgett, Stephen Mills, Luther 
Blodgett, Lsaac C. Cochran, Israel M. Allyn, Edmund Ris, 
Bird Norton, Thornton M. Stringham, David Curtis, John 
Winn, George W. Bentley, Andrew Winn, Charles Han- 
chett, Aaron B. Munn, Daniel Bateman, Russell Loomis, 
Silas Loomis, Ira Jewett, Joseph Knight, David B. Ham- 
lin, Rufus H. King, Cheekly S. Palmer, Samuel Hamlin, 
Hamlin & Co. (saw-mill and lot on section 8), Amos Spicer, 
Paschal P. Darling, Christopher C. Darling, Nelson Wood, 
John M. Hatch, Thomas Wells, John Booth, Barney Well- 
man, Jacob Keepit, Nathan Sayres, Erastus Sisson, William 
W. Wolcott, Theodosius Swift, Henry Wolcott, Henry 
Petty, David Dunham, William W. Crane, Calvin H. Dun- 
ham, George Y. Cowan, John Kikendall, John W. Cowan, 
David B. Bradford, John Corby, Felix Hess, James H. 
Wheeler, Nicholas Haynes, William Cowan, Francis Cham- 
plin, Jonathan B. Snyder, Thomas H. Cowan, Thompson 
E. Kenyon, Hiram Hammond, Jonathan Ariss, Stephen 
Reynolds, Henry Weldon, Edgar and Reuben Swift. 

VILLAGE OF EATON RAPIDS. 
John B. Sage, Barney Wellman, R. II. Jeffreys, Alan- 
son Harwood, Andrew N. De Witt, J. W^. Smith, C. C. 
Darling, Daniel Boody, Ezra Higby, Osmyn Childs, Ben- 
jamin Knight, Amos Spicer, P. E. Spicer, Spicer & Co. 

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION, Etc. 

The territory now included in Hamlin township was 
originally a part of Bellevue and afterwards of Eaton. An 
act of the Legislature approved March 20, 1841, provided 
that 

" All that part of the county of Eaton designated by the United 
States survey as township one north, of three west, be and the same 
is hereby set off and organized into a township by the name of Tyler, 
and the first township-meeting shall be held at the house of Freeman 
li. Barr in said township." 



HAMLIN. 



481 



This act was in force until Mareli It, 1S50, when the 
following was piisscd : 

".111 acl In iiiiile llie loiriinhljii f/ Ti/ler nnj Enlmi Jiapnh, in the 
county i>f Eatitn. 

"Section I. — Be il enueled by Ihe Senole and JInnae of Itcpitacnla- 
lictn of lilt Sititr o/ Michignn, That the net heretofore passed setting 
off ftnd organizing the township of Tyler, in the county of Eaton, be 
and the ^ame is hereby repealed; and the said township of Tyler, 
being town one north, of range three west, is hereby joined and united 
to the township of Eaton UapiUii, in said county, by which name they 
shall be hereafter known and designated ; and the first ttiwnship-meet- 
ing shall bo held at the Eaton Itapids Hotel, in the village of Eutun 
Rapids, on the first .Monday of April, a.d. 1850." 

This act provideJ that the officers of the united town- 
ships should decide by lot who should be continued in 
office. The following was approved March 26, 1869: 

" The jiiD/ile .</' /Ac .SViifc oy' illchlijnn enaci, That township num- 
ber one north, of range number three west, be and the same is hereby 
set off from the township of Eaton Rapids, and organized into a 
separate township by the name of Hamlin ; and the first township 
election thereof shall be held at the house of Duty (jorton ; and David 
B. Bradford, Solomon C. Perrine, and George A. Armstrong are hereby 
authorized to act as inspectors of election at said meeting, which 
meeting shall be held on the first Monday in .April, in the year 
eighteen hundred and si.\ty-nine." 

The records of the old township of Tyler cannot be 
fouud, and it is possible only to give a list of the officers 
of the townsliip of Hamliu, which is as follows: 

1869. — Supervisor, Daniel Scott; Town Clerk, Hiram Smoke; Treas- 
urer, F. A. Long; Justices of the Peace, G. A. Armstrong, 
\,. A. Giddings, A. 0. Stone, S. C. Perrine; Commissioners 
of Highways, Calvin Hale, Truman Fuller, Daniel Bate- 
uian ; Scliool Inspectors, L. B. Huntoon, VV. F. Holmes; 
Constables, Frank Hamlin, David Stewart, Azariah Uurlbut, 
Andrew Munn. 

SUPERVISORS. 

ISrO--!, G. W. Knight; I8r2-r-l, David B. Hale; 1875-79, C. M. 
Jennings. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

1870, Uiram Smoke; 1871, L.B. Huntoon; 1872-73, Birney E. Shaw; 
187-1, John H.York: 1875, J. Warren Smith; 1870-78, C. H. 
Cowan ; 1879, Alanson llarwood. 

TREASURERS. 

1870-74; Emerson Blodgett; 1872-73, Alanson Osborn; 1874-75, 
George E. Lake; 1876, G. D. Scott; 1877-78, W. S. Henderson; 
1879, C. U. Cowan. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1870, James Rice; 1871, Lucius A. Giddings, Stephen Farnum; 
1872, G. A. Armstrong, Truman Fuller; 187:t, Solomon C. Per- 
rine, John Scott; 1874, D. B. Hamlin, J. C. Scott; 1875, Alan- 
son Osborn; 1876, Alfred Barber; 1877, John Wood; 1878, Solo- 
mon C. Perrine; 1879, Alanson Osborn. 
1880. — Supervisor, C. M. Jennings; Town Clerk, Alanson Uarwood ; 
Treasurer, C. H. Cowan : Justice of the Peace, F. S. Leigh- 
ton; School Superintendent, L. R. Swift; School Inspector, 
Hebcr Hamlin; Commissioner of Highways, A. Itogcrs ; 
Drain Commissioner, Samuel Miller; Constables, M. F. 
Hamlin, E. C. Waldron, 0. F. Rose, Alva Smith. 

SCHOOLS. 
The first school in the township was taught in tlie sum- 
mer of 1837, in a log shanty belonging to George Y. Cowan, 
located on section 35. The school was continued six or 
eight weeks, and the teacher was Mrs. llutli Horn. In 
1838 the school was taught by Miss Lucina Emerson. 
61 



The following is a list of those who were licensed to teach 
in this township during the years from 1843 to 1849, in- 
clusive : 

Julia A. Piper, Sebra Piper, Calista P. Adams, Sally 
Ann Whitman, Sarah Burgess, Bird Norton, Isaac C. 
Cochran, Daniel Palmer, C. S. Armstrong, William W. 
Crane, Abel S. Dunham, Harriet N. Di.xon, David B. 
Hale, Naomi A. W. Cochran, Fanny V. Nobles, Sarah C. 
Coleman, Horatio A. Barker, Loretta M. Matthews, Betsy 
Ann Hall, Celestia Whitcomb, Charity A. Cowan, Mary 
A. Gallery, Samuel Dubois, L. Anson Stone, Alonzo Barr, 
Mary Guiley, K. P. Riddle, David W. Kcnyon, James A. 
Anderson, Jane Gallery, Fidelia Cowan, Harriet Crane, 
Marietto Bcebe, Arminda Oilman, Julia K. Harris, Mercy 
Holcomb. 

The report of the school inspectors for the year ending 
Sept. 1, 1879, contains the following facts regarding the 
schools of Hamlin township : 

Number of districts in township 6 

■' " school. children 258 

" in attendance fur year 207 

" of days school taught 804J 

" " school- houses (brick, 3; frame, 3).. 6 

" " scatings in same 339 

Value of school property $1950.00 

No. teachers employed (males, 4 ; females, 10)... 14 
Wages paid same (males, $282.25 ; females, 

#418.99) $701.24 

Total resources fur year 1879 1325.51 

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1S79 i:{7.37 

Total expenditures, less amount on band 1188.14 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



HARVEY L. BOORN. 

The subject of this sketch was a native of the Green 
Mountain State, as were his parents, Stephen and Polly 
(Hyde) Boom. His birth occurred on the 2Gth of Febru- 
ary, 1813. When he was quite young the family removed 
to Lewis Co., N. Y., where Harvey remained until the age 
of seventeen. Being the eldest of a family of six, he re- 
solved to strike out for himself, and going to Genesee 
County, built and ran one of the first thresliing-macliincs in 
that part of the State. In 1S3G he married Miss Elizabeth 
Jones, a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y., and the youngest in 
a family of three, born Oct. 10, 1812. Her father, Stacy 
Jones, and mother, Sallie (Wolverton) Jones, were both 
natives of New Jersey. Mr. Jones died in New Y'ork 
when Elizabeth was quite young ; Mrs. Jones surviving 
him a number of years, coming to Michigan with Mrs. 
Boorn, and making her home with them and another 
daughter, until her death, in November, 1849. For the 
first three years after their marriage Mr. Boom followed 
threshing, and the manufacture of rakes in winter. In 
1839 he came to Michigan, locating one hundred and sixty 
acres government land, where Mrs. Boorn now resides, on 
section 15. Their first home was a small log cabin in the 
woods; and as they were limited in means, Mr. Boorn 
worked out by the day, improving his farm at such times 
as not so employed. He purchased his first team of Dr. 
Williams, paying for it in carpenter- work, at seventy-five 



482 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



cents per day. To Mr. and Mrs. Boorn were given three 
children, viz : George, born Aug. 25, 1839 ; Schuyler S., 

born Jan. 1."), 1818; and Ellon A., born June 6, . 

Mr. and Mrs. Buorn were noted for kindness and liberality, 
always lending a ready hand to the sick and destitute, dona- 
ting liberally towards all public enterprises. In the lan- 
guage of those days, the lateh-string always hung out, no 
one ever being turned from their door. 

In politics Mr. Boorn was formerly a Whig, but upon the 
formation of the Republican party united with it, casting his 
last vote for Pre.'^ident Hayes, having to be helped to the 
polls. Both himself and wife were members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church for over forty years. lie departed 
this life May 2!t, 1877, but lived to see the farm which 
he had located a wilderness changed to fertile fields with 
tine improvements, a view of which may be seen upon an 
adjoining page. His widow still survives, residing at the 
old home with her son Schuyler, who also owns a farm of 
one hundred and five acres across the road, which he works 
in connection with a lease of the homestead, raising besides 



all kinds of fiirm-products, improved stock, especially horses, 
in which he takes considerable pride. He was a member 
of the Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, enlisting Sept. 1, 1862. 
Ho served nearly three years, most of the time as a non- 
commissioned officer; received two wounds, one at Chicka- 
mauga, one at Bentonville, N. C, and accompanied Sher- 
man in his famous " March to the Sea." He was married 
Jan. I, 1867, to Mi.ss Marietta Knapp, daughter of Ezekiel 
Knapp, a native of Vermont, as was also her mother, whose 
maiden name was Ford. Mr. Knapp was a pioneer of 
Jackson County, where Mrs. Boorn was born, Sept. 22, 
1846, being the eldest in a family of five children. Mrs. 
Knapp died in 1866, and Mr. Knapp in 1877, making 
his home with his daughter, Mrs. Boorn, after the death of 
his wife. 

Schuyler Boorn and his wife have been members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for the past six years, are 
also earnest advocates of the cause of temperance, and 
arc in favor of the passage of a law prohibiting the trafiic 
in intoxicating liquors. 






N. T. TAYLOU. 



MRS. x\. T. TAYLOR. 



N. T. TAYLOR. 

N. T. Taylor was the fifth in a family of eight children, 
P^ of whom six are living. His father, Parker_Taylor, was a 
native of Vermont, and his mother, Olive (Jenny) Taylor, 
also of that State, where they were married, removing soon 
after to New York, where the subject of our sketch was 
born, Dec. 15, 1833. When he was about two years of 
age the family removed to Michigan, locating in Jackson 
County, where they remained one year, and then removed 
to and settled on the farm where Mr. Taylor now lives. A 
dense forest then covered this section, and a small log shanty 
formed their first home. Mr. Taylor thinks his father 
located this farm in 1836, the first tract comprising some 
two hundred acres. He remained on this "farm until his 
death, which occurred in September, 1874, Mrs. Taylor 



having died in February, 1871. N. T. Taylor remained 
on the homestead, purchasing the interest of the other 
heirs. He had begun when nineteen years of age working 
out by the month ; this he continued two years. Return- 
ing home he bought out his brother's interest, as stated. 
Dec. 31, 1867, he married Clara, daughter of Calvin and 
Eleanor Hale. They were early settlers in Michigan, Clara 
having been born here June 3, 1843. 

Mr. and Mrs. N. T. Taylor are the parents of three chil- 
dren, viz. : Frank P., born Dec. 16, 1869 ; Edith J., born 
Dec. 28, 1874; and Charles C, born Aug. 8, 1878. 
Mr. Taylor's fiirm contains one hundred and twenty-five 
acres, of which ninety acres are under a good state of 
cultivation. When his parents first settled, their means 
were very limited, living in the first small shanty for a 



"W^ 




m^K'tm^: .... 




HAMLIN, 



48;{ 



number of years, while the advantages of schools were very 
meagre, and hard work, with little recreation, the unvary- 
ing monotony of the first few years of their pioneer life. 
Mr. Taylor follows principally what is termed mixed farm- 
ing, having uo specialty, though taking considerable pride 
in his sheep, a fine flock of which he always keeps. 
In politics he is a Kepulilican. 



DAVID B. HALE. 

Like many others in the township of Hamlin, Mr. Hale 
is a Dative of the Green Mountain State, born in AVind- 
sor township, Windsor Co., Feb. 14, 1820. He was 
the fifth in a family of five sous and four daughters. 
His father, Samuel Hale, was also a native of Vermont, 
and with the exception of four years always lived on the 
farm where he was born, in 1782. His death occurred in 
1876. The grandfiUhcr of David B. w;»s a native of Mas- 
sachusetts, the family tracing their ancestry back to three 
brothers who emigrated from England, two of whom settled 
in Massachusetts and one in Connecticut. David's mother, 
Hepsy Chapin, was also a Vermonter, though her father 
was born in Massachusetts, and the family is of Welsh 
descent. His parents were married about 1808. and lived 
together for sixty-six years, Mrs. Hale's death occurring 
in 1874. 

David remained at home until the age of twenty, attend- 
ing school winters and working on the firm summers. He 
then commenced teaching school winters. After leaving 
home he attended the academy at Manlius, N. Y., one term, 
after which he continued teaching winters and working by 
the month summers, up to 1848, when, on the 30th of 
April, he married Miss Sarah C. Coleman, of Perry, N. Y., 
she being a native of that State, born in Yates Co., April 
25, 1820. Her father, John Coleman, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and her mother, Julia Coleman, of New 
York; both boru in 1790, both died in the latter State; 
her father in 1877 aod her mother in 1880. They were 
the parents of five children, JMrs. Hale being the second. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hale came to Michi- 
gan, Mr. Hale having been here in the spring of 1844 and 
purchased eighty acres of wild land on section 11, in what 
is now Hamlin township, then Tyler. They remained on 
this until 1852, when he .sold and bought their present 
home of one hundred and sixty acres, which was then also 
wild land. To this he has added until the home-farm con- 
tains two hundred and five acres, of which about one hun- 
dred and sixty are improved. They have been the parents 
of four children, but only two are living, one son and one 
daughter, two sons having died. The daughter is living 
at home, the son attending the Agricultural College at 
Lansing. 

Mr. Hale is a staunch Republican, though previous to 
the formation of tliat party was a Whig. He has been 
prominently identified with his township; has represented 
it as supervisor some six years ; was township treasurer two 
years; and in 1875 represented his district in the State 
Legislature. He is at present chairman of the Board of 



Control of the State Reform School at Lansing, and County 
Superintendent of the Poor, and is president of the Farmers 
Mutual Fire Insurance Company for the counties of Barry 
and Eaton. He was a delegate to the convention held at 
Hastings, in September, to nominate State .senator for the 
Fifteenth District, and, though far from being an office- 
seeker, is always in .some form prominently before the people 
of his town and district. He is prominently associated with 
the cause of temperance, giving liberally of time and means 
to its advancement. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hale are both members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which ho is an earnest worker, and 
always acting in some official capacity. He is at present 
one of the trustees, and chairman of the building commit- 
tee, the society being at the present time engaged in the 
erection of a fine church edifice, to which Mr. Hale has 
liberally contributed. 



CALVIN HALE. 

Calvin Hale was born in Berkshire, Vt., Dec. 15, 1812, 
and was the second in a family of nine children. When 
he was but two years of age his people removed to Wind- 
sor, Vt., where his father purchased and settled upon a 
farm. The young man grew up as a farmer, and at the 
age of twenty-one left home to " seek his fortune." He 
found employment at customary monthly wages in Orleans 
Co., N. Y., for nearly two years, returning one winter to 
Vermont. In September, 1836, he turned his face west- 
ward, and in due time arrived in Michigan. Proceeding to 
Kalamazoo County, he worked " by the month" for two 
years, and on the 3d of January, 1839, was married to 
Miss Eleanor Hale, daughter of David and Deborah Hale, 
and removed to what is now Hamlin township, Eaton Co., 
settling upon land he had purcha.sed in the fall of 1836, on 
section 11 (one hundred and twenty acres). His wife was 
the eleventh in a family of twelve children. Her parents 
were natives of the State of Vermont, but early removed 
to Orleans Co., N. Y., in which the daughter was born 
March 16, 1816. Her people settled in Kalamazoo Co., 
Mich., in the fall of 1835, and her parents both died 
at Galcsburg, her mother in 1853, and her father in 1859. 

The land Mr. Hale had purchased in Hamlin was en- 
tirely unimproved, although he was not the person who 
entered it, and it was covered with a dense growth of heavy 
timber. He cleared and improved about si^venty acres, re- 
maining on the place until 1859, when he sold it, having 
in the mean time added (in 1848) forty acres to his origi- 
nal purcba.se of one hundred and twenty acres. His pres- 
ent farm contains two hundred and nineteen acres, of which 
one hundred and seventy acres are improved. Nine chil- 
dren Were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hale, and six are yet 
living. They were Elvira 0., born Oct. 3, 1839, died in 
August, 1846 ; Huldah M., born June 10, 1841, now Mrs. 
Burkiiead, residing at Traverse City, Mich.; Clara, born 
June 1, 1843, now Mrs. Taylor, of Hamlin township; 
Samuel, born Feb. 22, 1845, now living in Missouri ; 
Elida, born March 18, 1847, now Mrs. Harris, living in 



484 



HISTORY OF EATON COUXTY, MICHIGAN. 



California; Sarah E., born April 25, 1849, died June 19, 
1874 ; Sylvanus C.,boru March 15, 1851, resides at home ; 
John C, born Jan. 15, 1854, died Feb. 9, 1877 ; Lillie 
R , born Oct. 2G, 1856. In politics Mr. Hale has been 
successively a Whig and a Republican. He has never 
been an office-seeker. Religiously, his views are liberal. 
His wife is a member of the Congregational Church. His 
early educational advantages were limited to the common 
schools. He has followed the avocation of a farmer, and 
with what success may be seen by a glance at the smiling 
fields and excellent improvements around him. He is a 
thorouglily pracfical farmer. He is strongly opposed to 
all secret organizations, and is fearlfi^s in the advocacy of 
his principles. 






T, 




^#^/ ^ ^<^^^^M/ 



David B. Bradford, whose portrait appears herewith, 
was born in Middlesex Co., Conn., Dec. 15, 1800, and sub- 
sequently removed with his parents to the State of New 
York. His time was mostly spent at home until he became 
of age. Aug. 1, 1824, he was married to Lida Hall. 
Engaging in farming until 1836, he came in the latter year 
to Michigan, and purchased land in the township of Ham- 
lin, Eaton Co., and moved upon it with his family, consist- 
ing of wife and six children, in the spring of 1837. He 
constructed a bark " shanty," in which the family was quar- 
tered while he was preparing a log house for their occu- 
pation. Mrs. Bradford died Nov. 12, 1844, and Mr. 
Bradford conducted his household affairs, with the aid of 
his children, until Jan. 29, 1850, when he married Eliza- 
beth Crocker. He was a second time left a widower, with 
a largo family of children, March 10, 1804, and on the 1st 
of December, in the same year, he was married to Mrs. 



Missouri Austin, who is still living. Mr. Bradford first 
moved to Michigan with ox-teams, and was six weeks 
making the journey. He was the father of fourteen cliil- 
dren, ten of whom are now living. He was a member of 
the Congregational Church, and an earnest seeker after 
the welfare of his fellow-men. In the days of the early 
settlements he kept a school evenings at his own house 
for the benefit of the children living near, — this when school- 
houses in his locality had been scarcely thought of. He 
was a noted worker in the Sabbath-school cause, and during 
a large portion of his life held the position of Sunday- 
school superintendent. Politically, he was a Democrat. 
His death occurred July 5, 1880. 



C. M. JENNINGS. 



Mr. Jennings was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., April 21, 
1837, and was the youngest in a family of three children, 
having a sister and a half-brother. His father, Charles 
Jennings, who was a native of Orange Co., N. Y., was born 
Aug. 6, 1809, and his mother, P]veline (Kent) Jennings, 
in December, 1812, also in the State of New York. Their 
marriage occurred in 1834. Charles Jennings spent his 
youth and early manhood in the manner with which most 
" farmer-boys" of the period were acquainted, and at the 
age of twenty-two years commenced the manufacture of 
boots and shoes. He continued at that business until 
April, 1844, when he removed to Michigan and settled in 
the township of Hamlin, Ingham Co., where he yet resides. 

C. M. Jennings applied his energies on the homestead 
until he was twenty-one yeara of age, attending school one 
year in the State of New York. ■ July 4, 18G1, he married 
Lucy M. Turney, who was born in Hamlin township, Eaton 
Co., Mich., Jan. 3, 1840, and was the first in a family of 
four children. Her father, Ira Turney, was born in Greene 
Co., N. Y., May 12, 1809, and her mother, Antha (Osborn) 
Turney, in the same county, March 8, 1812. They re- 
moved to Michigan in 183G, and were among the earliest 
settlers in what is now the township of Hamlin, locating 
the land upon which their son-in-law, Mr. Jennings, now 
resides. Mr. Turney is yet living. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Jennings have been born the following children : Ira C, 
July 19, 18G4; Herbert K., March 31, 1867; Antha E., 
July 22, 1868. Mr. Jennings is a Republican in politics, 
and has been honored repeatedly by election to town-offices. 
He is at present (1880) serving his sixth term as supervisor 
of Hamlin township, and was elected judge of Probate 
Nov. 2, 1880, by a large majority, leading the county Re- 
publican ticket. 



DANIEL H. BATEMAN. 

The gentleman above named is a native of the town of 
Trenton, Oneida Co., N. Y., where his birth occurred 
Oct. 15, 1808. His father, Boaz Bateman, was born in 
Windham, Conn., Aug. 7, 1768, and his mother in the 
same State, Dec. 24, 1780. Mr. Bateman's time was 



KALAMO. 



485 





DANIEL H. ISATEMA.N. 

principally employed at home until lie became of age. 
July 19, 1838, he was married to Rebecca Ann Train, who 
was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., June 7, 1818. Three 
years previous to his marriage, Mr. Batcman had visited 
Michigan and purchased land, upon which he built a house 
and settled in September, 1838, two months after " taking 
unto himself a wife," and has resided there ever since. 
Nine children blessed this union, as follows : lluth Ann, 
born July 23. 1839; Emily M., born May 29, 1841; 
Sarah J., born Jan. 17, 1843; Norman P., born April 
5, 1845; Daniel A., born Dec. 14, 1847, died Sept. 12, 
1865; Harriet A., born March 22, 1850; Clara F., 
born June 17, 1852; Leonard T., born Aug. IS, 1854; 
Rebecca Ann, born Oct. 18, 1S5G. On the latter date 
the death of Mrs. Bateman occurred, and on the 9th of 
March, 1804, Mr. Bateman was married to Mrs. Alice 
Ann Van Valkcnburgh, widow of Peter Van Valkenburgh. 
She was the mother of three children by her first marriage, 
and after her union with Mr. Bateman bore him one son, 
William S., his birth occurring April 5, 1865. Mr. 



Bateman's early advantages for obtaining an education were 
very meagre, labor on the farm taking his attention, except 
for a short time during the winters, and schools were not 
then up to the present excellent standard. He brought 
his family from Ohio with the aid of ox-teams. Polilically, 
he is a Republican, and has held various township offices. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bateman arc members of the Methodist 
Church. 



ISRAEL M. ALLYN. 

This gentleman was born in Connecticut, June 20, 1818, 
being the second in a family of seven children. His 
parents were also natives of the State named. When Mr. 
Allyn was but a year old his parents removed to Ohio, and 
he remained on his father's farm until he became of age. 
In 1836 the elder Allyn purchased a large amount of land 
in Michigan and divided it among his children, never re- 
moving to this State himself. 

Oct. 4, 1840, I. M. Allyn was married to Miss Hannah 
C. Mathers, and in the month of November following re- 
moved with his bride to the wilds of Central Michigan. 
During the succeeding winter his wife taught school, and 
he built a house and made a clearing on his farm. His 
entire stock of cash, upon arriving in the State, was two 
dollars and fifty cents. In the spring of 1841 the new 
hou.se was occupied. The wife who had braved the trials 
of a life in the wilderness lived but ten years, and left the 
home-hearth desolate. In April, 1856, Mr. Allyn was mar- 
ried to Caroline Ludlow, widow of William Ludlow, and by 
her became the father of three children, viz. : George J., born 
March 16, 1857; Austin C, born Sept. 27, 1858; Lucy 
A., born May 31, 1860. On the 3d of March, 1803, Mr. 
Allyn was a second time widowed. July 26th, following, 
he married EIraira R. Nichols, who was born in Jackson 
Co., Mich., Jan. 26, 1843. Her father, Erastus Nichols, 
had settled in Jackson County in 1836. 

Mr. Allyn is a Republican in politics, a thoroughly public- 
spirited man, and a successful and prosperous farmer. 



KALAMO. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGIIAI'IIY, TOPOGRAPHY, Etc. 

The township of Kalamo, including congressional town- 
ship number 2 north, in range number 6 west, of the prin- 
cipal meridian of Jlichigan, occupies a location on the 
western border of Eaton County, being bounded north, east, 
and south, respectively, by the townships of Vermontvillc, 
Carmcl, and Bcllevue, and west by Barry County. Its 
boundary-lines were surveyed in 1825 and 1826 by 
John Mullett, and its subdivisions in 1826 by Musgrove 
Evans. 

The northern and eastern portions of the township are 



high and rolling, approaching in places to the dignity of 
hills, especially in the northeast corner, where the surface 
is quite broken and the hills are of considerable magni- 
tude. In the central and southern portions are ((uite 
extensive plains, and nearly everywhere are excellent im- 
provements. The township of Kalamo may be classed 
among the best to the county for agricultural purposes. 
Kalamo village is located a short distance south of the centre 
of the town.ship, and Carlisle, formerly known as Hyde's 
Mills, in the eastern part, on a branch of the Tliornapple 
River, which is the outlet of a lake — or mill-pond — known 
as Hyde's Lake, or Lacey's Lake. 



486 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



LAND ENTRIES. 

The following is a list of land entries in town 2 north, 
range 6 west, now constituting the township of Kalanio, as 
shown on the tract-book for the county of Eaton : 

Strlwn 1.— ls:!r>, N. & IT. Wuod; ISHO, Alcxaiulcv B. Law. 
Section 2.— 1836, A. B. Law, William G. lluniy. 
Seclian 3.— 1S3C, John M. Gordon, A. Warner; 18.37, J. Tillotson. 
Section 4.— 1836, H. Butler, J. M. Gordon; 1852, IL I. Lawrence. 
Section 5.— 1835, N. & H. Weed ; 1831!, C. T. Moffit, 11. U. Hooker; 

1837, C. T. Moffit; 1849, H. Ilalstead. 
Section 6.— 1835, T. R. Smith; 1S30, J. A. Thomas, K. Griswold, D. 

Love, N. Willis, S. H. Preston ; 1837, N. Willis. 
Section 7.-1835, J. D. Pierce, B. F. Cleveland, S. D. Webster, 0. 

Dickenson, J. C. Dickenson, D. Herron. 
Section 8.— 1835, N. & H. Weed; l»3fi, C. Robinsi.n, P. Chisholm, T. 

J. Willis, N. Willis. 
Section 9.— 1S35, N. & H. Weed; 1836, H. Butler, C. T. Moffit; 1837, 

C. T. Moffit, E. J. Pcuniman ; 1852, II. I. Lawrence. 

Section 10.— \S-i7, C. T. Moffil, D. J. Pcnnimau, J. Miller, A. Scid- 
more. 

&c(iOH 11.— 1837, B. M. Sheldon, J. Van Vliot ; 1840, W. Grant; 
1848, C. B. Wood; 1849, Jackson Larriwiiy; 1S5I, II. M'illiama; 
1852, II. I. Lawrence. 

Section 12.-1837, E. J. Penuiman, L. G. Berry, B. M. Sheldon, J. 
Dean. 

&c(mn 13.— 1S3G, Russell Hubbard; 1S37, E. J. Penninian, E. F. 
Stebbins, C. Latham, J. Briggs. 

Section 14.— 1837, J. Sims, N. T. Tucker, E. J. Tucker, B. M. Shel- 
don, R. Burley, Z. Scidmore. 

Section 15.— 1836, H. Butler; 1837, I. Herring, 11. Gridlcy, J. Allen, 

D. Larzalear, R. Thomas. 

Section 16.— 1846-53-54, J. Gridloy; 1851, S. Herring; 1853, M. 

Kercheval, A. D. Shaw: 1854, George Graham, E. E. Ellis, J. 

Donaldson, A. D. Shaw, J. Fishburn, J. Pijiper, C. Shutcr. 
Section 17.— 1835, Thomas R. Smith; 1836, II. Butler, T. J. Willis; 

1837, E. Bradley, D. Lillie; 1850, Francis Krusen. 
Section 18.— 1836, George Macomber; 1848, M. Brundige; 1851, 

John Ackerly; 1854, W. H. Davis; 1858, Henry Chaijlin. 
Section 19.— 1837, J. McDerby, S. McDerby, J. Davis, P. G. Brooks; 

1851, James Buck ; 1854, Charles Toms, M. A. Miither, S. Brooks, 

George Wilson. 
Section 20.-1836, H. Butler, A. W. Rogers; 1837, C. Woodbury, E. 

G. Mapes; 1839, H. Booms; 1851, F. Krusen. 
Section 21.-1836, H. Butler, A. W. Rogers, T. W. Hall, S. S. Church; 

1837, W. H. Brown. 
Section 22.-1837, J. Allen, C. T. Moffit, II. D. lirown, L. Gridley, M. 

J. Bagg and H. Powell. 
Section 23.— 1836, A. Warner; 1837, T. T. Stebbins; 1838, (i. Sisson ; 

1S5.3, J. L. Pi.\ley. 
Section 24.— 183B, H. S. Grinncll, J. E. Keen; 1837, E. J. Pcnniman, 

T. T. Stebbins, A. Grover. 
Section 25.— 1837, E. J. Pcnniman, T. T. Stebbins, C. llarkins; 1839, 

C. T. Moffit; 1851-58, R. T. Stevens; 1805, David Crowell. 
Section 26.— 1836, J. W. Hicks, J. Brown, F. Brown; 1837, L. Steb- 
bins. 
-S'ec(ron27.— 1836, J. Brown, C. P. Dibble; 1837, J. Perry, P. Mitchell, 

W. B. Morgan. 
Section 28.-1836, Horace Butler; 1837, W. Tillotson, J. F. Ovcnshire; 

1851, C. Brace; 1855, Frederick Hall. 
Section 29.— 1835, N. and H. Weed ; 1836, Horace Butler, R.Fitz- 
gerald; 1837, D. Clark, G. Wilson; 1S38, H.Bowen; 1845, A. S. 

Roberts. 
Section 30.-1836, J. Chamberlain, J. Wright ; 1837, G. Wilson ; 1849, 

Samuel Jones. 
Section 31.-1836, E. H. Evans, S. Peso; 1842, H. Brace; 1848, J. 

Mapes; 1849, James E. Mapes; 1854, T. D. Green, J. L. Roberts, 

William Spire; 1858, Benjamin Evans. 
Section 32.-1835, N. and H. Weed, Daniel B. Bowen ; 1836, II. Bowen, 

Isaac Gibbs, D. Bowen; 1837, W. Foster. 
Section 33.— 1836, H. Butler; 1851, W. Green; 1852, H. I. Lawrence, 

S. F. Richardson; 1858, Silas B. Church; 1859, George W. 

Bowen; 1864, George Wilson: 1866, Edward M. Kingsbury. 
-S'e<,-/,-o«34.— 1836, I>. P. Kellogg, H. Cotton; 1837, W. Tillotson, C. 



Ovenshire, J. Ovenshire; 1838, H.Bowen; 1852, Joseph Stoddard; 

1856, Daniel Townsend. 
Section 35.-1836, P. S. Spaulding. M. Leach, T. Scott, P. P. Kellogg, 

Z. Suydam; 1S37, A. Brooks, S. Kirkham. 
Section 36.— 1836, A. Sessions, A. Brooks, A. Stevens; 1837, P. B. 

Caleb; 1856, George A. Eades. 

The list of purchasers in this township is in some re- 
spects but a counterpart of that in others, for it includes 
many " speculators," who found little favor among actual 
settlers, who believed in improving the lands and living 
upon their products, rather than obtaining a title to them 
merely for purposes of gain. The " speculator" was not 
to be envied of his reputation. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The following items are from a short sketch of the 
history of Kalamo township, read by JonaClian Dean, Jr., 
at the annual meeting of the County Pioneer Society, at 
Charlotte, June 9, 1880 : 

"The first land was located in November, 1835, on the southeast 
quarter of section 1, by N. &. H. Weed. Previous to this Martin 
Leach"--- settled upon the west half of the northeast quarter of sec- 
tion 35. 

" The first frame house was built by Charles Mofiat, and P. S. 
Spaulding, now a resident of Charlotte, erected the first barn. 

" The first couple married were Marvin Bailey and Jane Butler, 
Sylvanus Hunsikcr officiating. Louisa Spaulding, daughter of P. S. 
Spaulding, was the first child born in Kalamo, her birth occurring 
March 2, 1839. 

"The death of Edg.^r Spaulding, .Jan. 9, 1837, was the first in the 
town. He was buried at Bellevue, Henry Harris officiating. f 

"The first religious meeting was held at Aaron Brooks'. First 
church built at Kalanio village in 1865. First school-house built at 
Carlisle, William Fuller teaching the first school. 

" Alexander Merritt was the first postmaster. First mail-carrier, 
Oscar Spaulding; route, from Bellevue to Odessa. First physician, 
John Hall ; first merchant, Frank Fitch ; first blacksmith, Archibald 
Scott; first mill built at Carlisle by Charles MoH'at ; first sheep 
brought into the town by Jonathan Dean, but their stay in Kalamo 
was of short duration, for in less than three days they were devoured 
by the wolves. 

" In 1841, Samuel Herring opened the first hotel at Kalamo Centre, 
and Cornelius Van Houghton was the first traveler he entertained, 
His second guest was an Irishman, who was attracted thitber by the 
noise of some cow-bells." 

The first families who came into the township disagree 
slightly as to which was first in the matter of settlement. 

Phineas S. Spaulding removed from Chemung Co., N. 
Y., to Michigan, in May, 1835, and located at Albion, Cal- 
houn Co. In September, 1836, he purchased land in Kal- 
amo, and upon it built probably the first log cabin in the 
township. In the month of November following he moved 
in with his family by way of Bellevue. While he was absent 
after the family, the cabin was occupied a short time by 
Martin Leach, — who had purchased on the same section 
(35), — while building a cabin for hiinself Mr. Leach is 
thought to have been, therefore, the first actual settler in 
the township. He is now living in the town of Walton. 

When Mr. Spaulding arrived with his family he found 
his cabin occupied by Aaron Brooks and the latter's hired 



■■• From statements elsewhere it will be found that one or two of 
Mr. Dean's assertions are slightly erroneous, although he had them, 
doubtless, from the lips of old settlers. 

f This date was furnished by P. S. Spaulding, of Charlotte. 



KALAMO. 



487 



man. Brooks, who is now deceased, had located a farm on 
the southwest quarter of section 36, adjoining tiiat of Mr. 
Spaulding, who was on the southea.st quarter of 35. Mr. 
Spauiding was one of the board of county commissioners in 
1839, and has held numerous other important positions. 
lie is now a resident of Charlotte. 

Daniel B. Bowen, from Shelby, Orleans Co., N. Y., was 
married in September, 183G. and in less than three weeks 
afterwards started for Michigan, arriving in November on 
the place he now occupies in Kalamo. His brother, Hiram 
Bowen, came at the same time, with his wife and four chil- 
dren, the oldest being but six 3-ears of age. He had been 
out previously and purchased land, and before bringing in 
their families the two brothers were in town about a week, 
building their shanties. The ne.Kt day after their arrival 
Daniel B. Bowen planted some ap|)le-socds in a sap-trough, 
and from them raised a fine orchard, his trees bearing well 
in six years. These were the first apple-trees raised in ihe 
township. Peach-trees were grown about the same time. 
Mr. Bowen furnished accommodations for numerous land- 
hunters and people going to Verniontville, and his house 
wa.-s well known among the traveler of that day. He is 
now the oldest settler remaining in tlic township, and has 
been one of its most prominent citizens. The families of 
Messrs. Bowen and Spaulding arrived in the township at 
very nearly the same time, coming by way of Bcllevue, 
not more than one day's time elap.^ing between their arri- 
vals, and it is hardly certain which came first, although 
that matter is of little conseciuencc. 

Harvey Wilson, from Orleans Co., X. Y., and for some 
time a resident of Oakland Co., Mich., married a sister of 
Mrs. Daniel B. Bowen, and in 1838 removed to Kalamo. 
He purchased laud a mile and a quarter north of Mr. 
Bowen, and lived in the house with the latter while build- 
ing for himself. His brother, Peter Wilson, came later. 

George Wilson, not related to the above, settled in the 
township in 1843, and stopped a few days also with Mr. 
Bowen, after which he moved into the log school-house, a 
short distance away, which he occupied until he could build 
a house on his own place. He is now living in Charlotte. 
His brother, Thomas Wilson, who .settled at a later date, is 
still a resident of Kalamo. These gentlemen are of Eng- 
lish parentage. 

John Davis and John McDerby settled in the township 
in the spring of 1837. Davis' cattle strayed from home, 
and Daniel B. Bowen aided in the search for them. They 
were finally discovered beyond Charlotte and southwest of 
Daton Uapids. 

.Jonathan Dean, Sr., a native of Orange Co., N. Y., is a 
veteran of the war of 1812, having served with a command 
from near Buffalo, where he was at the time living. In 
company with his brother, David Dean, who had also 
^1 rved, he moved into Canada after the close of the war, 
and both were married. Jonathan Dean's wife wa.s a native 
of Canada, in which country their children were all born, — 
four sons and one daughter. Mr. Dean's father, David 
Dean, Sr., was a soldier of the Revolution, and was with 
Washington at Valley Forge. 

Mrs. Jonathan Dean, Sr., who was a descendant of Col. 
Monroe, a noted British officer in the Revolution, died July 



24, 1879. Mr. Dean is still living, in his eighty-fifth year. 
He removed with his family to Michigan in 1837, crossing 
the river at Detroit on the 3d day of July. The Fourth was 
spent in Detroit, then a comparatively small place. Mr. 
Dean had been out in June previous, in company with his 
oldest son, William B. Dean, then a young man, and located 
160 acres of government land on section 12. The family 
remained through the summer at Plymouth, Wayne Co., 
and in the fall the older three sons — one of them but thir- 
teen years of age — drove through to Kalamo with about 
ten head of cattle and two hogs, wi Marshall and Bcllevue, 
and pitched their tent on " Pestle Hill," where they re 
mained the first night, after which they went to the house 
of Louis Stebbins, at Carlisle, where they boarded while 
building a shanty on their place. The rest of the family 
came on in December, and arrived at their future home on 
Christnia.s-day, 1837. Jlr. Dean gave an old man named 
Hart a dollar a mile to haul them to Mr. Brooks', near P. 
S. Spaulding's, on section 36. Hart had two yokes of 
oxen. From the Brooks place Mr. Dean drove the remain- 
ing distance with horses. The roadway, such as it was, 
followed the '■ hard land," winding along through the 
timber, and having poles and bru.sli thrown in where there 
were bad places. 

Mr. Dean's old farm is now owned by his son, Jonathan 
Dean. Jr., who was but seven years of age when the family 
settled. " Wolves and Indians were plenty.'' 

The Indians to the number of 50 or 100 camped at 
the northeast corner of the township every winter, and 
went away every spring to do their planting. When Mr. 
Dean settled, the nearest grist-mill was at Marshall, twenty- 
five miles distant, and it was necessary to go there to have 
grinding done. He one day discovered, at the Indian 
camp, a squaw pounding corn in the end of a log which 
had been hollowed out, and then said he knew how he could 
pound up corn and not have to go to mill. He therclbro 
hollowed out a pair of ash-blocks, bound them together 
with iron hoops, and rigged up a large pestle, thus com- 
pleting his " corn-cracker," which was the wonder of the 
settlers, and caused them to give to the locality the name 
of " Pestle Hill." People from the Canada settlement, in 
Oneida, and from other places equally distant, stopped often 
at Mr. Dean's, and " Pestle Hill" was well known among 
the settlers far and near. 

Mr. Dean's horses, which were allowed to run at large, ac- 
quired a habit of mingling with the Indian ponies, and the 
last time the Indians went away a valuable mare followed 
them, and did not return. But very few of the Indians 
were seen in the locality again. The mare was afterwards 
ridden into Jlarshall by an Indian who had some huckle- 
berries to sell, and a man who recognized her spoke to the 
Indian, saying, " You have while man's horse." The noble 
red man did not remain to dispose of his berries, but sought 
safety in flight. Mr. Dean received twenty-five dollars from 
the government as payment for the animal, the sum being 
deducted from the amount which was to be paid to the 
Indians. 

William Dean, the oldest son of Jonathan, was a good 
deal of a hunter, but was not always fortunate in hunting 
deer. He one day asked a young Indian named Pe-ton-ican 



488 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



how he hunted. The Indian said, " Come on, William ; 
me show you how to hunt deer." One morning the two 
went off in company, and soon started a deer. The Indian 
exclaimed, " Come on, William !" and commenced to run 
in the direction the deer liad taUen. William followed, 
and finally asked if that was the way the Indians hunted 
deer. " Yes," the Indian replied, " him git tired putty 
(|uick ; then we shoot when he turn round to look !" Wil- 
liam at once saw the joke the Indian was attempting to 
play on him, and as he was the fleetest runner in the settle- 
ment and possessed great endurance he did not propose to 
be beaten, and kept on, without a word. Streams and logs, 
when they came to them, were leaped over, and the red- 
.skin after a time began to look somewhat surprised, as well 
as considerably tired. He asked several times, " William, 
tiled ?" " Oh, no," was the answer, " run two days 1" The 
Indian finally, after leading young Dean away into Barry 
County, turned around, saying, " No catch 'im deer to-day," 
and .started on the return. Dean now proposed to play a 
joke himself, and taking the lead bounded oiF at a terrific 
pace, jumping over logs and clearing streams with as much 
ea.se as though he liad not run a rod. The plucky Indian, 
although badly blown, continued to follow, but finally, in 
attempting to jump a stream which Dean had easily cleared, 
fell short of the opposite bank and alighted in the mud and 
cold water up to his middle. William led the way straight 
to the Indian camp, where the squaws and all the Indians 
laughed loudly at the young brave for having been beaten 
at his own game and come home in such a plight. The 
next day he saw William and asked iiim if he wanted to 
hunt, and, on receiving an aflttrmative answer, said, " Me 
plenty sick here," placing his hands on his legs ; " no hunt 
to-day." He was badly used up, and it is not probable he 
ever tried a like experiment with William Dean. 

In the possession of Jonathan Dean, Jr., is a curious 
grist-mill, which was manufactured by Bezaleel Taft, while 
living in the town of Carmel. It consists of a block of 
wood with a shaft through it, to one end of which are 
fastened a couple of rough stones made from a bowlder, 
and channeled like mill-stones, with a tin pan used for a 
hopper. The larger stone is about a foot in diameter. 
The " machine" is set upon legs, and the grist was caught 
underneath. Mr, Taft, who lived near a spring brook, 
rigged a small water-wheel, and operated his grist-mill with 
that. The flour is said to have been fine and free from grit, 
but Mr. Dean thinks his father's pestle could beat it in the 
amount of corn cracked in a day. 

Erastus Clemens, from Whitehall, Washington Co., 
N. Y., came to Michigan in 1836, and located at Marshall, 
Calhoun Co. In 1850 he removed to Kalamo township, 
Eaton Co., where he is now living. In June, 1838, he 
drove his team of horses through to Kalamo Centre to 
visit his brother-in-law, Daniel Herring (now deceased), 
who had settled with his brother, Samuel Herring, in Feb- 
ruary previous. Mr. Clemens' horses were the first driven 
to Kalamo Centre. 

Daniel and Samuel Herring, who were from Virgil, 
Cortland Co., N. Y., purchased land in Kalamo in 1837, 
and stayed a day or two, while looking for a site, with Daniel 
B. Bowen. In February, 1838, as above stated, they set- 



tled in the township with their families, having no neigh- 
bors nearer than the Messrs. Stebbins, at Carlisle, two miles 
distant. The Herring brothers had resided some time in 
Marshall, Samuel having located there early in the spring 
and Daniel in the summer of 183(5. When, on their way 
from New York, they reached Buffalo, they found the har- 
bor so full of ice that it would be some time before they 
could take a boat from that port, and in consequence they 
proceeded to Dunkirk, where they embarked and in due 
time arrived safely at their destination. 

From the records of the County Pioneer Society the fol- 
lowing facts are gathered : 

Edward T. Lacey, a native of Chili, Monroe Co., 
N. Y., removed to Michigan in October, 1842, and settled 
in Kalamo township, Eaton Co , in March, 1843, com- 
ing with his father, E. D. Lacey. The latter located with 
his family at Hyde's Mills in this town, and resided there 
until 1857, when he was elected register of deeds, and 
removed to Charlotte. The son, E. T. Lacey, is a prominent 
banker of the latter place at the present time.* 

Miss Samantha Wyman and Miss Rachel Mitchell, 
maiden ladies, settled in Kalamo in 1848. Neither ever 
married. They lived together. Miss Mitchell doing the 
out-door work on the farm, clearing, plowing and harvest- 
ing, while Miss Wyman did the housework. 

Joseph Gridley, now deceased, was a native of Virgil, 
Cortland Co., N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1834, 
locating in Eaton County in 184G. He became a promi- 
nent citizen of his township and county, among other posi- 
tions holding that of Probate judge from 1860 to 1864. 
During the war he was postmaster at Kalamo. 

Alford J. Chappell, from Cayuga Co., N. Y., settled a 
mile southeast of Kalamo Centre, with his wife and two 
daughters, in September, 1839, and in March, 1849, 
removed to Carmel township, locating where his son, E. 
Chappell, now lives. Mr. Chappell died in 1858, his wife 
having died a year previous. His oldest daughter is now 
Mrs. Calvin Stone, of Charlotte. 

RESIDENTS IN 1844. 

The following list of resident taxpayers in the town of 
Kalamo for 1844 is taken from the assessment-roll for that 
year: H. Wilson, Peter 0. Wilson, David Lilly, Hiram Bow- 
en, Hiram Brace, John Davis, John McDerby, Hollister 
Booms, David McDerby, Daniel B. Bowing, George Wilson, 
Abner Reynolds, Eli H. Evans, Casper Dunham, Orston 
Dunham, Samuel Herring, Daniel Herring, Alexander 
Merritt, Robert Kipling, Harvey Merchant, John F. Oven- 
shire, Hiram Ovenshire, Charles Oven.shire, James Oven- 
shire, Ezekiel Blue, John Ayres, David Torrence, Martin 
Leech, Oliver Watson, A. J. Chappell, T. T. Stebbins, David 
Mayo, James Cunningham, William B. Dean, Willis Wood, 
James Walworth, E. D. Lacey, Jonathan D. Krem, Jona- 
than Dean, Hiram Ticknor, Walter Monroe, Daniel Hults, 
Seth Pattee, Eliza Iliggins, J. J. Monroe, J. B. Bradley, 



* Mr. Lacey is also prominent politically, having been for some 
time chairman of the county Kepublican committee. At the district 
convention held at Jackson, in August, 1880, he received the unani- 
mous nomination for representative in Congress. 



1 



KALAMO. 



489 



Leonard Woodruff, A. Sessions, Aaron Brooks, Nathan 
Brooks, Clark Hugby, P. S. Spaulding, T. Proctor. 

TOWNSHIP OHGANIZATIOX.— LIST OF OFFICERS. 
An act of the Legislature approved March 15, 1838, 
provided that " all that jHution of tlie county of Eaton, 
designated in the United States survey as township number 
2 north, of numbers 5 and 6 west, be and the same is 
hereby set off and organized into a separate township by the 
name of Kalanio ; and the first townsliip-meeting therein 
shall be held at the house of Alonzo Stebbins, in said town- 
ship." On the 21st of >Iarch, 1889, the township of Car- 
mel was set off from Kalamo, leaving the latter included in 
its present limits. The first township election in Kalamo 
was held in April, 1838, the following account of it being 
taken from the township records. 

"At a meeting"^ of the inhabitants of that part of tho town of 
licllcvue, to wit: town (2) two north, of range (5) and (6) west, for 
tho purpose o( orgnnizhij said town in a corporate body for township 
purposes, according to section 3d of act No. ?A of the session laws 
of IS.IS,— N. Brook.i, being duly sworn before C. Phelps, one of tho 
justices of said town of Bcllevue, proceeded to qualify a board for 
this meeting as follows: Lewis Stebbins, Chairman; P. A. Stebbins, 
T. T. Stebbins, Clerks; Phineas S. Spaulding. Gordon B. Griffin, 
Aaron Brooks, Inspectors of said meeting. Polls open by proclama- 
tion at ten o'clock a.m.; meeting adjourned until one o'clock i».M., 
then polls open ; then proceeded to ballot ; polls closed at four o'clock ; 
the board then proceeded to canvass tho ballots. The following offi- 
cers were elected: Supervisor, P. A. Stebbins: Township Clerk, The- 
odore T. Stebbins ; Justices of the Peace, Eli H. Evans, Phineas S. 
Spaulding, Lewis Stebbins, Nathan Brooks; Assessors, Hiram Bowen, 
Gordon B. Griffin, Phineas S. Spaulding; Commissioners of High- 
ways, Nathan Brooks, Aaron Brooks, PanicI B. Bowcn ; School In- 
spectors, .Aaron Brooks, Joab Perry, Theodore T. Stebbins; Collector, 
F. A. Stebbins; Constables, Piatt Morey, F. A. Stebbins, Daniel B. 
Bowen; Treasurer, John Davis: Directors of tho Poor, Ebenczcr 
Avery, Jonathan Dean ; Overseers of Highways, Hiram Bowen, Lewis 
Stebbins. 

" In 1839 it was voted to raise S250 for improvement of roads and 
bridges, and fifty dollars for the maintenance of the poor in tho 
township." 

The following is a list of the principal oflicers of the 
township from 1839 to 1879, inclusive: 

SUPERVISORS. 
1839, Bezaleel Taft; 1840, Eli II. Evans; 1841-42, Hiram Bowen; 
1843, no record; 1844, Phineas S. Spaulding; 1845-50, E. D. 
Lacey; 1851-52, Benjamin Estcs; 1853, Iliram Bowen; 1854, 
Benjamin Estes; 1855, E. D. Lacey; 1856-60, T. D. Green; 
1861, D. W. Larison; 1862-C.3, P. S. Spaulding ; 1864, Leander 
Kent; 1SC5-67, P. S. Spaulding; 1868-71, Leander Kent; 1872, 
B. R. Babcock; 1873, Leander Kent; 1874, J. P. Cessna;! 1875 
-77, Benjamin F. Wells; 1878, Warren II. King; 1879. Benjamin 
F. Wells. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

i 1839, Theodore T. Stebbins; 1840, David Mayo; 1841, Russell 
' Gage;t 1842-43, Alexander Merritt; 1844, E. D. Lacey ; 1845 

-46, F. A. Stebbins; 1847-50, T. D. (ircen; 1851, James Bradt; 
1852, JI. W. Robb; 1853, Benjamin Estes; 1854-55, F. A. Steb- 
bins; 1856, J. P. Cessna; 1857-58, R. Gridley; 1859-60, S. B. 
Kipling; 1861-62, L. J. Wilson ; 1863, Cyrus Slosson ; 1864, J. 
P. Cessna; 1865, Ervin J. Emmons; 1866, J. T. Wilson ; 1867, 
E.J. Emmons;? 1868-76, Warren Ackley ; 1877, 0. W. Gridley ; 
1878, John F. Getty; 1879, Warren Ackley. 



* At this meeting nineteen votes were cast, but one was that of a 
minor, and was thrown out. 

t Removed, and Reuben Gridley appointed. 
; Removed, and T. T. Stebbins appointed. 
i Removed, and Cyrus Slotann appointed. 

62 



TRE.VSURER.S. 
1839, Jonathan Dean; 1840, James Walworth: 1841, Phineas S. 
Spaulding; 1842. Leonard Woodruff; 1843, record missing; 
1844-51, Robert Kipling; 1852-53, Potter C. Sullivan ; 1854-59, 
Leander Kent: 1860-61, no record; 1862-6.3, Leander Kent; 
1864, Hiram Gridley; 1865-67, 0. G. Stebbins; 1868, Ambrose 
Slosson; 1869, Robert J. Leo ;1 1870, Egbert L. Ellis; 1871, Al- 
bert Wack ; 1872-77, Ambrose Slosson; 1878-79, Elbert Gridley. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 
1839, Phineas S. Spaulding; 1840, Theodore "T. Stebbins; 1841, II. 
Bowen, T. T. Stebbins; 1842, Eli H.' Evans; 1843, record miss- 
ing: 1844, Nathan Brooks; 1845, Hiram Bowen; 1846, Eli H. 
Evans; 1847, Phineas S. Spaulding; 1848, T. T. Stebbins; 1849, 
Hiram Bowen; 1850, Joseph Kent; 1851, Joseph Gridley; 1852, 
Jonathan Dean: 185.3, Dnnicl B. Bowen; 1854, P. S. Spaulding; 
1S55, V. Babcock; 1856, Benjamin Estes; 1857, D. B. Bowen, 
Joseph Gridley ; 1858, D. W. Larison ; 1859, Jonathan Dean, Jr. ; 
1860-61, no record; 1862, D. W. Powers; 1863, B. F.Wells; 
1S64, D. B. Bowen; 1865, C. A. Robinson ; 1866, B. R. Babcock; 
1867, A. J. Laraway (did not qualify); 1868, Benjamin F. Wells; 
1869, D. B. Bowen; 1870, B. R. Babcock; 1871, Cyrus Slosson; 
1872, B. F. Wells, P. D. Patterson; 1873, J. J. Gould, Joseph 
Gridley ; 1874, J. B. Ilartwell, L. B. Swift; 1875, Cyrus Slosson; 
1876, John S. Tyler; 1877, John G. Miller, James A. Grant, 
Peter Sears; 1878, F. M. Potter; 1879, James A. Grant 
1880.— Supervisor, Benjamin F. Wells; Township Clerk, Warren 
Ackley ; Treasurer, Ambrose Slosson ; Justices of tho Peace, 
Charles D. Spafford, Edward Tcich; School Superintendent, 
Alden B. Swift ; School Inspector, Levi Witton ; Commis- 
sioner of Highways, Israel Dille; Drain Commissioner, S. 
0. Tarbell:«i Constables, Gideon Cogsdill, Gilbert Stone, 
Thomas E. Niles, Albert Spaulding. 

KALAMO VILLAGE. 

Some time previous to 1855 a store was opened at this 
place by Van Tuyl Babcock, in a small building which stood 
next north of the present post-office. It w:is destroyed by 
fire, and Babcock built another farther north, on the east 
side of the street, at the top of the hill. Several others 
have kept stores in the village, — Dr. J. P. Ces.sna, Gridley 

& Bardun, John T. Wil-son and Lyman J. Wilson, 

Booth, and others, Booth being in business about 1857, 
after the removal ot Babcock to Homer, Calhoun Co. 
The village now contains two stores, owned by T. A. Cran- 
dall and D. C. Smith, a saw-mill, a post ofiSce, a hotel, a 
tin-shop, and a shoe-shop. 

A village plat was laid out Jan. 8, 1873, by Frank 1*. 
Davis and Reuben Gridley, and it w;ls expected that the 
Mansfield and Coldwatcr Railway, which was graded through 
the place, would soon be completed, but the citizens were 
doomed to disappointment in that respect. 

Joseph Kent kept hotel at the place quite early, in his 
log house, to which he afterwards built a frame upright. 
It was burned, and the present frame " National Hotel' was 
built on the site, in 1870, by H. C. Sanders. 

The saw-mill now at the place is owned by Hiram 
Gridley, and has been in operation but a few years. The 
first one in the locality was built by him, and he and his 
brother Reuben erected a grist-mill previous to 185G, 
which was afterwards sold and removed to Vermontville, 
where it is still in existence. A saw-mill, built previously 
by Hiram Gridley, was also removed to the bank of the 
Thornapple River, at Vermontville, by Stewart Porter. 

II Did not qualify, and E. S. Gridley appointed. 
^ Resigned, and D. W. Powera appointed. 



490 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Kalamo post-office was established about 1845, with 
Joseph Kent postmaster, and mail was brought once a weeic 
from Bellevuc, whicli place continued to be the head of the 
route until the completion of the Peninsular Railway to 
Charlotte, since when mail has been brought from the lat- 
ter place, via Carlisle, three times a week. Reuben Grid- 
ley succeeded Mr. Kent as postmaster, and held the position 
during the war of 1861-65. His succe.ssor was Oramel 
G. Stebbins, who gave place to Joseph Gridley, the prede- 
cessor of the present incumbent, Warren Ackley, who has 
held the oflice since Feb. 7, 1871, and had been deputy for 
Joseph Gridley a year or two previously. 

SOCIETIES AND OKDERS. 

Knlanio Lodge, Xo. 327, F. and A. M., was chartered 
about 1874, with Charles Parsons as Master. It had then 
been running under dispensation. The present officers are: 
Luther Culton, W. M. ; S. C. Tarbell, S. W. ; Ira J. Pin- 
nock, J. W. ; Leander Kent, Treas. ; C. W. Wilson, Sec. 

Kalamo Lodge, No. 87,7. 0. 0. F., was instituted pre- 
vious to the war, but during that struggle its membership 
was greatly decreased, and it was suffered to go down. 
About 1871-72 it was resuscitated, and has at present 
about thirty-two members and the following officers : James 
A. Grant, Noble Grand ; Walter E. Johnson, Vice-Grand ; 
J. V. Gould, Sec. ; John M. Arnold, Perm. Sec. ; H. M. 
Sherman, Treas. ; Warren Ackley, of Kalamo, has been a 
member of this order for thirty years. 

CARLISLE. 

A large frame .«a\v-uiill was built at Carlisle, in 1837, by 
Charles Moffat. It afterwards passed into the hands of 
Oliver A. liyde, and the locality became known as " Hyde's 
Mills." E. D. Lacey also afterwards owned, or operated, 
the mill, and continued its management until he was elected 
to the position of county register, when he removed to 
Charlotte. A furniture-factory, owned principally by Dr. 
C. A. Merritt, of Charlotte, is now standing on the site of 
the old saw-mill, but is not at present in operation. Aside 
from the latter, Carlisle now contains one store, a post-office, 
a blacksmith shop, and a wagon-shop. A small grist mill 
and a saw-mill are located on the stream below the village. 
The present grist-mill stands where Frederick A. Stebbins 
formerly had a saw-mill. The members of the Stebbins 
family have all left, and most of them are dead. Theodore, 
one of the sons, resides at Dowagiac, Cass Co., Mich. 

Joseph Pinuock, from Monroe Co., N. Y., visited Michi- 
gan in 1844, and in 1852 settled in the township of Kalamo, 
where he now resides. 

Carlisle post-office has been in existence for thirty years 
or more. The present postmaster is Edward Bordeaux. 

SCHOOLS. 

It is elsewhere stated that the first school-house in the 
township was built at Carlisle, and that William Fuller was 
the first teacher. 

About 1840 a school was kept in the southwest corner 
of the township, in the Evans neighborhood, and children 
attended it from the family of lliram Uowen, a dog belong- 
ing to him accompanying them to the school-house, and 



going after them when it was time for school to close. Two 
years later, Mrs. Peter Wilson taught a school in her own 
house, in the Bowen neighborhood, and a log school-house 
was soon afterwards erected, a " bee" being held to raise it. 
This building answered the purposes of school-house, meet- 
ing-house, etc. 

From the report of the township school inspectors for the 
year ending Sept. 1, 1879, are taken the following items: 

Number of districts in township (whole 8, fractional 3) 11 

*' school-children in township 528 

" in attendance for the year 416 

" days school taught 1387 

*' school-houses (bricl< 1, frame ID) 11 

" seatings in same 524 

Value of school property $3760.00 

Number of teachers employed (males 8, females 15) 23 

Wages paid same (males, $502. »0 ; females, S66I. 15).... $1163.65 

Total resources for 1879 3115.45 

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879.. 816.86 

Total e.xpenditures, less amount on hand 2298.59 

RELIGIOUS. 

Congregational Church, Kalamo. — This church was or- 
ganized about 1867, by Rev. O. H. Spoor, who had been 
preaching for some time in the neighborhood. The present 
brick church was built in 1868 or 1869, and Rev. John 
Scotford preached in it before it was finished. Revs. Alva 
H. Brown and Hiram Elmer, of Olivet, preached for a time, 
but the only settled ministers have been Revs. John H. 
Boughton and Henry Marsh, each of whom remained two 
years. Mr. Marsh's time expired in April, 1880, since 
when the church has had no pastor. The pulpit has been 
supplied by numerous persons, among them being Rev. D. 
Payson Breede, formerly of Ypsilanti, and now of Eaton 
Rapids. The present membership of the church is large, 
a number having been admitted during the past year. 
Among the prominent members are Mrs. Warren Ackley 
and Mrs. Dr. F. L. Snell. A Sunday-school is maintained, 
with George Sprague as superintendent. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, Kalamo. — This society 
was formed quite early, and in 1868 built a commodious 
brick church, which was dedicated June 3d of that year, 
by Rev. A. P. Mead, of Jackson. The building is thirty- 
one by forty-seven feet inside the walls, and the outside 
tower is twelve feet square and eighty feet high. The 
building cost $4070, and the bell (weight 1000 pounds), 
organ, and carpet were purchased at an expeu.se of 8415. 
The church is located in the northern portion of the vil 
lage, and the Congregational edifice in the southern, both 
on the east side of the street. The Methodists have a good 

membership. 

BIG TREE. 

The largest tree in Eaton County, and the largest known 
in the State, stood formerly in the township of Kalamo, 
north of the farm of Joseph Gridley, about twenty rods 
west of the Vermontville and Bellevue road. It was a 
gigantic sycamore, hollow from bottom to top, and between 
sixteen and seventeen feet in diameter inside of the hol- 
low. A door was cut through into the hollow, and it is 
said that horses measuring sixteen hands high had been 
ridden into it and turned around. The tree was finally cut 
down for the purpose of taking a section of it to Marshall, 
to be used as a grocery, but it was found the labor of 
moving it would be too great. 



KALAMO. 



491 



BIOGHAPUIOAL SKETCUES. 





D. 15. BOW EN. 

DANIEL B. BOWEN. 
Daniel B. Bowen, one of the very oldest pioneers of 
Kalamo township, was born at Martinsburgh, Lewis Co., 
N. Y., March 20, 1811. His youth and early manhood 
were spent in farniinj:, lumberinir, and mechanical pursuits. 
Ilis grandfather, Asa Bowen, was a native of Connecticut, 
and served through the Revolutionary war, attaining the 
rank of captain. He retired to private life, reared a large 
family of children, again enlisted, in the war of 1812, 
and when peace was proclaimed settled at Shelbyville, 
Orleans Co., N. Y., where he spent the remainder of his 
life. Asa, Jr., was born in Connecticut, and after becom- 
ing of age married Miss Mehitabel Boyden, a native of 
Vermont. They were the parents of ten children, all of 
whom (save one) reached yeare of maturity. There were 
eight sons and two daughters. Asa, Jr., served in the war 
of 1812. He had previously settled at Martinsburgh, Lewis 
Co., N. Y., to which place he returned at its clo.se. He 
lived to see his children grow up around him and depart 
to homes of their own, and now sleeps side by side with 
the partner of his joys and sorrows. On Sept. 15, 183G, 
Daniel B. took to himself a wife in the person of Beulah 
D. Cox, daughter of Elisha and Abigail (CliflFord) Cox, 
both English. The Cliffords were of noble birth. Soon 



MRS. O. B. BOWEN. 

after their marriage they came to Kalamo, and located one 
hundred and sixty acres on section 32. His brother 
Hiram and family came at the same time. They built 
Hiram's house first, and lived in it until Daniel erected his. 
Hiram had been here and purcha.sed his land previou.sly. 
It was then he began fully to realize that life is an active, 
earnest warfare, and he who would prosper must be no 
laggard in the work. At " early morn and dewy eve" the 
sound of his axe was heard, intermingled with the crash of 
falling timber. So untiringly did he labor that soon his 
improvements were Air in advance of many who had supe- 
rior advantages in the outset. His present farm consists 
of two hundred and forty acres, with one hundred and fifty 
vinder cultivation, a large orchard, good farm-house and 
barns, and all appliances for practical farming. Two chil- 
dren came to ble.ss their home : Mrs. Caroline Bardon, of 
lied Oak, Iowa, born Sept. 16, 1839; and George D., 
born Oct. 16, 1843, who resides near the old home. 

Mr. Bowen has served his townsmen as ju.stice and high- 
way commissioner for over twenty years ; is not a politi- 
cian, bat a firm believer in a Democratic form of govern- 
ment. In domestic relations he is .sociable and companion- 
able ; in business matters, prompt and reliable; as a citizen, 
respected and influential. 



BENJAMIN F. WELLS. 
Benjamin V. Wells was born in Madison Co., N. Y., 
March 27, 1819, the eldest of seven children; was liberally 
educated, and thoroughly instructed in the duties of farm- 
ing. His father, Oziah Wells, was a native of Massachu- 
setts, and died at Princeton, N. J., his being the first pro- 
nounced death of that malignant disease, cholera, in the 
United States. After the father's death the duties of pro- 
viding for the family devolved upon Benjamin. Disposing 
of their small fiirm, they came to Clarendon, Calhoun Co., 



Mich., and purchased one hundred and twenty acres wild 
land, in the spring of 1837. The autumn following, the 
mother, with the remaining children, came here. They re- 
mained, experiencing the vicissitudes incident to the early 
settlement of a new country, until 18G0, when Mr. Wells 
exchanged for one hundred and sixty acres in Kalamo, 
Eaton Co., with about forty acres improved, u log house, 
and small frame barn, all of which at this date has been 
transformed to one hundred and twenty acres finely im- 
proved land, thrifty orchard, commodious barn, and a fine 



492 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





B. F. WELLS. 

brick dwelling. Mr. Wells has been twice married : first, on 
April 30, 1848, to Miss Ann M., daughter of Lewi.5 and 
Mary Benham, of Clarendon, Calhoun Co. On May 25, 
1856, she died, leaving four children. A second marriage, 
March 26, 1857, to Malissa R., daughter of John and 
Arteniesia Hamilton, of Madison Co., N. Y., who has borne 
them two children. Mrs. Wells has led an exemplary 
Christian life as a member of the Methodist Episcopal So- 
ciety over thirty years. Mr. Wells has been frequently 
called to positions of trust, which he has filled with honor 
to himself and profit to his constituents, both in Calhoun 
and Eaton Counties. In 1875 he was elected supervi- 
sor, which position he has filled to the present time. 



L. KENT. 



The ancestors of Mr. Kent were English, and emi- 
grated to the New World at an early date in the history of 
the English colonies. They settled at Stafibrd, Conn., 
where Joseph Kent was born June 1), 1762, and identi- 
fied his interests with his country by joining in the 
struggle for liberty at the age of fifteen, and at the close 
returned with an honorable discharge to his home and the 
peaceful occupation of farming. 

Later in life he married Esther Tupper, her geneal- 
ogy tracing back to the nobility of England. They lived 
to rear a large family of children, removed to Niagara 
Co., N. Y., in the year 1836, where they now " sleep 
the sleep that knows no waking," having enjoyed the re- 
gard of many friends, that a life replete with kindly 




LEANDER KENT. 

deeds had won them. L. Kent, a son, was born in Staf- 
ford, Conn., May 14. 1813, and came with his family to 
Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1836, where he purchased forty 
acres of heavily-timbered land, and began the wo rk of clear- 
ing, with an unyielding determination to transform his 
purchase into fields suitable for husbandry. In his youth- 
ful days he had received a common-school education, and 
at its close adopted a course of reading for self-cultiva- 
tion during his leisure hours. His studious habits and 
industry soon brought him to the notice of his townsmen. 
Official positions were to be filled, and the young farmer 
was soon favored with posts of honor and responsibility, 
his chief interest being the education of the young. In 
1853, being desirous of conducting the business of farming 
more extensively, he sold, and removed to Kalamo town- 
ship, Eaton Co., Mich., his present home, purchasing one 
hundred and forty-five acres of comparatively new land, 
which he has brought to a fine scate of cultivation. The 
spring following his arrival he was elected township treas- 
urer, which office he filled for ten consecutive terms, and that 
of supervisor six, when, from failing health, he was obliged 
to decline further favors. On Sept. 16, 1846, he married 
Paulina, daughter of Chauncey and Rhoda Brace, residents 
of Niagara Co., N. Y. The fruits of this union have been 
three children, viz. : Mrs. Henrietta E. Hollinsbeck, of 
Vermontville, born Dec. 25, 1847 ; Mrs. Amelia S. Bab- 
cock, of Kalamo, born Jan. 8, 1850; and Werter L., born 
Dec. 9, 1856, died Dec. 22, 1874. Mrs. Kent has been a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Society since seventeen 
years of age, a devoted Christian, a faithful wife, and an 
affectionate mother. Equally with her husband she enjoys 
the love of their children, and the confidence and esteem of 
a large circle of friends. 



ONEIDA. 



GEOGRAPHICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL. 

Tqe township of Oneida* occupies a position on the 
northern extreme of Eaton County, and is bounded east, 
south, and west, respectively, by the townships of Delta, 
Benton, and Koxand, and north by Eagle township, in 
Clinton County. Grand Kiver flows across the northeast 
corner of Oneida through a deeply-worn channel, and run- 
ning parallel with it is the Detroit, Lansing and Northern 
Railway, leading to Ionia and Howard City. The shores 
of the river are noted for their fine and varied scenery. 
Above the village of Grand Ledge the banks slope gently 
to the stream, but at and below the village they become 
abrupt and jut boldly out over the waters, laying bare the 
rugged masses of sandstone which here so closely underlie 
the surface. This rock, where exposed, is of a light yellow 
color, but taken from the lower strata is of a soft gray 
shade, and is much sought after for building purposes and 
is extensively <|uarried in the vicinity. 

At the western extremity of the village a small stream, 
known as Sandstone Creek, discharges its waters into the 
river, after passing for some distance through a dark and 
rocky gorge, or " gulf," grown tiiick with hemlocks. The 
admirer of the rugged in nature would not expect, on ap- 
proaching the river at this point, the beauties which await 
him, and the surprise on a nearer approach is delightful. 

A fine ((ualitj' of soft coal for use as fuel is mined near 
Grand Ledge, although scarcely paying to produce for a 
home market, timber being yet so plenty. The vein aver- 
ages from eighteen inches to two and a half feet in thick- 
ness, and on the farm of W. J. Babcock, north of Grand 
Ledge, near the county-line, it ha.s been found three feet in 
thickness. Mr. Babcock has mined more extensively than 
any other person in the vicinity, and at one time shipped 
large quantities to Detroit, Ionia, and Grand Rapids. He 
says it will yield 6000 tons per acre on his farm. The coal 
on his place is about sixty feet below the surface, yet he 
does not have to shaft to reach it and a natural drainage is 
obtained to the river. A vein has been recently opened 
on the south side of the river, west of the village, and is 
eighteen inches thick and of superior quality for fuel. 

The portions of the township away from the vicinity of 
the river and its tributaries are generally rolling, and 
swamps of considerable size abounded when the town was 
first settled, but a judicious system of drainage has re- 
duced them materially. 

The soil is of good quality, and the amount of grain and 
fruit raised compares favorably with that of any township 
in the county. 



' The boundaries of this township were surveyed by Luoins Lyon 
ill 1S25, and the subdivisions by Orange Risdon in 1827. 



LAND ENTRIES. 

The following is a list of land entries in what is now the 
township of Oneida (town 4 north, range 4 west), as given 
in the tract-book for the county of Eaton : 

Section 1.— 18.3C, W. Thompson; 1837,8. E. Cole. 
Stclion 2.— 1831, II. Mason ; 1836, W. Packard, H. Butler, W. Thomp- 
son ; 1837, S. E. Colo. 
Section 3.— 1833, U. Wilmarlh ; 1836, 11. Il.Comstock, H. Miller, W. 

Packard. 
Section 4.— 1836, J. R. Williams, W. Packard, L. U. Parsons, E. 

Newman, C. Hollo. 
Section 5. — 1836, E. L. Akin, Freeman Johnson, J. Tanner; 1837, J. 

Dobbins. 
Section G.—\S3(i, F. Johnson, O.Rowland; 1837, E.Eddy, J.Dob- 
bins; 1848. v. Welch, J. Sanders; 1851, J. Sanders ; 1854, E. 

Eddy ; 1855, A. A. Jcnne. 
S'«(ioM 7.— 1836, F. Johnson, B.Jones, T. Strange; 1838, Philip 

Eckler, R. Wood; 183!l, A.Wood; 1848, S. Clayton; 1854, J. 

Clayton. 
Section 8.— 1836, Graham A Church, J. Tanner, S. E. Hitchcock; 

1837, Z. Lloyd. 
Section a.— 1836, W. Packard, A. Newman, L. H. Parsons, S. L. 

Gage. 
Section 10.— 183.3, N. J. Brown; 18.36, M. A. Perry, J. S. Rapleyer, 

S. L. Stoddard, S. B. Croger, W. Ucnry, L. Newman. 
5«(.on 11.— 1833, J. Torrey, C.Thayer; 1835, Boyer XCo.; 1836, 

Z. Lloyd Si. Co., J. R. Williams, Z. Lloyd, A. Sumner. 

Section 12.-1835, Boyer & Co., Hatch; 1836, J. R. Williams. 

Section 13.-1836, L. Brown, Thomas Beach. 

Section 14.— 1836, M. Jewell, C. Southwick, E. Tyler. 

Section 15.— 1836, H. Halberl, Z. Darling, A. Moore, H. Ycliy, I. 

Corbclt. 
Section 16.— No dates, W. U. Tcnear, S. Sunderland, C.A.Matthews; 

1S51, G. W. Rogers; 1854, C. S. Fairchild, Charles Patterson; 

G. Helrey, H. Sutherland; 1855, S. Doiie; 1860, M. M. Suther- 
land. 
Section 17.— 1837, G. Owen, V. Chapin; 1846, E.Sutherland; 1848, 

H. Sutherland ; 1849, R.K.Stark; 1850, J, Van Gilder; 1851, 

H. Wostfall, E. Sutherland; 1852, D. Beach, D. Sanders. 
Section 18.— 1836, Geo. Strange A Co., T. Beach, Wm. W. Norton. 
Section 111.-1836, J. H. Loring, R. A. Merritt; 1837, H. Whitney; 

1839, J. B. Chapman; 1848, E. Kimball. 
Section 20.— 1837, E. J. Ponniman, T. Mosier ; 1848, Wm. Glyn, S. 

Sutherland; 1850, Charles Jones ; 1851, A. Shurter, Orrison Mo- 
sier. • 
Section 21.— 1836, N. Gleaeon, D. Harris; Berry A Russell; 1837, 

W. Whitlock, Timothy Mosier, R. Ri.x, E. J. Penniman. 
Section 22.-1836, E. Parmelec, H. H. Howland, A. Halbcrt, J. 

Berry, S. Russell ; no date, John Dicbert. 
Section 23.— 1836, J. Lemmun, P. Blasier; 1837, W. P. Durkee; 1850, 

S. Perry, Itto Ilarman ; no date, John Dicbert. 
Section 24.-1836, George W. Teople ; 1837, T. N. Scranton ; 1840, J. 

Lewis; 1841, F.Young; 1816, E.M. Fargo; 1848, A. Friizle; 

1849, James E. Johnson ; 1850, L. Powers. 
Section 25.— 1836, T. W. Nichols; 1837, J. Stanley; 1838, T. W. 

Nichols; 1840, B. B. Munro; 1847, S. AValdo ; 1848, A. Hottcn- 

stcin, Asaph Frizzle; 1849, G. W. Nichols. 
Section 26.— 1836, J. R. Nichols, J. Jacobs, D. Monroe; 1837, S. P. 

Swartz ; 1838, J. Davis ; 1850, S. B. Dayton ; 1851, W. D. Mann. 
Section 27.-1836, Peter M. Kind, J. Mitchell, T. W. Nichols. 
Section 2S.— 18M, y. M. Kind, B. K. Gear; 183S, William Henry; 

1849, J. L. Mitchell ; 1852, L. W. Reynolds. 

493 



494 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Section 29.— 1S3C, I!. K. Gear; 1837, Win. Densmore, S. Hungerford ; 
],S48, R. Dye; 1849, Christopher Flowers, C. Verpl.ank ; 1851, 
W. Guttery. 

flcclinn ,30.-1851, A5n))h L.inders, D. O'Neil, P. IlaeUathorn ; 1851, 
.1. llitehmaii; 1855, George Braley, J. O'Neil; 1858, V. Frisbeo. 

SMium 3 1 .—1837, C. Griswold, J . Hughes, Jr. ; 1 84 6, 1 848, G. R. Trum- 
bull ; 1849, Jcnne & Co.: no date, W. A. Barker; 1852, H. West- 
fall : 1854. H. A. Moyer: 185.\ D. O'Neil. 

.Vc-f//on 32.— 1S36, B. White, D. Harris; 1837, A. Mygatt, J. Smith, 
G. II. Hall, L. Sprague. 

Section 33 —1836, H. Barber, W. I.ovelaml, S. Preston, J. .Smith, V. 
Cridderiian, J. Little. 

Srctlou 34.— 1S3G, George .'^trnnge & Co. (entire). 

Section 35.— 1836, D. Allen, James Ni.\on, James R. Nichols, II. 
Thomas; 1837, R. Ni.von. 

Section 36.— 1836, James Ni.\on, J.Boyce; 1867, Henry H. Crapo. 

From the foregoing it will be seen that the first entry in 
the township was made on section 2, in 1831, by H. Mason. 
II. Wihuarth, N. J. Brown, J. Torrey, and others pur- 
cliascd in 18.33, mostly on speculation. lion. Henry H. 
Ciapo, of Flint, a prominent manufacturer of and dealer in 
lumber, and at one time Governor of Michigan, purchased 
timber lands in the township at later dates. 

EAKLY SETTLEMENT.— riONEEK INCIDENTS, 

Etc. 

The first settler in the township of Oneida was Solomon 
Ru.ssell, from Orleans Co., N. Y. His journey was per- 
formed in the autumn of 1836, by ox-team, and liis route 
lay through Canada and across the counties of Oakland, 
Shiawa.ssee, and Clinton, in Michigan. He finally arrived 
in the township of Eagle, in the last-named county, and 
after having established a crossing over Grand River (since 
known as the "old ford"), he cut his way through the 
trackless forest to section 22, in what is now the township 
of Oneida, Eaton Co. He there built the first habitation 
erected by a white man in the township, and .settled in it 
with his wife and several small children. He employed 
the fir.'it " hired men" in the township, Robert Rix, after- 
wards of Roxand, and William Henry, who became one of 
the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of Oneida. Not 
long after his arrival Mr. Ru.ssell had a liand severely in- 
jured by falling upon his axe while chopping, and he was 
carried on a litter to the township of Eagle, where he finally 
recovered. 

The second settler in Oneida was Samuel Preston,* who 
had come to Michigan from Cayuga Co., N. Y., in the 
spring of 1835, and located nine miles west of Adrian, 
Lenawee Co. In the fall of 1836 he paid Stephen Per- 
kins twelve dollars for locating 160 acres of land for him 
in the Grand River Valley, and early in January, 1837, 
visited his purchase, finding Mr. Ru.ssell ahead of him 
in the matter of .settlement. The claims of the two men 
were about two miles apart. On this trip Mr. Preston 
stopped ever-night with Robert Whcaton, in Chester town- 
ship, and the next day Mr. Wheaton accompanied him to 
his land, which was covered with a thick growth of " gi- 
gantic trees," as Mr. Preston expressed it. At that time 
but nine families had settled on the route between Mr. 
Wheaton's and Jackson, a distance of forty-five miles. 

* Mr. Preston was an early postmaster in the township at the old 
post-office of Oneida, and held the position a number of years. 



Mr. Preston returned to Lenawee County the day after he 
had " viewed his land," and on the 2d day of February set 
out with his family and two ox-teams, with the household 
effects, for their future home in Oneida. Three days later 
they arrived at Asa Fuller's, near Mr. Wheaton's, and after 
making arrangements to remain there for a time Mr. Pres- 
ton, aided by the two gentlemen above named, began the 
task of cutting a road to his place. Of this work Mr. 
Preston wrote as follows in 1869 : 

" Night coming on we clustered ourselves into a cave dug in the 
snow, after giving our team a supper of tree-tops. Here, in the depths 
of a snow-bank, surrounded by almost interminable forest, we cooked, 
ate, and finally retired to our beds.f It is easier to speak of the occu- 
pation of such a position as was ours than to endure it. Cut loose from 
any earthly home, deejdy involved in tht: dreary, wintry forest, de- 
pendent upon the capriciousness and uncertainty of circumstances, re- 
flections must and did arise of no very pleasant nature. And now, in 
these after-years of a better state, it is difficult to realize how this, as 
well as the many succeeding trials of life in a new country, were so 
well endured. About ten o'clock of the second day from Mr. Fuller's 
we reached the site we were in quest of, and, after clearing away the 
deep snow, some logs, and underbrush, commenced the work of building 
a log cabin. To myself this was an entirely new experience; but with 
the more e.xperlenced aid of my kind new neighbor I succeeded in 
putting up a fourteen-by-eightecn habitation, which proved to be the 
second white man's abode in the wilderness of Oneida. After this feat, 
of course, we had the honor of its first occupation over-night. Some 
time during this eventful night it commenced snowing, and before two 
o'clock the following day we had an addition of another foot of snow. 
Judging it to be a matter of prudence to seek some safer asylum, and 
depositing our implements in the newly-made cabin, we commenced 
our retreat. Mr. Fuller's luoue was full seven miles distant, and it 
was still snowing. AVhen within .about two miles of his place the snow 
rose so high over our floundering sled that we were compelled to 
abandon it altogether, and trust to our weary legs for tlie remainder of 
the way, arriving about nightfall at the house of my kind friend, Mr. 
Fuller. As soon as the snow had settled, which took several days, by 
the help of my good Chester neighbors I completed my cabin, excepting 
those very essential parts, floors, doors, windows, and chimney. In 
this unfinished condition we all went into it — self, wife, and a brace of 
little ones — on the 4th day of March, 1837. This event, though infi- 
nitely less notable, we deemed of far greater importance to us than 
that parallel event then transpiring beneath the dome of the national 
Capitol. 

"About one year after our first settlement Mrs. Preston attended 
a funeral at Canada Settlement, walking and carrying a young child 
in her arms, a distance of three or more miles. On her return home 
the next day she missed her way, taking a deer trail, supposing it to be 
the right path. Being myself out the next diiy at about three o'clock 
P.M., for the purpose of driving in my cattle, they took a sudden 
fright at some unusual object when .about two miles from home, and 
looking for the cause I discovered my wandering wife, still bearing 
her babe in her arms. Which party was the most frightened — myself 
or the cattle — it would be diflicult to say." 

Among the notable events in the early history of the 
township were the following: The first death was that of 
a child of James Nixon at Canada Settlement; the first 
marriage, that of Robert Rix and Mrs. A. Carr; the first 
birth, that of Horace Preston, second son of Samuel Pres- 
ton. The first national celebration was held at the house 
of J. H. Nichols, when about thirty or forty persons 
gathered to enjoy the exercises of the day. In the winter 
of 1839 twenty-seven of the thirty-two inhabitants of the 
town were afflicted with the measles, but none died. 

In the southeast corner of the township of Oneida is 
what is known as the " Canada Settlement," from the fact 

I The work of the first day had brought them to within one and a 
half miles of the terminus, Mr. Preston's location. 



ONEIDA. 



495 



that the first arrivals in the ncighorbood were from Canada. 
Tiie history of its settlement is tlius given by Hon. Robert 
Nixon, in an article published in the Cli<trlotte Republican 
in October, 18G9: 

"James A, Nichols, Jamea Nixon. Samuul Nixon, and inysolf left 
London, Canada Wost, in October, IS^iG, and examined tlio country 
between Lake iluron and Black Uivcr in this State; but finding so 
much of it occupied by extensive hemlock swampn, and becoming 
disgufited with the whole region, wo took a lasting leave, bound by 
steam from Fort Graliot to thocity of Detroit. Hearing, on oururrival 
there, of the great beauty of the Ornnd River Valley, wo started on 
foot for Ionia, on what was culled the Grand Uivor pike. For twelve 
miles out of the city the mud was deep enough to make two miles' 
travel a day's journey for a team. The road Irom Howell to De Witt, 
Clinton Co., was quite passable. Taking brcukfast at Dc Witt before 
daylight, we started upon the l>cxter trail for Ionia, thirty-two miles 
distant. Six of us started on this long pull and tniveled until nearly 
night, not having been able to obtain any food through the whole 
day. Some of the parly becoming exhaui^ted, Nichols and myself 
went ahead in search of food. After a seeming long time we onmo 
upon a shanty, and finding the lady of the mansion at home we ap- 
plied for relief, but her ladyship, not being of the Florence Night- 
ingale school, denied us wholly. After a long expostulation against 
her inhumiinity, we obtained some bread and returned to our famish- 
ing companions. On meeting them we proceeded to the shanty, and 
finding our feminine friend a little more complacent, all fared sump- 
tuously upon our feast of bread. At Ionia we formed the acquaint- 
ance of Mr. Stephen IJ. Groger, the first settler of Eagle, Clinton Co., 
who kindly assisted us in locating lands in town -I, of range 4, in the 
county of Eaton, the present township of Oneida. Finding our hmds 
all right as to soil, situation, and timber, wc returned home to Canada 
in November. About the last days of February, 1837, we again ar- 
rived at Oneida. Wo were six in number, all quite young men, 
besides some boys. Mr. J. H. Nichols, the oldest of the company, 
was twenty-nine; James Nixon, twenty-six; Martin Nichols, twenty- 
three; Jason Nichols, twenty -one; Robert Nixon, nineteen; Samuel 
Nixon, sixteen ; all farmers by occupation, although, being Yankee 
born, we could turn our hands to anything needed, — at least so wo 
thought. In a physical point of view all were decidedly * iron-sided,' 
and without the fear of field or forest before our eyes. The snow was 
a solid mass three feet in depth, and remained so until after the 20th 
day of March. 

''James H. Nichols and James Nixon moved in with ox-teams. 
In the month of April following we were all taken by surprise by 
the arrival of a new settler at our shanty, in the person of Mr. John 
Stanley, accompanied by his wife and three children, Mrs. Stanley 
was the first white woman in Canada Settlement. 

•' In the month of June thereafter, Mr. T. Walker Nichols reached 
us with a very numerous family, all from Canada. With them came 
the wives of J. II. Nichols and James Nixon. So numerous an ac- 
quisition put us in mind of what the Scripture says, * About this time 
men began to multiply upon the earth,' and, as we thought with us, 
women too. Mr. T. W. Nichols was from Canada West. Mr. Stanley 
was a Vermonter. Some very old people — Mr. Johnson Jones and 
wife and Cornelius Jones — came in the summer of 1S37, but did not 
stay long. 

" In May of this year John Staaley sowed two bushels of spring 
wheat. From this sowing he harvested sixty-two bushels of good 
wheat. This was the first crop raised in Canada Settlement. We 
learned by this experiment that things would grow in Michigan. 
All that was necessary was to clear away the huge trees and tickle 
the soil a little with the hoe and harrow. This mos-t of us felt abund- 
antly able to do, (bough some felt di^ercntly aqd sighed for the 
* flesh-pots' of royal old Canada* 

" Some time duriug tbo spring of (he same year Mr. Cornelius P. 
Swarts came, and shortly after his wife arrived, all from Canada 
West. They were young people, some twenty-six years of age, and 
settled on section 26. In the fall of 1838, Abijah llutchins came 
with a family of nine persons, all from Canada, of course, lie located 
on section 27. And thus Canada Settlement grow in numbers. It is 
pleasant to reflect upon those times of prosperity and encourage- 
ment,— an ago of kindness and sympathy one with another. 

**Soon after wheat-sowing, in May of the first year, Mr. John 
Stanley had the misfortune to lose his oxen. They strayed as far as 



Washtenaw County, and wore not recovered until the October follow- 
ing. Mr. Stanley seemed to be a child of accidents; ho had a pe- 
culiar knaek of getting lost in the woods; always thought home waa 
right the other way. We have several times had to follow this good 
neighbor night and day. Atone time ho drove all his cattle across 
Grand River, where tho city of Lansing now stamls, semingly with- 
out any appridiension of his mistake. He, nevertheless, beat us who 
were in search of him, arriving homo long before us, by way of tho 
great bend north of Delta Mills, so wc hadn't much to say that time. 

"Tho first white man's shanty erected in Canada Settlement was 
put upon the last day of February, 1837. Six of us had just half a 
day's time to cut and draw the logs (they were drawn Ai/ haml), split 
the covering, displace the snow, and cook our supper before wc could 
go to rest. However, all this was done, and tho shanty stood all 
gracefully up before wo took our respective places »n tho wet lap of 
mother Earth, which wc did in commendable obedience to the law of 
necessity, having each tho whole of a friendly blanket both under 
and over our weary bodies. Our dreams might have been of hay, 
straw, or feathers, but we were destined to wako in the morning with- 
out having realized either. Our sleep was none of the worst; but, oh I 
the getting up in the morning, with other garments than our linen well 
saturated with liquefied snow, and tho weather as cold as 'Greenland's 
icy mountains,' wns not a little trying to pioneer grit. But being 
all young and hardy, wo passed this trying ordeal safe and sound 
from any lasting damage to either body or soul. This was not tho 
only hard raising we had to accomplish for ourselves and others. 
Among other distant cases, wo traveled, in the fall of 1S3S, nine miles 
through the woods to tho township of Roxand, for the purpose of as- 
sisting Mr. Lemuel Colo in the raising of his first log cabin; and 
again, tho same season, six miles to the new township of Delta, to 
aid our respected friend, Mr. Genet Brown, on his second log edifice. 
Eight or ten men in those days could do almost anything, — sweep 
away our own timber, build our own shelters, then go off to distant 
places and help others. It is to be feared that little of the kind, 
neighborly spirit which thon existed would bo found in the heart of 
tho present grasping generation; but circumstances, perhaps, may 
alter cases. 

"The Grand River Indians, as thoy called themselves, were quito 
numerously represented until tho summer of IS31), when they wore 
principally removed farther west. Their 'big wigwam' was situated 
on the farm of John Nixon, in the township of Delta. From this 
rendezvous they used to spread over the genial forest, hunting, trap- 
ping, making sugar, and fishing in Grand River. At one or two tents 
in Delta they had over a thousand bark sap-buckets made in the In- 
dian manner of sewing the bark of the ash and elm together at the 
ends. Their trail from Grand River to the Thornapple was a little 
cast of tho present road, running south from Grand Ledge. They 
were civil in their intercourse with the settlers, but all of them most 
persistent beggars. Their chief was the celebrated Okemos, so well 
known to all old settlers. 

"The road running north and south through Canada Settlement 
was among the first established in the township. On this road Jamea 
Nixon and T, Walker Nichols built the first bridge over the Thorn- 
apple River at their own expense. The first wheat bread made in 
Oneida was wet up and baked l>y Martin Nichols, on the occasion of 
raising the first shant>'. At that lime Martin was pronounced a very 
good cook, e^ipccially in tho bread line, but what his reputation has 
since bcon I am not able to say. 

"Tho first lawsuit was tried at the school-house in Canada Settle- 
ment, and,, like the majority of such cases, proved to be a bad affair ; 
the school-house taking fire was burned up with all its contents on 
the night following. 

"The first framed house and barn were erected by S. W. Nichols, in 
the year 1810. Tetcr M. Kent and Nehemiah Clark were tho boss 
carpenters of both house and bara. 

" At tb*" time of our first arrival wild game was not as abundant as 
it proved to be some sca30tt3 after. From the first there was a pan • 
ther, however, wbicU gave the settteincnt a good deal of annoyance. 
He could give out any noise that might be imagined. His agility waa 
most surprising. No squirrel could loa>p from one tree to another like 
this native pusa. But whether he became tired of his Canadian asso- 
ciates, or whether ho bad a ' moro eligible call.' no one could guesa ; 
at any rate ho made a very sudden and unexpected exit, to tho inex- 
pressible joy of us all. AVolves were prevalent from the very begin- 
ning. Those implacable gentry wore altogether more unceremonious 



496 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



than our recent catship attendant. Their audiicity would have put 
even some of our modern cheeky fellows to the hlush. Approaching 
the very thresholds of our frail shanties, they would almost nightly 
give us a full specimen of their peculiar thunder. To this gratuitous 
compliment they would often add that of taking a few sheep from 
the very thresholds of our homes. I have often been in the woods 
alone, surrounded by numbers of these greedy monsters, when the 
whole forest was made to ring with their hideous howling voices. 
Boldness is their characteristic when at large, but when captured, 
like all thieving rogues, they are both mute and indisposed to self- 
defense. 

" In the years '42, '43, and '44 deer were about as plenty as sheep 
are now. I have killed many of these peculiar denizens, by nature 
wild as the wildest though they are in their native haunts. Yet, un- 
like the sneaking wolf, when caught alive will fight to the bitter end. 
Of this trait I had some cxjierimental proofs, particularly with an 
old veteran buck. Having shot him twice without killing him, he 
proposed to return the compliment. As soon as I found him making 
for me in right earnest, I managed to keep at the opposite side 
of a small tree. Taking my partner, not over polieely, by the horns, 
with my arms astride (ho tree, I held on for dear life, knowing well 
my fate if I should lose my position. In this attitude the strife com- 
menced. The aim of my heroic companion was to stab me with his 
huge pointed horns, my object for the most part being to prevent 
him. When an opportunity occurred for putting my knife into him, 
forgetting his head armor, he would then give me the benefit of his 
heels. At times he would bring me to consider myself only second 
best. Through loss of blood, rather than courage, he at length yielded 
the palm of victory, when I had the honor, I cannot say satisfaction, 
of taking off his head. AVhen dressed the carcass reached the weight 
of two hundred and ten pounds, being the largest deer I ever killed. 
" We had two kinds of bears in the woods of Oneida, the large, 
long-legged, brown-nosed species, and the shorl-legged black one. 
The hear, like some bipeds, is a great lover of pork; this seemed to be 
all of the flesh kind he cared about, and of this he was quite tenacious, 
to the frequent disadvantage of his new acquaintances. My mode 
was to take them in traps, — that is, when I could, though I did take 
quite a number in that way. There was one of these fellows, however, 
that knew too much for me. Having killed a hog for my neighbor 
Lewis, in his absence, I was sent for with orders from Mrs. Lewis to 
go and capture him. So taking my young friend. Master George W. 
Nichols, with me as an assistant, I set the trap as usual. On the next 
morning we went for our bear. A light snow having fallen in the 
night, we encountered the well-known track on our way, and before 
reaching our trapping-grounds. Confident and elated with our ex- 
pectations, our disappointment and chagrin were now the greater 
when we found the fellow had taken the trap off some twenty feet, 
and, as if to conviuce us of his superiority, turned it bottom side up, 
and left it there unsprung. Eating what he wanted of the bait, he 
had very graciously retired. We tried him again for three successive 
nights, but to no purpose. On the fifth night, having set two traps 
instead of one, we caught him good by the ball of one foot. Carry- 
ing the ponderous trap to a log some distance away, he then pounded 
it off, leaving within its jaws the sinews of his leg, some eight inches 
long, and then made his escape. 

'* Unlike the wolf, when caught, the bear will fight to the very last 
breath. I have shot and trapped a large number of these animals, 
and have always found tliis to be an infallible trait. One morning, as 
I was proceeding in considerable haste to one of my bear-traps, I was 
accosted by two of my clergy neighbors as to the cause of my hurry. 
Answering that a bear was in my trap, they expressed a desire to go 
along and see the sport, so taking them with me, and walking a little 
ahead, I overheard their conversation. It pertained, of course, to the 
subject of bears, — about their reputed strength and courage. They 
appeared to be quite skeptical as to these qualities, — thought they 
would like to take a hug with Mr. Bruin if they knew he wouldn't 
bite. After going about three miles we struck the trail. Letting my 
anxious dogs loose, I ran ahead of my reverend companions for the 
purpose of getting a shot, knowing there would be sharp work when 
the dogs reached the trap. Giving the bear a shot in the best place 
for crippling him, — the region of the kidneys, — the tight began. The 
two elders coming up and seeing the power, endurance, and grit of 
the bear, even in his crippled condition, their desire for a back-hold 
seemed to evaporate, the dogs and myself having the honor of con- 
ducting the whole fight throughout. 



** Having myself the honor of being the first one of the settlers out 
of his minority, some young ladies thought to christen the event by 
giving me a cold-water bath. Having discovered a pail of water in 
hand as they entered my room about daybreak, I knew mischief was 
ahead. As good luck would have it, Mr. L. Youngs was lodging with 
me, and was then occupying the front side of the bed. Mr. Youngs 
being a friend and practitioner of a life of single-blessedness, I 
thought it would not much injure his reputation to take the approach- 
ing bath instead of myself. So just as the fatal pail was duly raised 
and about to pour, I threw up my hand, and thereby conducted the 
contents fairly upon my sleeping partner, to his great surprise and 
the sad disappointment of my feminine assailants. But my friend 
Y'oungs was none the less a bachelor, nor myself none the less out of 
my minority, on account of this overt occurrence. However, it was 
some satisfaction to witness the half-denuded Youngs in his chase 
after the retreating violators of his rightful domain of blissful repose. 

" On the first day of the year 1838 a few of us thought it would be 
no other than a pious duty to usher in the new year by giving it some 
proper tokens of our knowledge of its arrival. So, for the want of 
any better means, we decided to visit our several neighbors and treat 
them to a morning's s..lute with our guns. Proceeding to execute this 
eminent duty, we passed around till all had answered with the re- 
sponse of wishing us a 'happy new year,' leaving for the la?t our 
much-re.spected friend and neighbor, Mr. J. H. Nichols. Appreci- 
ating our attention he arose, and, supplying us with an honorable 
place before his ample fire, proceeded to pour us out a plentiful supply 
of his good old metheglin. Forgetting in a measure the character of 
the occasion, and imbibing more freely of neighbor Nichols' beverage 
than was prudent, I am sorry to confess that we all went home a good 
deal in the condition that Noah was after he had planted a vineyard." 

In the month of June, 1839, the population of the town- 
ship was increased by the arrival at the Canadian Settlement 
of Freeman W. Nichols and a family of eleven persons, 
with Samuel Nixon, then a lad, and a hired man named 
John Brown, all from London, Canada West. The trip 
was made with four wagon.s and a drove of cattle and swine, 
which Mr. Nichols' son, George W. Nichols, was deputed 
to drive. The journey was attended with the usual adven- 
tures, and they .finally rested in a log cabin eighteen feet 
square, which liad been built for them by Mr. Nichols' 
brother. The building had no floor and was rather small 
for the accommodation of twelve persons. Mr. Nichols' 
sons, Jason and George, made a trip to mill in the fall after 
their arrival, getting twenty-five bushels of wheat at Capt. 
Scott's, where now is the village of De Witt, and going 
with it to Wacousta to get it ground in the small mill at 
that place. This mill contained a single " run" of stone, 
without bolt or screen. Four days after leaving home they 
started on their return, and met with numerous adventures 
on the way, the streams being high and facilities for cross- 
ing them not numerous, but finally reached home in safety. 

I'eter M. Kent, a millwright by trade, and a native of 
Pennsylvania, after looking around for a desirable place to 
locate in New York and Ohio, came to Michigan in the 
spring of 1836, visiting numerous points in the southern 
part of the State. He had previously received an invita- 
tion from the Messrs. Newman, of Portland, Ionia Co., to 
come and build a mill for them, and finally went to that 
place, voyaging down the Looking-Glass River in a " dug- 
out," which shipped water at every slight turn, and finally 
upset at the rapids near Portland, spilling out Mr. Kent 
and his two companions, who all scrambled ashore with 
their effects and were kindly received by the inhabitants.* 

'■■' Mr. Kent is now residing at Grand Ledge, as is also his brother, 
Francis M. Kent. Their father, Isaac Kent, came into the State in 



ONEIDA. 



•107 



George Jones, Philander Parraenter, William Henry, 
Amadon Aldricli, and others of the early settlers oceasion- 
ally indulged in the luxury of a bear-hunt, and this was 
especially the case on one occasion, when the four men 
mentioned followed a bear — which had unluckily got into a 
wolf-trap and carried it off — nearly to the site of the pres- 
ent city of Lansing, and after an exciting 6ght with the two 
dogs which they had along, his bearship was finally killed by 
a lucky shot from Mr. Jones' rifle. The carcass — a large 
one — was cut up, and each carried a portion of it home, 
where they arrived about sunset. 

George Jones, from the State of New York, settled early 
in Oakland Co., Mich. About 1840 he came to Oneida, 
but returned soon to Novi, Oakland Co., and did not make 
a final settlement here until 1S48. lie is still living in the 
township. Jlis wife and the wife of L. II. Ion were sisters. 
Mr. Ion came from England when but seventeen years of 
age, and about 1841 or '42 settled in Oneida, where he be- 
came a prominent citizen. He afterwards removed to Char- 
lotte, and was well known throughout the county. He 
filled the position of county clerk, was long a member of 
the board of county superintendents of the poor, held nu- 
merous other ofificial positions, and was widelj' and favorably 
known as one of the proprietors of the " Old Eagle Hotel" 
at Charlotte. 

William Henry and Amadon Aldricli were early settlers 
in the .same neighborhood with George Jones. The hitter's 
son, G. Homer Jones, is the present recorder of the village 
of Grand Ledge, and supervisor of the township of Oneida. 

Benjamin Covey, a native of Sandy Creek, Oswego Co., 
N.'Y., emigrated to Michigan in 1835, and settled in the 
township of Brighton, Livingston Co., on the 25th day of 
May, in that year. He removed to Eaton County Nov. 
29, 1845. 

The settlers in Oneida, although forced to endure much 
in the way of pioneer hard.ships, were not without the 
qualities which enabled them to enjoy the backwoods life 
they led, and at the raisings, the town-meetings, the social 
gatherings, or in the chase, they found food for sport and 
merriment, and in this way they passed more easily over 
the rugged paths of their peculiar lives, and the survivors 
are staunch and worthy citizens. 

RESIDENTS IN 1844. 

The following were resident taxpayers in the township of 
Oneida in 1844, as shown by the assessment- roll for that 
year: Amadon Aldricli, Christian Ilanney, Abncr Hixson, 
Morris Johnson, Orange Johnson, John Viall, Jacob Dob- 
bins, John Sanders, Elijah Sanders, Eraslus Fisher, Elias 
Eddy, Joel Bailey, ililuian Dobbins, Smith Johnson, Tru- 
man Johnson, Austin Wood, Rii^'al Wood, Kufus Lovcll, 
Lucius Benson, Henry A. Trench, David Sanders, Jr., 
Lyman Bennett, Launcelot H. Ion, Philander Parmenter, 



1837, and settled in Oneida township, March 1, 1838, when Francis 
was hut Utile past ten years of age. Peter also came here, in 1S38, 
with bis parents, after having completed his work nt Portland. IIo 
subsequently returned to Portland, where ho resided twelve years, 
and in 1862 again settled in Oneida. Ho was engaged in milling 
while at Portland. In 1861 be removed from his farm to Qraod 
Ledge. 

63 



George Jones, William Henry, John Russell, William 
Norton, Robert Starks, Peter Blasier, Solomon Russell, 
IL'nry E;irl, Benjamin White, Samuel Preston, John 
Strange, George Strange, Edward McMullen, Isaac Kind, 
LyJia Howser, Ambrose Preston, Abijah Huckins, Thomas 
Iluokins, Henry Witherell, John Snyder, Robert Pointer, 
John Stanley, Hiram Marsh, Azariah Williams, Truman 
W. Nichols, Jason Nichols, Johnson Nichols, James H. 
Nichols, David Nichols, George Kibbey, Robert Nixon, 
James Nixon, James Taylor, Lsaac C. Luddeii. 

TOWNSIIII' (JRGANIZ.VTION. — LIST OF OKFICEUS. 

An act of the Michigan Legislature, approved March G, 
1838, reads: 

".411 that portion of the county of Eaton designated in the United 
States survey as townships Nos. 3 and 4 north, of ranges 3 and 4 
west, be and the same is hereby set off and organized into a separate 
township by the name of Oneida: and the fir.^t township-meeting 
shall be held at the house of Truman W. Nichols, in said township."- 

As will be seen, the original township of Oneida in- 
cluded the four surveyed townships constituting the north- 
east quarter of Eaton County. Feb. 1(J, 1842, Oneida was 
cut in two, and the east half formed into two new town- 
ships, named Delta and Windsor. March 9, 1843, its 
territory was further reduced by the formation, from the 
south half of the remaining portion, of the township of 
Tom Benton, afterwards changed to Benton. This left 
Oneida to include the same as at present, viz., town 4 north, 
of range 4 west. The township was not represented at the 
first county convention, held March 7, 1838, as it had been 
organized only the day previous. 

The proceedings of the first township election appear as 
follows on the town record : " Pursuant to an act of the 
Legislature of the State of Michigan, authorizing town- 
ships 3 and 4, in ranges 3 and 4, by the name of Oneida, 
to hold a township-meeting at the house of Truman W. 
Nichols, for the election of township officers, the taxable 
inhabitants of said township assembled on the 2d day of 
April, 1838, and appointed Erastus Ingersoll moderator, 
Addison Hayden and Samuel Preston clerks, John Slater 
and Truman W. Nichols receivers of votes for said meet- 
ing. The following persons teas elected for township offices 
for the ensuing year, viz. : Supervisor, Addison Ha3'den ; 
Town Clerk, James II. Nichols ; Assessors, Samuel Pres- 
ton, Jacob Dobbins, Daniel Chadwick ; Commissioners of 
Highways, Addison Hayden, Jason Nichols, Abraham 
Lewis ; Inspectors of Primary Schools, Erastus Ingersoll, 
Erastus S. Inger.soU, Moses Ingersoll ; Justices of the 
Peace, Addison Hayden, Samuel Preston, Truman W. 
Nichols, Jacob Dobbins ; Collector, Alonzo Baker ; Con- 
stables, Alonzo Baker, Robert Nixon ; Poormasters, T. W. 
Nichols, E. S. Ingersoll. 

It was " Voted, That hogs be restrained from running at 



• In the winter of 1836-37, Almcron Newman, William Henry, 
Lyman lioanett, Abnor Ilixson, John Bennett, and Peter M. Kent 
petitioned the Legislature to set off town -1 north, in range 4 west, as 
a separate township, to be named Friendship ; but, as a township ex- 
isted elsewhere by the same qarae, that of Oqeida was adopted by 
the Legislature, and tho territory organized as stated under that 
name. 



498 



HISTOKY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



large ;" also, " Voted, That this meeting be adjourned until 
the first Monday in April next at the house of Truman W. 
Nichols." 

A special meeting was held April 21, 1838. to elect offi- 
cers to fill vacancies, and the following were chosen : Town 
Clerk, Erastus S. Ingersoll ; Commissioners of Highways, 
R. C. Sisson, Jason Nichols; Assessors, Samuel Preston, 
E. S. Ingersoll ; School Inspectors, Moses Ingersoll, Erastus 
Ingersoll, Erastus S. Ingersoll ; Overseers of the Poor, T. 
W. Nichols, Orange Tow.sley ; Justices of the Peace, 
Oramel D. Skinner, four years ; Truman W. Nichols, three 
years; Addison Hayden, two years; Samuel Preston, one 
year. At this meeting it was voted to raise thirty dollars 
with which to purchase stationery for the use of the town- 
ship, and fifty dollars for the support of the poor. Jan. 
26, 1839, a special meeting of the township board was 
held, and John Strange was appointed township clerk, and 
Daniel Chadwick commissioner of highways, to fill vacan- 
cies. In 1839 it was voted to raise $500 to build a bridge 
across Grand River at IngersoH's mills, also to pay a 
bounty of two dollars each on all wolves killed by actual 
settlers of the township. It appears the bridge propo.sed 
was not built in 1839, as in 1841 the sum of $250 was 
voted for the same purpose and at the same place. In 
1842 it was voted to raise $150 towards building a bridge 
across Grand River on the line between Eaton and Clinton 
Counties. The bridge was not erected, and the sum was 
transferred to other purposes the following year. In 1840 
the place of holding township-meetings was changed from 
the house of T. W. Nichols to the school-house in District 
No. 1. Tiie following is a list of the principal ofiicers of 
the township from 1839 to 1879, inclusive: 

SUPERVISORS. 

1S30, Adilison Ilajdcn; 1840-42, T. W. Nichols; 1843-44, Erastus 
Fisher; 1845, George Jones;-- 1846-47, Ephraiin Stockwell ; 
1848, L. H. Ion; 1849-52, Smith Johnson; 1853, George Jones; 
1854, Smith Johnson; 1855, Thomas B. Lamb; 1856, George 
Jones; 1857, Smith Johnson; 185S, Ephraini Stocliwell ; 1859, 
Smith Johnson; 1860, Abram De Groff j ISGl, Samuel Chadwick; 
1862, Robert Ni.\on; 1863, Peter M. Kent; 1864, George Jones; 
1865, George W. Nichols; 1866, Peter M.Kent; 1867-71, Chaun- 
cey Goodrich; 1872-75, George .Tones; 1876-78, Orange Johnson; 
1S7'J, G. llonicr Jones. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

1839-40, John Strange; 1841, Azariah Williams; 1842, John Strange; 
1843-46, LauncelotH. Ion; 1847, Orange Johnson ; 1848, George 
AV. Nichols ; 1849-52, George Jones ; 1S53, Reuben Wood ; 1854- 
60, Samuel Chadwick; 1861, James A. Wiekham ; 1862, Edmund 
S. Tracy; 1863-69, Samuel Chadwick ; 187.0, Alfred D. Sprague; 
1871, Jonathan S. Holmes; 1S72, George W. Irish ; 1873-74, 
Orange Johnson; 1875, Edwin A. Mead ; 1876, Charles T. Rus- 
sell; 1S77, John W.Fitzgerald; 1878, S. L. Merely ; 1879, E.S. 
Hammond. 

TREASURERS. 

1839, James 11. Nichols; 1840, Samuel Preston ; 1841, John Strange; 
1842, William Johnson ;t 1843-44, Isaac C. Ludden ; 1845-47, 
Smith Johnson; 1848-49, Ephraim Slockwell; 1850, Thomas B. 
Lamb; 1851-52, Reuben Wood; 1853-54, George W.Nichols; 
1855-57, Orange Johnson; 1858, James M.Clark; 1859, Orange 
Johnson: 1860, Abram D. llisson ; 1861, Michael V. Hamill; 
1S62, Abram D. Hi.\sou; 1863, M. V. Hamill; 1864-65, A. D. 



*■ Removed, and George Strange appointed to fill the vacancy. 
t Resigned, and Azariah Williams aj. pointed to fill vacancy. 



Hixson; 1866, Chauncey Goodrich; 1867, Orange Johnson; 
1868-76, Truman Johnson; 1877, Calvin Johnson; 1878-79, W. 
W. Babcock. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1839, Jacob Dobbins, Oramel D. Skinner; 1840, D. R. Carpenter, B. 
F. Bailey; 1841, Azariah Williams; 1842, James H. Nichols, 
Hosea Hovey, Peter M. Kent, John Viall ; 1843, L. H. Ion, Tru- 
man Johnson ; 1844. T. Johnsou. Samuel Preston; 1845, John 
Strange, Ephraim Stockwell, T. W. Nichols, Joel Bailey; 1846, 
Martin Nichols; 1847, L. H. Ion, Augustus Barker; 1848, J. H. 
AValdo, Moses Beach; 1849, G. Jones, R. K. Stark, R. Lovell ; 
1850, E. Stockwell, Amadon Aldrich : 1851, E. Lanison, J. H. 
Waldo; 1852, George W. Nichols ; 1853, W. I/. Brown, Robert 
Ni.\on; 1854, E. Stockwell, George Jones; 1855, E. Lamson, 
Daniel O'Neil ; 1856, Daniel O'Neil; 1857, Samuel Chadwick; 
1858, Robert Pointer; 1859, Ephraim Stockwell; I860, Martin 
Nichols, George Jones; 1861, Milton P. Burtch ; 1862, Sidney 
Frary, Henry Quaile; 1863, Samuel Chadwick; 1864, Martin 
Nichols; 1865, J. A. Wiekham, Charles Kennedy; 1866, Julius 
A. Squier; 1867, Samuel Chadwick; 1868, Charles Kennedy, Ira 
W. Enos; 1869, Ira W. Enos ; 1870, Julius A. Squier; 1871, 
Samuel Chadwick ; 1872, Charles Kennedy ; 1873, J. L. McPeek, 
J. A. Squier, S. Chadwick, Ira W. Enos; 1874, J. M. Clark, J. 
L. McPeek, S. Chadwick, Edwin Nison ; 1875, S. Chadwick, M. 
P. Burtch, N. G. Watson, G. W. Nichols; 1876, Charles F. Bax- 
ter; 1877, Charles F. Biixter, Milton P. Burtch, Samuel S. Chad- 
wick, Andrew Mitchell ; 1878, George B. Brown; 1879, George 
W. Irish. 

The following township officers were elected for 1880 : 
Supervisor, G. Homer Jones ; Town Clerk, E. S. Ham- 
mond ; Treasurer, E. J. Stark ; Justice of the Peace, 
George W. Nichols ; Township Superintendent of Schools, 
J. V. Jones ; School Inspector, Frank A. Taber ; Commis- 
sioner of Highways, Herman Backus; Drain Commissioner, 
George W. Gates; Constables, Wesley Stroble, Emmet 
Cole, Charles M. Derbyshire, J. W. Gladding. 

VILLAGE OF GRAND LEDGE. 

The village of Grand Ledge occupies a most picturesque 
location on both banks of Grand Iliver, and derives its 
name from the river and the sandstone, which is here cut 
down to a depth of forty feet or more. When the subject 
of a name for the place was brought up, several were pro- 
posed in honor of the prominent citizens, but Reuben Wood 
said, " Let us have a local name," and that of Grand Ledge 
was finally adopted as being most appropriate. 

Henry Trench and Edmund Lamson were the first 
settlers upon the site of the village, and the latter was the 
first permanent resident, Mr. Trench having left the 
vicinity after a few years; he is now residing in Con- 
necticut. Mr. Lamson, who is yet living here, first came 
in 1847 to look at some land he had purchased, and at 
that time found Mr. Trench and his wife housed under a 
small and rather cheaply-constructed shanty. Mr. Trench, 
who moved around from place to place, owned about forty 
acres here, and was well known throughout the community. 
He was wont to remark that " his father sent him to college 
to learn to tinker." He possessed a fine education, but its 
application towards earning a livelihood was not of concern 
to him, and as a " tinker" he was best known among the 
people. He was at Grand Ledge several difi'erent times, 
but never remained long. 

Edmund Lamson made a final settlement on the site of 
the village, Oct. 28, 1848. His nearest neighbors were 




{.^. 




MRS. DIANTHA LAMSON 



MR. EDMUND LAMSON 




ffes. uF EDMUND LAMSON ESQ. /r^rtnstCTlON of V^e^t Jeffbrson. Spring ,i^ Scorr 5ts (jkiknu Uoot LATunCo-iHicH. 



ONEIDA. 



499 



John W. Russell, who lived a mile and a half west ; David 
Taylor, about the same distance north, in Ka^le township, 
Clinton Co. ; and I'eter Brazier, about two miles south. 

Abrani Smith, now of Grand Ledj;e, came to Michigan 
from Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1840, and located in the town- 
ship of Quincy, Branch Co. In the winter of 1848-49, 
the State Legislature granted to him and his brother-in law, 
John W. Russell, who lived west of the village site, the 
privilege of building a dam across Grand River at this 
place. Said dam was commenced by Mr. Russell in Au- 
gust, 1849, in company with David Taylor, before men- 
tioned, and in September following Mr. Smith joined 
theiu. Tlic dam Wiis completed, and before winter a saw- 
mill was built and in operation. It stood immediately be- 
low the dam, on the south side of the river, and is still in 
use, although remodeled and enlarged. The original niill- 
site, including two acres, was purcha.scd of Henry Trench. 

Mr. Smith remained in eompanj' with the others but 
about a year, when he sold his interest to Mr. Russell and 
settled upon the farm he now occupies in the western part 
of the corporation. When these men began making im- 
provements here Mr. Lamson and Mr. Trench were the 
only settlers, the locality being a densely-wooded wilder- 
ness. 

In the fall of 18-19, Reuben Wood, from Farmington, 
Oakland Co., Mich., visited the place and purcha.sed six 
and one-half acres of land on the north side of the river, 
including the present grist-mill site, in the interest of the 
firm of Wood & Allen (Nathan Allen was Mr. Wood's 
partner in business). In the spring of 1850 they caused 
a building to be erected for their use by the saw-mill com- 
pany (Smith, Rus.sell & Taylor), and in June of the same 
year they opened a general .stock of goods in it, theirs 
being the first store established in the place. This firm, 
together with David Taylor, built the grist-mill now stand- 
ing, and placed in it two runs of stone. The original mill 
was two stories high, but has since been enlarged and im- 
proved. In the spring of 1854, Mr. Taylor disposed of 
his interest in it to the firm of Kent, Ilixson & Co., of 
Portland, Ionia Co. Mr. Allen also sold to them in 1855, 
and Mr. Wood sold his share about 1858, since which time 
the firm of Kent, Hixson & Co. have been sole proprietors, 
and also own the saw-mill. 

The year after Wood & Allen located here they purchased 
120 acres of laud on the north side of the river, and it was 
long hoped that upon that side the principal business would 
be located, although the south side had been first chosen. 
The store of Messrs. Wood & Allen stood on what is 
now River Street, immediately above and adjoining the 
saw-mill yard, and was occupied by them for both store 
and dwelling. 

Daniel Chadwick, who had settled in the township of 
Delta as early as 1837, removed about 1850 to the village, 
and at one time owned an interest in the saw-mill. He is 
now deceased. His son, Samuel Chadwick, is a prominent 
resident of the place. The family was originally from the 
State of New York. 

The second store in the village was opened by William 
Russell, who also kept the first iiotel. The Messrs. Daniels 
sooD after established the third store in the place. Mr. 



Russell was a brother to John W. Russell, and built liis 
hotel opjiosite the store of Wood & Allen. The main part 
of the building was afterwards moved to the west side of 
Main Street, and was destroyed in a heavy fire, which oc- 
curred Dec. '1, 187C. At that time it was occupied by the 
post-office. This fire burned .south from River Street 
nearly to Jefierson Avenue, destroying a number of build- 
ings, among which was the fine " Goodrich Block." One 
man lost his life during the fire. The other hotels of the 
village are the " Grand Ledge IIou.se," built about 18G3, 
by Edmund Russell, and now conducted by William Tink- 
ham ; the " Mineral House" (formerly known as the Den- 
ison), at the north end of the bridge, built about 1873, by 
Reynolds & Starr, now owned by Benjamin Silnby and 
Mrs. Reynolds, and conducted by J. Harris ; the " Oneida 
House," adjoining the Grand Ledge House, and the " Ex- 
change Iiotel," near the depot. 

A blacksmith-shop was built and carried on at an early 
date by a man named Sheldon, and another, which is still 
standing, on River Street, east of Main, was built in 1854 
by a 31r. Brown, who still owns it. 

A wooden bridge was built acro.ss the river in the fall of 
1853, previous to which time boats were used in crossing 
the stream. The present bridge, of iron and wood, is the 
tliird one which has been erected, and was built in 1870 
by a Cleveland bridge company, at a cost of $9800, and 
with the accrued interest the entire cost has been nearly 
$20,00((. The dam across the river is 230 feet in length. 
Some years after the village was first settled, a foundry 
was erected by Aaron Reed & Co., which has since several 
times witnessed a change of ownership, and is now the 
property of Moses Beach. Mr. Reed is still a resident of 
the place. Other manufacturing establishments are : a 
steam saw-mill, built about 1872-73, by Edmund Lamson, 
and now owned by Edmund Rus.sell ; two or three planing- 
mills, one of which was built in the fall of 1879, and has 
facilities for doing a large business; and a furniture- 
factoiy. 

The trains on the Detroit, Lansing and Northern Rail- 
way commenced running to Grand Ledge about September, 
1809, thus affording tlie citizens an outlet by rail and ex- 
cellent shipping facilities. 

GSAND LKUGE PO.ST-OFFICE. 
For a year or more after the place was settled the in- 
habitants received their mail at Lansing. About 1850 the 
Grand Ledge post-office was established, and Henry Trench 
was appointed the first postmaster. This was before a mail- 
route had been established through the village, and mail 
was brought from Lansing as tlic most convenient means 
would allow. The villagers " look turns" in carrying it, 
upou their backs, between the two places, and the post- 
master at Lan.sing would deliver the Grand Ledge mail to 
any person who brought along the uniil-bag, considering 
that Mr. Trench was the responsible party, and knew whom 
he was trusting. It was then a forest nearly the entire dis- 
tance between Lansing and Grand Ledge. Mr. Trench's 
successoi-s have been Samuel Chadwick (appointed in 1853), 
George Lay, O. L. Sbuilt, B. T. Esler, George Gates, 
James A. Wickham, and the present iucumbcnt, J. S. 



500 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Holmes. The office was burned in the heavy fire in De- 
cember, 187(5. 

MINERAL AVELLS.— SUMMER RESORT. 
During the excitement consequent upon the discovery of 
petroleum in Pennsylvania, when it was supposed probable 
that the wealth-producing article could be found anywhere 
if bored for, the wave rolled over the people of Grand 
Ledge, and a company was formed to sink a well at this 
place. The work was performed, but nothing but water of 
a curious taste rewarded their efforts, although it flowed in 
as great quantities as they could wish the oil to have done. 
Finally, it was discovered that the water possessed medi- 
cinal properties, and a large bathing-house was built and 
Dr. A. 11. Ball, now of Corunna, Shiawassee Co., a homoe- 
opathic physician, had charge of it. This well, which is 
still flowing, is located near the eastern limits of the corpo- 
ration, on the south side of the river. Three other wells 
have since been sunk, nearer the business portion of the 
village. One of these, on an island a short distance below 
the bridge, is 156 feet deep, and another, at the Mineral 
House, on the north side of the river, has a depth of IDG 
feet. Within a few recent years the idea of fitting up a 
summer resort at Grand Ledge obtained in the mind of 
John Burtch, who is now in the lumber business at the 
place. He built a small, one-story plank house on the 
second island below the bridge, and also placed a .small 
steamer on the river for the use of pleasure-seeking par- 
ties. In 1877 he sold out to the present proprietor, S. M. 
Hewings, who has made extensive improvements and built 
up an excellent reputation for the resort, which he has 
named " The Seven Islands." The first one of these islands 
is but a few rods in extent, and upon a portion of it an 
inclosure has been made for use as an animal park. The 
next one is that on which the principal buildings are erected, 
and the five others lie below within a distance of about a 
mile ; the largest of them is over half a mile in length. A 
temporary dam of stones and logs has been constructed 
some distance down the stream, to make slack water for 
navigation by the steamer. The top layer is taken from 
the dam in the fall that the ice may not sweep it away, and 
the foot-bridges to the upper islands are also taken up for 
the winter. In 1878, Mr. Hewings caused the present 
roomy building to be erected, in place of the smaller one 
built by Mr. Burtch. It is one hundred and forty-four 
feet in length, including the veranda, and twenty-five feet 
in width. The taste of the water from the island well in- 
dicates that it is principally charged with iron and sulphur; 
an analysis has not yet been made. The picnic and party 
season at the "Seven Islands" lasted six months in 1879, 
and Mr. Hewings thinks no other resort in the State, except 
Petoskey, enjoyed an equal custom. The building on the 
island is two stories in height, with a large dancing-hall on 
the second floor. 

INCORPORATION.— VILLAGE OFFICERS. 

The village of Grand Ledge was incorporated by an act 

of the Legislature approved April 8, 1871, including the 

following territory : the west half of the southwest quarter 

of section 1 ; the south half of section 2 ; that part of the 



southeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 3 
bounded by Sandstone Creek ; the northeast quarter of the 
northeast quarter of section 10 ; the north three-fourths of 
section 11 ; the west half of the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 12 ; and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter 
of section 12 ; all in town 4 north, of range 4 west. 

The record of the village election for 1871 is missing, 
but it is known that p]dmund Lamson was chosen president 
that year. That for 1872 is also missing. The officers 
of the village from 1873 to 1880 have been as following: 

1873.— President, E. S. Hammond; Recorder, J. L. McPeek ; Mar- 
shal, H. Wareham; Treasurer, O.Johnson; Street Commis- 
sioner, George Loveless; Trustee, George Smith. 

1874. — President, James Winnie; Recorder, G. Homer Jones; Trus- 
tee, Tobias Foreman; Treasurer, Truman Johnson; Marshal, 
Thomas Harris. 

1875.— President, J. W. Nichols ; Recorder, W. C. Westland ; Trustees, 
Samuel Chadwick, S. Pearl (to fill vacancy) ; Treasurer, T. 
Johnson ; Marshal, E. Taylor. 

1876.— President, Tobias Foreman ; Recorder, W. C. Westland ; Trus- 
tee, Orange Johnson ; Treasurer, Truman Johnson ; Marshal, 
Ed. Taylor. 

1877. — President, James Winnie; Recorder, G. Homer Jones; Treas- 
urer, T. Johnson ; Trustees, S. B. Granger, E. S. Hammond ; 
Marshal, E. T.aylor. 

1878. — President, J. D. Somers ; Recorder, G. Homer Jones; Trustee, 
George W. Irish; Treasurer, W. J. Babcock ; Marshal, Wm. 
Resseguie. 

1879. — President, Michael MoMullcn ; Recorder, G. Homer Jones; 
Trustee, Chester H. Smith; Treasurer, William Rossman ; 
Marshal, William Resseguie. 

1880. — President, James Winnie; Recorder, G. Homer Jones ; Treas- 
urer, William Resseguie; Trustee, George W. Campbell; 
Marshal, William Taylor. 

The village owns a hook-and ladder wagon, with equip- 
ments, but has no organized fire department. It has suf- 
fered more or less from fires, the severest one being that of 
December, 187(5, already mentioned. 

The original town of Grand Ledge was laid out Oct. 28, 
1853, on sections 1, 2, 11, and 12, by Ileuben Wood, 
David Taylor, Henry A. Trench, Edmund Lamson, Nathan 
Allen, and William Russell. A second plat was made April 
29, 1854, by William Henry, and the following additions 
have since been made : Edmund Lamson's addition, Oct. 
28, 1867; Albert IngersoH's addition, July 1, 1869; 
Compton & Johnson's addition (by Cynthia A. Johnson 
and Cyrus J. Compton), July 21, 1869; Rogers' addition 
(by Is;»ac P. Rogers, Harrison Halbert, and John Vander- 
bogert), Jan. 15, 1872; T. H. Harris' addition. May 21, 
1872; S. W. Owen's addition, July 1,1874; Harrison 
Halbert's addition, May 24, 1875. 

NEWSPAPERS. 
The Grand Ledge Independent.— Oct. 18, 1869, a 
proposition to establish a newspaper in Grand Ledge 
was made to the citizens by B. F. Saunders, son of Joseph 
Saunders, proprietor of the Charlotte Republican, if it 
should meet with sufficient encouragement. A fair amount 
of advertising was guaranteed, and on the 17th of De- 
cember a sample number of the paper was issued with 
the above title. Its regular publication was begun Jan. 
7, 1870. The original sheet was a seven-column folio, 
and has since been enlarged to an eight-column folio. 
W. C. Westland became sole proprietor May 1, 1874, 



ONEIDA. 



501 



and has since continued its publication. It had pre- 
viously been pubiislied by several different persons, each 
of whom soon disposed of it, and when Mr. Westland 
became proprietor its circulation was very small, and the 
prospect was not encouraginj;. The office was destroyed 
in the "great fire" of 1^76, but was refitted, and the 
paper now has a circulation of about 750, while every 
facility is afforded for doing fine job-work, for which the 
office is noted. The paper is independent, though not 
neutral, in politics. 

U.AXKS. 
The village contains two private banks. The " Exchange 
Bank, Grand Ledge," is located near the railway station, 
and was established in July, 1873, by J. D. Hayes, of De- 
troit. The Loan and Deposit Bank of George N. Berry 
was established in August, 1877. Mr. Berry had pre- 
viously been engaged in mercantile busine.ss in the place. 

SOCIETIES AND ORDEUS. 
MASONIC. 

Grand Ijcdge Lodge No. 179, F. and A. M., was or- 
ganized in October, 18G5, with thirteen members, and has 
a present membership of 130. The first Ma.ster was George 
W. Thomas. The Ma.sous and other orders occupied rooms 
in one of the buildings burned in the "great fire," and all 
their records, regalia, etc., were lost. The Masonic frater- 
nitj' had an insurance of $300, which helped them to start 
anew, and they now have convenient rooms in one of the 
new buildings erected since the fire. The present (1880) 
officers of the lodge are : Hugh Ros,sman, W. M. ; Isaac 
M. Brown, S. W. ; George Deckey, J. W. ; Francis M. 
Kent, Treas. ; S. Chadwick, Sec. ; A. B. Jones, S. D. ; 
George O'Neill, J. D. ; Henry Sweagles, Tiler. 

Statistics were promised regarding Grand Ledge Chajiter, 
No. 85, of Royal Arch Masons, but have not been forth- 
coming. This is of later organization than the lodge. 

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS. 
Grand Ledge Lodge, No. 180, was instituted in 1872, 
with Hiram Rathbun as Noble Grand. The member- 
ship, which was limited at first, is now fifty. The 
lodge was nearly broken up in consequence of the fire, 
in which it lost everything except the treasurer's record, 
but finally rallied and is now in good condition, with the 
following officers: John McAlpine, N. G. ; Albert Han- 
cock, V. G. ; Henry Bigelow, Sec. ; F. A. Taber, Perma- 
nent Sec; T. Foreman, Treas.; Henry Porter, C. ; S. L. 
Hyde, W.; E. Niles, I. G. ; De Witt Foreman, 0. G. ; S. 
L. Hyde, Lodge Deputy ; W. G. Hyde, Sitting Past Grand. 

ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORK.MEN. 
Island Lodge, No. 73, was organized June 26, 1879, 
with twenty members, which number, in May, 1880, had 
increased to thirty. The officers are: A. B. Shoemaker, 
Master Workman; G. Homer Jones, Recorder; M. Petlit, 
Foreman ; Joel McPeek, Overseer ; II. L. Bigelow, Finan- 
cier ; J. S. Holmes, Receiver. 

KNIOIITS OF HONOR. 
Oneida Lodge, No. 1208, was organized Sept. 27, 1878, 
with twenty members. The membership on the 20th of 



May, 1880, was twenty-four, and the officers as follows: 
F. A. Taber, Dictator; II. Wareham, Vice- Dictator ; 
Charles McAllister, Assistant Dictator; G. Homer Jones, 
Reporter ; W. C. Westland, Financial Reporter ; C. E. 
Waldo, Chaplain ; J. S. Holmes, Trea.s. 

THE SEVEN ISLANDS. 

This very charming summer resort is situated on Grand 
River, twelve miles below Lansing, on the line of the De- 
troit, Lansing and Northern Railroad, at a pretty little 
village of 1400 inhabitants, called Grand Ledge. 

The principal attraction of the place is its picturesque 
and beautiful scenery. It is one of those natural parks, of 
mingled cliff-, river-, and island-scenery, so seldom seen, 
and which .seems especially designed to win mankind away 
from the fatigue and cares of evcry-day life to find in 
nature's companionship renewed health and vigor of life, 
and fit it again to take up the cares of business. 

Much has been said by visitors about the beautiful 
islands here, which are attracting visitors from far and near. 
They are seven in number, and lie between the bridge and 
a point about a mile below. The first island, situated a 
short distance below the bridge, is only a few rods in extent, 
and is used at present as a deer-park. The second island, 
situated a few rods below and to the left of thi.s, is the one 
on which the principal buildings are situated, on which Mr. 
Ilewings, the proprietor of the islands, has erected a large 
building, twenty-five by one hundred and thirty feet, whicli 
he has fitted up for the pleasure and comfort of visitors. 
Below this island are five others, the largest of which is 
over half a mile in length. Along the banks of the river 
at this point are high bluffs, while several deep ravines lead 
down to the water's edge; and one in particular, a short 
distance below the large island, is very attractive. In the 
midst of huge bowlders and ledges a little stream comes 
tumbling down on its way to the river. This with the 
dense forest and high bluffs surrounding make up a view 
worth going many miles to see. 

Until recently but little has been done to fit up these 
islands for pleasure-parties, but the present proprietor, Mr. 
Ilewings, being a man of taste and means, is doing a great 
deal to add to the attractions of the vicinity, until now a 
spacious hall, beautiful little steamer, row-boats, bath-houses, 
bathing-suits, hammocks, archery, cro(|uet-grounds, swings, 
rustic-seats, fountains, animal-parks, refresliraent-stands, 
and everything for the pleasure and comfort of visitors, 
are provided. Beautiful camping-grounds with plenty of 
pure spring-water. No liquors sold on the grounds. There 
is a fine mineral spring on one of the islands, said to pos- 
sess curative properties of a high order, and invalids look- 
ing for a place to spend the hot months will find the 
Seven Islands offer superior inducements. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school district in the town.ship was organized 
at the Canada Settlement in 1839 or 1840, and a log .school- 
house erected. The record of the township-meeting in the 
spring of 1840 states that, after convening at the house of 
Truman W. Nichols, the meeting "adjourned to the school- 
house in District No. 1." School was taught in this build- 



502 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ing soon after it was erected. In it was also held the first 
lawsuit in the township, and on the following night the 
huilding caught fire and burned to the ground. 

In the spring of 1851 the first school in Grand Ledge 
was opened. A school-house had been commenced, but it 
was seen that it could not be finished in time to complete 
a three mouths' term of school before the fall report should 
be made, and the nine pupils in the district (formed in 
January, 1851) assembled for a week at the house of 
Abram Smith, where thej were taught by Miss Sanders. 
At the end of the week the school-house was ready, and 
was occupied for the balance of the term. But five fami- 
lies then resided in the district, and three of the men were 
its ofiicers. The graded system has since been adopted in 
the schools of the village. Three buildings are in use,— a 
stone edifice on the north side of the river, near the site of 
the original small frame building, a frame structure on the 
south side, and the building erected by the Presbyterians 
for a chapel. In the first two buildings are taught the 
primary and intermediate departments, while the chapel is 
occupied by the grammar department. The schools of the 
village are in charge of Mr. Wagner as principal. One of 
the earliest teachers in the place was Jlrs. Reuben Wood, 
not then married, who came here in the summer of 1853, 
and taught a school of fifty-five pupils, seated on six 
henches. Mrs. Wood (then Miss Eslerj met Mr. Wood 
here, and was married to him in 1854. 

The following items are from the report of the school 
inspectors for 187U : 

Number of districts in township (five whole, four fractional).. 

Number of children of school age 821 

Number in attendance for year 685 

Total number of days school taught 1457 

Number of school-houses (one stone, two brick, eight frame). 11 

Number of seatings in same 790 

Value of school property $9050.00 

Number of teachers employed (si.\ males, fourteen females).. 20 

Wages paid same (males, $1242.50; females, $1377) $2619.50 

Total resources for year 4353.98 

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 490.02 

Total expenditures, less amount on hand 3863.96 

CnURCIIES. 
Methodist Episcopal Church, Grand Ledge. — A Metho- 
dist class was formed at Grand Ledge in 1851, by John 
Clayton, a local preacher, who lived west of the village, and 
who is said to have preached the first sermon ever delivered 
in the place. This was at the house of Abram Smith, — 
the same which is still occupied by the latter. This is the 
oldest house in the corporation which is yet occupied. The 
sermon mentioned was delivered in May, 1851. Two weeks 
later a meeting was held in the school-house, which had 
been completed. The first preachers in charge of the cir- 
cuit who held services at Grand Ledge were Revs. Whit- 
more and Bartlctt, the latter being a young man who trav- 
eled on foot. Mr. Whitmore was located at Portland, Ionia 
Co. Meetings were held in the school-house until 1864:, 
when they occupied the Congregational building alternately 
with the latter church. The present fine brick church 
owned by the Methodists was built iu 1874, and is a credit 
to the society and the village. In its tower is a town-clock 
and bell. Tiie present membership of the church is good ; 
the pastor is Rev. Mr. Freeman. 

Free- Will Baptist Church, Grand Ledge. — This church 



was organized in 1851, at very neai'ly the .same time with 
the Methodist. The first Baptist sermon was delivered by 
Rev. S. A. Currier, and this is also claimed to have been 
the first in the place. Meetings were first held in private 
houses, and afterwards in the school-house and public hail. 
A Free Baptist Church had been organized ten or twelve 
years before in Eagle township, Clinton Co., and another 
was afterwards formed four miles west of Grand Ledge. 
These three finally united, and in 1874 built the brick 
church they now occupy in the village. Its cost was about 
$7000. The pastors of this church, since Mr. Currier, have 
been Elders A. 0. Jenne, H. A. Barker, F. W. Streight, 
W. M. Jenkins, and G. P. Linderman. The latter's ser- 
vice expired in April, 1880, and the church is at present 
without a pastor, but expects soon to have the pulpit filled. 
The membership is in the neighborhood of 120. A Sun- 
day-school is maintained, with an average attendance of 
about 100. 

First Congregational Church.^G rand Ledge. — In March, 
1854, a number of citizens of Grand Ljdge met and or- 
ganized a Congregational society, and in March, 1855, the 
following persons were elected trustees, — viz. : Lyman Ford, 
William W. Simmon.*, Edmund Lam.son, David Taylor, 
Daniel Chadwick, and Reuben Wood. It is thought that 
Mr. Wood w;is the only religious person of the number. 
Rev. William P. Esler was made president, and became 
the first pastor. On the 28th of January, 18G4, the fol- 
lowing persons met to complete the legal organization of 
the society, — viz. : Wm. P. Esler, John P. Esler, George 
Robinson, William C. Gordon, J. A. Wickhani, Reuben 
Wood, Porter Tinkham, Edmund Lamson, B. T. Esler, 
Samuel Chadwick, Theodore Wickham, Robert Pointer, 
M. P. Burtch, John R. Hudson. The following ofiicers 
were chosen : Rev. William P. Esler, President ; Reuben 
Wood, Clerk ; James A. Wickham, Treasurer ; William C. 
Gordon, Edmund Lamson, John P. Esler, James A. Wick- 
ham, Milton P. Burtch, and Reuben Wood, Trustees. The 
organization was finally perfected, and the society incor- 
porated Dec. 6, 1869. The church was organized about 
Jan. 1, 1864, and is distinct from the society. The pastors 
since Rev. William P. Esler have been Revs. J. D. Mil- 
lard, J. M. Ashley, N. D. Glidden, Gilbert T. Holcomb, 
E. T. Branch, T. G. Pierce, and the present incumbent. 
Rev. Isaac Goodell. The present frame house of worship 
was the first one erected in the village or township, having 
been erected in 1864. The bell now hanging in it was the 
first one which sounded in the village. The Methodists oc- 
cupied the church for some time alternately with the Con- 
gregationalists, but removed to the Presbyterian chapel 
while erecting a church for their own use. B. T. Esler, 
one of the trustees of the Congregational Society, was ap- 
pointed one of the church building committee, and out of 
his own means contributed more than one-fourth of the 
funds used in its construction. The total cost, including 
the lot on which it stands, was about $3300. The congre- 
gation now numbers about thirty members. The build- 
ing is a frame structure, located on the north side of the 
river. 

The Presbyterians also organized a society at one time, 
and erected a chapel in which to hold services, but, after 



ONEIDA. 



503 



several years, discontinued tlicir meetings in favor of the 
Conj^rcgationalists, who were first in the field. 

EmmiKel German Liilhenin Church, Grand Ledge. — 
Tliis church was organized about 1872, by Rev. Mr. Wilson, 
who became its first pastor. The present frame building 
used as a house of worship was built about the .«ame time, 
on the north side of the river. The membership is in the 
neighborhood of twenty. Rev. Mr. Adam, of Woodland, 
Barry Co., holds services once in two or three weeks. 

A Presbyterian Church was organized in the southern 
part of the township, in the Preston neighborhood, May 
22, 1S4G, by Rev. William U. Benedict, of Vermontville, 
and consisted of seven members, — viz. : Samuel Preston and 
wife, Ephraim Stockwell, John Strange and wife, Emanuel 
Dc Groff and wife. Mr. Benedict became the first pastor. 
Some years later a frame house of worship was erected on 
section 34, and meetings have been continued to the present. 
The membership in June, 1880, was thirty-one, and the 
pa-stor Rev. Mr. Goodell, of the Congregational Church at 
Grand Led^e. 



B10GR.\FHICAL SKETCHES. 



f i 




J. L. .McPKEK. 



J. L. MtPEEK. 



J. L. McPcck is a native of Madison, Guernsey Co., Ohio, 
where he was born on the 4th of May, 1848. He was the 
fourth child in a family of six children ; his father, Samuel 
McPcek, being a native of the same State, and of Belmont 
County, where he was born in 1800 ; his mother, nee Miss 
Mary Gartrali, being a native of Maryland, where she was 
born it) 181G. 

In 1853, tlie subject of our sketch being then a mere lad, 
the family removed to Michigan aud located at Grand 



Ledge. The country being new, the usual experience 
of pioneers was theirs, and all the attending privations, with 
the many pleasures, known oidy to those who have seen 
the change from the home in the woods, crude and rough, 
to one surrounded with all the advantages of civilization. 

Mr. McPeek passed the first nineteen years of his exist- 
ence at his father's house and on the farm. He then went 
to school at Lansing one term, and the following winter at 
the Leoni Institute one term, and in 1871 began the study 
of law. After a few months he opened a real-estate office 
in Grand Ledge, and prosecuted this business in connection 
with his studies until 1875, when he was admitted to the 
bar. Since that time he has made the law a profession, and 
has also been quite actively engaged in political matters. 
He was the second recorder elected in the village of Grand 
Ledge, which office he filled for two years. He has also 
been village trustee, justice of the peace, etc. 

In 1878 he was elected State senator from his district 
(the Fifteenth Senatorial), which position he fills with 
ability. 

He married, in 1874, Miss Inez De Groff, a native of 
Huron Co., Ohio. 

Mr. McPeek is young in years, congenial, cultured, and 
refined, — possessing the confidence of the community in 
which he lives. The future is full of promise for him. 



EDMUND LAMSON. 

Edmund Lanison, son of Edmund and Luey (Howe) 
Lamson, was born in Poultney, Vt., Nov. 18, 1802. His 
father was a native of Connecticut, his mother a daughter 
of Deacon Silas Howe, of Revolutionary fame. 

The subject of this sketch, up to his twenty-first year, 
worked at the trade of chair-making and painting, attend- 
ing school a small portion of his time. Upon arriving of 
age, he determined to go to Michigan, and drove an ox- 
team to Buffalo, then by boat journeyed to Detroit, thence 
on foot to Pontiac, Mich., where he resided eleven years. 
In 1827 he married Annie Hedges of that place; after- 
wards removed to Farmington, Oakland Co., and for twelve 
years ran a saw-mill. In 1848 he removed to Oneida town- 
ship, Eaton Co., being the first permanent settler in what 
is now the village of Grand Ledge. It was then dense 
forest. In 18G1 he suffered the loss of his wife, by whom 
he had eleven children. In 1863 he married Mrs. Diantha 
Hubbard, a native of Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y., born 
in 1824. 

Mr. Lamson was the first president of the village council, 
and from 1853 to 18G1 held the office of justice of the 
peace ; he also erected the steam saw-mill in Grand Ledge. 
He has been for several years notary public ; li.is given largely 
to the support of the churches and schools, in which he 
takes great interest, and is very highly esteemed in the village, 
of which he is justly termed the father, and for which he 
has labored with all his energy and ability, no one accom- 
plLshiug more in bringing about its present prosperity. 



E o X A isr D. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, Etc. 

The township of Roxand, including congressional town- 
ship number 4 north, in range number 5 west of the 
principal meridian of Michigan, occupies a position on the 
northern border of Platon County, and is bounded north by 
Ionia County, east by the township of Oneida, south by 
Chester, and west by Sunfield. The township-lines were 
surveyed by Lucius Lyon, in 1825, and the subdivisions by 
Orange llisdon, in 1827. 

A great portion of the surface of this township is quite 
level, and the soil is everywhere excellent. Large crops of 
grain and fruit are raised, and their proceeds have enabled 
the inhabitants, who are mostly agriculturists, to make fine 
improvements and live in comfort. This township was very 
heavily timbered when first settled, and a large area of it 
yet remains untouched. 

There are no con.-^idL'rable streams, and but a compara- 
tively small area of waste land, in this township. A mile 
north of the Centre is the village of Hoytville, the growth 
of a few years, and near the southeast corner, partly in 
Chester township, is a settlement known as Maxson's Cor- 
ners, which dates back Id the pioneer days. 

LAND ENTRIES. 
The following are the entries of public land in the town- 
ship of Roxand (town 4 north, range 5 west), as shown on 
the tract-book for Eaton County : 

Section 1.— 1836, S. Perkins, P. T. Voorheis; 1837, T. Hosier, R. A. 

Simpson; 1841, D. Cleveland; 1851-54, H. Clark; 1852, G. 

Niles. 
Section 2.-1836, C. Lawrence; 1837, W. A. Anderson, D. Libbey, 

G. S. Shoul, S. Curtis. 
Section 3.— 1836, W. Cryderman; 1837, W. Smith, J. Cryderman, T. 

Hosier, Robert Brown, A. French, J. A. Woolvin. 
Section 4.— 1836, B. French; 1837, C. Killam, C. Olin, E. Bisbee, 

William Henry; 1847, J. A. Woolvin; 1853, G. S. Allen. 
Section 5.— 1837, E. Bisbee, J. Clark, C. Killam, A. Goddard, S. W. 

Drake, L. Webster; 1847, T. H. Gridley ; 1849, A. Shudduck. 
Section 6.— 1836, A. Sumner; 1837, D. H. Burnham; 1854, N. Gates; 

1855, J. H. Dunham. 
Section 7.— 1836, A. Sumner; 1837, L. Coland; 1849, Zetus N. Sf.aul- 

ding; 1850, C. Spaulding; 1851, J. Hills. 
Section 8.— 1837, Charles Killam, Caleb Rice. 
Section 9.— 1837, R. Brown, C. Olin, C. Rice; 1849, Thos. F. Houl- 

ton, A. Thomas; 1850, J. Eshpaugh. 
Section 10.—1837, Robert Brown, E. Hungerford, A. Nickle; 1847, 

S. D. Farrand, Jay Curtis; 1858, Samuel D. Farrand. 
Section 11.— 1837, S. Honroc, H. Whitney, A. Nickle; 1849, David 

Greer; 1851, J. Osman ; 1852, D. Osman. 
Section 12.— 1836, 0. Rowland, H. Clark; 1837, H. Whitney; 1849, 

U. Clark, J. W. Hoore ; 1850, El; T. Wild; 1852, Hary Barnes, 

P. Hoore ; 1853, J. W. Hoore. 
Section 13.— 1836, D. Hurray, S. Perkins ; 1S48, Eli T. Weld, S. Wor- 

den; 1849, J. Savage, S. Wall ; 1851, R. Green, Sophia Bodlej ; 

1864, Isaac Wall ; no date, L. Jenne. 
504 



Section 14.-1836, W. Deits ; 1837, S. Armstrong; 1841, J. Fuller- 
ton ; 1848, L. Whitney ; 1850, J. S. Hazleton ; 1851, B. Holmes; 
1852, L. Colo ; 1853, J. Cleveland ; 1854, J. Curtis, A. Savage ; 
1860, Wm. H. Spore. 
Section 15.— 1836, T. Beach ; 1837, A. Parker, J. Chapman, R. Brown, 

David Parker, S. Hungerford. 
Section 16.-1853, G. A. Allen, J. J. Cannon, G. Quaokenboss; 1854, 
A. Quackenboss, R. AVm. Lyon, H. Elder, A. G. Hibkley; no 
date, 0. Story; 1861, R. Wm. Lyon, Sus.xn Hammond. 
Section 17.— 1837, C. Rice, A. Backus; 18J9, H. De Witt, Stephen 

Lee; 1853, E. Baldwin. 
Section 18.-1837, A. Backus; 1839, P. C. Van Houten ; 1849, Wm. 

S. Hanville, J. W. Ramey ; 1854, D. Stevens. 
Section 19.-1837, A. B.ackus, H. Beekman, J. Dow ; 1838, Wm. Tuni- 

son; 1853, J. J. Wilcott; 1854, P. C. Van Houten. 
Section 20.-1837, H. Backus, B. W. Craig, J. Laidler, W. Hilson; 

1850, Henry Halladay ; 1865, A. P. Redfield. 
Section 21.-1837, G. Almy, H. Allen ; 1841, 1844, 1850, B. F. Gar- 
field; 1848, Wm. Greenwood; 1850, Henry Haladay ; 1853, J.S. 
Cameron. 
Section 22.— 1836, S. HcCally, H. Wood ; 1837, E. Pen'nell; 1848, D. 

Griffin; 1849, P. Boyer. 
Section 23.-1837, W. Densmore, C. Olin, AV. S. Crittenden; 1847, 
J. Isbaugh; 1848, T. T. Arnold. E. Williams; 1852, Lemuel 
Cole. 
Section 24.-1837, T. H. Austin, 0. Hart, D. Newman, J. Monroe; 

1839, J. B. Chapman. 
Section 25.— 1837, Lemuel Cole ; 1852, J. He:id, Amos St^inton; 1858, 

John Potts, Peter Simot ; 1859, A. Stiinton, P. Siinot. 
Section 26.-1837, C. Olin; 1850, 0. Field; 1851, W. Hoore, H. 
Allen; 1858, Nelson F. Rice; 1854-01, A. A. Jenne; 1865, 
Ebenezer G. Landon, Johannes Boyer; 1866, Alden A. Jenne. 
Section 27.-1837, C. Ingalls; 1838, Caleb Rice; 1841, H. H. Boyer; 

1848, Josiah Boyer, W. Boyer. 
Section 28.— 1837, C.T. Hoffitt, H. Allen, A. Huckins, T. W. Nichols; 

1836, G. H. Hazleton; 1847-52, J. Boyer. 
Section 29.-1837, F. Allen, T. Smith, George Smith ; 1836, G. W. 

Bentley; 1851, P. Whitmack ; 1852-53, Andrew J. Barrow. 
Section 30.— 1836, G. Eagel ; 1837, George Smith, H. Backus, H. V. 
Prentice; 1849, Oliver Brant. 
j Section 31. — 1836, James Hitchinson, John Hitchinson, J. T. Hayt, D. 
I Clark. 

j Section 32.— 1»36, G. W. Bentley, James Hitchinson, Z. Tillotson; 
I 1839, S. Cramer; 1852, T. Clock. 

Section 33.-1836, A. Whaley, T. Beach ; 1837, Charles T. Hoffitt. 
Section 34.— 1837, J. W. MoCargar, H. A. Hoyer, Caleb Rice; 1841- 

47, A. Boyer. 
Section 35.— 1836, S. and E. Bliss; 1838, Caleb Rice; 1840, A. Boyer; 
1848, D. 0. Carr, S. Jenne; 1849, James H. Davis; 1850, Peleg 
G. Olin ; 1854, H. A. Granger. 
Section 36.— 1SZ7, A. Coat.s, R. R. Haxson, T.Gray; 1844, D. 0. 
Carr; 1847, S. A. Jenne; 1848, F. Hathaway; 1849, Samuel 
Lamb, James H. Davis. 

A great proportion of the foregoing names are those of 
land-speculators, who did not become actual residents of the 
township. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Andrew Nickle, who had come from Ireland in the fall of 
1828 and located in New York City, came to Roxand in 
1837 and purchased land, upon which he commenced im- 
provements Jan. 1, 1838. When he bought there was not 
a white person residing in the township, but about ten 



ROXAND. 



505 



days before lie returned to begin bis improvements, Orrin 
Rowland and Henry Clark bad settled, being the first 
actual settlers in tbe townsbip. Aaron and Benjamin 
Frencb and William Cryderman followed soon afterwards, — 
spring of 1838, — and located in tbe nortb part of the town- 
ship, on adjoining farms. 

During the summer of 1838, Mr. Nickle made a clearing, 
built a shanty, and raised some corn and potatoes. In the 
fall bis wife and sister joined him, there being no children 
at that time. His eldest son, John Nickle, was one of the 
first white children born in tbe township, his birth occurring 
in 1840. When Mr. Nickle first came in there was but 
one hou.se between his place and Grand River, and that was 
in Ionia County, near to the river. 

Lemuel Cole entered land on section 25 in 1837, and it 
has been stated by some that he settled upon it tbe follow- 
ing winter, but the recollection of others is that he did not 
locate until the fall of 1838, at which time parties camo 
from the Canada Settlement, in Oneida townsbip, to assist 
in raising his first log cabin. 

John W. McCargar, from Auburn, Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
came to Roxand in the spring of 1837 and purchased 200 
acres of land on the south line of tbe township. He was 
then young and unmarried. He bad visited several por- 
tions of the county in his search for land, and was finally 
shown that which he selected by Samuel Preston, of Oneida. 
He says it was a beautiful tract in a state of nature, without 
a foot of waste land. lie walked to louia to enter it, and 
missed the trail on the way and staj-ed over-night in a swamp. 
This was in April, 1837. He had matches in his pocket, of 
tbe old-fashioned kind, but they were so damp they would 
not ignite, and he was therefore obliged to remain all night 
without a fire and listen to the varied sounds of tbe swamp 
and fore.st. He reached Ionia safely the nest day. In his 
exploring tour he had met with settlers in Benton, Wind- 
sor, and Oneida, and pa.s.sed westward through the Canada 
Settlement, becoming acquainted with Robert Rix and Sam- 
uel Preston, then both of Oneida. He found excellent 
land in most localities, but none that suited him entirely 
until his eye fell upon that which be finally purchased and 
which be still occupies. In the spring of 1838 he com- 
menced improving his place, but for about three years 
lived most of tbe time in Ionia. Mr. McCargar's location 
is one of the finest in the township. For about ten weeks, 
in the spring of 1838, be lived alone on his place, in a 
small shanty he had built, cooking his meals and having no 
help with his work. Henry A. Moyer settled next west of 
him in 1839, and with him Mr. McCargar boarded a por- 
tion of the time while clearing. In 1842 the latter's 
brother-in-law, John Ludowick, lived with his family on 
the place, but in 1843 he located in Benton township. 
He has since sold out and removed to Pewamo, Clinton 
Co., where he now resides. In 1813, Mr. McCargar was 
married and settled permanently on his farm. 

John Pullerton, from Portage Co., Ohio, moved to Lena- 
wee Co., Jlich., about 1810, and on the 4lh of July, 1843, 
settled in Roxand, with his wife and two children, — a son 
and a daughter, — on the farm where be now lives. 

John Dow, a native c)f Bridgewater, Somerset Co., N. J., 
and afterwards a resident of the State of New York, came to 
64 



Eaton County in October, 1837, and afler spending some 
weeks in what is now Sunfield, settled on section 19, in 
Roxand, on land purchased from the government. He w;is 
the first in the locality, having no neighbors in the town.ship 
within several miles. Roxand was then a part of Vermont- 
ville and from 1839 to 1843 a part of Chester, of which 
latter township Mr. Dow was one of the first justices of the 
peace and the first supervisor by appointment, in place of 
Robert Wheaton, who had been elected and afterwards found 
to be ineligible to the office. Mr. Dow was 8ubse(|uently 
supervisor of Roxand for .several years, and since his removal 
to Sunfield, in 1851, has been supervisor of the latter town- 
ship until now, with the exception of one year. He is, 
without doubt, the veteran supervisor of the State, and it 
is improbable that any State in the Union can produce a 
man who has held that office an equal length of time. He 
has several limes represented the board of supervisors on 
the State Board of Kqualization. In February, 1845, his 
wife died, and in November, 1S4G, he was married to a sis- 
ter of Jonathan and Samuel Searls, the pioneers of Char- 
lotte. 

Henry A. Moyer, who settled in December, 1839, on 
land he had purcha.sed the year previous, moved here from 
Saline, Washtenaw Co., Mich. He was a native of Herki- 
mer Co., N. Y., but lived afterwards in and emigrated to 
Michigan from Cayuga County, of which his wife was a 
native. When a young man Mr. Moj'cr employed consid- 
erable of his time in teaching school, and after moving to 
Roxand became one of its most prominent citizens, serving 
as supervisor several terms and holding various other town- 
ship offices. He is now deceased. 

Robert Rix, from Orleans Co., N. Y., arrived in Michi- 
gan in the fall of 1835, and found his way to Portland, 
Ionia Co., where he remained until January, 183G, hiring 
out in the mean time to Solomon Russell, who became the 
first settler in Oneida township, Eaton Co. In January, 
1830, Mr. Rix went into Oneida and built a shanty for 
Mr. Ru.ssell. He had previously been to Detroit after a 
load of provisions, and while he was away Russell cut a 
road through to his place in Oneida and commenced to get 
out logs for a shanty. While cutting the second log he fell 
upon his axe and cut his hand nearly oflF, disabling him for 
work, and the responsibility of building and overseeing 
matters devolved upon Mr. Rix, who completed the work. 
The family moved in from Portland and occupied the 
shanty before it was entirely finished. The weather was 
intensely cold. 

Mr. Rix at that time owned no land in Oneida, but 
during the same .spring (1830) he entered forty acres on 
section 21, where Mr. Guilford now lives. Two years later 
he sold out to Peter Kent and removed to the township of 
Ada, Kent Co., where he remained a year and a half. He 
then came to Roxand and purchased from Henry Earl the 
farm be now occupies, on section 35. About three acres had 
been clio|>pcd where Mr. Rix s buildings now stand, and a 
small shanty had been erected by David Brczcc, who boarded 
with Mr. Earl and sold the place to him. Jlr. Brezee, 
who had occupied the cabin a short time, was an ambi- 
tious, hard-working young man, but his industry ))roved 
the cause of his death, for he was takon sick while at work, 



506 



HISTOKY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and died at the house of Samuel Preston, in Oneida, his 
burial expenses being borne by the township. Hard work 
had broken him completely down, and he finally suc- 
cumbed. He was a strictly honest young man, and was 
greatly esteemed by those who knew him. He had come 
to the county in company with Henry Earl, Henry A. 
Moyer, and others, from the State of New York. 

In November, 1835, when Mr. Kix, Mr. Hixson, and 
others started from Portland to go with teams to Detroit after 
provisions, they were caught out in the night in a severe 
rainstorm when within a few miles of De Witt, Clinton 
Co. The night was extremely dark, and it was absolutely 
impossible to see anything. Their teams became fast in 
a mudhule and vainly endeavored to extricate themselves. 
The two men (Rix and Hixson) found their way through 
the inky darkness to Deacon Marvin's, whither they had 
repaired to get a light or some fire. They found the house 
full of land-luokers, who were piled in all shapes on the 
floor, and who growled crossly at being disturbed. Mr. Rix 
finally pushed the door open, and, stepping over the forms 
on the floor, groped his way to the fireplace, where he 
found a large brand with a little fire left on one side. 
Taking this in his hands he left the house, and he and Mr. 
Hixson swung it rapidly by turns to keep the fire burning, 
until they at last reached their teams. Taking an end board 
from one of the wagons, they split it up and suc'ceeded in 
starting a fire, by which they remained through the night, 
their clothing saturated by the storm and their spirits con- 
siderably below their normal condition. They proceeded on 
their journey the next day, finding the roads in the worst 
possible condition, and experiencing much trouble and 
delay in crossing the diificult places. The brush in the 
roads was cut down to about a foot in height. Except for 
a few miles out of Detroit there were no crossways at 
swamps and streams, and the roads were badly cut up by 
constant travel. Their trip lasted from November 7th 
until December 25th, and they stayed in the open air 
eleven nights during the time. As Mr. Rix rightly re- 
marks, no one can appreciate the difl[iculties and hard- 
ships of such trips unless he has had a similar experi- 
ence. The history of such journeys in the life of almost 
every one of the pioneers would fill a goodly volume if given 
in detail. 

The following information is from the records of the 
County Pioneer Society : 

Adam Boyer, a native of the town of Blanheim, Herki- 
mer Co., N. Y., removed to Michigan in 1839, and settled 
in the township of Roxand, Eaton Co., where he lived until 
1874, when he removed to Vermontville. Phebe M. 
Boyer came to Michigan in 1846, and lived first in Cal- 
houn, then in Ionia County, and came to Eaton County 
in 1869. ^ 

Peter C. Vanhouten, a native of Paterson, N. J., and a 
soldier in the war of 1812, in which he took part in several 
engagements, removed, with four children (having lost his 
wife), to Michigan, in 1838, and settled in the township of 
Roxand, where he was again married. His death occurred 
Jan. 20, 1868.* 



* From obituary in Charlotte Repiiblii 



Several stories are told regarding the origin of the name 
of this town.ship (Roxand), but the following is believed 
to be the correct one, — at least it is too good to be lost, 
and since it has been found we shall " make a minuie of 
it." 

Among the early residents of the old township of Ches- 
ter were William Crother and wife, or a woman who passed 
for his wife, it having become known that he had left his 
lawful wife somewhere in New York and fled to Canada 
with the other woman, to whom he was there married, 
coming afterwards to Michigan. Her son-in-law, William 
Cummings, complained of the parties before Henry A. 
Moyer, Esq., and they employed a lawyer named Bradley 
to defend them. Esquire Moyer admitted some evidence 
in the case which was not strictly admissible, and Bradley 
was much dis]ileased. He was subsequently elected to the 
Legislature, where he was serving when the township of 
Chester was divided. The inhabitants in the north half 
(now Roxand) wished to retain the name of Chester ; but 
as the south part contained the post-office of that name, its 
inhabitants .sent a petition to Mr. Bradley to use his influ- 
ence in their behalf and allow Iheni to retain the name. 
Bradley had not forgotten his defeat before Esquire Jloyer, 
who lived in the north part, and when the division was 
made the south half remained as Chester, while to the 
north half, at Mr. Bradley's instance, was given the name 
Roxana. — that of the woman in the aforementioned case. 
The clerk, by some means, made a mistake and wrote it 
Roxand, and Bradley's revenge was not all he had intended 
it to be. f 

Another account says that when the name was handed 
in it could not all be made out. It was Rox — and some- 
thing else, and so was put down as Roxand to save further 
study. 

KES1DENT.S IN 1844. 

The following list of resident taxpayers in Roxand town- 
ship in 1844 is taken from the assessment-roll for that 
year : 

Adam Boyer, Henry Clark, G. W. Codding, Lemuel 
Cole, Nathan Crofi", Stephen Cramer, Wm. Credoman, John 
Ewing, Aaron French, Benjamin French, John ftlcCargar, 
E. J. Mills, Henry A. Moyer, Andrew Nickle, Orin Row- 
land, William Tunuison, John Vanhouten, P. C. Van- 
houten, R. T. Winchell, John FuUerton, Robert Rix, Reu- 
ben Hoag, S. Hodges, D. Cleaveland, Jonathan Thomas, 
Oliver Thomas, Hobson Sinclair, George Edgel, Aaron 

French, Alvin Thomas, Hicks, Henry H. Boyer, 

Franklin Garfield, N. Carr, D. Carr. 

Roxana post-oflice was established in the spring of 1849, 
on a mail-route extending from Lansing to Allegan, and 
Henry A. Moyer is thought to have been appointed the 
first postmaster. He died while holding that position, and 
the office was then transferred to the house of John W. 
McCargar, who was appointed postmaster. Those who 
have since held the office have been Irving Moyer, Theo- 
dore Maxson, David Hollenbeck, Henry Vanness, and the 
present incumbent, Roswell Maxson. The office is located 
at Maxson's Corners, or " Needmore," as it is familiarly 
called, — the place being situated partly in Roxand and partly 
in Chester. 



ROXAND. 



507 



TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.— LIST OF OFFICERS. 

The following act of the Legislature was approved March 
19, 1843 : " All that part of the county of Eaton desig- 
nated by the United States survey as township number 
four north, of range number five west, now a part of the 
township of Chester, be and the same is hereby set off and 
organized into a separate township by the name of Roxand ; 
and that the first township-meeting in both the respective 
townships of three north and four north, of range five west, 
shall be held at a place to be designated by a majority 
of the justices of the peace in the organized township of 
Chester." 

The first township-meeting in Roxand was held April 
17, 1843. Eighteen votes were cast and the following 
oflRcers elected, viz. : Supervisor, John Dow ; Township 
Clerk, John Ewing; Treasurer, Henry II. Buyer; School 
Inspectors, Peter C. Vanhoutcn, John Dow; Commi.«sioners 
of Highways, John Ewing, John Vanliouten, Adam Boyer; 
Directors of the Poor, Peter C. Vanhoutcn, Henry Clark ; 
Justices of the Peace, Andrew Nickle, Lemuel Cole, Henry 
F. Garfield. Benjamin F. Garfield ; Constables, John Van- 
houtcn, Stephen Cramer, Benjamin F. Garfield, Adam 
Boyer. 

From a poll of eighteen votes in 1843 the number has 
increased to several hundred in 1880, and questions in 
politics are divided more nearly equal by a party vote than 
then. The following have been the principal ofiBcers of 
the township since the nest year after its organization : 

SUPERVISORS. 

1841, Robert Ri.t ;« 1845-50, John Dow; 1851, Carlos Spalding; 
1852-50, Henry A. Moyer; 1857-71, Jobn Vanhoutcn ; 1872-74, 
0. S. Barnes; 1875-79, Theron E. Jlojcr. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1844, Henry A. Moyer; 1845, John Ewing; 1846-49, Henry A. Moyer; 
1850-51, S. W. Moyer; 1852, N. F. Rice ; 1853, Carlos Spalding; 
1854, T. Austin; 1855-56, John Vanhouten ; 1857-58, S. W. 
Moyer; 1859-60, Jacob S. Davis; 1S61-C.3, W. I. Moyer; 1S61-68, 
T. F. Moulton; 1869-70, 0. S. Barnes; 1871, N. F. Rice; 1872- 
7.3, J. S. Davis; 1874, William U. Darken; 1875-77, Alex. L. 
Parker ; 1878-79, C. T. Andrews. 

TREASURERS. 

1844-45, Henry H. Boyer; 1846-50, John W. McCargar; 1851-52, 
Joha Vanhouten ; 1853, Andrew Nickle ; 1854-55, Timothy Boyer ; 
1856-60, Truman Austin ; 1861-62, S. Peabody ; ISO.'!, J. S. Davis; 
1864-68, T. Austin; 1869-70, T. F. Moulton ; 1871-72, John B. 
Nickle ; 1873, Cleon Moyer; 1874-75, Dwight Stevens; 1876-77, 
J. 15. Nickle; 1878-79, William C. Howell. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1844, Benjamin F. Garfield ; 1845, John Dow; 1846, Henry H. Boyer; 
1847, Lemuel Cole, Orrin Rowland; 1848, J. Huffman; 1849, John 
Dow; 1850, Peter Moore; 1851, Jay Curtis, W. Miner; 1852, S. 
D. Farrand, H. A. Moyer; 1853, S. Cramer, M. Andrews; 1854, 
Nathan Croff; 1855, Aaron Bark, S. D. Farrand ; 1856, R. Lyon, 
G. S. Allen; 1857, N. F. Rice, M. H. Baker; 1858, D. 0. Carr, 
D. Figg; 1859, A. Bark, M. 11. Baker; 1860, J. S. Hailcton, S. 
Peabody; 1801, J. S. Davis, A. Preston, G.S.Allen; 1862, N. 
B. Rico; 1863, Aaron Bark; 1804, J. Jacobs; 1865, E. Davij, C. 
Spalding, 0. S. Barnes; 1866, 0. S. Barnes, I. E. Figg; 1807, J. 
J. Wolcott; 1868, A. Preston; 1S69, C. Spalding; 1870, 0. S. 
l!nrn<-s W. H. Darken; 1871, V. E. Davis; 1872, A. Preston; 

' Resigned, and John Dow appointed. 



1873, William H. Darken; 1874, 0. S. Barnes ; 1875, Nathaniel 
Sowles; 1876, A. Preston; IS77, Samuel W. Griswold; 1878, 
William H. Darken; 1S79, Alex. L. Parker. 
1880.— Supervisor, Theron E. Moyer; Township Clerk, William C. 
Howell; Treasurer, Oliver Ualladay ; Justice of the Peace, 
Roswell Maxson; School Superintendent, Alexander L. Par- 
ker: School Inspector, J. S. Davis; Commissioner of High- 
ways, William Strech; Drain Commissioner, Truman Aus- 
tin; Constables, George Van Nortwick, Henry Vanness, 
Samuel Fisher, Israel Newman. 

IIOYTVILLE 

is a settlement a mile north of the centre of the township, 
containing two stores, owned by Iloyt & Wat-son and Ualla- 
day & Brown, a saw-mill, a blacksmith-shop, two millinery- 
shops, and a steam-machinery repair-shop. 

Dr. Henry A. Hoyt, a native of New Haven, Conn., for 
whom the place is named, opened a store here in 1809. 
Nicholas Dosh had previously kept one for sixteen months, 
and Mrs. Cole had for about the same time been in the 
grocery and millinery trade. Another man had kept a store 
a number of years previously, in the house now occupied 
by Dr. Hoyt. 

A saw-mill was moved here from the Centre about the 
1st of January, 1872, through the instrunient^ility of Dr. 
Hoyt, by M. D. Ualladay. He had intended to build at 
the Centre, but was induced to change its location to the 
doctor's farm. Mr. Ualladay is now in California. He is 
a brother to the well-known windmill manufacturer of 
Batavia, Kane Co , III. 

Gardner S. Allen was the first postmaster at the place, 
the office be'Mg known by the name of Centre. Allen was 
a Democrat, and during tiie war was relieved of the office, 
which was removed to the Centre, a mile south, and Mr. 
Quackenboss was appointed postmaster. His successors 
were Thomas F. Moulton and Jacob S. Davis. In April, 
1876, the office was removed to Hoytville, to which its 
name was changed, and Dr. Henry A. Hoyt appointed 
postmaster, which position he now holds. The business of 
the office is about ten times greater than in 1875. 

The saw-mill now at the village is owned by Hollenbeck 
& Crane, who built it, the old one having been destroyed 
by fire. Lewis Thomas is proprietor of the machine-shop. 
The population of the place, within a radius of half a mile, 
in July, 1880, was ninety-five. A vilhige plat is soon to 
be laid out and the future of the village is full of promise. 
A hotel is kept by Mr. Hollenbeck, one of the proprietors 
of the saw-mill. 

SOCIETIES AND OKDEUS. 

Roxand Grange, .A'o. 315, P. of II.. was organized about 
1875 The first Master was Alexander L. Parker. The 
present hall was built in the summer of 1879. The mem- 
bership of the grange, in July, 1880, was in the neighbor- 
hood of seventy, and the following were the officers: Wil- 
liam C. Howell, Master; Alonzo Albro, Overseer; Perry 
Trim, Sec. ; John Nickle, Trea.s. ; A. L. Parker, Lecturer; 
Delos Reed, Steward ; Charles Webster, A.ssisUmt Steward ; 
Mrs. W. C. Howell, Ceres; Mrs. A. Albro, Pomona; Mrs. 
Simeon Hart, Flora. 

Roxand' Ijwlge, No. 285, I. O. O. F., was instituted 
Sept. 7, 1876, with sixteen members. Irving Bayard was 



508 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the first Noble Grand and Dr. Henry A. Hoyt, Vice-Grand. 
The latter was afterwards elected to the position of Noble 
Grand. Until July, 1880, the lod-^e met in the hall over 
Iloyt & Wasson's store, but in that month changed its place 
of meeting to the Grange Hall. Its membership, July 14, 
1880, was fifty-four. The lodge is in a flourishing condi- 
tion, and is ofiicered as follows: Ferdinand Whelpley, 
Noble Grand ; Horatio Hovey, Vice-Grand ; A. H. Savage, 
Sec. ; A. Nichols, Perm. Sec. ; S. Peabody, Treas. 



The band at Hoytville was organized in 1879, and con- 
sidering the time it has been in training has made credit- 
able progress. It consists of thirteen pieces ; Charles Cry- 
dermau, leader. 

SCHOOLS. 

In the winter of 1841 a log school-house was built on 
the south line of the township, at Moyer's Corners, and a 



school taught in it by Mrs. Betsey Skinner, wife of Rev. 
Perry Z. Skinner, a Free-Will BaptLst minister. This was 
one of the first schools in the township, and if any were 
earlier they were in the northwest part of the town. In 
the winter of 1842-43, Albemarle Williams taught in the 
same building. This was in what is now known as dis- 
trict number 9. 

The following items are from the report of the township 
school inspectors for the year ending September, 1879 : ■ 

Number of districts in township {seven whole, 

two fractional) 9 

Number of school-children in township 416 

*' in attendance for year 392 

" of days school taught 1348 

" of school-houses (eight frame, one log)... 9 

" of seatings in same 505 

Value of school property $4010 

Number of teachers employed (seven males, four- 
teen females) 21 

Wages paid Dame (males, $755.77; females, 

.$411.50) $1167.27 

Total resources for year 1898.21 

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 519.97 

Total e.'cpenditures less amount on hand 1378.24 



SUNFIELD. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, Etc. 

The township of Sunfield lies in the northwest corner of 
the county of Eaton, being bounded north and west re- 
spectively by the counties of Ionia and Barry, and east and 
south respectively by the townships of Rosand and Ver- 
montville. The boundary-lines of this township (town 4 
north, range 6 west) were surveyed in 1825 by Lucius 
Lyon, and the subdivisions in 1827 by Orange Risdon. 

The surface of this town.ship is somewhat diversified. 
The greater portion of it is comparatively level, and was 
originally covered with a dense growth of heavy timber. 
In some localities the surface is rolling and broken in places 
by low hills and swamps. lu the western portion is a lake 
of considerable size, known as " Sawba Lake," named from 
an Indian chief, who was well known to the early settlers, 
and whose band encamped upon its shores. There is no 
considerable stream in the township. The soil is generally 
very fertile, and fine crops of grain and fruit are raised. 
The improvements of the township are mostly of a good 
degree of excellence, and the inhabitants are generally pros- 
perous. 

LAND ENTRIES. 

The following is a list of the entries of land in what is now 
Sunfield township (town 4 north, range 6 west), as given in 
the tract-book for the county of Eaton : 



Wadsworth, J. Doty, S. Wilmot, 
1851, 



E. J. Pennii 



SerHoii 1.— 1836, T. Osborn, 

J. T. Stone. 
ScHlnn 2.— 1836, Wadsworth; 183 

Wm. Casey j 1852, H. I. Lawrence. 
,Sci-ti„n 3.— 1836, B. Humphrey; 1837, E. .1. Penniman; 1852, H 

Lawrence; 1854, H. H. Crapo ; 1855, John Wool. 



Section 4.— IS36, C. Scott ; 1S37, E. J. Penniman; 1852, Horatio I. 

L.-iwrence; 1854, H. H. Crapo. 
Secliim 5.— 1836, J. R. Cady, L. S. Barker, T. Pardee; 1S37, Josiah 

Wait; 1852, H. I. Lawrence. 
Section 6.— 1S36, Jonathan Wheeler, 0. R. Cady. 
Section 7.— 1836, J. N. Myers; 1851, Henry Perky, John Newman; 

1852, H. Westfall, Jonas Ashley; 1855, H. D. Nead ; 1S67, Har- 
rison Nead. 

Section 8.— 1836, L. Cady, J. S. Wadsworth, J. Doty, H. G. Rice. 
Section 9.-1836, Leonard Root, D. C. Jones; 1837, J. Hoag. 
Section 10.— 1836, W. Tillotson; 1851, Isaac George; 1852, H. I. 

Lawrence; 1854, H. Williams. 
Section 11.-1836, James Wadsworth, C. Webster; 1850, Olive Pool; 

1854, W. Barnum. 
Section 12.— 1S36, J. Doty, J. Webster, D. Dyer, J. F. Cooper. 
Section i3.—\S3fi, S. Thustin; 1838, A. W. Halbert; 1839, J. L. 

Smith; 1840, D. Malin; 1849, Samuel C. Harlan. 
Section 14.-1836, T. Patter.son, C. Webster; 1837, E. J. Penniman; 

1853, L. Barnum; no date, J. Blair. 

Section 15.-1836, D. F. Dwight, M. P. Shumway, P. E. Shumway ; 

1837, E. J. Penniman; 1852, 11. I. Lawrence. 
Section 16. — 1854, H. Evans; 1855, Martha Jacobs; no date, James 

A. Hunter. 

Section 17.-1836, Jonathan Doty; 1852, 11. I. Lawrence. 

Section 18.-1837, P. Fralick ; 1852, H. Westfall, J. Van Waggoner 

1854, H. AVilson, Jr. 

Section 19.— 1837, A. Wood, J. Taft, J. Gillett, Jr.; 1852, H. I. Law. 

rcnce, J. D. Bevier. 
Section 20.— 1836, AVilliam Chynowith ; 1837, B. R. Chappell, J, 

Wood; 1852, H. I. Lawrence; 1854, W. Hayden. 
Section 21.— 1836, Peter Kinney, H. C. Traine, P. Kinney, Jr., M. P. 

Lampson. 
Section 22.— 1836, M. P. Lampson, B. Shumway, C. Osgood, 1852-54, 

H. I. Lawrence; 1868, Bowman M. Morrison. 
Section 23.-1836, J. Aulls, P. Fish, T. Godfrey ; 1837, B. K. Norton, 

C. L. Harrison, T. Irish; 1847, S. Palmer; 1851, P. Rice; 1863 

B. F. Green, J. Dow ; 1858, H. Williams. 

Section 24.— 1836, A. D. flreenwell, D. Potts, Joseph Aulls; 1837, J, 
Jackson, G. H. Blumbey; 1844, James Young; 1848, C. Van 
houten. 



SUNFIELD. 



509 



Seclion 25.— 1830, J. R. Williams, S. Goodwin, Z. Curti?, W. B. Lin- 
coln, S. Terpcnning. 

Seclion 26.— ISSfi, B. F. Smith, It. W. Craig, J. Fuller, Samuel S. 
noyt. 

Section 27.— ISSfi, W. S. Lnnclon, E. O. .Jennings, E. Wolverton ; 
1837, E.J. Pennimnn; 1SJ8, M. A. Sloeuni ; 1851, 11. I. Law- 
rence; 1855, George I. Smith; 1870, Thomas Ilitt. 

Section 28.- 1S3C, E. Wolvcrton, Leonard Root, E. 0. Jennings. 

Seclion 29.— iSSa, W. Chynowith, E. Wolverlon ; IS.'i?, U. Bishop, 
Robert Brown. 

Seclion 30.— 183C, M. P. Lampson, AV. A. Mills, J. Wheeler; 1S37, H. 
Bishop, J. Wood; 1850, Nathan 0. Grant. 

Seclion 31.— 1836, W. A. Mills; 1837, L. Wcslfall, Daniel Ilagcr; 
1847-52, J. II. Uagcr. 

Seclion 32.-1836, James S. Wadsworth, W. A. Mills. 

Section 33.— 18:iO, R. Hawks, J. Doty. W. Chynowith; 1840, William 
A. Wells; ISal. 0. M. Wells; 1853, 0. A. llotehkiss. 

&;c(io)i 34.— 1836, J. Carpenter; 1837, B. Tart: IS III, A. Chatfiold ; 
1849, N. Wygent; 1851-54, A. Brown: 1854, W. II. Mitchell, 
A. D. Grinncll, B. Lake, L. Hall; 1855, L. H. Moore, N. Riley; 
1864, Cordelia A. Spalding. 

Seclion 35.— 1836, J. Hutchinson, Samuel S. Iloyt, J. Carpenter, II. 
D. Brown; 1837, B. Taft ; 1840, II. Sinclair, l>. Smith; 1854, II. 
Sinclair. 

Section 36.-1836, Isaac Shcrwoo.l, W. Clark, C. M. Cakins, W. 
Brown, W. Tillotson, G. Henderson. 

Many of the names in the foregoing list, as is the case 
in most of the other townships in the county, are those of 
nonresidents, or "speculators," who purchased the lands 
only for purposes of gain, and never became actual .settlers. 
Tlie fact that the township was so heavily timbered made 
its settlement and improvement less rapid than that of 
others, within which were found large areas of prairie or 
" oak-openings." 

EAKLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settler within the limits of what is now the 
township of Sunfield was Samuel S. Hoyt, who located in 
the summer or fall of 18i5G, having purchased land on sec- 
tions 26 and 35. Mr. Hoyt's daughter Elizabeth was the 
first white child born in the township, or of white parents 
residing in the township, as it is probable that Mrs. Iloyt 
went to Vennontville for a short time, having no neighbors 
nearer. The first white male children were John Nead and 
John Wells, sons respectively of John Nead and William 
A. Wells. Mr. Hoyt remained in the township only until 
about 1843, when he returned to Saratoga Co., N. Y., from 
which he had come. 

Mr. Hoyt was followed very soon after his arrival by 
Peter Kinnc, who settled near the centre of the township, 
on section 21. His wife died late in the fall of that year 
(1836), hers being the first death in the township. Mr. 
Kinne kept house alone after the death of his wife, and 
about 1838 he, too, w;is called to the " land of the here- 
after," and laid down his life in the wilderness to which he 
had come with his wife so short a time before. 

The third settler in the township was Abram Chatficld, 
from Montgomery Co., N. Y. He left the latter Slate, 
with his family, in 1835, and removed to Ohio, from 
whence, in August, 1836, he came to Michigan, and located 
in the county of \Va.shtenaw. In February, 1837, having 
purchased forty acres of land of Samuel S. Hoyt, of Sun- 
field, he removed to this township, the farm he then settled 
being now the property of his son, David Chatfield. Mr. 
Chatficld moved into the township via Jackson, Mar- 



shall, BcUevue, and Vermontville, and passed but one 
shanty between the latter two villages. That was unoc- 
cupied, and was known as the " H:df-Way House." A 
daughter, now Mn. William A. Wells, remained a year 
longer in Washtenaw County, and then joined the family 
in Sunfield. Mr. Ciialfield died in 18i;4. 

Edward 0. Smith, from Saratoga Co., N. Y., came to 
Sunfield in May, 1838, with his wife and young son, James 
E. Smith, and located on the southeast part of section 34, 
opposite the present residence of his son. Mrs. Smith died 
on that farm in 1842, and Mr. Smith is now living in the 
town of Lyons, Ionia Co. He came to locate land in com- 
pany with S. S. Hoyt, and the two made their entries to- 
gether at Ionia. Mr. Hoyt's family was then in Washte- 
naw County, atid ho moved them to his place at once, while 
Mr. Smitli did not settle utitil 1S38, as .-lated. 

In 1840, Mr. Smith moved to the IVter ICinne place, 
on section 21, on which were better improvements than his 
own, and allowed a man named Kiiapp to occupy the farm 
he had temporarily vacated until the latter could build for 
himself on land he had purchased across the line in Ver- 
montville. While residing on the Kinne firm, Mrs. Smith 
was one day very much frightened by seeing a band of 
200 Pottawattomie Indians pass by, on their way to res- 
ervations beyond the Mississippi. Their dress was difl^er- 
ent from that of the Ottawas who resided in the neighbor- 
hood. The latter wore white blankets, while the Pottawat- 
tomies mostly had on rod blankets and red leggins, fur- 
nished them by the British. 

Avery Pool, Daniel Barnum, and the latter's sons, Dan- 
iel, Willis, Henry, and Lewis, were early settlers in the east 
part of the township. Mr. Pool was a .son-inlaw of Dan- 
iel Barnum, Sr., and it is thought arrived a short time 
before the others. Willis Barnum became a wealthy and 
prominent citizen ; he is now deceased, and the only one 
of the family living in the township is his youngest 
brother, Lewis. 

Thomas Prindle, from Genesee Co., N. Y., removed 
to Michigan in the fall of 1837, and located at Mar- 
shall, Calhoun Co. In the fall of 1840, having pur- 
chased land the previous year in Sunfield, he came up 
and commenced improving it, boarding through the winter 
with S. S. Hoyt. His land had been funncrl}' owned by 
a man named llutchins, from whom Mr. Prindle purchased. 
He .says, " It took all the town to raise a shanty when I 
first came ; they couldn't put up a decent log house to 
save their lives." In 1842, Mr. Prindle w;is married, 
and the next year he settled on his place, where he is still 
living. llutchins, the previous owner of the place, owned 
considerable land in the township, but never made any im- 
provements. He was a noted hunter. 

James Young, who moved into Sunfield about 1841, and 
located west of Mr. Prindle, had lived for some time in 
Vermontville, where he subse(|uently resided for a few years, 
finally, however, coming back to Sunfield, in the eastern 
part of which township he is now living. 

In the fall of 1837, the population of the northwest 
portion of Eaton County was increased by the arrival of 
several families from Somerset Co., Pa. John Ilager had 
been the first one of the number to come to the State, and 



510 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



had located at Plymouth, Wayne Co. He afterwards re- 
moved to Vermoiitvilie township, Eaton Co., iu which he 
died. His father, Daniel Hager, two other sons, Joseph 
and William, and a son-in-law, Joseph Cupp, came to the 
State in the sprinii; of 1837. All remained at Plymouth 
during the summer, and in the fall the families, except that 
of Daniel Hager, removed to Eaton County and lived 
through the winter in a small house in the township of 
Vermontville. Daniel Ilager came on with his family in 
the spring of 1838. Joseph and William Hager settled 
the same season in Woodland, Barry Co., Daniel Hager 
and his sou James in Vermontville, and Joseph Cupp and 
Samuel Hager in Sunfiold, — all within a short distance of 
each other. Joseph Cupp located in the southwest corner 
of Sunfield, where hi.s widow i.s now living. The latter, 
with her brothers, Samuel and Isaac Hager, and one 
sister, are the only survivors of the family of Daniel 
Hager. Samuel Hager is at present residing in Missouri. 

When these femilies first settled here they had no 
neighbors, and saw no other people than the Indians for 
two months or more. Mrs. Cupp was very much afraid 
of the red sons of the forest, who she says would come 
to the house when she was alone, wanting bread, etc., and 
would " give the Injin whoop and scare a body to death !" 
She had not forgotten the tales of Indian outrages in her 
own State, and the horrors of Wyoming were fresh in her 
mind, rendering the very name Indian a synonym for all 
that was terrible. The Indians in this locality belonged to 
a band of " old chief Sawha," and were encamped on the 
shore of the lake which bears his name. They were no 
exception to the general rule among those of their color, 
and would frequently fill themselves with " fire-water," 
paint themselves in fantastic manner, and make a greater 
noise than a pack of yelling and hungry wolves on the trail 
of a wounded deer. Some liijuor had been taken to their 
camp on one occasion, and as a consequence every one was 
soon drunk, — Sawba with the rest. Daniel Hager visited 
the camp at the time, and the chief, who was extremely 
ill-tempered when under the influence of stimulants, pro- 
ceeded to " whip him." He choked him and twisted him, 
in a fury of delight, until he was recognized by Sawba's 
squaw, who told the chief who he was, and he was im- 
mediately released, considerably worse for the treatment he 
had received. 

Joseph Cupp was called by the chief " Cupp Haga." 
He was a devoted Christian, and Sawba, knowing this and 
wishing to ingratiate himself into his favor, came one day 
to the house, looking solemn as an owl, and, placing his 
hand over his heart and groaning and rolling his eyes in an 
agonizing manner, said, '^Me feel plenty had — me prayim 
much!" After frightening the wife of some pioneer nearly 
out of her senses by a sudden and unexpected screech at 
her door and a demand for food — which was never refused 
— he would go away and relate his exploit in great glee, 
saying, " White squaw plenty 'fraid !" It was a source of 
amusement to him to witness the fright his visits generally 
caused. 

The scjuaws made fine ru.sh carpets, also moccasins, etc., 
which they found sale for among the settlers. Every 
spring the Indians would go to Shimnicon to plant corn. 



They trapped much also, and Mrs. Cupp recollects that they 
had at one time two tame otters at their village, which 
were great curiosities to her. 

The Hager boys were noted hunters, and killed many deer, 
with occasionally a bear or other fierce animal. When the 
families first arrived they were entirely out of meat and 
provisions, and for two days had nothing whatever to eat. 
The children cried for bread when there was none, and no 
flour to make it with, and it may be inferred that the ar- 
rival of James Hager, at the end of the two days, with a 
load of provisions, from Plymouth, was most joyfully 
welcomed. To get milling done it was neces.sary to go to 
Bellevue, about twenty miles away. 

John Dow,* now living on section 24, in Sunfield, set- 
tled, with his wife and four children, on section 19, in the 
township of Roxand, opposite his present residence, being 
the first settler in the locality. In 1851 he moved across 
into Sunfield, where he has since resided. Mr. Dow is the 
veteran supervisor of Michigan, having held the position 
nearly the entire time since his settlement in the county. 

From the records of the County Pioneer Society the fol- 
lowing facts regarding Sunfield have been gathered : 

William A. Wells.f a native of Maroellus, Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., settled in Michigan in October, 1840, and in 
Sunfield township in January, 1841. 

0. M. Wells, of the same nativity, settled in Sunfield, 
May 24, 1842. He was a prominent citizen of the town- 
ship, being treasurer for many years. Is now living at 
Vermontvill e. 

BISMARK POST-OFFICE 
is located in the southwest part of the township, and was 
established about 1870-71, with J. H. Loomis as post- 
master. He died in ofiiee, and was succeeded by A. G. 
Jewell, now postmaster at Vermontville, to which he re- 
moved after resigning the position at Bismark. He ap- 
pointed as his assistant D. J. Loomis, who received the ap- 
pointment of postmaster some time after the removal of Mr. 
Jewell, and now holds the office. 

Mr. Loomis' father, Silas P. Loomis, with his brother, J. 
H. Loomis, were from Oswego Co., N. Y., and located in 
the fiill of 1853 on the farm now owned by the former's 
son, D. J. Loomis. George W. Andrews, who then lived 
on the opposite side of the road from them (south) in a new 
frame house which he had built that season, had been a resi- 
dent of the township since about 1841. The frame house 
was some distance east of the log house he had at first occu- 
pied. Mr. Andrews was the first clerk and an early super- 
visor of the township. He is living a short distance north 
of the village of Vermontville, in the township of the same 
name. 

SHAYTOWN POST-OFFICE, 

located in the eastern part of the town, on the old Clinton 
road, was established in the spring of 1880, with A. C. 
Jarvis as postmaster. 

* Mr. Dow is a native of Bridgewater, Somerset Co., N. J., and 
settled in Eaton County in October, 1837. 

■| Mrs. William A. Wells is a daughter of .\bram Chatfield, one of 
the earlier settlers of the township and a prominent citizen. lie 
lived on section 35, on the farm occupied by his son, David Chatfield. 



SUNFIELD. 



511 



Shaytown is a small hamlet, contain! nj: a blatk.'.niitli- 
fliop, a •rroccry, a physician, and a few dwcirMi<!s. 

The township of Sunfield is devoted exclusively to agri- 
culture, and i(s inhabitants arc therefore a class of farmers, 
well-to-do and prosperous. Much of the original timber 
is yet standinfr, and by careful usage it will be many years 
before the want of it will be felt, even though a second 
growth should not spring up to take its place. The deer, 
wolves, bears, etc., which abounded so plentifully in the 
pioneer days in the almost trackless forest, have disap- 
peared, and the sport of the hunter is but tame compared 
with that of former years. Yet in the " north woods" 
of the State he can yet, if he choose, enjoy the cha.se as in 
days gone by nearer home. 

RESIDENT TAXPAYERS IN 184-J. 

According to the assessment-roll for that year the follow- 
ing were the resident taxpayers in 18-14 : Edward 0. Smith, 
Clesson Smith, Sfjuire N. Billings, 0. M. Wells, Joseph 
Cupp, Josiah D. Wickham, Samuel Hager, William A. 
Wells, Abram Chalficld, Thomas Prindle, Avery Pool, 
Willis Barnuni, Daniel Barnuni, James Voung, Cornelius 
Vanhouteii, Samuel S. Hoyt, James K. Wells, G. W. 
Andrews, Hiram W. Green, Lewis Barnuni, Lewis Bar- 
num, Jr., John Ncad. 

TOWN.SHIP ORGANIZATION.— LI.ST OF OFFICERS. 

** Agreeable to an act of the Lcgi!*!ii!urc of (lie .'^tatc of Michigan 
fasscd Feb. 14, 1S42, and approved Vcb. IB, 1842, 'all that part of the 
county of Katon <lei<ignated by the United States survey as township 
No. 4 north, of range 6 west (now a part of the township of Vcrmonl- 
ville), was organized into a separate township by the name of Sun- 
field ;' and tl)c first tuwnsliip-mccting was ordered to be held at the 
bouse of Ezra E. Peek, in said township. The electors of the town- 
ship of Sunfield met on the 4th day of April, in the year of our 
Lord 1842, agreeable to previous notice, and organized said meet- 
ing by electing, rrra voce^ Edward 0. Smith mo^leralor for that 
day. George W. Andrews was then elected clerk ; Samuel S. Hoyt, 
John Nead, and James R. Wells were then elected to constitute the 
board of inspectors for that day. The moderator then administered 
the oath of office to said clerk, and the clerk then a<lraini»tcrc<l the 
oath of office to the moderator and inspectors, agreeable to law in such 
cases made and provided. It wari then 

*' Votcd^ That there should be four justices of the peace elected and 
classed according to law. Secondly, it was 

*' Votedf That there shall be two assessors elected to act with the 
supervisor. 

" 3d, That there be two constables elected for said township. The 
moderator then declared the polls open for the reception of votes."* 

Thirteen votes were cast for supervisor, and the following 
officers were elected, viz. : Supervisor, John Nead ; Town 
Clerk, George W. Andrews (fourteen votes) ; Treasurer, 
Edward O. Smith ; Assessors, Samuel S. Hoyt, Ezra E. 
Peck ; Directors of the Poor, George W. Andrews, Avery 
Pool ; Comuii».sioners of Highways, Willis Barnum, J(miah 
D. Wickham, Truman W^ Rogers; Justices of the Peace, 
Edward (3. Smith, James R. Wells, Samuel S. Hoyt, Josiah 
D. Wickham ; Constables, Henry Barnum, Joseph Cupp. 

Ezra E. Peck and Joseph Cupp were chosen overseers 
of highways. It was voted that Samuel S. Hoyt's sheep- 
pen should be a pound for the ensuing year, and that Mr. 
Hciyt should be poundmastcr. It was voted, also, not to 

• From township reconl. 



raise any money for the construction of roads and bridges ; 
to raise five dollars to buy blank-books, blanks, and paper 
for the u.se of the township; to raise as much for the use 
of the schools as the law would allow ; to make no by-laws ; 
to raise 81 JO lo defray township expenses; to rai.sc no 
money for poor expenses ; to hold the next annual township- 
meeting at the house then occupied by George W. Andrews. 

Mr. Nead resigned as supervisor, and at a special meeting 
held May '.i, 1842, Samuel S. Hoyt was elected. At the 
same meeting James R. Wells was elected school inspector. 
Mr. Hoyt conse(|uently resigned as asses.sor, lo which posi- 
tion the township board appointed James R. Wells. 

The following is a list of the supervisors, town clerks, 
treasurers, and justices of the peace elected in Sunfield 
from 184.'1 to 187U inclusive : 

SUPERVISORS. 

1843-44, George W. Andrews; 1S45, John Nead; 1846, Zenas Hutch- 
inson : 1S47, David Griffin; 1848, Zenas Hutchinson: 1849-^0, 
George \V. Andrews; 1851-78, John Dow; 1879, D. C. Griffin. f 

TOWN CLERKS. 

1843-44, Ezra E. Peck; 1845-50, Abram Chatficld ; 1851-.'i7, George 
W. Andrews; 1858, Nelson Ferris: 1859, Daniel Figg ; ISfill, 0. 
A. Hammond;* I86I-05, N. H. Kinne; ISflfi, S. W. Grinnell ; 
1SG7-70, N. H. Kinne; 1871-7.1, A.G. Jewell;? 1370-79, Dewitt 
J. Loomis. 

TltKASLKEKS. 

1843, Edward 0. Smilh ; 1844, Orrin M. Wells: IM.,-r7, (J. .M. \ an- 
houten ; 1848-49, Jnmes R. Wells : 183(1, Russell B.Wells ; 1851, 
William Dow ; 1852-54, .Samuel W. Grinnell ; 1855-57, Jonathan 
H. Loomis; 1858, William Sackett; 185U-RI, David Kimball; 
1862-75, 0. M. Wells; 1876-78, John C. Downing: 1879, Em- 
erson Kinne. 

.JUi5TICES OF THE PEACE. 

184.3, Edward 0. Smith ; 1844, 0. M. Wells, J. D. Wickham ; 1845, Wil- 
lis Rarnum ; 1846, David Griffin, Zenas Hutchinson : 1847, Josiah 
D. Wickham; 1848,0. M. Wells, James R. Wells; 1849, Edward 0. 
Smith; 18511, .«omucl W. Grinnell; 1851, Abram Chntfield ; 1852, 
John Nead; 1853, Edward 0. Smith; 1854, Isaac H.Cogswell; 
1855, James C.Ray, Abram Brown; 1856, William Sockell; 1857, 
Samuel W. Grinnell; 1858, David Kimball; 1859, N. A. Yales ; 
1860, Edward 0. Smilh ; ISfil, S. W. Grinnell, Thomas Walsh ; 
1862, Henry Annis; 1863, William Sackett, Joseph Ktcincheomb; 
1864, L. R. Niles; 1865, S. W. Grinnell, N. H. Kinne, Thomas 
Walsh; 1866, Frederick Turner, S. W. Grinnell; 1867, Daniel 
Hyde; 1868, Lang R. Niles; 1869, S. W. Grinnell; 1870, Fred- 
crick Turner; 1871, Henry Knapp (resignefl in 1874); 1872, 
N. H. Kinne, L. R. Niles; 187.3, S. W. Grinnell Iresigned in 
1875); 1874, E. F. Frcston; 1875, O. W. llines, Wm. Sacketl, 
S.H.Brown; 1876, Edwin Harper, Aaron Bark; 1877, George 
V. Hiddingcr; 1878, E. F. Preslon : 1879, John Wool. 
1880. — Supervisor, John Dow; Township Clerk, Dewitt J. Loomis; 

Treasurer, E. II. Kinne; Justice of the Peace, Aaron Itark ; 

Superintendent of Schools, Helen Snyder : School Inspector, 

P. T. Weeks; Commissioner of Highways. Amos S. Downs; 

Drain Commis.^ioner, L. M. Peck ; Constables, L. D. Fisher, 

F. P. Turner, Lett Peck, N. Sackett. 

SCHOOLS. 

May 7, 1842, the board of school inspectors, consisting 
of George W. Andrews, Ezra E. Peck, and James R. Wells, 
organized School District No. 1, embracing sections 27, 28, 

f Resigned in February, 1880. 

X Removed, ami William Sackett appointed. 

J Resigned in 1875, and Julius C. Hall appointed. 



512 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, west half of 26, and west half 
of 35. 

Fractional District No. 1, of the townships of Sunfield, 
Vermontville, and Woodland (Barry County), were organ- 
ized May 18, 1842. 

The first school in the township in what was and is now 
District No. 1 was taught in the summer of 1842, by Mrs. 
George W. Andrews, in her own house. A small log shanty 
was built on the road south of where the present school- 
house stands, and was used until 1851, when a frame 
school-house was built on the opposite side of the road ; 
this latter is now used for a dwelling. The site of the 
pre.sent building is half a mile farther north, at the Corners. 
The following items regarding the schools of the township 
are from the report of the school inspectors for the year 
ending Sept. 1, 1879: 

Number of districts in township (whole, 6; 

fractional, :i) 9 

Number of school-children in township 602 

Number attending during year 392 

Number of days school taught 121(2 

Number of school-houses (all frame) 9 

Number of scatings in same 5'^7 

Value of scBool property 869-10.00 

Number of teacliers employed (males, 5; fe- 
males, U) 19 

Wages paid same (males, $442.50 j females, 

$645) $1087.50 

Total resources for year 2646.68 

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 473.62 

Total expenditures, less amount on hand 2173.06 



RELIGIOUS. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, Bismnrk. — The first 
preaching_^in this neighborhood by a minister of any de- 
nomination was by Rev. William U. Benedict, of Ver- 
montville, — a Congregationalist. Not a professor of religion 
was then residing in the locality. Mr. Benedict continued 
to preach in the township, once in four weeks, nearly as 
long as he lived. The Methodists have held meetings here 
since about 1860, and in 1879 erected two neat frame 
churches, — one at Bismark,and another in the eastern part 
of town. The one at Bismark is convenient and commodious, 
and was built at a comparatively small cost. This appoint- 
ment was originally a part of the Charlotte Circuit, but is 
now supplied from Vermontville, by Rev. B. S. Pratt, as is 
also the one at East Sunfield. The church at Bismark is 
the larger of the two, having a membor.ship of about fifty. 

The Free Methodists have a small frame church in the 
east part of the town, where they have held meetings for a 
number of years. Their pastor at present is Rev. Mr. 
Fisher. 

The Presbyterians are during the present season (1880) 
building a frame church a mile west of the centre of the 
township. Members of this denomination have resided in 
town as long as those of any other, and the first regular 
services were probably held by them. Their present pastor 
is Rev. Mr. McMartin, of Sebewa, Ionia Co. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 







WILLIAM A. WELLS. 



MRS. WILLIAM A. WELLS. 



WILLIAM A. WELLS. 
Mr. Wells, whose name stands at the head of this 
biographical notice, was the sou of William Augustus and 
Deborah Converse Wells, and was born in the county of 
Onondaga, in New York State, in 1813. His early life 
was uneventful. At an age when most lads are engaged in 
studious occupations, he relinquished school for the more 



serious labor whereupon depended his subsistence. He 
engaged in farming pursuits until twenty-one years of age, 
when an opportunity for acquiring the blacksmith's trade 
offered and was accepted by him. This was followed with 
zeal for a period of eight years, when the cheap lands of 
Michigan having presented superior attractions he removed 
to the West, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres 



SUNFIELD. 



613 



IQ the township of Sunficld. He settled upon this land in 
1841, his mother only accompan3'ing him. It was in the 
midst of a forest, with no near neij;hbor, and no suggestions 
of civilized life immediately adjacent. In December of the 
same year he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of 
Abram Chatfield, one of the oldest of the township 
pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have had six children : 



John, Ellen, Henry, Evangeline, Frederick, and William. 
He ha.s by his industry and capacity established a reputa- 
tion as one of the most successful farmers in the township, 
while his character for integrity has won for him the 
respect and admiration of all his fellow-townsmen. Mr. 
Wells is a llepublican in his political preferences, but not 
intolerant in his opinions. 




DAVID CHATFIELD. 

DAVID CHATFIELD. 

Oneida County, from whose midst came many of the 
sturdy pioneers who first broke the stubborn soil of the 
Michigan forests, was the birthplace of David Chatfield, his 
parents having been Abram and Sarah Bixby Chatfield, 
both natives of the Empire State, and the former by trade 
a cooper. The attractions of the West having been graphi- 
cally described, they were induced, when David was but 
twelve years of age, to remove to Michigan, and repaired to 
Washtenaw County. They remained two years, and in 
February, 1838, settled in the township of Sunfield, on the 
spot now occupied by their son. 

At this early date the entire population of Sunfield num- 
bered but three families. David helped clear the wilder- 
ness embraced in their purchase, and labored with a will to 



MRS DVVID CllArHH I) 

promote success in their new venture. He was in 1854 
married to Miss Huldah Thompson, of Sebewa, Ionia Co., 
whose parents, Albert and Amy Pool Thompson, were 
both residents of the above county and among its earliest 
settlers. 

Two children together with the parents comprise the 
cheerful family circle in Mr. Chatficld's attractive home. 
In politics the subject of this biography is a Democrat, and 
a firm advocate of the principles of his party, though his 
energies are principally devoted to the duties of his estate. 
These he superintends personally, and being endowed with 
a strong and robust physi(iue, the labor of the farm is to 
him a congenial and pleasant pursuit. His lands in their 
improved condition are evidence of his skillful direction 
of affairs. 



514 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 




JOHN W. WELCH 

MRS. RACHAEL WELCH. 
The father of Mrs. Welch, Mr. Peter C. Vau Houten, 
was born in New Jersey in 1777, and was a soldier in the 
war of 1812, where he won deserved laurels. He was 
united in marriage to Miss Ann Winney, both having 
been of Dutch descent, and among their children were 
twins, one of whom was the subject of this biography. 
Her early life was passed amid the duties of a farmer's 
home, and was uneventful in its character until the age of 
nineteen, when her marriage to Willis Barnum, of Roxand, 
Eaton Co., occurred, the auspicious year having been 1838. 
Mr. Barnum, whose birthplace was Massachusetts, was one 
of the early pioneers of his adopted township, and actively 
identified with its first settlement. To them were born 
four children, none of whom now survive. Two of these 



MRS .JOHN W. WELCH. 

children were twins, making the third generation of twins, 
— a remarkable phenomenon. Mrs. Barnum was on June 
20, 1860, left a widow, and in 1863 married Mr. John 
W. Welch, of Vermont, who was the son of John and 
Emily Esther Welch, and born in 1827, in Vermont. His 
life from boyhood was one of toil and hardship, with little 
to brighten the path of rugged labor. On his arrival in 
Michigan he spent several years in the pine-woods. One 
son blessed the union of jNIr. and Mrs. Welch, who is still 
living. 

Mrs. Welch is an active member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and manifests the same zeal in her relig- 
ious duties which she observes in her domestic relations. 
She is generous and hospitable, a kind neighbor, and a most 
useful citizen. 



SUNFIBLD. 



515 






C. M. VAN HOUTEN. 



U. M. VAN HOUTEN. 



The family of Van Houten, though of Dutch extraction, 
claims New Jerse}' as the birthplace of its later branches. 
Peter C. Van Houten, the father of the subject of this 
biojjraphy, was a native of the above State, and C. M. Van 
Houten was born in Bergen Co., Nov. 10, 1817. His 
mother was Miss Ann Winney, who also traced her ances- 
try to good old Netherland stock. The father early re- 
moved with the family to New York City, and joined the 
army in 1812 as sergeant, having during the conflict been 
stationed at Sandy Hook. He sub.sequently removed to 
Michigan, where his death occurred in 1870, in Sunfield. 

C. M. Van Houten at the age of seventeen learned the 
trade of a carpenter and joiner, which he pursued until his 



JOHN DOW. 
Among the venerable and honored pioneers of Eaton 
County who have carved out their own fortunes, none b 
more worthy of esteem than the gentleman above named- 
Mr. Dow was the fourth child of John D. Dow, a weaver 
and farmer combined, who was born in New Jersey in 1775, 
and the grand.son of Richard Dow, a native of Holland. 
Hia mother was Miss Catherine Vannest, also of New 
Jersey, and born in 1778. The birth of their son John 
occurred in Somerset Co., N. J., in 180-1. To this excellent 
lineage is added an inherent patriotism, which was transmitted 
from his maternal grandparent, who gave his life in the 
war of the Revolution. John devoted his younger years 
to labor, and the limited means of education at command, 
and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to a shoemaker, 
whom he served for three years, and then labored as an 
itinerant at the trade, or, as he graphically expresses it, 
" whipped the cat" from house to house. He was married 
at the age of twenty-one to Miss Rachel Beckman, and six 
children were born to them, — William, Henry, Peter, John, 
Catherine, and Susan. Peter died at Pittsburg Landing, 
and Henry's death occurred at home after a lingering ill- 



.MRS. A. E. VAN HOUTEN. 

arrival in Michigan, when he selected a home in Sunfield 
township. This embraced eighty acres of uncleared forest, 
which required energy and perseverance to convert into 
arable land. He was, however, equal to the emergency, 
and soon produced growing crops where naught but the 
native trees of the wilderness had flourished. Mr. Van 
Houten in 1844 married Miss Adeline E. Stevens, of 
Oneida Co., N. Y., daughter of Moses and Permelia Olds 
Stevens. 

Mr. and Mrs. Van Hout«n have had six children, three 
of whom are now living. They are both actively interested 
in church labor, and have been consistent Christians for a 
period of twenty years. 

Mr. Van Houten is a Republican in his political afiBlia- 
tions, but not an active partisan. 




JOHN DOW. 



516 



HISTOKY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ness, both having been soldiers in the war of the Rebellion. 
John still resides at the home of his father. Mrs. Dow 
having died in February, 1846, Mr. Dow was in 1847 
united to Miss Grace Searls, of Eaton township and county, 
daughter of Samuel Searls, of New York State. 

After a somewhat checkered career, Mr. Dow, in 1837, 
removed to Michigan, and settled in Roxand township, 
where he was the earliest pioneer. He was almost entirely 
isolated for a brief period, and so remote from civilization 
that a journey of forty-eight miles with an ox-team, and 
requiring nine days to complete, was necessary for milling 
purposes. The following year he was elected to the oflSce 
of supervisor of the township, which he held successively 
for thirteen years ; after which he removed to Sunfield 
township, and was immediately elected to the same position 
in his new place of residence. This ofiBce he has held for 



thirty consecutive years, making altogether forty-three years 
in active service as supervisor. He has also been justice of 
the peace, representative in the State Legislature, and 
member of the State Board of Equalization. Mr. Dow has 
also been keenly alive to changes affecting the educational 
interests of the State and county, in which subject he feels 
a deep interest. He is in an eminent degree a philanthro- 
pist. During the war this was especially apparent in his 
sympathy for the " boys in blue." 

In his seventy-sixth year, he is both willing and eager to 
do battle for the right. In every good word and work that 
shall benefit his fellow-men he has always a ready hand. 
As an exemplar of honesty and spotless integrity, no more 
marked example is found. To such as he may with justice 
be accorded at the close of a useful life the welcome plaudit, 
" Well done, good and faithful servant." 



a > ta a &i- t u 



VEEMONTVILLE. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, Etc. 

The township of Vermontville occupies a position on the 
western border of Eaton County, and is bounded on the 
north by Sunfield, on the east by Chester, on the south by 
Kalamo, and on the west by Barry County. It includes 
congressional township 3 north, in range 6 west, the east, 
north, and west boundaries of which were surveyed in 1825 
by Lucius Lyon, the south boundary in 1826 by John 
MuUett, and the subdivisions in 1826 by Orange Risdon. 
The Grand Rapids Division of the Michigan Central Rail- 
way crosses this town from east to west, having a .station 
half a mile south of the business centre of Vermontville. 
The road passes along the valley of the Thornapple River, 
which is here a considerable stream, shut in by high, rolling 
land, leaving a valley of varying width, through which 
the river winds its course to meet its greater neighbor, the 
Grand River. Leaving the hills adjacent to this valley 
behind, the observer finds a diversity of surface — hills, 
plains, ravines, and valleys — which reminds him forcibly of 
portions of the rock-ribbed State from which the pioneers 
of this township came, and he admits that this is the most 
like the home they had left of any location they could 
have found in this portion of the State. 

LAND ENTRIES. 
Following is a list of the entries of land in town 3 north, 
range 6 west (now Vermontville), as shown on the tract- 
book for the county in the register's oflBce at Charlotte : 

Section 1.— 1836, J. C. Van Alstyne ; 1838, A. M. Holdridge; 1853, 

Cephas Smith ; no date, W. Mclntyre. 
Section 2.— 1836, Lovina Smith, J. H. Hyde, and E. Jackson. 
Section 3.— 1836, N. Benedict, Russell Gage; 1853, A. D. Grinnell; 

1854, E. 0. Smith ; 1855, J. L. Chatfield. 



Section 4.— 1836, L. Merrill, Jr., M. G. Smith ; 1852, F. Fields ; 1853, 
E. Hammond; 1854, S. L. Cazier; 1855, J. R. Wells, W. F. 
Spaulding; 1859, William Rulison. 

Section 5.— 1836, L. Merrill, E. H. Barber, D. Barber, L. Merrill, Jr. ; 
1855, J. Shores. 

Section 6.— 1836, J. Shirrick ; 1837, C. F. Hanchett, D. Hagar, 0. J. 
Bartholomew; 1856, L. S. Lovell. 

Section 7.— 1836, D. <t R. Barber, J. H. Snyder; 1852-53, H. West- 
fall; 1853, Mary Wright. 

Section 8.— 1836, 0. Benton, B. H. Barber. 

Section 9.— No date, Charles C. Scott; 1836, 0. Benton, G. S. Gris- 
wold, Scovell & Co. ;» 1858, William Rulison. 

Section 10.— 1836, Scovell & Co., Nathan Benedict. 

Section 11.— 1836, Scovell & Co., William Warner, P. Selden, and W. 
S. Fairfield. 

Section 12.— 1836, P. W. Archibald; 1858, Hiram Wiard; 1852, Wil- 
liam G. Gumming; 1836, C. T. Moffitt, E. 11. & D. Barber, L. R. 
Hall. 

Section 13.-1836, L. R. H.all, D. Archibald, J. B. Scovell & Co. 

Sections 14 and 15.-1836, J. B. Scovell A Co. (entire). 

Section 16.-1851, E. M. Gates; 1853, W. S. Frink ; 1854, Horace 
Hawkins, R. E. Armstrong, N. Rogers, J. Ryman, E. S. Ryman, 
G. W. Squier, J. Roach, W. S. Hall, E. Barrett, C. C. Scott ; 1865, 
Harriet E. Kedzie, C. E. Hammond. 

Section 17. — 1836, Edward H. Barber, Daniel Barber and Pierre G. 
Ladd. 

Section 18.— 1836, S. Selden, A. Wilder, W. Gray, S. S. Church. 

Section 19.-1836, R. Sandford, Howland Fish, Dennis Wakefield, C. 
Selden. 

Section 20.— 1836, P. G. Ladd and Daniel Barber, Scovell A Co. 

Sections 21, 22, 23.— J. B. Scovell & Co. (entire). 

Section 24. — Scovell A Co., A. Sumner, Eber R. Murray. 

Section 25.— 1836, E. R. Murray, Scovell A Co., N. Jackson ; 1838, 
B. Taft; 1852, H. Robinson; 1854, A. W. Dean. 

Section 26.-1836, J. B. Scovell, J. B. Scovell A Co. 

Section 27.— 1836, J. B. Scovell A Co., W. Warner. 

Section 28.— 1836, J. B. Scovell A Co., J. R. Williams, W. J. Squier. 

Section 29.— 1836, J. B. Scovell A Co., J. R. Williams, P. G. Ladd and 
Daniel Barber. 



» Josiah B. Scovell, Isaac C. Colver, Worcester Morse, and Wait J. 
Squier, agents of the " Union colony." 



VERMONTVILLK. 



617 



Seelion 30.— 1829, A. Sumner; 1836, E. H. Barber, J. R. Williams, J. 
C. Culver. 

Section 31.— 1835, N. A H. Weed : 1836, C. T. Moffitt, A. Sumner. 

Section 32.-1835, N. 4 H. Weed ; 1836, J. R. Williams, J. Ilinman. 

Section 33.— 1836, P. Raymond, D. Wakefield, A. Sumner. B. F. Ilin- 
man. 

Section 34.— 1836, James Allen, E. J. I'enniman, l>. Wakefield, W. 
Morse, D. F. Bullock. 

Section 35.— 1836, Wm. G. Henry, James Allen. 

Section 36.-1836, Wait J. Squicr (entire). 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

S. S. Church, one of the original founders of VermonU 
ville, has written much pertaining to tlie history of the 
village and township. The first of his published contribu- 
tions appeared in the Charlotte Republican, in December, 
1869, and were as follows. The laws of the colony are 
copied from the recorded document at the ofiBce of the 
Eaton County register : 

" In the fall of 1835, the Rev. Sylvester Cochrane, a Congregational 
minister of East Poultney, Vt., visited Michigan with a view of locat- 
ing permanently. He found the settlement so sparse that it was quite 
difficult at that time to find inhabitants contiguously located, so as to 
have schools or to enjoy religious privileges remote from the villages. 
Ho returned to Vermont, conceived the plan of colonization, and be- 
gan preparations to execute his project. He visited different places 
in the State, and conferred with those persons wishing to emigrate. 
Early in the winter of 1835-36, a meeting was held in East Poultney, 
Vt., which quite a largo number of persons, intending to emigrate, 
attended. Mr. Cochrane's plan was discussed, and initiatory steps 
taken to mature and perfect the enterprise. Subsequent meetings 
were held in ra.-tlcton, Vt., and on the 27th day of March, 1836, the 
following preamble and resolutions were adopted : 

"roles and regulations of CMOS COLO.NV. 

" Whereat, The enjoyment of the ordinances and institutions of the 
gospel is in a great measure unknown in many parts of the Western 
country ; and 

" Whereas, We believe that a pious and devoted emigration is to ho 
■ lie of the roost efficient means, in the hands of God, in removing the 
lunral darkness which hangs over a great portion of the valley of the 
.Mississippi; and 

" Whereat, We believe that a removal to the West may be a means of 
promoting our temporal interest, and wo trust be made subservient to 
the advancement of Christ's kingdom, 

" Wc do therefore form ourselves into an association or colony, with 
the design of removing into some part of the Western country which 
shall hereafter be designated, and agree to bind ourselves to observe 
the following rules : 

" 1. The association or colony shall be known by the appellation or 
name of ' The Union Colony.' 

" 2. The Colony shall consist of those only who shall be admitted 
through a committee appointed for that purpose, and who will 
subscribe their names to the articles and compact adopted by the 
colony. 

" 3. We hereby agree to make our arrangements for a removal as 
soon as our circumstances will permit — if possible, some time during 
the summer or fall of the present year, IS.'Jfi. 

" 4. We agree, when we have arrived in the Western country, to lo- 
cate ourselves, if possible, in the same neighborhood with each other, 
and to form ourselves into such a community as will enable us to 
enjoy the same social and religious principles which we Icavo behind. 

" 0. In order to accomplish this object, we solemnly pledge ourselves 
to do all that is in our power to carry with us the institutions of the 
gospel, to support them with the means which God has given us, and 
to hand them down to our children. 

" 6. We do also agree that, for the benefit of our children and the 
rising generation, we will endeavor, so far as possible, to carry with 
and perpetuate among us the same literary privileges that we are per- 
mitted here to enjoy. 

" V. Wc do also solemnly pledge ourselves that we will strictly and 
rigidly observe the holy Sabbath, neither laboring ourselves, nor per- 



mitting our children, or workmen, or beasts to desecrate this day of 
rost by any kind of labor or recreation. 

'* 8. As ardent spirits have invariably proved tho banc of every 
community into which they have been introduced, we solemnly jdcdgo 
ourselves that wc will neither buy, nor sell, nor use this article, except 
for medical purposes, and wc will use all lawful means to keep it 
utterly out of the settlement. 

"9. As wc must necessarily endure many of those trials and priva- 
tions which are incident to a settlement in a now country, wo agree 
that wo will do all that is in our power to befriend each other ; we will 
esteem it not only a duty but a privilege to sympathize with each 
other under all our trials, to do good and lend, hoping for nothing 
again, and to assist each other on all necessary occasions. 

'■ The following votes ami resolutions have been jiassed at the regu- 
lar meetings of the colony, and arc binding upon its members: 

" 1. Yniril, That a committee of two be appointed whoso duty it 
shall be to make inquiry concerning the character of individuals 
who may wish to unite with the colony, and no person shall be ad- 
mitted without the consent of this committee, (i?. Cochrane and I. C. 
Colver were appointed a standing committee for this purpose.) 

" 2. Voird, That three agents be appointed to go into the Western 
country and select a suitable location for the use of tho colony, and 
purchase the same. (Col. J. B. .Scovill, of Orwell, Deacon S. S, 
Church, of Sudbury, and Wm. G. Henry, of Bennington, wore ap- 
pointed a standing committee for this purpose.^) 

" 3. Votfd, That we hereby .authorize our agents to purchase for 
the use of the colony three miles square, or 576U acres, and as much 
more as they may have funds to purchase. 

•' 4. Voted, That the land, when purcba-sed, be laid out by the agents 
so as to conform as nearly as tho location and other circumstances will 
permit to the schedule adopted by the colony. 

"5. Voted, That no individual member of the colony shall be 
allowed to take more than one farm lot of 160 acres, and one village 
lot .if ten acres, within the limits of the settlement. 

" 6. Voted, That the agents be authorized to lake a duplicate or cer- 
tificate of the purchased lands in the name of the committee for rais- 
ing funds; and the said committee shall hold the said lands in thoir 
possession until the first Monday in October, 1836, at which time tho 
land shall be distributed among the settlers, according to some plan 
on which they may then agree ; tho village lots, however, may be 
taken up by the settlers when they first arrive, each one taking Iiis 
choice of the unoccupied lots. 

" 7. Voted, That each individual shall be obligated to aeltle the lot 
which he takes by the first of October, 1837, and in case of delinquency 
in this respect both the village and the farm lot may be sold to some 
other person, in which case the purchase money shall be refunded by 
the agents of the colony, with interest from the time it was paid. 

" 8. Voted, That each of the settlers, when he unites with the colony, 
shall advance $212.50, for which he shall be entitled to a farm lot of 
160 acres and a village lot of ten acres, to be assigned to him accord- 
ing to the rules of tho colony ; and if any settler shall find himself 
unable to advance this sum, he may pay in $106.25, for which he shall 
be entitled to a farm lot of eighty acres and one half of a village lot ; 
and in case no money is paid before the departure of tho agents, thoso 
who are delinquent shall give a note to the committee for raising 
funds, payable on tho 25lh day of Juno next, with interest for three 
months. 

•' 9. Voted, That each settler, when he receives a deed of his village 
lot, shall give a note to tho agents of tho colony, payable in two years 
from the fiia of September, 1836, for the sum of twenty-five dollars, 
and this sum shall be appropriated towards defraying the expenses of 
building a mecting-housc for the u.se of the colony. 

" 10. Voted, That an eighty-acre lot be reserved for a parsonage, 
out of the purchase, to be selected by the agents. 

"11. Voted, That our agents keep a regular bill of their necessary 
expenses, from the time they start until they have made a purchase 
and surveyed the village lots, and the colony pay one-half of said 
expenses. 

" We, whose names arc hereto annexed, do hereby pledge ourselves 
that wo will willingly conform to all the orticlcs and votes of the 
colony as contained abovo. 

"The above and foregoing finally adopted March 2S, 1S36, at Cas- 
tlcton, Vt. 

• For year of purchase sec list of land entries. 



618 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Namoa. Rosldonce. Occupation. 

Rov. Sylvester Cochrane Poultnej Clergyman. 

Isaac C. Colvcr " Farmer. 

Iliram J. M-cars " AVheelwrifiht. 

Levi Miller, Jr " Farmer. 

■S. S. Church Sndbiiry *' 

Jacob Fuller Urnnington Cooper. 

Orin Dickinson AVci^t IIav.on Farmer. 

Elijahs. Mead We^t Rutland '' 

Wait J. Sqnicr New Ha-ven " 

Orson Fuller Doreot Tanner and Currier. 

Josiah B. Scovil! Orwell Farmer. 

Stephen D. Scovill *■'■ " 

Simoon McOttor ** Cabinet-maker. 

Elial M. IJond Castl^ton Chair-maker. 

Thaddou.s Tengle '^ Farmer. 

•AVilliam S. Fairfield " Printer. 

Kzra Clfttk Granville, N. Y Tailor. - 

Sidney R. GAtes Brandon, Vt Farmer. 

Frederick Freeman Clarendon " 

• Daniel Bar|jer Benson Merchant. 

William S. Bascomb Sudbury 

Jay Hawkins Casttcton Farmer. 

Martin S. Norton Ronf^ington Hla.-kMnitli. 

Dewey II. Robinson " Pliy^i<-'i:in. 

Forron Parker Castloton ML-rcliaut. 

Royal B. Towslee " 

Joseph Hawttins '* Farmer. 

Bezaleel Taft Bennington Machinist. 

William C. Fonda Bollovue, Mich Farmer. 

Reuben S. Haskell " " Student. 

Belcher Athcam " *" Farmer. 

' Roger Griswold Renson, Vt " 

E. H.Barber '^ " " 

Leonard Root Granville, N. Y Physician. 

Albert M. Hoyt Castleton, Vt Farmer. 

Silas C. Smith Bellovue, Mich " 

W. R. Martin Bennington, Vt Surveyor. 

E. M. Avery Hudson, N. Y Farmer. 

Willard Davis Belluvue, Mioh. 

Oliver J. Stiles " " 

George S. Browning " " 

Charles Imus Dorset, Bennington Co., Vt. 

** According to previous arrangement, William G. Henry and S. S. 
Church left Vermont, April 2, 1836, to select and make the purchase 
. as directed, Col. J. B. Scovell not accompanying them. We met at 
Troy, N. Y., and started on our expedition by stage. The roads and 
traveling were extremely bad, and much of the way we made but two 
miles an hour; consequently, we were obliged to travel night and 
day, which was very fatiguing. We spent the first Sabbath at 
Auburn, N. Y. Wait J. Squier, one of the colonists, joined us in 
Western New York, and proceeded with us on our journey. Our ex- 
pectation was to go through Canada, but on arriving at Lewiston we 
were advised not to attempt to go that way on account of the state of 
the roads. Accordingly, wo changed our course and went to Buffalo. 
Lake Erie was frozen over, so we continued our journey by stage up 
the south side of the lake to the town of Erie, in Pennsylvania. Here 
we found the southern shore of the lake so cleared of ice that a boat 
WAS to start for Detroit in a day or two. The traveling was so bad 
and fatiguing that we concluded to wait for the boat. We arrived 
safely at Detroit, but were obliged to wait a day and night for the 
stage. Here again we found bad roads, open wagons, and were much 
fatigued; but we arrived safely at Battle Creek, where I stopped with 
friends to recruit and make inquiries. Messrs. Henry and Squier 
went on to Kalamazoo. As agreed, I met them at Kalamazoo at a 
specified time. T returned to Battle Creek and arranged for an ex- 
ploring expedition ; they went to Grand Rapids for the same purpose. 
r obtained a guide, and, one or two of the colonists having arrived, 
we explored Barry County as far as Middleville, thence up the Thorn- 
apple River some distance east of Hastings, and returned to Battle 
Creek without accomplishing our object. We became almost dis- 
couraged. Wo had the funds of over thirty individuals, each contain- 
ing the same amount, and of course each claiming a like quantity and 
quality of lands, and these contiguous. We found it very difficult 
to find a tract of land of the quality needed, unbroken by marshes, 
swamps, or ' oat-holes,' as they wore called. Our desire was to secure 
a location of oak-openings, but we found all such choice lands taken 
up. 

"While I was recruiting at Battle Creek I saw Gol. Barnes, of Gull 
Prairie, who surveyed Eaton County, and who was a proprietor in 
Charlotte (as he jaid). He informed me that the amount of land 
which was wanted, if not already taken, might be found in this town_ 
He advised me to go to the land-office, and he would meet me there the 
next day, which he did. I obtained a plat, and found only one lot 



taken in the town. I also found a letter from Messrs. Henry and 
Squier, informing me where to find them. They, together with two 
or three colonists who had arrived, were exploring the southwest part 
of Ionia County, but rendezvoused at Middleville. I repaired to 
Middleville, and at night our company came in. They examined 
my plat, and we concluded to go to Eaton County. The next morn- 
ing I made out an application for land enough to cover the amount 
we wanted, sent one of our number to the land-office with my appli- 
cation, while the rest of us went to Battle Creek to make arrange- 
ments to explore the town. Here we found two or three more of the 
newly-arrived colonists. AYe were nearly two days procuring an out- 
fit and getting to ouj* destination. The third day we explored the 
town, running nearly every section-line. All were satisfied with the 
land. We then went to Kalamazoo, and on the 27th of May, 18.'^6, I 
took up the amount of the colony purchase, also about twenty lots 
over and above that for members of the colony and others. We then"^ 
returned to the purchase and selected the south half of section 21 for 
the village. W. J. Squier had his surveying implements with him, 
80 that we were enabled to lay out the village, which we did agree- 
ably to instructions. Those of us who were present selected our vil- 
lage lots and marked them on our plat. 

" W. J. Squier, W. S. Fairfield, Samuel and Charles Sheldon, Levi 
Merrill, Charles T. Moffitt, and others stayed and commenced chopping 
and clearing. They also built a house for the use of the colonists as 
they arrived, and houses for themselves. I returned to Vermont to 
make arrangements for removing my family. During the summer, 
Bezaleel Taft moved in with his family. Reuben Sanford, having 
purchased a lot adjoining the colony, moved in with his wife and one 
child, and soon after his wife had a son, which was the first child born 
in the colony. During the fall, Jacob Fuller and wife, Elijah S. Mead 
and wife, Jay Hawkins, wife and child, and Mrs. Fairfield arrived. 
On the first Monday in October, being the third of the month, agree- ^ 
able to the articles of the colony, a large number of the colonists as- 
sembled at the colony house, and after prayer by the Rev. Mr. 
Cochrane they proceeded to distribute the lands agreeable to the 
ninth resolution of the articles of said colony. As there had been 
expenses incurred, and others would accrue, it was voted to appoint 
a committee to make an assessment upon those farm lots which, by 
location, were most desirable and valuable, sufficient to raise the sum 
of $400. This was done. They then voted to distribute the farm .. 
lots by lot, and each man drew and was satisfied. Several of the 
colonists remained, Orrin Dickinson with two hired men and others. 
W. J. Squier returned to Vermont for his family. I arrived at Battle 
Creek with my family of six children about the middle of November, 

1836. Some idea can be formed of the state of the roads and travel- 
ing at that time, when I say that it took nine days to come from De- 
troit to Battle Creek by wagon. In the month of January, 18,37, I 
removed my family into the colony house. The sleighing was good 
and we got along very well. The sugar season in 1837 was very'^ 
good and favorable tu the colonists. In the fall of 1837 several colo- 
nists arrived from the East, and among them was the Rev. Mr. Coch- 
rane. 

"The state nf the roads from Bellevue, fourteen miles from our 
settlement, was such as to give rise to many hardships and trials of 
patience. This was our only ingress and egress, and being only un- 
derbrushed out, and passing over many low, wet places, they soon 
became cut up by teams into deep mud, and many places were almost 
impassable. Some families were compelled to camp out in the woods 
overnight. Then, again, the Thornapple River overflows the bottom- 
lands in the spring of the year, and although there was a bridge 
across the river, it was sometimes impossible to get to and from it 
with teams, or on foot except by wading. In the month of April, 

1837, W. J. Squier arrived at the bottoms of Thornapple River with 
his family just at night. The water was so high they could not cross 
with their team, nor could the family get over. Our people having 
learned their situation, R. W. Griswold and W. S. Fairfield took pro- 
visions and waded over to them, and took them to an Indian shanty 
not far off, where they stayed overnight. The next morning Mr. Gris- 
wold ferried Mrs. Squier and their youngest child across in a small 
dug-out, or log canoe, — a distance of some sixty rods. During the 
day the team and their goods were got over. During this month the 
Rev. Calvin Clark, of Marshall, having formed an acquaintance with 
several of the colonists, came and spent two nights and one day, and 
preached the first sermon in the colony. In February, 1863, the 
church celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its organization, 



VERMONTVILLE. 



519 



and Rer. Calrin Clark preached the sermon. In the month of 
March, 1837, the wife of E. S. Mead sickened and died very suddenly. 
There was no physician to bo had; the ladies did what they could 
for ber^ but in rain. This solemn event cast a gloom over the settle- 
ment. 

"The wolves were very plenty, but never caused us much damage 
except taking some young pigs and some fowls. I think they killed 
one calf. Their bowlings and serenades at times were amusing, at 
others annoying, especially when persons were a mile or two from 
home after dark, and escorted by a full band of them, even at a 
respectful distance. We oflen found that they followed us when we 
went to a neighbor's in the evening, but unseen by us. 

*' During this season Samacl S. Hoyt, who lived six miles from any 
white inhabitant, and whose wife had not seen a white woman for 
several months at a time, brought his wife on an ox-sled to the 
colony, and after two or three weeks returned home, rejoicing in the 
possession of a fine daughter to cheer the loneliness of his forest- 
home. Nor was this an isolated case. One from Chester occurred the 
same season, and not long after one from a remote part of our town. 

" The Indians, from whom our people used to obtain venison, fish, 
etc., by exchanging provisions for them, resided in our vicinity much 
of the time for several years. They were never troublesome. One, 
who called himself chief of the Pottawattomies in this part of the 
State, by the oame of Saicbj/j used to be here a great deal, became 
enamored of a young lady, and went so far as to make proposals to 
her father. Ue proposed to give him four ponies and twenty-five 
dollars thumaugh, or five ponies. When she objected he exclaimed, 
' You no think me bandsume !' Ue was so much in earnest about it 
that i^ume entertained fears that he would attempt to steal her, but 
these fears were groundless. Several families of Indians came from 
Canada and established themselves in our town, where they spent 
about a year. They were much more civilized than the natives. In 
their dress and habits they imitated the whites. They hunted and 
trapped during the hunting season : could talk good English. The 
squaws were neatly dressed, and exhibited much skill in needle-work. 
Out of the hunting season the icen took jobs of chopping by the acre 
or cord, and chopped a great many acres of timber. Most of them 
were very devoted Christians, held Sabbath and weekly meetings, and 
frequently attended our church on the Sabbath. During their stay 
here a squaw died. One of their men made a coffin, and they desired 
a Christian burial. It so happened that Rev. Mr. Day, a Methodist 
preacher, who had been a missionary in the region of Mackinaw, was 
laboring with the Methodist Church in this town at the time. He was 
sent for, and came to our church and preached the funeral sermon, by 
an interpreter. Several of the native Indians attended. Our people 
went with sleighs to their wigwams and brought the corpse and In- 
dians to our church, and after the funeral sermon carried the remains 
and the friends to our burying-ground, and assisted in the burial. 
The corpse was clothed in a very nice while shroud, handsomely 
worked, with scolloped edges. 

"In the fall of 1836, Orin Dickinson came from Bellevue, with his 
horse-team, to the colony. The road, was not much more than a trail, 
underbrushed out so as to allow a team to be driven through. There 
was deep mud, as none of the wet places were as yet bridged. It was 
difficult to drive a team through in daylight, as only one or two wagons 
had passe'I over the road. R. W. Griswold started to drive the team 
back to Bellevue. Night overtook him while yet in the woods, and 
he found it impossible to follow the track. He stopped his team, and 
endeavored to find the wagon-tracks by searching in different direc- 
tions and feeling with his hands, and even getting down on his knees, 
but all in vain. Supposing himself not far from Bellevue, he ven- 
tured to halloo, and was quickly responded to by a wolf. Again he 
called, and others of the wolf-tribe answered in different direction!). 
Having unhitched his team and tied them to the wagon, he seated 
himself in it, and with gun in hand quietly awaited and listened to 
the increasing performers, until it culminated in a grand wolf-chorus, 
more awe-inspiring, more soul-stirring, more heart-thrilling to him 
than would have been the grand anvil chorus of the famous Boston 
Peace Jubilee of a much later date. The wolves manifested their 
sympathy for the lonely traveler by continuing to cheer the gloomy 
hours of the whole night with their hideous, heart-thrilling melody. 

" About a year after the first settlement of the town Truman Rogers 
went with his wife and one or two young children in a one-horse wagon 
to Sanfield to visit Mrs. Rogers' mother, who resided with her son, W. 
A. Wells. Mr. Rogers returned with hisborBO and wagon to Vermout- 



ville. Soon after be loft Mr. M^ ells', his son, Frederick Rogers, a boy not 
five years old, slipped out without his mother's knowledge and attempted 
to follow his father. As soon as he was missed search was made by the 
family, but he could not be found nor any trace of him. Night came on 
and still he was missing. The father was notified, and what few inhabi- 
tants there were iD the vicinity collected next morning and searched 
through the day, and no trace of him was found. The next morning 
the search was renewed, and this day traces of him were discovered 
where^hc had picked berries. On arriving at the Ionia road, a mile 
or more west of Mr. Wells' house, his tracks were discovered. Ha 
had crossed the road more than once. But night came on and they 
were compelled to relinquish the search, which was renewed the next 
morning. Reuben Sanford, who lived a mile and a half west of Vcr- 
montville, started to go in search of the lost hoy on horseback through 
the woods to the place where it was agreed the search was to begin. 
He proceeded leisurely along through the dense forest and underbrush 
a mile and a half or more, when he was accosted by ' Howah !' and 
turning his eyes in the direction of the voice, there stood the lost boy, 
who then said, ' I've been to grandma's; where's father?' Sanford 
took the child on his horse and hastened with as much speed as possi- 
ble to relieve the sorrowing parents. The mosquitoes had lived upon 
him, as his fiesh gave unmistakable evidence. That boy lives in 
town now, and has a family. 

''As I hare already stated, sometimes the Thomapple River rises 
quite rapidly, and sometimes our cattle used to cross over in the 
spring of the year, when the water was over the road. They would 
wade to the bridge, go over and feed through the day, and return at 
night. Mr. Fairfield's cattle waded across one morning; the water 
rose very rapidly through the day : just before sunset the cattle came 
to the river, crossed the bridge, and commenced wading on the cross- 
way. Soon the action of the water, together with that of the cattle, 
began to displace the logs, which floated, so that the hindmost cattle 
were very much troubled to get along. The last one was a milch 
cow. She struggled along, sometimes plunging into the water, nearly 
swimming deep, then again finding logs that had not floated, suc- 
ceeded in advancing a little and down she would go again, until 
nearly exhausted. About midway of the erossway were two oak logs 
about four feet in -diameter; these were higher than the others, and 
remained out of the water and did not float. The cow succeeded in 
gaining a position on these logs. On the other side all were afloat, 
and she was too much exhausted to proceed any farther. The next 
morning feed was carried to her in a boat ; she was milked, and for 
several days she stayed on those two logs, being fed and milked, until 
the water subsided. 

"The first brick house in Vermontville was built by R. W. Gris- 
wold. . . . The job was taken by Loren Chudwick, of Battle Creek, 
who arrived, with his hands, on Monday. The house is two stories, 
good height and size. Tuesday morning the masons commenced the 
stonework. Saturday afternoon of the same week the stonework, 
containing 130 perches, was completed. On the Sabbath-day they 
attended church, and on Monday morning commenced the brickwork. 
On Saturday of the same week, at noon, the brick portion of the 
structure was complete, and the masons had laid between 50,000 and 
65,000 brick. In the afternoon the hands returned to Battle Creek, 
having been gone a little less than two weeks." 

Id July, 1838, Rev. Miles P. Squier, of Geneva, N. Y., 
came to Vermontville on a visit to his brother, W. J. 
Squier. He stayed over Sunday and preached for Mr. 
Cochrane, and also baptized the six children of hi.s brother. 

A renowned bear-hunt occurred in the fall of 1839, all 
the men and boys in the place turning out to aid in Bruin's 
destruction, to pay for his numerous depredations. He 
was finally killed, after a desperate struggle, and his skin 
was sold for four dollars, with which sum books enough to 
start a Sabbath-school library were purchased. 

The first frame house in the town was built by W. J. 
Squier, and was occupied by him until the fall of 1869, 
when he met his death, resulting from erysipelas getting 
into a bruised arm, injured in preparing material for a new 
house. After his death his plans for a building were car- 



520 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ried out, and the old house was replaced by a fine brick 
structure. 

Below is given a plan of the original lots in the village, 
with the names of the owners :* 



i 




1 


•< 


1 


1 


a 

E 

P 


i 


B 






g. 


1 

hi 


1 


3 


i 

U 




«H 


V 


►5 


td !^ 1 ^ o 1 H 


s; gi,»',Big;a'f?.'s!?? ? 


W 

E 


1 


)> 




1 


1 ri 


i ° ' •" ? ' 1 ■ 




g 








f 




,; 1 1 




i 



The records of the County Pioneer Society furnish the 
following facts : 

Edward W. Barber, born in Benson, Rutland Co., Vt., 
settled at Vermontvillc, Oct. 8, 1839. Mr. Barber's " gross 
weight" is stated on the record as 185 pounds, and that is 
sufficient proof of a literally " solid man." 

Willard Davis, a native of Princeton, Worcester Co., 
Mass., settled in the towusliipof Vermontville in the fall of 
1837, and has witnessed the many wonderful changes 
which have since taken place around him. 

George S. Browning, a native of Griswold, New London 
Co., Conn., settled at Bellevue, Eaton Co., Mich., in June, 
183G, and in October, 1837, removed to Vermontville, where 
he died July 26, 1874. His widow (now Mrs. R. W. Gris- 
wold) is one of the oldest lady residents of the place, but 
two or three having lived here a greater length of time. 

George W. Squier, a native of Addison Co., Vt., came to 
Vermontville when a boy, in April, 1837. Has since resided 
here, except during about four years spent in California. 

Martin L. Squier, same nativity as above, settled in 
Vermontville at the same time. 

Daniel Barber, a native of Benson, Rutland Co., Vt., 
settled in this town Oct. 6, 1839. 

R. W. Griswold, same nativity, settled at Vermontville 
in October, 1836. 

Rev. William U. Benedict was born in Stamford, Fair- 
field Co., Conn., and in 1810, when two years old, removed 
with his parents to Cayuga Co., N. Y. In September, 
1829, he graduated at Williams College, Massachusetts, 
and at Auburn Theological Seminary in August, 1832. 
For ten years he labored in the ministry in Central New 
York, and on the 23d of May, 1843, settled at Vermont- 
ville, Eaton Co., Mich. During the remainder of his life he 
resided at Vermontville and Olivet, engaged in preach- 
ing, teaching, and a portion of the time in superintending 
a farm. He died in 1875. 

S. S. Church,"]- a native of Salisbury, Addison Co., Vt., 

* Streets were laid out through the centre of the village each way, 
and at their intersection was the public square, 
t See Mr. Church's article. 



was one of the three who located the " Union Colony" in 
May, 1836 ; after the village was surveyed he returned to 
Vermont, and in November of that year brought his family 
to Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., removing to Vermontville 
in January, 1837. 

Simeon McOttcr, born in Benson, Rutland Co., Vt., 
settled in Eaton County in June, 1836, as one of the 
members of the Vermontville colony. He had visited 
Michigan in 1827, but returned to Vermont and remained 
until the colony was formed. His first trip to the State 
was in company with a fiimily which was moving with an 
ox-team, and three days were occupied on the road between 
Detroit and Plymouth. Ann Arbor contained but few 
houses, and Monroe was in its infancy, with the road to 
Detroit almost wholly impassable. 

Frank P. Davis was born in this township, Oct. 29, 
1845. 

Walter S. Fairfield emigrated from Vermont to this 
township in 1836, settling in Vermontville. He was a 
printer by trade, and was one of the first to lend his aid 
towards establishing a newspaper in Eaton County. Besides 
holding several offices in his town.ship, he was chosen to 
the positions of sheriff and register of deeds for the county, 
and filled them satisfactorily. His death occurred at Ver- 
montville, Feb. 15, 1860. 

Edward H. Barber, one of the original colony of Ver- 
monters who settled here, made this his home in 1839, and 
was the second member of the colony who died here, J his 
death occurring June 23, 1865. Mr. Barber was one of 
the prominent pioneers of the county, and in the early his- 
tory of the latter served eight years as a member of the 
board of supervisors. He was exceedingly anxious for the 
success of the Union arms during the great Rebellion, and 
for the abolition of slavery in the United States, and with 
the consummation of his long-cherished hopes his life went 
out. He was seventy-one years of age at the time of his 
death. 

Comparatively few of the original members of the col- 
ony are left in the township, their number having been 
thinned by deaths and removahs. The colonists were men 
of hardy constitutions, and well calculated to withstand 
the hardships incident to a frontier life. 

RESIDENTS IN 1844. 

The following list of resident taxpayers in the township 
and village of Vermontville is taken from the assessment- 
roll for 1844: A. L. Armstrong, W. U. Benedict, G. S. 
Browning, Daniel Barber, E. H. Barber, Barber & Ladd, 
Levi Brundige, John Barrite, Joshua Blake, D. F. Bul- 
lock, S. S. Church, William Clark, Nathan Clifi'ord, Orin 
Dickinson, Jonas Davis, Willard Davis, Lucy Dwight, W. 
S. Fairfield, Jacob Fuller, William B. Fuller, James A. 
Fuller, Hamilton Fonger, Warren Gray, Sidney B. Gates, 
R. W. Griswold, Jay Hawkins, F. P. Hopkins, Amos 
Hooker, David Henderson, Isaac Hagar, James Hagar, H. 
I. Mears, S. McOtter, Wells R. Martin, Levi Merrill, 

Ford, M. S. Norton, D. H. Robinson, William F. 

Hawkins, Henry Robinson, T. 'W. Rogers, Robinson & 

I Mr. Fairfield was the first. 



VERMONTVILLE. 



521 



Martin, Samuel Richards, W. Synier, Manly Symer, Arte- 
nias Smith, Cephas Smith, Philetus Spr.ij^ue, S. D. 
■ Scoviil, Henry Standish, Ueuben Sanford, Lovina Smith, 
William B. Sherman, Jason Smith, William W. Warner, 
Asa B. Warner, Henry Hayner, Wail J. Squier, A. 
Hooker. 

Wells R. Martin, one of the ori-jinal colony, settled here 
with his wife and babe. May 25, 1838, and has since had 
his home at the villajie. He has been prominent in many 
ways, having served his township in various capacities, and 
represented his district also in the Legislature. 

Roger W. Griswold, from Benson, Rutland Co., Vt., as 
was also his present wife, came here in 183G, unmarried, 
in company with his uncle, Orin Dickinson (now deceased). 
In 1837 he wont to Vermont and was married, and soon 
after returned and purch:i.sed the interest of one of the 
colonists. His wife died, and he afterwards married the 
widow of George S. Browning. Edward and Daniel Bar- 
ber, brothers and early settlers at Vcrmontvillc, were uncles 
of R. W. Griswold, and came later. 

Professor Edward P. Church, who was but a year old 
when his father. Deacon S. S. Church, settled at Vermont- 
ville. He is a graduate of Oberlin College, Ohio, as is also 
his wife, who was a member of his class. Mr. Church had 
studied one year at Cambrid'ge University. After com- 
pleting his course at Oberlin he was recommended as a 
teacher in Oahu College, Sandwich Islands, and went there 
with his wife. He was professor of mathematics and su- 
perintendent, and was finally made president, remaining ten 
years with the institution. Mrs. Church was matron 
and teacher. Their post-office was Honolulu. Professor 
Church is now superintendent of the high schools at Green- 
ville, Montcalm Co., Mich. 

Willard Davis, who came to Bollevue in 183G, removed 
afterwards to Vermontville, at which place he became a 
permanent resident in 18-13. He has been prominently 
identified with the political interests of the county, serving 
in various positions, including that of member of the Legis- 
lature. 

0. M. Wells, now a resident of the township of Ver- 
montville, was an early settler in Sunficid, where other 
members of the family are still living. 

H. J. Mears is numbered also among the settlers of 1836, 
and has held numerous important positions in the township. 

TOWNSHIP OKGANIZATION.— LIST OF OFFICERS. 

I An act of the Legislature approved March 11, 1837, 

provides that " all that portion of the county of Eaton, 
designated in the United States survey its townships 3 and 
4 north, of range 6 west, and 3 and 4 north, of range 5 
west, be, and the same is, hereby set off and organized into a 
separate township by the name of Vermontville, and the first 
township-meeting therein shall be held in said loiciis/iiiK" 
From this territory have since been formed the townships 
of Chester, March 21, 1839, Sunfield, Feb. 10, 1842, and 
Roxand, March 19, 1843, leaving the present township of 

, Vermontville to include only the southwest (juaiitcr of its- 
original area, or town 3 north, in range G west. 

I The following account of tlu; first township-meeting Ls 

from the township records : 
66 



" Agrocablc to an act of tbo LcgiKlnturo of the State of Michigan, 
passed Feb. 14, 1S37, and approvca March II, 18.17, organizing sur- 
veyed townships Nos. .3 and 4 north, of range G west, ami townships 
Nos. S and 4 north, of rniigo 5 west, in Knton Counlv, in said .Stntc, 
a town, with township pri%-ilt.'ge.s, under the name of Voruiontvillo, 
the electors met at the tuwn-houso in said Vcrinontvillc, agreeably to 
previous notice, on the first Monday in April, and organized said 
meeting by choosing Samuel Seldcn, Es<]., moderator, and S. S. 
Church township clerk, who adminir'tcrcd the outh prescribc<l by law 
to each other, when proelumatioi) was made of the organization of 
said meeting. 

"2d. The ballots being talien for supervisor, Orin Dickinson wa« 
duly elected. 

"3d. S. S. Church was then chosen township clerk. 

"4th. S. S. Church, Samuel Soldon, and John Hart were elected 
assessors, 

"5th. Walter S. Fairfield was elected collector ond constable. 

" 6th. Elected S. S. Church and liczaleel Tafl directors of the poor. 

"7th. Elected Orin Dickinson, Jay Hawkins, and liezalecl Taft 
road commissioners. 

"8th. Elected Franklin Hawkins poormastcr. 

"9th. Elected Reuben Sanlord, Levi Merrill, Jr., ond Sidney II. 
Gates fence-viewers. 

" 10th. Elected Jacob Fullers, llarvey Williams, and .Samuel S. 
Hoyt overseers of highways. 

"llth. Elected Orin Dickinson, John Hart, and Levi Merrill 
school inspectors. 

'• 12th. Elected Samuel Seldcn, S. S. Church, Samuel C. S. Hoyt, 
and Orin Dickinson justices of the pence. 

" KJlh. Orin Dickinson for the term of one year, S. S. Church for 
two years, Samuel .S. Hoyt for three years, and Samuel Selden for four 
years. 

" I4th. Volerl, To raise the sum of two hundred dollars on the tax- 
able property in said township, to be appropriated to building bridges 
and making roads in said township. 

" 15lh. Vulcd, To raise the sum of two hundred dollars on the tax- 
able property of said township for defraying the town expenses for 
the current year. 

" 16th. Vuled, That cattle and horses bo permitted to run at largo 
in said town, but the owners i< to be liable for damages when they 
shall break over a decent fence, in which case the fence-viewers shall 
decide whether the fence is decent or not, 

" I7th. Vuleil, That hogs be permitted to run at large. 

"18th. Voled, That Jay Hawkins, Jacob Fuller, S. S. Church, and 
Samuel Selden be the board of inspectors of election. 

" 19th. Voted, To dissolve the meeting. 

" The foregoing is a true record of the township-meeting hold on the 
first Monday in April, 1837, and the doings of said meeting. 

"Alltit, S. S. Ciitiitcu, I'ownihip Cltrk." 

At a special election held April 3 and 4, 1837, to fill a 
vacancy in the Legislature caused by the death of Ezra 
Convis, twelve votes were polled, all for Sands McCamly. 

In 1846 the following articles were produced in the town- 
ship of Vermontville, as shown by the assessors' books for 
1847 : 419 tons of hay ; 395 bushels of rye ; 1884 bushels 
of wheat; 371 bushels of barley; 5100 pounds of beef; 
48,125 pounds of pork ; 7350 pounds of butter; 1330 
pounds of cheese',. 12,430 pounds of sugar (maple) ; 1463 
pounds of wool ; 140 pounds of flax ; 1383 bushels of oats ; 
4252 bushels of corn ; 59 bu.shels of buckwheat ; 3993 
bushels of potatoes. H. RobuisoD, assessor. 

The principal officers of the township of Vermontville, 
beginning with 1839, have beea the following: 

SLPEKVI.SOUS. 

Ii839t Wait J. Squier; 1840-15, Edward U. Borber; 1S48-18, Henry 
Robinson; 1S49-50, Wells II. Martin; 18il, Henry Uobinson ; 
18.^2-3.-!, W. U. liencdict; 1864-55, Willard Davis; 1850, W. S. 
Frink ; 1857-01. K. W. Griswold; 1802-04, Artemas Smith ; 1805- 
66, R.W. Griswold; 1807, Willard Davis; 186», Wells U.Martin; 



522 



HISTORY OP EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1S69, Ilirain S. Dickinson; 1870-72, Charles Hull; 1873-78, 
Andrew P. Green; 1879, Charles Hull. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1838-40, niriim J. Mears ; 1841-42, Wells R. Martin; 1S43, Hiram 
J. Mears: 1844, W. S. Fairfield; 1845, Artenias Smith ; 1846- 

48, AV. S. Fairfield: 1849-52, F. A. Church; 1853-54, Homer 6. 
Barber; 1855-58, W. U. Benedict; 1859, R. C. Kedzie; I860, E. 
W.Barber; 1861-64, A. H. Proctor ;» 1865-66, William U. Bene- 
dict; 1867-68, Charles Hull: 1869-70, W. U. Benedict; 1871- 
73, C. E. Hammond ; 1874-79, Mart F. Barber. 

TREASURERS. 

1839, Jacob Fuller; 1840-41, Simeon McOtler; 1842-44, Roger W. 
Griswold; 1845, Daniel Barber; 1846, Wells R. Martin; 1847- 

49, R. W. Griswold; 1850-51, Warren Gray; 1852-53, Daniel 
Barber; 1854-55, R. W. Griswold ; 1856-58, M. L. Squier; 1859- 
61, H. S. Dickinson; 1802-66, E. 0. Boardman ; 1867, C. W. 
Hyde; 1868, E. W. Hyde; 1869-70, Daniel W. Church ; 1871, I. 
C. Griswold; 1872-78, Daniel W. Church; 1879, E. W. Hyde. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1838, Levi AVheaton.f Willard Davis, Samuel S. Hoyt, S. S. Church ; 
1839, Orin Dickinson, Edward O.Smith ; 1840, Edward O.Smith; 
1841, Martin S. Norton; 1842, S. S. Church, Daniel Barber; 
1843, Warren Gray; 1344, Levi Merrill ; 1845, Philetus Sprague, 
M. S. Norton ; 1846, S. S. Church; 1847, Orin Dickinson ; 1848, 
P. Sprague, Wait J. Squier; 1849, Wait J. Squier ; 1850, Henry 
Robinson; 1851, W. B. Hopkins; 1852, A. Sprague ; 1853, Wait 
J. Squier ; 1854, W. Davis, A. L. Armstrong ; 1855, Amos Green ; 
1856, Asa Benedict, W. R. Martin; 1857, R. E. Armstrong; 
1868, Willard Davis; 1859, Homer G. Barber; 1860, Asa Bene- 
dict, F. A. Stebbins;t 1861, F. A. Stebbins; 1862, S. S. Church; 
IS6.3, H. G. Baker, A. L. Armstrong; 1864, Asa Benedict, Wil- 
lard Davis; 1865, A. L. Armstrong; 1866, Charles Hammond; 
1867, Julius Hall; 1868, M. L. Squier, A. P. Green; 1869, Asa 
Benedict, A. P. Green; 1870, C. G.Townsend, George C. Dwight; 
1871, A P. Green, E. J. Ryman ; 1872, J. T. Scovill ; 1873, H. 
L. Curtis, E. 0. Boardman; 1874, Duane Hawkins, W. R. Mar- 
tin, Frank P. Davis; 1875, Asa Benedict; 1876, W. C. Bodine, 
A. P. Denton ; 1877, A. P. Denton, Charles E. Hammond ; 1S7S, 
Duane Hawkins, Wells R. Martin; 1879, Jonathan N. Hawkins. 
1880.— Supervisor, Charles Hall; Town Clerk, A. M. Barber; Treas- 
urer, A. G.Jewell; Justice of the Peace, W. C. Bodine; 
Superintendent of Schools, William W. GifTord; School In- 
spector, C. E. Hammond; Commissioner of Highways, J. 
N. Hawkins; Drain Commissioner, A. D. Lake; Consta- 
bles, John H. Squier, A. D. Lake, John Young, Samuel 
Williams. 

CEMETERIES. 

VeimontviUe Bvryiug- Ground, No. 1, was laid out Feb. 
25, 1848. The work of clearing it had been given to W. 
J. Squier the previous year, eight dollars being paid him 
for his services. The numbers of the lots were placed in a 
box, shook up, and each head of a family — fifty-six in all 
— drew one out, taking for his own the lot corresponding 
with the number drawn. The lot, which included one 
acre, was purchased of E. H. Barber, in April, 1846, for 
forty-three dollars. 

VermontviUe Burying- Ground, Xo. 2, in the northeast 
part of the township, including half an acre, was purchased 
July 19, 1851, of Rufus Hanor, for twenty-five dollars, and 
at once laid out and improved. 

* Willard Davis appears as clerk also in 1864. 

f Chester township was organized in 1839, and the place of Levi 
Wheaton, who lived in that town, and whose term of office had not 
exi)ired, was filled by the election of Martin S. Norton. 

X Mr. Slebbins elected to fill vacancy caused by death of R. E. 
Armstrong. 



VILLAGE ITEMS. 
PLATTING OF VILLAGE AND ADDITIONS. 
The original town of VermontviUe. located on the south 
half of section 21 and the north half of section 28, was 
laid out Aug. 14, 1867, by Orin Dickinson, William Par- 
nicnter, John L. Hunter, and thirty-seven others. Church's 
addition was laid out Sept. 6, 1869, by Eliza Church ; 
Squier's addition, Nov. 8, 1869, by Martin L. Squier; 
Davis & Paruienter's addition. May 24, 1877. 



The first hotel-keeper in the village was Wells R. Martin, 
who entertained travelers in the house he occupied for a 
dwelling. Licenses given him are recorded in 1846-47, 
at two dollars per annum. The hotel now known as the 
" Follett House,' which is the principal one in the place, 
was the first and is the only one built expressly for hotel 
purposes, and was erected in 1855 by James Tuflx)rd. It 
W!is first called the " New England Hotel." It has several 
times been extensively repaired, and is now managed by S. 
A. Gunn, who has been its pioprietor since Feb. 15, 1877. 
Mr. Gunn removed here in February, 1855, from Wayne, 
Ashtabula Co., Ohio. 

FIRST STORE. 
The first stock of goods offered for sale in the village 
was brought from Bellevue by Wells R Martin and Decatur 
Scovill ; but the first regular store was not established until 
as late as 1846-47, when Hale & Friuk opened one in the 
lower story of the academy building. 

VERMONTVILLE POST-OFFICE. 

Within a few years after he settled at the village, S. S. 
Church brought in the first mail, over a route which was 
established from Bellevue and Ionia. A post-oiEee was at 
the same time established at Vermontville§, with Dr. Dewey 
H. Robinson as first postmaster. Mail was carried on horse- 
back once a week. Dr. Robinson was succeeded by Walter 
S. Fairfield, and he by Heiiiy Robinson. Amanda Robin- 
son, sister of Mrs. W. K. Martin, also held the oflice after 
Mr. Robinson. Those appointed since have been Wells 
R. Martin, Homer G. Barber, Henry Martin, C. G. Town- 
send, Willett, Dickinson, and the present incumbent, A. G. 
Jewell. 

NEWSPAPER. 

In the spring of 1874, the VermontviUe Enterprise was 
started by J. C. Worc.ster, who .sold out to G. W. Hoskins 
in May, 1875. K. Kittiidge, now of the Eaton Rapids 
Journal, was afterwards its publisher. In 1878, Capt. F. 
M. Potter purchased the establishment, and the paper is 
now edited and published by him under the name of The 
Vermoyilville Hawk. Capt. Potter was formerly a corres- 
pondent of the Charlotte Republican. The Hawk is a 
five-column quarto sheet, independent in politics, issued 
weekly, and has a circulation of 1000 copies. It is the 
only paper published in the place. 



J This office was established about 1840. It is possible that Henry 
Robinson, instead of W. S. Fairfield, was the second postmaster. Miss 
Amanda Robinson became afterwards Mrs. Dean. 



VERMONTVILLE. 



523 



SOCIETIES AND ORDEUS. 

Vermonfvillc Lodge, No. 252, /'. and A. M., was organ- 
ized in 1868, with II. G. Barber as Worshipful Master. 
The cliarter members numbered about ten, or sufficient to 
hold tlie various offices of the iod^e, and others were im- 
mediately admitted. The members of the order in the 
vicinity had been previously connected with the Charlotte 
Lodge. The present Master of the lodge is Duane Hawk- 
ins. The menibersliip is principally made up of persons 
living out of the village. 

Judge Lane Lodge, Ao. 16G, /. 0. O. F., was instituted 
about 1872, with some forty members. It has a present 
membership of 125, with the following officers : L. A. Dun- 
lap, Noble Grand ; E. A. Serine, Vice-Grand ; E. L. Clark 
Per. Sec. ; E. T. llawson, Rec. Sec. ; John Raw.son, Trcas. 

Eaton Lodge, No. 71, A. 0. U. 11', was organized June 
17, 187'J, with ten members, and Wallace C. Mears as Past 
Master Workman. AVilliam Griswold w;ls the first Master 
Workman. July 13, 1880, the membership of the lodge 
was thirty-four, and the officers were as follows : William H. 
Broas, Past Master Workman ; Dr. Charles Snell, Master 
Workman ; Eugene Mears, General Foreman ; William 
Stein, Overseer ; I. C. Griswold, Recorder ; Mart F. Bar- 
ber, Financier; George Browning, Receiver; E. B. Ham- 
mond, Guide ; Martin L. Sijuier, Inside Watchman ; 
George D. Spellman, Outside Watchman. 

VILLAGE IXCORPOR.\TIOX.— LL-^T OF OFFICERS. 

The village of Vermontville was incorporated by the 
Legislature, March 11, 1871, to include section 21, the 
west twenty rods of the southwest quarter of section 22, 
and the north three-fourths of section 28, in town 3 north, 
range 6 west. The charter was amended March 26, 1875. 

The first village election was held April 17, 1871, at 
which the following officers were chosen : President, 0. G. 
Stebbins ; Recorder, D. W. Church ; Treasurer, M. A. 
Hance; Trustees, W. C. Bodine, II. L. Curtis, C. E. 
Hammond. At a meeting of the board, April 22, 1871, 
E. O. Boardman was appointed marshal, and James II. 
McOtter street commissioner. The officers of the village 
since 1872 have been as follows: 



1872.- 
1873.- 



1877.f 



■President, Wells R. Martin ; Recorder, J. T. Scovell ; Treasurer, 

M. A. liance; Trustees, H. G. Barber, James Fleming. 
•President, K. W. Griswold;* Recorder, C. E. Hammond; 

Treasurer, M. A. Hance; Trustees, William Parmentcr, G. 

S. Brovvning, U. 0. Barber. 
•President, H. G. Barber; Recorder, F. P. Davis ;t Treasurer, 

M. A. Hance; Trustees, William Parmentcr, H. J. Martin 

W. H. Benedict. 
President, Horace L. Curtis; Recorder, 0. H. Browning ;J: 

Treasurer, Charles Hull; Trustees, 0. G. Stebbins, R. W. 

Griswold, P. S. AVright. 
■President, U. G. Barber; Recorder, I. C. Griswold; Treasurer, 

Charles Hull; Trustees, C. M. Ambrose, A. M. Barber, John 

Rematia. 
—President, H. G. Barber; Recorder, I. C. Griswold; Trcas- 



* This office was vacant March 19, 187.'!, and the Council elected H. 
L. Curtis. 

•f Resigned, and JI. F. Barber elected. 

X Resigned, and A. G. Jewell ap|iointed. 

g For the years 1877, '78, and '79 no record of election was kept, 
and owing to this fact it is not certain whether the list for those 
years as here given is correct or not, but probably it is nearly so. 



urer, Charles Hull; Trustees, 0. G. .Stebbins, 0. M. Wells, 

AVallaeo Mears. 
1878.— President, H. G. Barber; Recorder, I. C. Griswold; Treasurer, 

Charles Hull; Trustees, A. M. Barber, 0. M. Wells, Wallace 

Mears. 
1879.— President, H. G. Barber; Recorder, Ovid N. Case;] Treasurer, 

A. M. Barber; Trustees, John Squier, F. S. Loomis, William 

Griswold. 
1880.— President, 0. G. Stebbins; Recorder, H. L. Curtis ;«[ Treasurer, 

James Fleming; Trustees, D. W. Allen, A. M. Barber, W. 

M. Griswold. 

The village of Vermontville, although having a quiet air, 
is yet a place of considerable business, and its importance 
among its sister villages is recognized. The fact that its 
founders were former residents of the "Green Moun- 
tain State," where they were all prominent and respected 
citizens, speaks well for its morals and the ability of those 
to whom its affairs have ever been intrusted. 

SCHOOLS. 
Deacon S. S. Church, in 1869, wrote as follows concern- 
ing the early schools in this town : 

"The first school wiis in the summer of 1838, in a private house. 
In the fall a log school-house was erected, in which schools were regu- 
larl}' taught from three to four months in summer by a female teacher, 
and the same time in winter by a male teacher. In 1843 the popula- 
tion had so increased that an academical association** was organized 
and materials procured to build an academy to answer the double pur- 
pose of academy and church. In the fall of 1844 the u]iper story was 
completed, and Rev. W. U. Benedict, the piustor of the church, Uught 
a school four months in the fall of 184<1— 16, in which the higher Eng- 
lish branches and also the languages were taught. Mr. Benedict con- 
tinued to teach for several successive winters. The district school was 
also continued summer and winter, several months each, so that, not- 
withstanding our isolation from thoroughfares and the bustle and 
business of the world, as many thought, our children and youth were 
better educated and better qualiRed for business, both morally and 
mentally, than those of many of the villages of our State, as their 
subsequent lives have abundantly proved. With the exception of one 
or two seasons, the academy school was maintained for several months 
in the year, until, a few years previous to 1869, that and the district 
school were finally united in a union school, with two departments, 
occupying both rooms in the academy building.'' 

In September, 1866, a committee was appointed to select 
a site for a union school building, and finally purchased a 
very eligible location from W. J. Squier. A petition was 
sent to the Legislature in 1S67, asking that body to grant 
to the district power to raise a sum not exceeding 810,000, 
for the purpose of building a union school house. Nothing 
final was done until 1869, when the matter wa.s placed in 
the hands of a committee of three to decide, and they re- 
ported (Oct. 18, 1869) in favor of building. Their report 
was adopted almost unanimously, and the sum of §10,000 
was voted, with which the house was erected in 1870. 
The entire cost of the building, with interest, was about 
$12,000, and it is a credit to the place, being constructed 



II Resigned, and I. C. Griswold appointed. 

^ Resigned, and C. E. Hammond appointed. 

•• The Vermontville Acadcmiial .Association, consi.'ting of W. V. 
Benedict, Orin Dickinson, S. S. Church, W..S. Fairfield, David Barber, 
W. J. Squier, M. S. .Morton, D. H. Robinson, and Levi Merrill, was 
incorporated April 28, 1846, with "power to esUiblish at or near the 
village of Vermontville, in the county of Eaton, an institution for the 
instruction and education of young persons." The trustees were to 
be nine in number, and the capital stock, $10,0UU, was to be divided 
into shares of ten dollars each. 



524 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of brick, and two stories in height. The school had pre- 
viously been held in the old academy, as stated by Mr. 
Church. 

The union, or graded, school was established soon after 
1860, and has four departments, — viz. : primary, inter- 
mediate, grammar, and high school. The teachers for the 
school year of 1879-80 were: Primary department, Jennie 
Ellis; intermediate. Miss Grace Noble; grammar, David 
Young; high school, William W. Gifford, principal of all 
the schools. The school board (trustees) for 1880 is com- 
posed of the following gentlemen, — viz. : Homer G. Barber, 
Charles Hull, 0. G. Stebbins, William Parmenter, James 
Fleming, C. E. Hammond. 

The schools of Vermontville have a reputation for gen- 
eral excellence, and are a source of pride to the citizens, 
who have fewer conservative ideas regarding the manner 
of conducting them than are found in many other localities. 
Progression is the watchword leading to success, and this 
fact is not overlooked. 

From the report of the township school inspectors for 
the year ending Sept. 1, 1879, are taken the following 
items of interest : 

No. of districts in township (8 whole, 2 frac- 
tional) 10 

" school-children in township 57S 

" ** " attending during year.. 460 

" days school taught 1904 

" school-houses (2 brick, 7 frame, 1 log).. 10 

** seatings in same 705 

Value of school property §14,672 

No. teachers employed (males, 4; females, 15),. 19 
Wages paid same (males, 151042; females, S1259) $2301. 00 

Total resources for year 4051.85 

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 863.34 

Total expenditures, less amount on hand 3188.51 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
Congregational Clmrch* — In February, 1837, a Con- 
gregational Church, consisting of sixteen members, was or- 
ganized in Vermontville by Rev. S. Cochrane, who had 
been in the habit of holding meetings on the Sabbath, 
reading sermons and conducting other religious exercises. 
Mr. Cochrane was the first pastor of the church, and his 
duties extended over a period of five years. He was a grad- 
uate of Dartmouth College. His successor was Rev. William 
U. Benedict, from Cayuga Co., N. Y., a graduate of Wil- 
liams College and Auburn Seminary. He entered upon the 
duties of his position in 1843 and remained until 1851. 
Not long after, Rev. Seth Hardy, of Lyman, Mass., gradua- 
ting respectively from Amherst and Andover, became the 
pastor, and was the first and only regularly installed pastor 
the church ever had. His labors here closed in 1854, and 
in the same year Rev. Charles Temple, son of a noted mis- 
sionary, took charge. He was born on the island of Malta 
and was educated at Amherst and Andover. He remained 
in charge of the church at Vermontville about seven years, 
and resigned on account of ill health. His successor was 
Rev. 0. H. Spoor, from Georgia, Vt., a graduate of Oberlin. 
S. 8. Church and Willard Davis were chosen deacons at the 
organization. Mr. Davis soon after removed, and Mr. 



* The first trustees of the " First Congregational Society of Ver- 
montville" were Wait J. Squier, (Jeorge S. Browning, Warren Gray, 
S. S. Church, Oliver J. Stiles, Hiram J. Mears, — elected Aug. 10, 



Church resigned in 1864. Wells R. Martin resigned at 
the same time, having served since 1842. 

For about a year after organization services were held in 
a private house. A new log school-house was then occupied 
for five or six years, at the end of which time a structure, 
thirty by forty feet in dimensions and two stories high, 
costing 32000, was built to serve both as a church and an 
academy. In 1862 a new building for the use of the 
church and society was commenced, and was finished in 
18G4, at a total cost of $0000. It was dedicated on the 
30th of November in the latter year. A Sunday-school 
was organized at the beginning and has since been main- 
tained. The first library it possessed was a donation of 
second hand books from friends at the East. 

Rev. O. H. Spoor served as pastor of this church for ten 
years. His successors have been Revs. Homer G. Parker, 
fifteen months; Robert C. Bedford, one year; T. Lincoln 
Brown, fifteen months; Ferdinand Dickinson, two and one- 
half years, and the present pastor. Rev. Horace R. Williams. 

The present membership of the church is actually about 
150, although some 220 names are on the record; but 
of these many have removed to other localities, and the 
list of actual members has been reduced in various other 
ways. The church edifice now in use is the same which 
was completed in 1864, and is a frame building. 

Methodist Episcopal Churcli. — This body was organized 
by Rev. Samuel Noble, in 1844, with nine members, at the 
Red School House in District No. 2. His successors as 

pastors have been Revs. R. Noble (18i5-46), Osheer, 

Sutton, Reynolds, J. T. Collins, Amos Wake- 
field, Mr. Harris, Mr. Pierce, S P. Barker, E. H. Day, 
Mr. Goer, G. W. Hoag, J. Lyon, M. S. Otis, W. M. Cope- 
land, E. D. Young, Mr. Braggon, Messrs. Congdon and 
Fowler,"!" M. Carpenter, Mr. Masoil (during whose pastorate 
a house of worship was commenced), G. B. Palmer, E. 
Wilkison, J. Clark, H. Caldwell, J. W. Gulick, H. L. Jor- 
dan, William Stark, another whose name is not recollected, 

W. J. Swift, Freeman, and the present pastor. Rev. 

B. S. Pratt. 

The church was begun in 1861 or 1862, and finished 
and dedicated in 1863. Its cost was about $1400. In 
1867-68 a parsonage was erected, at an expense of $1000. 
Sunday-schools have been kept up for many years. Its 
superintendent for 1879-80 was David Young. The pastor 
has appointments also at the " Brick School-house," north- 
east of the village, one at Bismark, in Sunfield township, 
and one at East Sunfield. The principal membership of the 
church at Vermontville is outside of the village. 

The Free Methodists have held meetings for a short time 
in the village ; have no church building ; Rev. C. W. 
Haines, pastor. 

VERMONTVILLE IN THE REBELLION. 

This township responded gloriously to the pressing needs 

of the day when the rebel fire upon Fort Sumter echoed 

throughout the northland, and the "ranks of war" had over 

ninety representatives from Vermontville. Of this number 



f These two in 1858. Rev. J. Fowler was reappointed in 1859 and 
divided the church, forming a second one in the village. 



VERMONTVILLE. 



525 



but two were drafted, to such good purpose did the citizens 
work to procure volunteers. One of the drafted men was 
discharfied on reaciiing New Yoric. The township raised 
over $1H,()00 for war purposes, exclusive of the sum raised 
as her portion of the State tax for like use. The town fur- 
nished five ph3'sicians and surgeons for the army and one 
for the navy, besides one uiiijor, one captain, and two or 
three lieutenants. A number of her heroic sons came home 
maimed and crippled. Throe were killed in battle and fif- 
teen died of disease. Of the first volunteers one was killed 
at Baton Kouge, La., two died of disease in New Orleans, 
and one in Ualtimore, Md. The township was represented 
in the various organizations which drew men from the 
county, and their record is that of brave soldiers and true 
and devoted heroes. The percentage of loss in their num- 
bers was probably not exceeded by many town.ships furnish- 
ing an equal number of men. The deeds of the soldier 
are not forgotten, and his memory lives in the hearts of 
those who were called upon to mourn his loss while fighting 
in a noble cause. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 




/ DUDLEY F. BULLOCK. 

Budley F. Bullock is a native of Trenton, N. Y., born 
Nov. 10, 1812. Shortly after his birth the family re- 
moved to Rutland Co., Vt., where he remained until 
twenty-four years of age, working upon the farm, and at- 
tending school in winter. In 183G he engaged with Mr. 
Morse to come to Vermontville and assist in clearing a 
farm. Soon after their arrival Mr. Morse concluded to re- 
turn, and their contract was annulled. Mr. Bullock then 
decided to invest what little capital he had accumulated in 
wild lands, with the intention of remaining permanently. 
He entered eighty acres (his present home) on section 34, 
and then sought employment at Albion, Calhoun Co., 
Mich., where he labored four years. Feb. 1, 1839, he 
married Miss Lurancy, daughter of Horace and Lucy 
Howell, pioneers of Calhoun County. The spring follow- 



ing, in 1840, D. F. Bullock and wife removed to his pur- 
chase in the wilderness of Eaton County. The last two 
miles of their journey had to be underbrushed to permit 
the passage of their oxen and wagon. 

The nearest habitation was at Vermontville, four miles 
distant, too for and time too valuable to be lost journeying 
to and from. The young wife, with true pioneer spirit, de- 
cided to remain and share with her husband such shelter 
as a deserted hunter's shanty would afford, until a cabin 
for their future home could be built. It consisted of rough 
logs, shake roof, mud chimney, and split ba.sswood floor. 
The work completed, Mrs. Bullock was installed with as 
much pride as a modern belle would feel in a palatial resi- 
dence. 

The tramp of wild beast.-*, accompanied by the howling 
of wolves around their habitation (after they had retired 
from the toil of the day), became familiar sounds. Many 
an incident and adventure could be related, but one will 
suffice. Mrs. Bullock's father was solicitous of their sur- 
roundings, and made them a visit. Being something of a 
hunter, he succeeded one day in bringing down a deer. It 
was not far from the house, and as Mr. Bullock went in 
answer to his call, he saw three bears descending from a 
large leaning tree, evidently attracted by the scent of blood. 
He attempted to stop them by beating on the tree with a 
club until Mr. Howell should arrive with the gun. Bruin, 
not to be foiled, loosed his hold and dropped like a ball, 
nearly prostrating Mr. Bullock. He in turn dealt the bear 
such a heavy blow that the club broke, and thrown from 
his balance he fell upon the bear. It was a complete sur- 
prise-party, — such a scrambling, whooping, yelling, and 
growling as followed ! Man and beast were willing to depart 
instanter. Mr. Howell came up, and they turned their at- 
tention to the remaining two, which they dispatched. 

In the effort to clear and improve a farm, and provide 
for a family constantly increa.sing, time seems to have passed 
without reckoning. In the few succeeding years they had 
accomplished much. Fields were cleared and inclosed, 
orchards planted, and barns for the housing of an abundant 
harvest and for the protection of domestic animals were 
provided. In 1844 the log cabin was replaced by a com- 
modious farm-house, all of which they had so faithfully 
toiled for. Mrs. Bullock was permitted to enjoy it all only for 
a short period. After a brief illness, she, on Dec. 18, 1855, 
passed a,way " peacefully in the strength never failing," 
lamented by many friends, a devoted husband, and three 
children of four that had been born to them, — Carolina, 
born March 14, 1845, died in 18G2 ; Lueelia, born May 1, 

1848, wife of Rev. H. R. Wiard, of L , III. ; Juliette 

and Jeanette, born Aug. 16, 1849, now Mrs. S. L. Wiaid, 
of Vermontville, and Mrs. John McCarty, of Kalamo. 

By a second marriage, to Miss Jane Wyatt, of Rutland, 
Vt., Jan. 27, 1856, there were born two children, — Henry 
S., Nov. 18, 1857, and Jane R., June 5, 1858, who died the 
September following. A few days later, and on October 
1st death again entered his home and took from him a de- 
voted wife, and the kind and indulgent mother of his twice- 
orphaned children. Thence he journeys on in life, re- 
spected and beloved by his children, and strong in the 
faith of a perfect hereafter. 



526 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





I, I sl>R vol h 



MRS. L. C. SPRAGUE. 



L. C. SPRAGUE. 

Jonathan Sprague was a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y. 
His ancestors were English and emigrated to Massachusetts 
in a very early day in the liistory of that State, and 
from whom many of the families now prominently known 
have descended. Jonathan reared a family of eight chil- 
dren, L. C. Sprague being the second child of that family, 
born May 23, 1807, in Hannibal township, Oswego Co., 
N. ¥., said to have been the first white child born in that 
township, where he remained until twenty-six years of age, 
when he married Miss Cornelia, daughter of Aaron and 
Betsey Cole, of Hannibal, born Nov. 30, 1808. 

In 1833 he removed to Onondaga County and engaged 
in brick-making. The spring of 1836 he converted his 
accumulations into money and with family journeyed west- 
ward to Leroy, Calhoun Co., and purchased eighty acres. 
After making some improvements, an opportunity was pre- 
sented of selling at a remunerative price, which he em- 
braced. He then came to Vermontville and purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres on section 14, a part of which 
compi'ises his present home. 

About ten acres had been chopped down and a rude log 
cabin built, into which they moved and began industriously 



to improve their house and surroundings. Not the labor of 
a single season, but years of toil, as only those who have 
had a similar experience can testify. Only one removal, 
and that 

" Out of the old house into the new. 
Fare you well, old house ! you're naught that can feel or see, 
But you seem like a human being, — a dear old friend to me." 

Mr. and Mrs. Sprague united with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Society early in life, and the faith that buoyed them 
up during the dark days of pioneer life still comforts them 
in their declining years. For forty years he has been a class- 
leader, always contributing largely to sustain the cause and 
for benevolent purposes. la his domestic relations he is 
kind and affectionate, and in every sense a worthy citizen. 
His family consists of Mrs. Margaret Cowles, born May 22, 
1831, residence Knox Co., Ills.; Henry M., born Feb. 9, 
1833, residence this township; Mrs. Betsey P. Hawkins, 
born Feb. 28, 1835; Sabriah, born Sept. 4, 1836, died 
February, 1848; Levi C, born Aug. 24, 1838, enlisted in 
Company H, Sixth Michigan Infantry, returned home in 
1862 and died from sickness; Mrs. Juliette Dunton, born 
June 4, 1842; Mrs. Electie Jacokes, born July 30, 1844; 
Caleb M., born Oct. 27, 1846 ; Edmund J., born Dee. 29, 
1852, residence upon homestead, having charge of same. 



MARTIN L. SQUIER. 
No State has contributed more largely of her noble sons 
to develop the resources of the mighty wilderness of the 
West than the Green Mountain State, — men who, when 
they turned their faces westward, turned not back, but 
went resolutely forward with the self-imposed task until all 
obstacles were overcome, " Then wrapped the drapery of 
their couch about them, and lay down to pleasant dreams." 
Such an one was Wait J. Squier, who with others, in the 
spring of 1837, came to Vermontville, a location they had 
elio.sen for a future home, and named in honor of the State 
from whence they came. Martin L. Squier, a sou to whom 
this sketch has particular reference, was born in New 



Haven, Addison Co., Vt., July 27, 1829, and grew to man- 
hood upon his father's farm, experiencing the varied phases 
of pioneer life in the then wilderness region of Eaton Co., 
Mich. He received an academical education, graduating 
in 1846. The knowledge thus attained was practically 
applied behind the counter and in the counting-room of a 
thorough business house at Pontiac, Oakland Co., until 
1850, when he returned home and purchased his father's 
extensive property, which he handled successfully for the 
four years following. 

Dec. 31, 1852, he united in marriage with Miss Amelia, 
daughter of Daniel B. and Rhoda R. Griswold, of Benson, 
Rutland Co., Vt., subsequently pioneers of Vermontville. 





'^?»l>a- 




MRS. M. LSQUIER. 



M. L. SQUIER. 



^zM'.^' 



^^v;.-%.. 













^ . ' ,'\ jw.- ,.*<J.< >,T\. 



■M 




Has. Of CAP'M.L SQUIER, VEHMOHTt/iuE Eaton Co Mich . 



WALTON. 



527 



In 1854 he erected his commodious farm-house upon 
the old homestead, and beautified its terraced grounds with 
ornamental trees and shrubbery. The home consists of two 
hundred and fortj' acres, inclosed and under cultivation, 
being one of the most thoroughly-tilled and completely- 
stocked farms in the county, tlius placiiig Mr. S(|uier in the 
front rank among the enterprising business men and prac- 
tical formers. The call " To arms !" found him engaged in 
domestic affairs, yet at no time had he lost sight of the all- 
ab.sorbing question theu agitating the country. Hastily 
arranging his business, he tarried not for position which 
he so nobly could have filled, as his military record will 
attest, but enlisted as a private in Company C, Second 
Michigan Cavalry, Sept. 19, 1861, went immediately to the 
front, and during the four years and two months that he 
served was not excused from duty or sick in the hospital a day. 
He participated iu every skirmish and battle in which his 
regiment was engaged; was twice personally complimented 
by Gen. Phil Sheridan ; veteranized with his company ; pro- 
moted to second lieutenant April 15, 1803, and assigned 



to staff duty with Gen. John Craxton, commanding First 
Brigade, Wilson's Division Cavalry Corps. Again promoted 
to first lieutenant on March I, 18(54, and on October 2Gth, 
following, to rank of captain, and assigned to duty as quar- 
termaster at Maeon, Ga., a position of no slight importance, 
requiring a thorough business knowledge to successfully 
clo.se out many thousand dollars' worth of government sup- 
plies, embracing all within the military department of 
Georgia. 

Work accomplished, he was mustered out at Detroit, 
Nov. 20, 1805, and returned to his farm duties and to the 
quiet enjoyments of social life. He has been called to fill 
many local offices of trust by the Republican party, and 
whose principles he supports with all the fiinincss of char- 
acter and tenacity of purpose for which he is conspicuous 
in his business as well as political affiliations. He evinces 
the same breadth of character and usefulness that was mani- 
fested in his military career. Mr. Squicr has been a con- 
sistent member of the First Congregational Church of 
Vermontville since 1850. 



II > « Kit I i> II 



WALTON. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, Etc. 
Walton township is located on the southern border of 
Eaton County, and is bounded west by Bellevue, north by 
Carmel, east by Brookfield, and south by Calhoun County. 
The boundary-lines of the township were surveyed in 
1824-25, by John JIullett, and the subdivisions by Syl- 
vester Sibley, in 1825. The township is cros.sed by the 
Chicago and Grand Trunk Railway, upon which is a sta- 
tion called Olivet, two and one-half miles north of the 
village of the same name. The road-bed of the proposed 
Coldwater and Marshall Railway is also graded, but there 
is no present probability that this line will be completed. 
It passes through the village of Olivet. The township has 
a diversity of surface, but is for the most part rolling, and 
in places quite hilly. The soil is generally sandy, or a 
sandy loam. The town was originally covered mostly with 
heavy timber. It is watered by Battle Creek and its trib- 
utaries, the main stream having a course across the town- 
ship from northeast to southwest. In the southwest corner 
of town,''near the village, is located a small but very pleas- 
ant sheet of water, known as Pine Lake. Numerous 
swamps and marshes are also found. 

LAND ENTRIES. 
In town 1 north, range 5 west (now constituting the 
township of Walton), the following entries of land were 
originally made, as shown on the tract-book in the office of 
the county register : 

5«(ionl.— 18.35, T.R.Smith; 1837, L. G. Ford, M. Carpenter; 1839, 
D. Spaolding. 



Section 2.—UU, J. H. Dewey, C. Osgood; 1852, A. W. Mines; 1854, 

A. J. Beach. 
Section 3.— 18.36, C. JI. Lee; 1837, W. II. Brown, Richard .Marvin ; 

1852, T. Dugan. 
Section 4.— 1836, D. B. Phillips, A. N. Peck; 1837, E. J. Pennimnn, 

E. Willis; 1850, ,1. Bosworlh ; 1852, II. While Uouse. 
Section 5.— 1837, J. Blaisdell, N. Wales, 0. Bucliingham ; 1849, J. P. 

Thornton, Flavins J. Xorthrup, B. Leo; 1850, J. Carter ; 1852, 

T. ri. Roberts; 1858, J. P. Thornton, Joseph 0. Bradley. 
Section 6.— 1836, 0. B. Austin, A. A. Grant, O. W. Taylor; 1837, W. 

Cummings, John P. Thornton, R. Jarvis. 
Section 7.— 1836, Charles H. Carroll, J. W. Hicks, S. Clark ; 1837, J. 

Shipp. 
Section 8.— \8Z6, Carroll; 1837, J. H.aligcr, A. T. Ilunrod; 1849, 

U. A. Buakirk; 1851, M. Lowry, J. S. Gamble; 1853, G. F. 

Stevenson, John Long. 
Section 9.— 1836, F. Bushnell ; 1837, W. A. Clark, U. Chapman. 
Section 10—1836, C. M. Lee, F. Bushnell. 
Section II.— 1836, T. R. Smith ; 1837, W. Donnison, D. A. Dcnnison, 

E. B. Allen; 1839, H. E. Spencer; 1850, E. D. Galusha ; 1851, 

W. D. Osman: 1852, A. W. Ilines. 
5«(io;i 12.— 1832, J. II. Jones; 1836, T. R. Smith; 1837, Calel) 

Woodbury, D. W. Woodbury, A. Vanevi. 
.?«(i«.i 13.— 1836, Dodge i. Fitch, O. Wilcox; 1837, E. Adams, J. 

W. Blackman, D. W. Woodbury, W. AVebster. 
Section 1!.— 1835, N. A U. Weed; 1830, Dodge i. Fitch; 1837, J. 

Gardner, C. Howard; 1838, S. F. Hinckley. 
Section 15. — 1836, Joseph Bosworth, Dodge A Fitch; 1837, L. Squior, 

A. C. Howard. 
Section 16.— 1851 (E. Whitcomb), A. L. Green A E. X. Ely, A. Mar- 
tin; 1853, D. J. Claus, .•<. Waggoner, L.Ward, Charle« Camp- 
bell ; 1854, D. Waggoner, J. Waggoner (F. Waggoner), Wm. 

Waggoner, G. H. Galusha, J. .Mack; 1865, Irving E. .Martin. 
Section 17.— 1836, Carroll, H. Quinby ; 1837, Wm. Tillotson, H. 

L. Walker, H. Cotton; 1848, J. McBradner; 1853, E. Halliday. 
,Stc/ion 18.— 1836, Charles H. Carroll, C. Arnold; 1848, William 

Sellera. 
Section 19.-1835, Arnold, S. A. Smith; 1836, U. Uickok; 1837, 



528 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



II. Hart, C. Phelps; 1838,N. F. Blossom; 1854, J. E. C. Hickok ; 

1835, J. W. Hickok. 
Section 20.— 1835, J. Miller, S. A. Smith ; IS-'iC, H. Quinby, M. Clark, 

W. Wright. 
Sectiim 21.-18:16, H. W. Field (entire section). 
Section -22.— IS?,(>, J . Bosworth, E. Bacon, B. Palmer; 1837, N. F. 

Blossom; 1844-47, J Bosworth; 1850, E. D. Galusha. 
&c(io» 23.— 1836, E. Bacon, Wilco.\, P. W. Brawn; 1844, E. 

Ridout; 1852, C. Weeks. 
&c(wii 24.— 1836, Buckingham, G. Wright, Kingsland; 

1837, Caleb Woodbury. 
Section 25.-1836, Baker, C. Waldo ; 1837, H. N. Chase; 1838, 

E. Dyer, Enos Boughton ; 1845, William Carpenter; 1853, A. 

Scott; 1854, W. A. Conant; 1865, James Walling. 
Section 26.— 1836, S. Fordham, Woodbury, J. AVilcox, C. Bacon, 

Dodge &. Fitcb. 
Section 27. —IS3-, S. McCloud ; 1836, C. Bacon, S. Fordham ; 1838, 

Samuel Bond, B. F. Belding, S. Woodbury; 1845, S. Fordham; 

1846, J. Hart, Louisa H. Warren ; 1854, J. W. Hickok. 
Section 28.-1836, S. Holland, C. Reed, J. Clark, H. G. Rice, S. Ely. 
&i-(i'o)i 29.— 1836, M. Clark, Carlo Reed, S. Holland; 1837, 

Woodbury. 
Section 30.-1836, H. Hickok, B. Sliumway, J. B. Jackson, H. H. 

Hickok, J. W. Hickok ; 1837, D. Clark. 
Section 31.— 1836, L. Bishop, Jr., C. M. Lee ; 1854, B. Follett, E. W. 

Follett. 
Section 32.-1836, S. Holland, C. Reed, C, M. Lee, 0. Williams: 1837, 

D. Barrett, A. Hart. 
Section 33.— 1836, C. Inselman, M. Clark, Carlo Reed, S. Ely, M. 

Ely ; 1840, G. James. 
Section 34.— 1836, William Hart, D. W. Criipsey ; 1838, D. Spaulding. 
Section 35.— 1836, J. W. Hickok, S. Fordham; 1S37, S. Fordham, P. 

C. Hopkins; 1843, J. S. Stone. 
Section 36.— 1836, G. Phipps, J. G. Bean: 1837, H. Butterfield. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settler in the territory now comprising the 
township of Walton was Capt. James W. Hickok, who lo- 
cated here when Indians and wild animals were its only in- 
habitants. Capt. Hickok was a native of Lansingburgh 
(near Troy), N. Y., and the son of a Revolutionary soldier 
who was present at the surrender of Burgoyue in 1777. 
In February, 1836, Capt. Hickok first arrived in Eaton 
County, and during the same season brought in his family. 
On the way to their farm, which was located on .sections 
19 and 30, his wife met with an accident resulting in a 
broken limb. She was taken back to Bellevue and cared 
for at the house of John T. Hayt and on the 7lh of Sep- 
tember, 1836, before she was yet able to exercise the in- 
jured member, a son was born to her and given the name 
of Isaac E. Crary Hickok — the first white male child born 
in Eaton County. He became a prominent citizen and 
was chosen to numerous offices, among them that of county 
clerk. His death occurred in 1879 (January 30th). His 
father, Capt. Hickok, on his arrival in Walton, built a log 
house and plowed the first furrow in the township. The 
farm upon which he located was occupied by him until 
1865, when he removed to Bellevue. Two and a half years 
later he took up his residence in Charlotte, where his death 
occurred April 28, 1879. He was elected to the State 
Senate in 1852, and filled other important offices. 

The second settler in the township was Parley P. Shum- 
way, who lived near Capt. Hickok, and the third was 
Joseph Bosworth,* who lived northeast of Olivet, at the 

•■-* Mr. Bosworth came from Portage Co., Ohio, in 1837, with his 
wife aud one child, and was also accompanied by his brother, Isaac 
Bosworth, a nephew, Orville Harris, and Miss Lois Bishop, who re- 



place known as Bosworth's Mills. From a journal kept by 
Mr. Bosworth the following items are taken : 

"September, 1837. 

"Monday, 18. — . . . Loaded up for Michigan. 

" Thursday, 28. — Into Black Swamp at Miller' .«. 

" Friday, 20. — To Perrysburg. 

".Sat., 30. — Went to ferry; wind blowed ; went two miles up the 
river and forded. . . . 

"Sunday, October 1. — Crossed the State lino at Totten's; took 
supper. 

"Monday, 2. — Tecumseh ; put up at Kitchen's. 

" Tuesday, 3. — Put up at Newton's, on Chicago road. 

" Wed., 4. — Came two and a half miles north of Jonesville; woods. 

"Thurs.. 5. — To Eckford ; put up at Blakesley's ; supper. 

" Friday, 6. — Bellevue; put up at McArthur's. 

" Sat., 7.— To T. 1 N., R. 5 W. ; camped out. 

"Sunday, 8. — Commenced underbrushing and cutting shantee logs. 

" Mond., 9. — Cut logs and shingle-tree; placed bottom logs. 

"Tues., 10. — Cut logs; raised shantee; Orville went home with 
saw; Ike and I covered shantee. 

"Wed., II. — Finished covering shantee; chinked it, and moved in 
and slept well. 

"Thurs., 12. — Cut floor stuff; chinked and mudded shantee. 

" Friday, 13. — Hewed and laid floor; finished mudding chimney. 

"Sat., 14. — Went Eaton Center: saw Barnes, Kinne, Fisher; home. 

"Sund., 15.— Went Hickok's, Shuniway's. and home. 

"Monday, 16. — Cut road — three of us — through to Indian Creek. 

" Tues., 17.— Went to Marshall. . . . 

"Wed., 18.— Went Eckford; bo't wheat; back to Marshall; loaded 
pot.atoes; lost cattle ; looked all night. 

"Thurs., 19. — Came home by the way of the Lakes, Indian trail, 
and village catties' tails; one boot, etc. 

" Fri., 20. — Went to the Lake after wagon ; Shumway helped ; came 
home by Hickok's; crossed the new bridge. 

"Sat., 21. — . . . Hunted cow. . . . 

"Sund., 22. — Hunted cow and looked land. 

"Mond., 23. — Killed ox; cut brush. . . . 

"Tues., 24.— Went Bellevue; sold 270 lbs. beef. . . . 

" Wed., 25. — . . . Found cow ; made calf-pen, etc. 

"Thursday, 26. — Survey a forty and a hundred and sixty, — ■ 
Hickok. 

" Friday, 27. — Mowed marsh and cocked up hay. . . . 

"Thursday, Nov. 2.— Went raising Miller's house. 

" Fri., 3. — Put up heap; raised shantee and mudded it. 

"Wed., 8. — Hauled stone; made back wall and chimney. 

"Thurs., 9.— Went to T. 1 N., R. 4 W., to work for Jesse Hart- 
self and Ike. . . . 

"Tues., 14. — Ike helped Hart move. 

" Monday, Dec. 4. — Cut road and bridge timber all day. 

"Saturday, 9. — Went Bellevue; surveyed Crosse's laud. 

"Sund., 10.— Came home by Indian village; bought skin. 

"Tues., 12. — Cut house logs and cleared out tops. 

"Wed., 13. — Cut house logs; went to Shuuiway's and home. 

" Thurs., 14. — Cut brush ; cleared away for house, itc. 

"Fri., 13. — Hewed beams and sleepers: hauled logs. 

"Sat., 16. — Raised house ;t 13 hands; cold and snowy. 

" February 1, 183S. — Went to Jacksonburgh ; gotdeed recorded for 
Daniel Collins, Jr.; went 7 miles on the Clinton Road, to School- 
maker's [Schoonmaker's ?]. 

" Sat., 24. — Wrought on bridge at Indian Village. 

" Monday, March 5. — Helped Bond raise. 

"Friday, 23.— Went Shumway's raising. 

"Thurs., April 5. — Went to Judson's raising, — barn. 

" Monday, 9. — Went to County Election, Bellevue. 

" Tues., August 21. — Hauled logs for Woodbury's house ; raised p.m. 

" Sunday, September 30. — This is the dryest month I ever saw, — 
not rain enough to lay the dust. Whippoorwills sung the last even- 
ing in this month. 

" Monday, October 1 . — . . . Ague came on unexpected. 



turned a year and a half later. Joseph Bosworth was a stone-cutter 
by trade. The party drove through with three yokes of oxen, 

t The house was finished in January, 18.S8, and oooupied on the 
25th of that month. 



WALTON. 



529 



" Tues., 2. — . . . Had tbe ague in the woojs unJ had ii Imnl liiiio 
to get huuie. 

" Weil.. 3. — SIttid close to the bed; took thoroughwort a.m., and 
Loe's |jill3 at night; bettor. 

"Sat., March SO, 1S39. — Got news of Walton's being sot off in a 
separate township. 

•* Mon., April 1. — . . . Attended town meeting as inspector. 

"Tues., 2. — Helped raise AlUn's shanteo. 

" Mon., 29. — Knocked down Ne-uiaw,* and kicked him for falling. 

"Snt., August I.'i.— . . . Went to Mr. Stone's raising, and had 
some swamp-water. 

"Wed., Sept. 25.— . . . Shot at a bear; C.apt. lidding canio. 
[Capt. Titus Belding did not settle here; he was the father of .Mrs. 
Bosworth.] 

" Sat., Oct. 26.— Cut dam timber. 

" Wed., 30. — Uauled spars in the rain and mud. 

"Sat., Nov. 2.— Went to bee on mill-dam. f 

"Sttt., July 22, 18J0.— Went to first court that was ever held in the 
township of Walton,— the State of Michigan, plaintilS; William 
Woodbury, defendant. 

" Tues., Sept. 29. — Went to Marshall with wheat; got 42 cents per 
bushel. 

"Wed., Nov. 29, 1843.— Simeon AVhecler was buried; was killed 
liy the fall of u tree. 

"Tues., Feb. 13, 1844. — Hauled one load of lumber, — 400 feet,— for 
uiccting-bouse at Olivet. 

"Sunday, March 4. — Went to Fordham's school-house to meeting; 
Shipherd preached. 

"Sunday, April 21. — Went to R. B. Allen's, to funeral of his boy. 

"Thurs., .May 30.- Went to raising of saw-mill at Olivet. 

"Tues., Sept. 3. — Went to Shipherd's funeral. 

"Sat., Oct. 2fi.— Helped raise grist-mill at Olivet." 

When Mr. Bosworth settled hi.s ne.irest neighbor was 
Capt. Jiinics W. Hiekok, tlirec miles distant, and in the 
opposite direction there was not a hou.se until " Searls 
Street" (Charlotte) was reached. On the site of Olivet 
was an Indian village, numbering about 100 individuals. 
The Indians had permanent huts ; their burial-ground was 
also located here. The place was known among the .settlers 
as the " Indian Village." Their chief wa-s called Sand- 
bar. Another wa.s Neeinah, an ugly customer, who is 
mentioned at some length in a general chapter. It is said 
that he was heartily despised by others of his tribe. On 
one occasion some squaws found him lying in a drunken 
.sleep, and covered liim with dry grass and .set it afire, with 
I lie intention of roasting him. He escaped, though nearly 
burned to death. He wa.s the only Indian with whom the 
settlers ever experienced trouble. 

The first white male childj; born in the township of 
Walton was Miles L. Bosworth, son of Joseph Bosworth, 
who.se birth occurred Jan. 10, 1839. He was deputy- 
.sheritf under Sheiifts Whitcomb and Miles, and died in the 
Kalamazoo In.sane Asylum in 1878 or '7'J. His father is 
also deceased, but the latter's widow is living, with another 
son, at Olivet. 



' This Indian is mentioned in a general chapter. 

■f This daui was on Mr. Bosworth's own place, on a small stream 
which received the name of Mill Creek, which discharges into Buttle 
Creek half a mile below the mill site. Uuring the same winter Mr. 
Bosworth commenced preparations to builil a saw-mill, the lower part 
of which was raised June 2U, 1840. A freshet carried away the bridge 
on the 27tb of June, and the dam was washed away in the following 
November. All was repaired and the mill completed, and sawing wafl 
commenced Dec. 7, 1840. 

\ The first white child born in tbe township was a daughter of 
Parley P. Shumwa}', whose birth occurred July 4, 1838. 

67 



Tiiomas Scott, who settled in the township of Bellevuc 
in 183G, afterwards removed to Walton, and at present 
resides on a farm east of the village of Olivet. 

S. Day, who settled in the county in 1830, is now a resi- 
dent of this township. 

P. Ilockenbury settled in 1840. 

John B. Iloscoe, who came in 18-18, married a sister of 
Phineas S. Spaulding, a pioneer of the town of Kalamo, 
and one of the county commissioners before the county 
business was transacted by the board of supervisors. Mr. 
Spaulding in now living at Charlotte. 

The history of the township of Walton centres princi- 
pally at the village of Olivet, as but few per.sons had located 
in the township previous to the settlement of the village. 

KKSIDKNT.'^ IN 1841. 

The following were the resident taxpayers of the town- 
ship of Walton in 1844, as shown by the assessment roll 
for that year : Lorenzo Force, Barnabas llobinson, Charl&s 
Peters, Alonzo Hawkins, C. D. Pearl, Earl B. Allen, H. E. 
Spencer, Ilollis Garfield, Ilodncy B. Allen, Joseph Bos- 
worth, Robert W. Campbell, W. W. Farrand, Thomas 
Scott, Archibald Scott, Adam Seott, C. Waldo, Silas Ford- 
ham, Stephen Woodbury, Horatio Nel.son Chase, Albert 
Fordhani, B. F. Belding, John Hart, Esq., William Hart, 
Flavel Stone, William S. King, Apollos Fordhain, Hiram 
Butterfield, John Hendrieksoii, James W. Hiekok, Nor- 
man Hiekok, Henry H. Hiekok, Isaac Hogle, Hiram Bur- 
roughs, J. J. Shipherd, Isaac Bears, B. Shumway, 11. S. 
Wheeler, P. P. Shumway, P. E. Shumway, L. Baldwin, 
Joseph ('base, Carlo Ueod, Denni.son, O.snian Chap- 
pell, P. AI. Chandler, Newton L. Curtis, Thomas Squier, 
W. llosford, Phineas Pease, David Walling, Franklin 
Whimple, II. W. Campbell, Alfred Allen. 

The list of non-resident taxpayers was much larger than 
the above. These include those living in both the town- 
ship and village, and it is seen that in the eight years suc- 
ceeding tile first settlement the township had received but 
comparatively few accessions to its white population. The 
number of voters was so small that for a number of years 
office-holders were apportioned several positions, in order 
that all might be filled. 

TOWNSHIP 0|{(;.\NIZATION.— LIST OK OFFICERS. 

An act of the Michigan Legislature, approved March 21, 
1839, provides that 

" All that portion of the county of Kuton designated in the I'nited 
.Stiites survey as township number one north, of range five west, bo 
and the same is hereby set off and organized into a separate township, 
by the name of Walton ; and the first township-meeting shall be held at 
the house uf Joseph Bosworth, in said township." 

"At an onnual meeting of the inhabilonts of the township of Wal- 
ton, hclil at the bouse of Joseph Boswoith, on the 1st of April, 1839, 
John Miller was chosen moderator; Samuel Bond, Joseph Bosworth 
Parley P. Shumway, and Benjamin F. Belding, chosen inspectors, 
and James W. Hiekok was chosen clerk. "^ 

The following officers were elected, viz. : Supervisor, 
Parley P. Shumway; Town Clerk, Joseph Bosworth; 
Justices of the Peace, Parley P. Shumway, John Miller, 



^ From township records, 1839. 



530 



HISTORY OF EATON COUxNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Silas Foidham, Riuhaid Hughes; Collector, Joseph Chase; 
Assessors, Joseph Boswortli, John Miller, Benjamin P. 
Beldinjr; Commissioners of Highways, Silas Fordham, 
Robert Campbell, James W. Hickok ; Treasurer, Benjamin 
Shumway ; School Inspectors, John Miller, James W. 
Hickok, Samuel Bond; Constables, Benjamin Shumway, 
Joseph Chase; Overseers of the Poor, F. P. Shumway, 
John Miller; Overseers of Highways, Joseph Bosworlh, 
Charles Peters, Parley P. Shumway, Benjamin F. Belding. 
The following is a list of the principal township officers 
from 1840 to ISl'J, inclusive: 

SUPERVISORS. 

ISJU, Parley P. Shumwiiy; 1811-42, Flavel Stone: 184S-43, James 
W. Hickok; 1840, A. L. Green; 1847, Jiinies AV. Hickok; 1848, 
Carlo Reed; 184a, James W. Hickok; 1850, Osman Chappcll ; 
1851, James W. Hickok; 1852-54, ISenajah W. Warren; 1855- 
57, Osman Chappell ; 1858, B. AV. Warren ; 1859, Osman Chap- 
pcll; ISliO, B. W. Warren;* 1861-62, A. L. Ureen ; 1863-71, 
Osaian Chappell ; 1S72-73, Thomas Scott; 1874, Asa K. Warren; 
1875-77, Thomas Scott; 1878-79, Asa K. Warrcu. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1840, James W. Hickok: 1841, Joseph Cosworth ; 1842, James W. 
Hickok; 1843, Parley P. Shumway; 1844, Joseph Bosworth ; 
1845, Osman Chappell; 1846, Joseph Bosworth; 1847, Osman 
Chappell; 1848, B. W. Warren; 1849, Osman Chappell; 1850, 
B.W.Warren; 1851, J.A.Cranston; 1852, Osman Chappell ;t 
1853-54, Eilwin N. Ely; 1855, F. L. Reed; 1856, G. G. Wood- 
inanseo; 1857,11. G.Stevens; 1858, Henry Austin; 1859, Alli- 
son A.Bell; 1860, L. 0. Smith ; 1861, Edwin N. Ely; 1862-64, 
Julius Kcjes; 1865, C. R. Parmelee ; 1860, Henry Herrick; 
1867, Sherman A. Andrus; 1868, Henry Herrick; 1869, Edwin 
N. Ely; 1870-7:'., S. A. Andrus ; 1874-75, Mordecai L. Meads; 
1876-78, George T. Haskell; 1879, Alordecai L. iVIeads. 

TREASURERS. 

1840, Flavel Stone; 1841, Albert Fordham ; 1842, Joseph Chase; 
184:J-45, Benjamin F. Bclding; 1846, Daniel L. Denison ; 1847, 
Ezra Ridout; 1848, 0. L. Denison; 1849-50, J.A.Cranston; 
1851, D. P. Cooper; 1852, Adam Scott; 1853, Manning Bailey; 
IS54, Fitz L. Reed; 1855, Julius Keyes; 1856-58, L. O. Smith ; 
1S59-G0, Henry Gardanier; 1861, Alvah J. Morell; 1862, 11. P. 
Blake; 186.3-64, Nehemiah Hobart; 1865-66, Edwin N.Ely; 
1867, Miles L. Bosworth; 1868-69, Edwin Clark; 1870, Edwin 
N. Ely; 1871-72; George Andrus; 187.3, Edwin N. Ely ; 1874- 
78, Albin G. Wright ; 1879, George T. Haskell. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1840, Thomas Scott; 1841, Isaac Ilogle; 1842, H. N. Chase, R. B. Al- 
len; 184.3, P. P.Shumway, Lorenzo Force; 1844, Lorenzo Force; 
1845, Thomas Scott; 1846, Alonzo Hawkins, B. F. Belding; 
1847, S. G. Mead;t 1848, Lorenzo Force, A.L.Green; 1849, 
Alonzo Hawkins; 1850, D. P.Cooper, B. F. Bclding; 1851, A. L. 
Green, J. J. Chappell; 1852, James W. Hickok; 1853, Joseph 
Bosworth; 1854, John J. Chappell; 1855, A. L. Green; 1856, 
Fitz L. Reed; 1857, Benajah W. Warren; 1358, W. W. Chapman ; 
1859, A. L. Green; 1860, II. Burroughs ; 1861, S. F. Drury, B. F. 
Belding; 1862, AV. AV. Chapmiin, Orison Stoddard; 1863, C. R. 
Parmelee, A. J. Morell ; 1864, Benjamin F. Bclding; 1865, J. W. 
Hayncs; 1366, J. J. Chappell, S. F. Drury; 1S67, Geo. AV. Keyes; 
1S6S, A. II. Briggs; 1869, Horace Ilulburd; 1870, J. J. Chap- 
pell, L. Ward; 1871, Albertus L. Green, John Griffin, E. R. Mo- 
ran ; 1872, E. R. Moran, Fitz L. Reed ; 1873, John Griffin, Fitz L. 
Reed; 1874, J. J. Chappell, Jacob Reasoner ; 1875, George AV. 
Keyes, Nehemiah Ilobait; 1876, Edwin R. Moran; 1877, James 



* Resigned, and 0. Chappell appointed, 
t Resigned, and S. H. Bunker appointed. 
J Did not qualify. 



Hellawell, N. Hobart: 1878, John J. Chappcll ; 1879, George W. 
Keyes. 
1880. — Supervisor, Asa K. AVarrcn : Township Clerk, Mordecai L. 
Meads; Treasurer, George T. Haskell; Justice of the Peace, 
Willson L. Messenger; School Superintendent, Lester B. 
Taggart ; School Inspector, Samuel Curtis; Coramis^ione^ 
of Highways, Fitz L. Reed; Drain Commissioner, Fitz L. 
Reed ; Constables, George Blanchard, Addison G. Stone, 
Charles Hellawell, Harvey Miller. 

VILLAGE OF OLIVET AND OLIVET COLLEGE. 

The village of Olivet is located in the southeast part of 
the township of Walton, and has grown to its present di- 
mensions in the comparatively .short period of thirty-six 
years, the colony Avhich founded it having located in 1844. 
Its location is fine, and it wears the peculiar aspect noticed 
in places which are the seats of educational institutions. 
Olivet College, whose foundation is of even date with that 
of the village, has a most picturesque location among the 
oaks which crown the hill in the southern part of the place, 
and is one of the wellknoAvn institutions of the West, Avith 
a promising I'uture before it. 

From a historical address delivered by President N. J. 
Morrison, June 28, 18G6, on the occasion of the laying of 
the corner stone for a new college hall, the following lacts 
are taken : 

" Olivet College is an outgrowth or offshoot of Oberlin College, in 
Ohio, and was founded in tS44. Rev. John J. Shipherd, who had 
been connected with the establishment and management of Oberlin 
College, finally conceived the idea of going again into the wilderness 
and building another institution lor the religious instruction of man- 
kind. He accordingly, in the execution of a commission from the 
authorities of Oberlin College, to look after certain property of that 
institution, lying near Grand River, in Eaton Co., Mich., proceeded 
to the latter State, and chanced to visit the site of the present village 
of Olivet, which is on elevated land. A little south of this eminence 
he lost his way in the brushwood, and wandering around at last found 
himself on the hill not far from the present (1866) residence of Prof. 
Hosford. He sought the dwelling for. direction in his journey. Ho 
was kindly received by tlie inniates and entertained overnight. In 
the morning, receiving from his host instructions as to his route, he 
again set forward. After riding for .some distance through the low 
growth of oak which thickly covered the region, what was his sur- 
prise to find himself on again upon the same eminence from which be 
had the day before first descried the settler's house ! 

"Staiting afresh on his journey, musingas he rode on his plan fur 
the future college, and the singularity of his losing his way twice in 
the same place, and while riding thi-ough a thicket of young trees whose 
t()ps scai-cely reached above his head, by and by he was startled at 
finding himself a third lime at the top of the same gentle acclivity, 
and in sight of the cabin be had left that morning. 'This circum- 
stance led him to believe that he was on the spot chosen for him to 
use as a site for his college, and after proceeding to the Grand River 
Valley and completing the business on which he was sent, he returned 
to the scene of his adventures and made arrangements for the pur- 
chase of a considerable quantity of land. The hill he named ' Olivet,' 
and to the streanr at its base, which was known by the commonplace 
name of ' Indian Creek,' he gave the more musical and — in accord- 
ance with his purpose — appropriate title of * Kedron.' From the 
hill-toii he sketched the plan of the village which should he founded, 
and then returned to Ohio to arrange and lead back the ' Olivet 
Colony.* One man, with his wife and family, had already promised 
to join the enterprise; this was ' Father Hosford,' and through him 
Mr. Shipherd secured the eo-operation of Carlo Reed and his family. 
To these three families were added those of AV. C. Edsell, Hiram 
Pease, George Andrus, and Phineas Pease, together with four young 
men, — viz.: Albertus L. Green, Phineas Hngar, Joseph Bancroft, and 
Fitz L. Reed, all of whom, except the last, came as students to the 
embryo college. Two young women, — Jennie Edsell and Abby Car- 
ter,— who were living in the families of .Air. Edsell and Mr. Shipherd 





m v;:^-: 



3^<^ 







WALTON. 



5:51 



rcspcctivoly, and two liircJ Iiibtrcrs, net'omjmniiMl the coluiiy. The 
entire con)|mny, wlio uu lertoitk llie roiii)>liii;j; nt' the c<fllej;e. cmsisted 
of ihirty-eight persons, inclinlin;; (oiirteen iliil.hen an.l youth. They 
lefi Oberlin on We hiesthiy, Feb. U, 1S4I. in mnveyiuice- of their 
(»wn. drawn by ox-te:in>s, und drove uhmg their stock. The trip 
was through the famous 'Black Swamp' region of Xorthwcstern 
Ohio, nnd their destination wits reached in the remarkably short tinio 
of ten days, Ihey arriving on Saturday, February 2Uh. Tpon the out- 
skirts of the tract which had been purchased were houses belonging to 
l»arley Shumw.iy and Capt. J. W. Iliukok, on the southwest si.le, 
Isaac Uogle and X. L. Curtis on the norilieast, and Iliraui Uurroughs 
on the southea.-t. Sunday, the day after tluir arrival, was spent at 
the h.iuse of Mr. Shuniway, who vacated his dwelling for their ac- 
commodation, antl gave them access to the stores iii his barn? and 
cellar. It is said that Mrs. Shiphcrd mounted the highest log on the 
hill, and took a. survey of the region, after which she reniarkc I to her 
husbanJ, ' Your village, Mr. Shipherd. looks belter on pnpcr than in 
reality.' All had stout liearts and ready hands, and work was begun 
in earnest. Two or three abandoned log citbins were made use of, 
while other families found shelter with the previous settlers while their 
own cabins were being erejtcd. The forests were cleared, and in the 
spring crops were put in. The Indian Creek was turned in it^s wild 
course, an.l taught, under its scriptural name, to do civilized work in 
sawing lumber and grinding grain. 

"So passed the first eight months, — the colonists battling as only 
earnest men can battle when the conflict is wilh the wild forces of 
primitive nature, exposed to the intense heat and deadly malaria that 
steamed up from the saturated eartli, — when, alas! sickness, tantaliz- 
ing, melancholy agues and fevers, broke out anil prevailed among 
them till not enough well ones remained to care for the ill; till the 
leader was suddenly stricken down and dieJ, nnd was borne by his 
sorrowing and disheartened companions to the little burial-ground 
behind tbo church. Along with this calamity came others. The 
heavy rains which had caused the prevalent sickness swelled the 
creek, not yet tjiught to submit to the bonds which civilization had 
imposed upon its waters, and tore away the embankment which ob- 
structed its course nnd fed the mills. A part of the community ha<l 
already sought in flight rclciise from their disappointments nnd trials, 
and refuge from the periodic attiicksfrom the Michigan swamp fiend, 
and were hiding among their friends in New York and Ohio. Now 
came the question of abandonment of the whole enterprise. Disap- 
pointed, faint, and sick, their leader dead, some said, ' Let us away ! Wo 
are not sufficient to cope with all these difficulties. We have mistaken 
the summons of duty.' Others said, particularly Father Reed, * Not 
so. Did we not come here on the Lord's business? Did we not seek 
his guidance in all this matter? Then we have made no niistuko. 
IJy these disappointments and sufferings the Lord is trying the firm- 
ne-is of our manhood and the strength of our fuith. We will remain, 
nnd the Lord, whom we serve and whose we are, will surely bless us.' 
However, about half the colonists retired, expecting their companions, 
whom they left behind, speedily to follow. 

*' As the autumn wore on sufficient preparations had been made to 
allow the public advertisement of the opening of the lirst term in 
Olivet College. This event occurred early in December, with nine 
students in attendance. A. L. Grcon, one of the students, erccterl a 
small cottage for a study and private dormitory, and this serve! for 
n chapel and recitation-room, and afterwards for the village post-office. 
Two students from Oberlin, who had about completed their theologi- 
cal studies, formed the corps of instructors: they were Uev. Reuben 
Hatch and (afterwards professor) Oramcl Hosford. 

" The place and school gradually grew. More acres were cleared 
of trees and brush ; more dwellings were erected hercanl there; mills, 
saw anJ grist, prospered at the creek; roads were opened in various 
directions through the fore*t to the outer world. The number of col- 
onists slowly increased, and the prospects of the enterprise improved. 
Having no church they met for public worship on the Lord's day in 
the front room of the house now (ISG6) occupied by Air. George An- 
drus, the first //nmc dwelling erected in Olivet. Here, also, the eom- 
monceinont exorcises of the college we.^c held until ampler room wa.«i 
furnished. 

" As early as 18(6 the trustees applied to the Lcgialaturo of the Stale 
for a college charter, but their request was refuse I, as it was thought 
best for the interests of the State to concentrate all public favor^i upon 
the university. The trustees, therefore, in ISIS, npplierl for an I ob- 
tained a charter for their school under the name of the 'Olivet In- 



stitute." School and village became pror'perous un«lcr this charter. 
Students came from various parts of the State, and the school won n 
good reputation, oven though located in a place somewhat diiTicult of 
access. Mr. Hatch was succeeded by I'mfcs-for Hosford and Uev. E. 
N. IJartlctt, who, with the valuable ai<l furnished by their wives, con- 
tinued tho work of instruction. * Large numbers of youth were 
|>repnred for teaching in public schools; others were fitted for col- 
lege; oihers still received hero all their intellectual outfit for the busi- 
ness nnd responsibilities of life; some went from here to professional 
schools ; and many, very many, went forth prepared in heart by tho 
discipline of the grace of (Jod for useful life or the Chrii-tian's 
death.' 

" Rut previous lo 1859 tho school had reached its highest po.«f-iblo 
expansion under the institute charter. Tho introduction nnd rapid 
growth in the Stale of the Union School system had already materi- 
ally nffcetcd the patronage of the institution. Tho young could ob- 
tain, in every considerable village, most of tho advantages for edu- 
cation afforded by Olivet. Olivet had ceased to grow; many of tho 
original citizens had retired, and it began to bo whispererl in tho 
neighboring towns that the school had seen its best days. Mr. Bart- 
Ictt, after years of hard and ill-requited labor, at length withdrew 
from the service of the school. The friends of Olivet saw a crisis in 
its affairs had come. The Ladies' Hall, now so convenient nnd es- 
sential to the interests of Olivet, stood half completed, — inclosed, but 
unfinished and unfurnished. To raise money to complete the erection 
of the building, to secure funds for tho support of an adequate corps 
of instructors, to turn back the ebbing tide of patronage, and rein- 
spire in the minds of the community nnd the general constituency of 
the college the confidence of success, demanded new men nnd new 
measures. Rev. M. W. Fairfield, of Rrimficld, III., was about this 
time called to be pastor of the church and principal of tho school. 
He brought to his work the enthusiasm of a fresh laborer and tho at- 
tractive power of a popular speaker. Under his direction the trustees 
of Olivet Institute determined to reorganize under the title of Olivet 
College, taking advantage of a general law of tho State, enacted a few 
years before, according to which an association of gentlemen, having 
a specified amount of capital invested for tho purpose, might or- 
ganize an institution having college and university privileges. A 
charter was 8«'cured in 1859, and in September of that j'car the first 
terra of the college opened, with a faculty of five in tructors, a fresh- 
man class, and a class in the ladies' course. Under the stimulus which 
this reorganization of tho school gave the communiry and friends of 
the college, sufficient funds fur completing tho erection of the Ladies' 
Hall, and, as was supposed, to meet the current expenses of the col- 
lege for five yeans, were secured in a few days within the limits of tho 
village. This reorganization and the erection of the hall probably 
saved the enterprise from ruin. The former cominitte<l the friends of 
the college to a new and more aggressive line of policy, while the 
latter gave to tho enterprise an appearance and sentiment of fixed- 
ness and stability." 

The college struggled for years wilh poverty, in fact, 
from its earliest existence. Its instructors were paid very 
meagre salaries, and were forced to take a portion of their 
pay in wild land, at three times its value. They aided in 
constructing the roads to the place, and turned their per- 
sonal labor to the use of tlie spade in digging the building- 
sand which was used in nearly all of the college buildings; 
they helped in the erection of the buildings, and worked 
on (heir tops when the snow flew thick atid fast, to com- 
plete a covering for the winter; and that their labors were 
earnest none can doubt. Reverses and discouragements 
met their efforts, and for many years the struggle was 
against the most advci'se circumstances. Several of their 
buildings were burned, and despair more tlian once threat- 
ened to take full possession of tlie hearts of the friends of 
the institution. Funds finally accumulated, however, very 
greatly from private donations, the citmmunity in which 
the college is located mure than once nearly beggaring itself 
in behalf of the school. During the twenty-one years suc- 
ceeding the founding o(* tl..> irwtoi,r;..ii Mu\i\ ymitli re- 



53i 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ceived instruction within its walls, and its reputation 
throughout the State and the country is an enviable one. 
During the year 18G7 between $40,000 and ?50,000 were 
added to its permanent fund. 

The original plan of Mr. Shipherd was for both a college 
and a Christian colony, the latter to found and forever 
foster the former. Tiie " faculty of five instructors" men- 
tioned by Mr. Morrison as taking charge of the college 
upon its receiving its second charter in 1859 consisted of 
Rev. M. W. Fairfield, President; Rev. 0. Hosford, Pro- 
fessor of Mathematics and Astronomy ; Rev. N. J. Morri- 
son, Professor of the Ancient Languages; Dr. A. A. 
Thompson, Instructor in Chemistry and Vocal 5Iusic ; 
Miss Mary J. Andrews, Principal of the Ladies' Depart- 
ment and Instructor in French. In 1860, President Fair- 
field resigned and removed from the State, but the number 
of students continued to increase. Before the close of 1862 
all the college classes were broken up, in consequence of the 
call for troops to aid in suppressing the Rebellion, and tlie 
natural disquietude of the times. Rev. Dr. Kitchel, of 
Detroit, afterwards president of Middlebury College, in 
Vermont, under autliority from the superintendent of pub- 
lic instruction, visited the college to note its workings and 
observe the eflBciency of its teachings, and made a most 
flattering report. Near the close of the year (1862), Rev. 
Thomas Jones became the general agent of the college, and 
his efforts in its behalf were ve.-y successful. At the com- 
mencement in 1863 the first class from the ladies' depart- 
ment was graduated. At the annual meeting of the 
" Society for the Promotion of Collegiate Education at the 
West," held in Hartford, Conn., in the latter part of 186S, 
the claims of Olivet College for aid were presented, and 
upon subsequent investigation of its merits it was taken 
under the protecting wing of that organization. At the 
annual meeting of the board of trustees in 186-1, Professor 
Morrison was chosen president of the college, and entered 
upon his duties a year later The corner-stone of the new 
four-story dormitory was laid by Philo Parsons,* of De- 
troit, June 28, 1866, Mr. Parsons having subscribed $5000 
towards its erection, and nearly $10,000 in addition was 
pledged on the spot. At the commencement in 1867, the 
first class from the full course in the arts was graduated. 

President N. J. Morrison resigned June 19, 1872, and 
removed to Mattoon, 111., where he accepted a position as 
pastor of the Congregational Church. In 1872-74 the 
duties of president were performed by Prof. John H. 
Hewitt, A.M., and in June, 1875, Rev. H. Q. Butterfield 
was elected president, which position he now holds. Prof. 
Hewitt had been appointed acting president for the year 
beginning in June, 1875, but declined, and Prof Oramel 
Hosford received the appointment, acting until the presi- 
dent elect should enter upon the duties of his office. Prof 
Hosford. who is a native of Thetford, Orange Co., Vt., and 
had lived at Oberlin, Ohio, before coming here, was one of 
the first corps of instructors in the college, and has been 
connected with it until the present time. 

Some years since railroad stock to the amount of $12,900 
was given to the college, and a few dividends were declared. 

*■ Building named Parfsons Hall, in honor of the generous donor. 



after which no returns were received from it until the spring 
of 1880, when a dividend was again declared. Aside from 
this considerable amounts have been donated annually to 
the institution by private parties, corporations, etc. The 
buildings belonging to the college are the following, viz. : 
Colonial Hall, or the original college building, containii g 
the museum ; Ladies' Hall, for boarding, containing ladies' 
society-room and the art gallery ; Parsons Hall, containing 
the library, laboratory, gentlemen's society-rooms, college 
oflBce, four recitation-rooms, and dormitories. The value of 
the college property at present is about $33,200, including 
only the buildings and real estate. The cabinet, library, 
etc., are estimated at $28,500. Total assets of college 
over indebtedness, as shown from report of June 10, 1879, 
was $229,518. 

The following are the members of the college corporation : 

President. — Rev. Horatio Q. Butterfield, D.D. 

Tiuslees — Term expiring 1880 : Rev. Joseph L. Daniels, 
of Olivet ; Henry Fralick, Esq., of Grand Rapids ; Hon. 
Jacob S. Furrand, Rev. George D. Baker, D.D., of Detroit. 

Term expiring 1881 : Rev. W. H. Ryder, of Ann Ar- 
bor ; Rev. n. H. Northrop, of Flint; Edward S. Lacey, 
Esq., of Charlotte. 

Term expiring 1882 : Rev. Arthur T. Piersou, D.D., of 
Detroit ; Hon. William A. Howard, of Grand Rapids ; 
Hon. Oramel Hosford, Hon. Asa K. Warren, of Olivet. 

Term expiring 1883 : Rev. James L. Patton, of Green- 
ville ; Rev. Philo R. Hurd, D.D., of Detroit; Rev. J. 
Morgan Smith, of Grand Rapids; Hon. Alanson Sheley, of 
Detroit. 

Term expiring 1884 ; Homer 0. Hitchcock, M.D., of 
Kalamazoo ; Fitz L. Reed, Esq., of Olivet ; Philo Parsons, 
Esq., D. M. Ferry, Esq., of Detroit. 

Term expiring 1885; Rev. Wolcott B. Williams, of 
Charlotte ; Rev. Leroy Warren, of Lansing ; Rev. A. B. 
Allen, of Galesburg. 

Execnlive Committee. — H. Q. Butterfield, Chairman ; 
Asa K. Warren, J. L. Daniels, O. Hosford, F. L. Reed. 

Libruri/ Committee. — H. Q. Butterfield, J. L. Daniels, 
George W. Keyes, Secretary and Deputy Treasurer ; Henry 
Fralick, Treasurer ; Rev. W. B. Williams, Financial 
Agent. 

Ladies Board of Manar/ers. — Miss Mary E. Topping, 
President; Mrs. Eliza Bordwell, Mrs. H. Q. Butterfield, 
Mrs. J. L. Daniels, Mrs. S. P. Drury, Mrs. E. N. Ely, 
Mrs. O. Hosford, Mrs. S. Montgomery, Mrs. H. L. Porter. 
Mrs. Hannah L. Porter, Matron of Ladies' Hall. 

Board of Visitors, for the year 1879-80. — Appointed 
by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction : Rev. 
W. K. Spencer, of Lansing; Hon. Witter J. Baxter, of 
Jonesville ; Professor E. A. Strong, of Grand Rapids. 
Appointed by the Synod of Michigan : Rev. August F. 
Bruske, of Saginaw City ; Hiram L. Miller, Esq., of Sagi- 
naw City ; Rev. John C. Hill, of Adrian ; Parker H. Burn- 
ham, Esq., of Adrian. Appointed by the Congregational 
Association of Michigan : Rev. A. Hastings Ross, of Port 
Huron; Rev. Fred S. Haven, of Flint; James Gallup, 
M.D., of Grand Rapids. 

Faculty. — Rev. Horatio Q. Butterfield, M.D., President, 
and Drury Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy ; 



WALTON. 



533 



l{ev. Henry M. Goodwin, D.D , Professor of English Lit- 
cruture, Logic, and Khetoric ; Rev. Oraniel Hosford, A.^L, 
I'rofofsor of A.slroiionij' and Natural l'liilo.sophy, and In- 
structor in JLitlieniaties ; Kev. Jo.seph ]j. Daniels, A.M., 
I'arsons Professor of the Greek Language and Literature, 
and Instructor in German; Stewart Montgomery, A.M., 
Professor of Natural Science (chair of Rulan Professor of 
the Latin Language and Literature now vacant) ; George 
II. Howard, A.M., Professor of Music; Alexander Tyson, 
A.U., Instructor in Latin; Hamilton King, A.B., Princi- 
pal of the Preparatory Department; Miss Mary K. Top- 
jiirig, A.B., Principal of the Ladies' Department; Jlrs. 
Abba C. Hamilton, Instructor in French and Mathematics; 
Miss Cornelia P. Dwight, Instructor in Mathematics; Miss 
Laura T. Haskell, Instructor in Drawing; James Fairman, 
A.M., Lecturer on Art ; Alexander Tison, A.B., Librarian. 

The fjllowing is a summary of students for 1879 : 

College.. — Classical Course, 2G ; Scientific Course, 14; 
Ladies' Course, 35 ; Ladies' Klective Studies, 17 ; total, 92. 

Preparatory. — Cla.ssical Course, 44 ; English Course, 
21 ; Ladies' Preparatory Course, 29 ; total, 94. 

Art Department, 90. Conservatory of Music, 53. De- 
duct for names inserted twice, 128, leaving a total of 201. 

The College Library contains 7000 books and a large 
number of unbound pamphlets, and additions are con- 
stantly being made. It is classified and arranged accord- 
ing to the Amherst s^'stem. In connection with the library 
is a reading-room, well supplied with the leading journals 
of news, politics, religion, science, literature, and art. 

"The Palmer Museum of Paleontology contains the vnluabic col- 
lection known ns the ' Ward Series of Casts and Fossils,' which, for 
educational purposes, are equal in value to the originals. These, 
together with the large collection of fossils, minerals, and typical 
rocks belonging to the Brown Cabinet, illustrate in a very full and 
satisfactory manner the sciences of geology, paleontology, and min- 
eralogy. 

"The Brown Cabinet has be<-n appraised by experts at ?18,000, 
and three-fourths of this sum is a gift from Rev. Dr. William B. 
Brown, of New York. The cabinet embraces more than 50,000 speci- 
mens, and they cast light u])on three departments in natural science. 
The fossils are numerous and valuable. The collection of minerals 
is rich and full, constituting three-fifths of all found on Professor 
Dana's list. The shells are most nearly complete scienlifically. 
Professor Martin, of the University of New York, says of theni that 
they illustrate the conchology of the globe." 

Three literary societies arc sustained by the students: 
the Soronian, for young ladies, and the Phi Alpha Pi and 
the Adelphic, for young gentlemen. All have libraries 
and special as.soinbly-rooms. " These societies unite in in- 
viting some gentleman from abroad to deliver an annual 
address before them in connection with the college com- 
mencement, llev. William L. Gage, D.D., of Hartford, 
Conn., gave the address at the last commencement."* 

The " Micliigan Conservatory of Music," connected with 
the college, was chartered in 1874, and has the following 
officers: Rev. Floratio Q. Butterfield, D.D., President; 
Fitz L. Reed, Es(|., A'icc- President ; Edwin N. Ely, Esq., 
Treasurer; Alexander Tison, A. B., Secretary ; George H. 
Howard, A.M., Director, Profes.sor of Piano, Organ, Har- 
mony, and Composition; Miss Nellie L. Branch, Teacher 



• Catalogue of 1879-30. 



of Singing and Piano Playing; Mr. Millard F. Woodward, 
Teacher of Orchestral In.strunicnts and Conductor of Or- 
chestra; Prof. Hosford, Lecturer on Acoustics; Prof Mont- 
gomery, Lecturer on the Structure and Functions of the 
Ear and Vocal Organs ; Prof. Goodwin, Lecturer on Music 
in Worship. 

"This conservatory olTcrs the finest advantages for the study of 
music, — instrumental, vocul, and theoretical, — either exclusively or 
with other studies. The methods of instruction are similar to ihoso 
of the best conservatories in this country and Europe. An experience 
of fifteen years in conducting conservatories in the I'nited States and 
England, and of twenty-two years in teaching, enables the director 
to institute the finest methods for discipline and culture. His ac- 
quaintance with some of the most celebrated musicians in the world, 
and his personal inspection and thorough knowledge of many of the 
principal conservatories in Europe and the United .States, fit him for 
the responsibilities of this institution." 

The course is comprehensive and thorough, being ar- 
ranged with a view to maintaining a high standard of 
musical taste. 

Fitz L. Reed, now a prominent citizen of the village and 
one of the college trustees, came to the place with his father, 
Carlo Reed, in 1844. 

Edwin N. Pjly, from Erie Co., N. Y. (near Buffalo), 
came to Olivet, in company with his mother, on a visit, 
Aug. 23, 1848. He remained for the purpose of attending 
the college, but shortly entered the employ of Albertus L. 
Green and his father, and continued with them two years, 
afterwards becoming a partner with the younger gentleman, 
the firm being Green & Ely. Milling and mercantile busi- 
ness were conducted by this firm. The grist-mill and the 
first saw-mill were built by Hosford, Ed.sall & Green, who 
had come with the colony iti 1844. Green & Son after- 
wards became the owners, and finally Mr. Ely purchased an 
interest. The same grist-mill is now in use, although en- 
larged and greatly improved. It is now owned by the sons 
of Mr. Green, who is deceased. The steam saw-mill and 
other property belonging to the firm at the time of his 
death are now owned by Mr. Ely. 

The first saw-mill, as built by the old firm, was finally 
torn away, and a new one was erected by Green & Ely, 
which was the best and one of the most successful mills in 
this portion of Michigan. The machinery has been taken 
out and it is now out of use, the steam saw-mill having 
taken its place. 

The first store in the village was opened in the fall of 
1848, by Albertus L. Green and his father, — Arnold Green, 
— under the firm-name of A. L. Green & Co. The first 
counter used by them was a rough board, laid on some 
empty dry-goods boxes. Mr. Ely, then in tlieir employ, 
allied in opening the .stock of goods placed on sale. They 
had been taken in exchange for a house and lot at Lancaster, 
Erie Co., N. Y., and were brought from there to Olivet. 

I'OST-OFKICE. 

Walton post-office, the first one in the township, was 
established in 1838, and the commission of Capt. James 
^V. Ilickok, as first postmaster, was dated August 24th of 
that year, the same as that of Jonathan Searls, first post- 
master at Charlotte. The first mail-route established led 
from Battle Creek, via Bellevue and Walton, and a boy 



534 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



named Elislia Wolf carried tlic mail. Tn 184.") or lS4(i 
the office was removed to Olivet, and i;ivcii the .same name 
as the village, Prof. O. Ilosford being the first postmaster 
at the latter place, keeping the office at his house.* He 
thinks his successor was possibly Samuel F. Drury, who 
was postmaster in 1851. Those since have been B. \V. 
Warren. J. W. Hickok (a second time; resigned in favor 
of Ezra Conant, in 1S57), P]zra Conant, Samuel F. Drury 
(a second time appointed, and holding until 1867), and the 
present incumbent, George W. Keyes, whose appointment 
was dated July 1, 1867. Enst Walton Post-office was 
established in the spring of 1865, with G. D. Wickham as 
postmaster. 

From the records of the County Pioneer Society are 
gathered the following facts relative to Walton township : 

Hon. A. L. Green, who died at Olivet in 1875, came to 
that place in 1844 ; he was one of the early students of 
Olivet College, in which he held numerous positions of 
trust, and for twenty years was the chief adviser of its trus- 
tees. He served in both branches of the State Legislature. 

Osman Cliappell, who was born in Salem, Washington 
Co., N. y., and settled in Walton township. May 1, 1844. 
Moved from Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1841, to Marshall, 
Calhoun Co.,]Mich., and in March, 1842, purchased a farm 
of 120 acres on section 23 in Walton. In July, 1842, he 
returned to Monroe Co., N. Y., and came back with his 
wife at the date first given. Tn the spring of 1873 he 
moved to Charlotte. 

George W. Andrews, a native of Ellisburg, Jeff'er.son 
Co., N. Y., removed to Michigan in 1834, and settled at 
Marine City, St. Clair Co. In 1844 he removed to Eaton 
County, and settled at Olivet. On the first day of Septem- 
ber in that year he occupied his frame house, the first one 
erected in tiie place, it being yet unfinished. The first 
school exhibition in the village was afterwards held in it ; 
the Congregational Church was organized in this dwelling, 
and it was used as a place in which to hold meetings for 
nine months. Mrs. Andrews did her baking for three weeks 
by a burning stump, and life in the forest was full of romance. 
But upon the appearance of the ague and the death of friends 
the romance departed, and the hard realities of their posi- 
tion were manifest, while an ardent longing for the old 
home possessed their minds, and time alone brought comfort 
and final content. 

George W. Keyes, a native of Ashford, Windham Co., 
Conn., settled in Franklin, Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1839, 
and in 1852 came to Olivet, Eaton Co. Resided four 
years in Ohio, during which time he served four mouths in 
the army, in 1864. 

W. W. Chapman settled in this town.ship April 15, 1852, 
and cleared up a farm. In 1869 he removed to Charlotte, 
where he died, and his widow is now Mrs. J. C. Smith, of 
the latter city. 

Carlo Reed died at Olivet, Oct. 26, 1865. He was a 
native of Dutchess Co., N. Y., and when five years of age 
removed with his father to Ontario County, locating near 
Canandaigua. In 1840 he removed to Oberlin, Ohio, and 



* Prof. Hosford was instrumental in getting the office removed to 
Olivet, and held it two or three yeans. 



in 1844 joined the colony that came to Olivet. He was a 
leading citizen of the place, and a faithful friend of Olivet 

College.! 

VILL.VGE PLAT AND ADDITIONS. 
The original town of Olivet was laid out Dec. 23, 1848, 
on section 29, by Carlo Reed and William Hosford. May 

29, 1866, an addition was made by Charles D. Dean, and 
additions have been platted since as follows : Esler's addi- 
tion, Nov. 19, 1869, by William P. Esler; Hosford's addi- 
tion, Nov. 18, 1870, by 0. Hosford ; Reed's addition, Jlay 

30, 1873, by F. L. Reed et at; Sargent & Mead's sub- 
division and addition, March 2, 1876. 

INCORPORATION.— LIST OF OFFICERS. 

The village of Olivet was incorporated by the board of 
supervisors for the county of Eaton, Jan. 4, 1865, to in- 
clude section 29, under an act of the Legislature, passed 
Feb. 17, 1864, entitled "An act for the Incorporation of 
Villages." Albertus L. Green, Samuel F. Drury, and Asa 
K. Warren were appointed inspectors of the first village 
election, to be held Tuesday, March 7, 1865, "at the 
Western Hotel in said village of Olivet." March 19, 1867, 
the same territory was incorporated by the Legislature, the 
charter being amended April 8, 1875. 

It appears that no business was done under the incorpo- 
ration by the board of supervisors, for the first charter 
election was held March 25, 1867, when the following offi- 
cers were chosen : President, Albertus L. Green ; Recor- 
der, George W. Keyes ; Treasurer, Benjamin FoUett ; As- 
sessor, Fitz L. Reed ; Trustees (two years), Osman Chap- 
pell, Merritt Moore, Charles D. Dean (one year), Asa K. 
Warren, D. Page Reed, Milo H. Cone. 

The officers for the succeeding j'cars have been as fol- 
lows : 

1SG8.— President, A. L. Green ; Recorder, G. W. Keyes ; Treasurer, H. 
Follett; Assessor, F. L. Reed; Trustees (two years), A. K. 
Warren, G. W. Mead, T. Prosscr. 

ISfiO. — President, A. L. Green ; Recorder, George W. Keyes; Treas- 
urer, Benjamin Follett; Assessor, F. L. Reed; Trustees 
(two years), 0. Chappcll, A. F. Savage, M. Moore, J 

1S70.— President, A. L. Green; Recorder, George W. Keyes; Treas- 
urer, II. E. Green; Assessor, Benjamin Follett; Trustees 
(two years), A. K. Warren, S. F. Drury, li. W. Jlead (one 
year), D. P. Reed, to fill vacancy. 

1871.— President, Fitz L. Reed; Recorder, Sherman A. Andrus; 
Treasurer, Henry E. Green; Assessor, Benjamin Follett; 
Trustees (two years), Osman Ch:i]i[iell, Albertus L. Green, I). 
Page Green. 

] 872.— President, Fitz L. Reed; Recorder, S. A. Andrus; Treas- 
urer, II. E. Green; Assessor, Benjamin Follett; Trustees 
(two years), Asa K. Warren, Samuel F. Drury, A. G. Wright 
(one year, to fill vacancy), George W. Keyes. 

1873. — President, Asa K.Warren; Recorder, S. .\. Andrus ;J Treas- 
urer, E. L. Sargent; Assessor, Benjamin Follett; Trustees, 
(two years), A. L. Green; A. T. Savage, 0. Hosford. 

1874.— President, E. L. Sargent; Recorder, G. W. Keyes; Treasurer, 
H. E. Green; Assessor, Benjamin Follett; Trustees (two 
years), 0. J. Chappell, M. II. Avery, W. Gilbert (one year 
to fill vacancy), George Pluuib. 

1875. — President, 0. Hosford; Recorder, G. W. Keyes; Treasurer, II. 

t From obituary in Entnn Cuunli/ IlepnWcmi, Nov. 2, 18G5. 
\ Moore removed from village, and D. P. Reed w.as elected in his 
place Nov. 4, 1869. 

I Resigned, and O. W. Kcye6 appoints. 



WALTON. 



535 



K. tirron ; Assessor, Bcnjiiriiin Folloti : Triislucs (two ycnrs), 
F. L. UioJ, A. I,. Orc.n, II IliriiLk.' 

-President, Asa K. Wurren ; Uec*)riler, lieorgo \V. Kovcs; 
Treasurer, Henry E. (irein; Assessor, rhurlcs Sttino ; Trus- 
tees (two years), Martiu U. Avery, Edwin N. Kly, Clinrles 
D. Dean (odc year, to fill vueaney), Ainasa T. Savage. 

-President, Asa K. Warren ; Ueeordor, Ocorgo \V. Keyes ; 
Treasurer, II. E. Green : Ajse.-^sor, Ilenjaniin Follett; Trus- 
tcis (two years), Fitz L. UeeJ, Henry llcrrick, A. T. 
Savage. 

-President, Asa K. Warren; Recorder, tJcorgc AV. Kcyos; 
Treasurer, Henry E. Green ; Assessor, E. Lorenzo Sargent; 
Trustees (two years), M. II. Avery, E. X. Ely, William B. 



Palmer. 
*residenl, Samuel F. Di'ury ; Uecorde 
Treasurer, llenrv E. Green; Asses 



George T. Iliiskcll ; 
r, Asa K. Warren; 



Trustees (two years), F. L. Heed. C. II. Jleud. S. G. White. 
ISSO.— Prcsidmt, Ell.crt B. Green; Recorder, (i. T. Hnskcll ; Treas- 
urer, Henry E. Green; Assessor, Asa K. Wnrren; Trustees 
(two years), J. L. Daniels, A. T. Siivugc, Albert Clark. 

HOTELS. 

Tlie fir.st ])ublic-liouse in the phicc was opened by a man 
named Ilubbell, opposite llie site of the present "Olivet 
Ilou.sc," not long after the viihi^'o wa.s founded. A few 
weeks later he sold to Albert Martin, who continued it as a 
hotel for several years, and finally sold the properly to 
George \V. Keyes, the present owner. The building is not 
now used for a hotel. Mr. Martin was from Eric Co., 
N. Y., and had lived in the place but a short time when 
he bought out Uubbell. The old hotel was known as the 
■ Olivet House." 

Not long previous to 1852, the old part of the ])resent 

" Olivet House" was built by David 11. O.sgood. It was 

called the " Western Hotel," and in 1 852, Messrs. Wright 

& Wheeler built a large addition on the front side. It is 

now called the " Olivet House," and is owned by H. Slial- 

liar, who liiw erected another large addition on the rear or 

ea.st side. 

MASONIC. 

Olivet Lixhje, No. 2G7, F. and A. M., was organized 
under dispensation in the early part of 1809, the first stated 
communication being held on the 19th of June of that 
vear, when there were present: E. Branch, W. M ; W. J. 
lIickok,S. W. ; W. a. Hudson, J. W. ; II. Hcrrick,Trcas ; 
J. Dowler, Sec. ; I. B. Sessions, S. D. ; J. Flagg, J. D. ; 
and II. Shalliar, Tiler. The report for the year ending 
Dec. 27, 18(>9, gives the same officers, except D. Hud.son, 
Sec, and A. II. Cliappell, Tiler. A charter was granted 
to the lodge Jan. 13, 1870,— Elam Branch, W. M. ; W. J. 
Ilickok, S. \V. ; W. G. Hudson, J. W. The membership 
ill the latter part of July. 1880, was about forty-two, and 
the officers were: II. Herriek, W. M. ; Asahcl Hawkins, 
S. W.; Marvin Cooper, J. W. ; Martin Avery, .See.; John 
G. Andrews, Trea3. ; John Griffin, S. D. ; S. A. Uobcrts, 
J. D. ; Wallace Wood, Tiler. 

LdJ'ityette JjoJge, No. 263, 1. O. O. /•'., was instituted 
July 25, 1875, with five charter lueinbcis. William L. 
Emerson was the first Noble Grand. The present member- 
ship is about forty, and the following are the officers : 
Lyman Leach, N. G. ; J. St. Clair, V. G. ; Albert Clark, 



Mr. Green died Oct. 21, !S7a, and Asa K. Wa 
>tee in his (dace by the council. 



Kec. Sec. ; J. Am.sden, Per. Sec. ; William ("rabbe, Treas. ; 
Isaiah Horner, 1*. G. 

.SCHOOLS. 

May 27, 18.J9, the board of .school ins|)ectors — James 
W. Ilickok, chairman — formed Districts 1 and 2 as fol- 
lows : District No. 1 to contain sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 
30, 31, 32, and 33; District No. 2 to contain sections 22, 
23, 24, 25, 20, 27, 3+, 35, and 30. Oct. 16, 1839, the 
children in District No. 1 between the ages of five and 
seventeen years numbered eleven, and six in No. 2. In 
the month last naineJ it was voted to build a frame school- 
house in each district, to cost res]iectively S200 and 8500. 
Fractional District No. 3, of Walton and Carmol, was 
formed April 24, 1841. In September, 1843, District 
No. 1 reported fourteen pupils, the school being taught 
by Laura Hart, at one dollar per week. No. 2 reported 
twenty three pupils at the .same time. Among the early 
te:ichers in this town were the following : 

lSI-1.— Eliza Powell, Lovinda Hatch, .Julia E:isel, .Mrs. 0. M. Cha|.. 

pell, John S. Slone. 
IS45.— Mrs. 0. Cooper, Miss Penllia A. Stor.e, Mrs. Abigail Thomas, 

Miss Caroline Barnard, Chaunccy M. Cady. 
1810.— Miss Abbio M. Carter, Miss Elizabeth Couant, Miss Dorcas 

Corlis, .Mis-x Chloo Hart. 
1817.— Miss Mary F. (iurlcy, Miss M. A. Douglass, Miss A. L. Bnrd- 

well, Mi,<s Louisa Mead, Miss Julia J. Baker, Miss Caroline 

M. Miner. 
1848. — Miss Maria M. Thornton, Miss Martha A. Hotchkiss, Miss A. 

Downer, Miss Esther Perry, Miss Ellen Folletl, Miss Susan 

D. Keith, Mi.^^s Alice II. Harris, Miss Caroline Russell. 
1S49.— Phineas .\. Ilagcr, Miss Harriet M. Wilder, .Miss Mary S. 

Wilder, Miss Phcbo Leonard, Hiram Cornell, C. Holiday, 

George H. (jalusha. 

The following items relating to tlie present condition of 
.schools in the town.ship are from the report of the .-ichndl 
inspectors for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879 : 

Districts in township (whole i>, fractional 3) 8 

Number of children of school-age 555 

Attcndunce during year i'li 

Number of days school laught 1277 

" ficho(»l-houscs (all frame) 'J 

** ]>upils who can bo sealed in same -178 

Value of school properly $45.'ill 

Xumlier of teachers emplovcd (males 'A, females 10) I'J 

Wages paid same (males, $216; females, $i:)(i'J.10) $1524.10 

Total resources for vcar 21125.17 

Amount on hand Sept. I, IS7U 52S.m 

Total expenditures, less amount on hand 231)0.2.1 

UELI(iIOU.S .SOCIKTIKS. 
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHUKCH,t OLIVET. 

" In accordance with a request from sundry individuals, mado 
known by letters missive, there nsseinbled in Olivet, in town of Wal- 
ton, Eaton Co., Thuraday, 2llth of .March, 1845, Rev. S. Ma.son. from 
.Marshall, Rev. W. V. Benedict, from Vermnntville, Rev. L. L. Adair, 
from Dundee, Rev. L. Smith Hobarl, from I'nion Cily, Deacon S. S. 
Church, from Vcrniontvillo. 

" Kov. S. Mason was chosen moderator and Rev. L. S. Uobart 
scribe. 

".Statements were made by the brethren proposing to bo organized 
into a church with a view lo show iho imporlance of a church at 
Olivet. A confession of faith and a covenant, which hml been adopted 
by the brcihren, were read. Letters disinifsing and reeommemling 
seventeen (17) individuals from Congregational and Presbyterian 
churches were al.so read. 

" Brother Benedict moved Unit ' we deiin it expedient for these 

t Principally from a birturicnl sketch by George W. Kiyes, in 1S7S. 



536 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



persons to be orgnnizecl into a church with the style of the First Con- 
gregational Church of Christ at Olivet.' After extended discussion 
the motion was passed. 

"A sliort recess was then t.ilion, iifler wliich the council convened 
and the church was con^tituted, Hith the following exercises: 

"Introductory Prayer by Uev. W. U. Bcneilict. 

" Heading of Confession of Faith and Covenant, Ijy Rev. L. S. Hobart. 

" Recognition of the Church and Consecrating Prayer, by the Mod- 
erator. 

'• lienediction, by Rev. L. L. Adair. 

"The council tlicn mljounied ,!,>€ ■!!.'. 

"Stki'Ukn Masov, Mo,le,al,„: 
" L. Smith Hod.vut, Sct-ibe," 

Tills Council met at the house of George Andrus, 
where for some time the meetings of the church were held. 

"On the following Saturday, nine persons joined on profession of 
fiiith. Friday, March 2Sth, the church met and elected Wilson C. 
Edscll clerk, and William Hosford, James Douglas, and Carlo Reed 
deacons. Rev. L. L. Adair officiated at the first communion, March 
23d, John B. Barnes and Carlo Reed serving as deacons. 

" Revs. Amos Dresser and Reuben Hatch acted as pastors for the 
first two years. In January, 1847, Rev. E. N. Bjirtlett was elected 
pastor, and Prof. 0. Ilosford associate pastor. In April the church 
joined the Marshall Ci)nferenee. Rev. E. II. Price preached from 
Noveinber, lS-19, to October, 1850. Various persons acted as supplies 
until Rev. F. E. Lord begiin his labors, in October, 1852. Mr. Lord 
died of cholera, July 15, 1854. Rev. E. N. Bartlett and Prof. 0. Hos- 
ford preached until Kev. M. W. Fairfield was called, in 1858. Pro- 
fessor Ilosford was ordained Feb. 24, 1858. After Mr. Fairfield's 
resignation, in 1860, Rev. N. J. Morrison was invited to preach for 
the church, and acted as jiastor, with the exception of a few montlis, 
until 186fi, Professor J. M. Barrows supplying the church during sev- 
eral summer vacations. Rev. F. P. Woodbury acted as pastor from 
November, 1864, to June, 1865, being ordained Jan. 11, 1865. Rev. 
H. H. Morgan labored with the church in 1866-67. Rev. II. 0. Ladd 
acted as pastor from November, 1807, to December, 1869. Rev. Hiram 
Elmer, Rev. J. E. Weed, and others supplied the pulpit until Rev. D. 
N. Bordwell accepted a call in October, 1873. Ho resigned in March, 
1875. The professors in the college and candidates occupied the pul- 
pit until October following, when Rev. II. M, Goodwin came and 
preached for tlie church in adtlitiun to his duties as professor in the 
college. In October, 1876, Rev. II. Q. Butterficld was chosen acting 
pastor, and Professor Goodwin associate, which relation still exists. 

"This church has never had a regularly installed pastor. During 
Mr. Ladd's ministry an ecclesiastical society was formed and duly in- 
corporated, with the title of 'The First Congregational Society of 
Olivet.' 

"The following have served iis deacons: William Hosford, James 
Douglass, Carlo Reed, Oramel Hosford, C. M.Cady, Eben Curtis, John 
B. Barnes, Phineas A. Hager, Samuel F. Drury, Flavel Danforth, 
Orra Wihler, Julius Keyes, Jonathan B. Chapin, Benjamin Follett, J. 
Clark Parsons, Albertus L. Green, John M. Barrows, John S, Rccd, 
Horace Hulburd, James B. Porter, D. Page Heed, Hiram Burroughs, 
liuman Shepard, Hiram C. Barnes, Henry Heydenburk, Mordecai L. 
Meads. 

" The clerks have been Wilson C. Edscll, Flavel Danforth, John S. 
Reed, Nathan J. Morrison, Charles William Storr, George W. Keyes. 

" In May, 1846, a Subba'h-sehool association was formed in con- 
nection with the church, the first oftieers of which were: Superin- 
tendent, W. C. Edsell ; Assistant Superintendent, A. L. Green ; Sec- 
retary and Treasurer, C. Jenison ; Librarian, C. M. Cady. The follow- 
ing persons have served as superintendents of the Sunday-school since 
that time: A.L.Green, F. Danlorth, S. F. Drury, C.W. Storrs, Julius 
Keyes, Alex. B. Brown, George W. Keyes, E. L. Sargent. Since 
1862 the officers of the Sunday-school have been elected by the church. 

" The church has never owned or controlled a house of worship. 
Its first meetings were held in private houses and in the college 
chapels. It united with the college in erecting the preseut place of 
worship, which was built in 1852 and enlarged in 1865." 

The membership of the church, July 23, 1880, was 289, 
and the average attendance at the Sunday-school, 150. 



The following were the original members of the church : 
Carlo Reed,* Mrs. Sally Reed,* George Andrus, Mrs. Su- 
san Andrus, William Hosford, Mrs. Linda Hosford,* Wil- 
son C. Edsell, Mrs. Julia A. Ed.sell, F. Julia Edsell, Mrs. 
Adaline Chapin, Samuel N. Mahan, John B. Barnes,* 
Mrs. Emilia Barnes,* Orville Barnes, Mary Barnes, Har- 
riet Barnes,* Willard Chapin.* 

The officers for the church for 18S0 are the following: 
Ministers, Rev. Horatio Q. Butterficld, D.D., Rev. Heniy 
M. Goodwin, D.D. ; Deacons, Henry Heydenburk, Luman 
Shepard, Mordecai L. Meads, Hiram Burroughs; Clerk 
and Treasurer, George W. Keyes ; Trustees of the Society, 
Henry Herrick, Fitz L. Reed, E. N. Ely, Albert Topping, 
Henry Heydenburk, Charles Stone ; Clerk of Society, A.sa 
K. Warren ; Treasurer of Society, E. B. Green ; Superin- 
tendent of Sunday-school, George W. Keyes. 

Mefhodist Episcopal Church, Olivet. — The first Meth- 
odist sermon preached in the place was delivered in the 
fall of 1851, by Rev. E. H. Day. He was followed by 
Rev. Mr. Gore, who organized a class of seven members, 
with himself as leader. Mr. and Mrs Mark Dowler and 
Mrs. Mary Roberts were members of this class. Feb. 18, 
1853, Olivet class was reorganized by Rev. S. P. Parker, 
with the same membership. The class had up to that 
time been a part of Charlotte Circuit. In 1854 it was 
supplied from Bellevue by Rev. T. J. Congdon, with 
Mark Dowler as leader. Nov. 22, 1838, the class was 
again reorganized by Rev. G. W. Hoag, with twenty-two 
members. Ho was followed by J. J. Buel and Rev. T. H. 
Bignell, the cla.ss remaining the same until ISlJO. From 
1860 to 1868 it was without regular preaching. Nov. 7, 
1868, it was reorganized by Rev. D. D. Gillett, Presiding 
Elder of Albion District, Slichigan Conference, with nine 
members, Mark Dowler leader. J. F. Dowler, preacher 
in charge of Dover Circuit, supplied the work. In the fiill 
of 1869, at a session of the Michigan Conference, Olivet 
Circuit was formed, and Rev. George C. Cole appointed 
preacher in charge. The society was permanently organ- 
ized, and Olivet was made the head of the circuit. Mr. 
Cole was succeeded by Rev. Aaron Hunsberger, who re- 
mained from September, 1871, to September, 1873. Dur- 
ing his pastorate (March 27, 1872) the basement of the 
present frame church building was dedicated, the dedication 
of the auditorium occurring Oct. 27, 1872. The total cost 
of the church and lot was S6575. The pastors succeeding 
Mr. Hunsberger have been Revs. Franklin W. Janes, Sep- 
tember, 1873, to September, 1874 ; F. I. Bell, September, 

1874, to September, 1875 ; Thomas Lyon, September, 

1875, to September, 1876; A. M. Fitch, September, 

1876, to September, 1877 ; J. T. Glover, September, 

1877, to September, 1878 ; and P. J. Maveety, since 
September, 1878. 

The present membership of the church is about ninety ; 
attendance at Sunday-school averages about sixty ; Super- 
intendent, S. G. Wright. The other places for meetings 
on the circuit are at the Stevens school, in Walton ; at 
Lee Centre and Dover, in the township of Lee, Calhoun Co. 



WINDSOR. 



NATURAL FEATURES. 
(iKOUKAPElY, TOPOURAPHY, SOILS, Kxr. 

The township of Windsor* occupies a position on tlie 
east side of the county of Eaton, and is bounded north, 
south, and west respectively by the townships of Delta, 
Eaton Rapids, and Benton, and east by Ingham County. 
A considerable portion of the well-known " Old Maid 
Swamp" lies in this town, and was a terror to the early 
Settlers. The township was named by the Messrs. Skinner, 
who were from Windsor Co., Vt., and wished to perpetuate 
the memory of their old home by giving its name to the 
new. Grand River flows across the township and atfords 
a good power, which is utilized at Diuiondale. Two vil- 
lages are located in the town,— West Windsor, on the Battle 
Creek and Lan.sing State road, sections 17 and 18, and 
Dimondale, on Grand River, section 15. The Lansing 
Division of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Rail- 
way crosses the township north and .south, pas.sing cast of 
Dimondale. The Chicago and Grand Trunk Railway is 
constructed across the northwest corner of the towu.ship, 
and a station is located at the west line, where the road 
enters from Benton. This station is CJiUed Sevastopol. 
The soil of Windsor is of a sandy nature, and the surface 
generally rolling and in places hilly. 

LAND ENTRIES. 

Following is a list of land entries in what is now the 
township of Wind.sor (town 3 north, in range 3 west), as 
shown on the tract-book in the office of the county register: 

Secdon 1.— IS.IO, J. Cutler, Heirs of John Silvoy ; 1847, Frederick 

Hall, George Chappell, William Foreman. 
Section 2. — 1836, J. F. Lawrence, W. Page. 
Section 3.— 1836, J. F. Lawrence, H. H. RuMcll, S. .S. Alcott, M. A. 

Wright. 
Section 4.— 1837, Richard Fogg, S. Davis; 1838, R. Moreau; 1849, 

E. Harris, J. U. Harris. 
Section 5.— 1848, C. B. Ives, Daniel Barney; 1S54, L. .«. Lovell. V. 

Wright; 1855, A. M. Preston; 18fi5, F. M. Cowlcs and .M. A. 

Howell. 
.SVcdon 6.— 1852, H. Ladue, Barna llarned; 1854, D. Manger; 1861, 

Adolpbus Bassler, Qottleib Fre<lerick Wnnsscr. 
Section 7. —lff?,7, B. F. Bailey; 18.39, J. Laughlin ; 1848, A. Sloan, 

J. D. Burns, J. A. Doane; 1849, Samuel Cased ; 1850-51, H. 

Cook. 
Sectioti 8.— 1837, S. Squier; 1848, S. R. Smith; 1849, Samuel Cased, 

D. Sabin ; 1858, Hiram P. Whitcomb, Philander and Sarah A. 

Doane; 1865, F. M. Cowlc.« and M. A. Howell. 
Section 9.— 1836, S. S. Alcott; 1848, C. B. Hungerford: 1658, Taylor 

Hance; 1865, F. M. Cowles and M. A. Howell. 
Section 10.— 1836. Wm. Page, ,'^. S. Alcott. 
Section 11.— 1836, Charles Osgood; 1837, J. B. Mill-; |s47-l>i. K. 

Spears; 1853, J. F. Cody. 

• The bounilariea of this township were surveyed in 1^:;.),— lh;a un 
the south by John Mullctt, an<l tho!<o on the other three sides by 
Lucius Lyon. In 1827, Musgrovc Evans surveyed the subdivisions. 

68 



Section 12.— 18.38, M. P. Burteh ; 1839, J. Jackson, J. Wells, J. Puller, 

C. GIa<lding; 1848, L. Bradish, James E. Trigg. 
Section 13.— 1837, C. P. Austin (entire section). 
5cc(."oii 14.— 1836, William Page, John M. Gonlon; 1837, A. B.ers ; 

1849, G. W. Newman. 

Section 15.-1836, W. Pago (entire section). 

Srction 16.-1853, P. Phillips, A. Flagler, J. I'lagkr, T. J. Iluniing- 

ton; 1854, W. T. Martin, J. S. Phillips, J. Gallup. II. l-bigler, 

William Flagler, M. A. Flagler, W. Hull, E. A. Phillip.', B. 

Hull, J. Rockfcllow, Robert .1. Bell. 
Section 17.— 1837, P. R. Howe, J. Geddos ; 1838, R. T. Cogswell; 

1847, P. Whalcy ; 1848, C. Havens; 1849, J. P. Lewis. 
Section 18.-1837, J. Peaburn, N. Edmunds, A. Squier; 1838, W. H. 

Cogswell, R. B. Buel; 1846-17, S. H. Cogswell. 
Section 19.— 1839, J. Laughlin, Jr.; 1846-47, J. Christian; 1S47, 

George P. Carman; 1847-18, R. Carman: 1848, E. Spears. 
Section 20.-1837, I. Giles, A. Brown, J. Gi-ddcs, A. McAfee ; 1838, 

W. McKinstry; 1849, M. S. Cogswell; 1854, W. H. S. Winchell. 
Section 21.-1837, D. Jacot, L. Courier, J. Courier, B. Barton, S. 

Willctt; 1849, E. Harris. 
Section 22.— 1836, William Page, P. French, J. M. Gordon. 
Section 23.— 1836, William Page, J. M. Gordon. 
Section 24.— 1836, A. Beers, F. I. Ford, D. Coleman A Co. (Daniel 

Coleman and George P, Cooper), W. Page, C Zabriskie. 
Section 25.— 1836, J. Ford, William Pago; 1837, Peter Robinson. 
Section 26.— 1836, E. Brown (2d); 1837, P. Robinson. 
5ec(ion 27.— 1836, E. Brown (2d); 1837, P. Robinson, E. Eston ; 1838, 

J. Loomis; 1839, R. J. Bradley; 1854, 0. Hurlbut. 
5ec(io.. 28.— 1837, 0. Towsleo, C. Wright, A. Mills, E. Eston; 1847, 

J. B. Rozell; 1849, M. Norton; 1851, M. Do Waters. 
Secliun 29.-1837, A. Brown, N. H. Pray, J. Fairmand; 1848, Milton 

Hammond; 1854, Mark King; 1858, N. H. Pray. 
Section 30.-1836, T. J. Dudley ; 1847, R. Carman ; 1849-50, J. King ; 

1850, J. M. King, P. King; 1851, J. N. Potter. 

Section 31.-1836, S. S. Alcott; 1851, J. J. Doud, J. M. King, Geo. 
N. Potter; 1868, Oliver B. Johnson; 1S7I, G. N. Potter. 

Section 32.-1837, N. Kellogg, S. Gould, P. Baker, W. Huston, Jr., 
N. H. Pray; 1858, John Leiscnring, Sylvanus L. Root. 

Section 33.-1837, W. Huston, Jr., N. Chaffee, L. H. Brown, R. Mo- 
Rcdfield, W. Berrien; 1849, Jane W. Foote; 1851, M. Long- 
mate; 1854, Calvin Coon. 

Section .34.-18.36, E.Brown (2d); 1837, William Berrien: 1852, S. 
Frees; 1854, William C. Taylor, Georgo N. Potter; 1855, S. 
Frees. 

Section 35.— 1S36, E. Brown (2d); 1837, Charles Davis; 1849, M. 
Bclding, Thomas Treat. 

Section 36.-1836, C. D. Ward, J. B. Ames, D. Gould; 1837, P. Rob- 
inson, J. S. Trowbridge. 

Much of the land in this township was purch.iscd by 
speculators, and the settlement was somewhat delayed on 
that account. When the pioneers began making improve- 
ments in the township they encountered many serious diffi- 
culties, and .seemed to have had greater hardships in their 
battle with the wilderness than the inhabitants of any other 
town in the county. But they were a hardy, persevering 
class, and were not discouraged at drawbacks nor fearful 
for the future when adversity was upon them. Their 
energy and perseverance enabled them to overcome all 
obstacles, and the thrift and prosperity of to-day are the 
fruits of their years of toil. 

537 



538 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Ill the summer of 1869, Esek Pray and others furnished 
valuable articles upon the history of the township of Wind- 
sor, and from them are gleaned the following facts ; 

Before Windsor could boast of having a settler within 
her limits, a Mr. Lewis and his son-in-law, Mr. Billings, 
with their families, from Ohio, passed into this town on 
their way to Mr. Ingersoll's, on Grand lliver, in Delta 
township, in November, 183G. They had a train of two 
yokes of oxen and two wagons, followed by two cows, and 
in time reached the north part of section 16 and a point 
leading into what has since become known as tiio " Old 
Maid's Swamp," which seemed to extend in all directions 
except the one from which they had come. They became 
lost in the forest, and finally Mr. Billings left them to search 
for help, and was gone two days without success. He 
started again with a brother-in-law, and on the second day 
heard a cow-bell, and, proceeding towards the sound, ar- 
rived at Mr. Ingersoll's, and found the assistance they so 
much needed. A party started after the bewildered ones, 
and after several days rescued them, finding them with very 
little to eat. After about a mouth Mrs. Lewis died, and 
upon her daughter fell the duty of preparing her remains 
for the grave. A wagon-box was made into a cofiiu, and 
Mr. Burnet (one of the first .settlers of Windsor) and 
Sawyer Ingersoll dug the grave. Messrs. Lewis and Bil- 
lings were not .settlers in Windsor, however. 

The first settlement in Windsor was made on the 1st of 
October, 1837, by Orange Towslee, who moved his family 
in from the north by way of Delta, following the Billings 
trail until opposite his own land, to which he cut his road, 
two or three miles. Mr. Towslee owned the north half of 
section 28 except the east fourth. For six weeks the 
family lived in a tent while a house was being built. On 
the 6th of October the .settlement was increased by the 
arrival of Oramel D., John D., and William P. Skinner, 
who owned twelve lots in the eastern part of the township. 
They built a house, ;ind afterwards cut a road from Spicer- 
ville, and by the following spring had moved their families 
up from the south part of the State. William P. Skinner 
was at the time a single man. These men were from 
Windsor Co., Vt., and by their influence the name was per- 
petuated in the township which they had chosen for a 
home. 

Nathan H. Pray, a native of Rhode Island, moved when 
quite small with his parents to Allegany Co., N. Y., and in 
1825, when twelve years old, accompanied them to Wash- 
tenaw Co., Mich. In the spring of 1837 he was married, 
and in October following came with his bride of eighteen 
years to Eaton County, and settled in Windsor. He had 
moved from Superior, Washtenaw Co., by way of Jackson 
and Spicerville, and from the latter place to Wall's settle- 
ment, near the town-line between Eaton and Eaton Kapids. 
From there he cut his road to Henry Boody's place in 
Eaton Rapids. Mr. Boody liad raised and covered a log 
house, and gave Mr. Pray the privilege of occupying it. 
The latter's land was two or three miles beyond, but a bad 
swamp lay between, and he unloaded his goods and pro- 
visions and the team returned. Aided by John Worthing- 
ton, Mr. Pray built a house, and moved his goods to it 



upon a hand-sled. The first three families who settled in 
Windsor had no previous knowledge of each other, and 
accident revealed to each the fact that others had settled. 
On the 9th of March, 1838, a son was born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Pray, and, in honor of his grandfiither, was named 
E.sek. He was the first white child born in the township ; 
has been president of the County Pioneer Society, and now 
holds the responsible position of county treasurer. Mr. 
Pray, Sr., built first on the west half of the southwest 
quarter of section 32, and remained there one year, then 
building on hi.s intended homestead on section 29. 

Samuel Munn, Charles Wright, and Andrew Mills, all 
single men, or unaccompanied by their families, came 
into the township in the fall of 1837, and located land on 
section 28. They lived with Mr. Towslee. In the spring 
of 1838, Mr. Mills built a shanty on land afterwards (1869) 
owned by David Dickson, and was preparing to build u 
house when his shanty caught fire and burned down, de- 
stroying his provisions, clothes, and the clothes of a man 
who was at work for him, besides about seventy dollars in 
money, and his misfortune so discouraged him iii.it he left 
the township. 

In the spring of 1838, T. C. Cogswell came in from the 
south part of the State, following the road made the pre- 
vious fall by Mr. Pray, and from the latter's place cut a 
road, about three miles, to his own land on section 17. He 
was accompanied by his wife and one child. During the 
same spring his brother Harrison moved in from the north 
and settled on section 18. In the spring of 1839, Mr. A. 
Torrey, a middle-aged man with a considerable family, settled 
on section 26, and with him came Chauncey Bohannon, who 
purchased on section 24. Charles Hinkley located on the 
latter section at the same time, and, like Mr. Bohannon, 
was unmarried. John Courter settled in the spring of 1839. 
Martin Stevens and the Messrs. Murphy came about 1840, 
but soon removed. In 1841, Robert McRedfield settled on 
section 32, having purchased the land at a previous date. 
These constitute probably all who settled in the township 
during the first five years of its history. In 1842, Azro 
More made a commencement on the south town-line, and 
about the same time a young man named Sylvester Derby 
arrived, accompanied by his younger brother and their 
mother. In 1849, B. F. Bailey .settled near the northwest 
corner of the township, owning land also in Benton. 
Other early settlers coming in the first decade of its civil 
history were Edmond Lewis, Thomas Hinkley, D. B. 
Searles, Horace Skinner, and S. D. Reeves in the eastern 
part of the town ; J. P. Lewis, T. J . Sloan, George P. 
Carman, Solomon Pearce, David Nettleton, and Harmon 
Cogswell in the west, and Mr. Galvin in the north. 

The early inhabitants of the township seem to have had 
almost more than their share of adventures and hardships. 
Orange Towslee started one Friday morning for Eaton 
Rapids or Spicerville to purchase lumber for his house. 
Not finding the men at home he .started back, lost his 
direction, and wandered in the woods till Monday, and 
when he arrived at home he was so nearly worn out and 
starved that his family was frightened at sight of him. 
They supposed he had made a purchase, and was rafting it 
down the river. In the month of November, 1837, as Mr. 



WINDSOR. 



5a9 



Towslee was on his way home from Delta nij;ht overtook him, 
and again he became lost. In his wanderings he plunged 
into a crceic up to liis arms. Wolves were howling in 
every direction, and being more comfortahle in the water 
than out with his wet clothes, and deeming himself safer 
from the wolves in that situation, he remained standing in 
the creek all that long, cold November night, and when in 
the morning he reached home his voice refused to respond 
to his efforts to speak. 

Mr. Pray, who was quite deaf, started one Sunday even- 
ing after his cattle, his wife pointing in the direction where 
she had heard the bell. Ere long the cows came home, 
but Mr. Pray did not, and he was finally heard to '' whoop.'" 
Three men started to guide him home, or rather to his re- 
lief, supposing he had treed a bear. They had some fun 
at his e.xpense for getting lost, but when they started for 
home their laughter gave way to soberness, for they found 
they icere (til lost. Fortunately they succeeded in starting 
a fire, by which they remained through the night, and 
reached home the next day. 

John D. Skinner, who brought in his family in the 
mouth of March, concluded to drive down on the river from 
Eaton llnpids, as the sleighing was poor, but he found he 
had to deal with a very treacherous stream, and had many 
hairbreadth escapes before he reached his destination. It 
is perhaps needless to state that he kept off the ice with his 
family afterwards. 

C. Bohannon, who boarded on the side of the river op- 
posite his land, often when going to the landing found his 
boat on the other shore. He frequently pulled off his boots 
and socks and waded part way across, going the remainder of 
the way on the ice. On one occasion in March, in company 
with two friends, he started to cross, but thought something 
was wrong ahead, and in trying the ice went through. Fortu- 
nately he was able to reach the hole he had fallen through, 
but left a tin pail of butter and six small traps at the bot- 
tom of the river. He then forded the river at the rapids, 
secured his boat, and conveyed his friends across. The 
next day he found his lost property in seven feet of water. 
On another occasion he, in company with Charles Hiukley 
and Albert McKinlcy, in returning from town-meeting in 
the evening, found the ice, upon which they had crossed 
safely in the morning, so rotten that they had to cross by 
taking three poles apiece, keeping on two and .shoving one 
after the other. MeKiuley, the heaviest of the party, broke 
through and declared himself to be drowned, but that was 
an ecjuivocation under the pressure of fear and surrounding 
circuuLstances. 

Mr. Courier, who moved in with his wife and child when 
the water was high, came by way of Delta, and was met 
part way by Mr. Towslee, who went down with his team to 
help him along. A wheel broke down and they were in a 
dilemma. Several miles were yet to be traversed, and a 
swollen creek to be crossed. Mr. Towslee said, " Mrs. 
Courier, how arc you to get across the creek ? The water 
is midsidc to my oxen." She asked, " How did you cross 
this morning?" " I rode an ox across," Mr. Towslee re- 
plied. •' So can I ride an ox across," said .Mrs. Courier, 
and so she did, mounting behind Mr. Towslee, but admitted 
that it was a difiicull matter to keep her feet dry. After 



Mr. Courier had built his house, and split out lumber for 
the floors and casings, he lacked a board for a door. Mr. 
Towslee, happening at Eaton Rapids, called al the mill to 
buy a board for Mr. Courier, but was informed there was 
none to spare. He, however, insisted upon having one, as 
the weather was getting loo cold to be without a door, and 
finally found one, which he walked away with in spite of 
opposition, laying down a ((uarter of a dollar to pay for it. 

Mr. Courier, while one day engiiged in hoeing corn, 
heard one of his hogs squealing lustily, and running to the 
spot found a large bear walking off, willi piggy folded affec- 
tionately under one arm. At sight of Mr. Courier the 
bear dropped his prize and ran, but soon rcturTied, and was 
killed by a bullet from the rifle of Mr. Burnet, who had 
come to the assistance of Mr. Courier. The bear weighed 
200 pounds and was very fat. Mr. Mcltcdfield was also 
called from his hoeing at one lime in a similar manm^r, his 
dog accompanying him. The bear was exceedingly troubled 
by the dog, bul was determined to keep his prospective 
meal. At sight of the man he dro]iped the pig and made 
his esc;ipe, while ihe pig, badly hurt, ran one way and its 
owner another. The pig reached home first, bul Mr. Mc- 
Iledfield was loth to admit that he was frightened, staling 
that he was going to the house for hot water, thinking the 
pig would go by a circuitous route and be' about ready to 
scald by the lime he reached home. 

R. T. Cogswell acquired fame as a hunter and trapper. 
One afternoon he killed a large bear which he found f;isi in 
a trap, about half a mile from his house, and called for his 
wife, who soon came with a blind horse (blind horses, it is 
a.sserted, are best to carry bears on). The bear was finally 
loaded u])on the horse's back and they started for the house, 
Mr. Cogswell on one side and his wife on the other, having 
much difficulty in guiding the horse and keeping the bear 
on. Night came on and they lost their way, but shouted 
for as.sislance, and Mr. Cogswell's brother heard and piloted 
them out. 

C. Bohannon used strychnine and killed a number of 
wolves with it. He secured three in one night, and their 
hides, with the State and county bounties, brought him 
forty-eight dollars. William P. Skinner brought the first 
sheep into the township, but their increase was slow on 
account of wolves. The Skinners killed the first wolf. Mr. 
Derby was a noted hunter and trapper, and experienced nu- 
merous exciting adventures. 

Several pci'sons were lost al different times, and the set- 
tlers turned out to search for them. The most noted case 
was that of a young son of Charles Wright, aged five years, 
who lost his way when starting for the .school-house, having 
been gathering beech-nuts. It was one hour over five days 
before the child was found, yet he was alive, and, after a 
month of suffering, recovered. He had built for himself a 
small pen of slicks, and was found lying within it. His 
exposure resulted in the loss of all the toes from one fool 
(having removed the shoe and been unable to put it on 
again), and the ends of tho.se on the other. 

Consistency is illustrated in the fact ihal settlers were 
obliged to pay two dollars a bushel for .seed-wlieal, while 
the crop that was rai.-ied fnim il was wurlli but three shil- 
liu<^ a bushel. 



540 



HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



In February, 1840, a Metliodist class was formed at the 
house of A. Torrey,* lillder Bennett presiding. In Febru- 
ary, 1846, the First Congreiiationa! Church of Windsor 
was formed at tlie house of N. H. Pray, llev. J. W. Smith, 
of Eaton Rapids, presiding. 

The first bridge was built at the crossing of the Eaton 
Rapids and Lansing road in 1847, and cost $238. About 
ten years later a bridge was built at Dimondale, which was 
taken down in 18()8 and a new one built at a total expense 
of about $aO()0. 

One of the earliest marriagesf was that of John Worth- 
ington and Mrs. Derby, who a few years later removed to 
Brookfield township. Samuel Munn and the mother of 
the Messrs. Skinner died in 1847, Azro P. More in 1848, 
and Mrs. David Nettleton in 1849. Mrs. Oramel D. Skin- 
ner died suddenly in 1851, and Mrs. Charles Wright in 
1853, her husband soon after moving to Texas. Mrs. 
Towslee died in August, 1854, and was followed by her 
husband about a month later. Many others of the early 
settlers have since laid down the burden of life and gone to 



' That undiscovered ( 
No traveler returns 



Qtrv. from whose bourne 



George P. Carman, from Cayuga Co., N. ¥., came to 
Eaton Co., Mich., in October, 1844, with his wife and one 
son, Blattison Carman, then three years old, and settled in 
the township of Benton, on the southeast quarter of section 
13. In November, 1849, he removed to Windsor town- 
ship and located upon a place on the State road between 
West Windsor and Potterville, where his son is now living. 
For several years afterwards, says Mrs. Carman, they were 
the only family on the direct road between Charlotte and 
Lansing, and Mr. Carman assisted in opening the road. 
Mr. Carman and family are now residing at West Wind- 
sor. 

The widow of R. T. Cogswell is also living near West 
Windsor, and her mind is stored with many interesting 
anecdotes of the early days. It is told of her that on one 
occasion, during the absence of her husband, she spied a 
" noble antlered buck" near the house, and taking down a 
rifle, took deliberate aim, and shot him dead in his tracks, 
without a symptom of the " buck fever." 

Residents in 1844. — The following is a list of resident 
taxpayers in Windsor township in 1844, as shown on the 
assessment-roll for that year : Chauncey Bohanuon, Edmund 
Lewis, Charles Hinckley, H. M. Skinner, 0. D. Skinner, 
John D. Skinner, W. P. Skinner, W. H. Cogswell, S. H. 
Cogswell, John Worthington, S. A. Moore, R. McRedfield, 
Charles Wright, R. T. Cogswell, John Courter, 0. Towslee, 
Clinton Burnett, Samuel Munn, S. D. Reeves, John Galvin, 
R. J. Bradley, C. J. Gladding, David Nettleton, D. and C. 
Murphy, Denison Searls. 



'f Six persons became members. First Sabbath-school formed Julj' 
13, 1845, by John Courter and Solomon Pearce. 

f First marriage in township, that of Chauncey Bohannon and 
Maria Gilbert, by John Courier, Esq., Oct. 23, 1842. The first fu- 
neriil was July 14, 1844, that of a child of Nathan H. Pray. The first 
celebration of the nation''^ independence in town was held on land of 
Orange Towslee, July 4, 1810 ; oration delivered by Matthias Spear, 
and Declaration of Independence road by Jolm Courter. 



TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.— L1«T OP OFFICERS. 
The Legislature of the State of Michigan enacted, Feb. 
Hi, 1842, that " all that part of the county of Eaton desig- 
nated "by the United States survey as township number 3 
north, of range 3 west (now a part of the township of 
Oneida), be and the same is hereby set off and organized 
into a separate township by the name of Windsor, and the 
first township-meeting shall be held at the house of Aldis 
Torrey, in said township." Agreeably to this act the in- 
habitants met on the day and at the place appointed, and 
organized by choosing Oramel D, Skinner moderator, and 
O. D. Skinner, John D. Skinner, Aldis Torrey, and John 
Courter inspectors of the election. It was 

" Voted, To have two assessors to act with the supervisor. 

" licsiilved unanimously, To raise one hundred dollars, to be paid in 
labor or otherwise, to be expended in the several road-districts where 
it is raised, to be at the disposal of the road commissioners. 

'■ ReHolved, To raise twenty-five dollars for books and stationery." 

The following ofiicers were elected, viz. : Supervisor, 
John D. Skinner ; Town Clerk, O. D, Skinner ; Treasurer, 
Nathan H. Pray ;! Justices of the Peace, 0. D. Skinner, 
John Courter, Aldis Torrey, Robert McRedfield ; Assessors, 
Leonard Murphy, Orange Towslee ; Poormasters, Aldis 
Torrey, Royal T. Cog.swell ; Road Commissioners, Chauncey 
Bohannon, Royal T. Cogswell, Charles Hinkley ; Constables, 
Royal T. Cogswell, Horace M. Skinner, Chauncey Murphy 
Clinton Burnett ; School Inspectors, Oramel D. Skinner 
Charles Torrey, Horace M. Skinner ; Overseers of High 
ways, Leonard Murphy, Royal T. Cogswell, Nathan H 
Pray, Oramel D. Skinner. 

The following is a list of the principal ofiicers of the 
township from 1843 to 1879, inclusive : 

SUPERVISORS. 

1843-4G, John D. Skinner; 1847, Nathan H. Pray; 1848-49, John 
D. Skinner; 1850-51, William H. Taylor; 1852, B.F.Bailey; 
1853-57, George P. Carman ; 1858-59, Cyrus N. Streeter; 1860- 
61, Edmund Lewis; 1862, George P. Carman; 1863-66, Edmund 
Lewis; 1867-68, Aaron T. Cunningham; 1869-78, Esek Pray ; 
1879, Auburn D. Carlton. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS. 

1843-44, Oramel D. Skinner; 1845-46, Horace M. Skinner; 1847-50, 
John Courter; 1851, Otis Whaley ; 1852-o,S, John Courter; 1854, 
A. T. Cunningham; 1855, William W. Flagler; 1856, Philetus 
Whaley; 1867, A. R. Williams; 1858, M. E. Munger; 1859-63, 
Charles H. Furber ; 1864-67, Tyler Hull; 1868, William Ells; 
1869-74, Tyler Hull; 1875, Beecher P. Adams; 1876, Robert 
Mann (resigned and Tyler Hull appointed): 1877-79, Thomas 
M. Sloan. 

TREASURERS. 

1843-44, Horace M. Skinner; 1845, William P. Skinner; 1846, Nathan 
H. Pray; 1847, Clinton Burnett; 1848-51, Nathan H. Pray; 
1852, Addison Koon ; 1853-54, Nathan H. Pray; 1855, C. L, 
Sabin; 1856, A. T, Cunningham; 1857, John Courter; 1858-59, 
Edmund Lewis; 1860, Levi Shotwell ; 1861, Nathan H. Pray; 
1862, E, Lewis; 1863-77, Chauncey Bohannon; 1878-79, Samuel 
Mathews. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1843, Charles Hinkley, A. P. Moore; 1844-45, no record ; 1846, Solo- 
mon Pearce, 0. D. Skinner ; 1847, Joseph P. Lewis ; 1848, Charles 
Hinkley ; 1849, R. T. Cogswell, 0. D. Skinner ; 1850, 0. Whaley, 

J Resigned, and John Courter appointed Sept. 24, 1842, to fill 
vacancy. 



WINDSOR. 



541 



D. B. Scarls; 1851, Philctus Whalcy; 18.'i2, Charles Hinklo.v, 
N. B. Albro; 1853, (icorge W. Ncivinan, lldmuud I^eiTis, Addison 
Koon ; IS54, A. T. Cunninghiiin, Albert McKonnoy ; 1855, Wil- 
liam H. Twitchell, Enoch Longinate, E. lieukirith ; 1856, Sey- 
mour Carpenter, C. L. Sabin, Solomon I'earco: 1857, E. D. Davi- 
son, J. Ashley, M. 11. Craft; 1858, A. T. Cunningham, John 
Courier; 1859, Denison B. Searls, N. B. Albro, Xorman Carrier; 
1860, Levi Shotwell, Robert Bell; 1861, J. B. Lciscuriug. S. Car- 
penter; 1862, II. P. Stewart, Stewart Hull, Samuel Malhowa; 
1863, Jabez Ashley ; 1864, S. Carpenter; 1805, Norman Carrier, 
H. Terrill, D. Dickinson; 1806, C. S. Torrcy, Vine Sprague; 
1867, Solomon I'earcc, L. F. Hutt ; 1868, Moses Howard, D. A. 
McQuown ; 1869, David A. McQuown ; 1870, Abram Albro ; 1871, 
Stewart Hutt; 1872, Henry M. Towslce ; 1873, Leonidas Mc- 
Quown; 1874, Abram Albro; 1875, Moses Howard; 1876, H. 
M. Towsleo, M. Howard; 1877, Henry Van Aukcn ; 1878, Silas 
French; 1879, H. M. Towslec, Abram Albro. 

Officers elected in 1880: — Supervisor. Auburn D. Carl- 
ton ; Towusliip Clerk, Thomas M. Sloan ; Treasurer, Samuel 
Hough ; Justice of the Peace, Moses Howard ; Superin- 
tendent of Schools, Tyler Hull ; School Inspector, Henry 
A. French ; Coniniis.sioner of Higlnv-ays, Orlando S. Pearce ; 
Drain Comuiissiouer, Humphrey J. Corwin ; Constables, 
Isaac D. North, George Mathews, Edward Twitchell, 
James Barber. 

E.sek Pray, who was elected to the office of supervisor 
of the township of Windsor when but thirty-one years of 
age, and who was subsequently chosen to the same position 
for nine .successive years, was in 1878 still more greatly 
honored by being elected to the responsible position of 
county treasurer, which office he now holds. His father, 
Nathan H. Pray, is still living, and is one of the most 
honored citizens of the township. 

VILLAGE OF DIMOND.VLE. 

In May, 1850, Isaac M. Dimond commenced to improve 
the water-power on Grand River, near the centre of section 
15, in this township. After a year and a half had elapsed 
he had completed a dam across the river and had a saw-mill 
in operation. About the next spring (1852) a freshet car- 
ried away part of the dam, and washed around the mill to 
such an extent that considerable repairs were necessary, 
and much trouble was afterwards experienced in keeping 
the dam repaired, and people were often disappointed in 
getting lumber for building purposes. In 1850 Mr. Di- 
mond built and started a grist-mill at the end of the dam 
opposite the saw-mill, but after a few years that end of the 
dam gave way and the grist-mill was nearly upset into the 
stream. In the .same year (1856) in which he built the 
grist-mill, Mr. Dimond caused a village ])lat to be laid out, 
and gave it the name of Dimondale. The survey was made 
Aug. 6, 1856, by Hosey Harvey, surveyor. Afler the 
break in the dam last mentioned, Mr. Dimond returned to 
New York, where his death soon after occurred. Affairs 
at Dimondale were taken in hand by A. C. Bruen, who 
righted the mill and repaired the dam, and soon after sold 
the property to E. W. Hunt, who continued to do an exten- 
sive custom and a fair merchant business with the mill. 
He also built a new mill in 1869, to which the water was 
conveyed through a raceway about forty rods in length. 

The grist-mill built by Mr. Dimond is still standing, 
though it has not been in use for ten years. It wa.s thirty 
by forty feet in dimensions, three stories high, and con- 



tained two runs of stone. The mill erected by Mr. Hunt 
is a short distance below the old one, on the raceway, and 
is now doing a custom business principally. It was built 
for a " four-run" mill, but contains two runs of stone only. 
This mill is forty by .sixty feet, four stories high, and is 
one of the best in Central Michigan. A new saw-mill has 
been built on the site of the old one, and is owned by Al- 
exander Oliver. The old saw-mill was moved once or 
twice by Mr. Dimond, on account of being undermined. 

The house built and occupied by Mr. Dimond became 
also the property of Edmund W. Hunt, who sold it to A. 
H. Olmstead. The latter remodeled it and converted it 
into a hotel and is now its proprietor. The building, which 
stands on the we.st side of the river, is known an the " Olm- 
stead House." Mr. Dimond, in company with his brother- 
in-law, Mr. Benham, established a store — the first in the 
place — on the west side. He finally clo.sed his business 
affairs here and made an assignment, after which a man 
named Bingham established a store, also on the west 
side. 

In 1866, when E. W. Hunt came to Dimondale, the 
place contained but sixteen buildings of all descriptions, 
and it h;is urown to its present dimensions since that time. 
It now contains seven stores of various kinds and two mil- 
linery establishments, besides a steam planing-mill, a grist- 
mill, a saw-mill, and the usual complement of mechanic- 
shops. 

A post-office called Ea.st Windsor was established early 
in the eastern part of the township, and George Cheney 
and Rev. Mr. McCarty, a Baptist minister, were among the 
first postmasters. Dimondale post-office was established in 
the winter of 1872-7^5, and on the 6th day of January, 
1873, Edmund \V. Hunt was commissioned its first post- 
master. After about a year he was succeeded by Clark 
Sloan (now of West Windsor). These holding since have 
been Henry A. French, Clark Sloan (a second timej, and 
the present incumbent, Thomas M. Sloan. The office is 
kept in the store of Mr. Sloan, a brick building on the ea.st 
side, the only brick store in the place. 

Grand River at Dimondale has sloping, grassy banks, 

and the aspect of many of the prairie streams of the West. 

Nothing in the appearance of the river here would lead the 

beholder to imagine the existence of the rocky walls which 

frown upon it but a few miles below at Grand Ledge. It 

is here a quiet, pastoral stream, smooth in surface and dark 

in hue, flowing silently on in its course to the great lake 

beyond. 

AHLLAGE Oh' WEST WINDSOR. 

Improvements were begun at West Windsor in the 
spring of 1856, when a Mr. Davison built a steam saw- 
mill, which in 1869 was owned by Mulhollon Bnpthers. 
In the latter year the place contained al.so a store, two 
blacksmith-shops, and a wiigon-shop. 

J. M. Abels and Christopher Haag operated a steam 
saw-mill with upright saws in this township previous to 
1804, and in the latter year it was removed to Delhi town- 
ship, Ingham Co. 

One of the earliest inhabitants of the place was Thomas 
J. Sloan, a native of the town of Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y., 
who settled here in 1844, having previously lived four 



542 



HISTORY OP EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



years iu Medina Oo., Ohio. Mr. Sloan's deatii occurred at 
West Windsor, April 14, 1871. 

Among the early arrivals in the vicinity of West VVind- 
sor was N. B. Alhro, formerly from the State of New York, 
and afterwards of Medina Co., Ohio, who removed liere 
about 1848 and is still living. 

The first store in West Windsor was opened by A. II. 
Williams, brother-in-law to Mr. Davison. A small grocery 
is the only establishment of the kind now in tlie place, the 
last regular .store having been kept by Clark Sloan. Soon 
after tlie saw-mill and first store were built, John Steeples 
erected a building and opened it as a hotel, and in its day 
it was a noted affair. The house is yet standing, but is oc- 
cupied as a private dwelling. Simon Wright, who was 
a later proprietor, built a large addition to it. 

No village plat has ever^been laid out at West Windsor, 
lots being sold " by metes and bounds," in sizes to suit 
purchasers. The place received the nickname of " Sevas- 
topol" at the time of the Crimean war, and several stories 
are told as to the origin ; one is that a free fight occurred 
on one occasion at a ball, and anotlier that a newly wedded 
couple successfully withstood the siege of an enthusiastic 
charivari. 

The first mail passed over the State road in December, 
1849. West Windsor post-ofiice had been established a 
short time previously, — during the same fall, — and George 
P. Carman received the appointment of first postmaster, 
keeping the office in his log shanty on the farm now occu- 
pied by his son. Mail was carried through from Charlotte 
three times a week on the back of a mule. A line of 
stages was soon placed on the route, and a daily mail was 
secured. Mr. Carman held the office for seven years in 
succession, and afterwards held it about seven more. His 
first successor was Solomon Pearce or Mr. Davison. The 
office, now located at the village, is in charge of George 
Albro, and a daily mail is received at Sevastopol Station, 
one mile west. Trains do not stop at the station, where 
are located a steam saw-mill and two or three dwellings. 

KELlGlOUiS SOCIKTIES. 
The first religious organizations in the township have 
been mentioned by Esek Pray, in his article upon the early 
settlement, from which quotations are herein made. The 
churches now iu the township are located at Dimondale. 
The oldest is the Presbyterian, which was originally organized 
at the house of Nathan H. Pray, and newly organized at Di- 
mondale about 1874-75, since when the pastors have been 

Revs. Henry Marvin, James Malcolm, and Franklin, 

the present pastor, who comes from Lansing and preaches 
once iu two weeks. The present fine frame church was 
built in the summer of 1877, at a cost of about $2500. 



The second church in the place was built during the 
same summer (1877) by the Adventists, and is also a frame 
building. This society has never bad a settled preacher, 
although meetings are held regularly. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized before 
that of the Adventists, and its present frame house of wor- 
ship was built in 1878. Its organization was consummated 
in 18G8, and meetings were for several years held in school- 
houses. For three or four years an old dwelling on the 
east side of the river at Dimondale was used, the partitions 
having been removed and the house fitted up for a chapel. 
The present pastor is Rev. James Riley. The member- 
ship of each of the churches is comparatively small ; all 
maintain Sunday-.schools. 

SCHOOLS. 

April j!t), 1845, the board of township school inspectors 
met and organized District No. 2, to include sections 20, 
21,28, 29, \V1, and 38. May 1, 1847, Nos. 1 and 3 were 
reorganized, to include respectively sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 
26, 27, 34, 35, and 36, and sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, and 
19. At the latter date, says the record, " Miss Harriet 
Reeves presented herself for inspection and Received a Oir- 
tificate for teaching a Primary School in Town." Dec. 
6, 1847, a certificate was granted to Miss Maria Louisa 
Potter, and one to Miss Ball, December 26th, to teach in 
District No. 1. May 4, 1848, that portion of the town- 
ship lying east of Grand River was organized into a sepa- 
rate district, and called No. 4. A certificate was granted 
to Miss Alice T. Hinkley, June 2, 1848. Among other 
early teachers were Cordelia Jane Wright, Susan Skinner, 
Christina Weller, Elizabeth Ilocum, Polly Lobdell, George 
Nierman, Mary Beadle. 

The present two-story brick school-house at Dimondale 
was erected iu 1879. It is on the west side of the river, 
and belongs to District No. 6, which includes the village. 
The school is a graded one, with two departments; Miss 
Addie Skinner, Principal. A frame building half a mile 
west was previously used. From the report of the school 
inspectors for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879, the follow- 
ing statistics are taken regarding the schools of tlie town- 
ship : 

Number of districts (whole 7, fractional 2) 9 

'• schuol-cbildrcn in township 482 

" children iu attendance for year 407 

" days school taught 1133 

" school-houses (brick 2, frame 7) i* 

" seatings in same 633 

Value of school property $7475.00 

Number of teachers employed (males 4, females 21).... 25 

Wages of same (males, $316.80; females, $893.91) $1210.71 

Total resources for year 3962.78 

Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 814.18 

Total e.\peuditures, less amount on band 3148.60 



WINDSOR. 



543 



n I () G R A p 1 1 1 c A i. .s jv E r c Ji 1-: s. 




^» 




OEOKGE D. PKAV. 



GEORGE D. PRAY. 
George D. Pray is the son of Nathan 11. and Sally Ann 
McCormick Pray, and was born in the townsliip of Superior, 
Washtenaw Co., Feb. 2, 1843. His early life was com- 
paratively uneventful. The educational advantages were 
in those primitive days limited to the di.strict school, which 
was enjoyed only when respite from the more active duties 
of the farm permitted. The winter found Mr. Pray — then 
a lad — at school, and the summer engaged in the labor 
of clearing, sowing, and reaping. His parents having 
removed to Eaton County iu the fall of 1845, he accom- 



panied them, and at the age of tweiity-6vc married Miss 
Libbie M. Win.slow, who was born in .^Iillburgh, Berrien 
Co., Sept. 27, 1851, and was the daughter of Dr. Ansel 
Winslow, a physician of Windsor. Two children, Loula 
and Merta, have brightened their fireside. 

Mr. Pray has two hundred acres of excellent land, most 
of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has been 
during his lifetime industrious and temperate, and to the 
virtue attributes his robust physique and excellent health. 

He exerts a commanding influence as a successful farmer 
and a citizen of high character. 



ADDISON KOON. 
Nicholas Koon, the father of the subject of our sketch, 
was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., about 1794. At the 
early age of nineteen or twenty he enlist«d and served 
through a portion of the war of 1812. After leaving the 
service he engaged iti farming, and after a few years of toil 
and privation acquired the necessary means to purchase a 
farm in Steuben Co., N. Y. ; soon after marrying Miss 
Samantha Carroll, al.so a native of New York, born about 
1800. They became the parents of five children, — three 
sons and two daughters, — Addison being the third child 
and second son, his birth occurring in 1824. His early 
years were pa.s.sed after the manner of most farmers' sons in 
those days, receiving a good common-school education and 
working on the farm summers, after attaining sufficient 
age. Upon reaching the age of twenty-two was united in 
marriage to Miss Adclia M. Brant, who was bcjrn in Niag- 
ara Co., N. Y., in 1830. She was the daughter of Joseph 



and Sally (Wheeler) Brant, both natives of the same State. 
Her father w;ls engaged in the Canadian Patriot war. Her 
mother dying when she was twelve years of age, she was 
brought up by an aunt, and although her mother had 
left her abundant means, her educational advantages were 
limited. 

In 1848 Mr. and Mrs. Koon moved from Lockport to 
Michigan, and with what little means they had purchjused 
the land which they now occupy, being one hundred and 
twenty acres on section 33, in the township of Wind.sor. 
Thi.s township was then very new and sparsely .settled, only 
about forty votes being polled, but their hearts were willing 
and their arms strong, and rapidly they changed the forest 
to field, hewing as it were their way to prosperity and in- 
dependence. The winter of 1848 Mr. Koon helped to cut 
out the highway acrass the township ; ho also assisted in 
building the first hou.sc in Diuioiidale, and to erect (he saw- 
mill and dam across the river, and various other improve- 



544 



HISTORF OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





Jilts. ADDISON KOON. 

ments. How well Mr. and Mrs. Koon improved their time 
may be better understood by glancing at the view of their 
farm and home, which we give upon another page ; com- 
paring with it their humble home and beginning in the 
wilderness. 



ADDISON KOON. 

Mr. Koon has held a number of the minor offices in his 
township, such as treasurer, commissioner of highways, etc., 
but has never aspired to office, though an earnest partisan, 
striving for the success of his party and cause ; formerly a 
Democrat, he now labors with zeal in the Greenback cause. 





MRS. NATHAN H. PRAY. 



NATHAN H. PRAY. 

The father of the subject of this biography, Esek Pray, 
was a native of Connecticut, and the mother, formerly Miss 
Sally Ann Hammond, was born in Rhode Island. The 
birth of their son Nathan occurred in Providence Co., R. I., 
on April 1, 1814. The family removed during tlie year 
1815 to Allegany Co., N. Y., and remained ten years. In 



NATHAN H. PRAY. 

1825 they repaired to Michigan, and settled in the town- 
ship of Superior, Washtenaw Co., where the son had the 
misfortune to lose both parents. The father died in 1856, 
and the mother in 1871, on the homestead. He, however, 
remained upon the homestead farm, and was in 1837 united 
in marriage to Miss Sally Ann McCormick, of Washtenaw 
County. The same year witnessed their removal to Wind- 







TS 



J 
a. . 







WINDSOR. 



545 



sor, Eaton Co., where tliey were among the oldest settlers 
in the township. Mrs. Pray died Jan. 11, 18GD, and in 
September, 1871, Mr. Pray married Miss Helen Howard. 
Ten children were born to the first marriage, — six livin" to 
mature age, — viz. : E.sok, Sarah Jane, George D., Andrew, 
Freeman G., and Lillie. Mr. I'ray has the respeet of 
his neighbors for his integrity of character and uniform 



urbanity. He is actively engaged in religious enterprises, 
having been for nearly half a century a member of the 
Congregational Church, and one of its most generous sup- 
porters. In September, 1871, Mr. Pray married his third 
wife, Mrs. Ellen McCormick, formerly Mis,s Ellen Howard, 
who died about two years subsciiuently, since which time 
he has been a widower. 




MRS. E. W. HUNT. 

EDMUND W. HUNT. 

Edmund W. was the third child of Timothy W. and 
Phebe Fellows Hunt, and was born in Lodi, Washtenaw 
Co., Mich., Oct. 14, 1828. The grandfather, John Hunt, 
was a patriot of the war of 1812. 

Edmund's father, while a resident of Connecticut, pur- 
sued the vocation of a tanner and currier, but on his arri- 
val in Michigan adopted the life of a farmer, remaining 
until his death, in 1873, in Washtenaw County, a period 
of forty years. He was one of the earliest and most enter- 
prising pioneers of that county. Edmund occupied his 
early years with the duties of the farm, and at the age 
of twenty-three married Miss Elizabeth Olcott, of York, 
Washtenaw Co., who was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., 
in 1829. Mr. Hunt repaired to Jackson County soon 



E. W. HUNT. 

after, and followed mechanical pursuit:* for six years, after 
which he removed to Benton and engaged in farming. He 
became a soldier in the late war in 18C3, and a member 
of the Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and w.is subse- 
quently promoted to a lieutenancy in the First United 
States Engineers, in which capacity he served until the 
close of the war, having been engaged in many celebrated 
encounters under eminent commanders. He repaired at 
the close of the war to Lansing, and soon after engaged in 
milling at Dimondale, which now occupies his attention. 
He has also been a director of the Lake Shore and Mich- 
igan Southern liailroad. Mr. Hunt was, in 1SG9, elected 
to represent his district in the Legislature. He has since 
that time devoted himself to business pursuits and the 
enjoyments of a tranquil home-life. 



69 



MILITARY PIISTORY. 



CHAPTER I. 

HISTORY OF ORGANIZATIONS. 

In the great war of the Rebellion the State of Michigan 
furnished an aggregate of 90,797 men to the armies of the 
Union. Of this number the counties of Eaton and Ingham 
are credited with the following totals : Eaton County, 1741 ; 
Ingham, 2097. The percentage of deaths by wounds and 
disease in the State troops was about fifteen in a hundred, 
and the same ratio will make the deaths of troops from 
Eaton County about 260, and those from Ingham County 
about 300, or a total for the two counties of 560. 

These counties were represented in a large number of 
regiments and organizations, the larger representations 
being in the First, Third, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Twelfth, 
Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Twentieth, and Twenty-Sixth In- 
fantry Regiments, the First Engineers and Mechanics, and 
the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, 
Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Cavalry Regiments, and in 
Stuart's Sharpshooters. The numbers in these organiza- 
tions ranged from about 30 to 250. Besides these there 
were men scattered through many other organizations, from 
one to a dozen or more in each. 

Herewith are brief histories of some of the more impor- 
tant organizations in which the troops from the two counties 
served. The facts are largely from the voluminous reports 
of the adjutant-general, supplemented by such additional 
information as could be obtained from surviving officers 
and men, residents of the counties. 

FIRST INFANTRY. 

C0M1'.\NY A. 
Sergt. Royiil H. SU-phens, Stockbridge; com. let lieut., May ;J0, 1805; must, out 

July 9, 1805. 
Jiimcs B. Harrison, died Nov. 9, ISCl. 

Stephen B. Rogere, killed at ChHncellursville, V.i., May 5, 18M. 
l)*vid Twomley, died at Detroit, Mirh., Jan. 1, 1863. 
Jacob Nichols, killed in action near Petersburg, Va., June 23, 18C4. 
Marshall Isbell, disch. at exp. of service, Sept. 8, 1864. 
William E. Swan, rc-enl. as veteran, Feb. 17, 1864. 

COMPANY C. 
Edgar H. Rogers, killed at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862. 
Otis Brotherton, disch. to re-eul. a% veteran, Dec. 25, 18C3. 
Theodore Huffman, disch., Oct. 1, 1802, for wounds. 

COMPANY F. 
Benjamin F. Curtis, killed at Gaines Mill, June 2", 1862. 
William B. Avery, disch. Aug. 18, 1862. 
Elijah Haney, died Feb. 2, 186;!. 

Francis E. Lord, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 17, 1864. 
John Butler, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 22, 1864; must, out July 9, 1865. 

546 



COMPANY G. 

George Myer, disch. Oct. 30, 1862. 

COMPANY H. 
Martin V. Morley, killed at Gaines Mill, June 27, 1862. 
John Van Alkin, killed at Gaines Mill, June 27, 1862. 
Rudolph Huffman, killed at Gaines Mill, June 27, 1862. 
O'Brien Haley, disch. for disability, June 13, 1862. 
George Madden, diach. for disability, March 10, 1802. 
Thomas Burrow, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 17, 1864. 
Michael Shaw, disch. for disability, Feb. 21, 1863. 
Valentine Gilman, disch. by order, June 5, 1865. 

COMPANY K. 

William G. Melville, killed at Chickahominy, June 27, 1862. 

Azariah Coe, missing in action at Chickahominy, June 27, 1862. 

Peter Quinn, missing in action at Chickahominy, June 27, 1802; disch. at 

Potomac Creek, Jan. 1, 1863. 
Levi Soule, missing in action at Chickahominy, June 27, 1862; trans, to Vet. 

Res. Corps, Dec. 1, 1863. 
Azariah Ego, died of wounds at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. 
Joseph Saaxa, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Nov. 1, 1803. 
John F. Saltmarsh, disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 8, 1864. 
John Barker, disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 31, 1864. 
James A. Bell, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 17, 1864; must, out May 25, 

1805. 
Alonzo Northrop, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 25, 1863. 

SECOND INFANTRY. 

Adolphus W. Williams, Lansing: com. major, April 25, 1861 ; pro. to lieut.-col., 
March 6, 1862; col. 20th Infantry, July 26, 1802; honorably disch. for 
disability, Nov. 21, 1863 ; wounded slightly at Yorktown, Va., April, 1802 ; 
wounded in action at Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1802 ; wounded at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1802; pro. to brevet brig.-gen. U. S. Vols., March 13, 
1865, "for gallant and meritorious services during the war;" since de- 
ceased. 

COMPANY A. 



Thomas Gr. 



nust. 



ut June 5, 1865. 



COMPANY B. 
Alfred S. Handy, killed at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1802 
Emory Hann, must, out Aug. 12, 1805. 



COMPANY C. 
, killed near Peteraburg, Va., June 17, 1804. 
r Petereburg, Va., June 17, 1864. 



■ Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864. 
inds received on picket, July 27, 1804. 
action, July 30, 1864; returned : must, out Ju 

Bnl. as veteran, Dec. 31, 1863. 



Richard 0. McWhartc 
Silas Carter, killed ne; 
William W. Coulon, killed- 1 
Theodore L. Miller, died of 
Herbert F. Miller, missing 

20, 1865. 
Sidney L. Bentley, disch. to 
Aaron Hagaman, died at Detroit, Mich., Jan. 26, 1865. 
William W. Miller, must, out May 24, 1805. 
Eugene S. Rose, must, out Aug. 11, 1865. 
Leonard Cole, must, out July 28, 1805. 

COMPANY D. 

Asa Smart, disch. for disability, at Louisville, Ky., July 20, 1863. 
Francis K. Barnes, must, out July 28, 1865. 

COMPANY E. 
William H. H. Barnum, killed near Petersburg, Va., Aug. 19, 1864. 
Lewis Harnard, died at Washington, 1>. C, July 1, 1865. 
Theodore Shay, must, out July 28, 1865. 
.'iaiuuel A. Williams, njiisl. out from Vet. Res. Corps, Aug. 3, 1805. 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



547 



0. H. P. Kun 



COMPANY F. 

pjr, mnit. out M»j 27, 1605. 



COMPANY G. 
Albert Townsenil, ilied nt rhiladolplila, Pn., Juljr 27, ISM. 
John C. Hiirens, mnet. oill Juno 12, 1866. 
Henry E. Ilntt, most, out July 2«, 1805. 
Oacar A. Ixing, ninsl. out July 28, 1865. 
RuJoli>li Trocksel, must, out July 28, 1865. 



John S. Van Nortwick, i 



COSIPANY n. 

nst. out June 7, 18». 



COMPANY I. 

William Andornon, mn^t. out June 22, 1865. 
John White, must, out July, 2«, 1865. 

COMPANY K. 
Jerome H. Boyer, died of wounds, ne.ir Petersburg, Va , Sept. 19, lfi«4. 
Georso A. Fishell, disch. for wounds, July 10, 1805. 
Riilph Mnscatt, must, out July 28, 18C5. 
Darius Pierce, must, cut July 2.S, 1S65. 
Henry H»ll, must, out June 13, 1865. 
Amos J. Mead, must, out July 28, 1865. 
Joseph T. Bowe, disch. at expiration of service, Feb. 28, 1865. 

THIRD INFANTKY. 

This regiment rendezvoused at Grand Rapids in the 
spring of 1861. It was so rapidly filled up that it was 
ready for the field on the 13th of June, with 1040 offi- 
cers and men on its muster-rolls. There were from 75 
to 100 men in this regiment from Ingham and Eaton 
Counties, the larger number being comprised in Company 
G, raised at Lansing by Capt. John R. Price, who was 
then in command of one of the uniformed companies of 
the State militia, which formed the nucleus of Company 
G. Some account of this command will be found at the 
close of the history of the regiment. 

The Third left Grand Rapids on the 13th of June, 18G1, 
and proceeded to Washington, D. C., where it arrived in 
season to take part in the first battle of Bull Run, which 
began at Blackburn's Ford on the ISth of July. During 
the following winter it was encamped near Alexandria, Va., 
with the Second and Fifth Michigan Regiments, with which 
it was brigaded. 

In March, 1862, it formed a part of Gen. McClellan's 
splendid army, which landed at Fortress Monroe in April, 
made the disastrous Peninsular campaign, and retreated 
from the pestiferous swamps of the Chickahominy in July 
of the same year, after sustaining enormous los,ses by the 
casualties of battle and the diseases incident to an army in 
the field. 

During that memorable campaign the regiment was under 
fire at Williamsburg, May 5th ; at Fair Oaks, May 30th ; 
at Charles City Cros.s-Roads, June 30th ; and at Malvern 
Hill, July 1st. After the army was transferred to North- 
ern Virginia it was heavily engaged at the second battle of 
Bull Run (or Groveton), on the 29th of August. Its 
lieaviest losses were at Fair Oaks, where they ainuunted to 
30 killed; 124 wounded; and 15 niLssing ; a total of 169; 
and at Bull Run, where there were 20 killed and a large 
number wounded and mi.s.sing. On the 30th of November, 
1862, its aggregate returns (present and absent) showed 
669 men. 

Succeeding Gen. Pope's campaign, the regiment moved 
to Edward's Ferry on the Potomac, and from thence on the 
l.st of November, via Warrenton Junction, to Falmouth, 
near Fredericktburg, Va., where it encamped on the 2.3d. 



During Gen. Burnside's fruitless attack upon the Con- 
federate positions around the historic little city of Freder- 
icksburg, on the 13th, 14th and 15lh days of December, 
1862, it was under fire on each of those days, and lost in 
the aggregate nine men wounded. On the 15th it 
recrossed the Rappahannock River, and occupied its for- 
mer camp at Falmouth. 

On the 20th of January, 1863, it made a reconnoissance 
to United States Ford. On the 28th of April the army 
broke camp, and cros-sed the Rappahannock on the 1st of 
May at United Slates Ford. The Third was advanced to 
the vicinity of Chancellor's house. It was engaged in the 
operations of the army under Gen. Hooker around Clian- 
cellorsville from the 1st to the 3d of May, during which its 
I0S.SCS were sixty-three men killed, wounded, and missing. 

When Gen. Lee made his memorable advance through 
Virginia and Maryland into Southeastern Pennsylvania, the 
Army of the Potomac was put in motion on a line parallel 
with Lee's march, and the two armies encountered each 
other on the terrible and bloody field of Gettysburg. The 
Third Michigan took part in this decisive campaign, which 
crippled the Confederate army, and, along with the capture 
of Vicksburg on the Mississippi, gave promise of a speedy 
overthrow of the Rebellion, causing great joy to the "ov- 
ernment and people. The Third was under fire at Gettys- 
burg on the 2d and 3d days of July, and sustained a total 
loss of forty-one men killed, wounded, and missing. It was 
engaged in following up the retreating rebel army until 
the latter had cro.s.sed the Potomac into Virginia, after 
which it marched to Harper's Ferry, crossed the Potomac, 
and advanced as far as Manassas Gap. At Wapping 
Heights it was engaged, but suffered no lo.ss. On the 17lh 
of August the regiment was ordered to the city of New 
York to aid in suppressing the di.<graceful draft riots which 
threatened to end in the destruction of that city. After a 
sojourn in New York of a few days it was ordered to Troy, 
N. Y., where it remained about two weeks, when it returned 
to its place in the Potomac army, joining its brigade at Cul- 
peper, September 17th. On the 11th of October, during 
a retrograde movement across the Potomac, it had a slight 
skirmish at Auburn Heights, losing one man wounded. 
From that point it moved by Mana.ssas and Centrevillc to 
Fairfax Station, where it remained four days, and proceeded 
to Catlett's Station, where it went into camp on the 1st of 
November. 

During the year its losses had been as follows : 

Died in Action or of wounil* 28 

Died of disease. I.t 

DisehnrRcd for disiibilit\ ins 

Discharged by Older 22 

Deserted 211 

Missing in notion 27 

Officers resigned 9 

Officers dismissed tlicscrMce 2 

AVounded in action 50 



During the same period twenty-two men had joined the 
regiment. Il.s rolls on the Isl of November, 1 86."i, showed 
a total of 467 men. 

On the 7th of November, 1863, the regiment took part 
in the forward movement of the army to Kelly's F'ord, and 
from thence moved to Brandy Station, on the Orange and 



548 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



Alexandria Railway, and encamped. From the 26th to the 
30th of the month it was engaged in the Mine Run cam- 
paign, being under fire at Locust Grove on the 27th. On 
the 2d of December it rcoccupied its former camp at Brandy 
Station. Its losses during tiiese movements were thirty- 
one killed, wounded, and missing. One hundred and eighty 
of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans on the 23d of De- 
cember, and were given a furlough of thirty days, which 
they enjoyed at home, and at the expiration of the time 
rejoined the regiment. 

At the opening of the Richmond campaign of 1864 the 
Third crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford on the 4th of 
May, and advanced to Chancellorsville. On the three fol- 
lowing days it was heavily engaged in the battles of the 
Wilderness, and sustained great loss. It was in the fight 
at Todd's Tavern on the 8th, and on the 12th participated 
in the brilliant charge of the Second Corps, in which it 
captured several prisoners and two stands of colors. During 
these engagements the Third and Fifth Michigan Infantry 
Regiments were consolidated for a brief period. The Third 
was engaged on the North Anna River, and crossed the 
Pamunkey on the 27th of May, advancing towards Cold 
Harbor. Its losses during the month of May were : 
31 killed; 119 wounded; and 29 missing. On the 
9th of June, at Cold Harbor, the men whose term of 
service had expired left the regiment and returned home. 
The remaining men were conso'.idated into a battalion of 
four companies and attached to the Fifth Michigan Infantry. 
On the 13th of June the two regiments were finally con- 
solidated by a special order of the War Department. On 
the 20th of the same month the old Third Infantry disap- 
peared from the service. 

On the same day orders were issued for the reorganiza- 
tion of a new regiment, and Lieut.-Col. M. B. Houghton 
was ordered to proceed to Grand Rapids and complete the 
work. On the 15th of October the new organization was 
mustered into the service with 879 men upon its rolls, and 
on the 20th proceeded to Nashville, Tenn., and from thence 
to Decatur, Ala., where it remained during the month of 
November. On the 23d there was a sharp skirmish 
between five companies of the regiment and a body of the 
enemy on the Moulton road, in which the rebels were 
driven back. On the 27th the regiment moved to Mur- 
freesboro', Tenn., and was ordered to duty at Fort Rose- 
crans. 

On the 7th of December, while the bulk of the command 
at Murfreesboro' under Gen. Milroy was engaged with the 
rebel Gen. Forrest, a brigade of the enemy, consisting of 
mounted ini'antry, made a dash at the town, but was driven 
ofi' by the Third Michigan and One Hundred and Eight^-- 
first Ohio, with a section of artillery, after a spirited en- 
gagement of an hours duration. 

On the 9th of the month it was engaged with the rear- 
guard of the Seventh and Twelfth Kentucky rebel infantry, 
while on a foraging expedition, and captured five prisoners. 
On the 15th it had a sharp skirmish with the enemy near 
Stevenson, Ala., in which the rebels retired, leaving their 
dead and wounded on the field. 

On the lOth of January, 1865, the command moved to 
Huntsville, Ala., where it was a.ssigned to the Third Bri- 



gade, Third Division, Fourth Army Corps. The corps was 
ordered to Eastport, Miss., on the 31st, but after reaching 
Nashville the order was countermanded, and it encamped at 
that place until February Gth, when it returned to Hunts- 
ville, Ala., and remained until March UJtb, when, with its 
brigade, it took up the line of march through East Ten- 
nessee, passing through New Market, Bull's Gap, and 
Jonesboro', at each of which places it encamped for several 
days. At the last-mentioned place it remained until the 
20th of April, when news was received of the fall of Rich- 
mond, and it was ordered back to Nashville, where it 
arrived on the 28th of the month. The command re- 
mained at Nashville until the 15th of June, when it was 
ordered to Texas. The trip was made via the Tennessee, 
Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers and the Gulf of Mexico, and 
the troops reached Indianola about the 7th of July. From 
the last-named place they marched to Green Lake, which 
they reached on the 11th, and remained there until the 
12th of September, when they were ordered to Western 
Texas, and reached San Antonio after a fatiguing march of 
fourteen days. At that point the command encamped 
during the winter. Two companies of the Third were on 
provost duty at Gonzales during its stay. 

Early in the spring the regiment was ordered to Victoria, 
where it was mustered out of service on the 26th of May, 
1866. It reached Detroit, via the Gulf, the Mississippi 
River, and the Illinois and Michigan Central Railroads, on 
the 10th of June, when it was paid olF and disbanded. 

THIRD INFANTRY. 

COMPANY B. 
James Dalton, died Nov. 18, 1861. 

Bradford Carmichael, kUled at Groveton, Va., Aug. 29, 1802. 
Nicholas Welsh, trans, to 5th Mich. Inf., June 10, 1864. 
David I. Webb, disch. for disability, Oct. 3, 1862. 

COMPANY D. 

William H. Bailey, died at Portsmouth, Va., June 25, 1862. 
Christopher Berringer, discU. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec, 23, 1863. 



COMPANY E. 
Henry J. Southwick, disch. for disability, Jan. 31, 1SG3. 



Robert Barry, trans, to 5tli Mich. Inf., Ju 
Samuel Shaver, trans, to 6th Mich. Inf., J 
John Wright, disch., Sept. 2, 1862. 



i 10, 1864. 
lie 10, 1804. 



COMPANY G. 
Capt. John B. Price, Lansing; com. May 10, 1861 ; res. July 26, 1861. 
1st Lieut. Robert B. Jefferds, Lansing ; com. May 10, 1861 ; pro. to capt., Aug. 

1, 1801 ; res. Juno 9, 1862. 
2d Lieut. James B. Ten Eyck, Lansing; com. May 10, 1801; res. July 29, 1861. 
Sergt. Joseph Mason, Lansing; com. 2d lieut., Aug. 1, 1801 ; wounded at Fair 

Oaks, Va., May 31,1802; pro. to capt. Jan. 1, 1863; killed in action at 

Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 186:!. 
Sergt. Homer L. Thayer, Lansing ; com. 2d lieut., June 9, 1862 ; pro. to Ist lieut., 

March 2S, 1863; capt. and asst. q.-m. U. S. Vols., April 7,1864; brevet 

major U. S. Vols., March 13, 1865, "for gallant and meritorious services 

in the field during the war;" must, out Feb., 1867. 
Serge. Jerome B. Ten Eyck, Lansing; cx)m. 2d lieut. Co. E, March 20, 1863; 

wounded at Wildernes-S Va., May 5, 1864; pro. to capt. 6th Inf., June 10, 

1804; must, out at expiration of service, Oct. 10, 1864; brevet major U. S. 

Vols., March 13, 1865, "for gallant and meritorious services in the field 

during the war." 
Sergt. Charles A. Price, Lansing; com. Ist lieut.. May 1, 1804; tr,an8. to 6th 

Inf., June 10, 1864; must, out July 6, 1865. 
Albert D. Carr, died at Lansing, Mich., Aug. 12, 1861. 
Peler Clays, missing at Groveton, Va., Aug. 29, 1862; disch. for disability, March 

24, 1863. 
Americus Miller, missing at Groveton, Va., Aug. 29, 1802 ; disch. for disability, 

March 24, 1803. 
Thomas S. Butler, disch. for disability. May, 1862. 
Edward Case, disch. for disability, Nov. 29. 1801. 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



649 



AUIM7 C. Juhnson, iliich. for illnbilily, Jan. 24, 1802. 
Churleii B. Lewis, diacli. for divliility, Snpt. 1, 1881. 
John T. Stronn, dlsch. fjr dtniblllly, Julj 30, 1861. 
Anilrrw )I. Miller, discli. for dinliilily, Dec. 2', 18«2. 
Artemna G. Nowmon, disch. fur diiublUly, Jnn. 3. 1863. 
Lawrence Croy, dUch. for dlMblllty, Feb. 11, isr.a. 
Lewis W. Mill>-r, disch. for diiiabJUty, March IX, I8G3. 
Charles II. Church, killed in the Wilderness, Va., May 8, ISM. 
John O. Klliolt, killed at SpotUylvanIa, Va., May 12, 1864. 
James A. Ballard, dle<l in the Wilderness, Va., May .'>, 1864. 
Alvali 31. Weller, trans, to Vet. Kes. Corps, Jan. l.'i, 1864. 
Onrillc C. Ingernoll, trans, to Vet, Um. Corps, Jan. !.>, 1864. 
Benjamin F. IIiHnmonil, trans, to 5lh Mich. Inf., June 10, 1864. 
Earl Ilalbcrt, trans, to 5lh Mich. Inf., June 10, 18C4 
Riley R. Kent, trans, to Mh Mich. Inf., June 10, 1864. 
Samuel M'lthews, trans, to 5th Mich. Inf., June lu, l'<64. 
Edward W. Blargh, trans, to Atk Mich. Inf., June 10, 1864. 
Oliver Richards, trans, to 5th Mich. Inf., Juno 10, 1861. 
Allen S. Shattuck, trans, to 5th Slich. Inf., Juno 10, 1864. 
William R. Stall, trans, to 6th Mich. Inf., June 10, 1864. 
E<lKar W. Cl-irk, trans, to 5tli Mich. Inf.. June 10, 1864. 
John J. Stribblinp, trans, to 5lh Jtich. Inf., June 10, 1804. 
Michael Kane, trans, to 5th Mich. Inf., June 10, 1861. 
Nelson J. Shattuck, trans, to 6th Mich. luf , June 10, 1864. 
David Shaddock, trans, to .'ith Mich. Inf., June 10, 1804. 
William II. Reeves, disch. fur disability, March 3, 1804. 
Charles H. Adams^disch. for disabilily, Feb. 29, 1804. 
Joseph Stevens, disch. at expira ion of service, June 20, 1864. 
Samuel Alexander, disch. at expiration of service, June 20, 1864. 
John Broad, disch. at expiration of service, June 20, 1804. 
Richard Cottrell, disch. at expiration of service, June 20, 1864. 
Allen S. Shattuck, disch. to re^enl. as veteran, Dec. 24, 1863. 
I'eter Cunelly, disch. Sept. 21. 1862. 

Norman L. Johnson, disch. for .iisaliility, Sept. 31, 1802. 
James S. 31aury, disch. in .\prit, 1862. 

COMPANY n. 
Charles Rose, diich. for diiabilily, Nov. 5, 1802. 
George M. Randall, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 24, 1863. 

COMPANY K. 
Stephen E. Longyear, disch. for disiibility, Aug. 17, 1862. 
Levi Booth, must, out Aug. 13, 1802. 

FOUllTH INFANTRY. 

Asst. Surg. Joseph B. Griswold, Vcrmontville; com. Nov. l.j, 1801; pro. to 
Borg., Jan. 9, 1800; must, out May 20, 1860. 

COMPANY K. 
George W. Smith, disch. for disability, Aug. 18, 1801. 
William H. Smith, discharged to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 29, 1804. 

FIFTH IXF.VNTHY, 

COMPANY A. 
Sergt, Christopher Be^rlnger, Charlotte; com 21 licut., Sept. 10, 1864; pro. to 

Istlicnt.Oct. 20, 1864; must, out July 5, 1805. 
William Gillett, dl<ch. for disability, Jan. II, 1803 ; also reported died on way 

home, Dec. 15, 1862. 
John Hamlin, disch. by order, Nov. 17, 1802. 
Calvin Austin, must, out July 5, 1865. 
George W. Cole, must, out July 5, 1865. 
James W. Tuttle, must out July i, 1805. 

COMPANY B. 
Menr.er Church, died while prisoner at Floreuce, S. C. 
4.)tto Hammond, must, out July 5, 1805. 
William M. Losee, must, out July 5, 18C5. 
Daloa Morton, disch. for disability, June '29, 1865. 

COMPANY C. 
Richard Sharp, missing In action. May 6, 18G4. 



Riley B. Kent, i 
Coniod Ilelwig, 
George E. Lawri 
William Lawret 
Christian Wolf, 
George G. Morton, 



lit July 5, 1865. 
isl. out July S, 1865. 
e, must, out July 5, 1805. 
, must, out May 31, 1865. 
I9t. out July 5, 1865. 
must, out July 5, I86.1. 



COMPANY E. 
Samuel Shaver, died at York, Pa., July 11, 1804. 
RiiI.erl Barry, must, out July 5, 186'.. 
Willuini Slierw.Hsl, must, out July .■■, I8CS. 
William Flihi'll, must, out May I, 1865. 

atMPANY F. 
Earl IlalWrt, died of voumla, .'iepl. 10, 1864. 
Allen S. SUalluok, .llscli. for disability, Oct. 11, 1864. 
William B. Stall, must, out July .5, liui.'.. 
Edgar H. Clark, dlscli. for disability. Feb. 27, 186'.. 
George W. Davl^ diacli. by order, April 17, 1865. 
Michael Kane, must, out May ol, 18«.'>. 
Edward W. Marsh, must, out July 5. I8&'i. 
John J. .Siribbling, must, out May 31, I8«5. 
Kelson T.SIialturk, disch. for wound^ Feb. 18, 18«5. 

COMPANY 0. 
Tbomas Ellis, must, out July 5, 186'.. 
Henry Parker, must. 001 July .'., 180.'.. 
William Denoey, must, out July 5, 1865. 

a»MPANV n. 

Emerson R. nnrllett, died at Anders..nville, Georgia, Sept. .:l, ler.l. 

Rufus W. Clark, die<l at Auders.iurllle, Ua., Oct. 9, 1864. 

James Touse, must, out May IS, ls«'.. 

Joseph E. Wilcox, discU. at expiration of service, Hiiy 9, 1805. 

aiMPANY L 
Alliert W. Neslell, must, out June 7, 1865. 
Tlie.jdore II. Stratton, must out July .5, 1865. 
Frank Shovan, mu«t. out July 5, 1865. 
I'iysses D. Warl, lnusL out July 5, 1865. 
Monroe Whitman, must, out July 5, 1865. 
Jacob Woli; must, out June 7, I8«x>. 

COMPANY K. 
Michael Cartnoney, must, out Sl.iy 31, 18I..5. 
George B. >mith, disch. Iram Vet. Res. Corps, A«g. 2.'., 1865. 
Seymour F.Biter, must, out July 5. 1865. 
William J. Cummins, disch. for disability, May 3, 1865. 



CIIAl'TKR II. 



George A. Masclio, disch. at expiration of service. May 22, 1805. 

COMPANY D. 
J.inies W. Dixie, disch. for di-ability, Sept. 27, 1862. 
Jam"8 Dillabaugh, disch at expiration of service, Blarch 4, 1884. 
Jacob A. Ege, disrli. at expiration of service, March 4, 186.5. 



SIXTH INK.VNTKY. 
Trtl.s regiment, which was raised at Kalamaxoo, hy Col. 
Frederick W. Curtcnius, contained about 2(10 men from 
Eaton and Ingham Counties, the greater part being from 
the first named, in Company H. The Sixth was subse- 
quently reorganised as heavy artillery and Wiis almost 
wholly isolated from other Michigan regiment.s during its 
term of service. It left Kalamazoo on the :{(Jth of August, 
1861, with 944 men on its rolls. During most of the 
winter of 1861-62 it was on duty at Baltimore, Md. 
Early in March, 1862, it took pa.s.sagc for .''^hip Island, 
Miss., and from thence proceeded to New Orleans in April, 
where it was one of the first regiments to enter the city 
upon its surrender to Gen. Butler and Admiral Farragut. 
On the 15th of May it proceeded Uj Baton Knuge, where 
it participated in the battles of the 5th of June and 5th of 
August of the same year, losing in the last engagtment 
fifty-three men. 

From Aug. 20, 1862, to December 6th following, the 
regiment was stationed at Meltarie Uidge, near New Orleans, 
guarding one of the approaches to that city. Here it suf- 
fered severely from malarial sieknoss. and was so reduced 
that when, on the 6th of December, it moved to New Or- 
leans it had only lUl men, out of an aggregate of 755, fit 
for duty. The men recuperated rapidly after their arrival 
Id that city. 



550 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



In January, 1863, the regiment accompanied Gen. 
Weitzel's command in its expedition up the Bayou Teche, 
during which a rebel gunboat was destroyed. In February 
it was stationed a few miles from New Orleans, and on the 
23d of that month formed part of an expedition to Poncha- 
toula, where it skirmished with the enemy and had two 
men wounded. On the 12th of May it was engaged in a 
raid on the Jackson Railroad, during which it destroyed a 
rebel camp at Tangipahoa, captured sixty prisoners, and de- 
stroyed property to the value of $400,000. On the 21st 
of the month it was ordered to Port Hudson, where it ar- 
rived on the 23d. 

During the siege of that stronghold by Gen. Banks it oc- 
cupied an advanced position, and participated in the assaults 
of the 27th of May and 14th of June, in each of which 
its lo.sses were severe. On the 29th of June a detachment 
of thirty-five men formed the " forlorn hope" of an as- 
saulting column which attacked the " Citadel," but was 
driven back with a loss of eight killed and nine wounded. 

Port Hudson surrendered on the 8th of July, four days 
after the surrender of Vicksburg to Gen. Grant, and on 
the 10th Gen. Banks issued an order converting the Sixth 
Michigan into a heavy artillery regiment, which order was, 
on the 30th of the mouth, approved by the secretary of 
war. 

From the last-mentioned date until March, 1864, the 
regiment was stationed at Port Hudson, engaged in garrison 
duty. During this period most of the men re-enlisted as 
veterans, and about the middle of March went home on a 
furlough for thirty days. On the 11th of May the fur- 
loughed men returned to Port Hudson, accompanied by a 
large number of recruits obtained while in Michigan. On 
the 6th of June the regiment was ordered to Morganza, to 
serve as infantry, and at that place it remained until the 
24th, when it was ordered to Vicksburg, where it joined 
the engineer brigade. 

On the 23d of July it was ordered to the mouth of 
White River, Ark., where it was attached to a regi- 
ment of infantry. While en route from Vick.sburg a de- 
tachment of the regiment, on board of a transport steamer, 
was fired upon by a rebel battery and lost two men killed 
and several wounded. 

The command was encamped for a short time at St. 
Charles, and then returned to Morganza, where it was em- 
ployed in engineer service, but subsequently was returned 
to duty as heavy artillery by the chief of that branch of 
the service. It was present at the surrender of Fort Mor. 
gan, Ala., but took no part in the attack. On the 1st of 
October the regiment was divided, and portions were sta- 
tioned at Forts Gaines and Morgan, in Mobile Baj. 

On the 23d of December, 1864, four companies were 
detached to accompany the expedition of Gen. Gordon 
Granger against Mobile, and temporarily attached as in- 
fantry to the brigade of Gen. Bertram, with which they 
continued until Jan. 27, 1865, when they were returned to 
the regiment. On the 31st of March, Companies A and 
K were detached from the command at Fort Morgan, 
and ordered to report to Gen. Granger at the front, each 
supplied with a battery of ten-inch mortars. On their 
arrival at their destination they were placed in position in 



front of the Spanish Fort, where they did fine execution 
at 1400 yards range. Upon the surrender of the fort the 
two companies manned and turned the captured guns, con- 
sisting of seven-inch Brooks rifles, and one 100-pounder 
Parrot, against the remaining rebel forts (Huger and 
Tracy), which were soon compelled to surrender. 

On the 10th of April, Company B was placed on picket 
duty at Navy Cove, and Company E was assigned to gar- 
rison duty at Fort Powell. Companies A and K rejoined 
the regiment at Fort Morgan on the 20th of April, and on 
the 9th of July the command was ordered to report to 
Gen. Sheridan at New Orleans, which place it reached on 
the 11th, and went into camp at Greenville, four miles from 
the city. There it was furnished with new camp e(iuipage 
and a wagon-train, and placed under orders for Texas ; but 
on the 5th of August orders were received to muster it out 
of service, which was completed on the 20th, and on the 
30th it arrived at Jackson, Mich., where it was paid and 
disbanded on the 5th of September. Its total los.ses during 
its term of service were sixty-five men killed or died of 
wounds, and 450 died of disease, the greatest lo.ss by dis- 
ease sustained by any Michigan regiment during the war. 

SIXTH INFANTRY. 

Musician James E. Smith, disch. by order, Sept. 20, 1861. 

COMPANY A. 
Charles Phelps, died at New Orleans, La., Sept. 24, 1804. 
Orrin Hurlbiirt, died in Illinois, Nuv. 14, 1864. 
Abram M. Cassady, must, out Aug. 20, 1S65. 
Henry Sonamon, disch. by order, July 7, 1865. 
William W. Smith, must, out Aug. 2U, 18C5. 

COMPANY B. 
Henry H. Hatch , Charlotte ; com. 2d lieut. Sept. 10, 1802; died at Charlotte, 

Mich., July 2, 1864. 
Lorenzo D. Ligbthall, died at VicUsburg, Miss., Aug. 9, 1804. 
James Russell, died at Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 17, 1864, 
Joshua Barnes, died at Greenville, La., July 17, 1864. 
Nelson H. Slayton, died at New Orleans, La., Dec. 2?, 1864. 
Fitzgerald S. Wil.'on, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Solon B. Turner, disch. for disability. July 2:i, 1865. 
James A. Ashbay, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Lewis Benjamin, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Henry C. Button, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Harrison W. Brownell, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Orange T. Haikness, must, out Aug. 20, 18C5. 
William F. Mumm, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
George Tiavor, must, out Aug. 20, 18C5. 

COMPANY C. 
Jabez P. Bills, died at Vicksburg, Miss., July .3, 1864. 
Josiah F. Gifford, disch. for disability, Nov. 10, 1804. 
Nicholas Crahan, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 

COMPANY D. 
Thomas J. Buurke, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 

COMPANY E. 
Augustus McDerby, died at Baton Kouge, La., July 27, 1863. 
Joshua Buffnm, died at Port Hudson, La., Aug. 21, 18GJ. 
Hubert Filloon, disch. for disability, Sept. 12, 1863. 
Sejmour F. Alvord, died at Vicksburg, Miss., July 24, 1864. 
Augustus Jones, diedin military prison at Andersonville, Ga., June 27, 1804. 
Edward Cunningham, died at Fort Gaines, Ala., Sept. 21, 1804. 
Humphrey Macumber, died in Michigan, March 28, 1864. 
George M. Green, died at Fort Gaines, Ala., Sept. 29, 1804. 
John N. Roscoe, died at Fort Gaines, Ala., Feb. 1, 1805. 
Daniel Fero, must, out Aug. 20, 1866. 
James M. Roberts. mu~t. out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Edwin Upham, disch. by order, Sept. 5, 1805. 
Asa Strowry, disch. by order, July 22, 1805. 
James M. Nichols, must, out July 22, 180.5. 
Elijali Pope, must, out July 22, 1805. 
Joseph Shafer, must, out July 22, 1865. 
George W. Slater, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



Alfred Williams, disch. by ortior, Juno 16, 1865. 
AllK^rt Piinnenter, disci), by order, Juno 9, ISftj. 
Kliab T. Karrlnglon, disch. for disaliilily, Juno 8, I3C3. 
Asa W. Shronll, raust. out July 22, 1865. 
Anson Byron, must out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Nathaniel Benton, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Francis W. Blacknian, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Louis J. BiHshfleKl, niu!it. out Aug. 2U, 1865. 
Alpheus A. Bnindage, must, out Atig. 20, 1865, 
George Can'eth, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Albert Conklin, Dinst. out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Louis De Forrest, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
>Vm. V. De Reamer, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. ■ 
John Haling, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Kdward A. Marsliall, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
David SlcDerby, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Ilyman A. Newton, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Charles H. Quantroll, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Levi G. Showerman, must, out Aug. 20, 1805. 
Eliaa Williams, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 



COMPANY F. 
George F. Hinckley, disch. for disability, .Ian. 16, ISCi. 
Andrew S. Keid, d sch. for disability, Uct. 8, 1861. 
Asa D. Kimball, disch. to re-cni. in regular service, Nov. 12, 1862. 
Martin Rouse, disch. to renjnl. in regular service. Nov. 12. 1862. 
Charles Packer, disch. for disability, Jan. 5, 1863. 
James Vickary, Jr., died at Vicksburg, Miss., Aug. II, 1861. 
Henry Follick, missing at Tunica Bayou, La,, Nov. 9, 1863; died at Oihawbii, 

Ala., May 6, 1864, 
Chauncey A. Barber, disch. for disability, Feb. 2, 186». 
Thomas Terrill, disch. for disability, Oct. 17, ISG2. 
J'imes W. Armstrong, disch. to re-enl. as vetenin, Feb. 1, 1864. 
Francis DeGraff, disch. to re-enl. as votenin, Feb. 1, 1864. 
,\lanson Q. Harris, disch. to ro-cni. as veteran. Fob. 1, 1864 ; must, out Au^. 

20, 1855. 
John Armstrong, died at Annapolis, Sid, 
Thomas Davenport, disch. for disability, Dec. 16, 1864. 
Muniuis K. Olin, disch. by order, July 22, 1865. 
Joseph Wells, disch. by order, Juno 21, 1865. 
Josiah Clough, must, out July 22, 1865. 
Jerome B. Hartwell, must, out Aug. 20, 1805. 
James W. Jones, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Uriah L. Prime, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 

COMPANY G, 
John M. Lacey, Charlotte; com. 2d liout. Sept. 10, 1862; resigned on account 

of disabilil.v, July 8, 1864. 
Dennis Ford, died al Fort Gaines, Ala., Dec. 3, 1864. _ 

Sidney Taylor, disch. for disability, July 22, 1864. 
William H. Bell, died at Fort Morgan, Ala., Sept. 22, 1864. 
George A. Pangburn, died while on sick-furlough, Dec. 29, 1863. 
Ezekiel Ihiiley, died at White River Landing, Ark., Oct. 31, 1864, 
John McBride, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Thomas Blanchard, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Jiimes W. Baxter, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Charles H. Galusha, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Lewis B. Inglesbee, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Stephen II. McCumbcr, musl. out Aug. 20. 186'i. 
Delolse M. Norton, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Henry C. Wheaton, nn^t. out Aug. 20, 1805. 

COMPANY H. 
Peter D. Montgomery, Eaton Rapids; com. 1st lieul. Aug. 19, 1861 ; pro, to 

capt, Sept. 1, 1862; res. Aug. 12, 1804. 
William S.Trask. Charlotte; com. 2d lieut. Aug. 19, 1861; pro. to Ist lieut. 

Sept. 1, 1862; capt. July 21. 1864; must, out Aug. 20, 1865; died at 

Charlotte, Mich., Juno II, 1880. 
Sergt. James B BraiiienI, Eaton Rapids; com. 2d lit 

New Orleans, La., June 3, 1864. 
Sergt. William D. BrHinerd, Eaton Rapids ; com. 1st 

mustered. 
Sergt.-Miijor George T Griswold, Vermontvillo; con 

7, 1865; must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Edward P. Dwiglit, killed nt Baton Rouge, La., Aug. 5, 1862. 
Charles Vickery, killed at Baton Rouge. La., Aug. 5, 1862. 
Oliver Kinne, died at Baton Rouge. La., June 1, 1862. 
Lowell Whitmore, died at Baltimore, Md., Dec. 23, 1861. 
George W. Jones, died al Baltimore, Bid., Jan. 3, 1862. 
George J. Lindsley. died at Ship Island. April 19, 1802. 
William H. Lamb, died al Grand Gulf, Mis.s., May 20, 1862. 
Francis A. Ploof, died nt Baton Rouge, La., June 21, 1862. 
George W. Charier, died at Baton Rouge, La., July 13, 1862. 
Royal H. King, died at Baton Rouge, La., July 20, 1862. 
James E. Barrett, died al Briton Rouge, La., Aug. 2, 1862. 
David M. Kenn, died at New Orleans, La., Aug. 30, 1862. 
.Seth Conklin, die<l at New Orleans. Iji., Aug. 20. 1862 



ut. Sept.], 1862; died ut 
liout. July 21.1864; not 
. 2d lieut. Co. H, March 



Myron 0. Bateman,dled at New Orleans, La., Aug. 25, IKHi. 

Philander J. Scott, died at New Orleans, La., Sept. l:i, I8G2. 

Samuel Rogers, died at CarroUon, La., SepL 15, 1862. 

H. Hendenion, died at New Orleani, La., Sept. 17, 1863. 

Darwin W. Merrill, died al Camp Willijinu, Oct. 10, 1862. 

Henry N. Finch, died at Camp Wliliaaia, Oct. 3, 1862. 

Dowitt C. Proctor, died at CarroUon. Nov. 19, 1802. 

H. Y. Denton, ilied at Carr.dlon, Dsc. 19, 1862. 

Bufus K. Barluw, dii.cU. for di.«bilily. Jan. 2,'., 1862. 

John Mahan. disch. for disability, Jan. 25, 1862. 

Abram J. Mosher, disch. for disalallty. Aug. I, 1862. 

Warren Luouils, disch. for disability, Aug. 1, 1862. 

Seward Lampman, disch. fur dianbility, Aug. I, 1862. 

William Jtdinson, disch. for disability, Aug. 1, 1862. 

John F. Morfonl, disch. for disability, Aug. 1, 1862. 

E.lwar.1 H. Perliam, disch. for di-abilily, Aug. 1, 1862. 

George Bennett, disch. to enter regular service, Nov. 21, 1862. 

Robert St. Clair, disch. to enter regular service, Nov. 21, 1802. 

David Deacon, died of wounds at Port Hudson, La., July 3, 1863. 

Stephen D. Bailey, kille<l at Baton Rouge, La , May 29, 1863. 

George J. Luten, died ofwounils at Port iludstui, La., May 28, 186 1. 

Schuyler Perrine, died at Port llucls.m, La., Oct. 6, 186:1. 

Edwin F. Whitcomb, died at Port Hudson, La., Sept. 5, 186:1. 

Sylvester Kimball, died at Purl Hudson, La., Aug. 21, 186:1. 

John F. Bultomlay, died at Port Hudson, La., Aug. 10. 1863. 

Charles B. Darken, died at Ciirrolton, La., April 6, 186.!. 

Josiah Barlx-r, died at Carndlon, La, April II, 1801. 

Nathan B. Clark, died at Carrolton. La., Feb. 19, 1863. 

Alfred D. Ijinden, died nt Carrolton, Iji., March 20, 1863. 

John W. Hinkley, died at Carrolton, La., April 28. 1861. 

Alvin B. Munger. disch. by order. Sept. 25. 1863. 

James Barnigor, disch. by order, Sept. 17, 1863. 

Harvey Smith, disch. for disability, Sejit. 14, 1863. 

Samuel Pollock, disch. by order, Sept. 2, 1863. 

Isaac P. Blanchard, disch. by order, Sept. 2, 1863. 

Michael McCorniick, disch. by order, Sept, 2, 1861, 

Joseph C. Shaw, disch. by order, Sept. 9, 1863. 

A. C. Whitcomb, disch. by order, Aug. 13, 1863, 

Miles L. Bosworth. disch. for disability. Aug. 7. 186:1. 

Joseph B. Snyder, disch. for disubilily. March 5, 186J. 

James H. Webber, disch. by order, Feb. 10, 1863. 

Guy Booth, disch. by order, Feb. 10, 1863. 

Thomas Walsh, disch. for disability, Dec. 24, 1862. 

Edwin O. Hatch, disch. for disability, Jan. 5. 1863, 

Lebbeus S. Butler, disch. for disability. Jan, 6, 1863, 

Giles T. Kellogg, died at Port Hudson, La., Feb, 6. 1864. 

Henry B. Dow, died at Sunfleld, 9Iich., Jan. 1, 1864. 

Henry W. Blodgett, died at homo, April 22, 1861, 

John Sanders, died at home, April lU, 1864. 

T. King, died at New Orleans, La., Juno 20, 1884. 

William Coleman, died at Vicksburg, Miss., July 14. 1864. 

Charles Gilletl, dieil at Vicksburg. Miss., Aug. 24, 1861. 

Orrin Mahan, ilied at New Orleans, La., Aug. 26, 1864. 

RIgar Olmstead, died at Fort Gaines, Ala., Sept. 0, 1864. 

SamutI Sweazey, died at Fort Gaines, Ala.. Sept. 15, 1864. 

Joseph Vrc<lenburg, died at Vicksburg, MLss., Sept. l:i, 1864. 

Isaac Sanders, dieil at Fort Gaines. Ala., Oct. 19, 1864. 

Morris B. Williams, disch. for disability. Nov. '29. 1863. 

William II. Scott, discharged for disability. Nov. 29. 186-1. 

Hiram F. Hatch, <li8ch. by onler, March 10, I8G4. 

John Edington, disch. by onler, Slarcli 10, 1864. 

John C. Ijunb, disch. for disability, .May 18, 1864. 

Almeron Montgomery, disch. for disability, June 20. 1864. 

Andrew Green, disch. by order, Jan. 14, 1864. 

William D. BrainenI, disch. at cxpinilion of service, Aug. 2.1. 1864. 

Wni. H. H. Bosworth. disch. at expiration of service. Aug. 2.1, 18G1, 

Era^liis H. CummingH,discli. ut expiration of service, Aug. 2:1, 1864. 

Frederick W. Ellis, disch. at elpinitioo of service, Aug. 21, 1801. 

Wilber H. Webber, disch. at expiration of service, Aug. 2;>, 1861. 

Egbert L. Ellis, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, March I, 1861. 

George F. Griswold, disch. to re-cnl. as vetemn, March I, IK64. 

Cornelius Hollonbcck, disch. to n-enl. as veteran, March 1, 1864; 

Aug. 20, 1865. 
William K. Whitney, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, March 1, 1864 ; 

211, 1865. 
Henry B. Olmstead, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, March I, 1864 ; 

20, 1865. 
Jonathan M. Hawkins, disch. turoHinl.as volotan, Feb. 1, 1864; 

7% 1865. 
Francis A. Montgomery, disch. to ro.«nl. as veteran, Feb. 1, 1864. 
Chas. S. Aldrich, disch. to ro-cni. as veteran, Feb. 1, 1864 ; musl. out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Isaac II. Ames, disch. to re-«nl. as veteran, Feb. 1,1864. musL out Aug. 20, 

1865. 
Charles H. Barrett, disch. to re-enl. as veteran. Fob. 1, 1864; disch. by order, 

Sept. 5, 1865. 
Francis M. Urainerd, disch. to re-«nl. a. voteiun, Feb. I, 1804 ; 

'20, 1865. 



inusL out Aug. 
uust. out .Vug. 
iiUHl. out Aug. 



ut Aug. 



552 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



i veteran, Feb. 1, 1864. 
veteran, Feb. 1,1804; l 



veteran, Feb. 1,1864. 
i veteran, Feb. 1, 18C4; 



i veteran, Feb. 1, 1864; must. < 



feteran, Feb. 1,1864; mnst. out Aug. 20, 1865. 

I. »s veternn, Feb. 1, 181.4. 

veteran, Feb. 1, 1864. 

!'ul. as veteran, Feb. 1, 1864; must, out Ang. 

I, Feb. 1,1864. 

IS veteran, Feb. 1, 18C4; must, out 



ust. out Aug. 20, 



llinry N. Blndgett, disch. to r 
Alonzo fJroesbeck, ili^ch. to re 

1865. 
Andrew Gregg, discli. to re-en 
Dan. Halbert, discb. to re-el 

18CS. 
Sylvester Knipp, disch. to re- 

1865. 
Alonzo Lake, discli. to re-enl. 
James L. Sweeney, discb. to rt 
John Sanders, discb. to re-enl. 
Kussell B. Whitney, disch. to re-en! 

20, 1865. 
Ezekiel D. Conley, disch. to re-enl. as 
Jacob (or Joseph) Decker, discli. to 

Aug. 20, 1865. 
Edgar Olmstead, discli. to re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 27, 1864. 
Oscar F. Hadley, discb. to re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 1, 1864; disc 

4,1865. 
Daniel W. Lozell, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 1, 1864; ni 

1865. 
Ebeiiezer N. Lake, died at Baton Rouge, La., July 22, 1862. 
George McDonald, died at Fort Gaines, Ala., June 10, 18G4. 
Joseph Myers, died at Fort Gaines, Ala., Jan. 12, 1S65. 
Jacob Shruni, died at New Orleans, La., Oct. 4, 18(;4. 
Stephen S. line, died at Fort Gaines, Ala , Nov. 25, 18M. 
Manning Bailey, dieil at Eaton Bapids, Mich., Oct. 20, 1864. 
Eomain li. Slowell, died at Fort Gaines, Ala., Jnne 19, 1865. 
William Johnson, died at Fort Gaines, Ala., July 15, 1865. 
Franklin I'ierce, trans, to Vet. Ees. Corps, May 16, 180.5. 
Cyrus Carpenter, trans, to 1st New Orleans Vols., Ang. 18, 180.= 
George Perrine, disch. for disability, Oct. 20, 1862. 
Bobert S. Ellis, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
James M. Davis, discli at expirstion of service, Feb. 3, 18(ii. 
Walter A. Buckley, disch. by order, July 24, 1865. 
Henry Barger, disch. by order, July 24, 1865. 
All.ert CloHin, disch. by order, July 24, 1865. 
Van E. Davis, disch. by order, July 24, 1865. 
Sidney Harmon, disch. by order, May 11, 1865. 
Jolin Ling, disch. by order. May 31, 1805. 
Jacob Miller, discb by order, July 24, 1865. 
Bradley H. Bose, disch. by order, July 24, 1805. 
Justin S. Rose, disch. by order, July 24, 1865. 
Charles Soules, disch. by order, July 24, 1865. 
Wm. A. Vickei-y, discb. by order, July 24, 1865. 
Daniel Virkery, disch. by order, July 24, 1865. 
George Fisher, must, out Aug. 20, 1805. 
William Bouse, disch. for disability, Aug. 24, 1864. 
Morton W. Latson, disch. by order, June 15, 1865. 
George W. Snyder, disc h. by order, June 16, 1865. 
Hiram Peaslee, disch. by order, June 5, 1865. 
James H. Bottonily, disch. by order, July 24, 1865. 
Zena A. Suyiler, disch. for disability, June 23, 1805. 
Berwick Johnson, disch. for disability, July 28, 1865. 
Edmund B. Green, disch. by firder, Sept. 5, 1865. 
Alex. E. Merrill, disch. by order, Sept. 5, 1805. 
Anson Sabine, disch. by order, Sept. 5, 1865. 
Liberty Hicks, disch. by order, Sept. 5, 1805. 
Abraham Albro, must, out Aug. 20, 1805. 
Isaac Boltomly, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Washington Buckley, mnst. out Aug. 20, 1805. 
Thomas Biilcy, must, out Aug. 20, 1866. 
Truman Dussett, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Wesley Ferris, must, out Aug. 20, 1805. 
K<dlin Farnham, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
William Oilman, must, out Aug. 20, 1805. 
James H. Griffin, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
George E. Griffin, must, out Aug. 20, 1866. 
Harmon Groesbeck, must, out Aug. 20, 1805. 
David M. Hawkins, must, out Aug. 20, 1805. 
Benjamin Ingalls, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
David S. Milbourne, must, ont Aug. 20, 1805. 
Josiall H. Milbourne, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Thomas J. Milbourne, must, out Ang. 20, 1805. 
James Maun, disch. for disability, Oct. 20, 1862. 
Sinex C Sprague, disch. for disability, Oct. 15, 1862. 
Hiram A. Dow, disch. for disability, Oct. 15, 1862. 
Ansel J. Noble, disch. for disability, Oct. 15, 1802. 
A. D. Bryan, disch. for disability, Oct. 16, 1862. 
Jonathan H. Melbourne, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Henry Malian, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
John I'ulver, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
John Rojstoii, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Sliailracli Rouse, must, out Aug. 20, 1805. 
Jacob Smith, must, out Aug. 20, 186.5. 
Henry Walters, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Benjamin F. Pingley, discb. for disability, Sept. 13, 1804. 



ut Aug. 20, 
ut Aug. 20, 



COMPANY I. 
Thomas Bird, died at Port Hndson, La., July 30, 1863. 
William McGuire, disch. for disability, Sept. 22, 1S03. 
William Gecr, trans, to Vet. Ees. Corps. Sept. 30, 1803. 
Charles H. Kirkendall, disch. by order. March 2, 1864. 
Samuel D. Curtis, disch. at expiration of service, Aug. 23, 1864. 
George W. Downs, re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 1, 1864; must. out. Aug. 20, 1865. 
Henry Hinkly, re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 1, 1864. 
Charles W. Hinkly, re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 1, 1804. 
Augustus W. Lanabee, re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 1, 1804. 
Andrew J. Miller, re-i-nl. as veteran, Feb. 1, 1804. 
Nelson Hunt, Jr., died at Carn.lton, La., June 18, 1803. 
William A. Hallowell, died at Kalamazoo, Mich., April 6, 1864. 
Henry J. Clark, disch. for disability, June 15, 1863. 
Andrew Day, disch. for disability, June 15, 1863. 
George E. Woodbury, disch by order, July 22, 1865. 
Omer F. Campbell, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Frederick Mounicb, must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 



Eli W. Ma 
William Si 



COMPANY K. 

lit Aug. 20, 1865. 

St. out Aug. 20, 1865. 



SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

Amos E. Steele, Mason ; com. 1st lieut. Co, B, June 19, 1861 ; pro. to capt., 
Oct. 1, 1861; lient.-col.. May 17, 1863; killed in action at Gettysburg, 
Pa., July 3, 1803. 

Newell A. Dryer, Lansing; enl. piivate 17lh Infantry ; pro. to asst. surg. 7th 
Infantry, April 11, 1805; must, out July .0, lbO.5. 

COMPANY A. 

Nathaniel L. Saxton, disch. at expiration of sei-»ice, Aug. 22, 18C4. 

COMPANY B. 
Philip McKernon; com. capt., June 19, 1861 ; died of typhoid fever near Pooles- 

ville. Md., Sept. 26, 1S61. 
Nicholas Wilkins, Mason ; com. capt., March 1, 1862; resigned June 24, 1862. 
Sergt. Henry D. Bath, Mason; com. 2d lieut., April 16, 1802; wounded inaction 
at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862 ; 1st lieut., Dec. 30, 1862; trans to Vet. 
Ees. Corps, Sept. 18, 1803. 
Sergt. Franklin B. Siegfi led. Mason ; com. 2d lient., Dec. 30, 1602; 1st lieut., 
May 1, 1863; wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863; disch. for dis- 
ability, April 20, 1864. 
Sergt.-Major Aldrich Tennant, Mason; com. 1st lieut. Co. B.June 20,1864; 
brevet capt. U. S. Vols., March 13, 1865, "for meritorious services during 
the war;" must, out July .5, 186.5. 
James E Sabine, died at Camp Benlon, Md., Dec. 31, 1861. 
Herbert Spencer, died Dec. 13, 1861. 

James D. Harlow, died at Mill Creek Hospital, Va., Sept. 17, 1862. 
Lewis Ostrandcr, disch. June 21, 1802. 

William H. Palmer, disch. Oct. 1, 1801. 

James Parks, disch. Oct. 1, 1861. 

Marcus Starks, disch. Ang. 31, 1661. 

Francis S. Cram, died at Harrison's Landing, Va., Aug. 8, 1802. 

Manly Wakes, disch. Oct. 1, 1801. 

William G. Peck, died of wounds at Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 1, 1803. 

Jerome Marstou, died of wounds at Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 1, 1863; also, re- 
ported died of wounds at Portsmouth Hospital, Ang. 9, 1802. 

Kussell B. Godfrey, killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863. 

John McClaiiathan, died at New York, Oct. 25, 1862. 

Richard Reynolds, disch. for wounds, Aug. 10, 1862. 

Oscar E. Miller, killed at Antietam. Md., Sept. 17, 1862. 

Charles Smith, disch. for disability, March 14, 1863. 

David E. Walter, disch. for disability, Feb. 27, 1863. 

John Murphy, discb. for disability, Feb. 6, 1863. 

George W. Ishnm, disch. for disability, April 2, 1863. 

Warren Haskell, discli. for disability, Sept. 25, 1863. 

George Hodges, killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. 

Corydon Bowdish, killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. 

George Kent, killed at Deep Bottom, Va,, Aug. 14, 1364. 

James F. Butler, killed at Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 16, 1804. 

John Presly, killed by lightning, Ang. 16, 1864. 

James Moran, missing at Reams' Station, Va., Aug. ■25, 1S04; returned ; nrisl. 
out July 5, 1806. 

Edwin E. Baker, trans, to Vet. Res. Corjis, Dec. 15, 1863. 

Wellington Bowdish, disch. for disability, March '25, 1863. 

George W. Isliaui, disch. for disability, April 2, 1862. 

Albert A. Luinbard. disch. for disabilily, Sept. 2, 1862. 

James B. Barker, disch. at expiration of service, Aug. 22, 1864. 

Jebiel Rayner, disch. at expiration of service, Aug. 22, 1864. 

Andrew B. Welch, disch. at expiration of service, Ang. 22, 1864. 

Thomas Bush, discb. at expiration of service, Aug. 23, 1864. 

Edwin G. Eaton, disch. at expiration of service, Aug. 22, 1864. 

Melvin Rice, discb. at expiration of service, Aug. 22, 1864. 

Lewis Ilolden, disch. at expiration of service, Aug. 22, 1804. 

Haitlaiid Felt, re-enl. Dec. 18, 1863. 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



AlJriek Tonnant, ro-cnl. Doc. 18, ISW. 

Orson A. Albr«, riflil. Doc. IS, 1S0:3. 

Ansel Hillings, rf-cnl. Dec. IS, ISO:!; mine, out July 5, 1! 

Jiimes r. Ilntlcr, rf-cni. Dec. 18, 18(11. 

Frederick SenrU-s, iliscli. fur ilisjibilily, Aug. 18. 1862. 

Ilonico Snicille.v, ill«li for disuUility, Nov. 21, 1802. 

Kniery Wavel, dJHcli. for dlMibilUy, Juno 12, 18G2. 

Cliarles B. Wheeler, discli. loonier recuhirBervice. Nov. 

V. Lancourt N'orllirnp, discli. Oct. l.'i, 18C.2. 

Cliarles Puttomon, disch. for disability, Nov. G, 1802. 

James E. R.iyce, iliscli. for disability, March 28, l.SM. 

George Phel)Kt, must, out July 5, ISO.**. 

William W. Corwin, discli, for disability, April 12, 18«. 

Jamos J. Carlner, must, out July 5, ISC'i. 

Daniel Miller, must, out July .'i, 1S0.'>. 

Tnul Cushway, must, out July .'>, ISiVi. 

Luto llilliugs, must, out July .'), 180.'^. 

COMPANY C. 
Jamos O. Hall, must, out July .'>, 1805. 
Seymour t'udernood, must, out July [*, 1SG.'>. 

COMPANY D. 
Frederick Melborn, disch. for disability, Oct. 20, 1.S02. 



Oiarlcs 11. Steidie 



CO.MPANY E. 
u, died at home on furlough, 

COMPANY G. 



George Ilotchkiss, must, out July 5, ISGo. 
John Newton, must, out July 0, I8C5. 

COMPANY n. 

James II. Wademan, disch. for disability, June 5, ISCi. 

COMPANY I. 

Ephraiiu Warn, must, out July 5, ISC). 
David Wilcox, must, out July .'), Isa'i. 
Albert V. Matteson,dicd. 

COMPANY K. 
James II. Reynolds, died at Salisbury, N. C, Jan. 2, 1S0.J. 



C II A P T H R II I. 



EIGHTH INF.VNTKV. 

This regiment nuiqberod within it.s ranks in the neigh- 
borhood of 100 men from Inf;ham County, niostl3' in Cuin- 
panics E and K. It left Detroit under command of Col. 
William M. Fenton, 915 strong;, on the 27tli of September, 
18G1, and proceeded to the vicinity of Washington, D. C., 
and on the 19th of October embarked with the expedition 
under Gen. W. T. Sherman, destined for Hilton Head, S. 
C. While on the southern coast it participated in .sicjies 
and cnjiafrenients as follows: At Hilton Head, Nov. 7, 
ISOl ; at Port Royal Ferry, S. C, Jan. 1, 18G2 ; at Fort 
Pulaski, Ga., April 14, 1802; at Wilmington Island, Ga., 
April 10, 1802; at James Island, S. C, June 10, 1802. 

From thence it was ordered north upon the failure of 
JlcClellan's peninsular cainpaifrn, and took part in the fol- 
lowing engagements: Second Bull Run, Va., Aug. 29 and 
30, 1802; Chantilly, Va., Sept. 1, 1802; South Mountain, 
Md., Sept. 14, 1802; Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1802. 

Its losses were: at Wilmington Island, 11 killed and 33 
wounded (3 mortally); at James Island, 13 killed, 97 
wounded, and 70 missing and prisoners. 

Its losses for the year were as follows: 
70 



Hisclmrjfcil (lUO to join rogulnr army'/ 280 

I>io.l of difeasi. .',5 

Kiileil ill battle or ilicii of wounds K'J 

Wounilel in octiun 2|:| 

Descried 1 1 

Taken |irisonfr!i 4S 

Olliccrs Iransrcrrvil by proinolion ."i 

Ufliccrs resigned 21 

Total 7:(;> 

An unusual proportion ol' I()s.se3. During the year 27.3 
men joined by enlistment. Its strength on the 30tli (if 
November, 1802, was 708 men. 

The regiment left Waterford, Va., on the 25tli of No- 
vember, and arrived at Falmouth on the 18lh of the month, 
and remained at the latter point until December 12th, 
mostly engaged in provost duty for the division. It was 
present at Fredericksburg, but not engaged. Subse((uent 
to the battle of Fredericksburg it remained encamped at 
Falmouth until the 13tli of February, 1803, when it was 
ordered to Newport News, where it remained until the 19th 
of the following March. From there it was moved, tiVt 
Baltimore, to Louisville, Ky., and .soon after to Lebanon, in 
the same State. It remained in Kentucky until June, 
when it was transferred, with the Xintli Army Corps, to 
Gen. Grant's command in front of Vicksburg, Miss. It 
was stationed at Milldale and Flowerdale Church, in the 
right rear of Grant's army, until the surrender of the rebel 
stronghold, when it accompanied Gen. W. T. Sherman to 
Jack.son, Miss., and participated in the actions in front of 
the latter place on the 10th and IGth of the month, sus- 
taining only nominal loss. On the 23d it returned to camp 
at Milldale, where it remained until the 0th of August, 
when it proceeded to Crab Orchard, Ky., via Cairo, III., 
and Cincinnati, Ohio, and arrived at its destination on the 
27th. On the 10th of September it left Crab Orchard 
and marched to Knoxville, Teun., where it arrived on the 
20th. 

It remained at Knoxville until the 3d of October, and 
on the 10th was engaged with the enemy at Blue Springs, 
losing one man killed. It returned to Knoxville on the 
14th, from which place it marched on the 20th for Loudon 
via Lenoir, arriving at the former place on the 29th of 
October. From the time of its leaving Michigan to the 
last of October, 1803, this regiment had traveled by various 
means about five thousand miles, and met the enemy in six 
different States. Its total Io.s.scs during the year were : G 
killed in action or died of wounds; 44 died of disea.se; 30 
deserted ; 5 missing in action ; 147 discharged for disability ; 
40 discharged by order ; 15 discharged for promotion; 1 
wounded in action ;* 1 2 officers resigned. Total ."iOO. Joined 
the regiment by enlistment, 80. Tutal on the rolls Nov. 
1, 18G3, 531. 

The Eighth remained encamped near Lenoir Station, 
Tenn., until the middle of November, 18G3. On the 14tli 
it was, with other forces, ordered to Hough's Ferry on the 
Holston River, but returned the same night to Lenoir 
Station, and on the 10th begtin the retreat towards Knox- 
ville, against which place Gen. Longstreet, with a eohinin 
of 20,000 men, wati rapidly advancing from the fiild of 
Chiekamauga. 

On the retreat the Eighth made a stand, and was attacked 

^ Tbcfti tnu5t be iiii error in Ifie nutiibcr (as eintcd; of wounded. 



554 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



by tlio enemy at Campbell's Station. The regiment checked 
the enemy for a time, losing eleven men in the encounter. 
The retreat was soon continued to Knoxville, the command 
entering that place on the 17th. During this movement 
and the subsequent siege of Knoxville, the regiment, with 
the rest of the little army under Gen. Burnside, suffered many 
privations and hardships. During the siege the Eighth 
occupied the front line, and on the 29th of November 
assisted in repelling the furious rebel assault upon Fort 
Sanders, in which the attacking columns were repelled with 
heavy loss. 

In the mean time Gen. W. T. Sherman had been de- 
tached with a strong force, including the Fifteenth Army 
Corps, by Grant at Ciiattanooga, for the relief of Knoxville, 
and his victorious troops were rapidly approaching the be- 
leaguered town, when Longstreet raised the siege and 
hastily retreated into Virginia on the 5th of December. 
His retreating troops were followed by the Eighth among 
other commands as far as Rutledge, when the pursuing 
force returned to Blain's Cross- lloads, where they encamped 
on the IGth. 

On the 8th of January, ISG-t.tho regiment, having mostly 
re-enlisted, began its march through the mountains on its 
way to Detroit, whither it was bound on a veteran fur- 
lough. In ten days it performed a toilsome march of nearly 
200 miles, reaching Nicholasville, Ky., on the 19th. On 
the 25th the regiment reached Detroit, at which point it 
was furloughed lor thirty days. 

On the 9th of March the command left Flint for the 
front, with a large number of recruits. It went to Cincin- 
nati, and from thence to Annapolis, Md., whither its corps 
had been ordered to join the Army of the Potomac. On 
the 23d of April, it moved to Warrenton Junction via 
Washington, and on the 4th of Blay commenced the great 
campaign against the army of Lee in tlie Wilderness. The 
Rapidan was crossed at Germania Ford on the 5th, and on 
the following day the regiment participated in the opening 
battle of the Wilderness, losing ninety-nine men. On the 
8th the march was resumed through Chancellorsville to 
Spottsylvania Court-IIou.se, and again on the 12th it was 
heavily engaged in an attack upon the enemy's lines, in 
which its losses were forty-nine men killed, wounded, and 
missing. 

May 28th the Pamunky River was crossed, and the 
Eighth moved to Grove Church. On the 3d of Juno it 
lost fifty-two men in an attack upon the enemy. On the 
13th the Chickahominy was crossed, and on the 15th tlie 
army moved to the south side of James River. On the 
l(5th the regiment was in front of Petersburg, and on the 
17th and ISth it took part in the attack on the rebel lines, 
lo.sing forty-nine men. For the next six weeks it was em- 
ployed in fatigue duty erecting works. On the 30th of 
July it took part in the assault which .succeeded the explo- 
sion of the uiine under the enemy's works, and lost one 
killed and twelve wounded. Subsequently it was moved to 
the Weldon Railroad, on the extreme left of the army, and 
on the 19th of August aided in repulsing the enemy's attack 
upon the Union lines, losing thirty in killed and wounded. 
On the 21st it was again engaged. August 30th it cro.ssed 
the Weldon road and took part in the engagement at I 



Poplar Grove Church, in which action it lost eight men 
wounded. 

Its losses during the year were : 

Diet! in action or of wounds Sfi 

Died of disease 40 

Disctiargcd for disability 22 

Discharged by orders 12 

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps 12 

De.«erted ?,:i 

Wounilcd in action 2S7 

Missing and prisoners Gfi 

Discharged at e.vpiration of service '.17 

Total 655 

During the same period 542 recruits joined the command, 
and 299 re-enlisted as veterans. 

During the greater part of November, 1864, the regi- 
ment was engaged in the trenches or on picket duty near 
Peebles' Farm. On the 29th the Second Division of the 
Ninth Army Corps, to which it belonged, was placed in 
position in the advance line before Petersburg, where it was 
employed on the defenses and the skirmish line. On the 
25th of Slarch, 18G5, it took part in the defense of Fort 
Steadman, and on the 2d of April was engaged in the 
attack upon the rebel Fort Mahon, which was taken by 
assault. The Eighth Michigan was reported as being the 
first to plant its colors on the works. On the 3d it marched 
into Petersburg, and on the 5th was detailed to guard the 
South Side Railroad, where it remained until the 20th, 
when it moved to City Point, from whence it proceeded by 
water to Alexandria, arriving on the 23d. On the 2(Jth it 
moved to Tenallytown, and May 9th to Washington, where 
it was placed on guard and patrol duty, and continued until 
July 30lh, when it was mustered out of service. On the 
1st of August it left for Michigan, and arrived at Detroit 
on the 30th, where it was paid and disbanded. 

EIGHTH INFANTRY. 

Surg. Hulbert B. Shank, Lansing; com. Aug. 10, 18C1 ; res. Jan. 11, 1862. 

1st Lieut. Abraliam Cottrell, Lansing; com. Aug. 12, ISGl; prisoner, June 16, 

1862; relwiseJ, Oct., 1802; pro. to capt.,Sept.l, 1802; res. March 19, 1803. 
Capt. Miitthow Elder, L.au8ing; com. Ang. 12,1801; disch. May 2,1862; ap- 
pointed 1st lieut. 11th U. S. Inf.; died July 20, 1863, of wounds received 

at Gettysburg, Pa. 
2d Lieut. Nelson C. Chapman, Lansing; com. Aug. 12, 1861 ; pro. to 1st lieut. 

Sept. 1, 1862 ; res. Oct. 29, 1802. 
2d Lieut. George W, Chandler, Lansing; com. April 13, 1862 : pro. to 1st lieut. 

Co. C, Sept. 1, 1802; capt. anrl asst. com. sub. U. S. Vols., May 8, 1804. 
Sergt. Co. K, Benjamin Darling, Mason; com. 2a. lieut., Jan. 1, 1S63; disch. 

May 1,1804. 
Sergt. Co. K, John A. Elder; com. 2d lieut., March 27, 1863; jiro. to 1st lieut., 

Bl.ay 8, 1S64; wounded at Si>olt«ylvania, Va., May 12, IS64; capt. Co. I, 

Jan. 8, 1805 ; must out July 3(1, ISO.O. 
Colonel D. Johnson, non ciin. st^ilT; pro. asst. sing. 3d Mich'gan Cavalry, April 

2.i, 1805. 

CoMrAXV \. 
Edgar S. Shatluek, most, out July :iil, ISO.'). 

COMPANY B, 

George It. Grswold, ilieil at Annapolis, Md., M.anh 27, 1804. 

COMPAKV C. 
Owen W. Fine, died at Milldale, Miss., July 16, 1803. 
Williiim F. Douglass, died at Louisville, Ky., April 14, 1803. 
Uarh.ii Talluaui, di%b, by order, June 1, LSOfi. 

COM PAX Y E. 
Fredeiioli Turrell, killed at James' Island, June 10, 1802. 
Benjauiin F. Burr, killed at James' Island, June 16, 1802. 
Edwin Benson, died at Beaufort, S.C., March 31, 1862. 
John A, Hall, died at Wellington, D. C, Dec. 7, ISOI. 
Cornelius Ilavihind, died at Beaufort, S. C,. April 12, 1802. 
l.ynian Hull, died at Hilton Head, S. C, Dec. 21, 1801. 
Wilbert Palmeter, died at Beaufort, S. C, Maidi 11, 1802. 



MILITARY IIISTOltV. 



Thomas IVlTV, died at lliUon llouj, .s. C , X,.v. 21, IsCl. 

Jlarliii S. Bei'lic, (liod nl Wn-liingloli, D. C, Sept. il, 1802. 

Il.rniim K. Kullpr, .liacli. for disaldlily, Di-c. 4, KiUl. 

Joliii Biirguyiic, discli. tot dtsjibilily, Sept. 2", Isill. 

Jumei M. Ilill.ilKiu-h, d'8ch. far diwliilily, Nov. 2S, ISCl. 

Julm W. KulK'r, di-cli. fur disjiUilily, Mi.ruli J, ISUi. 

Klmcr D. Nurlli, dUcli. Jiin. G. 1802. 

llubf rl rntrick, dUcli. tu oiil. in refill ir acrvic?, Oct. 24, 1SG2. 

llinry U. Pulvcr, disili. l.i ciil. in rosul.ir norvice, Oct. 24, 1802. 

Asilicl C. Wublibuurnt, discli. to enl. in rrgiil.ir service, Uct. 27, 1802. 

Albert W. Crau'fonl, discli. fur disability, 0>:t. C, 1802. 

Thuniaa Little, disiii. fur dixibililx, Oct. K, 1802. 

Juniea A. Grow, discli. fur disability, Oct. 2il, 1802. 

Ilirani Throop, died at Wasliiiigtnn, Jan. 7, ISO:!. 

S.bley J. Ingersoll, died ul Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 9, 18ft!. 

Henry Buck, died at Alexandiia, Vn. 

Orrin Muurc, discli. fur disitbility, March 6, 18G3. 

Koberl S. Covert, discli. fur Jisabilily, Uoc. 20, 18G2. 

Klisliu Herriligton, died uf wuuncls at S|xillsylvaiiia, V.I., May l:!, 1SC4. 

Farrell Cowley, died of wuiinds at 6|iattsylvania, Va., >Iay 2(1, ISW. 

Itjbcrt Fulton, kille<l near Petersburg, Va , June 17, IS04. 

.Natlian K. Evcrilt, killed in the Wilderness, Vu., May 6, ISM. 

Lester Keefcr, died at Oinip Nelson, Ky., Uec. 10, 180^!. 

Amos Tiemnn, died at Alexandria, Va., July IS, 1864. 



ing in Wilde 



, May 0, 1804; returned; disch. by 

rvice, Sept. 22, 1S04. 
, Sept. 22, 1804. 
;e, Sept. 22, 1»W. 



Andrew De 

order, June 1, la05. 
Edward B. Light, discli. at expiration 
Klijah Allen, di.tch. nt expimtion ol se 
William Ellis, disch. nt cxpintion uf » 
Samuel A. Baldwin, re-enl. Uec. 20, 180:1. 
Jlarcus I,. McCrunib, re-enl. Dec. 2'J, 180.!. 
Colunel D. Johnson, rc-eiil. Dec. 20, 18c>i. 

Henry Chadwick, re-cul. Dec. 29, 18G!; must, out July 3(1, 1803. 
Henry Wilber, re-enl. Dec. 20, 180:1; must, out July :ill, ISO-i. 
Charles Tnrrell, re-enl. Dec. 29, 1803; must, out July 'M, 180o. 
George Truce, re-enl. Dec. 29. 180J. 
Andrew B. Van Bui eli, re-enl. Dec. 20, ISOl. 
Cephas W. Johnson, re-eiil. Dec. 29, 1S0:1; disch. l.y onler, June 
Andrew D. Van Buiun, dle<l iit Washington, D.C., June ,'i, ISOu. 
Benjamin Butter, dieil at Flint, Mich., Marvh 2.', 1804. 
John Surrallo, must, out July 30, 1SIX>. 
Frederick H. Burnliuin, must, out July 30, ISOo. 
John Campbell, must, out July 30, 1803. 

Jacob Croy. disch. from Vet. lies. Corps for disability, M.ty 13, 18 
Juhn Davidson, must, out July 30, 186i. 
Lyman Elvvood, miul. out July 30, 1805 
Edwin W. Flower.*, di.scli. fur disability, Fob. 1, 18G5. 
Michael lliilick, must, out July 30, ISOS. 
Henry E. North, disch. for disability, Oct. 21, 1804. 
I'eler Poutney, disch. by order. June 4, 1803. 
William Farley, disch. by order, Juno 7, 1£G>. 
James Davis, di,ch. by order, Aug. 2.J, 1803. 
John A. Wells, must, out July 30, 18li3. 
John II. Heustcn, must, out July 30, 18G.i. 
Hartwell C. Nicholas, disLh. by order, July 10, ISO.".. 
Henry C. WriglilnL-in, disch. to enl. in regular army, June 17, 18 
John Ifciker, disch. by order, June 1, 1803. 
Joseph Elder, must, out July SO, 1S03. 

COMPANY F. 
Carroll Clark, disch. fur dis.al.ilily. 
Elmer Watkius, must, out July 3ii, ISO.'.. 

COMPANY n. 
Chaunccy Terrell, died at Annal>iplis, M.I., April 0, 1804. 

COMPANY I. 
Jacob Groll, killed in the Wilderness, Va , May 0, l.SOl. 
Wesley B. McCuve, missing at WelJon 11. K., Va , Aug. 19, 1801. 

COMPANY K., 

Charles Smilli, killed at James' Island, S. C, June 10, 1802. 

William I!. I.«ycock, killed at James' Island, S. C, June 10, 1802 

William Smilh, died at llillun Head, S. C, Dec, 1801. 

Herman Baker, died at Be.iuforl, S. C, Feb. 1:1, 1802. 

J.din 1). Campbell, disch. fur dianbiliiy. May I, 1802. 

Henry Call, disch. fur disjibility. 

Preston Hall, disch. to enl. in regular service, Oet. 24, I8G2. 

John Curtis, disch. to enl. in regular service, Oct. '24, 1802. 

John lott, disch. to enl. in regular service, Oct. 24, 1862. 

Stephen V. Doly, disch. by order, July 17, 1801. 

Eugeue Putney, disch. fur disibilily, Oct. '20, 1803. 

William Wellcr, disch. to rt^-enl. as veteran. 

Allred E. lUlph, died at Cuviogtun, Ky., Aug. 4, ISO!. 

Jlartin L. Morgan, died at City PoinI, Va., Dec. 13, 18&4. 

George Finch, disch. by order, JIny •H), 1803. 

William Hill, disih. by older, July 8, 18«3. 



f.vvff W A. Murgati, dis li. l.y or.l.T, May 2ii, IsO,'.. 

G -.r.- VV. M'.nie, .llscli. by or.ler, May 20, ISO'.. 

Chill - Well., di*ch. l.y or^ler, May 20. 1803. 
Ab.il/.o Filkius, disch. l.y order. May J", 1803. 
Juhn Elliult, m Kl. out July :lu, 1803. 

NI.NTII IXF.VNTltV. 



CO.MPANV A, 
■t. out Sept. l.'>, lB«j. 
t.outS.pl. 1.'., I8C.1. 
h. by order, Juno '20, 18G3. 
list, out Sept. l.'>, 1803. 



Willard Fliieh, m 

Cliarleg FiiK'li, III 

David D.iwsun, ili 

Norlhrii|i Stark, 

Millard Gillinan, musL out Sept. 13, 180.3. 

Thomas Manning, iiiiiat. out Sept. 13, 1803. 



COMPANY B. 
John Dyer, must, out Sipl. 11, 1^0'.. 
Thep.n lliistun, must, out .Spl. l.'i, lisO'i. 



ick Farr, must, out . 

.vley must, out June 20, 1805. 



COMPANY C. 

ine 20, 1803. 



COMPANY D. 
James P.ige, died at Clialtanu^ija. Tenn., May II, l.SOl. 
Juhn A. 01d..i, di>.d at Chattanooga, Tenn., Dec. 3, I.1G4. 
Adclbort Hunker, must, out Sept. 13, 18li".. 
J..hu It.isel, must, out Sept. 15, 1SB5. 
Juhn 11. SlK-ars, must, out Sept. 13, 1803. 

COMPANY E. 
Asa B. Rogers 'Hc'l "t Nashville, Teiin., Sept. 2, 1801. 
George W. lluwley, died at Naaliv.lle, Tenn., July 24, 1SC3. 
Fnilici* Curey, must, out Sept. 13, 1S&1. 
Joel Uiiiiu, disch. l.y order, June 20, 1805. 
Addi.son Stone, disch. l.y order, June 20, 1805. 
Franklin Slune, disch. by urder, Juno 20, 18G.3. 
William C. Heal, disch. by order, June -20, 1805. 
James W. Smith, disch. l.y order, June ^ll, 1805. 
John J. Keigel, disch. by order. May 0, 1805. 
George Gmvur, must, out S.pt. 13, 1803. 
John Shaver, disch. l.y order. May 20, 1805. 
Cliarh'S Darrow, must, out Aug. 10, 1803. 
Joseph I.. Shaver, must, out Sejit. 13,180*. 
Charles S. llayne, must, out Sept. 13, 18&3. 
Juhn M. Ilruwii, must, out Sept. 13, 1803. 
Aiumun lluoks, must, out Sejii. 13, 1S03. 

COMPANY F. 

Archer Simmon-^, must, out Sejit. 13, 180".. 
Milhird K. Buck, disch. by older, Sept. 4, 1803. 
Kiehaid Gialiam, must, out Sept. 13, 1803. 
James W. Wjkuir, must, out Se|it. 13, 180.1. 
James W. Haiiimoiid, disch. by order, Aug. 30, 18G5, 
Loren H. Tui iier, must, out Sept. 13, 180.1. 
Charles W. Ells, disch. by onler, S..pt. 27, 180.1. 
G.oige L. Sykes, must, out July 17, 18G1. 
Frederick l(. Sm;illey, must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 
Woilin E. Bacon, 11111-.!. out Sept. 13, 1803. 
David ilungbon, uiuit. out SeiH. 15, 1803. 

COMPANY G. 
Charles B. M.irsch, disch. by order, June 20, 180.1. 
John Thuiii|i.soii, must, out Sept. 1.1, 1805. 
lleniy B. Turner, must, out Sept. 1.1, 1803. 



William K. II 
Daniel .McPIk 
Jtuiies Siuue, I 



CO.MPANY II. 

isch. by onler, June 2ci, 18C 
uust. out Sept. 13, 180.1. 
lit Sept. 13, 1S03. 



Edwin Ode, must, out Sept. 13, I 
Juhil B. Noble, must, out Sept 13 



1803, 



COMPANY K. 

S lel W. Wilcox, died at Nashville, Tenn. 

Ira Uimpbell, disch. f.ir disability, Aug. 15, 18C2. 
George G. Smith, disch. for pr<.m..tioii, April 8, 1801. 
Abraham Cumst.iek. died near DalLm, Ga., Juu" 8, 1804. 
.\riel (^umstuek, must, unt .'^ept. 1.1, 180.1. 
Diogenes L. Blink, must, out Sept. 13, I8ft1. 
Samuel B. Garrison, must, out Se-pt. 1, 1803. 
Si»iicer PlieliB, must, out S<.pt. 13, ISiil. 
Janus Ilnniiiioiid, must, out Se-.|. 13, 180.1. 



55G 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



TKNTII INFANTRY. 

COM 1- A NY B. 
AVilliiimGiociiwiKi.l.ill.il. 

Junius i: Tumor, iliscli. for di«uWlity, Soiit. If., ISK. 
RiMil.™ Luvvlira.l, ,li«l at Siislivill,-, Tonn,, April 2S, 1SC3. 
.Ii.liu C. Lyon, iliacli. foiilisJiMlily, Ocl. IT, ISIJL'. 
Ira B. Soul.'s, .liscli. fur aisiil.illiy, Jan. '24, ISO:!. 
Kntlmu W. CiMlV, iliscli. for disiilnlily, July 17, 1SC2. 

Joliu B. llcrumuu, liilli-il iit IViicli-Trou Crock, Gn., July 21, lS(i4. (8oc nbovp.) 
yraucis .Vnilrtnvs, (lied at fhaltanooKa, Touu., Juno 17, 18t»4. 
VunileriUiirU Sloray, ilu-a at Corinth, Sliss., Oct. 3, 1S02. 

JillVi-son W. Cryilciumu, rc-cnl. as veteran, Feb. li, 1SG4; must, out July 10, 
i.sr,.-.. 

Cyras K. Hull, ro-ciil. as vitoran. Fob. 0, ISM. 

John B. U.TUulTin, rc-cnl. as veteran, Feb. 0, 1.SC4; unist. out Jnly III, lSfi.-|. 

Ijilictt.nsc I-o/.ell, re^-nl. as veteran, Feb. 6, 1SI14; must, out Jnly 1!>, IStk'.. 

Washiniitoii .Siixton, rc-eiil. as veteran, Feb. 0, 1SG4; mnst. out July 19, ISGo. 

John 1>. Sowlcs, rt-enl. as vi^tcran, Feb. 0, 1SC4; must, out Jnly 10, l.^Oo. 

John I). I'nrkcr, tlis.h. at expiration of service, Feb. C, ISGf.. 

Junius V. Turner, iliscli. at expiration of service, Feb. C, 1SC6. (See above.) 

COMPA.NY G. 

.I.ison A. Kinil.all, .lisili. by onler, Aug. 7, 1SC.;">. 

COMPANY K. 

James U. Ilai iwler, uuist. out July I'.'. ISi.,-.. 

KLEVKNTH INl'.VNTUV. 

CXMI'ANY A. 
Angus McPonaKl. must, out Sept. li;, ISH".. 
Christian liolKicUer, must, out Sept. 10, 1SC5. 
Vaul Scliriner, mast, out Sv'pl. Hi, 1.<0."i. 
Isaac Aldrich, mu>t. out Sept 10, ISOo. 
WiUiiiui II. Fitch, must, out Sept. If., ISO'.. 

COMCASY C. 

Jacob Ilaney, .lie.l at Clmtlan.>..ga, Tenn., Jlay 4, ISIS. 

I'hilamlor F. Alj;er, must, out Sept. IG, IWV".. 

Kilwin K. Chadwick, must, onl Sept. 1«, ISGo. 

Ahnon .\. Houston, must, out July 2G, 1SG5. 

Daniel W. Link, must, out Oct. 4, ISGS. 

Newton Stotldard, mnst. out Sept. 12, ISC6. 

>Yilliau> Sherman, must, out Sept. 10, ISlW. 

David Sloddaitl, must, out Sept. 10, ISCJ. 

GeoVBC Vorce, must, out Sept. IG, l.'iOo. m 

■William Walker, nuist. out Sept- 10, ISGo. 

John \V. Waifell, must, out Sept. 10, ISGo. 

COJU'AJJV D. 
Alf^^^l O. I'avne, must, out Sept. 16, lSOf>. 

COM r ANY E. 
Jeremiah Sati-ent, Dinst. onl Sept. IC, ISCo. 
John S;u'gent, must, out S<'p1. 16, 180.*>. 



COMPANY F. 
iliol at Nashville, Teuii., Mny 15 



Siiniu.-I Ilayho 
Slonroe Hart, iwist. out Sept. IC, 1$Gc>. 
John V. Jones, must, out May 6, ISIvi. 
AVillis Lamb, must, ont Sept. 10, 1SG5. 
George \V. S«isgetl, mnst. ont S»-pt. 10, 1SG.1. 

COMPANY G. 
Edward 0. Bronson, died at Chattaniwga, Tonn., May 30, 1805. 
Jabez Chadwick, diwl at Chattanooga, Tenn., May 15, 1SC5. 
James II. Curtis, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., May 29, 1SC5. 
Josiah B. Shennan, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., March 2:1, ISGo. 
Ileniy Haskell, must, out S<<pt. 10, 1805. 
Augustine Odell, must, out Sept. 10, 1S05. 
Henry Rosencrans, must, ont Sept. 16, 1SIV5. 
Charles Tompkins, must, out Sept. 10, 1S05. 
Chaunciy Wilcox, must, out Sept. 10, 1S05. 

COMPANY I. 
Grorge E. Jewell, killeil at Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1SG2. 
James M. Blanclnird, died at Challanooga, Tenn., April 11, 1805. 
Kniueis J. Russell, died at Jackson, Mich., April S, 1805. 
Koilerick J. Riddle, .lied at Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 31, 1SG2. 
P.'ter II. Boyce, n>nst. out Sept. 10, 1805. 
Edm\ind 1). Dement, mnst. out Sept. 10, 1SC5. 
I luster K. Faireh 111, must, out Sept. 10, IS05. 
William II. Hall, niusl. out Aug. 4, 1S05. 
Ornon Mosher, must, nut Si'pt. 10, 1805. 
Guleon L. Moss, must, out Sept. 10, 1805. 



Wilson S. Mann. mnst. out Sept. 16, 18G5. 
Isaac Moslier, must, out Sept. 10, 1565. 
Albert B, Stark, must, ont Sept. 10, 1805. 
Julius A. Scpiier, must. o\it Sept. 10, 1805. 
Elisha Sutheiland, must, ont Sept. 8, 1805. 
Brasel Williams, mnst. out Sept. 16, 1865. 
Beniamin Wallis, must, ont Sept. 28, 1805. 
Tully Wdkinson, must, out Sept. 10, 1SC5. 
Fdward W. Watkins, nuist. out Sept. 10, 1805. 

COMPANY IC. 

Daniel Figg, died at Clmtlanooga, Tenn., April 10, 180.1 
Jacob M. Loncks, nuist. ont Sept. 10, 1805. 
Silencer 0. Moon, must, out Sept. 10, ISGA. 
Alexander Ovialt, must ont Sept. 10, 1805. 
James Van Nortwick, must, out Sept. 10, 1805. 
Jesse Wilcutt, must, out Sejit. 10, li5C5. 
John Polls, must, out Sept. IG, 1805. 



CHAPTER IV. 



TWKLFTU INl'ANTUV 



This vcp;iiiicnt was rai.scJ nio.stly in tlio southwcstcni 
eouiitios, and very largely in Ronieii County. There were 
considerable nuuibers from Jackson, Ingham, and Eaton 
Counties, the greater number from the latter two being in 
Company G. The rendezvous was at Niles, in Berrien 
County, from wliieli point the command left for St. Louis, 
Mo., on the ISth of March, 1SG2, with 1000 names on its 
rolls. From St. Louis it proceeded to the Tennessee River, 
and reached Pittsburg Landing in time to participate in 
the memorable battle of Shiloh, on the Gth and 7th of 
April, in which its losses were .>-evere, particularly in pris- 
oners. On the Tith of October it was engaged at the battle 
of Matamora on the Ilatchie River. 

Its los.ses from April Otli to Oct. HI, lSi;2, \vere as 
follows : 



KilUil in acti.n 
Woiui.lcl in ae 
Die.l of wonn.ls 
Hint of disease 
Taken iirisoner: 
Hi.-rlKU-ea 



at Shiloll 1(16 

]I8 



Miici 



s resigned, IH; cashiorctl, 1 14 

Total ;,\6 



This was a most remarkable showing for so brief a period. 
Its strength on the 3Lst of October, 1SI>2, was 452 men. 

The regiment moved from Bolivar, Tenn., on the 4tli of 
November, and from tliat date until IMay 31, 181)3, was 
employed in guarding the Mississippi Central Railroad from 
Hickory Valley to Bolivar, with headquarters at Middle- 
burg, Tenn. On the 24th of December a force of 3000 
rebel cavalry under Gen. Van Dorii attacked the block- 
house at Middlebuig, in which were 115 of the regiment 
under Col. Graves, 'i'he rebel commander demanded an 
unconditional .surrender, but the gallant colonel declined, 
and after a severe fight the enemy withdrew, leaving tifteen 
prisoners, among whom were ten officers, and twenty killed 
and wounded on the field. The losses of the Twelfth were 
six men wounded and thirteen prisoners, the latter mostly 
captured while on picket duty along the railroad. 

Gen. Giant, in general orders after the affair, declared 

that the commands along the railroad, which had success- 

i fully defended themselves against a powerful enemy, were 



MII.ITAKV III.ST(»ltV 



f):.7 



ilimorviti}; of llio tliiiiikH of llir iiriiiy, ii.h il wim in ii j.'rciil, 
iiiciLHurc (Icpoiideiit oil the roail for hii|i|,li<;M. On iIhj lid 
of Juno, IHfi.'J, lli(! rcpnii'iit joiiiiil tin; lictiicninj,' iinny 
liL-forc VickHhur;; at Cliickai-aw I^ayoii. It ili'lmrkiil iit 
Sartalia, on tlii; Yazoo Hivi-r, and nian.-licd to MiM-liaiiioH- 
hiiTji, HkirniiHliiri<^ with thu i-iw.u\y'n cavahy on lh<! roiili;, 
Durinj; tlio nrniaindcr of the hii-j^e it van irn<'ain|ii'd nt 
llaync'H' HluH' with the Ninth Army f'orpH. On the 2Hlh 
of July it proccfdi.d by bout lo ll.lena, Ark., wilh tini. 
I'Vod. SiC'ohi'H divinion, and HiihscijiiiMilly niovcil lo I,illh; 
I'lock, wiiero il Wont into eanip on ihi; 1 llh of HcplrniiiiT. 
On tiif 2(Jtli and liTth of Oetoijcr it wa/t moved lo IJcnlon, 
Ark. 

Its loHSCH durin;.^ tlie year were : .'! died in action or of 
wounds; 28 died of di«ea«e ; T):} dihtliar;.'rd, monlly for 
dihahility ; 9 deserted ; 5 offieers rohi;.'ni.'d and 7 diMniixxed ; 
(') wounded in action. Total, 111. Dnrin;^ the same 
period 70 recruits joined the re;.'inieiit. 

On the 1st of November, ]W.i, tiie rcf^imiiit marched 
from Benton to Little Kock, wliere it remained until Jan. 
It, 1804, when, most of the men bavin;,' re-enlisted an 
veterans, it went home to .^liehi^'an on furlou^rb, arriving; at 
Niles on the li^t of February, where the men were furlou;;lied 
for thirty days. On the (jth of March the re;;inient 
assi;nib!ed at Niles, and, wilh a lar;.'e number of recrnils, 
left for Little Ilock, Ark., on the lilht of the month, arriv- 
ing.' at that place on the Iht of April. On the 2<hU it was 
ordered to I'ine Bluffs, and made the distance Tforty-ei^iht 
miles; in two days. On the 21)11) it acted uh (inard for 
Gen. Steele's army train, marcbin;^ lhrou;^h the deep niiid 
twelve mil<«. On the IjOili it returned to Pine Blulf;', 
and on the following; day proceeded by Kt«auicr to Little 
Jlock. 

On the 17th of .M.iy followiii;^ th-j eoturnaud moved 
to Brown.fville, and thence, via Austin, IVjch Orchard 
Gap, and Big ('adron Creek, to Sprin;.^ield, which latter 
point was reached on the 25tb, after a ticvcre march of 
seventy-seven miles in five dayH. 

On the lilst the command returned to Little Iljck, where 
it encamped until the 21;d of June, when it was moved to 
the north side of the Arkansas Iiiver. On the 2.jtb it 
went by rail to Duvall's Bluff, on White Kiver, and thence 
by Bteamer to Clarendon. (Jn the 20th the enemy, under 
Gen. .Shelby, were enwjuntered, and driven for two dayw, 
tlic regiment pursuing as far as Cotton I'lant I'ike, from 
whence on the 29th it returned U) White Itiver, and during 
the same night proceeded by steamer to iJuvall'n Bluff, where 
it was encamped until the last of August. On the liliih it 
uiade a re<;onnoissanc; up White Itiver, returning to its 
camp on the 2d of September. On the 'Id it pr'jw-e-dcd a 
second time up the river, and on the 4th was fired u\>iju by 
guerrillas at Gregory's I>:inding, losing one man killed and 
five woundcl. The regiment debarked, but the rebels had 
di.vapffearcd. The Cfjmmand proceedi^ to Austin, which 
place wae taken possession of up'in the 4th. On the 7lh 
the regimr-nt a-.-ain return' d lo I^uvall's Bluff. 

The (-Ji-iiilti • f ,r il,r •■' :ir Wen; : 4 died of wounds ; lO'J 
died of dli^.a-se ; 'i'; di-iJiargcJ ; 7 tran>Tferr<.-<J lo Veteran 
lle»en-e Corp* ; 37 deserte-d ; 5 wounded in iiAvtn ; 7 taken 
j,ri>rf.t>(r- 11 'Ii-' I -irged at expiration of w rviw Total, 



201). .'ni of the men re-nnliHlcij, and (!!(.'! recriiilH joined 
the reginient. l)uring the year the /'ommiiiid tiaveh-d over 
liOOd milrH. 

I''i.im the Mof November, |H(i), to June (;, IHW, the 
regiment wan stationed in llie vieinily of Duvalln Bluff, 
guarding railroads and doing jiickrfl, jirovoHl guard, and 
fatigue diilii-s, varied wilh occasional Ncouling wrviees. 
On the Cih of JuiK! the command procei'ded by rail lo 
Little Kock, whi'H! il reniaini'd until Ihr- Kith, when it 
marched to Wa^llillgloll, Ark,, which plan! was reaehe.l 
on the 2lnl. 

On the 8lh of July, ('MinpiinieH A, II. (', and V were 
placed rin detached hcrviia; at (.'amden, sixty miles from 
Washington; on the l!)th, (.'om|iany V) was wnl lo Arka- 
d<;lphia ; (Jompany I) wuh sent lo I'araelifia, forty -live in ilifN 
distant; and (Company V was detached to (,'humpn^'noli-, on 
the Waebita Kiver. On the 2l>lh of tin.' same month, Com- 
panies II and K proWM-ded from Washingti/n lo Camden, 
and on the Iht of Novendier the headrjuarlers of the ciim- 
maiid wire alsit ritmoved lo thi; latter place. 

The regiment eontinued in the ri-gi'»n until the 28th of 
January, 18(»(;, when an order was re(;<;ived for the various 
companies to ass<;mble at (,'amrliMi to he niunlered out of 
Wfrvice, which wan done on the irilli of T'lbruary, and the 
regiment immediately proc<:edrd to .Michigan vin the 
Waebita, Bed, and .^IiKHil'hippi Uivern lo (,'airo. III., and 
from thence by rail to Jaekwin, ,^lieh., where it arrived 
on the 27lli, and was paid and disbanded on the <>lli of 
March, WA. 

1 W KM- Til l.\K,\.N"H{V. 

Aaat. KiirK IMdil '' K".l/.i.', Uoali.K; com. Jan. \ri,\mt; |n«. la mrr, A|<rll 

Vt. \»iC, r.-..Orl x, is///. 
A-l Hiiru Aliiiw A Tl..,iii|».i., V«nii'.i ' ' 't.tDW, rm. Ju,, V, 

IW.!; |.i.,. 1/. aial. .i)rj<. lUli <:«. i ■ „„l Au(. U), Inf.',. 

J;l,u liruk-Klr.f, S. C. »., 'IIk Ii. tur itlaal 

(.VlMI'A.Vt II. 
KylKar T«.|,l..a, dM U f)unir> llliiff, A>k . Nor. 'H, IVA. 

Wllll.ll. I.. >I ' - ■ • • I.', IM... 

J-ri,.-. W T. I'l., 

.;»«.-•'•«..•■, 

AlWnl'. M-l.T, ,..i. .■.. ,■ .•;■..,. 



W«. «' »rtOH.,t,..I... 



558 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



Jiirvis McKelve.v, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 21, 1863 ; must, imt V: 

18GG. 
John Sailer, discli. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 21, 18011 ; must, out Fell, l.l, 
George Satler, iliscll. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 21, 1S(i3; must, out Keb. 15 
John C. Sat:er, died at Paraclefta, Aik., Oct. 10, 1SG5. 
Edwin Hamilton, died at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., April IC, 1SG3. 
Henry J. Baker, disch. at expiration of service, Jan. 7, 1805. 
George Lowndes, disch. June 1, 1802. 

Simeon Keynolds, disch. at expiration of service, Jan. 7, 1865. 
Kufus Worden, disch. at expiration of service, Jan. 7, 1865. 
Harmon Ellis, disch. at expiration of service, Jan. 7, 1SG5. 
William B. Colvin, must, out Feb. 15, 18CG. 
William E. Griffith, disch. for disability, Dec. 13, 1801. 
Albert llowaril, must, out Feb. 15, 1800. 
Guernsey Kennedy, disch. for dis.ibilily, Dec. 8, 18G4. 
William Norton, disch. Feb. 2S, 1805. 
Jasper Norton, must, out Feb. 15, 180G. 
Henry Porter, must, out Feb. 15, ISGO. 
Jacob S. Rogers, must, out Feb. 15, 18GG. 
Francis A. Brown, disch. by order, Oct. 2, 18G.5. 
Charlie Burr, disch. by order, May 22, 1805. 
Amos B. Uorton, disch. by order, Oct. 2, 1805. 
Zenas Hamilton, disch. by order, June 17, 1805. 
Jeffeison Parmcnter, discli. l>y order, Oct. 2, 1805. 
John J. Robinson, disch. by order, June 20, 1805. 
Jobn W. IlowanI, mu~t. out Feb. 15, 1800. 
Nelson J. Porter, must, out Feb. 15, ISOG. 

OJJIPANY E. 
Calvin <i. Hayes, died at DuvalPs Blufr, Ark., Jlay i:!, 1805. 
Charles Craddock, died at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., May 27, 1805. 
Christian Fess, must, out Feb. 15, 1800. 
Henry H. Hayes, must. o>it June 20, I8G5. 
Charles Uice, must, out Feb. 15, 1800. 
Martin Ni.von, must, out Feb. 15, ISCG. 
Alfred Paine, must, out Feb. 15, 1806. 
George Perkins, must, out Feb. 15, ISCG. 

COMPANY F. 
John H. Fancher, died at Pittsburg Landing, Tcnn., May 10, 1803. 
James H. Helms, disch. for disability, July 20, 1802. 
Ueuben Hart, disch. for disability, Sept. 1.5, 1802. 
Carl Jt. Ilerrsarth, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Jan. 1, 18C4. 
John Brairgons, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 24, 1804. 
Russell Fuller, died at Duvall's Bluff, Aik., May 14, 1805. 
William A. Cook, di cb. Miiy 30, 1805. 
Samuel B. Gairison, discli. for disability, Sept. 15, 1802. 
Luther Hawkins, disch. Sept.l, 1802. 
Henry Filley, disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 9, 1805. 
Christian Fetlor, disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 9, 1805. 



1800. 
1806. 





COJIPANY G. 




valb, Li 


nsing ; cum. Oct. 10,1801; 


res. Sept. 13, ISO- 


II. Gassi 


iiere, Lansing; coin. Oct. 1 


1, 1801 ; disch. M. 



2d lient , March 29, 1804 ; 



ftipt. Isaac S 
1st Lieut. Ge< 

1803. 
Sergt. Jamea P. W. JlcCurdy, 

March 21, 1,S05. 
Sergt. James Jl. Ewing, Stockbridgo; com. 2d lieut., May 31, 1805 

lieut., Sept. 18, 1805 ; must, out Feb. 15, ISOO. 
GillJOrt Allen, died at Quincy, III., May 13, 1862. 
Edgar R. Y'awger, died at Lansing, Mich., Sept. 27, 1802. 
Austin Miller, died at Evansville, Iiid., of wounds received in actic 



20, 1802, by accidental 



John W. Garlock, killed at Middleburg, Teiii 

discharge of a gun. 
John Scblucher, killed at Shiloh, Teiin., April 0, IS02. 
Henry C. Guest, died at Pittsburg Lauding, Tenn., May -2,5, 1802. 
Daniel KIlis, died at Savannah, May 30, 1802. 
Sliltou P. Hall, died at Pittsburg Landing, Tcnn., June 4, 1802. 
William II. Lennoii, died at Pittsburg Landing, Teun., June 5, 1802, 
Washington Kigg, di d at St. Louis, Mo. 

William Oatley, died at Miicon, Ga., while prisoner, Sept. 19, 1862. 
Tlioiiias Rigg, died at Bolivar, Tenn., Oct. 15, 1802. 
Slerida Rigg, died near Jackson, Tenn., July 5, 1802. 
James D. Socord, died at Camp Barker, Niles, Mich., Jan. 1, 1802. 
Edward Varricll, died at Camp Barker, Niles, Mich., Feb. 28, 1802. 
Luther Williams, died at Camp Barker, Niles, Mich., Jan. 2, 1802. 
Elisha Wiard, died at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., April 30, 1802. 
Norman Wilson, died at Ciimp Barker, Niles, Mich., March 10, 1862. 
Daniel Youngerman, died ut St. Louis, Mo. 
Peter Guffe, died at Bolivar, Term., Oct. 7, 1802. 



lel W. Grinnell, i 
180.5, disch. nt e: 



ipiratic 



at Shiloh, Ti 
I of service, 
gat Sbibili,Te 
; at Shiloh, Tei 



.April 6, 1802 



, April 6, 1802. 
.lied at Washingloii, D. C, Oct. 



William Belche 
1S02. 



at .Shil-.h, April C, 1SC2 ; died at Ma 



Salcolt B. Irish, missing at Shiloh, April 6, 1802; returned ; d 

tion of service, Jan. 7, 1805. 
Win. H. Lombard, missing at Sliiloli, April 0, 1802 ; ilie.l at I\lac 
Asabcl Parker, missing at Shdoli, April 0,1802; died at Moi 

April 15, 1802. 
John T. Strong, discharged. 

Martin Spragne, disch. for disability, June 1, 1802. 
Harrison Nash, discharged. 

Daniel Van Horn, disch. for disability at St. Louis, Mo., June 2i 
Joseph Hawkins, disch. at St. Louis, Mo. 
Wm. E. Whitney, disch. for disability, July 20, 1862. 
Albert Roberts, died at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., Aug. 30, 1803. 
Conrad Boppert, disch. by order. May 9. 1863. 
Thomas M. McCurdy, died at Little Rock, Ark., Not. 23, 1803. 
Fayette Meach, died at Little Rock, Ark., April 12,1864. 
William H. Roberts, died at Little Bock, Ark., July 4, 1804. 
Benson P. Rowley, died at Little Bock, Ark., July 21, 1804. 
G.les G. Spaulding, died at Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 3, 1864. 
Lewis W. Bradman, died at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., Aug. 4, 18GL 
James Wall, died at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., Oct. 10, 1804. 
Cyrus Potter, died at Little Bock, Ark., Sept. 18, 1804. 
Henry C. Freeliind, trans, to Vet. Bes. Corps, Dec. 1, 1803. 
William W. Barnes, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Nov. 20, 1803. 
John T. Strong, disch. for disability, Aug. 2, 1803. 
Henry Barr, disch. at Detroit, Sept. 5, 1802. 
Samuel J. Cazier, disch. at Detroit, Sept. 19, 1802. 
Curlis H. Chappell, disch. at Detroit, Sept. 13, 1862. 
William Johnson, disch. for disability, July 31, 1862. 
John Nagel, disch. for disability, Dec. 19, 1862. 
Charles Riley, disch. for disability, July 29, 1863; al 
Hugh Kneal, disch. at expiration of service, Nov 

oi-der. May 28, 1803. 
Anson P. Loomis, disch. for disability, Dec. 7, 1863. 
John B. Belz, disch. Oct. 1, 1864. 
John Van Auken, disch. for disability, Dec. 8, 1803. 
Joel C. Brown, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 26, 1803. 
Harvey Lapham, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 26, 18Ci. 
John II. Cook, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 26, ISGii. 
George W. Van Auken, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 20, ISO!; must. 

Feb. 15, 1S60. 

ch. to rc-cnl. as veteran, Dec. 20, 1S03. 
,d, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 20, 1803. 
s veteran, Jan. 1, 1804. 
veteran, Dec. 26, 1803. 
veteran, Dec. 26, 186.i. 
i veteran, March 8, 1804; must, out Fel 



), must, out Feb. 15, ISOO. 
20, ISOii; also, disch. by 



John Christi 
Hannibal BL 



: veteran, March 8, 1864; 



, Dec. 30, 1803; must, out Feb. 15 



, Dec. 20, 1863. 
Jec. 20, 1803; l 



} veteran, Jan. 1, 1864 ; must 
as veteran, Dec. 20, 1863. 
il. as veteran, Dec. 20, 1861. 
Las veteran, Dec. 20, ISO,); 



Peter Brabon, d 
Cliaries S. Demo 
James M. Ewing, disch. to i 
i, disch. to re 
, disch. to re 
Henry T. Fuller, disch. to ri 

1860. 
Loverell L. Irish, disch. to 

15, 1800. 
John M. Kulinle, disch. tor 

1800. 
Edwin Uiiderhill, disch. to i 
John Helzel, disch. to re-el 

1806. 
John Seilzic, disch. to rc-enl 
Ephraim Cook, disch. to re-e 
Frederick Foster, disch. to r 
David Scbaeble, disch. to rt 

1860. 
Martin Stark, discli. to re-eii 
John Oatley, disch. to re-enl 
Jonas Dilley, discli. to re-en 
Salem H. Harston, discli. to 
Monroe Olin, disch. to re-enl 
Ansel Towl, disch. to re-eiil. 
Joseph C. Warden, disch. to 

15, 1800. 
Adam Roed-ls, died at Duvalls Bliifl, Ark., Dec. 16, IS04. 
Chester F. Beers, died at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., May 25, 1805. 
Henry Snialley, died at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., April 5, 1805. 
Emerson F. Dubois, died at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., May 6, 1865. 
George Mudon, died at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., June 3, 1805. 
William R. Gibson, disch. Nov. 12, 1802. 
Nathan M. Cooper, disch. June 22, 1R03. 
Martin Ackley, disch. for disability. July 30, 1802. 
Williiim Barr, disch. at expiration of service, Jan. 7, 1805. 
Archibald Barr, disch. at expiration of service, Feb. 1, 1805. 
James Ewing, disch. by order, July 6, 1805. 
Hezekiah Harris, disch. at expiration of service, .Tan. 7, 1805. 



ut Feb. 15,1806. 



St. out Feb. 15 



,8 veteran, Dec. 26, 1863. 

i veteran, Dec. 26, 1803. 

s veteran, Dec. 20, 1860. 

eiil. as veteran, Dec. 20, 1863. 

I veteran, Dec. 26, 1803 ; must, out Feb. 15, '60. 

veteran, Dec. 20, 1803; must, out Feb. 15, 1866. 

■enl. OS veteran, Dec. 20, 1803; must, out Feb. 



Clark K 


oon 


disch. at expi 


ration of ser 


rice 


Jan. 7 


1805. 


Jem 


lie 


11. Loot 


is, disch. 


It expiration 


ofs 


ervice. 


Jan. 7, 1805. 


Join 


\V 


PI 


jof, disch. at expiration of 


er\ 


ice, Jai 


. 7, 1805. 


Join 


P. 


Str 


ckl: 


nd, disch. 


It expiration 


of 


service 


Jan. 7, 1865. 


Join 


W 


ml 


II, ( 


isch. at ex 


[liration of s 


ervi 


ce, .Ian 


7, 1805. 


Silas 


WoodI 


iiid. 


disch. at t 


xpiration of 


ser 


■ice, Jan. 7, 1805. 


Solo 


nor 


Wiard, 


disch. Oct 


17, 1802. 








Will 


an 


W. 


Bal 


nes, disch. 


at expiralio 


lof 


service 


Fob. 14, 1805 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



659 



Harmon Hiilsc. disch. by orilcr. Sept. M, 1805. 

Thomas I.. UilbiTt, must, out Ki-li. lo, ISCC. 

Willinm E. Johnson, must, out Fi\>. 15, ISGC. 

Orrin .1. Miirkliani, must out Feb. l.'), 1806. 

John RoimI. I., Jr , ninst. out Ki-b. 15, 1800. 

Miii'tin Bcilumn, mu>t. out Fob. \;i, isfic. 

Stephen W. I'ennion, disth. h.v order from Vet. Res. Corj'S, Sov. 17, 180'.. 

Albert Itenner, disrh. for disability, June S, 1805. 

George Benner, mnsl. out Feb. l.l, 1800. 

i^olonion Rowell, disch. fur disability, Nov. 20, 1805. 

Ilu;:h Blakeley, disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 9, 1805. 

.Mure Ulakele.v, ilisch. at expiration of service, Sept. 9, 1805. 

Henry Barr, di-ch. at expiration of service, Sept. 0, 1803. 

CM-unie Every, disch. at expinvtion of service, Sept. 9, 1805. 

Iteilben Every, discli. at expinilion of service, Sept. 9, 1805. 

John U. Freeland, disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 9, 18G5. 

.\nstin Uiggs, di^ch. at expimlion of service, Sept. 9, 1805. 

James A. Haul Iton, disch. by onler, June 17, ISta. 

John JI. Slniyir, must, ont Feb. 15, I860. 

John Slater, disch. by order, June 17, 186.5. 

John Cole, must, out Feb. 15, 1860. 

riiarles f. Ds Camp, most, out Feb. 1.5, 180G. 

Nelson De Camp, iiinsl. ont Feb. 15, 1800. 

John Pe Camp, mtist. ont Feb. 15, 18t>">. 

Tliumns P. Dean, disch. by onler, Juno 13, 1865. 

Henry A. Hodges, disch. by order, June 17, 180.5. 

Alonzo B. KiDilaill, disch. by order. May 28, 1805. 

John M. Jacobs, must, out Feb. 15, ISOC 

liboliah Laycock, mu.>l. out Feb. 15, 1860. 

Kilward W. Moody, must, out Feb. 1.5, 1806. 

William H. Moody, must, out Fob. 15, 180a 

William Sludge, must, out Feb. 15, 1860. 

Klnier N. I'ickanl. must, out Feb. 15, 1806. 

Krcemiin B. I'l.ihi, must, out Feb. 15, 1806. 

Miles L. Reynolds, di«ch. by onler. May 22, I805t 

Almoli Bood, disch. by order, June 17, 1865. 

George T. Smilli, disch. by order, June 17, 180.5. 

Thomas 0. Smith, must, out Fob. 15, 180G. 

Kdwanl Turrcnce, must, out Feb. 15, 1800. 

Theodore Welhiian, nmst. out Feb. 15, 1860. 

Ezra Blanchard, diath. by order, Jlay 28, lSOf>. 

Theodore D. Burgtrss, must, out Fob. 15, 1800. 

William D. Bartnick, disch. by order, Juno 8, 1805. 

Gordon Sa} pr, must, ont Feb. 15, 1806. 

WilliaDi Tweedie, must, ont Feb. 15, 1806. 

Christopher C. Tallman, disch. by onler, Juno IT, 18K>. 

William P. Doly, disch. by order, June 17, 1805. 

James Lawrence, disch. by order, June 20, 1805. 

COM PA. NY H. 

I'bilip I.. Stine, died on Ihe Ohio Itiver. 

George Fink, died at New Albany, Ind., Dec. 18, 1802. 

Lewis Campbell, discli. at Camp Barker, Nilc<, Mich., April 10, 1SC2. 

Charles Lincoln, diacli. fur disability, Dec. 8, 180.!. 

Daniel Hubbard, disch. to re -enl. as veteran, Dec. 19,1813; must. out Feb. 1.1, 1800. 

William Stronp, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 19, ISKi; must, out Feb. 15, 1800. 

Charles P. Urnmm, die<l at Uuvalll BlnfT, Ark., April 3, 1805. 

Henry I*Hhr, died at Dnvall s MulT, Ark., March 30, 1865. 

Thomas Bnrkheail, disch. Nov. 10, 1802. 

William II. Fink, mu>t. ont Feb. 15, 1800. 

H.nry J. Stine, disih. Nov. 20, 1802. 

Homer II. Sl.^yUin, must, out Feb. 15, 1800. 

James G. Austin, must, out Feb. 15, 18GC 

Thomas Conant, must, out Feb. 15, I860. 

Thonnu! G. ConnnI, dl.tch. by order, June 17, 1805. 

Stephen P. Crozier, nmst. out Feb. 15, 180C. 

John D. Norrb, disch. by onler, Jnnc2(i, 1865. 

Closes C. Johnson, disch. by onler, Aug. 22, 1805. 

COMPANY I. 
I,oren»i I,. Morse, died at DnvalPs lilnff, Ark., April 1, 1805. 
Ira Bi.xbee, must, out Feb. 1.5, 1800. 
Julin Joll, must, out Feb. 15, 18<U'>. 

COMPANY K. 

William E. Stevens, Mason ; enl. sergt. Co. A ; com. 2d lient. Co. K, April 2, 

1805; must, out Feb. 1.5, 1800. 
Asa Hulett, died at Little Bock, Ark., June I!), 180.5. 
Cbauncey 11. Whitney, disch. by order. Slay 18, 1804. 
Norman Wait, disch. by order, Oct. 12, 1865. 
Oscar W. Kibby, niiii't. out Feb. 15, 1806. 
Myron T. Kibby. must, ont Feb. 15, 1800. 
Ed«anl Pielce, Jr., nin«t. out Feb. 15, ISO*. 
Charles O. Thompion, must, out Feb. 15, 1860. 
Frank Taggeit, must, out Feb. 15, 1800. 
John Witkwire, ilis,h. by ..nier, June 17, 1805. 
Joshua Wrijiht, must, out Feb. 15. 1SC0. 



CHAPTER V. 
THIKTEKNTH INlWNTltY. 

This splendid regiment was recruited at Kalamazoo by 
Hon. Cliarlcs E. Stewart, wlio held the commission of colo- 
nel from Out. 3, ISCl , to Jan. 28, 18G2, when lie resigned, 
and was succeeded by Col. Michael Shoemaker. It was 
largely composed of men from Kalamazoo County, but there 
were in the vicinity of 100 men from Eaton and Ingliam 
Counties scattered in various companies through the com- 
mand, the greater part being from Eaton County. 

The regiment left Kalamazoo on the 12lh of February, 
181)2, with 925 names on its muster-rolls, and proceeded 
to the army on the Tennessee by way of Bowling Green 
and Nashville. By a forced march it reached Pittsburg 
Landing in season to see the last of llie battle of Shiloh, 
late in the afternoon of the 7th of April. From that date 
until the evacuation of Corinth, Miss., by the rebel army 
under Gen. Beauregard, it was engaged in picket and fa- 
tigue duty. When the army under Gen. Buell fell back 
towards Louisville, the Thirteenth was the last to leave 
Northern Alabama. It fell back upon Louisville with the 
balance of the army, and in October took part in the pur- 
suit of Bragg's army. It took an active part in the great 
battles around Murfreesboro', in the last days of 18(i2 and 
the opening ones of 18G3. In the battle of Stone River its 
losses were 25 killed, G2 wounded, and 8 missing, out of a 
total of 224 men engaged, equivalent to more than forty per 
cent. On the 3 1st of December it recaptured with the bayonet 
two guns which had been taken by the enemy. It was em- 
ployed upon the fortifications of Murfreesboro' until the 
latter part of June, 18G3, when it moved with Ro.secrans' 
army upon Tullahoma, and advanced as far as Pelham, at 
tlie foot of the mountains, from which point it returned 
and encamped at Ilillsboro' until August IGth, when it 
joined in the movement upon Chattanooga, reaching, in 
company with its division, the famous Scf|uatehie Valley 
on the 20th of the month. The division was in advance 
when approaching Chattanooga, and entered that place on 
the 8th of September. 

In the great bailie of Chickamauga, on the lltth and 2(llli 
of September, 18G3, it bore an active part under Col. J. B. 
Culver, and sustained a lo.ss of 14 killed, 08 wounded, and 
25 missing, total 107, out of 217 officers and men which 
went into action, — nearly fifty per cent. Its losses during 
the j'car were: 51 men died in action or of wounds; GO 
died of disease; Hit! di:^chaiged, nearly all for disability; 
77 deserted or dropped from the rolls; 15 nii.ssing in 
action; 32 taken prisoners ; 1):5 woundud in action. Total, 
500. 

On the 5lli of November, 13G3,the Thirteenth, Twenty- 
first, and Twenty-second Michigan Infantry Regimenls and 
the Eighteeuth Ohio Infantry were formed into a brigade 
of engineers, and assigned to duly at Chattanooga, attached 
to the lieadr|uarters of the Army (if the Cumberland. On 
the 22d, 23d, 24th, and 25th the Thirteenth took part in 
the battles for the possession of Chattanooga. During the 
months of December and January following it was .sta- 
tioned along the Chickamauga Creek, engaged in picket 
duty and cutting timber for store-houses at Chattanooga. 



560 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



In January, 186-t, a large number of the men reenlisted 
as veterans, and on the 5th of February left for ^Michigan, 
arriving at Kalamazoo on the 12tli, where they were fur- 
loughed for thirty days. At the end of tliat time the regi- 
ment assembled at the rendezvous, and on the 2(5th of 
March again left Kalamazoo for the seat of war, with over 
400 recruits in its ranks. It reached Chattanooga on the 
20th of April, and from that date utitil the 25th of Sep- 
tember was stationed on Lookout JMountain, employed in 
erecting hospitals. At the last-mentioned date the regi- 
ment was assigned to duty in the Second Brigade, First 
Division, Fourth Army Corps ; but in the mean time took 
part in the pursuit of the rebels, under Gens. Forrest and 
Roddy, in Northern Alabama. It returned to Chatta- 
nooga on the 17th of October, and was soon after ordered 
to Rome, Ga., where it joined its brigade Nov. 1, 186-t. 

On the 7th of the same month it joined the army of 
Sherman, at Kingston, Ga., and made the great march to 
the sea, arriving in front of Savannah on the IGth day of 
December. The command followed the fortunes of the 
army in the movement north through South and North 
Carolina, and was engaged on the Catawba River, S. C, 
Feb. 28, 1865 ; at Averysboro', N. C, March 16th ; and 
at Bentonville, N. C, on the 19lhof the same month. In 
the latter action it was fiercely engaged, and lost 110 men 
killed, wounded, and missing, among the killed being its 
commander. Col. W. G. Eaton, a brave and efficient officer. 

It moved with the army upon Raleigh, in pursuit of 
Gen. Johnston, and, during the negotiations between that 
commander and Gen. Sherman, was stationed on the Cape 
Fear River, about thirty miles south of Raleigh. On the 
30th of April it moved with the army northward, and 
reached Washington on the 19th of May. On the 24th it 
participated in the grand review of Sherman's army, and 
subsequently encamped near the city, where it remained 
until the 9th of June, when it was ordered to Louisville, 
Ky. It was mustered out of the service on the 25th of 
July, and paid and disbanded at Jackson, Mich., on the 
27th. 

THIRTEENTH INFANTRY. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Asst. Surg. Edgar Ilann, lliinavilli' ; com. Maich 'i;., 18M; never roportod for 

duty. 
SerRt. Horace M. liuck, Onondasa ; Co. F; com. 2d lieut., Nov. 12, 1802; pro. 

to 1st liL'iit., Feb. 2, 180:i; capt., Aug. 26, 18G4; must, out July •>!>, 1S65. 
Sergt. Morrimau S. Wj'uian, Eaton Kapids; Co. G; com. 2d lieut., July 5, 1805; 

not mustered ; roust, out of service, July 2.'>, IRfir.. 
Sergt. Wilson M. Torry, Onondaga; com. 2d lieut., July "', 1SG5; not mustered. 

COMPANY A. 
Ransom Livermore, died at Ward's Island, N. V. Harbor, March 3, 1805. 
William Stark, discli. at e.vpiration of service, Aug. 8, 1805. 
George W. Whitney, discli. by order, June 8, 1805. 
Cornelius Harvey, diacli. by order, Aug. 10, 1805.- 
George Fiueout, disch. by order, June 22, 1805. 

COMPANY B. 

ri.ilaiider D. Peak, killed at l!entonville, N. C, March 10, 1805. 

Lot Geune, died at Fort Columbus, N. Y., Juno 10, 1805. 

Amos Beeman, ilied at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 2-1, 1804. 

Edward A. Firster, discli. by order, June 9, 18C5. 

Uurvey Kowe, disch. by order, July 1.3, 1805. 

William Force, discli. by order, June 8, 1805. 

Lewis B. Granger, discli. by order, June 8, 1805. 

Joseph Ila^Ieton, iliscli. by order, June 8, 1805. 

John F. Savage, disch. by order, June 8, 1805. 

Alonzo P. Spore, must, out Juno 8, 180.7. 

Reuben Fuller, disch. by order, July 8, 1805. 



COMPANY C. 
Valentine Wright, must, out July 25, 1805. 
Henry J. Cook, disch. by order, June 8, 180.5. 
John Daniels, disch. by order, June 8, 1805. 

COMP.\NY D. 

George Ogdon, died at Nashville, Tenn., April 18, 1802. 

Joseph Malnolt, died near Mooresville, .\la., July 20, 1802. 

George J. llaydeu, discli. for disability. May 20, 1802. 

John R. Scott, killed nt Stone River, Tenn., Dec. al, 1802. 

Frederick A. Cliurch, I'ied near Mooresv/lle, Ala., July 13, 1862. 

Panilora A. Sprague, disch. for disability, Feb. 17, 1803. 

Lewis Stine, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., July 3, 1804. 

S.lh Ciosl.y, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 15, 1801. 

Albineau Bochme, re-enl. Jan. 18, 1804. 

John B. Chapin, re^Mil. Jan. 18, 1804 ; must out July 25, 1865. ■ 

William Le Fever, re-enl. Jan. IS, 1804; must, out July 25, 1805. 

Cephas Smith, re-enl. .Ian. 18, 1804; must, out July 25, 1805. 

John McCarty, re-enl. Feb. 13, 1804. 

Scott H. Chapin, died at N. Y. Harbor, of wounds, April 21, 1865. 

lianii-1 Fuller, died at Jeflersonville, lud., March 9, 1805. 

James H. Parker, died at Savannah, Ga., Feb. 10, 1805. 

Itobert Ferguson, must, out -Inly 25, 1805. 

Ceylon P. Whitinorc, disch. at expiration of service, Jan. 14, 1805. 

Daniel S. Allard, disch. by order, June 6, 1805. 

Charles W. Fruzier, must, out July 26, 1865. 

HiKim Grant, disch. by order, Juno 1, 1805. 

Robert E. Ilundertmark, must, out July 25, 1865. 

Emory Reasoncr, must, out July 26, 1865. 

Henry Shattuck, disch. by order, June 0, 1805. 

William T. Wx-stbrook, disch. Aug. 1, 1805. 

Benjamin Williams, disch. by order, June 28, 1865. 

John J. Brown, disch. by order, June 8, 1805. 

Parley W. Fish, disch. by order, June 8, 1866. 

Simeon Reynolds, disch. by order, June 8, 1865. 

Truman A. Spencer, disch. by order, June 8, 1805. 

James T. Telford, disch. by order, June 8, 1866. 

Thomas J. Wilson, disch. by order, June 8, 1865. 



Wi 



COJIPANY E. 
1 L. Miles, re-enl. .Tan. 18, 1864; must, out July 25, 1805, 



William W. Knapp, died at Savannah, Ga., Jan. 23, 1805. 
Hiram Traver, disch. by order, June 15, 1805. 
Horace C. Norton, disch. by order, June 8, 1S05. 
Hezekiah Norton, disch. by order, July 1, 1866. 
Alvah Snyder, must, out Blay 0, 1805. 

COMPANY F. . 
William H. Brewer, died on Ohio River. 
Donald Wilcox, di-ch. for disability, June 24, 1802. 
Matthew Huntingdon, disch. for disability, June 17, 1802. 
John T. Y'onug, killed at Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1862. 
Samuel Hamlin, killed at Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1802. 
,Tohn A.Williams, died at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 8, 1803. 
John Shaw, missing at (Ihickamauga, Tenn., Sept. 19, 1803; returned; disch. 

at expiration of service, Jan. 10, 1805. 
Hiram Bradford, disch. for disability, July 31, 1802. 
Thomas Drohand, disch. for disability, Dec. 10, 1862. 
J-acob Ligbterne.ss, disch. for disability, March 4, 1803. 
Jesse Mellon, disch. for disability, March 4, 1S03. 
Wiley Lewis, disch. for ilisabilily, March 15, 1803. 
George Jeflfcrs, disch. by order, April 17, 1S63. 
George W. Dowd, disch. for disability. May 6, 1862. 
Calvin H. Hatfield, died at Lookout Mountain, Ga,, July 12, 1804. 
Augustus O. Taylor, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Sept. 1, 1863. 
E.hvaid W. Hunt, disch. for promotion, Aug. 20, 1804. 
Wilsiin M. Torey, re-enh as veteran, Jan. 18, 1804. (See com. officers.) 
Orville Collins, died. 
George Knapp, died at Louisville, Ky. 
John Freeman, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 3, 1S04. 
Justus E. Wheaton, died at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 27, 1864. 
William Hall, died at Savannah, Ga., Jan. 10, 1805. 
James Phillips, died at David's Island, N. Y. Harbor, May 21, 1805. 
Hiram Godfrey, disch. at expiration of service, Jan. 10, 1865. 
Schuyler S. Brown, disch. for disability, July 22, 1865. 
Benjamin E. Boot, disch. for disability, Jan. 4, 1805. 
Judsou A. Wright, must out July 25, 1805. 
Samuel Stall, must, out July 25, 1805. 
Daniel Bryan, must, out July 25, 1805. 
Alfred Chance, must, out July 25, 1805. 
Samuel Garber, must, out July 25, 1S05. 
Gilbert Hadley, must, out July 25, 1865. 
Oliver McConnell, must, out July 25, 1805. 
Joseph D. Somers, must, out July 25, 1805. 
Henry R. AVarron, must, out July 25, 1S05. 
Warren M. Walker, must, out July 2,'i, 1805. 



MILITARY HISTOllY. 



5t;i 



G{<l<>on Giirbor, must out July 2'», I8*)'». 

Slcplicn Collar, iliscli. fn)ni Vi-t. Roa. Conw fur ilisaliilil.v, April 8, ISCJ. 

Alviih T. IloWM, niu»t. out July 2.'., ISO.".. 

Dnvid Ji-nupy, iliacli. hy onler, Aug. 17, 1865. 

Charles E. FUbcr, discli. Auj:. :), ISC',. 

John E. Vickory, discli. I.y onliT, Jutu' 8. 18G5. 

Jolin G. Volkor, discli. by urdur, Jiiiir 8, ISC'i. 

COMPANY C. 
Ephrxim C. Booth, iliod at liomo in Aug., 18C2. 
Squire II. Ca.«tl>-r, killed «t Sloiie River, Tenn., Der. 31, 1802. 
Cliarles Reed, kill«l at Stone Rivor, Tenn., Dec. :)1, 1802. 
Liberty llicka, discli. for disability, Jan. 3<), 1803. 
Asher Lyon, discli. for disability, Feb. 25, 18ia. 
I'eter J. Ulil, died at Nashville, Tenn., 1804. 
Perry J. Boolli, disch. for disability, Dec. IG, 1803. 
Solomon C. Joyce, re-enl. Jan. 18, 1804. 

Jesse Slaikweallicr, ri-ciil. Jan. 18, 1804; must, out July 25, 180.">. 
Men iuian S. Wynian, re-enl. Jan. 18, 1804. (See com. olhceis.) 
Aiidolociu McKcIvy, re-cnl. Jan. 18, 1804. 

George W. Wyliiau, killed at Ueutouville, N. C, March 19, 1805. 
Terry M. Filley, died at Richmond, Va., Dec. 22, 1803. 
HarTcy D. Poweni, died at Savannali, Ga., Dec. 10, 1804. 
Robert Lyon, must, out July 2.1, 180.1. 
George W. Holl, disdi. by order, June 27, 1805. 
Marcus R. Palmer, must, out July 25, 18(a. 
l.ucos ScliemuThorn, discli. by older, July 18, 18CS. 
William W. Eldridge, discli. by order, July 15, ISO.'.. 

COMPANY II. 

William A. Fraco, died in camp, Jliy 10, 1802. 

I'.itrick Murray, died at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 2, 1802. 

Iloiiry Hi.\ter, discb. for di-abiliiy, July .i, 18C2. 

Silas Fordlinni, discli. for disability, Slay 27, 1862. 

Peter Pitch, disch. for disalility, Jlay 17, 1S02. 

Edward Fitcli, disch. for disability. May 17, 1802. 

Francis Ploof, disch. for disability. May 27, 1-02. 

Hugh Mcginn, disch. for disability, July 9, 1802. 

John Mcginn, disch. for disabilit.v, Dec. 1, 1802. 

Washington D. Vickery, died at Miirfiecsboio'.Tcnn., April 2, ISO.^. 

Peter C. Ilarnion, missing at Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 31, 18C2; returned. (See 

below.) 
Michael Crevy, missing «t Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1802; returned ; disch. 

at expiration of service, Jan. 2U, 1805. 
TeiTy Kili-s, disch. for disability, Sept. 20, 1802. 
Lewis B. Inglediiic, disch. for disability, Jan. 2.-!, 1863. 
John E. Jessiip. disch. for disability, Dec. 28, 1802. 
NHsoii Hall, disch. fur disability, July 11, 1802. 
John A. Rich, disch. for disability. May II, 180:1. 
Samuel S. B.irnes, re-enl. Jan. 18, 1864 ; killed at Bentonville, N. C, JIarch 19, 

180.). 

Peter C. Harmon, re-enl. Jan. 18, 1801; killed at Bentonville, N. C, March 19, 

W'illiani H. I-ong, rceiil. Jan. 18, 1804 ; must, out July 2.5, 1865. 
Jesse McVane, re-enl. Jan. 18, 1804; must, out July 25, 1865. 
David McNamee, re-enl. Jan. 18, 1804; must, out July 25, 1805. 
William II. Ells, disch. at expiration uf service, March 14, 180.5. 
John B. Freeman, disch. at expiration of service, June 13, 1805. 
Lawr'uce White, must, out July 25, 1805. 
lUidney S. Buckley, disch. by or.ler, June 27. 180.5. 
Daniel Richardson, disch. by older, May 20, 18(>5. 

COMPANY K. 
Solomon C. Joyce, must, out July 25, 1805. 
Oscar G. Reynolds, disch. by order, June 27. 16B5. 
George W. Whitney, disch. by order, Juno 8, 1805. 
Edward Huare, must, out July 25, 1805. 



CIIAPTKll VI. 

Kur ia'p:EXTii i n kantk y. 

This regiment was recruited at Yp.silanti. It was made 
up from a very large tiuiiiber of counties, principally in the 
southeastern and central jiortions of the State, and contained 
something like a hundred men, scattered through various 
companies, from Ingham and Katon Counties, mostly from 
the former. It left Ypsilanti on the 17th of April, 1862, 
and proceeded at once to Pittsburg Landing, on the Tcn- 
71 



nossce Uiver. lis rolls bore the names of 91!5 men, and SG 
weie added within three months. 

The regiment served under Gen. John Pope in the ad- 
vance upon Corinth, Miss., and was in many skirmishes 
though in no general engagement. Subsequent to the 
evacuation of Corinth it was on duty in Mi-ssissippi, Ala- 
bama, and Tennessee, and at the beginning of November, 
1802, was at Nashville, in tlie Fourteenth Army Corps, 
under Gen. Thomas. On the l^th of the month it Wiis 
moved forward to Stone River, and on the Ud of January, 
18G3, participated in the battle on that stream. 

In the first part of JIarch it was stationed at Franklin, 
Tenn., where it relieved a cavalry force. On tlie 8tli of 
April the divi.sion moved to Brentwood, and occupied the 
line between Nashville and Franklin. 

It returned to its old camp at Na.shville on the lid of 
July, and thence proceeded to Franklin, where it had its 
headquarters until February, 1804. On the 0th of Sep- 
tember, 1803, the regiment was ordered to be mounted, and 
eight companies were .sent to Columbia, armed with Spen- 
cer seven shooters and revolvers, and completely furnished 
with cavalry equipments, together with two light field-guns. 
Up to the latter part of 1803 the couiinand had captured 
12 rebel officers, 285 enlisted men, and 85 guerrillas, among 
the latter some of the most notorious in that region. 

Its casualties for the eleven months from Nov. 1, 1802, 
to Oct. 1, 1803, were: 3 died of wounds; 4-1 died of dis- 
ease ; 138 discharged for various reasons, mostly for dis- 
ability ; 18 deserted ; 10 mi.ssing in action ; 14 officers re- 
signed. Total, 227. Recruits, 23. 

At Columbia the Fourteenth constructed, during No- 
vember and December, 1803, strong fortifications and a 
pontoon-bridge. Its influence among the people was very 
salutary. Union meetings were held, loyal papers estab- 
lished, and many of the inhabitants took the oath of alle- 
giance. 

On the 4th of January, 1804, a large number of the 
men re-enlisted as veterans, and on the 21st of February 
Companies C, F, G, I, and K departed for Michigan on 
veteran furlough, at the expiration of which they rejoined 
the army in the field. The remaining companies then 
received furloughs and returned to Michigan. On the 
10th of May the last returned and joined the regiment at 
Nashville, Tenn. 

On the 21st of the iiKiiilli tlic regiment was ordered to 
join Sherman's army, and reached it at Dallas, Ga., by 
forced marches, on the 4th of June. It was in active 
service through the Atlanta Campaign, and engaged at 
Kennesaw Mountain and on the Cliattahoochie River. At 
the latter place it lost nine men killed and thiriy-five 
wounded, and captured a number of prisoners. 

It was hotly engaged on the 7th of August in front of 
Atlanta, and assisted in capturing two lines of the enemy's 
works with ninely-two prisoners. Its own losses were eight 
killed and twenty-seven wounded. The regiment was also 
engaged at the battle of Jmiesboro', on the 1st of Septem- 
ber, where it carried a line of works and captured a rebel 
general and stafi", the colors of tlie First Arkansas Infantry, 
300 men, and four guns and caissons. The losses of the 
regiment were two killed and twcpty-eiglit wounded. On 



562 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



tlie 28th of September the command was sent to Florence, 
Ala., to check the rebel cavalry under Forrest, but did not 
encounter them. 

Its losses during the year were : 14 died in action or of 
wounds; 21 died of disease ; 58 discharged; 14 transferred. 
Total, 107. Re-enlistcd as veterans, 403. 

From Florence it returned to Rome, Ga., from which 
place it moved on the 1st of November, and soon after 
started on the march to the sea witli Sherman's army, 
reaching Savannah on the IGth. After the evacuation of 
that city by the enemy under Gen. Hardee it remained 
until the 20th of January, 1805, when it again joined 
in the march through the Carolinas, moving via Sis- 
ter's Ferry, on the Savannah River, which it crossed on 
tlie Gth of February, and thence through South Carolina, 
arriving at Fayettevilie, N. C, on the 10th of March. Its 
losses to that time were twenty-two men captured while 
foraging. 

The Fourteenth was heavily engaged in the battles of 
Averysboro' and Bentonville, N. C., on the ICth, 19th, and 
20th of March. At the former place the brigade, composed 
of tlie Fourteenth and Tenth Jlichigan, the Seventeenth 
New York, and Sixtieth Illinois Regiments, had a most 
desperate encounter with the enemy behind his works, in 
which the Fourteenth lost twenty-two killed and wounded. 
At Bentonville, on the 19th, the Fourteenth repulsed an 
assault of the enemy, and leaping over the works, charged 
liim with the bayonet, capturing 33 officers, including one 
general, and 200 men, besides 38 wounded. 

During this battle a division of the enemy penetrated a 
weak place in the line of the next division to the left, and 
took possession of a line of works in rear of the brigade, 
and when the latter advanced to retake it the rebels de- 
manded an instant surrender ; but the Fourteenth charged 
and carried the line, with great loss to the enemy, including 
11 officers and 125 men taken prisoners, and the colors of 
the Fifty-fourth Virginia. The loss of the Fourteenth was 
five killed and twenty-two wounded. 

On the 20th the brigade was again heavily engaged, and 
during the fight the Fourteenth Michigan and Sixteenth 
Illinois fixed bayonets and carried the rebel line with a 
rush, taking 100 jirisoners, and following the retreating 
enemy for nearly a mile, where (hey encountered a strong 
line behind which were two brigades of infantry, supported 
by a six-gun battery. An attempt was made to carry this 
line, but it was found too strong, and the command fell 
back about fifty yards and intrenched. In this affair the 
Fourteenth Michigan lost 2 killed, 21 wounded, and 4 
taken prisoners; the Sixteculii Illinois losing 54 killed and 
wounded. 

The position was held and .skirmishing, kept up until the 
following morning, when it was found that the enemy had 
retreated. The advance of tlie army arrived at Goldsboro', 
N. C, on the 23d of March. On the 10th of April it 
moved towards Raleigh, whither the rebel Gen. Johnston 
had retreated. The Fourteenth was stationed on the Cape 
Fear River, south of Raleigh, until the surrender of John- 
ston, on the 2Gth of April, when it moved north with the 
army, reaching Richmond, Va., on the 8th, and Washing- 
ton, D. C, on tiic 18th of May. On the 24th it partici- 



pated in the review of Sherman's army, and subsequently 
remained in camp near the city until the 13th of June, 
when it proceeded by rail to Parkersburg, W. Va., and 
thence by boat to Loui.sville, Ky., where it arrived on the 
18th. On the 18tli of July it was mustered out of ser- 
vice and reached Jackson, Mich., on the 21st, where, on 
the 29th, it was paid and di.Nbauded. 

FOURTEENTH INFANTKY. 

C.ipt. .\lplii--u.s M. DeeliP, Lansing : Co. E, Nov. IS.lSCl ; rosigneil July 27, 18G3 ; 

miij. 291I1 Infantry, July 29, 1804 ; must, out Sept. 0, 1.SG.5. 
Seigt. George F. Footc, Lansing; Co. E; com. 2<I lieut., Foli. 4, 18G3; pro. to 

Ist licut.'and ailjt., Aug. 2, 1804 ; capt. Co. B, March 14, 1865 ; brvt. maj. 

and lieut.-col. U. S. Vols., March 13, 1865, "for gallant and meritorious 

set vices duiing the war ;" must, out July 18, 1805; regt. q.-iu. 8th U. S. 

Cavalry, 
Cyrus Alsdorf, N. C. S., disch. for disability. 
William E. Little, N. C. S., disch. at expiration of service, March 14, 1805. 

COMP.VXT A. 
James Piice, must, out May G, 1805. 



gt. Harvey Sniilli, Dansi 
must, out July IS, ISGc 



i Slorgan, died at Ka 



COMl'ANY B. 
le; Co. E; com. 1st lieut. Co. B, May 17,1805; 



CO.MPANY C. 
lie, Tenu., Oct. 2U, 1802. 



COMl'ANY P. 

James J. Jeflfrics, Lansing; com. capt., Nov. IS, ISCl; dieil at Cli.attano 

Tenn., July 111, 1804. 
John D. Dorr, died at Tuscumliia, Ala , Aug. 17, 1SG2. 
Chailes Kcogle, died at Columbus, Ky., Sept, n, 1862, 
Merritt Adams, disch, for disability, April 10. 1802. 
John Denning, di»ch. for disability, Apr.l 10, 1862. 
Angnstus Jeyte, disch. fur diaabilit.v, April 12, 1862, 
Cyrus A, Kiune, accidentally shot at Brentwood, May 21, 1SG3. 
Daniel S, Meavis, disch, Jan, 4, 1863, 

Francis Fidler, rc-enl. Jan. 4, 18(M ; must, out July 18, 1805. 
Orrin Galvin, re-enl. Jan. 4, 1804; must, out July 18, 1805. 
Abel Myers, Jr., re-enl, Jan, 4, 1864 ; must, out July 18, 1805, 
Patrick Mulvaney, re-enl, Jan, 4, 1804, 
William McCue, rc-enl, Jan, 4, 1864. 
William L. Hooker, re-enl. Jan. 4, 1SC4. 
James II. WilsoTi, re-enl, Jan, 4, 1864, 

George Karn, rc-enl, Jan, 4, 1864 ; dis..h, at exp, of service, April 4, 1865, 
riiilander Christian, trans, to Marine Corps, 
Elmer D. Noith, disch. at expiration of service, March 14, 18C5. 
Charles T, Ilinuuin, disi h. at expiration of service, March 14, IS60. 
Alexander Wolcolt. di-ch, at expiration of service, March 14, 1865. 
James L, Dealing, disch, at cx])iration of service, March 14, 1805. 
Uenry Petty, disch. Sept, 17, 1862, 

Anthony C, Brown, disch, at expiratiiui of service, March 14, 1805, 
Cornelius Bell, disch, at expiration of service, April .5, 1865, 
Michael Brown, disch, at expiration of serv.ce, March 14, 1865. 
Iliiain Fairbanks, disch. Nov. 20, 1802. 

Hiram M. Griffin, disch at expiration of service, March 14, 1865. 
Ciiarles Ilerinlon, disch. at expiration of service, March 14, 1805. 
Francis M. Holly, disch. at expiration of service, March 14, 1805. 
Harrison Hedglin, disch. at expiration of service, July 12, 1805. 
Patrick McSlarriman, disch, at expiration of service, March 14, 1805. 
Freeman A. Pierce, disch, at expiration of service, March 14, 1805, 
Daniel C. Wilcox, disch. Dec, 21, 1S62, 
Is.aac J, Slintz, disch, by order, Juno 1.3, 1863. 
Charles Hamer, disch. by order, June 13, 1865, 
Daiins Pai-sons disch. by order, June 13, 1865. 
John llodgo, must, out July IS, 1865. 

COMPANY E. 
Edson Norton, died at Ypsil.aiili, Mich., April 14, 1862. 
Herbert Sm:tll, died at Big Springs, Miss., July 5,1862. 
Howard M. Beebe, disch, for disability, July 15, 1802, 
Nelsjn Smith, died at Nashville, Tenn,, Feb. 5, 1801, 
Samuel Harlforil, di-ch, to re-enl, as veteran, Jan. 4, 1804. 



Edgar C. Smith, d.scb, to 



cnl. 



eter 



n, Jan, 4, 1861 ; mu»t, out July IS, 



Henry M, Smith, disch. to re-enl. 
Samuel lirower, disch. to re-enl, a 
Joseph Granger, disch, to re-enl, a 



s veteran, .Tan, 4, 1804, 
veteran, Jan, 4, 1804, 
I veteran, Jan. 4, 1864. 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



503 



COMPANY F. 
Abnor Rcgar, Uiscli. at cxpiralion of sorvicc, Mardi U, 1SC5. 



COMPANY G. 



2d Lipiit. Cliarlos R. Bush, Lnnsiiig; cum. : 

Junira M. Vnii'lyke, ili~cli. lo ciil. in reguhi 

Nicholas Midillctoti, discli. to rc- 

18, ISCo. 

COMPANY 11 



IS, IBGl; resigned June 21, '02. 



I. OS veteran, Jan. 4, 1804 ; must, out July 

veteran, Jan. 24, !8M. 
s veteran, Jan. U), 1S64. 

II. as veteran, Jan. 4, 1S&4 ; diseli. by order. 



ervico, March 14, 18C5. 
of tervice, March 14, 18C5. 



'etenui, Jan. 4, ISiX ; must, out July 

Y 11. 

Scrgt. James 11. Wilson, f^nsing; com. 2d lieut., July 7, 18G-)-, not mustered. 

COMPANY K. 
J.din A. Olds, disch. fur disability, March 1,18G2. 
William 11. Luni, discli. for disability, Aug. 9, 1SC2. 
William C. Sliaw. killed at Stone River, Tenn., Jan. 3, 1803. 
Harrison Miller, disch. for disability, June 10, 180:1. 
Nelson Lewis, disch. for disability, July o, 1802. 
Harvey W. Perkins, disch. for disability, July ".n, 1802. 
Benjamin W. Brown, disch. to n 

18, 1*0.5. 
William H. Clay, disch. to rc-eni 
Nicholas Newman, disch. to re-ei 
George W. Stnrlcvnnt, discli. to i 

Juno 15,1805. 
John M. Cruwnn, disch. to re-enl. ns veteran, Jan. 4, 1804. 
Isaac W. Faire, disch to re-enl. ns veteran, Feb. 22, 1804. 
Stephen S. Price, die>l in the Held, in N. C, Feb. 5, 1803. 
Charles D. Brown, disch. Oct. 12, I8G2. 
Kufus B. Cole, disch. at cxpiralion of service, Jan 12, 1805. 
William Hickok, disch. at expiration of service, Blny 20, 1805. 
Nicholas Newman, disch. by oi dcr, June 15, I8C5. 
George II. Price, disch. at expiration of 
Amaziah Stoughton, disch. at expimtioi 
Kre.lerick Wren, disch. Nov. 21, 18C2. 
John Wilkins, must, out July 18, l8G.~i. 
Silvan W. Capen, disch. by order, Jinie 15, 18C3. 
Oshea G. Dunkle, must, out July 18, 1805. 
George G. Dennis, must, out July 18, IS05. 
Loser Shellman,mu9t. out July 18, 1SG5. 
Alvin G. Brown, must, out July 18, 1803. 
Thomas C. Illgby, mnst. out July 18, 1803. 
Joseph S|jears, must, out July 18, 1805. 
James Price, disch. May G, 1805. 
Lyman Pickard, must, out May 0, 180.^. 
Alfred Stoughton, must, out Slay 15, 1SG5. 

FIFTEENTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY A. 

Rolla Bentley, killed in action before Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 19, 18G4. 

William E. Butts, killed in action before Atlantm Ga., July 22, 1.SG4. 

Robert Dillon, disch. by onler, July 21, 1805. 

James L. Don.l, disch. by onler, July 2:), 1805. 

I'l iah Isbell, must, out Aug. 13, Iso'i. 

William U. Bruwor, must, out Aug. 1!, 18G5. 

Frederick Reason, must, out Aug. ta, 18G.5. 

William B. Uayney, disch. for diicil.ilily, March 20, 18C2. 

CO.MPANY B. 
Benjamin J. Decker, killed at Shiloh, Tenn., April or 7, 18C2. 
George W. Carroll, disch. for disability, Dec. 18, 1802. 
Myron K. Stall, disch. to re.cnl. ns veteran, .Ian. 1, I.SIVI ; must ..ii 

1805. 
Henry Davis, must, out May 30, 1805. 
James Wj||s<m, must, out Aug. 13, 1803. 

COMPANY D. 
James II. lUae, died at L..nisvillc, Ky., July 15, 1SC5. 
I.eander Babbitt, miut. out Aug. 13, 1803. 
Orville Cadnell, must, out Aug. 13, 18G5. 
James JI. Clay, must, out Aug. 13, 180.5. 
Joseph Fielding, must, out Aug. 13, 1803. 
Airr(.<l W, Johnson, must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 
.Samuel Martin, must, out .\ng. 13, 180.5. 
Richard Mann, must, out Aug. 1.1, 180.5. 
J.ihn M. I'eillle, must, out Ai]g. 13, 1805. 
Henry Kiddle, must, out Aug. 13, 180.5. 
Charles E. Chappell, must, out July 20, 1805, 

COMPANY E. 

James Rockford, disch. by onler, S<pt. 11, 180.5. 
Frank .Shennlvere, disch. by onlor, .51ay 3(>, 1805. 
t/lwin Baxter, must, out Aog. 13, 1805. 
John C. Giliaon, must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 
Harvey W. I'erkin", must, out Aug. 13, 18ii5. 
George F. Johnson, disch. by order, Juno 18, 1805. 



COMPANY F. 
George ShepanI, died at Corinth, Miss., July 2.1, 1802. 
Stejdien Dnicher, disch. by onler, July 7, 1805. 
Chariel Irish, must, out Aug. 13. 180.5. 
George 9IcCoy, must, out .Vug. 13, 18&5. 

COMPANY 0. 
Alttert llorton, disch. by onler. July 5, 1Ha5. 
George Ij\ Fayette, disch. by onler, June 20, 1805. 
Oliver Meach, must, out Aug. 13, 180.5. 
llinim M. Sessions, must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 
Jacob Sinnnk, must, out Aug. II, 1805. 
Alexander Coleman, must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 
Thomas Joll, must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 

COMPANY II. 
James R. Hammond, disch. by order, Slay 31, 180.5. 

COMPANY I. 

Jere McCormick, must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 

COMPANY K. 
Anderson King, must, ont .\ng. 13, 1805. 
Andenioine McKinley, must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 
Reuben Smith, must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 

SIXTEENTH INFANTHY. 

Asst. Surg. John H. Bacon, I^nsing; com. July 20,18G2, 4th C.iv. 
10th Inf., Uec. 22, 1804; must out July 8, 1805. 

COMPANY A. 
Antoine Dnpre, must, out July 8, 1805. 

COMPANY B. 
John George, disch. by order, Sept. 27, 1805. 



Natha 



COMPANY C. 
, died at Naval School Hospital, Annap.dis, Md., .Sept. 29, 



1804. 



COMPANY E. 
Walter Gates, died near Falmouth, Va,, Feb. 28, 1802. 
Charles Potley.dicd near Fiilmoutli Va., April 13, 1802. 
Alma L. Brnce, trans, to Vet. Res. Con», July 1, 1801. 
Hiram Lyons, disch. for disability, 3Iay 17, 1804. 
Nelson 3Iay, disch. for wounds, March 9, 1805. 
William A. .Vble, discli. by order, June 10, 18G3. 



COMPANY G. 



Aug. 9, 1801 ; res. Jan. 19, 1803. 

n. 2d lieut., April 17,1803; wounded 

•8. Oct. 28, 1803, to accept aplwintluelit 



1st Lieut. Jacob Webber, Lansing ; con 
Sergt. .Mexander Camervjn, Ijtnsing; t 

at Gettysburg, Va., July 2, 180!; 

in Vet. Res. Corps. 
Timothy Lewis, died at Hall's Hill, Va., Nov. 0, 1801. 
diaries L. Buriitigame, must, out July 8, 18iM. 
Eli Butler, must, nut July 8, 1803. 
John A. Case, must, out July 8, 1805. 

COMPANY I. 
Thomas J. Ilollislcr, dropped from rolls, Oct. 7, 1802. 
John W. Armstrong, disch. by onler. May Sn, 1805. 
Albert E. Andrews, must, out July 8. 1805. 
Solomon Trnxel, must, out July 8, 180.5. 

COMPANY K. 
Loian W. llilliker, trans, to Vet. Ites. Cor|is,Nov. 13, 1S03; disdi. at explratlo 

of service, Nov. 21, 180:!. 
Hiram Sessions, di,scli. at expiration of service, Nov. 21, 1803. 
Loren-tt) K ce, disch. to re-enl. ns veteran, March 1, 1804. 
George W. Guthrie, disch. by order. May ;ill, 1805. 
Elliott B. Kinlie, must, out July 8, 1805. 

SEVENTEENTH INFANTUV. 

COMPANY K. 
Augustus T. Billings, disch. for disability, llii-. 3, 1802. 
Theron A. Stevens, must, out June 3, 1.105. 
Newell A. Dryer, disch. to .iccept eoniniisslun in 7tll Mich. Inf. 



COMPANY F. 

2d 11 



•ut.. July 4, ISO;!; w 
:. II.IKOl, at Knoxv 
1st liviiL C«. E, Dec 



Scrgt. Alonzo P. Stevens, Ijinsliig; pro. 1 

nclion, Nov. 10, 180:!; died of wout 
Sergt. Henry D. Warner, I-ansing, C. V 

must, ont June :!, I8f>5. 
Ephniim Mcacham, killed at South Mountain, .Sept. 14, 180J. 
ILnry Meyer, killed at Antlelnm, Md., .Sept. 17, 1SG2. 
I'riah i^izelle, disch. fur wounds, Nov. II, 1802. 



lie, Tenn. 
:i(i, 181.4; 



564 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



Isaac M. Colvin, discli. for ilisability, Doc. 30, 18G2. 
■Williiim Robsnn, discli. for wounds, July 22, 1S6:J. 
CiiarUs W. Farrani), must, out .Iiiiii> 3, lf«.i. 
S.ilon H. Cook, must, out Juno ,!, ISO".. 

COMrANY G. 
Henry Gillman, died at MilWale, Mias., Aug. 1, ISW. 
James E. Parks. (Ii8c)i. for disability, April 10. 1802. 
GeorRe M. Trefry, disch. for disability, April 10, 18ri2. 
William W. Swan, disch. by order, July 1, 18C3. 
David L. PaRP, died at Wasliington, D. C. 
■\VilIiaui II. Tliomas died on route from Soutllem prison to p: 
Orin Rose, must, out June :), 180.5. 
Wail Wriglit, disch. by order, Juue 9, 1S65. 

COMPANY I. 
Aliraliani BI. Brown, disch. for disability, Nov. 13, ISIlf. 

COMPANY K. 

rharles Newkirk, disrh. for dis,ability. 
Cornelius ^>'I..•ary, died in Ohio, April 4, 18G4. 

EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY C. 
IIeni7 O. Willey, must, out June 20, 180.".. 

COMPANY D. 

rrancis Malosh, must, out .lune26, 1863. 
David Pluiiiiulore, must, out June 20, 1SG.<. 

NINETEENTH INFANTRY. 
COMPANY G. 

J.din Sayle^, killed at Ke.^ara, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
Aaron lioul, trau3..to llltli Mich. Iiif 

COMPANY 11. 
Hezekiah Straw, must, out Juno 10, ISC'"). 
Elmer F. Lewis, must, out June 10, T8G5. 



CHAPTER VII. 
TWENTIETH INFANTRY. 

This organization was recruited mostly in the counties 
of Jackson, Wa.sliteuaw, Calhoun, Ingham, and Eaton. Its 
camp oF rendezvous was at Jackson. There were about 
150 men from Ingham County in this command, mostly 
in Company A, and 100 or more from Eaton County, prin- 
cipally in Company G, which also contained a few men 
from Ingham County. 

The regiment left Jackson for Wasliington, Sept. 1, 18G2, 
under command of Col. Adolphus W. Williams, with 1012 
names on its rolls. On its arrival at Washington it was 
assigned to the Ninth Corps. At the battle of Fredericks- 
burg, Dec. 13, 1862, it crossed the river and was slightly 
engaged, losing eleven men wounded. In the camp at 
Falmouth the regiment suifered severely from sickness. 
On the 19th of February, 18G3, it embarked at Aquia 
Creek for Newport News, where it remained about one 
month, and on the 10th of IMarch was sent to Kentucky. 

On the 9th of May a detachment of 100 men were sent 
out to break up a guerrilla force, and on its return was 
attacked by the advance of Gen. Morgan's rebel army, and 
driven back with considerable loss.* On the foUowinsr 



■'■■■ Among the killed or mortally woundetl in this afTair was Lieut. 
Green, who fell during the retreat. II. B. Carpenter and Wilbur 
Dubois carried him some distance, but were tiaally obliged to leave 
him in the hands of the enemy. 



morning Morgan's whole force attacked the position held 
by the Twentieth at Horse-Shoe Bend, on the Cumberland 
River. The action continued throughout the day, and 
resulted in the complete defeat of the enemy, who retreated 
from the ground with a loss ascertained to have been nearly 
400. The loss of the Twentieth amounted to twenty-nine 
men killed, wounded, and missing. 

Subsequently, the command fell back to Columbia, and 
on the 3d of June received orders to proceed with thci 
Ninth Army Corps to Vicksburg, Miss. It was cantoned 
about Haynes' Bluff during the siege, and after the sur- 
render of the place formed a portion of the force under 
Sherman sent to operate against Johnston at Jack.son. On 
the 24th of July it returned to Haynes' Bluff. The heat 
was excessive during these operations, and the army suf- 
fered greatly from sickness. During its stay in Mississippi 
the regiment lost twenty men by disease, and there were 
times when nearly one-half the command was disabled by 
sickness. 

On the 3d of August the Ninth Army Corps returned 
to Kentucky, and in September the Twentieth participated 
in the movement upon Knoxvillo, Tonn., moving via Cum- 
berland Gap. On the 10th of October the regiment was 
engaged at Blue Springs, losing three men killed and 
wounded. 

Its casualties during the year were : 8 died of wounds ; 
90 of disease; 148 discharged; 10 deserted; 7 missing in 
action ; 4 taken prisoners; 21 wounded ; 9 officers resigned; 
1 transferred. Total, 298. 

On the 14th of November, 18G3, the regiment was ordered 
from Lenoir Station, where it had been stationed for some 
time, to Hough's Ferry, to check the advance of Long- 
street's army, now rapidly approaching Knoxville from the 
Chickamauga field. The regiment was compelled to fall 
back to Lenoir, covering the retreat of the force sent out, 
and holding the Loudon road during the night. On the 
IGth, Burnside's army continued its movement on Knox- 
ville, the Twentieth, with the Second and Seventeenth 
Michigan Infantry, constituting the rear-guard. The enemy 
followed vigorously, and attacked the rear at Turkey Creek, 
near Campbell's Station, but they were held at bay until 
the rear-guard was reinforced/ The losses in the Twentieth 
amounted to thirty-three men. Among the killed was 
Lieut. -Col. W. Huntington Smith, commanding the regi- 
ment. The rear-guard arrived at Knoxville on the morn- 
ing of the 17th, after a heavy night march over bad roads, 
and having been three nights without rest. 

On the same day Longstreet's army sat down to the siege 
of Knoxville, which was continued with unabated vigor 
until the 5th of December, when, hearing that Sherman's 
column was rapidly approaching by forced marches, the 
rebel commander raised the siege and retreated swiftly 
towards Virginia. 

During the investment of the place the Twentieth occu- 
pied an advanced position in the lines. On the 29th of 
November it assisted in the defense of Fort Saunders 
against a most desperate assault, and lost ten men killed 
and wounded, besides thirteen men on picket-duty who were 
reported mi.ssing. After the retreat of the enemy began 
the Twentieth joined in the pursuit as far as Bean's Station, 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



565 



subsc(|uciitly falliti}; back to Blain's Cross-Roads, where it 
went into cjunp and remained until the lt)tli of January, 
18G4. The sufforinf^s of Burnside's army during' the siege 
were severe, and the Twentieth bore its full share of priva- 
tions. Tiie distress was so great tliat many soldiers were 
witliout shoes, overcoats, or underclothing, and the weather 
was intensely cold. 

On tlie l()th of January the regiment marched to Straw- 
berry Plains, and on tlie 20th, the forces having been with- 
drawn, it was left to guard the crossing of the Ilolston 
River. On the l.st and 2d of January the regiment was 
skirmishing with the enemy, — falling b.ick to Kno.xville on 
the 2d. On the 24th it left Kno.xville and took part in 
the movement to Morristown, but fell back to Mossy Creek 
on the 2d of March, and on the 12th again advanced to 
Morristown. On the 14th it was engaged, together witii a 
small force of cavalry, in a reconnoissance to the Chucky 
River, seven miles from Bull s Gap, where the enemy lay 
in strong force. At the mouth of Lick Creek the Twen- 
tieth forded the stream in the face of two battalions of rebel 
cavalry, drove them from their position, and captured a 
large amount of arms and equipage and a number of 
horses. 

On the 21st of March the regiment marched from 
Knoxville to Nicholasville, Ky-, and proceeded thence by 
rail to Annapolis, Md.,the Ninth Army Corps having been 
ordered to join the Army of the Potomac. On the 4th of 
May the Twentieth crossed the Rappahannock, and the 
Rapidan at Gcrmania Ford on the 5th. It was engaged in 
the battle of the Wilderness on the (Jlh, in which it lost 
eight killed, wounded, and missing. On the 9th it was 
under fire on the Ny River, and on the 12th participated 
in the attack upon the enemy's lines at Spottsylvania Court- 
Houso, losing thirty killed, eighty-two wounded, and thirty- 
one missing. On the 21st the regiment moved forward, 
and on the 23d reached the North Anna River. Here it 
remained beliind its breastworks until the 27th, when the 
line of march was again taken up, and on the night of the 
28th the command cros.sed the Pamunkey River. 

On the 2d of June, while acting as rear-guard, it was at- 
tacked, but the enemy was repulsed. On the 3d it was 
heavily engaged in the affair near Bethesda Church, and 
suffered severely. Tlie James River was cros.scd and the 
regiment arrived in front of Petersburg on the IGth. On 
the 17th it formed part of the supporting-line in an attack 
upon the enemy's position, but its losses were inconsid- 
erable. On the 18tli it charged over an open field and 
through a cut in the Suffolk Railroad, which were swept 
by a heavy cross-fire, and threw up rifle-pits; suffering 
most severely during the movement, more than one-half 
the command being placed lutrs de combat. It was with- 
drawn in the following night and placed in reserve, where 
it remained until the 2()th, when it returned to the trenches 
and was not relieved until the 2.')th. 

On the 30th of July it participated in tlie severe fight- 
ing which followed the great explosion in front of Peters- 
burg, on which occasion it charged and planted its colors 
on the rebel works. Subsef|uently it was sent to tlie rear, 
where it remained until the 14tli of August, when it once 
more took its place in the trenches, and remained until the 



19th, when it was withdrawn to take part in the movement 
against the Weldon Railroad. From thence it moved to- 
wards Yellow House and threw up a strong lino, behind 
which it encamped until the 2.")th of August, when it was 
ordered towards Ream.s' Station to reinforce the troops who 
were engaged with the enemy at that point, but took no 
part in the action. 

On the 30tli of September it was engaged at Pciplar 
Spring Church, where it lost a number of men taken pris- 
oners. On the 8th of October it took part in a reconnois- 
sance to the right of the enemy's position, and covered as 
skirmishers the retrogr.ide movement of the column. It 
subsequently encamped at Poplar Spring Chureli. 

Tlie ciLSualtics in the command during the year were very 
heavy, as follows: 1 1 commissioned officers killed in action 
or died of wounds, 10 wounded, and 2 taken prisoners, and 
526 enlisted men killed, wounded, and prisoners, making a 
total loss of 548. In the same period 76 recruits joined 
the regiment. 

From the 1st to the 27th of November it was encamped 
at Peebles' Farm, near Petersburg, employed on picket and 
in fatigue duty on the fortifications. On the 28th it moved 
with the division to the extreme right, east of Petersburg, 
and took position in the trenches, occupying Battery 9, 
near the river, where it relieved a portion of the Second 
Corps. The enemy's sharpshooters annoyed the command 
exceedingly during the night and killed a number of the 
men. 

In this position the regiment continued during the winter, 
exposed more or less to a heavy fire from the enemy's bat- 
teries in front, and to a flanking fire from heavy batteries 
across the river, composed of Wliitworth and other rifled 
guns. It was the enemy's custom to open fire at intervals 
of from three to four days, and the first gun was the 
signal for every man to take shelter in the works. The 
picket^lines in front of the Twentieth were only about 200 
yards apart, and the fire from the rebel line was at times 
severe. On the 15th of February, Capt. H. F. Robinson was 
killed by a rebel sharpshooter while riding along the lines. 
The men also suffered from lack of fuel and the iiisufii- 
cicncy of shelter, but they bore up under every privation, 
never flinching for a moment from the work set before 
thera. 

As the spring advanced there were signs of important 
movements, and about the 1st of March the rebels were 
observed strengthening their lines as if anticipating an 
assault. On the 13th of March the regiment was in line 
of battle prepared for any emergency, and on the 15th 
orders were received for the command to be in readiness to 
move at a moment's notice. The decisive hour of the 
Confederacy was about to strike. The sick were sent to 
City Point, and the men were required to sleep on their 
arms at night. 

On the morning of the 25tli, before it was fairly light, 
the whole line at this point was aroused by the sudden cry, 
"A charge! " from one of the sentinels, and in a moment 
the troops were in line along the works, peering out into 
the darkness towards the ominous-looking works in front of 
them, anxiously watching for the gray rushing lines of the 
enemy. Firing was heard to the left, and it was shortly 



566 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



ascertained that the enemy had taken Fort Steadman by a 
sudden dash in heavy force, and were now deploying in rear 
of the troops with a determination to capture the whole 
ri^ht of the line. It was a critical moment. A panic, and 
all was lost. But men who have trod the battle-field for 
three long years are not easily demoralized, and the gallant 
rank and file of the Twentieth Michigan Regiment, 
who held the line immediately to the right of Fort Stead- 
man, were equal to the emergency. All the guns whicii the 
enemy could bring to bear, including those in the captured 
fort, were turned upon the position held by the Twentieth 
and Second Michigan.* The rebels were pouring masses 
of men through the broken line and sweeping triumphantly 
toward the right ; and such was the tremendous force of 
the charge that the Second Michigan Infantry was forced 
back into Battery 9, with considerable loss in prisoners. 
The gray lines of the rebel infantry were also massing for a 
charge in front, and the situation was desperate. At this 
moment the Seventeenth Blichigan came forward rapidly 
from its division headquarters and charged the swarming 
enemy, but was compelled to fall back before vastly su- 
perior numbers. Reforming, the gallant regiment again 
charged into the thickest of the advancing enemy, and 
this time supported by the Twentieth and Second Michi- 
gan, who swept down upon the right, covered by the guns 
of Fort McGilvery. The onset was terrific, and, seeing 
the utter hopelessness of persisting in their advance, the 
rebel columns at once became demoralized and broke in 
great disorder for the rear. The Twentieth was thrown 
forward along the picket-line, where about 350 of the 
retreating enemy were taken prisoners and brought in by 
the regiment. The loss of the Twentieth in this desperate 
affair was light compared with the magnitude of the con- 
flict, — only nine men wounded, three mortally. 

From this time there was constant alarm, and the regi- 
ment was under arms almost the whole time until the final 
collapse of the Rebellion. It had four men wounded on the 
29th, and on the 30th was ordered into the trenches, and, 
along with the Second Michigan Infantry and the First 
Michigan Sharpshooters, was ordered to make a dash on 
the enemy's lines. The troops quietly made their way to 
the front in the covered ways, and it was finally decided 
that the Second should make the charge, supported by the 
Twentieth on the right and the First Sharpshooters on the 
left. Preceded by fifty axe-men to cut away obstructions, 
the Second dashed forward, but there was such a tremen- 
dous fire opened upon it that it was withdrawn, as the enemy 
were evidently fully prepared for the movement. 

On the 1st of April, Fort JIahon, situated about two 
miles to the left, was taken by the Union troops, and at the 
same time the whole line was held in readiness for any emer- 
gency, and the artillery opened everywhere upon the enemy. 
A strong demonstration was also made on the left by the 
Michigan Sharpshooters, which captured and held for a 
considerable time a part of the enemy's line. During these 
operations the Twentieth and the remainder of the brigade 



- Some of the Union batteries also, supposing the position in the 
hands of the enemy, turno.l their guns in that direction, and the 
Twentieth and .Second Michigan Keginients were literally under " a 
hell of lire," concentrating up..n thrm rnmi all directions. 



were kept in readiness to move upon any point at a moment's 
notice. The fire of the artillery was continued without 
intermission during the whole day and night; and the 
Twentieth was held in readiness on the 2d for a charge, 
should the opportunity appear. 

On the 3d, at three a.m., it was ordered to the right to 
support the Michigan Sharpshooters, which charged the 
enemy's line and entered Petersburg, supported by the 
Twentieth and Second Michigan, capturing a number of 
prisoners and munitions, and at 4.10 a.m. hoisting its colors 
on the court-house, being the first regiment to enter the 
city. The Twentieth was immediately detailed for provost 
duty. 

On the 4th of April the Twentieth was relieved from 
provost duty and ordered to the front. It marched to the 
southwest about fifteen miles, and at Ford's Station, on the 
South Side Railroad, the men were detailed as safeguards at 
the various dwellings in the vicinity. On the 20th of the 
month the regiment was ordered to City Point, arriving 
there on the 22d, and immediately embarked for Alexandria, 
where it arrived on the 24th, and went into camp at Fort 
Lyon. On the 28th it marched over the Long Bridge and 
through Washington and Georgetown to a camp tibout four 
miles from the latter place, where it remained until the 
30tli. On the 23d of May it participated in the grand 
review of the Potomac army, and was mustered out of ser- 
vice on the 30th. On the 1st of June it started for Michi- 
gan by rail, and reached Jackson on the 4th, where it was 
paid and disbanded on the 9th. 

This regiment had an eventful history, and took part in 
a great number of battles and skirmishes, in all of which it 
bore itself with honor. 

TWENTIETH INFANTRY. 

Asst. Surg. William II. Paine, Eaton B.ipi.h; com. July 20, 1802; died Aug. .'), 

1863, on steamer " Westmoreland,'' Mississippi Kiver. 
Asst. Surg. Orvillo P. Chutjl', Lansing ; com. May *2;>. 1S03 ; pro. to surg., July 

22, 1864: must, out May 30, 1805. 
Chap. Eev. Joseph .lones, Cliarlotte ; com. Aug. 30, 1802 ; resigned May 17, 'G5. 
IIosp. Steward Henry B. Biker, Lansing; com. asst. surg., Nov. 17, 1803; must. 

out May 30, ISB.'i. 
Sergt.-M;ijor Jacob E. Scibert, Lansing ; com. 1st lieut. and adj., June 18, I8C4 ; 

killed in action at Weldon K. K., Vn., Sept. 30, 1804. 

COMPANY A. 
2d Lieut. D.iriiis C. Calkins, Lansing; Co. B, 2d U. S. Sharpshooters; com. Aug. 

25,1801; pro. to capt. Co. A, 20lh Mich. Infantry, July 20, 1S02; disch. 

for di.salulity, Dec. 30, 1802. 
1st Liont. William A. Dewy, Leslie; com. July 20,1802; pro. to capt,. Doc. 30, 

1802 ; killed in action near Pelereburg. Va., June 18, 1804. 
Sergt. Benj. II. Berry, Lansing; com. 2d lieut., July 20, 1802; pro. to 1st lieut., 

Dec. 20, 1802; capt., June 18, 1804; disch. for disability, as 1st lieut., 

Aug. 22, 1804. 
Sergt. W'illiiim M. Green, Lansing; com. 2d lieut., Jan. 20, 1803; killed in 

action near Cumberland Kiver, Ky., May 10, ISO i. 
Sergt. Henry B. Carpenter, Lansing ; com. 2d lieut., June 20, 1803 ; pro. to 1st 

lieut., May 12,1804; wounded in action at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 

1804 ; capt. Co. B, Oct. 24, ise4 ; must, out May 30, 1805. 
Sergt. Leonard C. Rico, Lansing; com. 2d lieut., May 17, 1805; not mustered. 
Sergt. Thomas B. Morehouse, Lansing; com. Ist lieut., Oct. 24, 1804; must. 

out May 30, 1805. 
Harmon W. Paddleford, died at Weavertown, Dec. 1802. 
Andrew H. P. Morehouse, died at Ale.\andria, Va., Dec. 14, 1802. 
Andrew C. Calkins, died at Washington, D. C, Jan. 3, 1803. 
Joseph Smith, died at Frederick, Md., Jan. 0, 1803. 
Jidin A. Douglass, died at Washington, D. C, Feb. 14, 1863. 
George Setts, died at Louisville, Ky., June 12, 1863. 
Nathaniel J. Camp, died at MilUlale, Miss., July 2, 1803. 
Fra/.ier F. Smalley, died at Jlilldale, Miss., July 28, 1863. 
Albert Hudson, died at Providence, K. I., March 21, 1863. 
Roderick D. Wheeler, died at Crab Orchard, Ky., Sept. 30, 1863. 



MILITAUVr UlSTUliy. 



507 



W. II. H. Dixon, »liol Ly an iinlinown peraon at Wiuhington, D.O, Dec. 9, 1802. 

Knibnnirl D. Thnjcr, dwell, for ilisaliility, Oct. l.i, 1803. 

Julin W. Kniipp, (llHell. for dl»al'llity, June 18, I8CI. 

It. M. Harknrsa, dl»cli. fur aiiia!>ilil.r, Feb. 19, 1861. 

Albert P. Moslier, iliech. fur (li>abilily, Feb. C, 18<M. 

William L. Blo§lier, discli. fur ilieabilit.v, Feb. 6, 18C3. 

George II. Strickland, diKli. for dli!abil;t.v, tlarcli 0, 18C3. 

Jermain C. Gibson, disch. for disability, Feb. ^, I8G3. 

Andrew J. Honey, disch. for disabillly, Feb. 28, 18K1. 

George W. Jeniuiersun, disch. for disability, March G, ISr^l. 

Francis T. Rowley, disch. for dinabllity, Slarch 7, 18C3. 

Anthony Sister, disch. for disability, March 8, 1SG.I. 

Andrew C. Adanis, disch. for disability, March S, ISKi. 

Janies M. Uariland, disch. for disability, Feb. 4, 18U3. 

I.arayelto Ilutt, disch. for disability, Jan. G, 18G3. 

Horace Turner, ilieil of wounds at Fredericksburg, Va., Mtiy 17, 18G4. 

ThoDlKS DoukIiiss, killed at Sputlsylvania, Va., May 12, 18U4. 

Daniel W. Fisher, killed at Slwttsylvania, Va., Blay 12, 18G4. 

Bloses H. Iloberls, killed near Petersburg, Va., July :iO, 18M. 

William Rayner, died of wounds at Washington, D. C, June 12, 18C4. 

Thomas Cronk, killed ue:ir Petersburg, Va., June 18, I8G4. 

Sleldien Turner, killed near Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1804. 

John Maguire, missing at Conconl Station,Tenn.,Nov. IG, 1803; died at Andor- 

souville, Ga., March :U, 1804. 
Cyrus W.Coryell, missing at Spottsylrania, Va., May 12, 1804 ; died in enemy's 

hands, May 19, 1804. 
Elisha II. Musher, missing near Petersburg, Va., Sept. 30, 1804 ; died at I.dtnsing, 

Mich., April 17, 1805. 
George P. Humphrey, missing near Petersburg, Va., Sept. 30, 1804 ; returned. 
I. II. llurdick, must, out May 30, 18C5. 

I. H. Bui-dick, missing near Petersburg, Va., Sept, 30, I8G4; returned. 
Daniel Selfridge, missing at Kuoxvillc, Teiin., Nov. 28, 1803. 

Elihu G. Filer, trans, to Vet. Be». Corps, July 18, 1804. 

Manning R. Dowd, trans, to Vet. Kea. Corps, April 10, 1804. 

Albert K. Cowlcs, discharged. 

Mdo Smith, died on board hospital-boat, Missis8ip|>i RiTcr, Aug. 3, 1803. 

Hiram B. Walker, died iii the Aeld, Nov. 9, 18G4. 

R.lph Murcott. trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 

Scliuyler F. S«-nger, disch. for promolioD, Oct. 13, 18G2. 

Henry P. Hinckley, discli. for promotion, Feb. 28, 1803. 

Leouard C. Rice, must, out May 'M, 1806. 

Horace B. Rogers, disch. fur prumoliou, Oct. 13, 1802. 

Addison S. Buyco, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Williini S. Iliggins, must, out May 30, I8G5. 

Oscar A. Adiinis, must, out Blay :I0, 1863. 

Hiram C. licemer, must, out )lay 30, 18CS. 

R. G. Uurliugame, disch. fur wounds, Dec. 25, 18G1. 

Tillinghast W. Browuell, must, out May 30, 18C5. 

Henry Bignall, must, out May 3n, 1805. 

Norman Brooks, most, out May 30, 1805. 

Malcolm Boileaii, must, out Miiy 30, 1805. 

Jarvis E. CnM, disch. for wounds, Nov. 10, 1804. 

George J. Cliesney, must, out May 3^>, 1805. 

Harrison C. Call, must, out May 30, 180.5. 

Wilbur F. Dubois, disch. by order, Nov. 25, 1804. 

Daniel W. Derisha, must, out May 30, 1804. 

Jauu'S Evans, niurit. out May 30, 1804. 

Arthur B. Edwards, must, out Miiy 30, 1804. 

John W. Fuller, must, out May 30, 1804. 

Latham M Gurlie, disch. July 20, 180:1. 

George Hoag, must, out May 30, 18G5. 

Leonard W. Hall, must, out Slay 30, 18G5. 

George P. Huniphrey, must, uut May 30, 1805. 

E. Herbert Hudson, must, out .May 3U, 18G5. 

John B. Hailstone, must, out June 'i, 1805. 

Daniel Jessup, Jr., disch. for disability, Nov. 3, 18C2. 

Jerome Kroll, must, out May 30, 1805. 

II. Lovejoy, must, out May W, 1805. 
James M. Li>lidr<ir, miut. out May 30, 1805. 
Stephen Morehouse, niusl.out May .30, 1805. 
Theodore W. Muscott, must, out May 30. 1805. 
Solon D. Neclcj, disch. fur wounds, April 3, 1805. 
Nicliolns Temphir, must, out May 30, 1805. 
James A. Tem|>lar, must, out May 30, 18C5. 
Albert Viuing, niu>t. out May 30, 1865. 

Emory Hahn, must, out Aug. 12, 1805. 
Lloyd Lewis, must, out July 5, 180.'>. 

COMPANY C. 
Sergt.nuij. William A. ttirnard, Lansing; com. 2d lieut., Co. C, Jan. 27, 186:1; 
pro. to 1st lieiii., Jan. 31, 18ft4; taken prisoner near Petersburg, Va., 
July 30, 18M; |>aroIed March 1, ISC'.; pro. to capl., April 20, 1805; honor- 
ably disch. May i:., 1.105. 
Henry O. Shaver, discharged. 

COMPANY D. 
Bergt.-maj. Eilwin Hu.Ison, Lansiug; com. Isl lieiil., Co. D, Oct. 20, 1804; niuit. 
out May 3o, 1805. 



Albert Taylor, disch. for di»ability, April 10, 1803. 
John B. Noble, diach. for disability, April 14, 180.3. 
Alfred II. Pelty. missing at Slwltsylvania, Va., May 12, 18C4; relumed; must. 

out June 10, 1805. 
Matthew Campbell, missing near Petersburg, Va., Sepl, 3(i, 1804; relurncd; 

must, out June 12, 18«.'>. 
Jonathan Fry, killed at Horseshoe Benil, Ky. 
George E. Uoyce, must, out Jlay :10, 1805. 
Boyer II. ('alii|>bell, uiiisl. out Blay 311, 18C5. 
Peter Earl, must, out May 30, 1805. 
John B. Noble, disch. fur disability, April 14, 1803. 
Edward B. Trefry. must, out Blay 30, ISO,".. 
Seymour Joni*B, must, out Blay 30. 1805. 
Henry O. Whcaton, disch. for disability, Blarch 10, 18itl. 

COMPANY E. 
Lewis A. Wood, died at riiilailelphia. Pa., Dee. 25, 18G2. 
Oscar A. Long, trans. t<i 2d Micliigali Infantry. 
Darin.- Pence, trans, to 2d Jlichigan Cavalry. 

COMPANY G. 
John S. Blontgomery, Eaton Rapids; com. 1st lieul., July 29, 1862; pro. lo cap!., 

Jan. 2C, 18G:I; wounded in ncliuii, Blay 10, 1803; resigned April 22, I8C4. 
Peter KaulTman, Charlotte; com. 2d lieut , July 29, 18G2 ; resigned, Blarch 5, 

1803. 
Sergt. George W. Norton, Eaton Rapids; Co. G; com. lei lieut, Co. K, Nov. 4, 

1804 ; must, out Blay 30. 1805. 
Sergt. Blerton A. Bell, Olivet; Co, G ; com. 2d lieut., April .5, 181-5; not must. 
Benjamin Hall, died at Falmouth, Va., Dec. 17, 1802. 
Thomas Blitchell, died iit Jackson, Blicli., Aug. 29, 1862. 
William It. S'luires, disch. for dii'abil.ty, Dec. 4, 1802. 
Joseldi S. Walton, disch. for disability, Dec. 0, 1802. 
Horace Wagoner, died in hospital, Jan. 2, 1803. 
Martin H. Siiiilh, died in hospital, Jan. .'i, 1803. 
John W. Ovenshire, died in hospital, Jan. 10, 1803. 
William H. Hendrick-on. died in ho pilal, Jan. 28, 1863. 
Levi Kip^r, died al Wnshiiigton, D. C, Feb. 14, l«0:t. 
Austin Pcriy, .lied near Waterloo, Va., Nov. 12, 1802. 
Joha Orahalu, disch. fur disability, Jan. 7, 1803. 
Philander Hodgman, disch. for disability, Jan. 7, 18a3. 
Albert Darling, disch. for disability, Dec. 30, 1862. 
James R. Norton, discli. for disability, Feb. 25, 180.3. 
Levi M. Conly, disch. fur disability, Feb. 25, 180.1. 
Ilonin Nixon, disch. for disability, Feb. 10, 1803. 
Charles A. Eastman, disch. for disability, Feb. II, 186.3. 
William II Lee, disch. for dis.ibillty, Blarch 7, 18G:|. 
Blarcus L. Fowler, disch. for di'abilit.v, Jan. 19, 1803. 
lleury F. Iliggins, disrii. for di.sabilily, Jan. .30, 1803. 
Shadiach Rouse, disch. for disabillly, Feb. 12, 1863. 
Leonard Allis, disch. for disability, Blarch 17, 1803. 
Blitchell Droulette, disch. for disability, Aug. 21, 18G.3. 
Salmon Hollisler, killed at Concord, Tenn., Nov. IG, 1803. 
Donald Wilcox, killed at Spottsylvaula, Va., Blay 12, 1804. 
Edwin Grant, killeil at Sp..ltsjlvaiiia, Va.. Blay 12, 1864. 
George II. Storr, killed at Norlli Anna, Va., Blay 26, 1804. 
Henry II. Ferris, killed near Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1804. 
Darwin Rolfe, k lied near Pelersburg, Va., Aug. 1, 1864. 
Bradley Kinks, died of wounds at Eaton Ibi|iids, Blich., July 18, 1804. 
George Bliller, died at Crab Oicharil, Ky., Dec. 11, 180:1. 
Herman Netlleton, died at Lexington, Ky., Jan. 10, 1864. 
Lyman Barnes, died at Covington, Ky., April 24, 1864. 
Amoa Barry, died at Anna|ioIis, Bid.. Blay 9, l.sol. 
William EsKet,died at Annap<di<, Bid., Oct. 1.3, 1864. 

William II. Itriggs, died In military prison at Andersonvllle, Gu., July II, 1861. 
William H. Bliller, trans, lo Vet. Res. Corps, Jan. 1.'.. 1804. 
William Roberls, trans, to Vet. Res. Coija, July 1, 180:1. 
Abrain Weaver, trans, lo Vet. Kei. Cor|)8, Jan. 15, 1804. 
Jacob Blaurer, died of wounds at Delrxiit, Blich., Dec. 7, 1804. 
Alb.rt H. Starkweather, died at Charlotte, Blich., Dec. 7, 1804. 
Jerome Booth, die<l at Fortress Monroe, Va., Blarch 9, 1861. 
James C. Chilcote, died at Andorsunville, Ga., Blarch 28, 1804. 
George BIcGlucklin, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps. 
Nelson O. Blerritt, musL out Juno 13, 18r>5. 
Ebene/.cr V. S|iear, must, out Blay .10, 1805. 
Blartin A. Bell, must, out Blay :to, 18G.'>. 
William Puynter, dUcli. for disability, Xov. 1:1, 1802. 
William C. Caiu|il>ell, dhch. for wounds, Dec. 17, 1804. 
John Bl. Anson, must out Blay :I0, 1805. 
Daniel Bissell, must, out June 28, 1865. 
Lyman A. C<.o|nr, discli. Blay :io, 18im. 
Joseph I>ariing,discli. fur wuunds, .Blarch :!, ISC5. 
Henry EMerkio, .li"h. July 15, 180.'.. 
ChaibB B. Fowler, must, out May 30, 1805. 
Blallhew Gill. It. .lisch. fur disability, Jan. 28, 1S0.3. 
Gi-orge Galiisha, .lisch. for wounds, Koc. 29, 1804. 
Janies Harneni, must, out May 30, 186.'>. 
George L. Hinckley, niusl.out Blay 3U, 1805. 



568 



MILITARY HISTOllY. 



'William Ilnrlsuni;, must, out June 12, 1865. 

Aai-ou Ilnzlctou, must, out Miiy 24, 18G5. 

Daniel ,1. Irone, nui»t. out May 30, 18C5. 

Joliu Lcwin, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Frank Lenore, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Gcorgo J. Long, must, out May 30, 1865. 

Henry Luscomb, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Kidiaril Mount, must, out May 30, 1805. 

George W. Norton, disch. for promotion, Feb. 3, 1805. 

Eliiui Ogilon, must, out May 30, 1865. 

Alexaniler Parish, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Alonzo Panuenter, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Charles Paugboru, must, out May 30, 1865. 

Jonathan Porter, must, out June 10, 1805. 

Albert F. Porter, must, out May 12, 1805. 

William Roberts, 1st, must, out May 30, 1805. 

William lloberls, 2.1, (llsch. June 20, 1866. 

Joshua M. Solomon, must, out May 30, 1865. 

William II. Sprague, must, out May 30, 1865. 

All'red K. Stone, Jr., must, out May 30, 1805. 

William Spicer, must, out May 30, 1805. 

John J. Srailh, must, out May 30, 1805. 

James M. Slocum, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Hoyt H. Swift, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Donald Wilco.\, must, out May 30, 1805. 

WilliaiLi H. Weed, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Harvey E. Wheeler, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Henry 0. Wood, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Alfred P. Eastman, must, out June 9, 1805. 

COMPANY ir. 
A. McGlocklin, died at Lebanon, Ky., April 11, 1803. 
Calvin D. Clark, died at Washington, D. C, Sept. 18, 1863. 
Homer J. Clark, disch. for disability, March, 186:). 
John T. Waldron, killed at North Anna, Va., May 20, 1804. 
Samuel Waldron, killed at Petei-sliurg, Va., Jan. 31, 1805. 
George Clark, must, out June 27, 1805. 
Nicholas Ikeuberg, disch. for wounds, Jan. 2.'i, 1SG5. 
Rufus Parker, disch. for disability, Oct. 20, 1862. 
Elijah P. Sanilera, must, out June 12, 1803. 
Chnslian Wakenhut, disch. for disability, Jan. ID, 1805. 
John P. McGlocklin, must, out June 29, 1805. 

COMPANY I. 
William Miller, liinst. out July 17, ISO.O. 

COMPANY K. 
Henry Ensij,'M, disch. for disability, September, 1803. 
George II. Ewing, killed at Kuo.\ville, Term., Nov. 29, 1863. 
Jerome B. Boyce, killed at S|X)ttsylvania, Va., May 12, 1804. 
Elias C. Sweet, rlied of wounds at Alexandria, Va., July 5, 1804. 
Smith J. Williams, missing at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1804. 
William Force, disch. for disability, Jan. 27, 1802. 
Jarerl C. Thomas, disch. for disability, April 22, 1804. 
Smith J. Williams, died at Wilmington, N. C, March 13, 1805. 
Earl M. Pryir, died at Petersbutg, Va., March 10, 1865. 
George Babcock, trans, to 2d Mich. Inf. 
Daniel McKinzie, must, out May 30, 1805. 

), must, out May 30, 1805. 

s, disch. for wounds, April 4, 1805. 

iod, must, out May 30, 1805. 

Kernan, must, out May 30, 1805. 

it. out May 30, 1865. 
Edward Clark, must, out May 30, 1865. 
Abraui G. Anderson, must, out May 30, 1805. 
George W. Pulling, must, out May .30, 1805. 
George Hiber, nuist. out May 30, 1805. 
David GitToril, must, out May 30, 1805. 
Charles Meacli, must, out May 3(), 1805. 
Charles Brownell, must, out May 30, 1805. 
Robert Cole, must, out May 30, 1865. 
William A. Cooper, must, out Aug. 7, 1865. 
Ezra C. Pounder, must. out May 6, 1805. 
Hugh A. Mclrityre, disch. for wounds, Dec. 9, 1804. 

TWENTY-FIRST INFANTRY. 

COMPANY B. 
Ell ward L. W. Baker, must, out June 0, 1805. 

COMPANY H. 
James II. Philliij», trans, to 14tli Mich. Inf. 
William Leiltick, must, out June S, 18115. 
George W. Snyder, must, out June 8, 1865. 

TWENTY-THIRD INFANTRY. 

COMPANY A. 
Seth Drake, died of wounds at Chattanooga, Tenn., Juno 1, 1864. 



Charles H. Pit 
Orton J. Willi, 
James M. Ilay 
Matthew S. Vi 
David Clark, ii 



COMPANY D. 

John Pulhemus, died at Chattanooga. Tenn., Nov. 12, 1804. 
Ooiieliiis Shont?,, died at Wilmiugtcm, N. C, March 31, 1805. 
Frank Pulhemus, must, out June 28, 1805. 

TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY A. 
SolomoTi M. Dewey, must, out June 30, 1805. 
Josiah M. Milburn, must, out June 30, 1805. 
John G. Kettler, must, out June 30, 1805. 

COMPANY B. 
Arthur E. Martin, must, out June 30, 1805. 
Abraham Pierce, must, out June 30, 1865. 
Jacob Lightner, must, out June 30, 1805. 
John Whitehonse, must, out Juno 30, 1805. 
Owen Walters, must, out Juno 30, 1865. 
Daniel Walters, must, out June 30. 1866. 
David Walters, nmst. out June 30, 1865. 
Andrew F. Kipper, must, out June 30, 1865. 
Clifford Montgonu-ry, must, out June 30, 1803. 

COMPANY D. 
Charles Jones, must, out June 30, 1805. 
Malcolm Angel, must, out June 30, 1865. 

COMPANY E. 
Joseph Booth, died at Camp Butler, 111., April 13, 1865. 
W. C. Wilmarth, died at Camp Butler. 111., April 22, 1805. 
Oscar Blakesley, must, out June 30, 1805. 
William Welch, must, out June 30, 1865. 
Owen Riley, must, out June 30, 1805. 
John M. Marlow, must, out June 30, 1865. 
Ezra Brainard, must, out June 30, 1805. 
Andrew J. Buck, must, out Juno 30, 1805. 
Chauucey T. Carpenter, mnsf. out June 30, 1865. 
Henry 0. Wheaton, must, out June 30. 1865. 

COMPANY F. 
Charles W. Goodrich, died at Camp Butler, 111., A|iril 29, 1865. 
Robert Milburn, must, out June 30, 1863. 
David O'Hara, must, out June 30, 1S05. 

COMPANY G. 
Alfred Casgrain, must, out June 30, 1805. 
Horace Dean, must, out Juue 30, 1865. 

COMPANY I. 
Emery 0. B. Chadwick, must, out June 30, 1805. 
Orison C. Piersou, must, out June 30, 1865. 
Samuel Walters, must, out June 30, 1865. 
Jacob Walters, must, out June 30, 1865. 

COMPANY K. 
George W. Annis, must, out June 30, 1805. 
George G. Barre, must, out June 30, 1805. 
Andrew J. Gallery, nmst. out June 30, 1865. 
Seymour A. Long. must, out June 30, 1805. 
Simon B. Meade, must, out July 30, 1865. 

TWENTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY A. 
Isaiali Alley, must, out June 24, 1805. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

TWENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY. 

Tins regiment was made up mostly of surplus companies 
left upon the filling of the Congressional district regiments, 
only two new companies being recruited for it. Its ren- 
dezvous was at Jackson, where it remained until Dec. 13, 
18t)2, when it left for Washington with 903 names on its 
rolls. On its arrival at the national capital it was assigned 
to provost duty at Alexandria, Va., where it was employed 
until the 20th of April, 1863, when it was ordered to 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



509 



Suffolk, in the saaie State. From this point several expe- 
ditions were made to the Hlack water, in one of which, on 
the 23d of Maj', it lost one officer mortally wounded in a 
skirmish near Windsor. 

On the liOth of June it was moved to Yorktuwn, and 
formed part of the command of Gi-n. Kcjcs which moved 
to Bottom's Bridge, on the Chickahominy. From this 
point it returned to Yorktown on the ilth of July. From 
there it was ordered to \Vashinj;ton, and thence to New 
Y'ork City, to aid in (|uelling (he draft riots in that city. 
The regiment was stationed in and around the city until 
the 13th of October, when it was ordered to join the Army 
of the Potomac, where it was assigned to the First Brigade, 
and First Division of the Second Army Corps. Its casual- 
tics for the year wore: 1 died of wounds; 68 of disease; 
-J accidentally shot ; 72 discharged ; 52 deserted ; 5 officers 
resigned ; 3 dismis.scd. Total, 205. Recruits, 4. 

Nov. 7, 1803, the regiment left camp near ^Yarrcnton, 
Va., and crossed the Rappahannock on the 8th. It 
marched as far as Stevensburg, where it encamped until 
ihe 2(;th of the month. It took an active part in the 
.Mine Run campaign, sometimes denominated the "Mud 
Campaign," crossing the Rapidan at (Jermania I'^ord, and 
advancing to Robertson's Farm, which point it reached on 
the 27lh. In a skirmish on the 29th, at Mine Run, it had 
nine men wounded. On the 3d of December it returned 
to Stevensburg. On the Gtli and 7th of February it par- 
ticipated in the reconnoissancc to Morton's Ford. With 
I his exception it remained ([uietly in winter quarters at 
Stevensburg until the opening of the spring campaign of 
18GI. 

On the -Ith of Jlay the Twenty-sixth crossed the Rapi- 
dan at Ely's Ford, and was deployed in skirmishing order 
on the flank of its division in (he movement upon Chancel- 
lorsville, at which place it bivouacked for a brief interval. 
On tlie afternoon of the 5lh the enemy were encountered 
on the Orange Court-llouse road, though only a detachment 
of the Twenty-sixth was engaged. The command lost one 
man wounded. On the night of the 5th the regiment 
threw up a parapet, and on the 7th was engaged with a 
body of dismounted cavalry, which it charged and drove 
a distance of over two miles, capturing a number of pris- 
oners and important dispatches from Lee to Stuart, the 
latter commanding the cavalry force of the rebel army. 

Its losses in this affair were six men wounded. On the 
8th it moved forward to Todd's Tavern, where it again 
threw up works, and moved to Corbin's Bridge, skirmishing 
with the enemy and losing one man wounded. In the 
evening it was withdrawn within the works. 

On the 9th the Po River was cro.ssed, ai>d the regiment 
advanced about two miles, where it encamped for the night 
very near the enemy. On the following morning the enemy 
made a furious attack and the command was withdrawn, the 
Twenty-sixth bringing up the rear and covering thecro.s.^ing 
of the Po. On the 11th it recrossed the river and made a 
reconnoissancc of the enemy's position, which brought on 
a sharp fight, in which the command lost three mon killed 
and fifteen wounded. On the 12lh of A^Iay the Twenty- 
sixth formed a portion of the Second Corps in the memor- 
able charge upon the rebel lines, which were carried by the 
72 



bayonet after a fierce and bloody contest. The Twenty- 
sixth in this desperate affair claimed the honor of being 
the first to place its colors on the rebel line. In the melee 
it captured a number of the enemy's gunners and two 
brass field-pieces, besides assisting in the capture of a large 
number of other guns, prisoners, and colors. Its lo.sscs in 
the engagement were 27 killed, 98 wounded, and 14 miss- 
ing ; of these latter the greater part were subsef|uently found 
to have been killed. 

On the night of May 20th the regiment left its position 
at SpotLsylvania Court-House, and marched to the North 
Anna River, arriving there on the 23d. On the 24th it 
crossed that stream at Jericho Bridge, under a heavy artil- 
lery fire, and drove the enemy, after a sharp engagement, 
into his works. The losses at this point were five killed 
and nine wounded. 

On the night of the 2Gth it recrossed the North Anna 
River, and, marching towards the Pamunkey, crossed that 
stream on the 28th. Advancing towards Hawes' Shop, it 
threw up a line of works and awaited events. On the 29th 
it again moved forward on the Tolopotomy Creek, driving 
the enemy's skirmishers, and developing his position. On 
the 30th three companies skirmished, with the loss of oue 
killed and three wounded. June 2d the regiment reached 
Cold Harbor, and, deploying as skirmishers, drove the 
enemy into his works near Gaines' Mill. This movement 
was followed by a charge of the regiment upon the works 
under a heavy fire of grape and canister, by which it was 
forced to retire, with a lo.ss of fifteen wounded and five 
missing. 

From the 3d to the 12th of June the regiment was 
constantly on the skirmish-line and in the intrenchments, 
where it lost three killed, seven wounded, and one missing. 
On the night of the 14th the James River was crossed at 
Wilcox's Landing, and the regiment arrived in front of 
Petersburg on the morning of the lOth. On the same day 
it took part in the a.ssault in which the enemy's outer lines 
were carried with the bayonet. Here its losses were Capt. 
James A. Lothian, commanding regiment, mortally wounded, 
two enlisted men killed, and nine wounded. On the 17th 
it was in the charge which cajitured the enemy's works, 
losing two killed and seven wounded ; and on liie 18th a 
detachment of the regiment lust in a skirmish one killed 
and one wounded. On the 22d it aided in the repulse of 
the enemy near the Williams' House, wlieie it lost two men 
taken prisoners. 

From the 23d of May until the 2Gth of July it was em- 
ployed in fatigue and picket duty. On the 2(ith the regi- 
ment marched to Deep Bottom, and on the next day was 
engaged in the as.sault which drove the enemy from his po- 
sition and captured four guns and a number of pri.soners. 
On the 28th, in a reconnoissancc oti the New JIarket and 
Charles City roads, it engaged and drove a largely outnum- 
bering i'orce into its intrench mcnts. Again, on the ItJth 
of August, the enemy were encountered near the Wliite 
Oak Swamp, and the command lost three killed, fourteen 
wounded, and seventeen taken prisoners, among the last 
Capt. A. (J. Dailey, commanding the regiment. The 
Twenty-sixth rccro.sscJ the James River on the 20th, and 
joined the army in front of Petersburg the succeeding day. 



570 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



From the 22(1 to the 24th, inclusive, it was engaged in 
destroying tlie Weldon Railroad, near Ream's Station ; and 
on the 25th was engaged at the latter place in repelling the 
desperate attempts of the enemy to retake the read. Its 
losses on this occasion were three wounded and fourteen 
missing. On the 5th of Soptcuiber it marched to the plank- 
road, near the Williams House, where it was engaged in 
constructing field-works until October 9th, when it was 
ordered to the right. On the 24th it was detailed to guard 
commissary supplies at Cedar Level Station, remaining two 
days ; it rejoined the brigade near the Avery House. 

The losses of the regiment during the year were : 81 
killed or died of wounds ; 38 died of disease ; 42 discharged 
for disability ; 5 by order ; 24 transferred to Veteran Re- 
serve Corps; 5 deserted ; 210 wounded in action ; 42 miss- 
ing ; 31 taken prisoners. Total, 473. Joined the regiment 
during the same period, 97. 

The regiment continued in the trenches in front of Pe- 
tersburg until the 25th of March, 1864, when, following 
the enemy's attack upon Forts Steadman and Hancock, the 
brigade to which the Twenty-sixth was attached was or- 
dered to attack the enemy's works in its front, a portion of 
which was gallantly carried and held during the day, with 
trifling loss. On the 29th the brigade was deployed 
in front of the corps as skirmishers, which position it 
maintained until nightfall, when it was relieved. On the 
30th it was again in the skirmish-line, and in the course 
of the day the Twenty-sixth lost several men. It moved 
forward in column on the 31st until about noon, when it 
was once more deployed as skirmishers and participated 
in a running fight. From the 1st to the 6th of April the 
brigade was following the retreating enemy and saw sharp 
fighting every day. On the 6th the Twenty-sixth assisted 
in the capture of a train of 260 wagons, loaded with bag- 
gage, ammunition, and supplies. 

The command continued the rapid pursuit through 
the 7th, 8th, and 9th, and was on the skirmi.sh-line at the 
time of the great surrender at Appomattox Court-House. 
Gen. Grant operated through its lines in arranging the pre- 
liminaries of the surrender. Since the 28th of March the 
regiment had captured over 400 prisoners, and its own 
losses had been about sixty killed, wounded, and missing, 
or more than 25 per cent, of the whole. It received the 
commendations of brigade and division ofiicers, who spoke 
of it as the best skirmishing regiment in the Second Corps. 

Subsequent to the surrender the Twenty-sixth, along 
with its brigade, was detailed on guard duty, to remain 
until Gen. Lee's army was paroled and sent home. On the 
18th the brigade rejoined the army at Burksville, where 
it remained until the 2d of May, when it proceeded by rail 
to Washington, D. C., arriving there on the 13th. On the 
23d it took part in the review of the Potomac Army and 
was mustered out on the 4th of June, and immediately 
proceeded to Michigan, arriving at Jack.son on the 7th, where 
it was paid and di.'sbaiided on the Kith. 

TWENTY-SIXTH INF.\NTKY. 

COMP.VNY A. 
fijilirii-l Fuibear, .lied i,r wiMuiiIs iit Fail fax Siiiiliiarj-, V.a., Dec. 26, ISR!. 
Tliomas M. Cubli, liiusl. oiil June i, ISGj. 



COMPANY B. 
Chester II. Felton, disch. Oct. 10,1862. 
Juhn A. Ilowen, Jied at WashinKton, D. C, April, 180:i. 
Cliarles A. Godley, disch. for disability, June 4, 186:1. 

Seneca Sly, d'scli. for disability, Aug. 4, 1863. .» 

Ariel Bruwu, disch. for disability, Aug. 31, 1863. 
W. M. Clements, died at David's Island, N. Y. harbor, August, 1864. 
Melvin P. Fritz, killed in action at Ream's Station, Va., Aug. 25, 1S64. 
William H. Spaulding. dioil at Beverly, N. J., Oct. 27, 1864. 
Samuel D. Wood, died at Lynchburg, Va., while prisoner. 
George W. Clements, must, out May 2'2, 186,^. 
Thomas J. Clements, mnst. out June 4, 1865. 
James 51. Clements, mnst. out June 4, 1865. 
Williiim II. Dakin, nnist. out June 4, 1865. 
Isaiah Dakin, must, out June 3, 1865. 
F.dward D. Godley, must, out June 4, 1865. 
James 0. Gifford, must, out June 15, 1866. 
Byron Holt, must, out Juno 4, 1865. 
Simeou L. Munson, must, out May 16, 1865. 

Asher G. Miller, discli. June 24, 1865, Mt. Pleasant Hospital, Wiuibinglon, D. C. 
Christopher Patrick, must, out June 3, 1865. 
Daniel D. Riggs, must, out July 4, 1865. 
Orlando II. Sly, mnst. out June 9, 1865. 
George M. Sly, must, out June 3, 1865. 



Willi 



COMPANY D. 
I Marshall, enl. September, 1862 ; disch. at clo.S( 



of V 



COMPANY G. 
Charles W. Brewer, died at Alexandria, Va., Feb. 15, 1863. 
Orrin Mason, died at Alexandria, Va., Aug. 7, 1863. 
Edward W. Bellows, died at Washington, D. C, July 15, 1864. 
William Rogers, killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 6, 1864. 
John N. Foster, must, ont June 3, 1865. 
George H. Paddock, must, out June 4, 1SG5. 

C05IPANY II. 
John H. Sayers, Mason ; com. capt. Sept. 1, 1862; honorably disch. Jan. 7, 1863. 
Eli P. Li>ranger, Williamstown ; com. 1st lieut. Sept. 1, 1862; capt. Jan. 7, 1863; 

resigned March 30, 1863. 
Henry V. Steele, Mason; com. 2d lient. Sept. 1, 1862; pro. to 1st lieut. Jan. 7, 

1863; capt. March 30, 1863; killed in action at Hanover Junction, Va., 

May 24, 1864. 
Sergt. Daciiel H. Smith, Mason ; com. 2d lieut. April 26, 1864 ; resigned May 0, 

1865. 
Eli P. Alexander, Williamstown ; com. 2d lieut. Jan. 7, 1803; pro. to 1st lieut. 

March 30, 1803 ; must, out June 4, 1865. 
Sergt. Stephen P. Leighton, Williamstown; com. 2d lieut. June 9, 1805; not 

mustered. 
George Thompson, disch. for disability, Sept. 30, 1862. 
"George H. Amy, died at Alexandria, Va., Feb. 18, 1863. 
James Wright, died at Alexandria, Va., March 16, 1863. 
George \V. Wilson, died at Alexandria, Va., March 12, 1803. 
Jerome B. Road, died at Alexandria, Va., March 3, 1863. 
George W. Fi-her, died at Suffolk, Va., June 5, 1803. 
James Fisher, died at Elmira, N. Y, Dec. 19, 1862. 
Edgar B. Northrup, died in Michigan, April 23, 1863. 
John Tyler, died at Washington, D. C, April 28, 1863. 
John Stevenson, died at Washington, D. C, Dec. 23, 1862. 
William Sullivan, died at Y'orktown, Va , July 14, 1803. 
John Ilaney, disch. for disability, Jan. 21, 1S63. 
Noah L. Douglass, disch. for disability, May 2, 1863. 
Chauncey Smith, disch. for disability, July 8, 1803. 
Ed. Chamberlain, killed at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. 
James Hakes, killed at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. 
Francis Weller, killed at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1804. 
Corydon Wright, killed at Hanover Junction, Va., May 24, 1864. 
William Porlor, killed at Hanover Junction, Va., May 24, 1864. 
B. F. Owen, died of wounds at Washington, D. C, June 13, 1864. 
Charles Rowley, died of wounds at City Point, Va., June 22, 1864. 
Chauncey Butler, died of wounds at Alexandria, Va., May 21, 1804. 
Charles llorton, died at Baltimore, Md., March 5, 1864. 
A. Hammond, died at City Point, Va., Sept. 28, 1804. 
J. W. I,ounesbnry, ilisch. Oct. 23, 1864. 
Darwin Ilarkness, disch. Sept. 16, 1364. 
Charles Houser, trans, to Vet. Res. Cori>s, May 1, 1864. 
Edward Spletstone, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Sept. 1, 1863. 
L. H. Bokford, disch. for disability, Aug. 18, 1863. 
J. W. Boardman, discli. for disability, Ang. 12, 1863. 
John Toulon, disch. for disability, Aug. 20, 1803. 
Ephraim Smith, disch. for disability, April 4, 1804. 
0. S. Fuller, discli. for disability, June 18, 1804. 
Andrew J. Capen, died at Salisbury, N. C, Feb. 22, 1865. 
Richard Hnwos, died at Salisbury, N. C, Feb. 25, 1865. 
Daniel McComber, died at Alexandria, Va., Nov. 12, 1803. 
Waslii.iglon Whitcomb, died at Williamston, Mirh., Dec. 25, 1864. 
Stephen Leighton, must, out June 4, 1805. 



MILITARY IlISTOllY. 



571 



Tlimnas McKornnn, disch. fur ili^Kibilily, Mnrch 27, 1805. 

Gforgv ChariiltfrlHiii, Iiiilst. uitt June 4, IbOt. 

Ziniri Butih, miul. out July 21, I^Uj. 

Cliarli's A. tiuiiu. niuil. luit Juno 4, ISC'i. 

Junira J. Diiim, ili-cli. Felj. V>, 180i, for woun<l9 rotuiveil Muy 12, 1864. 

Ili'ury Fulloi'. must, nut June 9, 18U.'>. 

Milo Vunnvtcr, must, out June 4, 18ti.*». 

William iljers, must, out Juni- 4, 1805. 

Benjamin Urock, must, out June 4, 18Go. 

Charles Cole, muist. out Juno 4, 18C0. 

John Dipiitty, must, out July Jl), ItOo, fwm Vet. n..*. Cori«. 

ll:ivi>l F. Doruinn, must, out June 4, 18GJ. 

Kuiory Edwanls, must, out June 4, 181>5. 

Isaac Gownn, must, out June 4, 1805. 

Auron Garrison, must, out June 3, 1SG5. 

Orhtndo llaney, must, out June 19, 1805. 

Daniel D. Ilninen, must, out June 9, 1805. 

Henry Ilaniey, disch. for disability, Kov. 29, 1S0(. 

William O. Irwin, must, out June 4, IgGo. 

Ilomtio M. Litrhnuld, must, out June 4, 1809. 

Augustine Moore, must, out June 4, I8tif>. 

Henrj- J. Northrup, must, out June 4, 18G5. 

James II. Ueeves, must, out Juno 4, 180.). 

George W. Rowley, must, out June .'», 180.J, / 

Dwigbt P. Strickland, must, out May :»), I8G5. 

Israel Swartout, must, out June 4, 18&'>. 

Zephnninh Swan, must, out June 4, I8CS. 

David W. Strickland, mu<t. out Jime 4, ISO.".. 

Dellncine Stoughton, disch. for disaUMy, May II, 18C.'i. 

John H. Thurston, must, out June 14, ISOo. 

Oscar Wells, must, out June 7, 180.5. 

John Ilanoy, must, out May 24, 180.5. 

II<-nry Kick, must. out. 

Thomas Fay, must, out Juno 5. 1865. 

Slouroe Gowan, must, out Muy 19, 180.5. 

Charles Paddock, must. out. 

Eugene 1). Webber, must, out Msiy 31, 1803. 

James Ai^sey, must. out. 

GtHirge Ryei'S, must, out, July 2.5, 180o, from Vet. K.-s. f'ori)s. 

George Truman, must out. 

Philip Ilale, must. out. 

COMPANY I. 
Edwin naner, must, out June 4, 1805. 
Aniiibald H. Clark, must, out June 3, I8a5. • 
Richard II. Wiggins, must, out June 3, 180o. 

COMPANY K. 
Thomas Shemi m, disch. for disability, April 8, 180.3. 
James Arris, killed at S|iotHylvauia, Va., May 12, 1SG4. 
Henry C. Adams, killed near Pctcniliurg, Va., Juno 20, ISC4. 
Krauk R. Davis, trans, to Vet. Res C..rlw, Jan. 15, ISM. 
Isa ic .\. Ilranileuburg. must, out June 3, 18G.5. 
William M. Beverly, must, out May 30, 1805. 
William Hodges, must, out June 4, 1805. 
Charl.-8 F. Ilollis, must, out May 30, I8ft5. 
Charles B. Ririby, must, out May M), I8G5. 
John Kane, mn<l. out May 30, ISC-o. 

TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY B. 

Watson Riinnui, must, out July 20, 1805. 



William Barrett, 



CO.MPANV C. 
ut July 20, 180.5. 

COMPANY D. 



Horace Burt, disch. for disilility, Aug. 20, IScV). 

Wallace P. Iluntoun, killi-d at Siiollsylvaida. Va., Slay 10, 1801. 

Cassms M. G.dney, kllle<l at Simtlsylvaula, Va., May 12, 1804. 

Albert Unity, .lied at Ku.>xville, Tenn., Feb. 25, 1804. 

Ambrose Whitni.ire, ilisiliurgiHl. 

J.Meph Shaq., discharged f.ir disability, Nov. 20, 180.1. 

iNimoel J. Huntoon, dlc.l of wounds, Aug. 22, 1804. 

Frauds F..rce, died at Andenx.nville, Ga., May 5, 1804. 

Albert E. Smith, die.1 at Wai.hlnglon. V. C, Aug. .5, ISO*. 

(Jalvin S. Vining, must, out July 2.5, 1805, f.um Vet. Ues. Coqis. 

Iticbard B. Ilunloon, .llscli. May 13, 18&5. 

Weston Ku..wlos, .lischarg.d. (See Company F.) 

William F. Bowdish, must, out July 19, 180.5. 

J.im.js Bell, diBch. by ..rder, June 15. lftO.5. 

Isaac F. H^iutooli, must, out July 20, 1805. 

l>avid Morrow, must. ..ut Si'pt. 5, 18(^5. 

Valson Pickett, must, out May -.27, 18(i5. 

S.>muel Reason, must, out July 20, 1805. 



N.lsc 



I Drake 



COMPANY F. 
Knowles, Ingham ; Co. D; com. 2.1 lieiit. Co. F, Nor 
lent. March 21, 1805; must, out July 20, 180.5. 
sl.oiit July 20, 1805. 



COMPANY G. 
Merrill S. Frisl.y, .II.hI at Mill.lale, Miss., July 27, 180:1. 
Steiilieu Bruyler, di.-l at Cjimp Nelson, Ky.. S<'lit. 0, 1801. 
Merritt J.dinson, died at Knoxville, Tenii., Oct. 18, 1801. 
George W. Convemi., kllle.l at Pelersl.nrg, Va , June 17, 1804. 
>jlwin K. Wheeler, .lied ofwouiKls »l Wlilto H.uise, Va^ June 9, ISOt. 
Edwin K. Whitney, trans, to V.'t. R.s. Corps, May 1, 1804. 
Jaiu.'S S. Ziirell, must, out July 20, 18i;5. 



Uir.,m Tn 



COMPANY II. 
■ lisch. for di-«l.ililv, July II, 1S03. 



FIRST INDKPKNDKNT CO.MPANY SlIARP.^llO.iTKRS. 
(.4«.ic'.e.( In Twrm's-KKulk liifnulry.) 
Joseph M. Bush, must, out July 20, 180.5. 
Charles S. Dickson, must, out June 3. 1805. 
George D. Freeman, must, out July 8, 1805. 
I.e..nnrd II. Isbell, must, out May 25, 1805. 
John C. Lyon, must, out July 20, 1805. 
Uei.rj' SI. Hutty, mast, out May :t(l, l«li... 

TWKNTY-EIGUTH INKANTUV. 

Geol^c G. Ijipham, N. C. 8., must, out June 5, 1800. 

Homer II. Cornell, N. C. S., must, out Juno 5, 1800. 

B.mjamin Kvans, Bellevue; com. capt. Aug. 15, 1801; must, ont June .5, 1 SAO. 

George I.. Montgomery, Lansing; com. eapt. Aug. 15, 1804; on dotaclieJ sor- 



Davi.l Oark, lanst. oi 
Solomon £. Siuionds, 



COMPANY A. 

1 St.iy 15, 1805. 



COMPANY B. 
Krvine S. Baldwin, ilied at Na«liville, Tenn., Dec. 27, 1804. 
Slortiiner L. Chappell, died al Xewbern, SJ. C., Slay 14, I80S. 
L-renr... V). Kpley, die.1 at Salisbury, N. C, Slay 15, 1805. 
William II. Faner, .lied at Raleigh, N. C, Nov. 1.5, 1805. 
Jerome J. Frary, ilicd at Waril's Island, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1805. 
Solon McNelly, diinl at Kalamaioo. Slich., Oct. 20, 180. 
Russell Sears, died at Louisville, Ky., F.b. 17, 18a5. 
Adam Znll, .lied at Alexandria, Va., Feb. 20, 1805. 
S.uiiuel Hunter, must, out June 19, 1865. 
Cyrus Slossen, must, out Juno 30, 1805. 
Alexan.lei- Allen, disch. by or.le.-, July 10, 1805. 
William II Howe, must, out July ii, 1805. 
Jason W. Bryan, must, out June 10, 1865. 
Daniel D. Brown, must, out May 24, 1805. 
Stephen Buskirk, must, out June 5, I860. 
William J. Burger, must, out Slay 31, 1805. 
William Carpenter, must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 
William Ctary, d sch. I.y order, June 0, 1805. 
George F. Calkins must, out SlaiTh 13, 1806. 
.lames It. Driscal, must, out June 5, 1860. 
Wilber C. Ktson, must, out J.ine 5, I860. 

Edwanl F. Grint, must t June 27, 186,5. 

William Lowery, .liscli. by ord.r, Aug. 8, 1865. 

John l.anre, must, .lut June 5, 1805. 

Charles Sladison, mast, out June .5, 1.S0.5. 

Geoige W. Sl.irse. must, out Juno 10, 1805. 

John Martin, must, out June 5, ISGO. 

Isaac Osterhout, must, out Aug. 3, I8li5. 

Lewis Pierce, must, out .\ug. 15, 180.5. 

D ivid SI. Purches, disch. for disability, Sept. 3. 180.5. 

James Reese, must, .mt June 5, i860. 

Auioa J. St.llson, must, out June 8, 1801. 

Jerome A. Stone, mu»t. out Aug. 12, 180.5. 

George W. Swe.t, must, out Slay 25, iKIio. 

Charles H. Sweet, must, out June !!>, 1805. 

Ira W. Green, .liscli. r..r .Usability, Julie 29, 1805. 

Freilerick M. Bunhani, must, out S<'|it. 2.5, 1805. 

Alexand.r Allen, ninsl. out July lU, 1865. 

COMPANY D. 
Charles Spragu.', must, .mt June 5, 1860. 
Oscar J. Scott, must, out Slay .9, 1805. 

CO.MPANY E. 
Edson W. Boswell, died ut N.islnille, Tenn., Feb. 10, 1805. 

C05IPANY F. 

S.rgt. Edward E. ShoiLlan, Ijinslng; com. 2d lieul., June 8, 180.5, 
Air..'d Clmiuilin, .lied ut War>l's Islan.l, N. Y., Sept. 1.5, 1S05. 



MILITARY IlISTOllY. 



William Car}-, ilicJ at AUxandria, Va., Feli. 1, 18C5. 

Coi iiclins A. Myors, liii^ii at Kalamazoo. Mich., Nov. 2, 1804. 

Ilcnry Jla.vliolil, died at Kinston, N. C, March 28, 1SG5. 

Ooiirgc- SI. Coi.li, muM. out Juue S, 18C0. 

John J. Kennedy, must, out June f), 1800. 

Isaac Sloati, must, out June 5, 18C0. 

William Tilling, must, out June 5, 1800. 

Melville Uoherls, must, out Juno 5, ISCO. 

George W. lleaton, must, out Juno 5, 1806. 

(;liarles C. Williams, must, out July 27, ISO,-!. 

George W. Angell, must, out July 7, 18G5. 

.John Agen, must out June 6, ISGG. 

Danfunl L. Brigg^ nuiat. out Oct. 14. 180.^ 

Joseph ISeanmoiit, uiust. out Juue 6, 1800. 

Nelson I'urdy, disrli. for disability, March 21, 1SC5. 

Lewis I'ulon, must, out June 5, 1800. 

Luther C. Stone, must, out June .% ISOO. 

Kdwin Temider, must, out July 10, 1865. 

Jonathan Temlilei-, nuist. out Jane .'i, 1800. 

Lewis J. Trombley, disch. for disability. May 10, ISC'.. 

John A. Ward, diseli. for disability. May 18, 1805. 



COMPANY H. 
• York Cily, Oct. 10, 1805. 



, Wallo 



Sergt. Willi;.ni R. Wil. 

5, 1800. 
Sergl. Adou jah II. Proctor, Bellevue; cor 

tered ; must, out June 5, ISOO. 
John I.ockhard, died at Dallas, N. C, June 
George F. Willson, must, out July 18, 1805. 
Channcey II. Newell, must, out June o, 180. 
Monroo Page, must. oul,jHne 4, 180.5. 
Sanlorrt M. Booth, )uust. out May 15, 1805. 



Mt'ANY K. 

; com. 2d lieut. July 0, 1865 ; must, out Jun 



. 2d lieut. Nov. 12, 180[ 
,1805. 





TWENTY-NINTH INFANTRY 




COMPANY E. 


Julin liobcn, 11 


usi. ont Sept. 0, ISlJo. 




COMPANY K. 


TliomaB Carrife 


in, must, out Sejit. 0, 1805. 




THIKTIETM INFANTRY. 




COMPANY D. 


Ge(7rge Brown 


must, ont June 30, 1805. 


Kiebard DecUe 


■, must, out Juue 30, 1805. 


William Robin 


■•on, must, out June 30, 1865. 




COMPANY r. 


George Ayen,, 


must, nut Juue 30, 1805. 


Andrew Call, l 


iu,«l. out June 30, 1805. 


Samuel A. Cha 


iiplin, must, out Juue 30, 1865. 


lleury Drake, 


niiLst. out Jnne30, 1SC5. 


Darwin Diinaldson, must, out June :iO, 180.5, 


Stephen A. Dr 


Ill, mu,t. ont June 30, 1805. 



Henry Elliott, must, out June :iO. 1SC5. 
William H. Fuiford, must, out June 30, 180.5. 
Siuilh Hall, must, out June 30, 180-5. 
Charles E. Hopkins, must, out June 30, 18C5. 
George II. Limebeck, must, out Juno 30, 1805. 
Charles Myer.s, must, out June 30, 1805. 
Henry A. Powell, must, out Juue 30, 1805. 
Henry House, must, out Juue 30, 1865. 
Frank Torrence, must, out June 30, 186,5. 
Wilbaiu A. Young, must, out June SO, 1865. 

FIRST ENGINEERS AND MECHANICS. 



IMP ANY A. 



I-aar M. D. lienlK.io, died at Louisville, Ky., March 22, 1802. 
Harrison Sage, died at lluutsville, Ala., June 20, 1802. 
Kngeno C. Noble, died at Perryville, Ky., Nov. 5, 1862. 
Allen Wilkensi.u, disch. for disability, March 26, 1802. 
William II. Gibbs, died at Nnsliville, Tenn , Jan. 17, 1803. 
Pi-trie Lawrence, disch. for disability, April 10, 1803. " 
Jaiiu-B Tillotson, d sell, for disability, April 3, 1803. 
Adial T. Harwooil, died at Hiiulsville, Ala., June 4, 1864. 
William B. Ward, di-cli. for ilisability, Dec. 20, 1863. 
S. S. lienhaui, discli. at expiration of service, Oct. 31, 1804. 
Eliab Dunbar, disch. to le-eul. as veteran, Jan. 1, 1864; must. o< 

Tenn., Sept. 22, 1805. 
James .S. liichards, supposed died at Louisville, Ky., Dec. 18, 186 

Wbitcomli, iliscb. for disability, Aug. 13, 1802. 

S..lomon Fi.sler, disch. by ordei-, June 0, 1S05. 
George J. Foster, disch. by order, Jiinit G, I8G5. 



tat Nashville 



Alanson Uanvood, disch. by order, June 6, 1865. 

Donald Mclolyre, must, out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1805. 

COMPANY B. 

Sergt. Albert G. Jewell, Sunfiehi ; com. 2d lieut. May 28, 1863; pro. to 1st lit 

Jan. 1, 1804 ; must, out Sept. 22, 1SG.5. 
Al.uer Rice, died at Cbatlannoga, Tenn.. Feb. 15, 1801. 



COMPANY D. 
Qni.-Sergt. Gilbert SI. Hasty, Lansing; com. Ist lieut. Co. D., Ja; 

out at expiration of service, Oct. 26, 1864. 
Lelaml L. Davis, disch. by order, Juue 0, 1865. 

COSIPANY E. 
Arlhiir J. Stark, died at Murfreesboro', Tenn., Sl.ay 1, 1863. 
Henian Lowe, disch. for disability, Slarch 30, 186:!. 
Dewilt C. Church, disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 31, 1864. 



.1,1864; must. 



William H. Hunter, disch. at e: 
Joseph SI. Smith, disch. at expi 
Northrop Stark, disch. at expin 
Conrad Miller, died of sickne-i 

1865. 
Benjamin Church, died of sicki 

28, 1804. 



piraliou of service, Oct. 31, 1804. 

■alion of service, Oct. 31, 1804. 

lion of service, Oct. 31, 1804. 

.at Chestnut St, Hospital, Philadelphia, June 1, 

less at Cbf.stnut St. Ilosjiital, Pliiladelphia, Oct. 



COSIPANY G. 
James SI. Town, died at Wilmington, N. C, Slarch 14, 1805. 
Joseph Fi.li, d.ed at Cheraw, S. C, Slarch 5, 1805. 

COSIPANY H. 
Charles C. Vredeuburg, disch. for disability. Slay 0, 18G2. 
Robert F. Freeman, disch. f„r disability, Slarch 3, 1863. 
Jacob Pickard, disc h. for disability. May 30, 1863. 
George II. Batchelor, discli. at oxpiratiou of service, Oct. 31, 1864. 
Hiram W. Castle, disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 31, 1864. 
licdiert Brown, died of wounds at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 10, 1864. 
f Iiafford Brown, must, out at Nashville, Tenn.. Sept. 22, 1865. 
Lyman Brown, must, out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1805. 
Asa Waterhouse, must, out at Naslivillo, Tenn., Sept. 22, 180.5. 



Silas F. Hastings, died at White' 
Will am Teibusb, disch. by ordc 



COMPANY 1. 

River, Ark., July 12,1803. 

■.June 10, 1865. 



William F. Armslrc 
Frank J. Hawkins, 
William G. Joliiisoi 
Bradford Carter, di; 



COMPANY K. 
Austin G. Buel, died at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. IS, 1802. 
James Walling, disch. for disability, Aug. 28, 1862. 
Lathrop G. Coiiaut, disch. for di.-ability, Nov. 2.3, 1862. 
William II. Fray, died at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 27, 1863. 
Will am L. Clark, disch. f.T chsabllity, Aug. 17, 1863. 
Carlos Andrews, died at Chattanoc-ga, Tenu., Feb. 11. 1804. 
Benjamin Keeler, died at Chattailca.ga, Tenn., Feb. 11, 1864. 
Cyrus K. Wilder, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Slay 29. 1864. 
Silius B. Carter, Iraus to Vet. Res. Corjis, April 10, 1804. 
George W. Wilder, discli. at expiration of service, Oct. 31, 1S04. 
Charles W. Storr, disch. at expiralion of service, Oct. 31, 1801. 
Hymau SI. C. Knowlton, disch. to re-cnl. as veteran, Dec. 31, 1863; must, out 

Sept. 22, 1865. 
Charles 0. Knowlton, disch. to re-eiil, as vcter.ili, Dec. 31, ISO!; must, out Sept. 
22, 1805. 

ng, must, out at Nashville, Tc'nn.,Sept. 22, 180.5. 

must, out at Niuihville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1805. 

, must, out at Nashville, Teuu., Sept. 22, 1805. 

cb. by order, Oct. 4, 180.5. 
Alfred P. Denton, must, out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1805. 
Henry II. Hadley, must, out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept 22, 1805. 
Warren King, disch. by ordei-, Oct. 4, 18G5. 
Albeit SI. Slorton, disch. by order, Oct. 4, 1865. 
Daniel Poiti'f, disch. by order, July 10. 1805. 
George Parliman, discli. by order, Aug. 311, 1805. 

COMPANY SI. 
Roiurns Lauipsoii, died on st. .iinir on llliio River, Dec. 2, 1804. 

FIRST MICHIGAN SHARPSHOOTERS. 

Asahel W. Nichols, Lansing; com. capt Co. E , Sla.v, 8, 1863; pro. to maj. Oct. 
13, 1864; lieut -col. Slarch 7, 1865; wounded in action at Petersburg, Va., 
Ajiril 2, 1805; pro. to brevet-col. U. S. Vols , April 2, 1865, " for conspicu- 
ous gallantry in the assault before Petersburg, Va. ;'' honorably di^ch. 
June 2, 1865; now dcci-ased. 

COSIPANY A. 
Porter Fales, died of wounds at Washington, I). C, Slay 18, 1805. 
C'orlan E. Brainerd, must, out Slay 12, 18G5. 
Il.irvey Carr, must, out Juue 17, 1805. 



MIIJTAItV IIISTOKY. 



573 



SocrAtoif II<mg, must 
Willinm GiitiMlloll, iniixl. < 
Duniel IIiilo, iniisl. uiit Jii 
riuiikcit Uiitcliiusuri, n»i' 



COMPANY B. 

I Miiy 1,1, 1805. 



II Juii»:!, 18GS. 

c 3, 1805. 

. outJiliicS, 1805. 



COMrANY C. 
Spencer L. Shaw, niiwt. out Aug. :lo, 1805. 
Fredfrick WciidiTlmusoii, must uilt Jnly '28, 1805. 

COJIPANY D. 
I'rcston W. Parkereon, niiiBt. out June 3. 180,5. 
liaruiibiu Van Geliler, niunt. out June 14, 1805. 
.lumea II. Bliller, milat. iHit June :t, 1805. 
(ieurgo Elliatlian, niiLit, uut Juue 3, 1805. 

COMPANY E. 
Henry V. Hinckley, LnnsillK ; com. 2il liciil. Mar 8, ISC:!; pro. to rapt, Sept. U, 

1804; must, out July 28, 1805. 
Henry S. Ririies, ciiseh. for disability, Sept. 10, 1803. 
I'nrdy T. Coll.in, killed in nclion near Petei^burg. Va, June 17, 1804. 
Mark A. Child, died at Annapolis, Md., April 28, 18G4. 
John Anderson, discli. for promotion, Feb. 12, 1804. 
Ja,iepli Kilbunrne, disch. for disability, Blai cli 22, 1804. 
Alvin M. Jones, must, out July 28, IS(>5. 
Marshall M. Adams, must, out July 28, 1806. 
Lafayette Denning, ninsl. out July 28, 1805. 
Samuel Milligun, must, out July 28, \Hm. 
William II. Mitchell, niu.Ht. out Jnno 7, 1865. 
Robert S. Bartlctt. must, out July 28, I8C5. 
Janie^ Sharkey, must, ont June 13, 18(». 
John SIcGivemn, must, .lut July 28, 180,5. 



Sleph 



3 J. Dexter, killcil in action near 
Q Tut tie, must, out July 28, 1805. 



COMPANY F. 

an neor Petersl'Urg, Va., April i 



COMPANY G. 
Orange Pnrdy, must, nut June 13, 1805. 
George K, Piirdy, must, out June 3, 180,5. 
Harrison 0. Pnrdy, niiisl. out Juno 3, 1805. 
Iteiijumin Rush, must, out July 28, 1805. 

COMPANY U. 

ICiiwtus Ketcbam, must, ont June 2, 180.5, 



Willi 



St. out July 28, Uia. 
nu»t. out July 28, 1SC5. 



COMPANY I, 

William Brnce, must, ont July 28, 180,5, 
Henry C. Call, discli. Dec. 28, 1804. 
.loseph H, Barker, must, uut Aug. !», 18(^ 
Joseph Bliss, must, out June 20, 18G5. 
Henry D. Johnson, must, ont June 2, 18C5. 

COMPANY K. 
Robert Valentine, must, out Aug. II, I8C5. 



Amos Crane, must. > 
Juhii Bnttis, must. < 



nt Aug. II, 180.5. 
Ill Aug. II, 180.5. 



FIRST UNITKD .ST.VTES Sn.VKI'SUOOTKUS, 

COMPANY C. 
James II. Baker, Lauaiiig; com. 2d lieul, Aug. 21, 1801 ; pro. to 1st liout 

18, 1801 ; capt. Aug. 31, 1802. 
Albert L. Bilker, discli. for disability, March 17, 1802. 
llaniel W. Shutllick, diach. for disability, Jan. 8, 1802. 
John Cranmcr, dIach. for disakilily, June, 1802. 
Peter C. Van Etter, killed at Mana«fas, Va., Aug. 3n, 1802. 
William S. Parker, killed at Clmncellorsville, Vn., May 3, 188:1. 
Johnson Robinson, killed at Cold llarlsir, Va., June 6, I8(i4. 
James Dillabiiugh, trans, to Vet. Ilea. 0>n»>, Fob. 15, 1804. 
John II. Wiser, d aeh at ex|.iialhin of service, Aug. 20, 1804. 
Williiim Kelsey, discli. to re-enl. »• relenin, Jan. 2, 1804. 
John M. Itoolb, .lis. h to re-enl. as veteran, Jlarch 14, 1804. 



Wils. 



COMPANY I. 
I D. Hill, died at Wailiingb.n, I), C, May 9, 180.3. 



SECOND UNITED STATES SH.VKPSHOOTKRS. 

Eliaa K. Soundera, N. C. S., dladi. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec 21, ISC:). 

COMPANY B. 
Andrew 11. Sluarl, Unsng; rom. capt. Aug. 25, ISOl ; disch. N.,v. lU, 1804. 
Doty I'laniir, died July 0, 1802. 
Tina Wclt.iii, died Ji:ne 17, IB02. 
George W. Lewis, dicil Jan. 2, 1802. 
Silna S. Lliidsley, died Jan. 2, 1802. 
Kolaon D. Leslie, died Jan. 3, 1802. 



II. J. Nixon, died Jan. 8, 1802. 

Sylvnnna L. Piersous, died Jan. 5, 1802. 

Slephoii I). Tn-mble, died March II, 1802. 

George II. Vanliorn, died April II, 1802. 

Williiim It. Ostrom, iIIihI Jan. 8, 1H02. 

John O. Hunt, died Jan. 2, 1802. 

Welloii Fills, clled at Fredericksburg, Vu , June II, 1802. 

Henry B. Ileers, disrii. for disabillly, June 18, 1802. 

Orriii S. Case, disch. for di-abillty. 

Asa Shutllick, disch. fur disability. May 10. 1852. 

Henry Daiin, disch. fur disability, >Iuy 10, 1802. 

Ilarnwell Fisher, discli. for disabillly. May 15, 18.52. 

Charles Foster, discli. rordisabilily. May 2.'i, 1802. 

Ilenjnlnln C. Guodliue, discli. fur disahlllly. May 25, 1802. 

Milo It. .Moore, disch. for disability, May 13, 1802. 

Morris Norton, diach. for disability, June 23, 1802. 

MarliM I'lielp., disch, for di-abilily. May 2, 1802, 

Willl.im II. H. W.ishbnrn, discli. for disabillly, April I. 1802. 

Iloyal H. IleiiBon, diach. for disabillly, Feb. 27, 1802. 

Samuel F. Fine, discli. for dlssibility, Dec. 12, 1801. 

James K. Juhii»m, disch. f.irdiiabilily, April I, 1802. 

Ahinaon Northrop, disch. for di-abllily, March 25, 1802. 

Edwin Nixon, disch. fur disability, March 14, 180.'. 

0«c;ir Oakia, ilisch. for disability, March 2;i, 1802. 

William C. Niles, di-ch. for disabillly, Dec. 9, 1802. 

Jamea J. Norllirup, disch. for diaabilily, Nov. 17, I80>. 

John D. Skinner, killed at Ilappihannoek, Vn., Ang. 21, 1802. 

Georgo C. Woodnmn. killed at S|iott»ylvnnlii, Va., May II, 1804. 

Charles CroiikilG, killed at Sinttsylvania, Va., May 12, 1804. 

David II. Wagoner, kilbd at Spidtsylvanlu. Vn , May 12, 1804. 

Stephen H. T.^b■r, killed at Spott-ylvanla, Va., May 12, 1804. 

George A. Tut.le, k.lled near IVlenil.iiig. Va , Juno 19, 1804. 

John llohnot, died of wounds at Washington, D. C, June 1, 1801. 

( hauiuey II. Sliight, died of wounils at Washing D. C, June 19, 1804. 

Thomas J. Hawkins, ilied of wounds, July, 1804. 

William II. Graham, tiled nt Baltimore, Md., July 3, I8C:l. 

Daniel Kllis, died at New Y'ork, Sept. 20, 1804. 

Miron Davis, died at Alexandlla, Va , (Jet. 20, 1-04. 

Jiidson Cory, died at Charlealon, S. C, Sept. 24, 1804. 

William M. lairce, missing In action near Pelersbuig, Vn., Jnno 21, 1804 

Charles S. Hunt, niNsing in actbui near Petersburg, Vu., Juno 21, 1804. 

George Morton, missing in action near Pelershurg, Va., June 21, 1804. 

Delos Morion, missing in action n. ar Petersburg, Va., June 21, I8GI. 

Joseph E. Wilcox, liil^Klng In acllon near Petersburg, Vn., June 21, 1804. 

Williiim W. Wilcox, trans, to Vet. Itu<. Corps, March 15, 1864. 

Geort:o Ha7.1eloii, trans, to Vet. lies. Corps, Aug. I, 180:1. 

Ileniy D Ballard, trans, to Vet. Rea. Crp^ Fob. 0, 180,|. 

John J. Filleld, disch. for disaMllty, June 2U, 1804. 

Charles W. Smith, disch. at expirall.ni of service, Sept. 20, 1804. 

Samuel H. McCord, disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 5, 1804. 

Henry C. Morrow, discli.nt oxplratlon ofaervice, Sept. 10, 1804. 

Chailncey S. Slaltby, d acli. at explnitjon of service, Oct. 24, 18Ci. 

Richard Warfle, illscli. for diaabilily, July 22, 1802. 

George W. Cole, disch. to iv-eiil. as veteran, March 21, 1804. 

William J. Ciininiings, disch. to rc-oiil. as veteran, Jan. 6, I8C4. 

Llewellyn J. Bl iiii hard, ills. h. to rc-cni. lis veteran, Dec. 21, I8C3. 

veteran, Dec. 21, 1803. 

veteran, Dec. 21, 180.1. 

III. aa veteran, Dec. 21, 180:1. 

ll. as veteran, Dec. 21, 180:<. 

retemn, Dec. 21, 180:!. 

.aa voteian, Dec. 21, 1803. 

IS veleron, Dec. 21, 1803. 
veteran, Dec. 21, 1863. 

s veteran, Dec. 21, 1803. 

I voteian, Dec. 21, l«0:i. 

elentn, Dec. 21,1801. 

retonin, Dec. 21, 186:1. 

IS veteran. Doc. 21, 1801. 

. as veteivn, Doc. 21, 180.3. 



Irvin I. ChibU, discli. to re-cni. as 
Joshua Cosheii, diach. to re-enl. as 
Georgo C. Woodman, ilisch. to re-e 
George E. Laurence, disch. to re-ei 
Calvin Austin, disch. to re-enl. as i 
Charles Cronkhite, diach. to re-enl 
William Denney, d.si'li. to re^nl. ii 
Jerry C. Gallop, dlaill. to re-enl. as 
Wilbur Howard, dia< h. to rex-nl. a 
OIlu Hammond, diach. to re-enl at 
Delos Morton, diach. to re-enl. iia v 
Henry Parker, di„cli. to re-enl. as ' 
George B. Smith, d,ach. to re-ciil. n 
William Sherwood, disch. to re-enl 
Tlicodorc H. Slrnlton, disch. to ro 
Charles Tultle, ilisoli. to i<-<'iil. as 
George A. Tiiltle, discli. to re-enl. 
James W. Tiittle, disch. to re-enl. i 
David W. Wagconer, dlB.li. to re-. 
Monroo W. Whilinoro, disrii. to re 
Ulysai'S D. WanI, diach. to ro-onl. ii 
Oilniido Wheelock, disch. to re.cn 
Frank Shoevan, tliscli. to re-enl. aa 
GeiTge G. Martin, disch. to rcelil. 



as veteran. Due, 21, I8C.I. 
ran, Dec, 21, 1803. 
eteiBU, Dec. 21, I8M. 
'lonin. Due. 21, 180:1. 
aa veteruii, Dec. 21, ISfll. 
. as veteran, Dec. 21, 180:1. 
leran, Dec. 21, 180:1. 
veteran. Die 21, I80;l. 
eran, Dec. 21,1803. 
etoinii, Dec. 21, 1861. 



ONE lilNDlIKD .\Nn SECOND U. S. COLORED 
TItDOl'S. 

COMPANY A. 

Ibdiert Rnsaell, niu-t. ont Sept. :I0, 1805. 
John Brown, must, out Sept. 3ii, ltG6. 



574 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



William II. Harrison, 
Julin E. Bruoklino, mi 
SiinJfunl M. Oharli-s, l 



COMPANY B. 

list, out Sept. 30, 18(55. 
.out Kept. 311, 1805. 
St. out Si-lit. 30, 1805. 



COMPANY C. 
Bonjamin Grcoii, ciicd F.-li. 21, 1804. 
George Morgan, must, out Sept. 30, 18G5. 

COMPANY E. 
Pleasant KiJil, must, out Sept. 30, 1805. 
Cyrus F. Martin, must, out Sept. 3U, 1805. 



COMPANY F. 

t Swift Creek, S. C, April 19, 1805. 



Niiali Ilill, killed in 

Charles H. Croirket, mu.-it. out Sept. 30, 1805. 

William Collins, must, out Sept. 30, 18G5. 

COMPANY G. 
Cliarles U. nammonil, must, out Sept 30, 1805. 
Frederick Bowniau, must, out Sept. 30, 1805. 

COMPANY I. 
Thomas Gloves, must, out Sept. 30, 1805. 

MERRILL HORSE. 









COMPANY II 


Lester ('.. Spa 


il.li 


IK, mils 


. oiil Sept. I'J, 180.5. 


Llewelljn Dv 


ini 


ell, inns 


t. on I Sept. 19, 1805. 



COMPANY I. 
Henry Hess, died at St. Luuis, Mo., Jan. 28, 1802. 
Kllsworlli K. Kennedy, diseh. for disahility, April 11, 1802. 
John L. Uoberls, discli. for disability, March 0, 1862. 
William II. Roth, discli. to re-enl. ius veteran, Jan. 5, 1804. 
Lorenzo S. Hart, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Jan. 5, 1SC4; trans, to 

Corp-, June 14, 1805. » 

William Young, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Jan. 5, 1804. 
Peter Van Sickel, die'd at Benton Barraelis, Mo., March 27, 1805. 
Charles E. Cook, died at Jeflersonville, Ind., Feb. 4, 1805. 
Charles \V. Cook, died at Padueah, Ky., Jan. 29, 1865. 
William H. Abel, disch. at expiration tifservice, Sejil. 15, 1804. 
Charles W. Blanchanl, discli. at expiration of service, Srpt. 15, 1804. 
George H. Wade, must, out Sept. 19, 1805. 
William Young, disch. by order, July 25, 180,5. 
Cornelius Sessions, disch. at expiralion of service, April 7, 1805. 
David E. Fero, must, out Sept. 19, 1805. 
Iliram F. Lane, must, out Sept. 19, 1805. 
Reuben Hall, must, out Sept. 19, 1805. 

COMPANY L. 
Hamilton It. Krebbs, disch. by order, June 15, 1805. 
George W. Rowley, di.scli. by order, June 15, 1805. 
Benjamin Stewart, disch. by order, Juno 15, 1865. 
Charles Stewart, disch. by order, June 15, 1805. 



CHAPTER IX. 



.SECOND CAVALRY. 



Tins regiment was raised and organized at Grand Rapids, 
by Hon. F. W. Kellogg, in the fall of 1861. In its ranks 
were 100 or more men from Eaton and Ingham Counties, 
mostly from the first named. A large share of them be- 
longed to Company B, but they were also scattered in 
other companies. The command left the Rapids on the 
14th of November, 18C1, with 1163 names on its rolls, 
and proceeded to St. Louis, Mo., where it was assigned to 
duty at Benton Barracks, and remained there until March, 
1862, when it formed a part of Gen. Pope's command, op- 
erating against Island No. 10 and New Madrid. Follow- 
ing this campaign it was transferred to Northern Mississippi 
in May, and remained in that region until October, when 
it was ordered to Louisville, Ky. It was actively employed 



during the year, and on the 31st of October, 1862, had an 
aggregate of 794 men on its rolls. 

In December, 1862, and January, 18C3, it was with the 
command under Gen. Carter which made a raid into East 
Tennessee, broke up the enemy's communications, and de- 
stroyed a large amount of stores. The expedition consumed 
twenty-two days, and there was considerable skirmishing. 
Returning from this movement, the Second proceeded to 
Louisville, Ky., and soon after to Nashville, Tenn., reach- 
ing the latter place on the 3d of February. During the 
succeeding two months it was stationed at Murfreesboro' 
and Franklin, employed in reconnoitering and skirmishing 
with the enemy. On the 18th of February it was sharply 
engaged near Milton, on the 19th at Cainsville, and again 
on the 27th near Spring Hill. On the 4th and 5th there 
was severe skirmishing with the rebels under Van Dorn 
and Forrest, in which the regiment lost one killed, four 
wounded, and one prisoner. From the 8th to the 12th it 
was engaged in reconnoitering, during which scivice the 
enemy were driven across Duck River. 

On the 25th of March it made a gallant fight with a 
large force under Stearns and Forrest, in which the enemy 
sutJ'cred severely, losing, besides a large number killed and 
wounded, fifty-two prisoners, several wagons, and a great 
amount of munitions and baggage. The losses of the regi- 
ment were : one died of wounds, six wounded, and two 
missing. On the 4th of June, while moving from Triune 
to Franklin, it had another sharp .skirmish, in which it lost 
two killed and three wounded. On the 6th it returned to 
Triune, and remained at that point until the advance of the 
army from Slurfreesboro', when it moved forward with the 
cavalry division to which it was attached. 

On the 23d it was under fire at Rover, on the 24th at 
Jliddletown, where it drove the enemy, and on the 27th at 
Slielbyville, where it made a dashing charge and drove the 
enemy into the town. Again, on the 2d of July, it was 
engaged at Elk River Ford, and on the 3d at Cowan. In 
the beginning of September it was busily engaged among 
the mountains of Tennessee and Northern Georgia scouting 
and foraging. On the 3d of October the command left 
Rankin's Ferry, on the Tennessee River, to take part in 
the pursuit of the enemy's cavalry, which under Gen. 
Wheeler was making a raid upon the communications of 
Gen. Ro.secrans' army. During the pursuit the Second 
Cavalry made 103 miles from the 3d to the 5th of October 
inclusive, and 82 miles on the 0th, 7th, and 8th, the greater 
portion of the distance over rough mountain roads. On 
the 31st it encamped at Winchester, Tenn. 

The casualties in the regiment from October, 1862, to 
October, 1863, were: 8 died in action or of wounds: 23 
of disease; 188 discliarged, mostly for disability; 70 de- 
serted; 31 missing in action; 8 wounded in action; 10 
officers resigned. Total, 338. Aggregate on the rolls, 
Nov. 1, 1863, 662. 

Early in January, 1864, the regiment went on a foraging 
expedition to Fayettevillc, where it gathered in 400 bush- 
els of wheat, 65 head of cattle, from 500 to (iOO sheep, 
and a number of mules and horses. On the 16th the 
regiment left Winchester, and proceeded, via Shelby ville, 
Murfreesboro', Milton, Liberty, and Sparta, to the Cumber- 



MILITARY HISTOIIV. 



575 



land Mountains, through these to Crossville, and thence, 
n'<( Kinpston and Kiioxvillc, to Strawberry Phiins, crossing 
the IIuKstoii River, and arrivinj^ at its destination Dec. 17, 
1803. On the 23d tlie regiment made a ujovenient through 
New Marlict to Dandridge, where, early on tiie morning 
of the 24lh, it attacked a superior force of the enemy. 
The conflict was severe, lasting the entire day, and the 
Union forces were compelled to fall back at night to New 
Market. The losses in the Second were two killed, eight 
wounded, and ten prisoners. On the 25th it encamped at 
Mossy Creek, where it remained until the 14th of January, 
18G4. On the 29th of December it was engaged in a 
skirmish with the enem^', in which it lost four men, — one 
killed, one wounded, and two taken prisoners. 

On the 14th of January the regiment was sent forward 
to Dandridge to check the advance of Longstreet's Corps, 
approaching from Chattanooga to the investment of Knox- 
ville. On the 17th there was skirmishing, and on the 19th 
the command fell back to Knoxville. Again crossing the 
Holstou River it bivouacked on Flat Creek on the 23d, and 
on the 2Cth was at Pigeon River. At midnight on the 
2(!th it marched with a considerable force to the attack of 
a body of rebel eavair}', which was defeated with a loss of 
three guns and seventy-five prisoners. The loss of the 
Second Cavalry was eleven wounded and two missing. 

On the 4th of March the command was at Calhoun, and 
on the 12th at Cleveland, Tenn. On the 28th of the same 
month a large proportion of the regiment re-enlisted, and 
on the 14th of April the veterans left for their homes in 
Michigan on furlough. On the 3d of May the remainder 
of the regiment moved from Cleveland and joined the army 
of Gen. Sherman, then concentrating near Chattanooga for 
the Atlanta campaign. 

On the 13th while passing through Dug Gap there was 
some skirmishing, and on the 14th while leading the ad- 
vance there was sharp work in which it lost one killed and 
three wounded. At Tilton Station, on the 15th, it threw 
up a line of works, but moved forward on the following day, 
and crossing the Oostanoula River reached Cassville on the 
20th. Crossing the Etoivah River on the 23d, it skir- 
mished with the enemy more or less until the 28th, losing 
in the various encounters ten men wounded and two missing. 

On the 2d and 5th of June there was more skirmishing, 
and on the 17tli the regiment reached Lost ^lountain, a 
high, isolated peak in the midst of the forest, about ten 
miles west of Kcnne.siw Mountain. On the 29lh of June 
the regiment took a new departure, being sent by rail to 
Franklin, Tenn., where, on or about the 10th of July, it was 
joined by the veterans returning from furlough. From this 
time until the last of August it was employed in guarding 
the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, between the former 
place and Rutherford's Creek. 

On the 30th of August it moved from N;mhville in pur- 
suit of the rebel Gen. Wheeler in command of a large 
cavalry force. He was encountered about twelve miles 
from Xiishville, and driven back several miles ; and from 
this time until the 8th of September the command was in 
pursuit of the enemy, skirmishing near Campbellville on 
the 5th. On the 7th it was at Florence, Ala., and on the 
12th it reached Franklin, Tenn. 



On the 25th it again left Franklin, this time in pursuit 
of Forrest, who was making an extensive raid through 
Tenne.«see. On the 27th there was a collision, and subse- 
quently the regiment marched, via Connersville, Shelby- 
ville, and Tullahoma, to Winchester, and from thence, 
through Normandy, Lewisburg, Shelbyville, Mooresville, 
and Tallerea, to Florence, Ala., arriving there on the 5th 
of October. On the 7th it engaged the enemy at Cypress 
River, losing six men killed, wounded, and prisoners. It 
then moved by Pulaski, llodgersville, and Marmion to 
Four-Mile Creek, Ala., and encamped until the 29lh, when 
the rebel army under Gen. Hood crossed to the north 
side of the Tennessee River, which stream was to prove his 
" Rubicon." During the remainder of the month the 
regiment was engaged in fighting and obstructing the ad- 
vance of Hood's army. On the 3d of November in an 
encounter it was forced to retire. 

Its losses for the year, during which it had marched 
nearly 1400 miles, were as follows : 

Died in action or of wounds 2o 

Died of disease 67 

Disclmrgcd for disability, etc 1S5 

Trnngfcrrcd to other coininiinds .t:t 

Misiing in action 22 

Total 322 

Re-enlisted as veterans, 328. 

At the close of 18G4 it was serving with the First Bri- 
gade of the First Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. 

On the 5th of November it was attacked near Shoal 
Creek, Ala., and after a most obstinate contest was forced 
back to Four-Mile Creek with severe loss. From the 9th 
to the 14th it was in camp. On the 15th a reconnoLssance 
was made to Taylor's Springs, where it encamped until the 
20th, when it moved to Lexington, Tenn., and on the fol- 
lowing day to Lawrenceburg, where it encountered the 
enemy and was obliged to fall back, skirmishing at Co- 
lumbia and Campbellsville. On the 25th it crossed Duck 
River, and on the 28th was in line of battle near the 
Lewisburg Pike.* On the 29lh it had sharp skirmishing 
at Spring Hill and Bethesda Church. On the oOth it took 
part in Schoficld's great battle at Franklin and lost twenty- 
one men, — one killed, seventeen wounded, and three miss- 
ing. On the 1st of December it fell back to within a few 
miles of Nashville, and remained in line of battle during 
the night. On the 2d (he regiment pa.sscd through the 
city, crossed the Cumbciland River, and encamped at 
Edgfield, where it remained until the 12lh, when it re- 
crossed the river and, moving beyond Nashville, encamped 
on the Charlotte Pike. On the 15th the regiment 
advanced two miles, and skirmished during the continuance 
of the operations around Nashville in which Hood's army 
was completely broken to pieces by the veterans under the 
indomitable Thomas, and its scattered fragments sent flying 
in utter rout towards the Tenncs.see. 

On the evening of the 16th the Second Cavalry mounted 
and moved rapidly towards the Harpeth River, swimming 
that stream, and continuing its advance to Spring Hill. 
Duck River was cros.sed on the 23d, and the command 
passed through Columbia on the 24th, and coming up with 

* This is the couimun name in the South fur turnpike. 



576 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



the enemy fought him all day, charging and driving him 
for a distance of sixteen miles, and losing seven men during 
the day. On the 25th the regiment was skirmishing at 
Pulaski, and on the 20th at Sugar Creek. It passed 
through Taylor's Springs on the 2Sth, and reached Water- 
loo on the 31st, where it remained until Jan. 17, 1865, 
when it crossed the Tennessee River and made a raid 
through Eastport, luka, and Burnsville, Miss., capturing 
six prisoners ; thence to Corinth and Farmington on the 
l!)th, returning via luka and Eastport, taking five more 
prisoners on the way, and, crossing the Tennessee River, 
reached Waterloo on the 21st. At this point it remained 
until the 11th of March, when it once more crossed the 
Tennessee and advanced to Chickasaw, Ala., where it en- 
camped until the 22d, when the march was resumed vi(i 
Frankfort, Russellville, Big Ford Creek, Eldridge, and 
Ja.sper; crossing the Mulberry River on the 28th, the 
Black Warrior on the 20th, and reaching Elyton, Ala., on 
the 3()th. 

On the 1st of April the command again crossed the 
Black Warrior River at Johnston's Ferry, swimming their 
horses, and had a skirmish with the enemy on the 2d at 
Trion, arriving at Tu.scaloosa on the 3d, where they sur- 
prised the pickets and captured the city, together with 
three guns and a considerable number of prisoners. 

The public stores and buildings and the bridge over the 
river were destroyed, and the regiment proceeded to Bridge- 
ville, where, on the 6th, the rebels made a sudden attack, 
but after a sharp engagement were handsomely repulsed, 
with a loss to the regiment of three men wounded. The 
march was resumed, and the command passed through 
Newport and Windham's Springs. On the 13th it crossed 
Wolf Creek; on the 14th, Lost Creek and the Black 
Water ; on the 19th, the Black Warrior and the Coosa, at 
Luff's Ferry, reaching Talladega on the 22d. On the 23d 
there was skirmishing with Gen. Hill's rebel brigade, in 
which the regiment had two men killed, and captured one 
piece of artillery. Continuing its movements, the command 
crossed a branch of the Talladega on the 24th, the Talla- 
poosa on the 25tli, the Chattahooehie on the 26th, and 
reached Macon, Ga., on the l.st of May. At this point it 
remained encamped until July 17th, when the regiment 
was broken into detachments, and sent to garrison Perry, 
Thomaston, Burnesville, Forsyth, and Milledgeville ; two 
companies and head([uarters remaining at Macon. It was 
mustered out on the 17th of August, reached Michigan on 
the 26th, and was immediately paid and disbanded at 

Jackson. 

FIRST CAVALRY. 

COMPANY A. 
J. Leo Clark, must, out jit cloay of war ; wouriiU'd twicu. 
JaruBS H. P. Ililliaril, uuist. out Maidi 19, 1800. 
Marion H. Quail, must, out Aug. 3, 18CU. 
Kaliih Sttvcnsou, must, out March Id, 18C0, 
Irwin 1). IlLcd, must, out Vch. 2:i, ISCO. 



John McAllister, ri 
Robert McAllister, 
Allen Cook, ilis( 
George W. Will 



h. 1>1 



COMPANY B. 

uit March 10, 1860. 

. out March 1|], ISIiS. 

ler, 

St. out Marcli in, 1800. 

COMPANY 0. 



Lewis Beadle, disch. at cxpirafiim of aeivic 
George Morris, must, out March 10, 1800. 
John L. Stokes, must, out March 111, 18C0. 



COMPANY D. 
ISdward Lockwood, must, out May 8, 1800. 
Charles lilumherg, disch. at expiration of service. Fob. 20 
George E. Fields, must, out March in, 1860. 
Ezra Mead, disch. at expiration of service, Feb. l.i, ISCO. 
George Norton, must, out March 10, 1800. 

C(I.MPANY E. 
William Tliompson, must, out Jan. 5, ISOO. 
John Usher, must, out March 10, 18C0 



Albert It. Dakin, missing in act 
John L. Clark, disch. at expirat 
Albert II. Rush, discli. at expiri 
Hubbard M. Dakin, disch. at expirat 
Charles Tanner, must, out March 25, 186 ;. 
William II. Tiyon, must, out Feb. 27, 1800. 

COMPANY II. 
Allen N. Cowon, most, out Feb. 16, 1800. 
Ferdinand Cramer, must, out March 25, 1800. 
Charles II. Corselt, must, out March 25, 1800. 
nust. out Jau. 22, 1800. 
It March 2.1, 1800. 
!. out June ao, ISOO. 
out Feb. 17, 1800. 
out March 25, 1800. 
t March 25, 1800. 



COMPA.VY F. 






ion, Jun 


el2 


1S04. 






on of se 


rvicc 


.Aug 


22, 


1864. 


jtion of 


serv 


ce, Ai 


K.2 


2, 1861. 


piration 


ofs 


rvice, 


Ap 


II 5, 1805. 



Lambert J. Crai 

Jared W. Gray, 

William K. Hag 

Charles B. Low 

Judson A. Mille 

Lang U. Niles, I 

Jonathan D. llodgcrs, must, out March 5, ISOO. 

Kdwaid Truxton, must, out March 25, 1860. 

William Torrence, must, out March 25, 1800. 

COMPANY I. 



at Tri 



Alpheus W. Cirr, Lansing; com. capt. Nov. 11, 1803; killed i 

liaii Station, Va., June 12, 1804. 
Sergt. George Hill, Lansing; Co.I; com. 2d lieut. Co. A, Oct. 25, 1804 ; pro. to 

1st lieut. and adjt. March 7, 1865 ; must, out Nov. 28, 1805. 
George K. Carey, died. 

James Worden, disch. for disability, July 14, 186 1. 
Koilney V. White, died at Baltimore, Md., Jan. 14, 1865. 
Biirroll G. Gunii, died at Alexandria, Va., Aug. 3U, 1864. 
Benjamin S. Gillmore, died Feb. 18, 1865. 
George A. Gleek, died at Alexandria, Va., Oct. 24, 1864. 
Andrew Iliishenbeth, died at Alexandria, Va., Nov. 17, 1864. 
Tliomas Anderson, died at Anderson villo, Ga., Sept. 18, 1804. 
Harrison Holt, trans, to Invalid Corps, April 17, 1805. 
Alonzo B. Cadwell, disch by order, June 18, 1865. 
Morris Hobbs, disch. by order, June 18, 1805. 
David Johnson, disch. liy order, Jan. 10, 1805. 
James Kelley, must, out March 10, 1800. 

COMPANY K. 



lit Marcli 25, 1800. 
March 25,1800. 



Isaiah Davidson, 

Sylvester Hall, m 

Albert Norton, must. out. 

Josiah Perkins, mast, out March 25, 1806. 

En,.s M. Keyiiolds, must, out March 25, 1800. 

Fi.-derick S. Ricbai dson, must, out March 25, 1S06. 

David Trail, must, out Marcli 25, 1866. 

Sheldon Wright, must, out June 3(1, 1800. 

COMPANY L. 
Theodore Conner, disch. for disability. May 20, 1805. 
Abel Buckingham, must, out March lu, 1800. 
Jacob C. Haner, must, out Marcli Id, 1800. 
George W. Hewlett, must, out March 10, 1866. 
D. v. P. Kelley, must, out March 27, 1860. 

COMPANY M. 
Jusliu :\larr, must, out Jan. 18, 1800. 

SFX'OXD CAVALRY. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 
Marshall J. Dirkerson, Vermontville ; com. 2d lieut., Sept. 2, 1861 ; pro. tocapt. 

May 17, 1802; to maj., Sept. 13, 1803; to lieut-col., July 31,1866; must. 

out as maj., Aug. 17, 1865. 
George E. Raniiey, Charlotte ; com. asst. surg., June 6, 1863 ; pro. to surg. 

Nov. 15, 1804 ; trans, to 13011i U. S. Colored Troops, July, 1865. 

COMPANY A. 
Henry V. Biihardson, died at Jefi'erson, Mo., May 10, 1805. 
Arlliur Kidd, must, out June 20, 1805. 
Alonzo Percival, must, out June 20, 180,5. 
Horace Richardson, must, out June 20, 1865. 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



577 



COMPANY B. 
Ili-nry A. Si'nw, Bilun Ita|)i<l8 ; com. rapt., Sf|it. 2, 1861 ; rf <. Sept. 2.'., 1SC2. 
Pliilo \V. Rdg.rs, Kat.m Kupiila; com. Isl. Hum., Sepl. 2. 1801 ; diwl of <li»cii«c 

nt Kvuiisvill.', Iii.l., Mil}' 17, 18l-,2. 
JumcK W. Glu'liling, <,'lmilottc ; piil. HiTgt. ; pro. lo 24 liciit., Jiin. :10, ISO:) ; to 

Isl liriil., Miirrh 1, 181.4; ri'ii. Feb. 20, l8G.'i. 
Isaac Griawold, Vcmionlvillc; cnl.ecrgt., pro. lo Isl li«ut., Oct. 22, 1804 ; must. 

out Aug. IT, 18CS. 
Dirucy G. Sliiiw, Entou Kapids; com. 2il lictit., April lu, 1804; res. March 31, 

ISO.-., 
riillo W. Rogers, die<l nt Kviuisvillc, Ind., Mny 17, 18G2. 
Lewis M. Loveless, died a( IIuniliurg.Tcnn., June -i, 18U2. 

Levi I> <, died at lliuiilxirg, Teiin.. .luly 1», 1802. 

Kzra Bell, died at llaniUiirg, Teiin., May 1, IS02. 

Jusepli Uoyer, died at Ueliluti llatnirks. Mo., Jan. 18, 1802. 

Du'ighl Bariinm, died at New Madrid, Mo., April 14, 18C2. 

Iri.ili Beetii, died at Si. Loiiis, Mo., Dec. 2, 1802. 

Peter Dorr, died at Farmiiigton, Jliss., May 22, 1802. 

George Hull, died at Henderson, Ky., May 22, 1802. 

Francis llicks, died al Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1802. 

Lorenxo D. Lacey, died at Benton Barrucks, Dec. 2, 1862. 

Burns Lisco, died at Farmington, Miss., June 29, 1802. 

Jerome O'Neil, died at Farmington, Bliss , June 27, 1862. 

Benben 0. Knssell, dieil on liosjiital boat, Mny 9, 1862. 

William Thompson, died at Keoknk, Iowa, July 25, 1862. 

Edward Walson, died near Rienzi, Sliss., July 24, 1862. 

Hiram II. Cole, died ut Charlotte, Mich , July 20, 1862. 

Willard H. Dickinson, disch. for disability, June 14, 1802. 

John Gruham, disch. for disability, April 28, 1862. 

James McQueen, disch. for disability, April 3, 1862. 

Daniel II. Powers, disch. for disability. June 14. 1862. 

LeanderS. Curtis, disch. for disability. July 8, 1862. 

Bobert Means, disch. for disability, June 2, 1862. 

Charles G. Thompson, disch. for disability, April 12, 1862. 

Daniel Vickery, disch. fur disability, April 21, 1802. 

Warren A. I.oveIess, disch. for disability, Aug. 21, 1862. 

Benjamin Boot, disch. for disability, Sept. 13, 1862. 

Henry Cramer, disch. for disability, July 22, 1862. 

John S. Bosworth, disch. for disaliility, Aug. 2-1, 1862. 

David Young, discli. for disability, Aug. 2:), 1862. 

y.ina Snyder, disch. for disability, July 18, 1862. 

Martin Montgomery, disch. for disability, July 16, 1862. 

William 11. Pope, discli. for disability, July 9, 1802. 

F. Boyer. disch. for disability, July 9, 1802. 

John II. Kimball, disch. for disability, Dec. 11, 1862. 

Lucius Tong, disch. for disability, Aug. 18, 1862. 

Michael Belyor, disch. for disability, July 1, 1862. 

Allen .M. Ilobbs, disch. fur disability, July 1, 1862. 

Kibridge Fairfield, died Hi i<t. Lous, Bio., Juue28, 1862. 

Charles Cnibtree, died at Kvansvjlle, Ind., Sept. 15, 1802, or Oct. 8, 1863. 

Bradford 1>. Jones, died at New Albany, Ind., Oct. 8, 1862, or Sept. l.i, 1863. 

Alfred Sherk, died at New Albany, Ind., S<|lt. 30, 1862, or 180:!. 

Job Ib'ynolds, niis«ing in acliun,Sept. 8, 186t; died at.Danvillc, Va., April It, 

ISO.). 
Nathan Jenne, missing in action, Sept. 25, 1863; returned; disch. at expiration 

of service. June 28, 1805. 
SylvaniM Parmenter, disch. for dinibilily, July 24, 1862. 
Ilpi-am Fry, disch. fur disability, Stpt. 2, 1802. 
Klias I). Fowler, disch. by order, Slaich 29, I86:i. 
t<aniuil Walters, discli. by order, Aug. 25, 1802. 
Jacob M. Perrine, disch. lor disability, Blarch 21, 180:1. 
Emery Bevard, disch. for disability, Blarcli :>0, 1863. 
Urial II. Walker, disch. for dlwibilily, Dec. 2, 1862. 
Blurris M. Olmstead, died al Nashville, Tenn., July 18,1868. 
Eugene Ellis, missing in action, Dec. 24, 1863; died at Andcrsonville, Ga., Blay 

20, 1865. 
Henry JI. Lindsley, disch. for disability, Feb. 21, 1804. 
William T. Slerritt, disch. by ortler. Dec. 22, 186:t. 
Charles Fulkerson, disch. by order, Sept. I, 1864. 
Biriiey E. Shaw, disch. by order, Sept. 20, 1864. (See officers.) 
Harmon Fry, discli. Sept 2, 1861. 
John P. Bliller, disch. for disaldlily, June 1, 1803. 
Henry Grave, disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 22, 1804. 
James Buskirk, disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 22, 1804. 
Henry Parmenter, disch. at expiniliou of service, Oct. 22, 1864. 
George D. Nelson, disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 22, 1864. 
Leonard Ferris, disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 22, 1804. 
William II. Beekman, disch. lo re-eul. as veteran, Jan. 5, 1864 ; must, out Aug. 

17, 1865. 
Andrews ttiers, disch. lo re-enl. as veteran, Jan. 5, 1804; must, out Aug. 17, 

1865. 
Augustus Bclden, disch. to rc-enl. as veteran, Jan. .5, 1864; must, out Aug. 17, 

186'.. 
Johannes Ikiyer, disch. to rc^i-iil. 

18M. 
Henry Collins, disch. to re-enl. a 

1865. 

Ti 



veteran, Jan. 5, 1804 ; must, out Aug. 17, 
<Meran,Jan. 5, 1864; must, out Aug. 17, 



Isiutc C. Giiswold, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Jan. 5. 1804. (See olllcers. ) 

Stark l.jinipniaii, di-ch. lo le-enl. as veteran. Jan. 5, IHill. 

George l.iiwlu.ail, discli. lu re-enl. as veteran, Jan. .'., 1804 ; must, out Aug. 17, 

ISlsi. 

BInrris .M. Olm-tead. di-ch. lo re-enl. as veteran, Jan. .'., 1864. 

Newell Bliller, disch. to re-enl. as v.leran, Jan. 5,180); must, out Aug. 17, 

180".. 
Charles H. Preston, dijch. lo reenl. as veteran, Jan. .'., 1801 ; must, out Aug. 17, 

186',. 
Willis H. Rogere, disili. lo re-enl. as veteran, Jan. .'.,1801; killed al (IxTord, 

Tenn., April :l, 1804. 
Blorris Kiigeni, disch. to re-enl. a« vit.ran, Jan. 5, 1864, 
Jerome Wheeler, discli. lo rL.-enL as veteran, Jan. .\I86I; must, out Aug. IT, 

iw;.-.. 

Silas II. Wilson, discli. to re-enl. as veteran, Jan. .'., 1864 ; must, out Aug. IT, 

1805. 
Monroe Wright, disch. to reenl. as veteran, Jan. .'•, IHGI ; must, oat Au^-. IT, 

1805. 
Austin Walker, disch. lo re-enl. lui veteran, Jan. 5, 1804 ; must, out Aug. 17, 

1805. 
Solomon Wilherell, uiscli. to re-enl. as veteran, Jan. 5, 1861; must, out Aug. 

IT, 1865. 
John Young, disch. to re-onl. m veteran, Jan. 6, 1864; must, out Aug. IT, 186'.. 
John Brown, disch. to re-enl. a^i velemii, Jan. 5, 1864 ; niiisl out Aug. IT, 1865. 
'Daniel Campbell, disch. lo re-enl. as veteran, Jan. 5, 1804 ; must, out Aug. IT, 

I8C5. 
Birney E. Sliaw, disch. to rt^enl. as veteran, Jjin. .'i, 1804. (See officers.) 
Abrani Ilakin, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Jan. 5, 1804; must, out Aug. 17, 

186.'.. 
diailc-s Reed, disch. lo re.«nl. as veteran, Jan. 5, 18CI; must, out Aug. 17, 

180:".. 
Forbes W, Hulls, disch. (o le-enl as velcmu, Jan. 5, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 17, 

1865. 
Emory E. Hackelt, died at JeflerBonvilii., Iml, Jan. 1.5, 186.'.. 
J.din (^ii.lwick, trans, lo 3d Iowa Cavalry, January, 1802. 
Williiini 1). DeCoiircey, trans. I.. 2d Slichigiin Artillery, Oct 22, 1802. 
Auiasa l>. Place, trans, to 2d Jlichigan Artillery, Oct. 22, 1802. 
William F. Hunt, disch. at expiniliou of service. Doc 14, 1864. 
Henry Penine, discharged. 
Mwaril Ml Intyre, uinst. out Aug. 17, 1805. 
James W. Ellis, must, out June 20, 186J. 
Philo Collins, must, out June 2, 180.j. 
Diiane Hawkins, must, out June 2, 1865. 
Slichael Metcalf, must, out Aug. 17, 1865. 
Samuel Siimvalt, must, out June 2U, 1865. 
Merritt llnlse, must, out Aug. 17, 186j. 
David Gibbs, must, out Aug. 17, ISM. 
James E. Boyce, must, out Aug. 17, 186'.. 
Alfred Fuy, disch. by order, Aug. 14, 1805. 

C05IPANY C. 
Sorgt. Blarlin L..S.|uier, Vernionlville; com. 2d lieul., Ajiril l.i, 18iil; pro, to 

1st lieul., Blarch 1, 1804; capl., Oct. 22, 1864; lliust. out Aug. 17, 1865. 
Peter It. Johnson, disch. for di-abilily, June II, 1862. 
John 11. S|uiei, disch. al I.<iuisville. Ky., Oct. 20, 1802. 
Ilinun C. Francis, disch. for disability, Oct. 21). 1802. 
Blichael Kelley, died at New Bladri.l. April 4, 1802. 

William II. Dicker, died of wounds at Burnt Hickory, Ga.,BLiy 20,1804. 
Blonmouth CI. andler, trans, lo Vet. lUs. IA.r|n, Feb. 1, 1865, 
Willard De.lker, iniisl. out Aug. 17. ISO.'.. 
Jerome Brown, must, out Aug. 17, 1805. 
George F. Robinson, must, out July 5, 1865. 
George W. Tow ii, must, out June 20, 1805. 
Eduiu Ilackell, must, out June 20, 1805. 
Uarland Thorp, must. out June 20, ISiA. 



Dele 



COMPANY D. 
I French, died at Franklin, Tenn., Aug. 13, 1861. 



John F. Frank, must, out J 20, 180.'.. 

Andrew L. Foster, ninsl. out July 15, 186'.. 
Benjamin F. Walker, must, out June 20, 186'.. 
David Upright, niusL out Juno 20, 1865. 



Alaiison B. llailey, d 
G.orge W. Arnold, l 
Elias Auls|)augli, mi 
Olivers, llailey, niu 
Joseidi I. Ilennetl, n 
Stephen H. Sliip|iey, 
Isaac I. Wbillsinks, 



COMPANY E. 
E.lgelleld, Tenn., July 16, 1805. 
iul June 21, 1805. 
t JIay3l, 186'.. 
.luue 10, 186'.. 
ut June 21, 1815. 
.out Juno 21, 1865. 
out June 21, 1805. 

COMPANY F. 



Colonel r. Burgess, must, out Aug. 17, I8Im. 
A7,ra .Mclntyre, .bed at Moun.l I'lty, III., Feb. 22, 180,'.. 
Solomon Blikeskill, died at Waloi loo, Ala., Blarch 13,1865: als. 
Company Bl. 



578 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



COMPANY G. 

Lansoii Woodivorlli, ninat. out Sept. 7, ISCo. 
Diiviil Emory, must, out Sojit. 11, 18C5. 

COMPANY II. 
James E. Stevens, <li»cli. fur ilisabilit.v, Mnrcli 8, 18M. 
James A. Newmnn, must, out Aug. 17, 1S66. 
Russell Davis, must, out Juue 21, 1865. 
Roswell Squier, must, out June 21, 18r>.'>. 
Charles V. Pierce, must, out July IT., ISC.I. 

"^ COMPANY I. 

Silas S. Butler, disili. for disahilitj-, Oct. 22, 1804. 
Kamire Mape.*. uiust. out Aug. 17, 18(15. 
George W. Mallory, musit. out Aug. 1", 1865. 
Owen M. Kogers, must, out Aug S, 180.1. 
Benrj- Gardner, must, out Juno 21, 1SG5. 
George T. Gardner, must, out June 21, 18C5. 
James M. Gilljert, must, out June 21, ISIi.'i. 
Wilson I. Pangburn, must, out Juno 21, 1SC5. 
Artemas Richards, niust. out June 10, 1805. 
Joljn F. Tutlle, must, out June Ki, 186,'',. 



COMPANY 1j. 

I. as VfteraT),Ja 



, Dec. 24, 1804. 



Daniel Ilobles, disch. to re-ct 

1865. 
Charles S. WightuLin, killed in action at Ljnville, Te; 
John T. Tuttle, must, out Aug. 17, 1805. 
Thomas Haslett, must, out June 21, 1805. 
James Haslett, must, out May 27, 1805. 
William C. Sweeney, must, out June 21, 1805. 
Charles L. Wisener, must, out June 21, 1805. 
Anson Noble, disch. by order, May 3, 1805. (See Company M.) 

COMPANY M. 
George Truslar, disch. for disabilitji-, March 10, 1805. 
Myron C. Tice, disch. by order, July 18, 1865. 
Solomon M. Price, must, out June 21, 1865. 
A nson S. Nobles, must, out May 16, 1865. (See Company L.) 

THIRD CAVALRY. 

Albert Thompson, Vermontville; asst. surg., March 31,1804: snrg., Oct. 24, 

1864; must, out Feb. 12, 1806. 
P. William O'Toole, Ma«on ; asst. surg., Aug. 27, 1803; res. Jan. 11, 1855. 

COMPANY B. 
George D. Lathrop, died at Lansing, Mich., July 28, 1864. 
Elias D. Fulmer, died at Lake Bluff, Ark., Sept. 11, 1804. 
Elmer H. Miller, died at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., Sept. 14, 1864. 
Isaac Johnson, died at Ingham, Mich., July 19, 1804. 
Daniel Dinsniore, died at Lake Bluff, Ark., Sept. 4, 1864. 
Edward Denson, died on board hospital sloamer. Oct. 17, 1804. 
Horace Asseltine, disch. for disability, March 15, 1804. 
Elijah S. Handsby, disch. for disabilily, March 30, 1804. 
William Watts, disch. to re-eniist as veteran, Jan. 19, 1804 ; must, out June 2, 

1865. 
Joseph B. Worden, disch. to re-enlist as veteran, Jan. 1», 1S04 ; must, out June 

2, 1865. 
Henry H. Brotherton, died at Mobile. Ala., May 9, 1865. 
Levi H. Pliilo, died at Brownsville, Ark., Nov. 1, 1864. 
William Brown, must, out Nov. 7, 1805. 
John Watts, must, out June 2, 1865. 
Richard Martin, must, out Juno 2, 1865. 
George Moivatt, must, out June 2, 1865. 
George Bosetta, must, out Juue 2, 1865. 
George W. Corey, must, out Feb. 12, 1806. 
John Clay, must, out Oct. 10, 1805. 
Leonidas Wighlmau, must, out Feb. 12, 1806. 
John F. Pollock, must, out June 2, 1865. 

COMPANY D. 
Barney Cassady, discU. at expiration of service, Nov. 9,1865- 
COMPANY E. 
must, out Feb. 12, 1860. 



George Tallmadge 
John Eaton, must. 



Cassi 



Lenox, must, 
i Stafford, mu 



at Feb. 12, 1806. 

COMPANY G. 
out Feb. 12, 18C0. 
it. out Feb. 12, 1800. 



COMPANY II. 

Ferdinand Muttlestadt, must, out Feb. 12, 1800. 
Johu Lewis, must, out June 2, 1805. 
Milton Ryan, must, out Feb. 12, 1806. 

COMPANY I. 
William H. Joslin, must, out June 2, 180.5. 
Daniel 1. Cobb, must, out June 2, 1805. 



Joseph W. Francis, must, out June 2, 1805. 
Demas Paine, must, out Feb. 12, 1866. 

COMPANY K. 
Matthew Huntington, died at Detroit, Mich., Nov. 26, 1804. 
Charles Lounsbury, must, out June 2, 1865. 
David W. Lane, must, out June 2, 1865. 
Alonzo D Beers, must, out June 2, 1865. 
Henry H. Smith, must, out June 2, 1865. 
Cliai Ics Sheildon, disch. to re-enlist as veteran, Jan. 20, 1864. 

COMPANY M. 
Samuel H.ill, must, out Feb. 12, 1866. 

FOURTH CAVALRY. 

Chester S. Armstrong, Lansing; chaplain, Sept. 1, 1804; must, out July 1, 
1865. 

COMPANY A. 

Wesley H. Leach, Lansing; 1st lieut., Dec. 9, 1862; capt., March 31, 1863; re- 
signed Aug. 24,1804. 

.Tohn Steward, died at Mnrfreesboro', Tenn., May 12, 1864. 

James B. Morfleld, must, out July 28, 1S05. 

David M. Rodgers, must, out Aug. 15, 1805. 

COMPANY B. 
Peter Supry, must, out Jnly 1, 18K>. 
Patiick Ryan, must, out Aug. 15, 1805. 
John Nicholas, must, out July 1, 1860. 

COMPANY C. 
Jerome B. Scovell, disch. hy order, May 25, 1805. 
Franklin C. Leech, most, out Aug. 15, 1865. 

COMPANY D. 
George C. Wliitney, disch. by order, July 10, 1865. 
Zeb. W. Wilcox, must, out Aug. 15, 1865. 

COMPANY H. 
Willard Bingham, disch. for dis.ability, March 1, 1863. 
Randolph Buck, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 15, 1664. 
George Goodenoe, disch. by order. May 25, 1865. 
John A. Mahana, must, out July 1, 1865. 
Fnincis I. Cary, must, out Aug. 15, 1865. 
Jerome V. Cady, must, out Aug. 15, 1805. 

COMPANY I. 

Leroy Parker, died at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 31, 1863. 
Nathan C. G. Ashley, must, out July 1, 1865. 
Joseph Abbey, must, ont July 1, 1865. 
John T. Packard, must, out Aug. 15, 1805. 

COMPANY K. 
George M. Foster, must, ont Aug. 15. 1865. 
James K. Norton, must, out Aug. 15, 1865. 
Jacob Neuth, must, out Aug. 15, 1865. 
Edward Poller, must, out Aug. 15, 1865. 

COMPANY M. 
Milo A. Morton, must, out July 1, 1805. 
John Steele, disch. by order, July 25, 1865. 
Devine Terrill, disch. by order, July 18, 1865. 
Elisha B. Perkins, must, out Aug. 15, 1865. 

FIFTH CAVALRY. 

COMPANY F. 
James G. Medler, Leroy ; sergt. ; com. 2d lieut., March 7, 1865; not mustered. 
Adam Straub, missing in action, Juno 11, 1864; died at Andersonville, Ga., 
Sept. 30, 1804. 

COMPANY G. 
Thomas Alverson, killed at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864. 
William Wells, trans, to Ist Michigan Cav.alry. 



Johi 



COMPANY H. 
Usher, trans, to 1st Michigan Cavalry. 



COMPANY K. 
George Coif, killed at Todd's Tavern, Va., May 6, 1804; also, trans, to 7th 

Michigan Cavalry. 
William II. Wright, died in military prison at Andersonville, Ga., July 13, '64. 
Levincr Coif, killed at Todd's Tavern, Va., May 6, 1864. 
Buloff Stevenson, trans, to 7th Michigan Cavalry. 

COMPANY M. 
Albert P. Crane, trans, to 1st Michigan Cavalry. 
James A. Curry, trans, to Ist Michigan Cavalry. 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



579 



. 2d lleut^July 



SIXTU CAVALRY. 

COMPANY A. 

Aloxaiiiler BeVHn), missing in action, July 2, 186:1; died in prison at Biclmiund, 

Vk., Feliruary, 18M. 
Edward Lnckwooil. trans, to let Slicliigan C»v., Nov. 17, ISM. 
Jusoph M. Sanilcrd, must, out July, 27, 1805. 

COMPANY B. 
IL.racc B. Itognr?. Lansing; com. M lisut., Oct. l:i, 1SC2; disch. for disability, 

Sept. 16, I8«.1. 
ScliuyliT F. Scaccr, Lansing; snpr. M lienl., Oct. U, ISC2 

14, 18C:t: discli. as supr. M Xant., JukIs I, 18«n. 
Krra Slead, trans, to Ist Itlicliignn Cuv., Nov. 17, I8<U. 
Gf^rgo E. Field, trans, to 1st Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1805. 
William J. McGlee, must, out July 9, 1805. 

COMPANY C. 
William H. Tryon, trans, to Isl Jlicliigan Cuv., Nov. 17, 1804. 
Cliarlcs U. Tanner, ItHus. to Isl Midi. Cav., Nov. 17, 1804.^^ 

COMPANY D. 
Iturus Hitchcock, niis.Mng in action, July 14, I8C:|. 

Ilimm Itix, missing in action, July 14,1801; returned; must, out Nov. i 
Willis -h>«, ilisch. for disability, March M, 1801. 
George A. Bugb.c, disch. for disability, July 11, I8G3. 
II. W. Cramer, kilK-d at Trevillian Station, Va.. Juno II, I8C4. 
E. K. Tyder, died July M, 1804. 

George K. Tucker, trans, to Vet. lies. C^rps. Dec. 15, 180.1. 
Daniel Parker, trans, to Vet. Eea. Corps, March 10, 1864. 
James Ward, disch. for promotion, Dec. 22, 1803. 
George B. Chandler, killed at Somervillo Ford, Va., Sept. 10, 1803. 
Itufus Hitchcock, died :it Kirhmond, Va., while ptisoner, Dec. 22, 1803. 
Ferdinand Cramer, trans, to Ist Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1805. 
Charles II. Cotsett, trans, to Ist Blicliigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1805. 
Jared W. Grey, Inius. to Ist Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1805. 
Henry A. Norton, must, out Nov. 24, 1805. 
James Summervillc, must, out Jutio 12, 1805. 
Henry Y. Lewis, must, out June 19, 1803. 
Martin Otis, must, out Nov. 24, 180.x 
W.lliaui N. Piper, must, out Nov. 24, 1805. 
James W. Pease, must, out Aug. 7, 1805, from Vet. Res. Corps. 
Samuel Scammon, must, out Nor. 24, 1805. 
Charles Sanford, must, out July 12. 1805. 
Clark Scammon, niuaL out June '.), 1805. 
William A. Bugbee, di?cb. for disability, July 12, 1865. 
Iteubeu C. Heath, disch. for disability, July 12, 1805. 

COMPANY E. 
John Cryderman, killed at Yellow Tavern, Va., Blay 12, 1804. 
William K. Hager, trans, to Ist Michigan Cav.. Nov. 17, 1865. 
Lambert Cramer, trans, to Ist Michigan Car., Nov. 17, 1865. 
Charles B. I^wis, trans, to Ist Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1805. 
Judson A. Miller, trans, to 1st Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1805. 
Laney R. Niles, trans, to Isl Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 18l'>5. 
Ira Green, must, out Nov. 24, 180.5. 
Oliver L. Van Tassel, must, out Nov. 24, 18iw. 
Erastus J. Wall, must, out Nov. 2(, 186.5. 
Israel Wall, must, out Nov. 24, l8C-i. 

COMPANY F. 
Isaac Davidson, trans, to Ist Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1805. 
Sylvester Hall, trans, to Ist 9Iichigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 
. to Ist Michigan Cov., Nov. 17, 1805. 
. to Ist Michigan Cav., Nov. 17,1865. 
to Isl Miiliigan Cav., Nov. 17, 18C5. 
nins. to Ist Slichigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1805. 
Charles W. Reynolds, trans, to 1st Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1805. 
Frederick J. Richardson, trans, to 1st Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 
Albert Nortjn, trans, to Ist Jliehigau Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 
George Norton, trans, to 1st Michigan Giv., Nov. 17, 1805. 
I.yman SUrkwoalher, must, out Oct. 3, 1805. 

COMPANY G. 

Milo J. Hopkins, died at Washington. D. C. Jan. :«>, 1863. 

Edward Harlock, died at Fairfax Court-Huiise, Va., April I, 1803. 

tieorge Clark, di.'d at Boon«b.)ro', Pa., July 9, 180:1. 

Charles Gh»sser, missing in action, June 30, 180:1; returned; must. out 

1865. 
Nelson A. Madden, missing in action, June 3ij, 186.1 ; returned ; must, c 

21, 1865. 
John S. Tooker, disch. for disal.ilily, Feb. 19, 1S63. 
Peter JlcClue, kill.d at llawe*' Sliop, Va., May 28, 1864. 
Charles O. Swenton, trans, to Ut Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 180'.. 
James Kelley, trans, to Ist Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, ISUJ. 
I'.ter Cline, trans, to 1st Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 
Allen N. Cowen, trans, to Ist Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, ISCTi. 



rid Trail, Iran 
ncis Wright, tr 
iah Perkins, tra 
irles W. Rulison 



Hirislopher Brot, disch. for disability, July 10, IS65. 
Franklin Morton, must, out Nov. 24, 1805. 
Merrill O. Miller, must, out Nov. 24, 1805. 
Martin Phrliis, disch. fur disability, Oct. M, 1803. 







COMPANY U. 






Will 


am Torrance, 


trans, to 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1805. 


Mwar^l Truxtoii, t 


rans. to Ist Miclligan Cuv., No 


V. 17, 


1805. 






CXIMPANY L 






Charles Sanford, tr 


ans. to Ist Michigan Cav. 










COMPANY K. 






Cliai 


les A. Taylor, 


trans, to 1st Michigan Cav., N 


jv. 17 


186.'.. 


And 


ew J. Wisenw 


n, trans, to Ist Jlichigan Cav. 
COSIPANY M. 


Nov. 


17, 1865 


Pat. 


Confine, trans 


to Ist Jlichigan Cav., Nov. 17 


18G5 




Eliu 


Boycr, must. 


out July 24, I8«5. 







CII.\I'TKR X. 



q;VKNTIl CAVALRY. 



TllE Sevcntli Cavalry was rocruitetl at Grand Uapid.^, 
and went into tlic service in detachments, tlie first two bat- 
talions leaving that place for the front on tiie 20th of Feb- 
ruary, I8(j3, and the remainder of the regiment in Ma}'. 
There were in this regiment from Eaton and Ingliam 
Counties 150 men or more, mostly from the former. There 
were no very definite returns for the first year, but the 
command was engaged at Thoroughfare Gap, Va., May 
2lst; Greenwich, Va., May 30th; Hanover, Pa., June 
30th ; Gettysburg, July 3d, losing in the last-named battle 
sixteen killed, forty-one wounded, and twenty-four missing 
and prisoners; Smithson, Md., July l.Jth ; Monterey, Md., 
July (jth ; Hagerstown, JulyUth; Boonsboro', July 8th; 
Hagerstown, a second time, July 10th; Falling Waters, 
Va., July Uth; Snicker's Gap, Va., July I'Jth; Kelly's 
Ford, September 13th; Culpeper Court-IIouse, September 
14th; Raccoon Ford, September ICtli ; White's Ford, 
September 21st; Brandy Station, October 13th; and 
Buckland's Mills, Va., October 19th. 

During the year, up to Nov. 1, 1863, its losses in killed, 
wounded, prisoners, missing, deserted, and discharged for 
various causes were 328 men. 

On the 7th of November, 1863, the regiment accompa- 
nied the advance of the Army of the Potomac into Vir- 
ginia, crossing the llappahaiinock near Mortons Ford, and 
capturing a number of prisoners from the enemy's rear. 
From this time until the last of February it was on picket- 
duty. On the 28th of that month it started on the Kil- 
patrick raid, and on the following day reached Beaver Dam, 
on the Virginia Railroad, aller a twenty hours' march. At 
this point the station and track were destroyed. On the 
afternoon of the 30th it reached the vicinity of Richmond, 
and while on picket the following night was attacked by a 
superior force of the enemy, and, after a desperate fight, 
compelled to fall back with the loss of forty-fnur men miss- 
ing, among them Lieut.-Col. A. C. Litchlield. The com- 
mand moved rapidly from the vicinity of the rebel capital 
to Vorktown, from whence it went to Alexandria by trans- 
ports, and marched to its former camp, near Stevonsburg. 

On the 17th of .>Iarch the brigade was transferred to 
the First Cavalry Division, and iemovi!il ils camp to Cul- 
peper. 



580 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



Upon the opcnin;; of llie great campaign of 186-1 it 
crossed the Rapidaii on the 5th of May, and on the 6th 
and 7th eneouiitered the enemy at Todd's Tavern, losing 
three men wounded. On tlic Dtli it formed a part of the 
force under Gen. Sheridan wliieh made a raid on the ene- 
my's communications. Tiio South Anna River wa.s cro.s.scd 
on the 10th, and on the 11th was fought the battle of 
Yellow Tavern, where the Seventh charged the rebel cav- 
alry and assisted in driving them from the field. In this 
engagement the Seventh lost three killed, fifteen wounded, 
and thirteen missing. Among the dead was Maj. Henry 
W. Granger, commanding the regiment. 

On the' 1 2th the regiment was engaged at Meadow Bridge 
and Mechanicsville, losing one man wounded. On the 14th 
it was at Malvern Hill, and soon after joined the army at 
Milford. On the 27th the rebel cavalry in its front were 
driven several miles, and the Seventh captured forty-one 
prisoners and a large number of horses. In the cavalry 
action at Hawes' Shop, on the 28tli, it took an active part, 
losing seventeen men killed, wounded, and missing. On 
the 29th it had a skirmish at Baltimore Cross- lloads, where 
it lost two men wounded ; and the ne.xt day participated in 
the attack upon the rebel works at Cold Harbor. It was 
attacked by a strong force of infantry on the 1st of June, 
but held its position until relieved. Its loss was four killed 
and wounded. 

In the raid towards Gordonsville it was warmly engaged 
at Trevillian Station on the 11th and 12th of June. On 
the lltli a portion of the command recaptured from the 
enemy a piece of artillery which they had taken from the 
Union forces. During these last engagements the regiment 
lost two men killed, twenty-seven wounded, and forty-eight 
mi.ssing. From the White House it moved forward to the 
James River and encamped until the latter part of July, 
when it was ordered to Washington, and from thence to the 
Shenandoah Valley. 

On the 11th of August the Sixth and Seventh Michigan 
Cavalry repelled an assault of the enemy near Winchester. 
On the 16th the Seventh took part in the battle of Crooked 
Run, where a battalion routed a brigade of rebel cavalry 
and captured about a hundred prisoners, with horses and 
equipments. It lost in the affair one killed, eleven 
wounded, and seven missing. On the 25th, during a re- 
connoissance, it had a sharp action near Shepard.stown, 
losing six men, wounded and missing. Being cut off from 
the main army, the brigade crossed the Potomac near 
Sharpsburg, and from thence returned by way of Harper's 
Ferry to the south side of the river. 

On the 29th, the cavalry division to which it belonged 
was attacked by a heavy force of infantry, and compelled to 
retreat, the Seventh covering the rear and losing two killed 
and fourteen wounded. The division fell back to Smith- 
field. 

On the 3d of September, during a reconnoissance to 
White Post, it was shelled by a rebel battery, and lost four 
men, killed and wounded. It participated on the 19th in 
the battle at Opequan Creek, where it charged across the 
stream, drove the enemy and pushed on to Winchester, 
where it again charged, and drove them through the place. 
During these movements it lost four killed, nineteen wounded. 



and two missing. Lieut.-Col. Melvin Brewer, commanding 
the regiment, was mortally wounded. At Luray, on the 
24th, the command captured sixty prisoners and several . 

horses, losing three men, wounded. On the 26th, 27th, 1 

and 2Sth it was skirmishing near Port Republic; and on ' 

the 8th and 9th of October was engaged with the corps | 

near Woodstock, where the new rebel cavalry-general, Ros- I 

ser, was completely routed and driven up the valley. In li 

these actions it lost three men, wounded. 

At Cedar Creek, on the 19th of October, it was attacked 
while on picket-duty, but escaped without loss. Later in | 

the day it was in the decisive movement by which the i 

enemy were rQuted. The Seventh captured 100 prisoners. ' 

Its own loss was four wounded and twenty-nine mi.ssing. 

Late in October it encamped near Middletown, and it was 
engaged on pioket-duty about Buck's Ford on the Shenan- 
doah River. During the year its losses were 457 from all 
causes. In the same period 248 recruits joined the com- 
mand. 

The regiment was in winter-quarters at Camp Ru.«sell, 
near Winchester, Va., until the last of February, when it 
left camp and proceeded with the cavalry command towards 
Staunton, Va., which was the opening of Gen. Sheridan's 
raid to the James River. On the 8th the Seventh was 
engaged with Rossor's cavalry near Louisa Court-House, 
routed them, captured the place, and destroyed a large 
amount of property. The regiment was employed during 
the movement in destroying property along the Lynchburg 
and Gordonsville lliilroad, and on the James River Canal, 
where the locks, aqueducts, mills, etc., were destroyed or 
rendered u.seless. On the 19th of March, the command, 
having accomplished the work designed for it, reached White 
House Landing on the Pamunkey, where it rejoined the 
cavalry corps and moved to the left of the army. On the 
30th of March the Seventh was engaged at Five Forks 
with the rebel cavalry, which was driven within its works. 
It was also engaged on the two following days at the same 
place, and again on the 2d of April on the South Side Rail- 
road. On the 4th there was fighting at Duck Pond Mills, 
on the (ith at Sailor's Creek ; and on the 8th and 9th the 
Seventh Cavalry saw the last of it at Appomattox Court- 
House. 

Following Gen. Lee's surrender, the regiment marched 
with the cavalry corps to Petersburg, where it remained for 
a short time, when it was .sent into North Carolina, from 
whence it was soon after ordered to Washington, D. C. It 
participated in the review of the Army of the Potomac, 
May 23d, and soon after, in company with the Michigan 
Cavalry Brigade, proceeded West, via the Baltimore and 
Ohio Railroad and the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, to 
St. Louis, Mo., where it took steamer and proceeded to 
Leavenworth, Kan. 

At that point it was ascertained that its destination was 
Colorado, where it was to operate against the hostile Indians, 
who were making trouble along the various lines of travel. 
There was considerable dissatisfaction expressed when these 
facts were known to the command, but, remembering their 
former untarnished record, the men, like good soldiers, fell 
in and obeyed orders. The regiment marched across the 
plains and reached Camp Collins, seventy miles west of 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



581 



Denver, at the base of the mountains, on tlie 26th of Jul)', 
havinf; travclod 700 miles since leaving Leavenworth. 

It was immediately assigned to duty along the overland 
stage-route, which wa.s greatly infested with Indians. Here 
it continued guarding the United States' mails and giving 
protection to immigrants until the 1st of November, 1865, 
when an order was received to transfer all the men whose 
term of service extended beyond March 1, 1866, to the 
First Michigan Cavalry, and then report at Denver, to be 
mustered out of service. 

This order transferred about 2.50 men, most of whom 
were recruited in the winter of 1864. 

From Denver the regiment was ordered to Fort Leaven- 
worth. All its horses were ordered to be turned over to 
the quartermaster's department at Denver, and the com- 
mand was left to march on foot over the plains, or make its 
way to Leavenworth as best it could. It was a har.sh and 
unreasonable proceeding of the government, and the men 
justly complained of their treatment. 

A statement of the situation was made to Gen. Uptoni 
commanding that department, but he declined to make any 
arrangements for transportation. The men were, however, 
finally granted permission to hire their pas-sagc in mule- 
trains, returning to the East, and most of them availed 
themselves of this means, paying the sum of twenty-five dol- 
lars each for the privilege of riding in a heavy wagon. 

The journey was made in twenty-six days, and on arriving 
at Fort Leavenworth the command was mustered out and 
ordered to Michigan. It arrived at Jackson on the 20th of 
December, and was paid and disbanded on the 26th. 

Besides the organizations named and written up, there 
were scattering men from Eaton and Ingham Counties in 
the Twenty-Seventh Infantry, the First Michigan Sharp- 
shooters, Piper's Sharpshooters, Willett's Sharpshooters, 
Stuart's Sharpshooters, and in Ross?' (Second) Battery, An- 
drew's (Sixth ) Battery, Lanphear's (Seventh) Battery, the 
Thirteenth Battery, and First Regiment Light Artillery. 

The largest number of men in any of these minor organi- 
zations was probably in S'aart's Sharpshooters, in which 
were enlisted about 100 from Ingham County and a few 
from Eaton. The adjutant-general's reports give no special 
history of this command, which was probably attached to 
some infantry regiment, but wherever they were, one and 
all, the Michigan troops were among the best in the armies 
of the Union, and their record is one in which the people 
of the State very justly take an honest pride. 

COM PAN Y A. 
John McAlister, Imnj, to Ul Slichigaii Ciiv., Nov. 17, 1805. 
Rolwrt .McAlUter, trails, to Im Miiliigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 
■Winiam Epley, niu.<t. out Ail(S, 8, 1865. 
Clinrlfs Buckingham, must, out Dec. 1.'., ISW. 

COJlrAXV II. 
Edwin Kniglit, Eaton Bapi.ln, 2d licut, Juno C, ISM; di»cli. Oct. 2ri, 18C4. 
Henry F. Tliomay, Kntou Ua|ud(», tiergt. ; 2d licul., July ^1,18G4; not miutcred. 
Albert Kordliam, killed at Gotlysburg, Pa., July 3, 1803. 
Henry Haines, killed at Celtynliurg, Pa., July 3, 1863. 
Orlando D. Jackson, killed at (icilysl.nrg. Pa.. July 3, 1803. 
■William II. AdiiDiB, killed at Getlysbnrg Pa , July .), 1863. 
OnMoW II. Gl.iddlng, died at Wiuhington. D. C, July II, 1863. 
Joneph W. Ilawkinn, died at Kreilerlrk. Md., July 211, 186:1. 
William HarUliurn, die<I at Wai-lilngtoii, I). I'., July 3, 18C3. 
William Price, died al Alexandria, Va., Aug. 10. 186 1. 
Jelilol Karcher, died at Alexandria, Vn., Aug. 10, 1803. 
J. W. Ilopkinn. diod at Frederick, Md., July 23, 1803. 



Joseph A. JIason, mining al fietlyHl.urg. July 3, 186.1. 

Siiniilel llalie, mluing at nuekliiiid Mills, Va., Oct. IS, 1803. 

George Mason, mIsHing at Gettyslmrg, July 3, 1863; died ut Anuapulis, Md., 

^•■c. II, 1803. 
Horace Clinndlor, dlach. fur diuliillly. 
Levi Hill, discli. I.y order, July .3, 1603. 
Joseph S. Holly, disch. I.y order, Jidy 1, 1803. 
Leinnd W. Itoe, discli. for disiibillty. 
Leroy Ilootli, discli. for disiibilitr, Jan. 12, 1803. 
George \V. Howe, ilisch. by order, Sept. 1, 1803. 
Henry Thompson, killeil ut Smltbfleld, Va., Aug. 29, 1804. 
Christian Bush, billed nt Winchester, Va.. Sept. 2(1, 180<. 
A. II. Grant, mUsing at Richiiicud, Va., March 1, 1864. 
George W. Paine, mis-ing at Kiclininnd, Va., March I, 1864 ; returned. 
W. Church, trans, to Vet. lies. Cor|». Feb. I.'., 1804. 
II. I). Binham, dlach. hy onler, Feb. 26, 1804. 
David Jones, disch. by onler. 

Charles SIcLellaii, disch. for disease, Feb. 25, 1863. 
Milo Tlioin|isnn, illsrh. for illiense. Jan. 26, 1863, 
Frederick Bush, ille.1 of wounds receive.l, May 28, 1805. 
Peter Canipan, killed al Boonsboro', Md, July, 1803. 
Charles llance, died while pi Iwlier ut Anderaonvillc, Ga., July 24, 1864. 
Ellas P. Bciihani, died at Fairfax, Va., June, 1863. 

George W. Gilbert, died al Itichlnond, Va., while prisoner, Feb. 16, 1804. 
Willis W. Herring, died at Fairfax Court-House, Va., June 20, 1803. 
Henry N. Hart«oii, died al Washington, ». C, June 21, 1S03. 
Wallace McArthnr, died at Andenonvllle, Ga., while prisouer, S<-pl. 25. 1804. 
Orange Pickett, died ot Washington, D C, Aug. 24, 1803. 
Orrln J. Whilconib, died at Grand Rapids, Mich., Nov. 21, 1862. 
Lewis Beadle, trans, to Isl Mi.higan Cav., Nov. 17. 186'.. 
Legrand Btsjlh, trans, to Isl Michigan C»v., .Nov. 17, 1805. 
George Morris, IraiK. to Isl Michigan Qiv., Nov. 17, 1865. 
Pirlon PettilMine, tr.ins. 14. 1st .Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 1»65. 
Benjamin J Washburn, trans, to Isl Michigan Cav., Nov. 17, 180.'.. 
Henry F. Th"ma-. niusl. out Dec. 15, 1805. 
John Mitchell, ninsl. out Dec. 15, 1865. 

Hiram J. Covey, must, oiil from Vet. Itos. Cor|», Aug. 11, 1865. 
Isaac Wilcox, must, onl Dec. 1.5, 186'.. 
E. \. Preston, must, out Dec. 15, 1805. 
William Pollard, must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 

William II. Harr, must, nut from Vet. Ke«. Cor(.9, Nov. 13, 1865. 
Eniis Balden, must, out Dec. 15, 1805. 
Benjamin Bingham, must, out Dec 15, 1865. 
Franklin K. Donaldson, must, out July 6, 1865. 
George W. IXd>son, must, oul Dec. 15, 1865. 
Italph L. Disbrow, must, out Dec. 15, 1805. 
Clark Jjmond, must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 
Lewis S. Gosllorn, must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 
Ijifnyetlo Goodnoe, must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 
Charles Holmes, must, oul Dec. 1.5, 1865. 
George J. Hale, must, oul Dec 15, 1805. 
Michael Kinan, must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 
Charles F. Kinney, must, out June 14, 1865. 
Adelbert Kent, mnsl. out Dec. 15, 1805. 
Samuel Lefever, mint, out Dec. 15, 1805. 
Willijim Milborn, must, out Aug. 23, 1805. 
Joel L. Migrants, must, out June II, 1805. 
Joseph Murenu, must, oul Aug. 12, 1805. 
William W. PauU, disch. for .Usability, January, 18C:<. 
Peler P. Pulniotor, must, out Dec. 15, 1805. 
George A. Powers, must, out Aug. 2, 1865. 
Josiah .1. Reynnbis, must, out June 11,1865. 
Joseph W. WvfA, must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 
Cliaunu-y Reynolds, must, out May 18, I8(»5. 
Abram Smoke, must, ont Dec. 24, 1805. 
Benjamin Sprngiie, discli. by order dal.d May 5, 1805. 
David Stone, must out Aug. II, 186'.. 
Dnviil Vrooiiian, must, oul Nov. 14, 1865. 
Henry Wlllialns, must, out Dec. 15, 1805. 
James A. Grant, must, out Aug. 7, 1865. 
John W. Fonlham, must, out D.s-. 15, 1865. 
Horace Marehall, discharged, 1863. 
Albert Olmsteiid, must, out Aug. 17, 18l>5. 
George F. Brought, musi ont Aug. 10, 1805. 
Luke Gould, must, out Aug. 7, 186'.. 
Chorles N. Preston, must, nut July 8, 1865. 
Simon Wright, must out June 0, 1865. 
Nichohis V. Hainlll, Diiisl. out Dec. 1.5, 1805. 
Henry Exuer. must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 
Augustus A. Ilelmaker, must, oul Dec. 15, 1865. 
Washington J. II..Imes, mnsl. out Dec. 16, 1805. 
Albert E. North, must, out Dec. 1.5, 186;.. 
K.lward O. Russell, must, out Dec. 15, IS65. 

COMPANY E. 

aiarles K. Meach, die.l al Warrenton, Va^May 7, 1803. 
Alexander DocksUter, trans, to Vol. Bos. CorjK, May 1, 1804. 



582 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



Jamea Lowell, died while prisoner at Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 11, 18G4. 

Chaiincey L. Lse, died at Fairf.ii Coun-Houso, Va., June 20, 18G3. 

Waldron W, Raymond, must, out Nov. 9, 1SG5. 

John F. Van Oi'dan, must, out Doc. 15, 1805. 

Orson J. Wolcott, must, out Dec. l."., 18G5. 

John A.Gordon, must, out July 17, 18G5. 

Charles H. Polton, must, out Aug. 12, 18G5. 

Emmett McQuaid, must, out July 17, 1865. 

Milford Wright, must, out July 17, 18G5. 

Ilarmon B. Zoxbenear, must, out July 17, 1865. 

James K. Jones, must. out. July 17, 1SG5. 

Stephen L. Aldridj;e, must, out Sept 5, 18G5. 

Norman Bremant, must, out July 17. 1865. 

William Gleason, must, out Aug. 9, 1865. 

George H. Watson, must, out July 17, 1865. 

COMPANY F. 

George Ferris, Charlotte; sergt. Co. D; pro. to 2tl lieut. Co.F, May 24, 18C5(?); 

to 1st lieut., Fch. 28, 1SG5; trans, to 1st Vet. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865; must. 

out as 2d lieut. Co. B, March 10, 1S6G. 
Jefferson Parker, disi h. for disability, July 24,1803. 
Notley Trail, disch. for disability, May 12, 1863. 
Fniricis N. Goudenough, trans, to Vet. lies. Corps, Sept. 1, 1S63. 
Hugh Flinn, tran5. to Vet. Res. Corps. 
Frank PrescotI, disch. for disability, Aug. 18, 1864. 
Simeou Stowe, died at Kalamazoo, Mich,, April 2, 1865. 
Allen Cook, trans, to 1st Mioh. Oav., Nov. 17, 1865. 
William R. Billings, trans, to 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 
Danforth Demoy, trans, to 1st Mich. Cav,, Nov. 17, 1865. 
Oscar Lei-senring, trans, to Ist Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 
Dewitt C. Neech, must, out Dec. 15, 18G5. 
Amos Osborn, must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 
Nathaniel Space, nuist. out Jan. 21, 1866. 
James A. Curry, must, out Dec, 15, 1865 . 

COMPANY G. 
Nehemiah Courter, missing in action Oct. 7, 186.J. 
Martin Delamater, died at Fort Schuyler, N. Y., Aug. 1, 1864. 
Nathaniel G. Hastings, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Aug. 21, 1864. 
William Bell, died at Fairfax Court-House, Va., June 25, 1863. 
Emmett N. Cole, trans, to Ist Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 
James H. P. Hilliiird, trans, to 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 
Jlarion H, Quale, trans, to 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1SG5. 
Ralph Sleverison, trans, to 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, I8G5. 
Irwin Wellnian, must, out Dec. 28, 1865. 

William C. Burden, must, out Dec. 28, 1865. * 

John Huxley, must, out Feb. 21, 1866. 
John Arnold, disch. for disability, May 12, 18G3. 
William D. Aldridge, must, out July 17, 1805. 

COMPANY H. 
James Clark, died at Washington, D. C, May 9, 1865. 
John Lewis, trans, to 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 



COMPANY I. 



John 



John 



Clark, Stockbridge; com. 1st lieut., Oct. 15, 1862; pro. to capt, Co. I, 

Aug. 1, 1864 ; taken prisoner near Richmond, Va., March 1, 1864 ; escaped 

Nov. 24, 1804; must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 

H. Hamlin, com. 1st lieut,, Co. I, July 8, 1803 ; pro. to capt,, Co. C, May 

19. 1804; must, out Dec. 1.5, 1865. 
George Johnson, disch. for disability, June 20, 1863. 
John Wood, died at Washington. D. C , May 9, 1865. 
Josiali W, Irons, died ,at Winchester, Va,, Dec. 6, 1S04. 
William Gardner, died at Winchester, Va,, Jan. 29, 1865. • 

Hugh Flinn, trans, to 1st Mich. Cav.. Nov. 17, 1865. 
George D, Williams, trans, to 1st Mich. Cav., Oct. 1, 1865. 
James G. Lewis, must, out May .31, 1805. 
Francis Bigelow, must, out July 17, IS6.5. 
Daniel Carmichael, must, out July 17, 1805. 
Benjamin Ilulse. must, out Aug. 12, 1865. 
Robert M. .Montgomery, disch. by order July 15, 1865. 
Sjlvanus A. I'armonter, must, out July 17, 1805. 
Dnane Smith, must, out July 17, 1805. 
Oscar Reynohls, nuist. out July 1, 1865. 
James D, Kairchild, must, out July 22, 1865. 
Benjamin Evans, must, out July 17, 1805. 

COMPANY K. 
Eli Smith, killed at Gettysburg, Pa,, July .3, 1863. 
Daniel H. Baker, missing at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1803; returned. 
Jacob Rager, missing at Gettysburg, Pa,, July 3, 1863. 
Henry A. Reed, died at City Point, Va., Juno 1, 1864. 
Gordon Treat, missing at Front Royal, Va., Aug. 10, 1804. 
Charles Ilennett, trans, to Ist Mich. Cav,, Nov, 17, 1865. 
George Culf, trans, to Ist Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1SC5. 
John L. Stokes, trans, to 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1805, 
Hassan A. Buck, must, out Sept. 4, 1805. 



Hosea Root, must, out June 13, 1865. 

Robert P. Montgomery, disch. by order, July 16, 1865. 

COMPANY L. 
Irving D. Reed, trans, to 1st Mich. Cav. Nov. 17, 1865. 
Asahel C. Chatfield, must, out Dec. 8, 1865. 

COMPANY M. 
RufuB A. Rogers, must, out July 3, 1865. 
Albert P, Crane, must, out Dec, 8, 1805. 



She 



EIGHTH CAVALRY. 

an A. Audrcws, N. C. S. ; disch. by order, June 17, 1865. 



to 2d lieut,, Cg. I, Jua 



COMPANY A 
Henry C. Parr, Bellevue; enl. sergt., Co. A; [ 

1864; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
la.aac Melcar, killed at Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 18, 1863. 
Warren Griffln, died at Pulaski, Tenn,, April 18, 1805. 
Orlando Messerall, died at Knoxville. Tenn., Jan. 10, 1864. 
William B.Gardiner, disch. by order, July 20, 1865. 
Merritt Hicks, must, out June 10, 1805. 
Charles West. must, out June 10, 1865. 
B. D. Hicks, must, out June 10, 1865. 
John Fullmore, disch. by order, July 31, 1805. 
George W. Perry, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Charles H. Adams, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Julius M. Baker, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Charles Foster, must, out Sept 22, 1865. 
Lawson H. Lee, must, oot Sept. 22, 1865. 
Thomas H. Little, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 

COMPANY B. 
Robert B. Montgomery, Aurelius ; com. 2d lieut., Co. B, Jan. 27, 1864 ; pro. to 

1st lieut., Co. H, Dec. 31,1864; must, out Sept. 23,1.86.5. 
Seward S, Lamptnan, Carmel ; com, 2d lieut., July 20, 1865 ; not must, 
John Noble, killed by explosion of steamer ou Mississippi River, April 15, 1865. 
George B. Noble, must, out June 10, 1865. 
Charles B. Lyons, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Horace Stocking, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Nathaniel Chase, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
James W. Edick, must, out Oct. 2, 186,5. 
George F. Post, must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 

COMPANY C. 
George Springer, died at Puliiski, Tenn,, May 25, 1865. 
William Webb, died at Nashville, Tenn , Dec. 3, .864. 
Benjamin Holly, must, out June 6, 1S65. 
Henry H. Loop, must, out June 6, 1865. 
Hector C. Smith, must, out June 6, 1865. 
Wallace M. Toles, must, out June 0, 1805. 
Charles H. Turner, must, out June 6, 1865. 
Tilly C. Traver, nmst. out June 6, 1805. 
George S. Wilcox, must, out June 6, 1865. 
Warren M. Wdliams, must, out June 6, 1865. 
Benton W. Lewis, disch. for disability, June 22, 1S66. 
Joseph M. Dobson, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
John D. Mix, must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 
Lester J. Scott, must, out Feb, 21, 1866. 
Solomon L. Wiard, must, out Sept. 22,1865. 
Lutbor R. Smith, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 

COMPANY D. 

Garrett R, Cruson, must, out Sept, 22,1865. 
David H. Foril, nmst. out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Louis J. Hinkley, must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 
DeloB R. Hobbs, must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 
Siimuel Nelson, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Robert Sailer, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
John H. Simpson, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Judsou Turner, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 

COMPANY E. 
S. P.Rumsdell, died at Nashville, Tenn,, Jan. 17, 1865. 
George R. Nichols, must, out June 0, 1865. 
R. Rumsdell, nuist, out June 6, 1805, 
Freeman Whitney, must, out June 6, 1865. 
Andrew Richmond, must, out June 6, 1865. 
Herman V. Jeens, must, out June 0, 1805. 
Cassias M, Bnrt, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Tobias Empire, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Charles W. Petty, mu.st. out Sept. 22, 1865. 
William Rogers, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 



Nathan L. Cooley, must, 
Charles Gladden, must. 



COMPANY F. 
lit June 13, 1865. 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



583 



ThoDiaa Batrnmn, ninat. out Sept. 19, ISCS. 
Mrlvln 0. Atltliii, must, out Sept. 1!), 18U3. 
Hallis .\rniritrc<ng, must, out Sept. 19, I8C5. 
Dudley Bulemsn, mnst. out Sept. 19, 1805. 
Willintii Dollanl, Diust. out Sept. 22, 18G5. 
James U. Hunt, must, out Sept. 22, 18&5. 
JiimcB C. Mclntyrc, must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 

COMPANY G. 
Honrjr Stringhnm, (lie<l nt Blgofielil, Tctin., Feli. 17, I8C5. 
John J. Brooks, discb. Tor disjibility, Juno 3, 1805. 
John Stone, must, out Juno 10, 18G5. 
Willinm Clemens, must, out June 10, 1805 
Albert L. Burke, must, out Sept. 22, 1SC.'>. 
John n. Johnson, must, out Sept. 22, 18G.'>. 

COMPANY n. 
Henry B. Snwyor, died nt Louisville, Ky., Jan. 2, 18C5. 

COMPANY I. 
James Bicbnrdson, disch. by order, Sept. 14, 1865. 
■Wesley J. Beers, must, out Sept. 22, 18C5. 
Elios D. Fowler, must, out Sept. 22, 18G5. 
Willinm Furlan, uinsl. out S<-pt. 22, 1805. 
Sutlon Shenon, must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 
Fmncis Stephens, must, out Sept. 22, 1863. 
Ueury E. Hurt, must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 

COMPANY K. 
Leonard Lusromb, died at Oiik Spring, Tenn., Oct. 14, 18C.3. 
Warren Campbell, missing Aug. 3, 1864. 

William Cay ton, missing Aug. 3, 1804; returiied; must, out June 
Robert M. Havens, trans, to Vet. Kes. Corps, April 7, 1804. 

COMPANY L. 
John Bamhart, died at Keokuk, Iowa, Dec. 12, 18M. 
Charles Gladden, must, out M:iy 17. 1865. 
James U. Irinh, must, out June 13, 1865. 
Josiuh Wolcotl, must, out June in, 1805. 
James W. Wolcott, must, out June 10, 1865. 
Lewis 0. Hull, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Warren Hamilton, must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 
Leonard C. Hall, must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 
Adelbert Stone, must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 
Byron A. Tyler, must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 

COMPANY M. 
Ben. Bellows, must, out June 10, 1865. 
Franklin Hathaway, must, out June 10, 180.5. 
Cyrus W. Dean, must, out Juno lu, 1805. 
Henry Steel, must, out S<pt. 22, ISO,'.. 

NINTH CAVALRY. 

COMPANY A. 
David Van Horn, died at Coldwater, Mich., Feb. 28, 1803. 
Albert Smith, died at Leonl, Mich. 
Seneca J. Beebe, died at Camp Nelson, Ky., Oct., 1863 (aisc 

V. K. C, Feb. 1.5, 1804). 
Benoni H. Culler, died in September, 1804. 
Kobert Hall, died at Nashrille, Tenn., Slurch, 18M. 
John It. Strickland, killed near Waynesboro', Ga., Nov. 27, 
Edward O'Brien, discli. May 23, 18C5. 
Calvin J. Pierce, must, out May 18, 1805. 
George Sheldon, disch. for disability, June, 1863. 
Luther A. Smith, must, out July 21, 1865. 
George W. Taylor, must, out July 21, 1805. 
Theoiloro V. Wellar, dlsch. for disability, June 22, 1805. 
Ezra H. Holden, must, out June 9, 18^5. 



eported trans, to 



TENTU CAVALRY. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
William T. Merritt, Eaton Rapids ; com. Ist lieut. Co. K, July 25, 186:1; must. 

out Feb. 9, 1805. 
Adoniram J. Cole, Leslie ; enl. aergt.; pro. to 2d lieut., Dec. 30, 1863; not 

mustered. 
Thomas C. Kenyon, I.innsing; enl. sergl., Co. M ; pro. Ut 2d lieut., Dec. 21, 1801 ; 
killed iu action at Martinsville, Va., April 8, 1805, before muster ai 2d 
lieut, 

COMPANY B. 

John Mason, mnst. out Nor. II, 1SG.5. 
William Oalley, must, out Nov. 11, 1865. 
Henry WclN, must, out Nov. 2, 1865. 

COMPANY C. 
Charies N. Bacon, must, out July 20, 1865. 
Hiram W. Citsely, mnst ont Nov. II, 1866. 
Henry Casely, must, out Nov. II, 186S. 



(O^I'ANV P. 
Henry II. Beers, killed at Flat Creek, Tenn., Aug. 24, 1864. 
William Seymour, must, out Nov. II, ISO.'.. 

COJIPANY F. 
George F. Colby, die<l at Grand Rnpld«, Mich., Nov. '20, 1863. 
George W. Madden, must, out Nov. 11, 1865. 
F. II. Sprague, must, out tlay 27, 1865. 
Myron B. Urooka, must, out Seg.t. 2:1, 1865. 
Edward Ciimpliell, dlsch. by order, Se|>t. 1, 1805. 
Fletcher Campbell, must out Nor. 11, 1805. 
Thomas Garrerty, must, out Nov. 11, 1805. 
Albert Jenning, mu>t. out Nov. 11, 1805. 
Charles Sidler, must, ont Nov. II, 1865. 
Sylvester Young, must, out Nov. 11, 1865. 

COMPANY 0. 
Cyrua A. CralT, must, out Nov. II, 180.'.. 
Joseph 0. Flulhaui, must, out Nov. 11, 1865. 
Sidney Peters, discli. by order, Sept. 1, 1865. 
George U. Peters, must, out Nov. II, 1865. 

COMPANY H. 
James K. l.indsey, died at Banlsville, Ky., Jan. 31, 1804. 
John P. Bl>sell, must, out Nov. 11, ISC). 
Franklin White, must, out Sept. 2.S, 1805. 
Isaac Myers, must out Nov. 11, 18t»5. 
Albert G. Wheeler, muht. out Nov. II, 1865. 

COMPANY I. 
Emanuel Scott, mual. out Nov. 11, 11.05. 
Jacob Van Husiin, must out Nov. 11, 1805. 
Bradford T. Eldorkin, must, out June 21, 1865. 
John B. Chilcote, must, out Nov. 11, 1865. 
Alonzo Hanley, must, out Nov. 11, 186.5. 
William C. Woodruff, mnst. out Nov. 11, 1805. 
David E. Walker, must, out Nov. 11, 1805. 
Levi Go<lding, must, out June 30, 1865. 
Philip W. Winney, must, out Nov. 11, 1865. 
A. Adams, must, out Nov. 11, 1805. 

COMPANY K. 

William H. Norton, died of wounds at Carter's Depot, Tenn., Oct 23, 1801. 

Daniel C. Wilcox, died at Grand Itapids, Midi., Nov. 2:!. 180:t. 

William II. Hill, died at Camp Nelson, Ky. 

Jesse Miller, died at Somerset Ky., Feb. 8, 1804. 

Samuel Eaton, died at Camp Nelson, Ky., Feb. 13,18r4. 

Moses Wells, died at Camp Nelson, Ky., March 11, 1804. 

Joseph llarslieay, dlc<l at Camp Nelson, Ky., Aug. 12, 1864. 

James W. Holmes, missing in aclion Oct 15, 1804 ; relumed. 

IraSuules, missing in action Oct 23, 1864; returned; mnst. out Nov. 11,1865. 

Garrett E. Smith, trans, to Vet. B<s. Corps, May I, 1801. 

Simon Darling, disch. for disability, Feb. 18, 1804. 

M. D. Petiie, died at Camp Nel«on, Ky., Jan. 29, 1865. 

Daniel Brandeberg, roiuit. ont Nov. II, 1865. 

George II. Chnrch, must, out Nov. II, 1805. 

J. E. Dunbar, must, out Nov. II, 1865. 

Thomas Favorite, must, out Nov. II, ^65. 

Henry Hoyt, must, out Nov. 11. 180'.. 

Benjamin C. I'erhain, must, out Nov. 11, 1805. 

Lesler Stone, miut out Nov. 11, 180'.. 

David B. Teryll, must, out Nov. 11, 1805. 

W. J. J. Terry, must, out Nov. II, 1865. 

E. J. Hendricks, discli. by order, June 19, 1805. 

Dewitt C. Corwin, disch. by order, June 17, 1865. 

Alfred Barrett, must, out Nov. II, 180). 

Amos K. Clark, must out Nov. II, 1865. 

Edwin A. Baird, must, out Nov. 11, 1805. 

COSIPANY L. 

William Diinlcy, must, ont Nov. II, 1865. 
Wheat C. Grist, must out Nov. 11, 1865. 
Charles Jones, must, ont Nov. 11, 1869. 
Henry Laycock, disch. by order, Sept. 18, 186.'.. 

COMPANY M. 

Meredith Mallory, died at Locke, Mich., Dec. 2, 1801. 

John Rank, must out Nov. II, 180'.. 

Beth H. Jones, must out June 2.1, 1805. 

ThomM Anils, mint out N..v. II, 180.5. 

James Murry, must, out Nov. II, 180.'.. 

Giles Hutchins, must out Nov. 11, \HVi. 

HarfonI B. RIloy, must oul Nov. 11, IsiVi. 

ELEVKNTII CAVALRY 

rOMPANV A. 
George E. Turrlll, died at Lexington, Ky.. March 16, 1804. 



584 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



COMPANY B. 
Albert L. Barko, trans, to 8th Mich. Oav. 
John II. Johnson, trans, to 8th Mich. Oiiv. 

COMPANY C. 
Henry .Steel, trans, to 8th Mich. Chv. 

COMPANY E. 
George Henderson, trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 

COMPANY G. 
J. H. Cheeseman, ditd at Detroit, Mich., Nov. 2, 18C3. 
Horace Stocking, tmns. to 8th Mich. Cav. 
Joseph M. Dobson, trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
Charles B. Lyons, trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
John D. Mix, trans, to 8lh Mich. Cav. 
George W. Perry, trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
Leonard S. Lampnian, must, out Nov. 30, 1865. 
■William B. Cliilcote, disch. by order, Aug. 5, 1865. 
George Nelson, disch, by order, Aug. 10, 1865. 
Horace M. Slierman, disch. by order, July IC, 1865. 
James H. Upham, must, out Sept. 29, 1865. 
Edwin H. Gridley, must, out Oct. 17, 1865. 

COMPANY H. 
Georgo Post, trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
Levi M. Booth, Irans. to 8th Midi. Cav. 
Nathaniel Chase, trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
James W. Edrick. trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
Harrison Putting, trans, to Sth Mich. Cav. 
Orrin S. Lalhiop, disch. by order, Aug. 10, 1865. 



Charles H. Ada 



COMPANY I. 
. to 8ih Mich. Cav. 



Julius N. Baker, trans, to Sth Mich. Cav. 

COMPANY K. 

James Ward, Lansing; com. 1st lieut., Co. K, Aug. 1, 1863; trans, to Co. A, 8th, 
Mich. Cav., on consolidation, July 20, 1865 ; pro. to capt., July 20, 1865 ; 
must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 

Ezra S. March, killed at Saltville, Va., Oct. 2, 186*. 

Charles Foster, trans, to Sth Mich. Oav. 

John Fullmore, trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 

L. H. Lee, trans, to Sth Mich. Cav. 

Thomas 11. Little, trans, to 8lh Mich. Cav. 



Charles Paike 



COMPANY L. 
, disch. for promotion. 



COMPANY M. 
Solomon L. Wiard, trans, to Sth Mich. Cav. 
Lutlier It. .Smith, trans, to 8lh Mich. Cav. 
Lester J. Scott, trans, to Sth Mich. Cav. 
Charles II. Browning, disch. by order, Aug. 10, ISC';. 

SECOND BATTKRY. 

John S. Ilnlcoinb, died at St. Louis, Mo., April 28, 1862. 
Orvin Flander*, disch. for disability. 

SIXTH BATTERY. 

William U. Stewart, disch. for disability, April 11, 1862. 

FIRST LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

BATTERY A. 

George Lamt', must, out July 28, 1865. 
James H. Lake, must, out July 28, 1865. 

BATTERY B. 
Edward Richter, disch. for disability, June 2, 1863. 
George O. Fechct, disch. by order, April 10, 18C4. 

BATTERY C. 
William F. Koyston, died at Windship Furnace, Ga., July 17, 1864. 
John L. Huntley, died at Chc-raw, S. C, Feb. 28, 1865. 
James Riithbun, died at David's Island, N. Y. Harbor, June 23, 1865. 
Daniel D. Bolton, must, out June 22, 1865. 
Harvey Acker, must, out June 22, 1865. 
Benjamin Briggs disch. by order May 26, 1865. 
Marion Blakesloo, must, out June 22, 1865. 
Truman Covert, disch. by order. May 31, 1865. 
William F. Clark, disch. by order, June 24, 1865. 
William Godfrey, must, out June 22, 1865. 



Henry T. Hardy, must, out June 22, 1865. 
Charles L. Ilnntley, must, ont Juno 22, 1865. 
Jason A. Hunt, disch. by order, July 13, 1865. 
Nathaniel Marston, must, out June 22, 18G5. 
Samuel Martin, must, out June 2^, 1865. 
Henry 0. Reynolds, must, out June 22, 1865. 
Merrick Sfarle, disch. by order. May 31, 1865. 
Matily N. Walker, disch. by order, Juno 8, 1866. 

BATTERY E. 
James H. Duvall, died at Tecumsoh, Ala., in 18C2. 
Henry Clafliri, must, out Aug. 30, 1865. 
Washington Faulkner, must, out Aug. 30, 1865. 
Orrin B. Miller, must, out Aug. 30, 1865. 
Clarence Parker, must, out Aug. 30, 1865. 
George W. Robijison, must, out Aug. 30, 1865. 
John E. Wilcox, must, out Aug. 30, 1806. 
Theodore C. Barnes, must, ont Aug. 30, 1865. 
Benjamin H. Crusou, must, out Aug. 30, 1805. 

BATTERY G. 
Henry C. Williams, disch. for disability, Jan. 1, 1863. 
Georgo Fowler, died at Na»hville, Tenu., March I, 1865. 
Frank Blattler, must, out Aug. 6, 1865. 
George Drissie, must, out Aug. 6, 1865. 
Henry D. Irving, must, out Aug. 6, 1865. 



John Moreley, disch. by ( 



BATTERY L. 
, May 11, 1865. 



BATTERY M. 
James Barton, disch. by order, June 17, 1865. 
Stephen L. Ward, must, out Aug. 1, 18C5. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

The following is a miscellaneous list of ofiBcers from 
Eaton and Ingham Counties, in various commands : 

George A. Armstrong, Eaton Rapids; com. capt. and assist, qr.-m. vols.. May 18, 

1SG4. (See Seventh Cavalry.) 
Matthew Elder, Lansing; com. 1st lieut. II th U. S. Inf., Aug. 5, 1861. (See 

Eighth Infantry.) 
George P. Sanford, Lansing; com. ninj. and paymr., Sept. 19, 1864. 
Hi>mer L. Thayer, Lansing ; com. capt. and com. of sub. vols.. May 2, 1864. 
Alexander J. H. Brewer, Eaton Rapids; com. ad lieut. 42d Illinois Inf., July 22, 

1861 ; pro. to 1st lieut., Nov. 25, 1861 : resigned June 8, 1862. 
Marion F. Bishop, Lansing ; com. capt. 2d U. S. Colored Inf , Feb. 21, 1865. 
Sergt. Ezra A. Montgomery, Eaton Rapids ; com. 2d lieut. 42d Illinois Inf, Nov. 

25, 1861; pro. to 1st lieut., June 8, 1802; killed at Cliickamaug.a, Tonn., 

Sept. 20, 1863. 
William Clark, enl. in 36th Illin 

adjt. ; wounded at Pea Ridge 
Albert Johnson, enl. in Co. M. 

wounded at battle of Wilderi 

1SG4. 



is Inf.; pro. to 2d lieut., 1st lieut., and 
served through the war. 
Berdan's Sharpshooters, August, 1863; 
ess; killed at Spoltsylvania, Va., in May, 



SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' REUNIONS. 

Several reunions of the veterans — soldiers and sailors — 
of the war of the Rebellion haveJjeen held at various 
times in Ingham County. Among them a soldiers' and 
sailons' reunion at Mason, on the 15th of August, 187G, at 
which 400 veterans were present, and about 4000 people 
were assembled to do honor to the occasion. The Gov- 
ernor's Guard and Band of Lansing; the Barnes Drum 
Corps; Company K, First Michigan State Troops, of 
Mason ; a military company from Leslie, a company of 
cavalry from Onondaga, and other organizations, were 
present. 

Rev. William Putnam, of Howell, delivered an appro- 
priate address, and then more toasts, music, etc., and a 
great dinner. The occasion was much enjoyed by the 
thousands present. 

On the 21st of August, 1877, there was a soldiers' and 



MILITAIIY IIISTOKY. 



sailors' reunion at Lansing;, helore wliicli Maj. I'ox, oF Baii- 
croil, delivered an uratioii. Tlie nieotin-; was hold at the 
L'enlral Mioliipui Fair Cirouiids, and liio ladies ("uriiislicd 
» diiiiior lor f)!)!! pciiple. 

The Twentieth Mieliigan Veteran Infantry held a re- 
union at Lansing on the 9th of Oetoher, 1S7S, at whieh 
many veterans were present, and there was an enjoyahlo 
time. 

One of the most noted gatherings met at Lansing in 
Oetober, 1879. This was the occasion of the reunion of 
the veterans of the Mexiean war, who met after more than 
thirty years had passed since they stood in the ranks before 
the " Halls of (he Moiilezumas," to pledge anew their de- 
votion to their country, and recount the scenes of their 
earlier manhood. About fifty veterans were present, to 
whom Col. A. T. McReynolds, of (irand Itapids, made a 
stirring address. The veterans represented Heventecn dif- 
ferent organizations, and were from various ])arts of the 
Union. 

An annual reunion of the soldiers and .sailors of Ligham 
County was held at the old Capitol park in Lansing, on 
Tuesday, the 17th of August, 1880. There wore eighty- 
six members of the association present, and two veterans 
of the war of 1812,— lUploy Walker, of Otsego Co., N. 
Y., on a visit to Michigan, eighty-four years of age ; and 
lOlijah Woodworlh, of Wheatfield, Ingham Co., Jlich., a 
veteran of eighty-nine years. 

The veterans from the southern part of the county, Iieaded 
by the excellent Leslie Hand, reached the eity at half-past 
eiglit in the morning, and many came in on the various 
trains from other directions. A salute was fired by the 
gun-.»f|uad, under the couiiuand of Sergt. llohbs, at half- 
past nine o'clock, and at half-past ten the procession was 
formed, and marched through some of the principal streets, 
under Marshal Uement ; after which the regular exercises 
were had at the old Capitol park. An address of welcome 
was made by Dr. II. J. Shank, and Capt. Cottrell, the 
president of the day, introduced Capt. Alexander Cameron, 
who delivered a very able aud hajipy address, I'rom which 
we make a few brief extracts, taken from the columns of 
the Rejiuhlican : 



liinrrh l.y .liiv uii.l \<\ nielli, IIk' llrn-r uiir.|iui);lit ul' i.'Im'I , 
Monii" <.r Kholl, Ihiil you I'lxliiro.l cvoii lh« .loli'iit lui.l riMil, ui,.. , 
llin I'lii'iiiy iIkmikIiI you viuii|iii>luul luul llu'lr mnm lriMUi|iluiii(, your 
rluliliorii vjilor mlliiHl unil cimiI.'Ik'.I victory Inmi <\vU'n\.. KoJoIi'k tliitt 
you I'liilunMl inorv tlutii h>n){ui) cnii lull, ho Iouk i>k It Iuin nwurtMl lo um, 
our li'llotv .'ilitiMiK, nuil our oliililrcii ii uniloil oouiilry, otor wlili'li tliii 
lliiK of our I'lillii'i-n, our oouiuioll liiuilil);". frouilly (vu\ I'n. 



" CniiirtiilcK, to tlio AO.IIOO «\.|inlilicrii of MioliiKnn, tliolr wIvpi), koiiii, 
dnuKlitLTH, iuiuK'iliiiti! ri'liitivi'ii nuil frii'ixlii (n nii|;lity IoiaH, In i'i>|ii> 
cinlly Klvt'u llii- KnoriKl trUKi of KiiiiriliiiK t'oni'litulioniil lilii'riy, lliii 
cnuMi) for wliiuli you foui;lil. iin<l for ivliioli uuiny liriivn oMo« niin< u|i 
Ihoir liveH. NV'Viir loiiil ii ilnif <<i>r or \m hili'ut wliou Ilio fikIiIx of iiuy 
coiunolu or uuy jMirtioii of our |m'o|»Io uru liriii^ lniiu|iliwl u|iou. Novur 
bo nili'Mt wIk'U Irulli iiiul Juntici' ili'iuiuiil ihiil your voi>'i< i>lu>ll lio liviinl 
ill llioir tk'fi'UHu. 

"Inn viKionor llio|ini't I Kawii rniumilui'lluiliinKlliuuiouiitorriiuiu, 
unci l>y lli« nid of IKom^ who IoukIiI »l .MuIvitu Hill, Aiilu'liuu, iiiul 
Shiloh ; ljy lliu iii.l or tlomu wlio rnilnl Lookout Mouiilolu iiikI fouKlil 
ubovu till' clou.lx; iiy tho iii>l ol'llir.rK who luiiri'lii'il lliruiiKh tliv riiu- 
my'H uniiiilry lioni Alhuilii lo Ihc ri'ii; hy thn iiiil of lhoi.it who nuiil 
<lowu iulo Ihu vjilh'y ol' .inilli iit lli'llyi>hiirK. ho hiul r<'i>i<h»l in liiii 
nsoinl of llm uioiiiit ol rainit xinnnil |ioKilioiiii of lionor imil IruMt, iin<l, 
with » lnuiluhlr aluhilioll, uilliDil lo riilidl till) luiuiulillll top. An ho 
nnirisl llir ohj.cl of lii^ iiiiihilion nii.l niuhiol out \\U IiiiikI lo m>Iiu 
thv hii;lii-'»t loMior lliiil ii rili/iii ciiu iitliiiii, tlioru i-|uiiiik hi'lwt'cn hiui 
unil Ihu KlilkM'ini; |iri/.u 111,111111 ol'liin i'oiiiniili<n. Iliiu ilurk of viHiiKn 
sti'|>|HHl lo Ihii I'ronl, mill ill tlii^ iiiiiiiii ol' liin urijipluil uiul iluiiil mini 
riicli-.i, ill till' niiiiKi ol' Ihu or)iliiinH iiiiil wiilown, ho I'oniiimniliiil him to 
liull. Aihiii'i-KiiiK Ilio iiiuhitioii.H oni>, hii Miiil, -Iti'toruyou ixlviinvi) 
further it in iiuri'iiHiiry tliiit you iiiiHWor one i|UL<filioii. U'tii'ii it wnn 
well with you, iJiil you rt'iiioiiiliL'r tliiiio who, tliroiif^h tliu iiiiiifortuiu-A 
of wur, wcro in wiint iiiiil iliHlri'ioir Tli>Miii|iirini; oiiii wan ilunih iiinl 
opi-ni'il not hill mouth. Thii lliinli of Ki><ll.V nhaiiio covi'ri'il Ilia I'iumi, 
ami, turnin);, hu iluxi'iiniluil into the viilluy of huinilialioii. Tlion witli 
onu voii'o Ihat nii|;lily hunt |iroi'luiini'il in lonm of thunilcr, that worn 
hninl throughout thu laml, ■ThuM »hall it >nor U-V 

'• With llm i:.XL'i-|itiiin of iliori' who, iliiriiiK tlio wiir, wurn Ki-hcl with 
un urilint lovo for ihu IlriliKli ilomiiiion of Caiiiuhi, and ii fiiw olhi'm 
who, for lijixo anil mirdid riMironH, would iiinko \i)i,\il of your Hurvh'cn, 
the huurtH of thu |ii;o|dc id' MiihiKJin lii'ut utroiiK in Hyin|iathy with 
the ox-noldior iinil tlio ciiuhu for wiiich ho fouglil. 'I'linl >innii<i nliull 
never loiio its naoredneim in tliuir eiglit. I iKJiem that your interextn 
nhnll bo joaluuFly guarded liy Iheiii, and a^ rure an the aun nliinea in 
the lieuvenii any wrong you may nuller from nliall yet lie rudruaaed. 

" ' Kniao the banner, raian it high, lioya ! 
Let it lloat againat the aky ; 
tiod be with iia I lliia our fry, boya ; 
I'uder it we'll do orilie,'" 



".Mn. Prrsiiikst a.no CoiiR.tnr.S: I eunahler it a privilege and 
pleasure to meet you here. To-day, after the lapae of many ycara, wo 
meet to talk over the great eventa of that niiglity atruggic for national 
life that wc participated in. We do not meet in the apirii of aelf- 
glorifiealion, for wc only performed a duty that wo owed tooiiroountry 
— a duty we owed to poaterity, in preaerving the libertiea and unlly 
of tliia nation as tranamilled to ua by our fathera, at a aaerilien be- 
yond estimation. We do not meet t<j hurl anatheinaa ut thoae who, 
in their paaaion and blindneaa, madly atrove to pull down thia grand 
fabric of civil government, aiiiictified liy the blood of our patriotic an- 
eeatora, and the teara, eriea, and aulTeringa of Icna of tliouaanda of 
widowa and orphana. hy the valor and miglit of yoururma tliey were 
vanqiiialicd. Dy your gencroaity they were jiardoiied and reatored lo 
all the rights of citizenahip. We meet to rejoice with each other over 
our victories, — over the reaults of the war, and to pledge ourselves 
anew to our country, whenever it may cull us to defend and inuintuin 
llioac principles for which wc fought. 

" We arc not here to-duy in the spirit of hale towards nny portion of 
our fellow-countrymen. Far be it from ua to celebrate with the purpose 
of promoting hatred among the people. Wo meet to congratulate and 
rejoice with eucli other that our triumph over armed rebellion bus not 
been in vain. Let it be your pride that as citizens of thia great re- 
public you endured the gloomy monotony of camp-life, the weary 

74 



I'reaideni — W. W. Cook. 

Viee-l'reaidenta— Alaiedon, (i. M. Wnahburnei Aurelius, Alonno 
Cheney; Delhi, (ieo. \V. .Mullory : Ingham, iJr. I'. L. Uundall ; Lan- 
sing tnwiiahip, Chiia. (iloaaer ; Loi.-ke, Henry Arnold; Leioy, Hiram 
Kix; Meridian, i;uatavua Ayrea; hlockbridgo, .lolin Wixal ; Vetny, 
H. J. Northrup; Williumaton, r'tepben Leikie; Wheatlleld, James 
l':pai'y; While Oak, Tom MiKerney, Lanaing l'ity--Kirat Ward, It. 
C. (toodhue; Hecond Ward, .laiiiea II. Maker; Third Ward, Knimell 
I'ole; Fourth Ward, A. K. Cowlea; I'ifth Ward, John lliond; Hixlh 
Ward, W. 11. Hunter. .Maaon City— l-'irrt Ward, John C. Mqulura ; 
Hecond Ward, Donald Cainphell. 

Hecretary— A. A. Lumbard. 

Treaaurer— Juinea McDaniel. 

Kxecutive Committee— Andrew W. .Mehan, of Maaon; L. H. Ives, 
of N'evay ; Abruin Cottrell, of Lniiamg. 

Those having no parlieular interest in the meeting repuirrd to lb* 
old hall, where n duni'C was in pr<igre», and " the light funtustie toe" 
was tripped induatrioualy during the urternuou und evening. 

Decoration Day is now very generally observed through 
out the country, and the people of Kulun und Inghaio 



584 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



,i ^'ive precedence to none in their remembrance of 
those who gave their lives in defense of the country. The 
customary ceremonies are participated in by the veterans 
of the war of the Rebellion, by all present military organ- 
izations, civil societies, and by citizens generally. 

Even the smaller villages vie with the great towns and 



cities in honoring the dead heroes of a war which made the 
American Union a Nation, and removed from its escutcheon 
the foul blot of human slavery. It is meet and fitting that 
these observances should be kept up throughout the length 
and breadth of the land, as a fitting testimonial to the 
" loved and lost." 



bd 1.9.0: 



'■t- 






o y 



^-^■}^: 



^. '-Si-' ^' 

V ^ ' ■ o 

^ ■ ' " 



.^^^^ 






>:^<- 



,0 -.' 



,0- 



..v- 










'^^ 



^' 






1 , c, J'- ^ ■ 

S<^ ST. AUGUSTINE ' ■■ - " ^ .p. 






^-^ 






LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



iHi^iiiUUilllUl^Mi^W^'llii 



014 754 186 7 



